My People!

27 May 2022

I Like to Kick...

(video kidnapped from Molly Shannon's IG account - theofficialsuperstar - on 3 February 2018)

Dear Lisa of Tomorrow

Originally written 11 November 2023, most likely a writing prompt for where I'd be at age 50:

Hello fifty year old Star! A lot has happened these last three years and you accomplished so much! You survived that dreadful upstairs neighbour and a depression unlike anything you'd felt before, and came out of it striving for better health overall. You've gotten yourself mostly out of debt and seem to be a bit more financially careful. You've even been able to travel more lately - back to Dublin and exploring more of Ireland plus out to Ohio in Phineas, your zippy lil' 'rolla Hatchback - to spend time alone plus time out and about with the Coleman gals. You're still hooked on documentary films and audiobooks and all things "Hart to Hart". You're living at the same place for now but it's much more homey and the lack of noise from the neighbours has been blissful. Jackson is (can you believe it?) fourteen and so tall! He's still fun to hang out with and hasn't gotten sick of you yet. Lucy is ten and still the sweetest girl in the world. She's cheering and has fun seeing Jackson play drums for school. I love seeing them and we've had the chance to make so many new memories together. You were finally able to shed those few extra dozen pounds (lol) and can finally wear all those cute clothes you've been hoarding for decades. Things are definitely better. Maybe they won't improve and you'll have to go with Plan S, but maybe not. At least there's options! Keep staying positive and especially KEEP MOVING! Dick Van Dyke knows what he's talking about. Try to keep going and I'll be back here in the past rooting for you and crossing my fingers!

The only thing on this list I remembered after writing it was that if I got a new or new-to-me car, his name would be Phineas and would have to be a Toyota Corolla Hatchback. When sweet lil' Roark was dying and I was looking for a new ride in April of 2025, I was determined to make one thing come true for me before I turned fifty. Phineas was it.

Also, Lucy loves that Jackson plays drums but she definitely does not like going to his performances - the noise level is too much for her. Oh, and he is crazy tall. Already 5 feet 11 and a half inches!! But I so enjoy seeing the two of them together and how they are more like brother and sister than cousins. They genuinely love eachother. Earlier this year I was talking to Jax about how some kid was bullying our sweet girl and he went into big brother protective mode - "What's his name? I'm gonna beat his ass." I'm so grateful that the world's kindest little lady has the best guy in the world on her side.

I did drive out to Ohio in October of 2025 in Phineas and was able to catch up with Autumn, Molly, and to see Maureen one last time.

In March of this year I spent a little bit of time of Dublin with Isabella - one morning of walking around to our favourite spots and one day where we checked into a hotel, showered, and went to bed at 3:51pm. Ha! (We were both exhausted.) I loved showing Bella around Antwerp and introducing her to my favourite little spots, the delights of Belgian waffles and frites, plus I got to check out a few new-to-me places, like the Cathedral. We had five full days in the city and mixed up relaxing at the flat and talking, with shopping and wandering around the world's most beautiful city. Getting there and then back home was rough as hell, but in the end, completely worth it. It was a great way to celebrate my upcoming fiftieth birthday with one of my favourite humans ever created.

For right now, I'm taking the down time that I have to really fix up all the things in my life that are broken and in need of repair. Letting go of people that don't seem to show up for me, getting my home organised and in tip-top shape, spending more and more time with my niblings and dearest friends, and taking care of my body in a way I never had before. I want to read more, write more, maybe get my stories published at last, and most importantly, focus on accepting me and improving what I can, while striving to carve out a pocket of happiness where I feel safe and loved. I want nothing more than to revisit this post a year from now and be in a truly beautiful place in my life, where I am at peace and feeling better than ever. Here's hoping!

Bday Message from Bailey & Avery

Back in 2020, when the world was on lockdown and Ashlee and I were still actually friends, she sent me a mini movie on my birthday from her two lovely we lasses. 

Treats from Autumn!!

Lookee what was on my doorstep this morning, all for me, from my oldest pal, Autumn! I for real have the greatest humans ever created as my friends. I am the luckiest Star in the whole galaxy. 

PS - Cheryl's vegan cooks are sooooooo faboo.

Happy 45th from Lucy!

Belated Bday Giftie!

Look what Melanie left on my doorstep the other night!

Tuscan Afternoon

Today I spent the first day of the last year of my forties by staying in bed til 11, having pizza for breakfast/lunch as well as dinner, a nap, bingeing some Last Tango in Halifax, and then doing a new puzzle. (Next I plan to get dressed and head to the library, then drop off books, cds, and dvds to local Little Free Library boxes.) 

(artwork by Ana Hard)

Bday Giftie from Natalia!

Look what I got in the mail!

BONUS! Cards from Bishop, Anne, and Mum:

(Ha! The Queen Elizabeth card is the same one that Bish gave me last year.)

Birthday Message from Donna

I'm so glad I have this sweet message from Donna that she left for me on May 25th, 2013.

Casablanca with Kay

Today Kayla and I went to the Colonial Theatre to see Casablanca. She had never seen it and only gave it 3.5 stars out of five. (sad face) There was a family (three teens and two parents) who talked through the whole fucking movie like they were in their fucking living room. People who talk in movies are, for me, as bad as Republicans, bed bugs, and carnival clowns. They should all be wiped from the face of the Earth.

(Ha! The dark circles and multiple pieces of luggage under my eyes ruined this photo. Then Kayla suggested colouring in the lenses so they looked like sunglasses. Presto!)

BONUS!!

The Eagles are going to the Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Driving down the Vine Street Expressway to take Kayla back home, we noticed that all the high-rises were lit up in green to support The Birds. 

Rick ♥ Ilsa 4ever

Today I dug out a couple boxes of old cards in an attempt to go through them and part with a bunch. AKA, tear 'em and trash 'em. Thankfully I found some from people I don't really talk to anymore so those were easy to toss. Others I will keep forever, such as the few from my father where he actually wrote his name rather than just my mother signing it from them both. Others to hang on to include all of Amy's and Bishop's cards over the decades, letters from my cousin when she was in rehab and we wrote back and forth a couple times a week, and the remaining letters from old pen pals and, of course, Nana Irma. But at the top of the pops is this card that Rick gave me back in 2006. It was hand made by one of the regulars at the café, a lovely woman named Mary Hartz, and she did an outstanding job. I know I've shared this card before on this blog, but here's the inside as well.

Grounds for Sculpture in the Rain

When Lucy heard that I was planning to spend my bday at Grounds for Sculpture she jumped at the chance and asked to go with me. As if I could ever refuse the cutest cutie patootie in the world! Not even non-stop rain could stop us. Lucy refused to use her umbrella and stated, "I don't mind if I get drenched." And she most certainly did. But rain and chill be damned, we toured the place for an hour, not missing our faves, Gloria Vanderbilt's stunning Dream Box and Lucy's giant snake. Then we were back to her place to colour using the cute Ooly markers we got at the gift shop. She even let me do a page from the Cat Butt colouring book I bought her earlier this year! All in all, it was a pretty terrific day.

Ten Years Ago Today...

...Little Z and I celebrated our bdays! I remember stupidly asking a nine year old boy what he wanted to do to celebrate our birthdays (his being May 17th and mine being ten days later). As soon as the question escaped my lips I felt regret. "He's gonna wanna go to Six Flags or someplace I don't like. Why did I ask this!?!?" His answer? "Hmm...how about dinner and a movie?" PERFECT! So we got dressed up and went to a fancy restaurant in Cherry Hill called Blue2o, where my friend Melissa worked. We had a great time because Melissa catered to our exact wishes. Salad for me, noodles for Zach, fries to share, and crème brûlée for dessert. Then it was water ice at Lena's and back to my place to watch Adventures in Babysitting. It was a fantastic evening.