If I had been mistaken for a celebrity, it would have been cool. If someone thought that I looked like say, Angelina Jolie, what a boost to my ego! I was a victim of mistaken identity, not once but twice within 2 hours. It was not who I was mistaken for but , what I was mistaken for, that made an interesting afternoon.
Last Sunday,the girls and I were off to church. While getting ready, I chose to wear my black jeans, with my favorite white blouse. It is a wrap around blouse, with a double collar and ties at the side. It was freshly ironed, and because I don't iron often, that in itself, I felt constituted wearing it.I threw on my favorite black shoes. I found my favorite earrings, and grabbed a necklace I thought would complete the outfit. My hair was still somewhat wet from the shower, so I quickly twisted it into a bun and fastened it with a pin. I felt I looked a little "professional " perhaps, but I looked good, and thin. Good enough. I then helped the girls with their dresses and sorted out a shoe fight between them. It's hard having two girls with the same size feet. They don't like to share. When the shoe drama was under control, we headed out the door.
We were late arriving, of course, and I quickly took Gem to her class, and then Jules and I found a seat in the balcony of the really big church. Jules normally attends the Sunday School, like Gem, but opted to watch the service with me instead. It was no ordinary service. Seventeen people were baptized that morning. Among them, Bobbee, the youngest daughter of our dear friends, Dude and Dudette. Even though Jules has watched three baptisms, she still finds them fascinating. I have explained to her the baptism process, why people are baptized, and what it all means. She realizes it's a special day, and she likes watching "the people get dunked, and other people pray for them." It is an emotional moment too, and I felt myself tearing up as I watched the pastor talk to Bobee about her commitment to Christ, and baptize her.
Once Bobbee was baptized, the rest of the service had no interest to Jules, and all she wanted to do was sit with Bobee, Dude, Dudette and their friends. She made the rest of the sermon hard to sit through. She wouldn't sit still. When the service was finally over, I took her down to where our friends were sitting. I gave Bobbee a big hug, left Jules with them and ran off to retrieve Gem.
We decided to head over to Kelsey's for a celebratory lunch because that's where Bobbee wanted to go. The girls wanted the buffet for lunch ,and because they were still offering breakfast dishes, I opted for something from the menu. As I waited for my food I went to wash my hands.
The restaurant was fairly full, we had our table of 12, and I found my self weaving out and around tables to find my way.
On my way back, I was about to reach my table when, one woman, pushed herself out from her table. She had deliberately blocked my path. She reached and grabbed my forearm with a grip that let me know she wanted my attention , NOW.
I plastered a big smile across my face as I bent, looked into her face, fully expecting to hear a compliment on my jewelry, my favorite blouse, or my shoes. Then the following question, "Where on earth did you get it?" (For those of you who don't know me- ebay, ebay, ebay)
For there is nothing more flattering than being stopped by a complete stranger in a public place to be complimented on how you look. But I was about to be seriously disappointed.
Instead of hearing I love that blouse where did you get it?, She turned to me and said," When you head back to the kitchen, tell my waitress that, I am waiting for my toast, he would like some toast with his meal, she would like some more hot water for her tea, we've been waiting for that too, and the rest of us, would like some more coffee, and we need some more creams, please. Did you get all that?"
What the hell happened to my compliment? It's a nice blouse, great even, and I got it for a steal.
It deserved a compliment. She must be blind.
In that split second, I realized two things- She thought I was a waitress. So I said, " I'm going back to sit down at my table now, but If I see my waitress, I'll tell her to check on you."
I sat back down wit Dude and Dudette and told them the story, that's when I realized the second thing. I missed my calling as a waitress, because I not only repeated the entire request to my friends, but I am able to blog for you now.
The meal finally came and the conversation was great. We hadn't been out with them in a while and so it was nice to reconnect. The girls enjoyed the buffet and Gem and Jules ate as many strawberries and whipped cream they could get their hands on.After the meal, I once again excused myself from my company.
On the way back to the table, I was walking towards the entrance to the restaurant, when a nicely dressed woman walked in. She appeared to be n a hurry. She looked around for someone to help her. When she spotted me, her face lit up and she said, "Oh good, " and beckoned to me with her finger. I should have walked over to her and said, "Sit wherever you like. And because you're the 1000th customer through our doors- your meal is on us."
What?
It could happen!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Pizza Drama
I knew I should not have done it. The minute I did, I felt a pang of regret. I had volunteered to take over a position within the
It was a job I felt confident enough to do. Seriously, how hard is it to make up monthly menus, add up the orders on a spreadsheet, contact our Vendors, and place the orders? I figured it would take just a few hours, my time.Then, on any given Monday or Wednesday 150 kids or so would have a hot meal. There were other people in charge of buying drinks and fruit, and organizing volunteers to help serve the food from the school’s kitchen, and as long as I remembered to specify delivery times to our vendors everything should be fine. There are a core of dedicated women who show up precisely at 11:30 am on Hot Lunch days, and within 30 minutes, most, if not all hot lunch has been served to the correct class, desk, and student. It is a well oiled machine. Rather impressive if it runs smoothly.
And it has, relatively speaking. I had a few phone calls about orders being misplaced, (according to the past co-ordinator , not unusual). There was a delivery mix up where the milk was delivered too early, and some students helped themselves, making us short on hot lunch day. Then the tacos arrived coolish- I say this loosely, because I wasn’t there. One of the volunteers absolutely freaked and went on about how if the health authorities happen to show up that we’d be shut down because they were not the right serving temperature.
I almost laughed out loud as I watched her face turn red with fury. I could not tell if she was upset about that, or the fact that the Vendor forgot the hot sauce. The health inspector has yet to show up, and didn’t on that day. Besides, the tacos were eaten without much ado. Still, it was enough drama for one Monday.
Our school has hot lunch twice a week. Mondays, and Wednesdays. On Wednesdays we always serve pizza. Three kinds: Ham and Pineapple, Pepperoni, and Veggie. It comes with a drink and some fruit. On Mondays it varies, Lasagna, Sub sandwiches, tacos and hot dogs. Our hot lunch program is a fund raiser for our school. It has in the past generated quite a bit of money. But since the new legislation for Food in BC Schools, there have been weeks where it is more like providing a service. Adhering to these new guidelines is not optional, and we do our best. It was the job of the previous coordinator to figure out what vendors were willing to work with us within the guidelines, and still make money for the school. It came down to the choices that were offered on our menu. Pizza, for example became a whole wheat crust, and toppings. The serving size is one slice, smaller than what we used to serve, and therefore we’ve added some fruit and a yogurt tube to round off the meal. It’s not the greatest according to some kids, but within the guidelines, it works.
For most of the kids and the parents, they enjoy hot lunch. The kids enjoy a break from the same old sandwiches, and the parents have a break from making lunches. I have often received notes on the bottom or an order form from a parent or two: Thanks for making mornings a little less hectic, or Thank you for all you do. They are notes of appreciation which make me thankful I put up my hand and took on this job.
While compiling the orders for December I came across a note scrawled across the bottom of a form, and I knew once again that not everyone was pleased. It read:
[My Daughter ] used to enjoy the pizza but she finds it is only one piece and is usually cold by the time she gets it. So she doesn’t want it anymore. Just thought you’d like to feel bad. Thanks for the service!
On behalf of myself and the other dedicated volunteers: Get your hand up. Get your ass
to the school at 11:30 and help out. We will not feel bad for one second, so suck it up Princess!
Monday, November 17, 2008
About Thanksgiving
With the Thanksgiving in the
I realize I could be taken out just for writing that, my Mom has been known to lurk here and one of my aunts. But I’m willing to take the risk. It’s family drama. Everyone who has a family, and heads home for that
Even with Carpenter’s family the drama is there. We decided to spend the long weekend up north this year. Papa had his second hip replacement in September, and needed a few things done around the farmyard. We thought we’d give him a hand. We spent time with Ann, Ann’s daughter Andi, and her fiancé Grouse. I have to call him that cuz he’d never shot anything until that weekend. Carpenter and I went for a drive through the back roads, he was hunting, or that’s what he called it, I was no help of course, I slammed the truck door, and talked in anything but a whisper. It was nice watching the sunset, and we happened to see a few mulies. Does, to be precise. And I was thankful that they weren’t bucks. Then I wouldn’t have to watch the killing /cleaning.
We arrived back when dinner was done. Poor Ann was certain the stove wouldn’t cook the turkey. They’ve been having problems with the oven. It was probably a good thing we were an hour late.
Carpenter’s brother, his girlfriend, Tina, and her kids were there. The conversation flowed easily across the table, as long as we nodded blindly and somewhat ignored Wayne, Carpenter’s brother. I swear everything coming out of that guy’s mouth was nothing short of pure Bullshit. I could not believe that Tina, could have put up with it all this long. Every once in a while Papa would interject with his opinion, and
It took me taking a deep breath and counting to ten to refrain from saying “WTF, Are you still in high School?”
The meal however, was stellar. The stuffing and gravy fantastic, and my mouth watered as I filled the girls’ plates and my own. I had hoped that Carpenter would crack the bottle of wine we brought. It would have made the meal fantastic. Unfortunately, it would take more than a glass of wine for me to handle what was coming next.
I watched the girls sitting at their table, complimented Ann on the wonderful meal, when I realized Seven, the old yellow lab, was under the table, inches from my feet. I tried ignoring him as I ate my food. Tina, was finished, complemented Ann on the food. She then remarked that she ate it all except for the piece of gristle on her plate.
“Do you mind if I feed it to Seven?” she asked.
“No, of course not go ahead.” Ann replied.
At this point I thought Tina would have taken her plate from the table, and scraped the remnants into the dog dish, to later be given to Seven.
I was wrong. She called to Seven and scooped up the greasy gristle from her plate into her fingers and shoved them under the table.
Seven, awaking to the call of his name, rose to his feet and stretched. His butt now in line with me, he let one rip.
I gagged on my mouthful of food and could not rise from my chair fast enough. I ran to the kitchen and found the Mike’s hard Lemonade in the fridge. I opened it and gulped it back. I stood there long enough to regain my composure. And cracked open another.
I found my way back to the table and asked Andi to encourage Seven out form under the table. I could not bring myself to finish my food. I turned to Carpenter and said, “You’re driving right?”
When he nodded, I helped myself to a very strong Rum and coke.
It was Thanksgiving, a time when we gather around the table the people that we love but don’t spend much time with. We toss a little dysfunction in the mix and see what happens. For me, I always end up with a blog worthy story. It’s inevitable. So I laugh, I say nothing, and I do what Holly Hunter’s character says, “Let’s just go out there and stuff ourselves.”
Yum.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
When the past comes back.
There is an old saying "Your past will come back to haunt you." Or maybe it's "Your past will always come back to bite you in the ass". Or, in my case, it did neither of those things, but rather sat behind me in a restaurant. Right when I least expected it.
I can honestly say, I didn't believe I'd ever see him again. Arron was my first serious boyfriend in college, where the relationship amounted to nearly eighteen months, if you don't count the break ups, and long distance parts. We had some good times and he gave me a promise ring. (Which I learned very quickly that it means absolutely nothing!) Then Arron witnessed the first seizure I ever had, that led to my diagnosis of epilepsy. A week later, he returned from work, drove me home after a movie and said "I can't do this. I just can't." He turned and walked out of my apartment, down the stairs, got into his car and drove away. He never once looked back. I know because I watched from my window. I knew I'd never see him again.
Until now. Fifteen years later.
Carpenter and I took the girls out for supper one Friday night a few weeks back, to a local family restaurant. During the meal I went with Gem to the ladies room, on our way back, I heard a very familiar voice, and then laugh. I looked up. I looked into a familiar face. I know that guy.
He recognized me.He avoided my gaze. He snapped his head back towards his friends, and lifted his hand as if to scratch the side of his face, but rather hide it. It was Aaron. He was sitting with three friends, perpendicular to our table.
Gem and I sat back down. I leaned forward and whispered to Carpenter, "Do I look good?"
"What?"
I quietly repeated my question. It somehow became important to me that not only was there no food on my face, or broccoli in my teeth since last checking all of those things in the bathroom mirror, but that I looked good, fabulous even. And I just needed him to say it.
"What?" he repeated.
Jules, sensing Carpenter couldn't hear me, piped up,"Mommy wants to know if she looks hot."
I felt my skin turn three shades of red. Carpenter looked at me quizzically. I leaned forward and quietly explained just who was sitting behind and to the left of us.
"You look fine. "He said.
Fine? Are you kidding me? Fine ? That's it? Deciding at the moment to drop it, before causing a scene, I encouraged the girls to finish up.
The girls finished their supper, and we left the restaurant. Once outside Carpenter said,"Why did you need to know if you looked good?"
"Because its important when one runs into an ex, that you look good, it's like giving them the finger without actually giving them the finger."
"Well, you could have gone up to him and said, Hi, nice to see you, oh, by the way, you were the worst lay EVER. Right in front of his friends, now that would have been funny."
I paused and actually let that scenario play in my head. I smiled. Yes, the statement was not only true, but it would have been hilarious; if I had the guts to pull something like that off, if my children weren't there, and if the place hadn't been filled with other families just like mine. But the look on Arron's face would have almost been worth it.
"I couldn't have done that hon," I said, "If we'd run into Jane, wouldn't you be concerned about how you looked?"
"No, I could care less what I looked like. I'd be more concerned about how YOU looked. I'd want her to know that I traded in an old broken down Datsun for a Cadillac." He said and smiled that smile that warms my heart.
That's my Carpenter. The love of my life. Our journey together has been one helluva ride. Come to think of it... I feel like a drive.
I can honestly say, I didn't believe I'd ever see him again. Arron was my first serious boyfriend in college, where the relationship amounted to nearly eighteen months, if you don't count the break ups, and long distance parts. We had some good times and he gave me a promise ring. (Which I learned very quickly that it means absolutely nothing!) Then Arron witnessed the first seizure I ever had, that led to my diagnosis of epilepsy. A week later, he returned from work, drove me home after a movie and said "I can't do this. I just can't." He turned and walked out of my apartment, down the stairs, got into his car and drove away. He never once looked back. I know because I watched from my window. I knew I'd never see him again.
Until now. Fifteen years later.
Carpenter and I took the girls out for supper one Friday night a few weeks back, to a local family restaurant. During the meal I went with Gem to the ladies room, on our way back, I heard a very familiar voice, and then laugh. I looked up. I looked into a familiar face. I know that guy.
He recognized me.He avoided my gaze. He snapped his head back towards his friends, and lifted his hand as if to scratch the side of his face, but rather hide it. It was Aaron. He was sitting with three friends, perpendicular to our table.
Gem and I sat back down. I leaned forward and whispered to Carpenter, "Do I look good?"
"What?"
I quietly repeated my question. It somehow became important to me that not only was there no food on my face, or broccoli in my teeth since last checking all of those things in the bathroom mirror, but that I looked good, fabulous even. And I just needed him to say it.
"What?" he repeated.
Jules, sensing Carpenter couldn't hear me, piped up,"Mommy wants to know if she looks hot."
I felt my skin turn three shades of red. Carpenter looked at me quizzically. I leaned forward and quietly explained just who was sitting behind and to the left of us.
"You look fine. "He said.
Fine? Are you kidding me? Fine ? That's it? Deciding at the moment to drop it, before causing a scene, I encouraged the girls to finish up.
The girls finished their supper, and we left the restaurant. Once outside Carpenter said,"Why did you need to know if you looked good?"
"Because its important when one runs into an ex, that you look good, it's like giving them the finger without actually giving them the finger."
"Well, you could have gone up to him and said, Hi, nice to see you, oh, by the way, you were the worst lay EVER. Right in front of his friends, now that would have been funny."
I paused and actually let that scenario play in my head. I smiled. Yes, the statement was not only true, but it would have been hilarious; if I had the guts to pull something like that off, if my children weren't there, and if the place hadn't been filled with other families just like mine. But the look on Arron's face would have almost been worth it.
"I couldn't have done that hon," I said, "If we'd run into Jane, wouldn't you be concerned about how you looked?"
"No, I could care less what I looked like. I'd be more concerned about how YOU looked. I'd want her to know that I traded in an old broken down Datsun for a Cadillac." He said and smiled that smile that warms my heart.
That's my Carpenter. The love of my life. Our journey together has been one helluva ride. Come to think of it... I feel like a drive.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Will that be Cash, Beer or Deer?
Renovations. They are never ending. There is always something to be done on my house. This year was no exception. There was no company coming. Still there was work to be done. I am starting to think, that my home, as warm, cozy and wonderful as it is, was becoming more like a money pit.
Let me rephrase that. It would be a money pit, IF we had to pay for all of the improvements. No, we do not ever wave a mystical magical wand, and all of our work is done and paid for. ( I have credit card bills for proof of that) However, Carpenter knows how to accomplish all of the tasks, and do them well. We save an incredible amount of money having him be the labour. This weekend for example, he installed all our new windows. They were all installed, by Sunday at suppertime. Now there is some finishing work to be done on them, but I am very happy and looking forward to ice-free windows this winter, and maybe a smaller heating bill.
There are other ways we have been able to save money on fixing our house. Our "outdoor living space" was no exception. Little did I realize, "Out door living space" is just real-estate talk for"Make your back yard look so damn good, you never want to move". We had put off landscaping our back yard simply because Carpenter was always so busy working for other people. Finally this summer, we made the time, and we had the materials, which were -you guessed it FREE.
Carpenter designed the lay-out, and formed up our patio and path, ready for concrete. On a Friday, he had three of his guys show up at our house at 8am, the pump truck came, and in 45 minutes they had the patio and walk way poured, screeted and finished. They are good! We then took them all out for breakfast.
With the patio finished, Carpenter wanted a water feature of some sort. Now, this can conjure up all sorts of ideas in one's head. But Carpenter, has a certain way he likes things done, because it is important to stay on the critical path, while completing a job. He has three basic rules:
1) Do it right the first time, or you will be doing it again.
2) Listen to him, and do it his way, because he knows what he's talking about. Or you will be doing it again.
3) - this one mostly pertains to our house: Go big, Or GO HOME.
It was really no surprise to me then, when exceptionally large rocks began appearing on my lawn, when Carpenter came home from work. He simply asked the blasting crew to keep their eyes out for "interesting looking" rocks, and when they had some, to put them into the back of our truck, instead of hauling them away.
I have become accustomed to left over, wrong cut materials, tossed aside renovation cupboards , sinks and even a toilet landing up on my lawn. Although it was a neighbourhood eyesore for a while, and I was sorely tempted to plant pansies in that toilet, The odds and ends have served us well. The tree house, my dining room table, and now my beautiful living space.
It is in the last few weeks especially, that I have come to not only understand, but fully appreciate, the FRIENDLY INTER-TRADES CURRENCY: Case o' beer. You thought it was CASH, didn't you? Yes, cash does have its place.Revenue Canada shudders at the word and has afield day with it. It works, and you can have quite a bit done for cash. But do not underestimate "Case o' beer."
Case o' Beer falls under the friendly- favour job category. This category is used after the guys have worked with each other for a while. The jobs are for the most part, small and should be no more than a couple of hours work. It is important to recognize that each tradesperson is different, and although it seems to me that the majority of them enjoy Budwiser, or Canadian beer, you should be aware of what they drink, to ensure their help again next time.
However there are exceptions to every rule. Last week, Carpenter had a stucco guy come by while we were away and stucco the concrete retaining wall in my back yard, the length of our property. His choice method of payment? Not Cash. Not Beer. ALL the wild deer,moose and elk meat left in my freezer. I
like this guy. I wonder how many deer it would take to re-stucco my 
house?
Here are some photos of our out door living space.
Sand: left over from a jobsite:FREE
Huge rocks(normally min$1/pound) FREE.
Zoom Boom: To put huge 3'x7'x10inches rock in place $30 permit to borrow from jobsite.
Rocks for pond: Free
Pond liner, pump, plastic hoses: $350
Designing, moving rocks, and working our butts off: Our Time
Having a gorgeous backyard, creating neighbourhood envy:PRICELESS
Let me rephrase that. It would be a money pit, IF we had to pay for all of the improvements. No, we do not ever wave a mystical magical wand, and all of our work is done and paid for. ( I have credit card bills for proof of that) However, Carpenter knows how to accomplish all of the tasks, and do them well. We save an incredible amount of money having him be the labour. This weekend for example, he installed all our new windows. They were all installed, by Sunday at suppertime. Now there is some finishing work to be done on them, but I am very happy and looking forward to ice-free windows this winter, and maybe a smaller heating bill.
There are other ways we have been able to save money on fixing our house. Our "outdoor living space" was no exception. Little did I realize, "Out door living space" is just real-estate talk for"Make your back yard look so damn good, you never want to move". We had put off landscaping our back yard simply because Carpenter was always so busy working for other people. Finally this summer, we made the time, and we had the materials, which were -you guessed it FREE.
Carpenter designed the lay-out, and formed up our patio and path, ready for concrete. On a Friday, he had three of his guys show up at our house at 8am, the pump truck came, and in 45 minutes they had the patio and walk way poured, screeted and finished. They are good! We then took them all out for breakfast.
With the patio finished, Carpenter wanted a water feature of some sort. Now, this can conjure up all sorts of ideas in one's head. But Carpenter, has a certain way he likes things done, because it is important to stay on the critical path, while completing a job. He has three basic rules:
1) Do it right the first time, or you will be doing it again.
2) Listen to him, and do it his way, because he knows what he's talking about. Or you will be doing it again.
3) - this one mostly pertains to our house: Go big, Or GO HOME.
It was really no surprise to me then, when exceptionally large rocks began appearing on my lawn, when Carpenter came home from work. He simply asked the blasting crew to keep their eyes out for "interesting looking" rocks, and when they had some, to put them into the back of our truck, instead of hauling them away.
I have become accustomed to left over, wrong cut materials, tossed aside renovation cupboards , sinks and even a toilet landing up on my lawn. Although it was a neighbourhood eyesore for a while, and I was sorely tempted to plant pansies in that toilet, The odds and ends have served us well. The tree house, my dining room table, and now my beautiful living space.
It is in the last few weeks especially, that I have come to not only understand, but fully appreciate, the FRIENDLY INTER-TRADES CURRENCY: Case o' beer. You thought it was CASH, didn't you? Yes, cash does have its place.Revenue Canada shudders at the word and has afield day with it. It works, and you can have quite a bit done for cash. But do not underestimate "Case o' beer."
Case o' Beer falls under the friendly- favour job category. This category is used after the guys have worked with each other for a while. The jobs are for the most part, small and should be no more than a couple of hours work. It is important to recognize that each tradesperson is different, and although it seems to me that the majority of them enjoy Budwiser, or Canadian beer, you should be aware of what they drink, to ensure their help again next time.
However there are exceptions to every rule. Last week, Carpenter had a stucco guy come by while we were away and stucco the concrete retaining wall in my back yard, the length of our property. His choice method of payment? Not Cash. Not Beer. ALL the wild deer,moose and elk meat left in my freezer. I
like this guy. I wonder how many deer it would take to re-stucco my 
house?Here are some photos of our out door living space.
Sand: left over from a jobsite:FREE
Huge rocks(normally min$1/pound) FREE.
Zoom Boom: To put huge 3'x7'x10inches rock in place $30 permit to borrow from jobsite.
Rocks for pond: Free
Pond liner, pump, plastic hoses: $350
Designing, moving rocks, and working our butts off: Our Time
Having a gorgeous backyard, creating neighbourhood envy:PRICELESS
Monday, July 21, 2008
A little bit of hot water, doesn't hurt.
There is nothing quite like working in my back yard, fixing it up to look and be the way that we want it : An outside living space to compliment our cozy little house.
Though the weekends are long and hot and most K-town folks are off to the beach, we are here working out butts off; Moving rock, shifting pond-liners, digging a big hole in the ground, and being burned by the sun.
So when Dude and Dudette invited us over for a dip in their pool, and a late Sunday afternoon BBQ, how could we refuse. We packed up the marinating ribs that were in the fridge, stopped by the cold beer and wine store, and set off.
We were delighted to see that they had invited Superman and Lois as well. I joined the ladies at the poolside, while the girls ran to change into their swimsuits, and Carpenter, Dude and Superman discussed the limited entry results, oh yeah, because they were in.
The girls came running back, Gem immediately jumped in. Jules was suited up in a life jacket, and then began a hesitant descent into the water, she clung to the side of the pool, with in arms reach, not wanting to be completely submerged, but not wanting to be pulled out either. One of the older girls jumped in the pool and then helped Jules around . She was much happier after that.
I kept a close watch on my girls while I chatted with Lois. We talked about the upcoming changes facing our family.It seems to be the hot topic no matter where we go. For most of my dear friends out there, you know what I'm referring to. However, I am not ready to disclose everything on this blog just yet, because we are still in limbo, and no firm plans can be made. So for those of you who don't know about the new adventure, it'll give you a reason to come back and visit. In the mean time the conversation begins like this: If this happens..... or IF that takes place.... and it becomes almost a frustrating experience, because you just can't plan around "IF''s.
I explained to Lois that as much as I found this process to be an adventure, I wasn't ready to move , In light of our new landscaping work, the tree house, and my home starting to take the shape of something I truly love.
By the time supper hit the grill we were all taking about the men's love of hunting and how September/ October are two months when we barely see our husbands, because they are gone chasing that elusive elk. We feasted on pork, chicken and beef,( the freezers are dwindling low now on that most expensive wild meat. We'll have to wait til hunting season for more I suppose. But I'd just prefer to leave good ol' Babmbi in the forest.) and, there was stories of how Birthdays, and in my case, an anniversary is missed because of hunting season. It was a hot topic and caused more than a couple of waves. Lois, too felt my pain, and we laughed at men's "priorities".
Jules began to choke, and cry. The bigger kids had been making a wave pool. She was swallowing too much water. I rushed to the edge of the pool. I gripped the shoulders of the life jacket, and hoisted her up in one swoop.
She stood there, on the deck, in the twilight air shivering, and catching her breath. She turned to me.
"Oh, Mommy! I'm so sorry! I just couldn't hold it !" She gasped and sputtered.
Then I noticed that with the dripping pool water she began to pee.
"I'm so sorry Mommy! It was an accident, I just couldn't hold it!" She repeated, this time with a quiver in her voice that told me she was embarrassed and about to cry.
It's okay, Sweetheart." I told her, "Accidents happen. At least it wasn't in the pool."
Just then, Jules , looked up at me and exclaimed, "WOW, MOM! PEE IS HOT!"
"I never knew that pee was hot!" She continued, in awe, as she watched it flow down her leg.
Laughter roared from the pool , the other kids no no longer able to contain their giggles, and I smiled at my little Jules and said, "Yes it is, now lets find a hose to rinse you off!"
The deck was rinsed and so was Jules, who wanted back in the pool.
I walked back to my seat, cracked open a cider, and relayed the hot water story. Conversation turned from hunting season, and flowed with ease and laughter. I was thankful to be away from the hot water topic, at least until September.
Though the weekends are long and hot and most K-town folks are off to the beach, we are here working out butts off; Moving rock, shifting pond-liners, digging a big hole in the ground, and being burned by the sun.
So when Dude and Dudette invited us over for a dip in their pool, and a late Sunday afternoon BBQ, how could we refuse. We packed up the marinating ribs that were in the fridge, stopped by the cold beer and wine store, and set off.
We were delighted to see that they had invited Superman and Lois as well. I joined the ladies at the poolside, while the girls ran to change into their swimsuits, and Carpenter, Dude and Superman discussed the limited entry results, oh yeah, because they were in.
The girls came running back, Gem immediately jumped in. Jules was suited up in a life jacket, and then began a hesitant descent into the water, she clung to the side of the pool, with in arms reach, not wanting to be completely submerged, but not wanting to be pulled out either. One of the older girls jumped in the pool and then helped Jules around . She was much happier after that.
I kept a close watch on my girls while I chatted with Lois. We talked about the upcoming changes facing our family.It seems to be the hot topic no matter where we go. For most of my dear friends out there, you know what I'm referring to. However, I am not ready to disclose everything on this blog just yet, because we are still in limbo, and no firm plans can be made. So for those of you who don't know about the new adventure, it'll give you a reason to come back and visit. In the mean time the conversation begins like this: If this happens..... or IF that takes place.... and it becomes almost a frustrating experience, because you just can't plan around "IF''s.
I explained to Lois that as much as I found this process to be an adventure, I wasn't ready to move , In light of our new landscaping work, the tree house, and my home starting to take the shape of something I truly love.
By the time supper hit the grill we were all taking about the men's love of hunting and how September/ October are two months when we barely see our husbands, because they are gone chasing that elusive elk. We feasted on pork, chicken and beef,( the freezers are dwindling low now on that most expensive wild meat. We'll have to wait til hunting season for more I suppose. But I'd just prefer to leave good ol' Babmbi in the forest.) and, there was stories of how Birthdays, and in my case, an anniversary is missed because of hunting season. It was a hot topic and caused more than a couple of waves. Lois, too felt my pain, and we laughed at men's "priorities".
Jules began to choke, and cry. The bigger kids had been making a wave pool. She was swallowing too much water. I rushed to the edge of the pool. I gripped the shoulders of the life jacket, and hoisted her up in one swoop.
She stood there, on the deck, in the twilight air shivering, and catching her breath. She turned to me.
"Oh, Mommy! I'm so sorry! I just couldn't hold it !" She gasped and sputtered.
Then I noticed that with the dripping pool water she began to pee.
"I'm so sorry Mommy! It was an accident, I just couldn't hold it!" She repeated, this time with a quiver in her voice that told me she was embarrassed and about to cry.
It's okay, Sweetheart." I told her, "Accidents happen. At least it wasn't in the pool."
Just then, Jules , looked up at me and exclaimed, "WOW, MOM! PEE IS HOT!"
"I never knew that pee was hot!" She continued, in awe, as she watched it flow down her leg.
Laughter roared from the pool , the other kids no no longer able to contain their giggles, and I smiled at my little Jules and said, "Yes it is, now lets find a hose to rinse you off!"
The deck was rinsed and so was Jules, who wanted back in the pool.
I walked back to my seat, cracked open a cider, and relayed the hot water story. Conversation turned from hunting season, and flowed with ease and laughter. I was thankful to be away from the hot water topic, at least until September.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
THe Matriarch reaches a Milestone
Today is just an ordinary day. For most people they are still recovering from the Long weekend Parties, or preparing to party with the neighbours south of the border. Today, Carpenter awoke at 5:15 am and was gone in 15 minutes to pick up his crew and take them to work.
But for me, aside from looking after my household and running off to work, I must, pick up the phone and call someone today.
She is a very special person, who brought me into this world, taught me countless lessons over the years, and has given loads of advice, some of which I embraced whole heartedly, and some I threw right out the window.
Sorry Mom, but it's true. Then you know that, because Moms just know.
So here is what I know about my MOM:
She enjoys a cup of coffee in the morning in her favorite mug, made her way. Don't ever muck with the coffee. She likes things that are leather or wood. She favours her jeans and turtleneck sweaters, except when she's off to the Cattlemen's ball, then hand her the dancing shoes.
She enjoys a good laugh, a beer with her steak, and has a love- hate relationship with cats that I will never understand.
She has been the right hand -man on the Family Ranch along side my father. And still is. She has put in many long hours with field work, calving,and haying. They used to say that the ranch at one time could employ 50 men. My father does the work of 2 and my Mom, the other 48.
Still,at the end of the day, she is my biggest fan. And I am hers.
So after you climb down from that John Deere, Mom, Have Dad take you out for supper.
Happy Birthday. I love you.
P.S. Tell Dad he can wash the truck tomorrow.
But for me, aside from looking after my household and running off to work, I must, pick up the phone and call someone today.
She is a very special person, who brought me into this world, taught me countless lessons over the years, and has given loads of advice, some of which I embraced whole heartedly, and some I threw right out the window.
Sorry Mom, but it's true. Then you know that, because Moms just know.
So here is what I know about my MOM:
She enjoys a cup of coffee in the morning in her favorite mug, made her way. Don't ever muck with the coffee. She likes things that are leather or wood. She favours her jeans and turtleneck sweaters, except when she's off to the Cattlemen's ball, then hand her the dancing shoes.
She enjoys a good laugh, a beer with her steak, and has a love- hate relationship with cats that I will never understand.
She has been the right hand -man on the Family Ranch along side my father. And still is. She has put in many long hours with field work, calving,and haying. They used to say that the ranch at one time could employ 50 men. My father does the work of 2 and my Mom, the other 48.
Still,at the end of the day, she is my biggest fan. And I am hers.
So after you climb down from that John Deere, Mom, Have Dad take you out for supper.
Happy Birthday. I love you.
P.S. Tell Dad he can wash the truck tomorrow.
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