Bad knees? Gravel butt? What the hell is happening?!

My body has betrayed me.  Ok so maybe I should have taken a bit better care.  Tried yoga a second time.  Taken fish oil?  Not sure, but after nearly 65 years (I know!  Who’d have thought it!) my knees are kind of shot.  And by “kind of shot” I mean not just sounding like I am stepping on rice krispies when I walk down steps.  I mean from being able to squat down to work in the garden to being...unable!

I am a prairie girl.  Born and raised in the flatlands of Saskatchewan, I learned early that there are and will be times when nature calls, and there are no “little girls rooms” available.  So strategic bushes, deep grass, or even a round bale has been used for privacy when “I gotta pee!”.  

Fast forward to adulthood.  There are times...when traveling by car or motorcycle, when thus has required me to be fast, be brave, and no dilly dallying!  Over the years I have become a speedy “goer”..when nature calls with no facilities in the middle of the prairie.  But as age, my body is starting to protest.  To ignore commands.  To let me down..literally!

Flash back 2 yrs. we left our home in Milo to work in northern BC.  A seemingly reliable renter was found, hubby found a great place to rent, and off we went.  Then this past February our renter was moving out but failed to let us know!  Thats a whole other story....long story short, we quickly realized two homes was more than we could handle, and we opted to return to our house in Alberta.  

The move was on! Household packed, movers loaded, and with Hubby in truck and the cats and I in my wee car,  ready for an 11 hr drive.  First day, last minute packing and cleaning meant a late start, so once it started snowing, we found a motel that took pets, and stopped for the night.  The next day, snow was letting up, some ice here and there....cold, wet.

Wait! I gotta pee!  I called my hubby who pulled over on a wide shoulder.  I pulled up behind, a little further right to provide some privacy.  In my sandals and leggings, I found a good enuff  spot beside the truck.  Positioning myself beside the muffler, I checked for traffic...none.  This was the spot.  But noted as I commenced my “business “ my butt seemed to be sinking lower and lower.  Now keep in mind Id just packed our house up over the past 5 weeks.  Up and down stairs, squatting,
Ifting, reaching...not my normal activity level.  So as I realized to my horror my butt was now way past the optimal lift-and-riseup... I couldn’t stand!  Panic!  Ok, self talk...you can do this...noooo..
🙏 oh God help me lift my ass, Im stuck!  Legs trembling, I tried to boost myself by reaching back onto the wet muddy pickup, no good, Calling for Mac, I was right beside the exhaust.  He couldn't hear me!

By this time traffic was passing, I did not care!  This was serious, no way to stand up..My legs gave out and Plop there I was, bare assed in the wet, gravelly, muddy shoulder.  Nearly in tears, I rolled onto all fours, elevated my bare road dirt covered derrière into the Muddy Camel yoga position, all this with my leggings around my ankles...at this point I seriously did not care who saw me.  Raising myself, I managed to grab the side of our truck and pull myself to the window.  Mac was shocked!  He felt so bad, couldn’t hear me calling, I bravely said Ill be okay, then broke into big loud sobs.  “This is so hard, its just so hard”.....

The realization that I couldn't do what I'd done since I could walk was horrifying!  Humbling, embarrassing, scary!  It had never ever happened before!

Once I got back to my car on shakey legs, I told myself Pull on your gravelly big girls panties, you can do this...then resumed driving with loud sobs, “its so hard, I need help” and prayed my way along the highway for the next 15 minutes.  A few hours later, out of windshield washer, having to Go Again, we pulled into a gas station.   Thankfully this one had a washroom available.  My legs were still shaking, I could feel gravel and stones in my pants..sat down, and when I stood up, the seat was mud and sand!  Finally got cleaned up, wiped off the messy seat, got a pop, and we resumed our treck south.

Its amazing, because of Covid 19 no restaurants or coffee shops were open.  No place for a person to use the washroom.  And man, now I know the value of a clean toilet to a woman over 60 when she has to go!

What am I. And why am I laughing?

0Ahhh mid January,  a new decade, and the urge to blog is upon me.

Well end of November was, as i may or may not have mentioned, was the end of my job. Short of 2 years by 2 weeks.  A shock ...yes.  But at the end it wasn't sad.  I wasn't confused, there was no sense of loss or remorse, it was....dare i say...exciting?  Perhaps I’m a closet ADHD personality?  Dont get me wrong, it was a decent enuff job.  I was usually challenged, but in an environment where any reciprocal challenging was seen as “push back” and the new management style was ..... how you say ... “old school”.  Lol or as I’ve said, my way or the highway.  And so now here I am, unsure of where my next adventure lies.  Or am I?

Lets revisit the situation, from a new point of view:

1.  I want to retire.   Knowing I wont retire rich (unless the Lord decides Yes MsMarlean its time you are a winner) it’s obvious to me a modest lifestyle is in my future.   Ok I can dig that.  I mean I have my health, my darling husband, my cats...oh and a new bike.  And I have pinched pennies and done without before in my life, I can do it again.  
2. Life in the north is a good one.  I mean hubby is employed, and happy.  He enjoys his work, and has an end goal in site, we can manage!  Our pantry and freezer are full, we have at least 8 good bottles of scotch on standby, and are close to my mom and stepdad. 
3. Job options for me are out there!  I have applied for some cool positions I am sure I would enjoy and that would challenge my brain. Gotta keep using it while it lasts right? 😂
4. While I keep looking for work I can collect Employment Insurance. Wont get me a vacation to the Caribbean but keeps me in Hob Nobs and Ice Cream.  
5. Time for art no longer needs to be rationed.  I can paint at the studio when the urge strikes me.  This is important...from a creative and a social standpoint.  My artsy gals are an amazing inspiring group of women!

UPDATED 

THE MOVE IS BEHIND US, we’re in the house, collecting EI, looking at some good options...and the 385 pieces we moved are around 60% unpacked.

Made a new friend with a lady who just sold her house, is going thru health struggles and needs empty boxes and clean newsprint. 

Our friends in Stavely are lifesavers with socially distanced beers and conversations, the local Deputy Danger is a life saver when it comes to moving really heavy stuff...

Had a trucker friend pull his BTrain up in front of the place for a cup of coffee...he was hauling sailboat fuel. Lol love his sense of ha ha....

Villagers are welcoming us back, even with social distancing...I think they are happy to see the back of The Slob and her hounds, many horror stories, so glad we got our house back!  

Attended the bookclub aka wine club meeting on Zoom, so glad to see the gals! I go for the mail just to see people!  I love our little village!

The yard is a shambles, time and effort...we’ll get it together.  Bikes are coming out, inspection booked in two weeks...road trip!

We have guests from the coast booking in come June, mom and Bob are eager to come by and fingers crossed we can go to Montana in July.

John has mastered baking in the bbq until our oven door is fixed....

And Im making tacos and margaritas for dinner!

All in all, we are healthy, happy, and moving forward!

You spin me right round baby right round...

So Thursday it rained...a lot! Yup so loud we could hear it inside.  Then Friday a.m., you know it...ice.  I drove, in our truck which hasn’t had the 4 wheel drive fixed (wouldn’t have made a diff) taking John to physio for his leg....anyways....headed out the driveway, slippy but doable...then turn right towards DC on Rd 213.  No snow on it.  But icy.  Did not realize how icy it was until the first teeny downhill slope, which was followed by a big, 1 km hill.  Ungravelled.  Sooooo first little ass end kicked out...weeeeee.....then holy shit, we were proper out of control, sliding sideways, backwards, 360, Jesus save us....steer into the skid, into the skid, spun around...John saying you’re doing good, you’re doing good, all the while both of us thinking Not the ditch,Not the ditch....lol

Thank goodness we were going slow , but I swear we picked up speed...then final 360 we sort of stopped, I was in 1st gear trying to slow us, so once stopped, big breath, and slowly continued down the last gentler slope to the highway.  

It was tense, but we made it!  Took a diff route home, everybody we talked to said side roads were treacherous....ya think?

So that was some excitement.....lol

Now roads are fine, lots of snow 12” for sure, not taking the Urals out, tho friends are encouraging us.  

And that’s life in the North.

Stay warm my friends

Am I turning into a Cat Lady?

Aa I begin typing tonight, fighting insomnia and the Sunday nite “next week work plan”, I feel a presence, a warm hairy (should that be furry) purring beastie who has softly, quietly, unobtrusively latched onto my bare shoulder.  My cat.  Or should I say, one of my cats.  The small one. So here she sits, appearing to be somewhat inconvenienced by my effort to type.

At last, she decides to relocate.  But not before her long hair and flank brush my face.  Leaving a wee deposit of super fine fur on my eye.  Good grief.  Now purring she’s decided my legs are where she bed down for the nite.  And she’s the quiet one.

Enter her brother, big cat...proudly and loudly announcing his arrival, mouth full of cat toy...about to deliver this wee gift before getting comfy on my bed. My bed in name only, he presses his girth against my legs and pushes until I move. Lol Share is not in his vo-cat-ulary..  he fits, he sits. And then...he pushes and rearranges himself in such a way, there is very little room for my feet.  Yup..the cat wins again.

And so dear reader, I try to get some sleep before heading to work.  Wish me luck!

On the road again...

Oh how I wish - as I sit here warming up the computer for another days teaching, I'm thinking it's been a while since I had some "mental health" time.  Don't get me wrong, I have painting time - where I'm currently in the Cat portrait mode, and I get weekend time where it's a plethora of chores from the week like dishes, pots and pans (my nemesis) bottomless laundry basket, paying bills, buying groceries, gas for car...you get the picture.   The other time consumer, which SHOULD be relaxing, is riding and traveling - but alas 9 hours on Hwy 22 S is not really that relaxing. Let me expand on this.

Yes the first hour or so, great conversation punctuated by excitement of being on a trip, a mini vacation, an Adventure! Three hours into it and the pickup reminds you of an old box of spuds, kind of earthy and mildewy, then realizing it's an endless vista of asphalt, trees, trees, sky, trees...LOL you get the drift.  Sciatic starts bugging me ...Ok I'm getting old. But a quick lunch, we're back at it - and then, repeat. We look at the leaves, beautiful.  Animals if there is wildlife. on and on  Ad naseum.  So after 5 trips south this year, one gets weary.  However, it's the road we need to take, and on the up side they fixed the pavement on a large portion! LOL

After a particularly long month of working with people who are for all intensive purposes broken, I find it can be draining on me.  And with each new intake and tales of ... you don't wanna know ... its harder to fall asleep, it's harder not to rewind snippets of heartbreaking conversations.  Its not all bad - honestly some times little acts of encouragement and support make a mountainous difference in their lives.  But with fall approaching, and leaves changing colour - I can't help but want to take a break.  A few days off.  No chores.  No responsibility, no demands.

I'm thinking - SPA.  Hot tub.  Massage.  Chocolate mouse body wrap.  Soft bathrobes and good wine.  *sigh  A girl can dream yes?? LOL Perhaps it's time to go to Kananaskis - get a room and spoil ourselves.  HAHAHA Well alas this aint in the card for me this year BUT I will replace SPA with URAL. 

Saturday is the big practice push!  I will prevail! Not ride it like a Hog but totally different animal. a Russian Bear! And our reward at the end of the day? a Steak, a Stoli, and a NEW mattress to sleep on.  Ah yes, life is good. 

Yer All gonna love this Ural!!! lolol or in the words of Jeremy Clarkson "There was a little poo"

So my friends, a whole NEW Chapter in adventerous Marlean's life - and that is in a side car! Yes, alas the last Harley was traded in, along with the last Indian which belonged to the love of my life.

Now if you have never owned a motorcycle, never ridden long distances, never enjoyed the smell of sage on the prairie after a wicked thunderstorm, this might be hard to relate to.  But I, alas have seen it, felt it, dealt with it all...and 99.9% loved it! Yes lightening striking a pole across the street from you is indeed scary, but it also reminds you YOU are ALIVE!!!

And now, I've recently celebrated turning 64 - ONE MORE YEAR and I collect OAP!!! (Old age pension)  Yup, against all odds, I'm officially a senior.  And I ask for senior discounts at all hotels I go to, I order with impunity off the seniors menu and this is great! Oh yes, I'm old and I'm cheap. LOL

The plan is to slow down - in preparation for retirement.  Now it seems to me I haven't really "slowed down" much in 64 years, but I need to learn.  When hubster and I go ride our former bikes, we would start the trip with - Now no racing, no speed demoning, just stop and smell the roses..... and we'd hit 6th gear, and potatopotatopotato we're gone! No stopping until we needed fuel.  No smelling roses.  Or anything else!  This made me really happy - but I've noticed that the last couple of years it also made me really tired. And sore.  Like my knees and hips - they couldn't work like they used to.  Needed new gear oil or something?  Then at a bike show 3 or 4 years ago we saw these wee Russian bikes with sidecars.  Weird?  Cool? Urals.  Hmm we could each get one and haul a ton of stuff!

We put that on the back burner, we just got my Dyna and his Indian Nostalgia Chief , gorgeous bikes, super comfy, let’s go!  But a friend “Fazer”who just was fixin’ to retire had this sidehack, a Ural, the “mobile Chernobyl” and it appeared to be a riot!

Then we found a dealership in Albeeria...started checking out FB groups like Soviet Steeds, and realized these weren’t army surplus bikes...more research required!

So this years bike trip south to ‘Merica was rained out.first time in 40+ years:  we’re talking epic Tstorms, flash floods, hail, tornadoes.  Nay nay not going to spend a week south of the border in that. Luckily our most excellent friends Dave & Liza said oh hell, stay with us, long as you want.  Here, weather sucks, use our pickup....so off we went in the rain to look a little closer at these Russkie bikes.  And ya know?  We loved them!  Made a deal, we’d ride back the next week, trade ours in.

Long story short, we both got Gear Ups, he got the Sahara model, mines O/D Green...and they were ordered. I could ramble on about the factory in Siberia.  Yup, made in Russia.  You can google it.  But 4 weeks later the bikes were in Canada.  Sept 7 we collected them, and trailered them up north. I’ll tell you about that trip and the UDF (Ural Delay Factor) another time.  Or the amazing red head I met at the bike shop who continues to encourage me on this new adventure.

One truth she left with me: forget anything you know about riding a bike...start from scratch with a sidecar.  Leaning? No.  Foot down?  No.  Slow down ...you’re headed left.  Counter steer...bwahaha you fool!  It’s like wrestling a drunk Russian bear!  But omg when you get it right it’s glorious!

What we’ve learned so far is we need more practice before taking them on a public road.  Also a Ural can run over a 4’ blue spruce like nothing.  And when they’ decided it’s time to go left, best up the revs and steer right!  We’re getting better each short ride.  Oh yeah, the adventure has just begun!

Sunshine ☀️ and me own studio!

Oh happiness abounds..summer is here!  Ok it’s Mid May and no snow, green grass, hummingbird is back and life is good.

But holy crap it’s crazy busy!  Not to say the house could use some attention but hubby commented on the state of the kitchen with a “looks like a refugee camp”!  I must admit washing pots and pans is a chore I do not like. We both pack lunch everyday...so about a dozen plastic containers with lids do tend to pile up in ones sink, no? But we haven’t died of food poisoning yet 🤞and there are several stellar meals prepared in Chez Mac’s. 😋

So busy...I have discovered that I can paint!  And now it’s a passion, yes Virginia there are other ways to spend $$ besides shoes!  Acrylics, brushes, canvases etc all cost.. no, not in the league of motorcycles, but it takes my mad money for sure!  And I humbly submit my efforts..check my Facebook page!  Now since my art group isn’t meeting over summer, I need a place to paint.  Enter, the Blitz!  The camper trailer we very seldom camp in, but do use occasionally as a guest house.  So my plan is this:  it’s going to be a studio!  Uhuh.  Plug it in, and voila...lights, a fridge and A/C!  Fix a wee booboo on the door and bugs are kept at bay.  Yup, it’s ready to go.  Colour me brilliant!  And it keeps moi out of hunnies hair while he studies. Win win I say!

Other business keeping us busy:  well work of course, both of us slogging along.  Meh, it’s a living.  Vacation is coming, 2 weeks on the road again to Montana.  👍 more on that another time.

But this upcoming weekend, our May Long Weekend is supposed to be wet.  Oh well, maybe I’ll get the kitchen cleaned up, and more. 🧹🧺⏱