Day 6 of May

Dear Anne Landers!

Would this "situation" be a good example of the word "hypocritical". 
I have a FRIEND who has been pestering her husband to have their furnace and ducts cleaned for the past 8 years.  I think thats about when they moved into their new house; it doesn't matter where the house is, but I think it might be in the HAMPTONS somewhere.  Anyway, she did all the leg work every year; how may ducts; estimates; coupons, etc.  So finally she took the bull by the horns and booked the appointment.  They talked about it and the coupon was for a set amount which included the furnace cleaned and 10 ducts and a couple of add on; each addidtional duct was 9.95.  Now the house has 22 ducts alone just upstairs and another 7 downstairs.  Add on to the fact that the couple has some floor renovations done a couple of years ago.  The husband somewhat agreed (if hmmph and mmmmm counts as agreed) that the upstairs ducts could be done.  So the furnace guys show up; explain what can happen and what should happen.  The wife thinks, hmmm really why leave the additional 7 downstairs when everything should be done - plus a couple of small items.  The she gets is done and much to her son's disbelief, she can notice the clean air right away.  Anyway I guess the husband was at a board meeting until way past midnight so she waits until morning to tell him the "news!"  The husband can't believe she spent that much (500.00ish) to have this done, without calling him to confer first (I'm sure had she called, he would have said NO)  Here comes the hypocrisy.  Apparently the husband had gone on a "free" golf trip the weekend before, with a service company, with his wife's blessing.  He calls his wife late Saturday night to talk and mentions that he's not having a good time because he lost $500.00 in stupid golf games.  The wife laughs.  Need I say more!  Short of getting drunk on WEEGEE's (amareto, pomegranite juice, and ginger ale) or SCREW-UP's (orange juice, vodka and 7-up) what would you suggest for my FRIEND!!!!!
She isn't sorry she got it done, or sorry that she told him; she's just not sure if she should continue to BITE HER TONGUE!!!!
I will pass along any adivse you have for her.

Stacey

Day 5 of May

Ok, up until 10 minutes ago, I did have a great big smile on my face.  So lets start with my morning.  I had what my son likes to call a "Lost" moment (if you're familiar with the TV show, you'll understand this)  But I like to call these fate, or "happened for a reason" moment, or even a small world moment.  I was working my cards this morning at one of my grocery stores.  Now my contact in this store is "Nancy".  I've known her since I started working cards.  I check in with her when I'm in the store; we talk about cards; we talk about vacations, etc.  She is a great lady to work with.  Anyway when I finished my cards today, I took of my "handy dandy" card apron and decided I needed a few groceries.  Olive oil was my quest.  I slowly turned down the aisle that I was fixed upon, and when I looked up I see an elderly couple walking towards me.  I didn't even have to think twice, I knew the gentleman - It was Ken.  I used to work with Ken at Royal Trust - pre kids.  Ken was/is an amazing man and one of the nicest people to work with.  He was the Will expert at the time.  In fact, when my Dad was in the hospital and he'd found out he had cancer, Ken so kindly did up a Will for Dad and came to the hospital to have it signed and witnessed.  Like I said he is a man with a big heart.  So we get to talking, and updating each other.  Not only is he a grandpa, he's a great-grandpa - I believe he's in his 80's now.  So he and his wife asked me, about me!!!  I gave them a quick synopsis - working with kids - after mine were no longer kids - and oh yeah, I mentioned I'm a merchandiser for cards right here in this store.  Ken's wife (I apologize, I can't remember her name from 23 odd years ago) mentioned her daughter also works in this grocery store - and do you want to guess who there daughter is?   You seen it coming, didn't you.  Yes it's "Nancy!"  Seem's I have been working with Ken's daughter for the past 2 odd years.  How small of a world is that.  I gave the couple a hug bye and made a quick dash for "Nancy" to bring her up to date.  I was smiling for the rest of the afternoon.
   Then 10 minutes ago, I was needing something from my wallet - couldn't find it anywhere.  Now I'm pretty sure I have it locked in my glove compartment in my car - easy enough to check!!! NOT!, the son's got my car.  Easy enough to check with a text - NOT - he's working and can't answer his phone until 6:00.  K, I'm not panicking just yet, because if my memory serves me well (and it doesn't always) it's locked in the car.  Ok, so I can't do the 5 or 6 things I wanted to do on the computer due to lack of information.  I'll relax while the laundry is going and watch The Ellen show I taped.  NOT - can't find the #$%& remote control - oh there are six other ones sitting there, but not the one I need.  Since the son is the only other person around, he must have been using it (even if everybody else was around, he'd still be blamed).  I'll check his room; NOT - walked in and walked right back out.  If you've ever read the Zits comics you'll understand my reason why.  Ok, I'll text him and he'll know where it is, and he'll text me back. NOT.  But guess what, he just text'd me back.  And yes my wallet is in the car; and yes the remote is next to the treadmill, and yes, my smile is back on my face.  I love when a plan comes together.
Happy Thursday
Stacey

Day 4 of May

Today's blog is full of many little tidbits.
Let's start with last Friday.  Had a wonderful dinner with my Auntie Murt, cousin Cindy, 1st cousin-once removed Tate (Cindy's son); and my mom, sister, niece and husband.  It's always a blast getting together with cousins.  It makes me realize how lucky we were growing up with so many cousins (26 or 29 - I keep getting mixed up when I count).  But the best was visiting cousins in a small town near Lethbridge - Carmangay.  Growing up I would tell friends where we were going and nobody had any idea where Carmangay was - I couldn't understand that.  Now as an adulta, I am totally surprised when I mention Carmangay, how many people have actually heard of it, and lately there seems to always be someone who knows someone there.  My first comment is then "Well me must be related somehow!"  I wish my kids could experience the same "cousin" upbringing I had - ah memories.  So that was Friday night.
  The long weekend brought some unexpected beautiful weather and I did what so many Calgarians are told not to do; I planted flowers.  Not a lot, but enough to keep my busy on Saturday.
  Sunday's activities slip from my mind.  Probably due to tiredness.  Seems the son had a busy weekend keeping up with friends.  We won't even go into the bar fight on Friday night - a mother's worst nightmare.  Luckily for Patrick, he only came away with a slight bump to the temple. Even bystanders can get pulled into a confrontation.   As I remind him constantly since, it could have been much worse.  Do we ever get to stop worrying? 
  Just finished watching the season finale of "Missing" with Ashley Judd.  We had it taped on the PVR - and now I've heard it's been cancelled. WHAT!  I don't usually write letters to complain (ok, I do), some people are going to hear about this one.  It was a great drama and both Bill and I looked forward to it every week.  In fact, I wasn't supposed to mention this, but even Bill had a tear in his eye (he tried to deny it) at the end of the show.
  I also watched the Anderson Cooper show just before dinner time.  It was on Attachment parenting.  A very facinating subject.  Mayim Bialik, an actress in "The Big Bang Theory" was a guest and she has a book called "Beyond the Sling!"  I think I'll be checking out the book tomorrow at Chapters.  I was going to by it for my Kobo - but I'm getting really annoyed with those people.  I keep a list of books I'd like to buy when they go on sale, and then Kobo sends me these coupons via my email.  Then I try to order my books and I get the little note that says this book (any book I've tried so far) cannont be used with the coupon due to the publishers  restrictions.  REALLY, what's the point. 
  Gave Maya her monthly bath tonight.  If you ever need something to smile about, bathiing this dog will do it.  She pretends she doesn't want one (by running away), but as soon as I get her in the laundry room sink, she loves having the water pour off her back and scrubbed with the shampoo.  I scrub one side of her back end and she moves right into it (Ashley's horse use to do the same thing when you brushed it) And then I pick her up in the towel and start to dry her.  Once I get her on the floor, she runs and finds a toy and the game begins - the only time I can get close to her is when I hold up her brush and comes to have her neck brushed.  The entertainment can go on for an hour at least.
   So another busy week ahead - a few appointments with mom included.  Hopefully the weather will stay nice so Mom can enjoy some outdoor sunshine.
  Well off to bed for a bit of reading before the lights go out.
Stacey

Day 3 of May

Sunday was Mother's Day.  I hope all the mother's of the heart had a wonderful Mother's Day.  I sure did.  Bill went to the gym, then stopped by to pick up my mom and bring her over.  We spent the afternoon, talking, sharing, giggling, plucking eyebrows and eating.  All those things that mother's and daughters do!  It was such a warm day that we sat outside for quite a bit.  Bill had brought some buns, meats, fruit trays, cheese trays and we sampled a little bit of everything.  Patrick picked up an ice cream cake from DQ - my favorite.  I received lovely cards from the kids - an I-pod Nano, some wiring to go with it, and the movie Bridesmaids.  Then my thoughtful son, posted a link on facebook to a video with a song he had told me about last year.  I'm pretty sure I posted about it then.  It's called Angel and it's about mom's.  I can't believe that tall, hairy son has such a big heart.  Robin dropped by after lunch to visit and we did more talking and giggling.  It was around 3:00 when Robin left and i took mom home.  I knew she was getting tired when she kept falling sleep at the table (or maybe Robin and I were just carrying on with a boring conversation.)
  Sunday was also the 100th birthday of one of my favorite Aunts.  Auntie Bea in my Dad's older sister.  She is a remarkable lady and if I could be guaranteed to turn out like her; mentally and health wise, I might consider looking foward to 100.
  Sunday was also the day I crossed another item off my 50 list.  I made a cheesecake from scratch.  And, it turns out, it was delicious. 
  I was in bed by 10:00 and I'm pretty sure I didn't need any rocking.
 Today was also a busy day.  It was time to take down the Mother's Day cards and put up the Father's day cards.  One store down and three to go.  I also worked with my little guy this afternoon.  We went to the park again.  At least I'm getting my exercise pulling those wagons up the hills.  It will be another early night tonight.!
s

Day 2 of May

And so passes the 7th Annual Bruce and Bill's Cinco de Mayo party!!!  I can't believe it's been 7 years.  We had a wonderful evening.  Started with dinner at the Hamptons Club House (they had a Cinco de Mayo celebration going on.  Then we headed to the Crowfoot liquor store for some tequila taste testing - well not all of us.  The the two d.d. (Diane and myself) drove all the way to Douglasdale to finish off a fun evening at Bruce and Diane's home and more taste testing - for those of us that weren't tasting, we were voting on which bottle of tequila was the nicest.  A few games of pool and Bill was ready to go home.  Yes Bill suggested we head home around 1:00 am.  30 minutes later, we were home.  Thank goodness for Deerfoot Trail.  Rumor has it that for our tenth anniversary, it's a repeat trip down to Mexico to take the Tequila Train once more. 
So I spent more of Sunday recuperating - from what - lack of sleep mostly.  I did start the laundry but even that got put on hold until this morning.  So before I headed to work with my little guy, I drove to Chinook Shopping Center, to the other Tiffanys, and yes this is the little gift that I got myself.    I tried on a few different rings, but I kept coming back to this little gem.  Now to remind myself not to try and lift weights and do any heavy lifting with it on - wouldn't want to bend or scratch it.    
Stacey 

Day 1 of May

It's Friday and it's May 4th.  So that mean tomorrow is Saturday and its CINCO DE MAYO!!!!!  This will be our 7th annual with Bruce and Diane.  Lets do a little recapture here.  Year 1 - got Miss Maya; Year 2 - Went to Guadalahara to celebrate; Year 3 - got a diamond tennis bracelet; Year 4 - got a colored printer; Year 5 - went to Vegas with my good friend De; Year 6 - took a train trip from Edmonton to Halifax; And now we are at Year 7------.  I just happened to get a catalogue for the Tiffany store.  There is this beautiful ring - and it comes in silver or 18 kt gold.  I showed it to Bill and suggested I might like the silver - he said the gold would be better!!!!!!  I love May 5th.  Will share all the details later on in the week, just in case plans change.
  So the house is full again - Me, Bill, Ashley, Patrick, Maya, Ethan, Patrick's friends......some nights it's just two of us and some nights there are many.  And with it comes all those familar smells - the barn; the soccer field - who needs perfume!!!!  I know it could be worse - it could just be the A5-35 rub I smell. 
  So Patrick and his buds are sitting around the camp fire - catching up on the past year.  I forgot what a great group of friends he has.  I'm on the computer with my blog writing so I don't crash their "time" - but I love fire pits.  Maybe I'll just sneak out and get the smoke smell on my PJ's. 
  Have been talking to Mom every day since she got back from the Carewest Center.  Some days we don't have a lot to talk about, but I can hear the appreciation in her voice when I call.  And I've made sure I've told her told her I love her each time we say good bye.  The really amazing thing, is when Mom says it to me, I can feel her love through the phone.  Her memory isn't as good as it was before her fall, and I think it's frustrating her.  But, every once in a while she throws out these memories from the past, that even I can't remember.  So really - whose memory is worse?    
  K, I think Maya and I need to get our beauty sleep - just in case I need to go shopping tomorrow to Tiffanys!!!!!
Stacey