Blog 8 of July

Another work week gone by, and only two days left of the Stampede.  Really, didn't we just finished getting excited about the Stampede starting!!!!
  Today was an "interesting" day.  I hope that covers the wide spectrum.  The day was supposed to start with Mom and I attending a Western brunch out in the Kananaskis.  But it got cancelled.  Mom wasn't sure why, but I'm thinking they just didn't have enough participants to take the bus all the way out there.  It was just as well though, because Mom had a doctor's appointment at 9:00 a.m.  I called her last night to confirm what time to pick her up.  Because we had to take the silver bullet, I wasn't able to bring Mom's walker, so I was thinking we needed to give ourselves plenty of time for walking with the cane.  Mom said she'd be at the door and waiting at 8:15 am.

This was a little bunny that was hiding out in the parking lot of Mom's manor.  He was so tiny and scared!!!  (sorry, focus Stacey)

When I arrived, she was still at the table because she came down late and they were running a little slow in the kitchen.  I sat down and joined Mom and her two companions while they ate breakfast.  Remind me to never apply for a job as a server at at Seniors center.  They are very impatient when it comes to their breakfast and coffee.  When the server brought Mom her plate of eggs and toast, she told him the bacon was missing.  There was another plate on his tray with toast and bacon, so mom just grabbed the bacon from the other plate.  I guess if you're hungry!!!!!
  We made the appointment and Mom did great walking with her cane.  Dr. Curtis was his usual comic self.  I love his bedside manner.  He is so good with Mom and deserves an award for taking all the guff! (from both of us)  We were in his office less than 10 minutes, and headed out the door by 9:30.  Mom told me she needed to go to Safeways for envelopes and pudding.  I tried to explain that Safeways was quite a walk but she was persistent, so we headed in the direction.  Once we go a buggy, it was a little bit easier for Mom to get around, but I could tell she was dragging.  She didn't even want to go to Target with me to pick up a couple of things.  Despite being tired, she didn't need a puffer when we got back to the bullet.
  When I had picked Mom up, she gave me a gift; a CD she purchased from a country group that had played at the Manor.  It was a couple, and the husband played the accordion - yeah!!!!  So when we got back to my car, I opened the CD, took down the roof and headed back to the manor.  I stopped a couple of times to see if Mom was OK, and wanted the roof up.  She assured me she was fine.  I through my sweater around her shoulders.  I guess she was enjoying herself.  You decide---

  Actually when I look at the picture now, she does look a lot happy than I thought she was.

  That was the morning.  The afternoon was a lot less exciting (yee haw).  Bill was golfing for the day; Ashley and Ethan were working, and Patrick had gone out to Watervalley to volunteer at the Kids Cancer Camp for the day.  I couldn't venture too far as I had some glass guys coming over to give me an estimate for replacing one of the windows.  Being the beautiful day that it was, I worked in the garden and remove some of the beautiful weeds (I'm trying to be positive and wish them well - and to go away)  The smell of the flowers was breathtaking as was the visual beauty!!!

My peonies and rose bushes are in full bloom.  Even the bees are loving my garden.
So no supper is needed by anyone but me tonight.  I'm thinking a nice Caesar salad and a tequila lemonade.
Happy Friday.
Stacey

Blog 7 of July

Today started off as one of a typical day.  Headed out for my morning walk with Rose. (although we started a little later than normal  - but was still back home by 8:30ish.  I had great intentions after that.  Hit the shower and sat down on the bed to get dressed.  I don't think I actually dozed but I was started awake by the sound of someone entering the house at 9:30.  Turns out Patrick didn't have to work today, and was just coming home from his dentist appointment.  That was a blessing in disguise, because it got me motivated.  I asked the son if he wanted to run some Mother/son errands today.  (in the bullet, of course)
  Our first stop was out by Chinook center.  I needed to get a quote for a new hot tub cover and lift.  That didn't take long at all.  We headed all the way to the Passport office in the N.W.  The son is the only one who hasn't renewed his passport yet.  And this is where the adventure started.  I had a good idea that there would be a bit of a wait, as we arrived at the Government office just after noon.  The room was full, but certainly not packed.  We got up to the counter with the prepared forms.  The gentleman searched through the passport and noticed there were some marks on some of the pages.  To me it looked like ink smudge from having the passport stamped and then the page being closed and leaving the ink mark on the other page.  But apparently this is considered damaged.  Turns out another form, in addition to the prepared form we have is needed.  No problem, we can fill that out.  Oh but wait.  Now this "satellite" office cannot process this anymore  We need to either go downtown or way out in the south, past Bannister Road.  We thanked the "officer" for his help (with a fake grin on my face) and left.
  After a short discussion, and realizing we really had the time, we agreed to drive all the way out to the south (nobody wants to park downtown, especially during Stampede time).  For those that ever need to go to this office, turn at Bannister road.  Otherwise, you are screwed.  You get stuck across the train tracks, by the LRT and there is no way back without a complete turnaround on McLeod.  OK, maybe there is a way back, but we could find it.  So we finally figure out how to access the Government parking lot.  I'm relived to see that there is not a long line up or a lot of people waiting.  Again we go to the counter, and we are greeting by another gentleman.  We explain what we've been told to do.  And he nods and listens and then looks at Patrick's passport once more, and tells up we need a different form.  Seems since Patrick was under 18 on his last passport, there is a completely different form to fill out.  But, he tells us, we can fill it in there.  I just need to sign as the guarantor and show them my passport as I.D.   That would be awesome, but my passport is somewhere in Ottawa right now being processed.  Again with a smile on my face (I think it is stuck there from the previous visit) we leave office without successfully completing our  task.
  There is only one way to make this day better, a trip to Peter's Drive in for milkshakes.  And that is what we did.  Despite our outcome, it was a great day because I got to spend it with my son (who is usually never home during the day), we were cruising with the top down in the bullet on a beautiful summer day, and the Vanilla milkshake from Peter's was the icing on the cake.
  Passport renewal for Patrick will have to wait another day.

Stacey

Blog 6 of July

So much to say, not sure where to start.
  First of all De and Todd and the girls arrived right on time.  It was so good to see them.  You know time is flying by so fast when you still remember those two girls as babies and toddlers.  They have grown up into fun young teenagers!!!!  After picking up from the airport, we headed to Salt and Pepper for some Mexican food and a quick visit.  Ashley and Ethan joined Bill and I to finish off our family side.  Patrick and Elliot had gone out to enjoy Elliots last evening in town, with some Stampede bar fun!!!  After a late dinner, we deposited our guests at their hotel and headed home.  That wasn't the late part of the evening. We had given Patrick an extension on the 11:00 pm weekend day curfew and so around 12:30 I was still awake (probably from eating dinner so late) and I was feeling weird.  No pain, no headaches, just weird.  I don't know how else to describe it.  Bill was snoring, Maya had the hic cups and my mind was not co operating on trying to relax.  I'm not sure but I think I was having a small, but still effective anxiety attack.  I couldn't get it under control with my breathing, meditating and I was too tired to read.  So I grabbed my "emergency ativan" and it wasn't long before I was calmed down, and actually dozing on the couch.  That was around 1:30 a.m. and of course the time Patrick and Elliot strolled through the door.  Too much beer and not enough food, so they enjoyed a small snack of smokies and potato salad and I was able to jump into bed (Bill was still snoring and trying to take over the entire bed) and fall right to sleep.
  I think I remember saying to myself as I re crawled into bed "There is no way I am making it for my 7:00 a.m. walk with Rose in the morning.  But along comes 6:00 a.m. and we are communicating through the IPad and up and out we headed, by 6:20, no less.

This is the beautiful view of the sunrise as I am walking up the hill to meet Rose.

 And this is the view from the path we walk, it just calms one right down.

Those are pictures from our walk yesterday, but we seen the exact same thing this morning.

Time to get caught up on laundry and stuff; Elliots gone now, I don't have to tip toe around and keep things quiet.
Enjoy this beautiful Tuesday.  - because you can and you are able.
Stacey

Blog 5 of July

For some it is Blog 4, for some it is Blog 5.

Somehow the first Stampede weekend always seems to go by so fast.
Saturday was a family brunch over at Ben and Karen's.  It was a post birthday celebration for both Ben and Karen.  What a great gathering it was.  I had only planned on staying an hour or two, but when 3:45 rolled around, I realized I might not make it in time to Costco.  So Superstore got my business that day.
  Patrick was throwing a BBQ/party for his friends.  There was around 20 people that came and went.  Can I just mention, how lucky he is to have such great friends.  They are always polite, and appreciative for being invited into our home.  Bill and I had planned on going to a movie during the evening, but I was still pooped from the Stampede the night before.  Thankfully the afternoon rain let up and everyone was able to enjoy some time outside around the fire pit.
  Sunday was a pretty quiet day for me. I should have been doing laundry, but it was too nice out to spend all my time inside.  I did meet my friend Claire for coffee and catch up on our lives.  She is an amazing, strong woman, and I have always looked up to her for support and guidance, especially when it comes to my work problems.  She keeps me grounded and reminds me why I do what I do.
   Today, is Monday and I bit the bullet and went into work on my cards.  It is a slow time during the summer, so I'm able to relax and not rush to all my stores.  I did run into a co-worker from the Hamptons school.  We caught up and exchanged contact info.
  Tonight is Flott night.  The family arrives for their Canadian booster shots.  Can't wait to see them all.  We're heading out for supper tonight.

Better get to the airport.
Stacey

Blog 3 of July

Come Hell or High Water!!!! That's the theme this year for the Calgary Stampede - and how appropriate is that.  Well on that note, we ventured out to the grounds yesterday. (ok technically it was last night)  Bill had 4 VIP invitations to the Infield to watch the Chucks and the Grandstand show. Patrick has a friend visiting with us from the B.C. interior, so Elliot, Patrick, Bill and myself took advantage of the tickets.  The rain started just as we were leaving the house around 6:00 pm.  By the time we got downtown, it was a torrential downpour.  A short cab ride to the Stampede grounds (and our only chance of being dry) and we finally found our seats in the infield.  I was pretty sure the races were going to be cancelled by the look of the track.  It was interesting to watch how this group of cowboys determined if the races would go on.  First a few cowboys came onto the field to walk around and check out a few large puddles - they actually walked around through the water and mud.  Then a few more cowboys (or maybe they were the same cowboys) came out on horseback and walked the horses through the puddles.  I think it was then determined the field was safe, so out came the tractors (I'm pretty sure these were different cowboys) and they raked and evened the the dirt/mud.  After a 30 minute delay the Chuck wagon races got under way.

Bill suggested we sit in the back row so that when the wagons were behind us, we could stand up and watch them.  On a normal day, this would have been a great idea.  On this rainy day, we were already a little cold and wet and after the 5th or 6th race, I was too cold and uncomfortable to stand up.

  I was also amazed on how well the Stampede folks and their volunteers had cleaned up the grounds.  There was a small blip in the "evening" and understandably it was unavoidable.  During the flooding, the underground tunnel from the grandstand to the infield had been affected and the tunnel was determined unsafe. So when we entered the infield for the races, we were basically trapped there from 7:30 - until 10:00ish, or when the races were over.  Obviously it would be too dangerous to cross the tracks.  When the races were over, there was a bit of a delay because they had to pull the Grandstand stage into place.  But the real fun was getting back across the track.  Now when we arrived the track was wet, but when the races were over, the track was a mud bog.  I'm glad we weren't the first people in line, because at least we got to follow in people's footsteps.  Not that this helped.  My riding boots (and thank goodness I had to good sense to wear them) were covered in mud up past the soul by about an inch or inch and a half.  There were a lot of ladies who had worn sandals or flip flops and like the wagons, you couldn't tell the color of their shoes.    So finally we were high and dry and did I mention the rain had stopped by then.  Now it was time for the grandstand show.  And what a grandstand show it was.  I won't put any spoiler alerts up, but I was a little teary eyed at the end, and the fireworks were the best I have ever seen.

A short trek back to Bill's car downtown (we walked this time because there was no rain) and an even shorter drive home, and I think everyone was ready for bed.  The guys hosed off their runners and put them on the boot dryer.  

Hopefully I will get a chance to look around down at the grounds next weekend.  Please rain gods, take a holiday.

Stacey

Blog 2 of Julyi

I just realized it is July 3rd.  For the entire day I have been thinking it was only the second day of July.  Even when I went to the Passport office and filled in my forms, the lady confirmed it was July 2nd.  Now I'll be off for the entire month!!!!
   I got a very early start to the day.  I think it was 1:00 a.m., or maybe 3:00 a.m and finally 5:30 a.m.  Between a hot husband (from the weather, not the fact he was sleeping in his underwear) and a chihuahua who was afraid of the sound from the wind and a son who thought it would be cooler to sleep on the basement couch (instead of opening his window in his bedroom).  You might wonder how the son had any influence on my lack of sleep last night.  When the husband was up and sitting by the window to get cool and the dog was crying from the wind, coming from the said window, I decided to take myself and the dog downstairs and sleep on the couch.  It was already taken. (as I discovered when I ran into a hairy leg sticking out from the couch.)  I'm not sure if the unexpected touch, or my scream of thinking I discovered a very hairy spider that awoke the son, but he definitely awoke from his sleep.
  So at 5:30 when I heard the daughter getting ready for work, I decided I might as well stay awake for the rest of the morning, because there were still three more bodies that would be up soon and getting ready for work.
  Today is Wednesday and that means my weekly visit to Mom.  I had talked to Mom on Tuesday night and she had asked if we could make a Safeway run for a few groceries.  This was one of the factors on which vehicle I should drive today.  I debated for a few minutes.  It would be nice enough to drive the silver bullet, but it is difficult for mom to get that low and into the car.  Plus, how many groceries would she need.  In fact, how many groceries would I need.  So the CRV it was.  And a good choice it was.  When I arrived to pick up Mom, her room mate was escorting her out.  Mom had offered Bev a ride to join us (a nice surprise).  As we headed to Safeways, we went through the lights at Crowchild when Bev asked where we were going?  I told her Safeways.  She expressed her surprise,because Mom had told her we were going to Northland Mall.  Mom jumped in to defend herself and explained she said we were going to Northhill not Northland Mall.  Then I jumped in to say no, we were only going to Safeway.  Mom's reply - "That's what I mean!"  Poor Bev.  Seemed she just wanted to go to a post office to drop off a parcel, and her taxi hadn't showed up this morning.  I took a quick detour to the drug store post office and we waited for Bev. Did I mention we waited in silence, as Mom was not happy with something.  Then off to Safeways where Mom got her few groceries and I got mine.  Not a pleasant visit today, but it's like playing the lottery and we take the good numbers with the bad!
  Next stop for me was the Passport office.  My passport is expiring in October so I figured this would be a good time.  And what great timing.   As of July 1st, you can now get a 10 year passport (or the usual 5 year) and it is only 40.00 more.  It was less than an hour wait, which is great for any government office.  But around 11:00 a.m. my tummy was getting growly and I was feeling a little light headed.  I snuck out to my car and grabbed a bag of pretzels.  I ate breakfast early today, but i'm not sure if the light headedness was from lack of food or lack of sleep.  I had planned on going to one of my card stores, but once I was finished with the passport people, I headed home for a good nap.
  Supper is ready and I am sipping on a new drink i made.  There has been a lot of talk about the new "health" food, Kale!  All the shows so people mixing up a "veggie, fruity" type drink using kale.  I bought the kale today and decided to try it out.  I think I need a recipe.  I through in some kale, strawberries, blueberries, tomato juice, apple,.   and came out with a brownish, seedy, type drink.  I wouldn't call it gross because then I couldn't explain why I am drinking it still.  I also wouldn't call it delicious, or I would be on my second glass.    Next time, i am going to do a little more research before throwing just anything in my little blender.
   The rest of the week is going to be busy. Hopefully I'll get a blog in tomorrow before i head to bed.
Stacey

Blog 1 of July

Happy Birthday Canada, You don't look at day of 100!!!!!
What a busy Canada Day long weekend.
      Sunday afternoon I left Calgary around 1:30 and headed up to Glennifer Lake to hang out with Rose and friends.  Rose's place had been converted into a PJ party complete with games (Heads Up), theme song (Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke), food (it's easier to name what wasn't there), beverages (beer and vodka), entertainment (dancing toe lights) and of course great friends (Rose, Mylene a.k.a. Lynn, Tess, Juantia and myself).  We finally heard the last of the talking at 3:00 am. Monday morning.  With very few "nighttime" interruptions (pee breaks and snoring) the group was awake and up at 7:00 a.m. (there was a parade to prepare for)
  We headed to a nearby town for the Canada Day celebrations.  Luckily Rose was a great organizer and we had the boat and golf card, parked in line and decorated with lots of time to spare before the start of the parade.  You've got to love small town parades.  I remember attending Carmangay parades as a kid and then when Ashley and Patrick were small, we lived in Lloydminster and Estevan.  There is just no replacement for the warmth and hands on you get with the small town atmosphere (and the fact you can get lots of candy thrown from the floats)
  A little down time after the parade and I headed back to the city for a much needed nap.   I haven't shared a lot of details because what happens at Glennifer Lake, stays at Glennifer Lake (unless it gets posted on Facebook or my Blog!!!!)

So while I was off have fun with the girls, Ashley was busy working at a horse show.  Luckily with all this nice weather she has been able to ride her new acquisition!

And Patrick has been keeping busy as well.  Saturday he and his cousin Susan and a group of friends headed to Edmonton to compete in the Spartan competition.  Sounds like they had a blast.  Patrick said it was soo much fun, he's hoping to compete in the Calgary competition in August.

Then Sunday, Patrick and two friends headed to High River.  One of their friends Grandfather has (had) a home there that was in dire need of some clean-up.  That's what they spent their Sunday doing.

So the long weekend is over; Tuesday is just hours away, and the weather is beautiful.  The next count down will be for the Flotts arrival to Calgary.  8 days and counting.!!!!!!!

Stacey