Human rights and discrimination

So, there has been a bit of an ongoing saga around my house. I have been casually looking for another house to live in. For a variety of reasons, namely health, it feels as if my time here is done. And so I have been keeping my eye on Craigslist to see what came up. There has been this house that would keep coming up on my searches. At first I figured it was too small but it was cheaper than what I am paying for now and well, I could use the money. Things have been a little tight around here lately, more so than it has been for awhile. I noticed that the house was managed by an property management company and so I called to set up a viewing appointment. That was on the 15th of this month.

I went to the house, and quite liked what I saw. A bigger back yard with more sun, a sun room in the house enough room for all of us and it "felt" good. Now for those of you that know me, that is crucial for me. I need something that "feels" good and this did. I indicated to the property manager that I was really interested in this house and asked what the next steps were to be. He asked me who would be living with me at the house. I told him it would be myself and my three children. This did not seem to be a problem at all. The property manager handed me the application and told me to go fill that in and fax it tonight and that there was no other interest in the place and so he didn't think that it would be a problem for us to get the place. I walked away feeling really good about it all.

So I went home and did just that. Filled out the application, faxed it in all within a half hour. I got a call the next day. It was the property management company wanting to confirm both employment and references. I asked at that point, when I would know if I got the place and they told me by the end of the week.

Friday I got another call. The property management had some questions about my income. I clarified a few things and they told me that I would receive a call on Monday.

Monday arrived and I called the property management company and I was told OVER THE PHONE, that I had not received the house. I inquired as to why as all signs and indications were pointing to the fact that the house was as good as mine.

This was the reply, "after we spoke to you, someone else applied that did not have children so we went ahead and processed their application and they are going to be renting the house."

I was shocked into silence! Because I have kids????? was the only thought running through my head. I stuttered something or other and ended the call.

I then posted on fb and a number of people including a man that I highly and deeply respect informed me that this was discrimination and a human rights violation. So off I went. To the media. Global did a lot of promising but never picked up the story and so I contacted CBC who picked up the story immediately. I contacted them on Wednesday and on Thursday both CBC radio and CBC television were trying to book me in for that day. CBC news booked but had to put it off til Monday due to the HST referendum, however, CBC radio picked it up that night.

So off I went on Thursday to CBC radio to do a live interview. As a result, a number of networking opportunities have come my way which looks like they will lead to a number of career opportunities. You can read more of that here.

Additionally, I found out that my case qualifies for me to file a human rights discrimination complaint with the Human Rights Tribunal.

So all in all, a number of good things have occurred and the ramifications also prove to looking good. Monday CBC news is scheduled to come in and do a news piece on this. Stay tuned for updates on this aspect of life.

Friday I recieved a call

One more Teenager

So I have one more teenager living in this house. And oddly enough, I still don't feel old enough. Do we ever? My beautiful daughter turned 13. Now she turned 13 at the beginning of the month, but I just had her birthday (with her girlfriends) last weekend. I have been planning this birthday for three years.

I remember when my girlfriend turned 13, her parents took me and her to Cloud Nine, and I literally and figuratively felt like I was on Cloud Nine. So I figured this would be perfect for my princess. But I expanded it a bit. We were originally going to have four of her best girlfriends (and subsequently these are the same girlfriends that are leaving her school, rather devastating for both her and me to be sure). However, not everyone could make it and so we ended up with three and my mom and myself. Three years ago I commissioned a jeweler to make Missy her first set of jewellery consisting of a necklace, bracelet and earrings. I have been saving money dearly to afford this night. So we had the girls come early to get ready and then ended up all spoiling her, fussing over her and doing her hair and make-up. At 5:00 the limo arrived and after the requisite pictures, we all piled in. I had had sparkling apple juice for the girls and at first they thought it was champagne. Lol! The limo took us all to Cloud Nine where we had dinner while we saw all of Vancouver. After dinner, we piled back into the limo and went home where Missy

opened her presents from her girls.

As well as commissioning the jewelry for Missy, I had the jeweler make the girls a matching necklace and I gave this to them instead of goody b

ags. The funny thing is that I gave the girls theirs first. Boy, was Missy disappointed as she watched the girls getting their necklaces while she (thought) she had nothing.

It was a beautiful night, where my princess felt like the star of the world. What better way can a girl spend her 13th birthday?

Can I do better? Yup! I already have her 16th and 18th planned!

And so, from this adorable little angel:

Emerged this gorgeous lady: