MsCezanne's Odyssey

Ooops.

A week without an update… how remiss!

I guess I’ve been busy; but good busy, so no complaints! I’ve been working, I’ve been making sure Ian’s taken care of.

Work’s busy because we’re working with some new artists. Getting people to understand schedules and deadlines is tough (and the number one reason I’m not interested in being a commercial artist!).

Home’s busy because I think Ian’s hit another level. It’s tough to say for sure, but I think he’s eating more now. Also his weight is really catching up with him, or perhaps it’s his decreased activity that’s catching up. Whatever. He doesn’t do as much around the place as he used to, so it’s taking me a little time to sort out what needs to be done before I can move on to something else.

I’ve found his body has changed a little too. Even though his weight hasn’t changed much since we got married, his body seems to be redistributing it around. His legs seem to be getting bigger. Maybe it’s just me. His belly is taking on a different… geez, I don’t know the word… the fat seems to be loosening up: there’s more jiggle to it. I wonder if perhaps his skin is catching up with the fat? I like how it feels, that’s for sure!

Finally, I was chatting with someone (would you like to remain nameless?) who suggested I create a summary. I never set out to build an audience, and yet I enjoy the fact that I actually have people who enjoy my writing. With my diary spanning years now, perhaps it would be fun to relive my past. I never ever dreamed of writing an autobiography, but the idea is quite exciting. So, if you enjoy what you see, let me know. If you think I should write a ‘beginner’s guide to Char, let me know.

In fact, if anyone wants to write their own summary of my diary, be my guest. Maybe I could contract out chapters!

Or if you want me to focus on anything, email me, leave a comment.

Well, hopefully!

I went nuts with Ian over the weekend: breakfast of waffles, sausage, eggs, toast and fruit. It really was an all morning affair, he ate more than I’d anticipated, been a while since that happened!

Lunch was simple: I didn’t have time for anything planned, so I simply picked up some McDonald’s: Double Big Mac Combo, 20 McNugget Combo, 2 apple pies and 12 Krispy Kremes (I swear, they must’ve seen Ian go right from McD to KK so many times they figured they’d just combine the two.)

After lunch Ian polished off a cheesecake while I went out to get the things I needed for dinner (and to reload for Sunday’s breakfast!)

For dinner we had Amy, Thomas and Michel over for lasagne. I padded the meal out with garlic bread, ceaser salad. Dessert was just a store bought black forest cake. After dinner we chatted the night away, played some Trivial Pursuit, ensuring that Ian and Amy had plenty of snacks. We went through cookies, chips, veggies and ice cream before the night was done.

I was struck by something: Amy’s bigger than I remember her. She was sitting next to Ian on the couch, and I’m used to Ian dwarfing her, except he didn’t. Lately she’s been gaining weight while he hasn’t, and it’s definitely showing! She looked great sitting there with him.

Onto Sunday, where Ian’s breakfast consisted of pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast. Again, it stretched out for most of the morning, but I was prepared this time. Lunch was another simple affair, we made up submarine sandwiches for him, followed by more cheesecake.

He snacked the afternoon away, going through fruit mostly.

Dinner was a more private affair. I did up a roast, with mashed potatoes and a variety of steamed vegetables. Dessert was a trip to Dairy Queen.

I wish I'd had more time to write this.

Oh well

I had an incredible week up in Ottawa.

It was so good to get back into a honest to goodness museum. I know that ROM isn’t all that far, and Museum London actually has it’s charms, but it was good to just take the time and go through the galleries. I’m refreshed, I’m recharged, I’m a kid again!

I wish I could’ve done it with Ian, but I know it’s not what he’d like. I think I’ll make sure to take this time every once in a while.

It was also a lot of fun to reacquaint with Shelley. We’ve both changed so much since we were together last, it wasn’t just a matter of listing off events, accomplishments (or lack thereof) or gossip. Our life experiences were so different, and yet the more we talked, we realised there was so much the same deep down!

She talked about getting into weights because one of her friends did. She didn’t mean to get buffed, except once she had a taste of it, she couldn’t stop. Sound familiar? Now she’s got a case of can’t get big enough. She spends a lot of her free time working out (I was there with her. Forget how uncomfortable I am in a gym!). She’s something to see under all that strain, but there’s a majestic poetry about it too.

It’s fun eating with her too. Her body burns so many calories, she easily plows through what I consider a comfortable amount of food. She’s not like Ian, or my old days, but still, a lot of food! The problem is, she’s just taking in fuel. She doesn’t EAT, she doesn’t enjoy it. I made up some great meals for her. She admitted to understanding why I got so fat to eat like that all the time!

I think that really was an interesting moment. She finally understood I wasn’t some disgusting fat woman. I’d taken control, I’d made a choice, and I was enjoying myself. We are both very in tune with our bodies, but following a different piper.

We really talked, we really reconnected. It was tough leaving her. We’ll talk on the phone, I’m going to try to get her online (she’s about as technologically inclined as she was back in 98). I’d love to chat with her. I’d love to see her do a blog too!

In addition to art, and Shelley, there was one more thing that I’ll remember about Ottawa: Jamie. She’s the girl that Shelley’s dating these days. I didn’t get to see much of her last time I was up, but I got to know her a lot more this time. She’s a great girl too.

She does administrative work for a company up there. They met at the gym. She’s a gym rat like Shelley, but she’s not for bulk, she’s there mostly for aerobics. She’s built so tight, she makes me think of a greyhound!

Jamie and Shelley have a bit of the Yin-Yang thing that Ian and I have. Or more like Thomas and Amy I guess. It works well for them, but I know that Shelley loved having me along in the museum.

I really want to get up again. A week just isn’t enough time.