Contest Winners!

 Last week was my two year blog anniversary and I asked you all a question. What does the R.M. stand for at the end of Kaptain Loki Donovan R.M.? I got a few comments on the blog, but more from Facebook or in person. (poker face)

The results kind of surprised me. Not many got the answer--My SISTER guessed 'Rogue Masturbator'! My best friend guessed 'Ruckin' Mitch'. I know my sister Jody is a little pervert , but I don't know why Darci said 'Ruckin' Mitch. Am I a Ruckin' Mitch?

Actually, my favorite is 'Rabid Mouse'. It's what I would tell people when they asked, "What does the R.M. stand for?'

"Rabid mouse."

"Really?"

"No."

What DID surprise me is the fact that the first two correct answers came from two women who I'm not very familiar with. Congratulations, Alyssa Susanna and Beckey! You are the winners!

Both women commented how they related to the nickname initials, as they feel their households and/or lifestyles can be classified as a 'Royal Mess'.

Now I feel kinda bad...I didn't get the name because I'm a champion juggler of children, work and responsibilities. Quite the opposite.

I was seventeen, and although I DID juggle two jobs and school, I can recall the words of my friend Nicole, after we received a detention because of some random chaos I'd created.(I'd tell you if I remembered)  "Well Loki, here's another Royal Mess you've got us into. What now?" I'm an orchestrator of messes, not an organizer of them. Sorry.

Beckey, I'm going to message you on Twitter. (Since we follow each other)

Alyssa Suzanne, I can be found on Twitter and Facebook under the name 'Donna Milward'. Please contact me.  I need to know where to send your pin and bookmark :)

Happy Anniversary to my Blog!

Yep...I've been writing this blog for a whole two years this week. I first wrote as my character, 'Thoeba', but when that got old, I reverted to myself and never looked back. I mean...maybe I'm jaded, but looking at the world from a newcomer's perspective became REALLY difficult. How many new discoveries can a centuries-old angel find that fascinating?

And if you read this blog, you'll have noticed it hasn't been very happy lately. I've dealt with death and the loss of people I cared about.. I grappled with depression--both mine and my friends' and felt like I'd lost my mind. I came WAY too close to losing my beloved Freya. But those issues are simmering down...and I'm in the mood to do something positive.

What do you say we have some fun? How about a little contest? And I`m gonna make it about ME.

You see, since highschool, I've had this huge, detailed nickname. I am known, in certain circles as... (deep breath)

Kaptain Loki Donovan R.M.

The Kaptain part was originally 'Captain Hook', from my habit of mimicking a certain gesture behind guys with nice tushies. (pinch, pinch) The 'K' spelling was just for the sake of being different.

Loki came from my love of Norse Mythology (Actually, I love ALL mythologies, my favorite being Greek) and my ability to get myself and my friends into trouble. True to the Scandinavian trickster's reputation, I frequently got us out too. Good times.

My friend Andrea from work named me 'Donovan' after I started calling her 'Andy' (I don`t think she liked that much) and it kinda stuck.

This is the contest part...YOU guys have to figure out what 'R.M.' stands for. Don't worry, this is multiple choice. Is it:

A) Rubber Mallet?

B) Royal Mess?

C) Runny Meatloaf?

D) Rabid Mouse?

E) Rogue  Masturbator?

F) Ruckin' Mitch?

Leave your answer on the comments, or Twitter it, or put it on Facebook. I wanna see it!

The first two correct answers will receive an angel pin and an autographed bookmark. And I'm not telling who won until next week. Such is the devious nature of Loki.

The Importance of Wills.

 I had said that I would stop writing blogs about death. Believe me, I wish I was done with it, but I guess the business of death isn't finished with me. This summer, I lost two old friends from my hometown of Fox Creek. Rest in peace Lorraine Gliege and Kory Haynes. And if you read my blog, you will recognize the photo at left as Gary Larsen, my Edmonton deceased buddy.

Gary didn't write a will. Like many of us, I guess he thought he had time, or many he just didn't think it was that important. Well, it is.

No one knew his final wishes, so assorted associates put together a memorial and some, most notably, his friend Ehren Ackerman took it upon themselves to sort his affairs. This has been an emotionally taxing affair, and just when we believed it was coming to a conclusion, the process took an upsetting turn.

According to Section 31 of the Cemeteries Act of Canada, unclaimed remains must be kept by the funeral home for a minimum of one year. Then they must be processed in a respectful and non-offensive manner. Next of kin or executor must give written permission for this.

We're not sure proper protocol was followed. Gary's kin are in Denmark and some don't speak English very well. We have a hard time accepting the idea that his aunts, uncles and cousins would allow his body to be cremated and scattered with no proper location or ceremony. We were not apprised of this decision, despite the fact that Ehren, as his acting executor, offered to pay for a modest funeral.

A friend of mine tried to console me, saying "At least he's not around to see this."

We're PARANORMAL INVESTIGATORS, and don't buy that for a minute, and it's brought us back to square one, mourning our loss anew.

Rest assured, we're looking into this. We are bombarding Fountain Gardens with phone calls. We need to know the exact date they disposed of Gary and where. We are unsure of the documentation from his Scandinvian relatives, and not sure if we will have access to these WRITTEN letters they claim to have obtained, giving the home the go-ahead.

If you live in the Edmonton area, and you knew Gary, and want to help us find answers, the number to Fountain Gardens is (780)457-6600. We'd like to know what they are telling people, and we'd like to send them the message that Gary Larsen was NOT disposable-that he had people who cared about him. He deserved better than a bums-rush into the afterlife.

Myself personally, I would like to be cremated and given a small and inexpensive ceremony for my friends to say goodbye. I would have liked to have given Gary the same thing, but that's not really possible to give him a funeral now.

Knowing the heartbreak we are experiencing, I'm going to get my behind in gear and write that Last Will and Testament. I can't stand putting my survivors through something like this. I highly recommend that everybody do the same. <3

The Importance of Catbreaks

Or...Why I Don't Get as Much Done These Days.

This morning I woke up at seven, determined to get to work right away. Today is 'wet food day' so I got up and dished out turkey flavored slop onto two plates and lay down to wait for my husband to finish showering.

Sully (Siamese on the left) arrived, plunking his big purring butt on my pillow and started licking my head. I decided to enjoy his gratitude and fell asleep smiling.

I woke two hours later, irritated with myself for wasting time. I sat up quickly, only to find Freya at the end of the bed, adorably grooming herself. (she's on the right) I settled next to her, just to watch her being her usual cute self.

I might still be there, if it wasn't for the look she gave me. It said, "You're still here? Shouldn't you be writing?"

Whoops...

I find my cats very distracting. I know I'm not the only writer who finds his or herself suddenly unable to work due to our feline friends. 'Cat on the keyboard' is a common excuse. When Sully conquers my desk and explores I stop and observe. When Freya curls into my arms and falls asleep I don't dare disturb her. They force me to stop and 'paws'. (groan)

Honestly, I think it's good for me. I think they'll help me live longer. I used to stuff my days full from the moment I woke to late at night. I once stressed myself into frenzies, trying to pack an entire to-do list into one day, no matter how tired I became.

I feel calmer these days. My heart feels warmer than it ever has in my life. I have so much love for my furbabies.

Plus they inspire me. No really. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't have had anything to blog about today ;)