I've been a migraine sufferer on and off for about 15 years now. I'm never quite sure when they're going to strike or how bad. Mine don't seem to go according to the weather and I've never been able to pinpoint them to any particular food. Surprisingly, and luckily, when I was pregnant both times and unable to take any medication, they were practically non-existent. Lately, they've been hitting hard and sometimes medication works, sometimes it doesn't. Anyway, my point was going to be that I try not to let them control my life but there are certain times when I just can't help it. Last Thursday was one of those times.
I was supposed to go to The Teresa Group Holiday Auction in Mississauga with my girlfriends, Marianne and Marlene, and a bunch of their friends and co-workers. I went two years ago and it was a lot of fun. The Teresa Group is a non-profit organization who's cause is children afflicted with or affected by HIV/AIDS. I believe this Auction is their major fundraiser and it keeps getting bigger every year and by the sounds of it they outdid themselves this year.
It's a dinner followed by a Live Auction and then there is also a Silent Auction that this year had almost 300 items you could bid on...huge baskets of toys, sporting event tickets, autographed sports memorabilia and electronics.
They also always have special guests and this year those included Bobby Allison from Nascar, former NHLers Johnny Bower, Ron Ellis, Bobby Baun and the gentlemen I particularly wanted to see...Anthony Zuiker (creator of the CSI series) and Robert Hall who plays Dr. Robbins on the Vegas CSI show. Then the icing on the cake (well, it would have been for me anyway!) they announced at the last minute that they were bringing in the Stanley Cup! I'm a huge hockey fan and would have loved to find my beloved Bruins on it...I know, I probably would have had to dust off the names since it was so long ago (there, for all my Bruins hating friends, I said it for you!).
The Live Auction this year included 15 different items...big ticket items, mostly trips. The one that I would have loved was a trip that included air fare for two to Los Angeles, accommodations and...a walk on role on CSI:NY!! Apparently there were two people bidding heavily and it actually got up to $11,000! At that point, Anthony Zuiker got up and added that it would be first class tickets, he would personally pick the people up and escort them and it was now going to be for four people, not just 2! Bidding between the two then got up to $17500, the auctioneer said the next bid would get it and someone other than the two main bidders yelled out. The auctioneer yelled sold and that was that...he got it. Sooooo....Anthony Zuiker, after talking to the other bidders, offered them both the exact same deal and they took it!!!
Another item was a guitar signed by the Rolling Stones. I don't know what the bidding was at but Marlene's husband, Cameron, kept saying how great a deal that was. All of a sudden his arm shot up and he yelled "thirty one hundred"! Apparently, and I can just picture this, the look on Marlene's face was priceless...she had no idea he was going to bid!! Needless to say he didn't end up getting it, it went for over six thousand.
Anyway, as you can probably tell, I wasn't able to go, I had a migraine on and off for two days, and unfortunately, missed all this fun!!


Marlene's husband Cameron and their friend Craig

I was in Shoppers Drug Mart a couple of weeks ago picking up a prescription. As I'm leaving, the sensors at the door start beeping...loudly, as you know if you've ever heard them. I kept walking, knowing I had paid for everything and a cashier runs out after me. I told her all I had was a prescription and then she asked me the strangest question. She asked me if my coat was from the Gap. As a matter of fact, yes, it was and she informed me they have something in them that sets off the sensors.
Well, I go on my merry little way not giving it a second thought.....UNTIL...I go Christmas shopping this week. First stop, Chapters, you know that store, very busy and VERY quiet. I walk through the doors, and don't the damn sensors go off...ON MY WAY IN!! I was so embarrassed, everybody of course turns to look at me, I look at the "greeter" they have at the door and shrug and in I go. I make my purchase and get to the door, cringing because I know they're definitely going to go off on my way out. Let me just state at this point, that I would not make a good criminal, things start beeping, I turn red and look guilty as hell when I HAVEN'T done anything...could you imagine if I had! Sure enough, beepers start, I explain to a different "greeter" about my coat, wave to everyone looking at me and leave.
A couple nights later, I decide to go to the mall, completely forget about the coat and wear it again. After beeping out of two stores I avoided stores with sensors for the rest of the night. HOW HUMILIATING!!! I must say though, it cut my shopping time in half!

Jesse and I were watching Emily's soccer game this morning when he looks at me and this is the conversation that follows -
Jesse - "momma your hair is blackish and greyish".
me - "what, what do you mean?"
Jesse - "your hair is blackish on top and greyish on the sides"
me - "don't you mean blonde on the sides?"
Jesse - "no, grey"

A couple weeks ago in the van -
Jesse - "momma you're going to die soon"
me - "why would you say that?"
Jesse - "because you are, you're old"
me - "I'm not that old"
Jesse - "yes, you're an old lady" ....and he laughs.

You know, he's right, I am grey (obviously which I'm not hiding very well!) and I am old...and thanks to him, getting older and greyer by the minute!! LOL!!!