Blog 12 of June

What a great day today.  I volunteered at Spruce Meadows once again.  But this time, instead of working in the lounge, I was assigned the duty of timer.  Now before you hold your breath, and wonder how I got a position with such great responsibility, understand that I was not the official timer.  I'll explain.  On each ring there is a computer timer that goes by the "computer beams and computers".  Should that system fail (or blow over in a rain storm, or get knocked over by a horse, etc), they have back up "ground timers" who are using stop watches (that's me) for emergency cases.  So although it might not be the "high ranking" timer, we do have to keep focused.  This is a true test if someone might have a slight case of ADHD.  (and I may be in there somewhere)  We sit in the booth with the judges, and announcer,  and official timers, and all those who wander in and out. I can honestly say I only missed one (or two or three) times, but usually it was because I pushed the wrong button on my stop watch.  In addition to ground timer, I was also asked to help with ribbon presentations, which means I had to put on one of the infamous "red Spruce Meadows coats", and  help distribute the ribbons to the riders, (luckily I didn't have to place the actual ribbons on the very large, four legged, animals that glared at me from the corner of their eyes).  Then as the riders did the victory gallop we had to clap and take the salutes.  As I mentioned in a previous blog, most of these workers are volunteers and the entire operation is a very well oiled machine.  As an added bonus, I got to see Ashley in action.  She walks from ring to ring making sure everyone has what they need or solve any pressing problems - the walkie talkie is practically glued to her ear.
  The fabulous day got off to a very early start.  I set my alarm for 5:45 am as I had to be at Spruce by 7:45. Around 4:00 a.m. I and startled awake by Maya doing her annoying growl.  I listen to see what has got her defense mode up.  I hear birds, and then I see Bill is also awake and I ask him what the noise is.  He too hears birds.  Now we are not talking one little beep, beep, but more like a flock of birds that has decided to descend on our house, surround it, and purposely compete to see who can be the loudest.  I get up and go the kitchen only to discover, my mom's alarm clock (that I took from her yesterday because it was broke) actually works, and the alarm was going off.  I can't for the life of me figure out why she would have the alarm set for 4:00 am.  I quickly turn off the alarm and remove the batteries just in case, it is a malfunction and we are attacked later on by those fictional birds.  I don't believe I went back to sleep, so I'm convinced I'll need a nap when I get home - and I did.
  I entered a contest the other day on a website.  I think it was for one of the radio stations, but I didn't mark it down, so I can't be sure.  The contest was to write something that your Dad taught you or a lesson learned from your Dad.  Here is my entry.

I was my Dad's baby girl (youngest of 4 children)  When I was younger, my Dad used to repeat over and over to me "Stick with me Stacey, and you'll be wearing diamonds!"  At the time I didn't quite understand what he meant.  Fast forward to my late teens.  I was still living at home, and Mom, Dad and I went to Northland Shopping Center for Chinese Food.  When we finished dinner, we were walking past a jewelry store.  I reminded my Dad of his promise about sticking with him.  Surprisingly, Dad walked into the store, with Mom and I following right behind him.  Dad picked out a diamond ring for me (you would need a magnifying glass to confirm the diamond part).  He also bought my mom a diamond engagement ring with the matching band.  My mom only had a tiny gold band that Dad had given her in September, 1943 when they drove to Calgary from Carmangay and eloped.  In 1983 my Dad passed away with cancer, but two months before he passed away, I became engaged, and my "husband to be" gave me a 1/2 carat engagement ring.  I now truly understood what he meant.  I did stick with my Dad and I had my diamond (both of them)  I lost my Dad when I was 21 and my husband and I just celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary.  I'd say Dad had great advice.

This is one of those stories that you want to pass on to your kids and grandkids.

This picture is from my grade 12 Graduation.

Miss you Dad!

Stacey