Pepper-Tooth Raw

Day 1 - “Resolutions”

My ‘2024’ Resolutions

• I will make regular time for my spiritual life.
• I will continue to live by ‘use it or lose it’ in my material life.
• I will continue to love and care for the plants I own; helping them thrive.
• I will make plans for our Canadian visit and cherish our schedule whilst there. I will embrace the time and make memories with friends and family.
• I will make smart decisions with my finances.
• I will work hard to eat well, exercise regularly and make healthy decisions for my body and mind.
• I will give of myself to others that need me, if I am able to. But I will not give more of myself than I can spare. My wellbeing is my priority.

🌒 RAMBLING HOUR WITH LISA S:13 E:2


Moon Phase Studios

"Yesterday I adopted the oldest, and sorest shelter dog. I'll never forget his eyes. When I went into the cage he didn't even bother to look, he knew I wouldn't even see him.

Curling around the corner He'd accepted his fate. The volunteer said to me many times... Are you sure this one? Are you sure? YES! This is my dog. He opened the cage and 3 animals fell on me. I ran towards him, suddenly he looked at me as if he saw an angel... I hugged him and told him that now he'll be happy again. Then he sleeps in my lap... probably the first peaceful sleep he ever had.

Give it a life. Give it a hug. They need us."

From a dad who saved a soul.

Credit: Animal Alternative Therapy

I’VE GOT A COLD! 😢

It’s Boxing Day, 2022. Myself and Steve (my husband) have been dealing with a cold that the youngest two kids had a few weeks ago. For the last week and a half, while feeling like s**t, we both had to still get out of bed and work.

Now, I don’t mind being sick. As I tell the kids, when they get sick, ‘we all have to go through it. You just have to be patient. Let your body rest and you will eventually get better.’ And I mean this, no one wants to be sick, but getting angry and frustrated about it doesn’t change the facts. Just relax, take it easy and give your body what it needs. (Baths, hot liquids, rest, maybe medicine).

Being sick before Christmas though?… Well, as a child I was often sick around Christmas, but it’s not the same as when you have responsibilities.



Anyway, back to being sick at Christmas… as the responsible adult I have become! ( 😂 Omg, this is becoming so humorous, I really should be a comedian!)

So, all these days leading up to Christmas, being a perfectionist, with maybe a touch of OCD… (Don’t tell the family I have admitted to this, 😂, I pretend to live in denial!) … It has been difficult to accept that things can just be okay and that will be enough. I did everything that needed doing but tried to sleep in or get to bed early if I could. I knew my body wouldn’t get better if it didn’t get rest.

The day came… Christmas was wonderful. 4 of the kids for Christmas morning and all 6 (with spouses) for Christmas dinner. Plus Steve’s Dad staying with us.







Great people, delicious food (once again, all made by my wonderful husband… as if he doesn’t work hard enough every other day!— Thank you Steve, you are appreciated!) Beautiful decorations, fun, practical and/or meaningful gifts… it was full of memories made. It was a very blessed day.

And now… here we are… Boxing Day… I think Steve asked me, what I wanted to do today, when we first woke up… and I said “I want to go back to sleep!” I got up to do a few things, including getting some food, then I did exactly what I had planned…

So many days in the last week, when it was time to get up, I would think “No, I’m sick, I want to rest, I’m an adult, I should get to decide if I want to stay in bed!” But I also knew there were responsibilities and I’d have been very disappointed if I didn’t pull off at least a basic Christmas. (I’m so glad I started decorating etc. right after Remembrance Day). And so I would force myself to get on with work. …

But not today.. Today I slept. And yet, I woke up feeling just as s**tty, wondering if my body even appreciates this day of rest I’ve given it?

Lying here awake, looking on my phone, (while still resting), I’ve been so happy to look at everyone’s Christmas photos and memories on social media.

I see photos of families complete! 💕Photos of families with new members, celebrating their first Christmas’. I see families who are missing loved ones; whether they just couldn’t make it or they have passed away. Photos of families, where this is their first Christmas without someone. Photos of families where they took extra snaps, knowing this may be the last Christmas with certain members. And in all those photos, what stood out to me weren’t the gifts, or the matching plaid (check pattern) pyjamas that so many were wearing… (okay, of course those stood out! Must be the ‘theme’ this year😂)… but more importantly, it was the people, the friends, the families, the gatherings, the smiles, the laughs, the memories you can see that these snaps have captured… I wish I could go through my entire friends list and look at everyone’s photos!



That even though there are families incomplete, families who have or will soon have losses, families who are suffering through their own s**t storms, families with members they’d rather not be around… that so many put on a happy face and try to make it the best days they can, try to brighten the lives of those around them. We share food and gifts as a way to connect and show affection. We try to enjoy the positive things in life!

And so, it’s 9:55 pm, Boxing Day, 2022… I’m lying in bed, alone, and I’ve got a cold… but I will get better. It hurts my heart to see those who are sick that won’t get better… those that I know will probably not be here to enjoy (or even loath) another Christmas. And it makes me sad to think of the pain their loved ones will feel. I have a cold, but it’s ok, we all have to get sick sometimes… getting frustrated that one day of rest hasn’t made me all better doesn’t help. So I will be patient. And I will show gratitude to a positive that came out of this feeling like s**t! If I hadn’t been taking it easy, I wouldn’t have been on social media to see all these great photos, and I wouldn’t then be reflecting on how great my own life is. Ya, I have a cold, I feel like crap! But I’m alive, I’m healthy, I’m loved, I’m safe and I’m happy. My life is good! And that’s what it’s about! Making the best of any situation! Merry Christmas everyone! Happy Holidays! And I hope the New Year brings you many good moments and the ability to really see and appreciate said moments!

🩹DAY 3 - OF BEING STUCK WITH MY LEG UP.
🦵🏼(Housemaid’s Knee)🦵🏼

Yesterday I was angry and frustrated… so much that needs to get done and I’m meant to just sit with my leg up! Yes, the kids helped out and Steve is a machine! (And a great cook)… but there’s still so much to do to run the household (the way I like it) and maintain the garden!! This is not productive or okay!! I know there’s plenty of stuff that I can do from an immobile position… I have books to read, gardening magazines to catch up on, journaling and refining to do lists, catching up on Chelsea Flower Show episodes and Gardeners World episodes… not to mention all those other shows I say I’d love to watch if I ever let myself sit down.

Today is different… partly because Tom was home with Nova (his puppy) so I could stay in my room by myself… (instead of puppy sitting downstairs whilst he’s at work), and yes, I may have done some gentle tidying, but not only does the room feel better now …. I feel better too, (besides my knee).

I see that Steve is right (as he usually is! 😝) because walking around on my knee I feel the pressure on it more, so I can tell having it up and resting IS the right thing to do for it to heal.

I have had to accept my place, accept loss of control and make peace with immobility. At least I know mine is temporary, where so many people have to live this way. Bless them.

And so, here I go, doing all those things I can still do from this position and still feeling productive and in control of some things.

You need to listen to the Universe… if they are telling you to take it easy, take a break and you don’t always have to be go go go…. And you do not listen… they’ll find a way to make you slow down!!

Day 1 was depression….
Day 2 was anger….
Day 3 is acceptance! 💕

TRUST DIVINE TIMING
I want to be in bed reading my book! I want to be in the garden, but the weather is miserable.I want to be in the greenhouse, but my table collapsed, so I’m waiting for my new one, (from Steve‘s work). I want to clean the office, organise the loft, go through toys and such, to downsize and get rid of stuff. I want to work on my “Death Plan“ journal. I want to read my gardening magazines or catch up on all the “Gardeners World” I missed! I want to work on all the home movies from my childhood. I want to work on catching up on my journals from 2010 and beyond (recopying them in order)! There are so many things I want to do and not enough hours in a day to do them! I want to bake, and make yummy meals. I want to play board games and do crafts with the family. I want to meditate and keep a dream journal. I want to add more onto my workouts daily. I need to trust myself (my gut) and our God Source! It will all work out the way it’s supposed to and I’m grateful that God keeps giving me new days to work on it more! Let me make peace with myself… Breath and trust myself as to what direction I want to work towards with each new day!

THE UNIVERSE IS A COMEDIAN

Steve and I rarely argue, but I am a cryer. It doesn’t take much to make me cry… and this happened to be one of those moments.

So Steve and I are driving to Manchester, arguing about something (not worth arguing about) and I am crying, snot and all. (This after actually doing my hair and makeup instead of my usual sweatpants and bun.) Whatever, what can you do??

So I’m playing my “Ball Sort Puzzle” game on my phone, trying to get myself together so I don’t look horrible when we go into the shops. We get to Costco, which was our first destination, and Steve’s driving around the parking lot. He stops, opens his window and says, ‘you alright mate?’ (Which is a common greeting here). I don’t look up immediately, because Steve knows so many people in his line(s) of work that it’s not uncommon for him to see people he knows.

I finally look up and over and see a VERY familiar face! (At the back of his vehicle, with his hatch open).

Here’s where I have to say, Steve doesn’t follow a lot of celebrities etc. But this man is one of the few that Steve really connects with and admires. And I agree, no matter how ‘rich and famous’ this man has become, he has definitely kept his wholesome, down to earth demeanour. I don’t personally keep up with him, (although I did start following him after meeting him 😆). But Steve often tells me what’s new with him and his blended family of 6 kids (like ours). Jason often posts videos of him just talking about life and you really end up feeling like you know the guy, even though on this end, we are one of millions more that feel the same. Also, Steve has lost over 6 Stone, greatly inspired by Jason’s group, the “Jason Manford Weight-loss Group”.

So, back to Costco…. I look up, he looks at me and says ‘you alright?’ I’m like ‘yep, thanks!’ We say bye and are about to drive away. This is how an interaction with a celebrity should go, especially when they are (like us) just trying to get their busy ‘to do’ list done. They’re not at a meet and greet, where they have time to talk to fans.

But then I realise what this moment really means! Just as we started rolling away I said WAIT JASON!!!!! Steve stops and Jason steps over.

Steve and I aren’t people who get starstruck. We understand that we’re all human and no one is greater than the next. All of us have interesting stories to offer the world. However, we both have a few people who we really admire and feel that connection to. For Steve, Jason is one of them.

I can be very loud and an embarrassing person, (as most of you know! 😉) Steve hates being embarrassed; especially in public. (Don’t ask why he chose me!! 😂) But as I have always done in life — I don’t let opportunities pass by.

I said to Jason, “you probably get this all the time, but you feel like part of our family. Steve is obsessed with you and he’s always telling me ‘Jason said this’ ‘Jason’s kids did that’”. 😂 Steve’s like —— “Not obsessed!” 😝 I said a few other things along these lines, probably not getting my point across in the right way. And embarrassing Steve at the same time. Then Steve mentioned to him how he has lost 6 Stone because of him and his group.

I realised later in the day how the word obsessed would have come across. Steve is not obsessed with Jason, 😂. But he does admire him and have a strong love for the guy and who he comes across as.

Very cool to meet him and in such an unexpected way, (yet not surprised he shops at Costco…. Because he’s awesome like that.) But really Universe??? When my face looks like my life is s**t (which it is anything but) and it probably doesn’t make Steve look good when his wife’s face looks like she’s been crying all morning!

😂 Life is weird, but wonderful! This is definitely memorable (for us anyway). So thank you Universe. And I am so happy for Steve that out of the very few people he would love to have an interaction with, he got to meet Jason!

And thank you Jason, for being a descent, humble man living a very good and admirable life! You make a positive difference in this world and I believe that is what we are meant to do while we are here! Sorry for intruding on your time! Thank you for being gracious. And I hope you get all your Christmas shopping done before Saturday! 🎄

Most of the time I say it’s the little things in life! And it is, but this was a big thing! And I am grateful for this big thing too!!!

MY IDENTITY IN THIS WORLD

LSM: Beautiful home you have and I love the fall decor, but I must say one particular picture stands out and makes feel so thankful we’re still friends, and that you’re still connected to your homeland. Lol 😆 I love it!! Oilers are my husbands and my team forever!! Oilers for life ❤️❤️

LMF: Lisa Omg!! I love my home and my decor, it is my kingdom and such an extension of me (and the family)… so the fact that you are even looking at the details makes me feel so elated!!!! Oilers have always been my family’s team (being born and raised in Edmonton)… and never forget, I moved here for L💕VE and keeping Steve and my families together…. But I am Canadian through and through!

Also, the fact that you are First Nations and tell me that I’m still connected to my homeland makes me very happy and proud. In Canada (and the USA) we introduce ourselves as our ancestors nationalities… ie. for me Irish, French and Scottish. But then when I come to the U.K. they don’t accept me as Irish, French and Scottish because I’m not from here, to them I am Canadian, especially as my families go back almost 200 years in Canada. So it was the first time I really had to question my identity!

I am even more proud now to be Canadian, knowing the differences and so proud to be from the prairies! Where my identity is a mix of First Nations culture, Ukrainian culture and Canadian culture! And bringing it back to the fact that you are an original, native to the land I call my homeland, makes me feel so good inside, like you accept me.

Also, the last few years, even though I understood racism and knew I was not racist, I didn’t understand oppression. Holding a people down. But I have been learning and with Black Lives Matter and Every Child Matters I am learning how hard it is to identify as certain persons in certain places in the world. And I am so sorry for that.

So for you to love me in my whiteness and my Canadianness and call Canada my homeland and appreciate my connection to it, makes me feel so loved!! Thank you!!

And more than just the love of the Oilers (although we do love them for sure!!) I think you and I are friends for so much more! And the fact that we share names isn’t a coincidence either!

Thank you for making my day! Sending you loving positive energy! 🌀💜🌀

P.S. Thx @ beautiful home!

LSM: Lisa May Furlong home is where the heart is, and I most certainly can tell your heart is there. ❤️ in Indigenous history and studies, long ago and still today, the teepee represents the woman, standing tall and very strong. She has to be very strong to be resilient against the many elements of the harsh weather here on the prairies. You know how extremely the cold winters are and the we vast winds we get and the thunderstorms in the summer, but yet, the teepee has not failed the indigenous people. It’s still standing after such storms. So she (teepee) representing the woman, stands strong, protected by the Buffalo hides stretched around frame, which represents the ribbon skirts women wear today. And inside the teepee is the heart of the home, the fire pit in the middle, which keeps the family warm and safe and loved. That’s why it’s called the heart of the home. It’s her heart, the woman’s heart, protecting her family, her parents, her husband, her children. The drum in which they use to sing and pray with is the unity inside that home and it provides faith to keep the family together. The way to a woman’s heart is her home. Your heart is home Lisa ❤️❤️ so don’t ever let anyone make you feel different. does this make sense?
I’ve included a reading, just in case you find this interesting. Happy Sunday ❤️❤️❤️

http://www.whitewolfpack.com/2011/02/sacred-teaching-how-to-build-teepees.html

LMF: It absolutely makes sense and makes me realise how the topic was both my sense of home and my literal home (the decor) and the fact that my identity is not just one place or thing. My heart goes with me and I am the teepee anywhere I go! Thank you! I will read the article as well and let you know what I think! 💕

MY HEALTH & FITNESS

Fitting clothes from before I had kids!!! Gotta keep going!!

LSM: Thank you for sharing!! And thank you for the inspiration ❤️ and what is your secret?

LMF: Lisa 💕 431 days in a row of working out for 25 mins/day (30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels) and tracking my food on the App MyFitnessPal. And watching what I eat and the size of my portions!

LSM: Lisa May Furlong thank you, I had recently started watching what I was eating too. Cut out sugar, salt, starchy foods, coffee, junk food snacks etc, and lost 20lbs, but then I fell after loss of some significant family members. But, I am ready to get back on that hype and it seemed to be working as I had more energy to do things, thank you for being truthful and I now feel I am on the right path. I just need to work on the physical/daily exercise part. Your affirmation of just basically getting back to the basics will motivate and help keep on track. Thank you 😊💖💞

LMF: Lisa That’s awesome! Let me know if you need to talk about it at all! I try to eat healthy most days, but then I don’t feel bad on some days like yesterday being my birthday …. I ate as much Chinese food as I wanted and had a big piece of chocolate cake! But today…. I’ll still eat left over Chinese but I’ll make sure my numbers fit into my keeping track. Steve keeps track of caloric intake, I keep track of how many carbs and protein I eat per meal. And even now, say it was someone else’s birthday and there was cake, in the past I would eat one, maybe even two pieces of cake… now, if I really want the cake, I’ll just eat a 1/3 of a piece! I didn’t deny myself the taste, flavour and treat of the cake, but I made a conscious choice of having much less than I would have previously. And weirdly, since making my portions smaller and taking my eating more seriously, I enjoy eating so much more! I’m mindful of the meal, living in the moment, enjoying each bite, savouring the flavour, making each bite count. And because I eat every 2.5-3 hours, I’m never hungry (and never sickly full from over eating).

Here’s how my daily diary looks…. Yesterday with over eating…. And the day before, just to show another day…. But I have to be honest and accountable!

I MISS JOURNALING AND SHARING MY THOUGHTS ABOUT STUFF ON LINE!
Thanks to interactions with my friend Lisa Sara McDermott in the last few days, I feel inspired to make these topics and writings bigger postings than just comments on photos. So the first one is about my health and fitness, the second is about my personal identity, especially as a white girl. I hope you enjoy and I hope to start posting more in the future! Could this be the return of Pepper-Tooth Raw??

🇨🇦 U.K. VISA 🇬🇧 - That time again!! Applying for another 2.5 years! 39 pages later!! Almost ready to submit. Now to find a cash cow or pot of gold or something!! 🍯💰💸💷