Jun 1, 2011

What? I get to EAT it too?

Pat Fenerty's great niece is quite literally pretty in pink as she plays with the icing on her birthday cake. Pat says it was great to see the extended family come out to celebrate Olivia's 1st birthday bash despite the miserable weather. FANTASTIC pix Pat, too bad it's a little late for this year's photo contest, I'm sure it would have received lots of votes.



Creature Feature

Our friend Angela Whiteley-O'Neill of Nova Scotia sure is talented. We've featured her amazing bodypaintings on scribbles in the past, but this creative piece takes on a whole new look when viewed under blacklight [as seen in second photo above]. And it's one thing to paint designs on others, but just how the heck does she manage to use her own body her canvas and do it so skillfully?

Want to see more of her amazing work? Visit Angela's Breathing Canvas facebook page here*

*you must be registered with facebook to view this site




"Thanks for taking me
to the Playground, Daddy"

"OK, now turn on your signal...
...slow down, eyes on the road"

William Blythin (left) shares a drive with his little sister Keira and somehow this adorable photo reminds me of someone being taught how to drive.  We snagged this pix from the William and Keira's daddy's facebook page [insert sarcastic gasps here- LOL] I held off as long as I could Neil, in case you had decided to send it in for our photo contest, but today's the deadline, meaning FINALLY I get to share this amsuing pix with the rest of our scribbles family.


click pix to view large version

Stop and Smell the Flowers
With the mercury rising and sun shining brightly, it looks like we're in for a long hot Summer. A sure sign is the arrival of these beautiful flowers as seen today in my mom's backyard. The fragrant flowers, like Summer itself don't stay in bloom for very long, so we were sure to snap this pix while they still look great. 

 


Ken's Second Treatment at Rothbart

Fri. 5pm...

Just back from 2nd treatment at Rothbart Centre. LOTS of injections this time. Neck, shoulders, lower back and base of skull. I go back in 2 weeks and then in July for the more advanced x-ray therapy (more on that later).

At this precise moment I'm feeling very little pain. A bit tingly (kinda like when you go to the dentist) and tired so going to rest now.

Fri. Midnight...

Nap and a bubble bath felt good. Some muscle stiffness tonight so going to rest some more after this post.

I asked the Specialist today exactly what it is we are injecting into me. A fair enough question, I thought. And he is such a nice guy, even took the time to spell it out for me.  The injections I am currently receving are non-steroidal, a combination of Marcaine and Toradol.

What Is a Marcaine Injection?

Marcaine is a local anesthetic used to prevent or block pain. It is used in many procedures, from dental work to childbirth.

Marcaine injections are used in a discogram to help find the source of spine pain. By anesthetizing specific nerves as they emerge from the spinal cord, your doctor can determine exactly which nerves are sending pain signals to the brain, and can then treat these nerves individually, allowing you to reduce or eliminate systemic painkillers that can affect your overall function. Toradol is also present as an anti-inflammatory.

So this is what they are doing to me right now. Dr. James also mentioned they can try a steroid next time and has forwarded recommendations for specific meds to my family doctor. Physiotherapy in any form is also recommended and it is important for me not to lay around too much, because that can make things worse. 

However when it hurts so bad, I don't want to do anything, so if they can make the pain go away then maybe I will feel more like being more active. We'll see and as you grown to expect,  I'll keep you posted.



click pix to view large version

Siesta Time for Senior Pussycat

My cat J.R. certainly is relaxed looking, laying on the back of my sofa. It's a common scene, resting is one of J.R.'s favourite pasttimes, and if the sofa isn't handy, the bed, a basket of laundry or pile of shoes also make great places for my furry friend to fall asleep. 





  mini VIDEO CLIP


Down...But Not Out

As we see above I'm in good company as I lay on the floor to relieve neck and shoulder pain. My cat J.R. thinks I make a purrfect pillow and so does Timmi at times. Unfortunately I'll be spending more time on the floor resting my back and I am on a short term sick leave.


 

It's Coffee Time!
Little Keira Blythin of Niagara Falls has the right idea, now she just has to figure out how to get the coffee to come out. Actually, by the looks of it, we're pretty sure Keira is enjoying chewing on the lid as much as what's inside the cup.


Singing in the Rain

Timmi's styling in his brand new raincoat, a special gift from his Nana. Timmi spends 2-3 days a week with Nana (as part of mom and I's "joint custody" agreement...LOL). Wouldn't you know, many of the days Mom and Timmi are together it rains. No problem for our trendy pooch. Now he'll keep dry and be "cool" at the same time.

Great Gift Nana, you're right, he;s worth it. WOOF WOOF!



Tatts the Way, Uh huh, Uh Huh
He'd Like It, Uh Huh Uh Huh

To commemorate the passing of Ricky Holditch earlier this year, a lot of those close to him now sport tattoos to remember him by.

First (I think) was Ricky's pal Donny, who had his entire arm inked with Ricky's West Hill nickname shortly after Rick's passing. Then Ricky's girlfriend Stephanie had poker chips tattooed on her body.

The most recent addition...Ricky's sister Tammie... has a full house of poker memories with a new tatt on the back of her neck, in memory of her little brother.

Great stuff guys and gals, I'm sure Ricky would be honoured.




Their Big Day Approaches

New Jersey lovebirds Joanne Bonadies and Kent Kildow will exchange vows on July 3rd and we're so excited. Joanne is known to me as my "SS" (my Soul Sister) which is what she calls me too, and has for the 20 years or so that we've been very special long distance friends.

I was so touched to recently receive an invitation for Rob and I to join the happy couple in New Jersey for their wedding. Unfortunately, financially things are rough and we will be unable to attend. You can be assured my dear "SS" I will be thinking of you and Kent that day and hope it is as special as you are.

Can't wait to see the wedding photos and share some with scribbles. Thanks again for the lovely invitation. It really brought tears of happiness to my eyes (or maybe my meds were kicking in...LOL) You found your soulmate this time SS and I'm so happy for you. xoxo





Shutterbug Squirrel Snaps Back!

LOL- It's fiction, we obviously photoshopped the camera in the pix above. The squirrel was spotted outside of my mom's place and allowed me to take several pix before continuing his trip along the wooden fence.






Fun From Top to Bottom

We just love to keep things fresh and fun here at scribbles, so lately we've added exciting theme banners at the top of our page.  Tulips were in bloom at Easter, we went to Jolly OIe England for William and Kate's wedding and recently dandelions were aplenty. Luckily we've mowed them down and currenty it's time for Spring planting. 

And that's not all that changes regularly at scribbles. Each week we feature different scribbles pals and celebrities right beside our scribbles logo. Add our new postings and info packed sidebars and scribbles truly is...fun from top to bottom.

Thanks for continuing to enjoy it all


A Real Pain in the Neck

It's no secret, I've suffered from chronic neck and back pain for a very long time. I've tried a lot of things and not much helps, so there's always pain. My doctor recently referred me to the Rothbart Centre for Pain Care in Toronto.

My first visit was on Friday the 13th (eeek, was this an omen?) Our pal Bob Miller was only too happy to drive me to and from the clinic. Besides, there just happened to be a large park right across the road from Rothbart, giving Bob -an avid photographer- lots to take pictures of while I was at my appointment.
My initial treatment consisted of 10 injections, 5 on each side of my neck. These epiderals are designed to block nerve endings, the cause of the constant pain. It wasn't as painful as some may think and it has offered some relief to some of the painful spots. I return in 2 weeks for more injections, then back in July for a more involved procedure with the possibility of up to 6 months painfree, which after being in constant pain for so long,would be truly amazing.

Thanks to everyone who offered their best wishes on facebook, as always, I appreciate your support.


Interested in learning more about Rothbart Centre? CLICK HERE to visit their official website



A little bit at a time

When preparing for my appointment at Rothbart, I put together an extensive history of my pain, one of the things I have noted is activities that cause pain.

Sadly one of those things is sitting at a computer for extended periods of time. At work- I've been temporarily relocated to the company's Niagara Falls location, where it is a slower pace and better for my recovery. At home, well I hate to say, but I'm going to have to do keep the updates to smaller packets.  Shorter periods of time at the scribbles desk fits in with my pain management right now...we'll still update just not a million new things at a time.



A Tender Moment
by Mikol Zahorchak
 Fort Erie,ON

Renee Brady smiles as little Kolbalt Zahorchak-Nelson shares a laugh with his dad Dave.



"Look, I told you already, shut up your seed hole"





Smart Butterfly
by Karen Bridel
 St Catharines ON

This amusing photo may look familiar. It was the winner of our Readers Photo Contest 2008. I guess the butterfly saw her friends on the shirt and decided to pay our little friend a visit.



The Right Betty is the White Betty

Ok, it takes me a while sometimes. When our pal Katie Lacey got a new car a while back, she named it Betty. I assumed Betty as in Betty Rubble and recently  featured Katie and Barney's beloved beside our scribbles logo.

OOPS! Turns out I had the wrong Betty. Because her new car is white, Katie named her Betty, as in Betty White. Well, DUH! That makes sense. LOL. OK Katie, I've made a note of it like I said I would. Betty White Rules, but Betty Rubble is still pretty cool too.