Monday, February 28, 2005

Laser Eye surgery, anyone?

Is there anyone out there who has had experience with corrective laser eye surgery? Or do you know anyone who has? I'm seriously considering having it done in Toronto - and I'd appreciate any feedback I can get, good or bad.

Anyone?

Saturday, February 26, 2005

What's in the box?

Today, my Lucy taught us a lesson. We had scheduled her a vet appointment, and getting her to the vet is always a traumatic event for all involved. Lucy is quite the ninja, so to get her into the cat carrier normally involves lots of chasing, pleading, a ruse or two, and a great deal of frustration on our part. For Lucy, it's full of fear, vomit (and other outputs) and fancy moves with her ginsu claws.
We decided that we'd prefer to avoid all of that if we could, and try to get her to the vet a different way this time. Don decided that we should just put a harness and leash on her and try to carry her to and from the car. A few puncture wounds later, he came to the conclusion that would not work as planned.
Last night, my brother had been playing with Lucy in a cardboard box - she adores cardboard boxes - and he mentioned how easy it had been to carry her around the house in the box, and maybe we should try the box to get her to the vet. We took his advice, and gave it a try - and my Lucy was so calm, her breathing didn't change, she just sat in her box, peeking out the top when she wanted. I was stunned. We'll be taking her to the vet in her cardboard box every time now.
She must feel more in control, because there is no door being locked on her, and when she wants out, she just sits, up, looks around and ducks back in.
I have to admit, this involved a lot of trust on my part. I was worried that she'd escape, rush into traffic, getting harmed, lost, or worse. But she showed us that if we just gave her a bit of freedom, that she was much more comfortable, and she wasn't interested in getting away.

So, next time you are trying to fold a feline into a crate, and the claws and the curses are flying - try a bit of trust and a simple cardboard box instead. It may work for you the way it worked for us! (I still recommend the harness and leash!)

Saturday, February 12, 2005

Underestimating happiness

How many people experience true happiness in their daily lives? Think about your life. When was the last time you were truly happy, full of joy, beaming a giant smile?
Next time you are busy rushing about your day, stop, and take a look around you and take notice of the expressions on the faces around you. Can you tell what they are feeling?
When I look around me, I see a range of expressions, mostly bored, hurried, frustrated.
In our constant hurry-up culture, people always seem to be thinking of the next thing, where they are headed, what they are late for, what to make for dinner. Very few of us actually reside in the current moment. I find myself in the same state, every day, and I'm working to change it.
Someone once told me that we can only find happiness in the present moment and I know this is true.
I had spent a large part of my younger life feeling that it was "cheesey" to be really happy, that it was dumb, or proved that I wasn't an intellectual. Boy, was I wrong and dumb at the same time! I was afraid to find happiness for the sake of happiness because I thought it would make me look shallow. Maybe there are others like me out there - I hope not. If I found out that only I had made that stupid, dumb mistake, then I'd be very happy!
I do wonder though if other people try to make a conscious effort to fit happiness into their day. I know what it's like to be swept away by waves of "should dos" and "have tos" and "can't be lates."
Maybe I was a late learner - but if there are other people out there who are being drowned by all
of these demands and expectations, I have one word of advice: breathe.
I have learned this through my yoga practice, and I've found it to be invaluable advice. Breathe, I mean it. Pay attention to your breath and nothing else. Don't change it, just let it flow as it normally does. You'd be amazed at how happiness will find you when you take yourself out of the rat race for a moment.
And if I'm cheesey and shallow for saying it, then so be it.

S.

Thursday, February 10, 2005

busy buzzings, and Metric rocks!

Wow, I haven't entered anything new here in a LOOONG time. Last time was summer, which, in light of the cold weather today seems very VERY far away.
Since I last entered anything, we've got thru xmas, we went to Banff for a brief holiday (most of which I was sick) and I've learned to knit, which is currently occupying much of my thoughts - that and V-Day, being part of the floral industry.
I'm amazed at how much I'm enjoying knitting. I never would have expected it, but I am really enjoying it. At this point, all I know is the knit stitch, but I can bind off, and I can make stripes with different colours of yarn. I never thought that would excite me so much.
I've read that many people knit who you wouldn't expect to - Laurence Fishburne, for one - enough said.
AND I went to see Metric in concert with my sister - they are incredbile live - if you haven't seen them and you're looking for a great night of live music, check them out when they come to a town near you. I'd even suggest that it's worth travelling to a town not near you just to see them!
I've also had my interest in yoga renewed, thanks to a teacher at a local studio - I seem to have found my connection to it again, and it is wonderful to be involved with again. Although with work being so busy over the last couple weeks, I haven't been able to give it the time it needs, I am at the point of doing a practice almost every day, including about 10 minutes first thing in the morning. If I think of it like breakfast, something I can't skip, I usually won't miss it.
Well, as usual, my house is a mess, and my mat and needles are calling me. Time to go do too many things at once. I must try to do more regular entries on my blog.