I had an appointment with my epileptologist on Friday morning. Since he needed to check my VNS, an implanted device, I had to go to the hospital to see him. There happened to be fresh snow on the ground. I was admiring the pureness of it and pulling on my winter boots as I waited … Continue reading A Dose of the Real World
A Blip Is (Just) a Blip
It's been a challenging few weeks. My dietitian and I have been experimenting with slowly ramping up the carbohydrates in my meal plan. It's all trial and error, really, this trying to find a balance between managing my seizures and working toward my weight-gain goals. The process is rewarding when I make tangible and relatively … Continue reading A Blip Is (Just) a Blip
Stay at Home
Ontario's new COVID-19 restrictions were announced a few days ago. They can be summed up in three words: "Stay at home." (As is my habit, I'm oversimplifying matters. To get, as you should, the details about this province-wide state of emergency, click here.) Despite the measures that were already in place, the COVID-19 numbers in … Continue reading Stay at Home
Welcome, New Year
I'm a little late, but Happy New Year! 2020, not a great year for ... anyone, really, is finally behind us. Let’s see what 2021 has in store. New year, new agenda. I’m not big on new year’s resolutions. I am big on trying to find productive ways to move forward and on setting realistic … Continue reading Welcome, New Year
This Christmas
As I write this, it's 7:00 a.m. on Christmas morning, and I've been awake for hours. The stockings are filled, there's fresh snow on the ground, and I've already had a few cups of coffee. I'm trying to be quiet, but not too quiet because I want my husband to get up. Did I mention … Continue reading This Christmas
Breakfast with Santa
When I was a kid, every year my dad lined up with tens of other hard-core parents on a predetermined morning sometime in November. The mission? Get tickets for a beloved event: the Breakfast with Santa that took place on the top floor of the downtown Eaton's in Victoria, British Columbia. For much of my … Continue reading Breakfast with Santa
Making Keto Marzipan for the Holidays (Edible Play-Doh for Adults)
I thought I'd pop by to reassure you that I'm still enthusiastically—relentlessly, some might say—celebrating the holiday season. Indeed, I'm determined to suck every last drop of cheer out of Christmas this year. I'll go ahead and give myself a big pat on the back for the effort I've invested in the cause. Case in … Continue reading Making Keto Marzipan for the Holidays (Edible Play-Doh for Adults)
Oh, Christmas Tree
My husband and I originally planned to put up our Christmas tree today, the first Saturday of the month. Last Friday, though, it occurred to me that the first weekend of December falls awfully late this year. (This realization may or may not have been linked to the abundance of tree-decorating posts that had begun … Continue reading Oh, Christmas Tree
Early Christmasing for Fun and Sanity
For the last several years, I haven't even tried to stop myself from being that overly enthusiastic Christmas celebrator you probably try to ignore until December. My husband was a little wary when I announced a few Sundays ago that seeing as Halloween had passed, the holiday season had officially begun. "It's November 1," he … Continue reading Early Christmasing for Fun and Sanity
Preparing to Hibernate
I’ve been taking advantage of the last nice days of fall, and of my raging metabolism, which has turned me into a sweaty monster who prefers much-lower temperatures than I’m generally able to stand, by spending as much time as I possibly can outside, most of it (socially distanced from other customers) on the patio … Continue reading Preparing to Hibernate
