Day 4 of April

Well I am one day late, but i finally got a chance to watch the "Royal Wedding." I'm not sure there is just one word on how to describe the event. Even if you are not a fan of the Royals, one must admit it is like a fairy tale! A few of the moments that stand out.... (in no paticular order)
1) Disney is not the only ones who can pull off a fairy tale - but true to Disney style, again the "mother" is not in the picture.
2) The Queen is holding her own - for someone her age, she stood a long time.
3) I sure wouldn't want to be in charge of dusting the Abbey!
4) Prince Phillip is looking a little older than his age!
5) I thought the best part of ceremony speech's (sermons) was the the priest that spoke before William and Kate went back to sign their papers. He looked like Orson Wells, and gave a very moving and personal address.
6) I got one of my questions answered "Does the queen sing "God save the Queen"? No she doesn't.
7) Camilla didn't seem very happy until after the ceremony. In fact, not a lot of people smiled until it was over. Is that a British thing? I wonder what thoughts were running through her head as some of the service was being read!!!!!
8) Actually I take that back, Elton John was smiling a lot.
9) I was impressed on how well behaved the young bridesmaids were. During the ceremony they sat quietly. I was thinking how many skittles did it take to keep them focused. But then as the wedding party was leaving the church, I realized the two tiniest girls were not there. Obviously they got to skip the long service. They did appear again in the carriages. And who was looking after them then - Uncle Harry of course.
10) Harry and William are so different - but in good ways. I loved how Harry kept things light - he is quite the "Chatty Cathy".
11) I noticed Andrew and his two daughters amongst the guests. There was a time when he seemed to be the "wild" brother, but he appeared very regal, and somewhat mature today. Must be from being the Dad of two daughters!
12) When the congregation was singing, there was a gentleman outside following the words on his ipad type book. Only in this day and age!
13) In the carriage ride from the church to the "castle" is when William appeared most in his element. So at ease - and the looks that he and Katherine shared were heartfelt!
14) Regarding the young boys in the choir - who decides who gets to wear white and who gets to wear red. Can you imagine how exciting this day must have been for them.
15) In the church, the cameras kept scoping out a gentleman in dark rimmed glasses. I was trying to figure out is importance, and then I realized they were trying to get a close up of David and Victoria Beckham (again another lady who was not wearing her smile today)
16) There was one nose picker in the church and one "food" eater as well.
17) I would find it uncomfortable to be sitting in the seats where you were facing across the aisle at the other people facing you. Sort of the same uncomfortable feeling of when you are in an elevator.

Diana would be so proud of her son(s) today. I think she is the reason I wanted to take a peek at this wedding. No doubt William was thinking of her throughout the day.

Well that's my take on the "wedding". What a way to end April. No doubt my next blog will be in and around Cino de Mayo.

Stacey

Day 3 of April

Seeing how Patrick turned 18 for a very long time, I thought I better write in the blog so Caylee wasn't turning 2 forever!!!
Had a lovely birthday party for Miss Caylee. She is such a cutie. And considering the number of people there, she did so well. It was a nice way to spend Caylee's birthday - lots of great food; and great company. Well done Robin and Alisa!!!!
Was pretty tired when I got home Sunday night, so went to bed early. Monday morning came too fast. But it is the day after Easter and all the Easter "decor" needs to be taken down at the stores. I worked all three stores during the day so Patrick could have my car in the evening. Don't think I'll be trying that again soon......Long day and very, very tired. It's only 8:15 pm, but I'm ready for bed.
I mentioned I was planning a rail trip for my birthday. Well there is a slight adjustment to that thought. The rail trip is now not for my birthday. I seemed to have forgotten that May 5th is fast approaching and I have been informed there will be another tequila tasting going down. So the rail trip will be my Cinco De Mayo present. So for my birthday, I have asked Bill to take me to Vegas to see " Garth Brooks." and yes, that is also on my "50" list. Keep your fingers crossed - that we can get tickets - De, will you be making this trip too..!!!!!
Off to get the pj's on.
Stacey

Day 2 of April

I apologize for the slack off this month(D)!!!
Day 2 of the April Blog and April is almost over. Where did the time go? A lot has happened.

The daughter is home!!!!. Bill flew to Toronto on the 15th of April. Ashley picked him up at the airport and they went on a visiting spree. Bill has a school buddy in Toronto - so they stopped there for supper. Then they headed back to Montreal - more visiting with relatives and school buddies. Then it was back to Peterborough to load up Ashley's car with her stuff - considering she sold the big stuff, the car was pretty full. It was good to know she could carry 7 kegs in there when she had to.
They left Peterborough on Tuesday morning (April 19) I don't have all the details yet nor have I seen the photos. But they arrived home Thursday evening, the 21st; tired but glad to be home - and yes Patrick and I were glad to have them home (even if it was a day earlier than planned)
So the details of the trip and future plans will have to be saved for another blog, because I don't know them yet!!!
I have been doing some accupuncture and chinese herbs. I have been for 5 treatments, and I am feeling amazing - i have so much energy. I am trying to get my chi balanced and it seems to be working. I think I will be giving up my Mona Vie juice and continuing with this tradtional treatment. Go with something that works and you believe!!!!!
Saturday we had dinner at Anne and Brian's with the family. Except for Maya running in the mud (she was trying to avoid the snow), the evening was relaxing.
Today we are off to Robin's to help celebrate Caylee's 2nd birthday. Bill and I will be met there by Ashley (who is skiing for the day) and Patrick (who is working during the day) I think this is the preview for the rest of our lives.
Oh wait, there is more big news !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wait for it
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

K, I had originally wanted a big party for my birthday this year............ but knowing how much Bill enjoys planning that stuff, I decided to take another route. I'm going to take a train to Halifax during the summer. Visiting the East Coast is on my list of things to do before I turn 50. And I love trains. I was going to go by myself, but Anne is now interested in going too. so if we can agree on a time - that is the plan for July sometime. I'll keep you posted on the details.

K, that's it for today. I really have a lot to get done. Plus I am still waiting to finish my scrabble game with a very good friend of mine. I though she was busy too, but she has time to hassle me about my blog, so I know she has time to play (I think she's worried I might be winning this time.)
Till later
Stacey

Day 1 of April

Happy 18th Birthday son!!!! Yes 18, it can't be. Ashley was already at school when she turned 18, so this is a bit of a novelty. Although at 6:30 in the morning, it sometimes hard to remember birthdays. Sorry Patrick, but I will make it up to you. As Patrick was leaving for school, he says in his animated voice "gee, what does it take to get birthday wishes around here?" I never realized how much like his father he is. We planned on having a small dinner out for his birthday. I'm thinking, 18, we can probably sit in the lounge if we can't get a table - order him a nice "fruity" drink. But know; it's out for supper, then he has to go over to a friends - to work on math!!!!! Guess he won't be having that "fruity" drink because he'll be driving. Maybe he is waiting for his sister to get home and initiate him. I spent the day yesterday subbing at a school for the entire day. Does 9 - 2:30 count as a full day. It sure felt like it. Thank goodness, the nice weather is upon us (again) and the snow is melting fast. Although I seem to have heard on the news last night, that there was a chance of snow flurries today. Will it ever end. 17days until the daughter arrives home. Better get my day started! Stacey

7th Day of March

Well it's the 30th of March, and our back yard is still covered in snow. Even, the trees are confused. Patrick and I just spent the last three days in Victora. Not Australia, but B.C. We left Sunday morning on an 8:00 am flight. We arrived to a beautiful Sunday morning in Victoria. Took a shuttle to our hotel "The Empress" around 9:30 am and they kindly let us check in. Good thing, because both Patrick and I needed a nap. (there's a reason I love this boy) So we got up and headed down town. First stop was Chinatown for dim sum. We looked for the smallest, dirtiest place (they usually have the best food). And kudos to us for not ordering too much. Usually we come away with enough food for 6 other meals. The lady said there was some great onion pancakes we should try - but Patrick figured out that one - she must have been trying to get rid of left overs from the night before~!!!!! We toured most of down town and then headed back to our hotel. Put the packages away, cleaned up and walked across the street for supper at Milestones. That was the best steak I've had in a long time. Then we walked around the harbour, til i felt it was getting to late and a little scary at night. Sometimes, I think Patrick doesn't realize the danger out there (or maybe I was over reacting) Monday morning, we were up bright and early and headed by cab to the Unversity. After all, that really is the reason we made the trip; Patrick got conditionally accepted and this was their open house for Calgary students. We sat through two lectures; one from a grad student on cave art. She was so enthusiastic and excited, it almost made me want to start studying it. The second lecture was from a retired professor, who still lectures; (haven't figured that one out) his subject was on micro biology. I probably would have got more out of the course, but I couldn't get over the fact that he looked exactly like David Susuki. He explained how every year there is a new disease being introduced into society. How refreshing! After the lectures and some muffins and beverages, we broke into groups and went on a tour of the actual facility. I loved it and Patrick did too. It was funny because the tour guides were complaining about how cold it was and I was heating up the entire time in my coat. Patrick was even in shorts and no coat. I even got a little bit of sunburn from this walkabout. Then we were back in another meeting room for a pasta buffett. After lunch, the parents and students had an opportunity to visit different booths and ask any questions they might have about the following year. We even heard from other Calgary students who have been attending U of Vic. This brought us to about 2:15, and then we boarded a double decker bus, for a tour of the city. Very cool. Heard about some of the history, seen the landscape, and got a chance to rest my feet!!!!! The tour ended right in front on the Empress Hotel (cool, cause that is where we are staying) Grabbed a quick nap (it was a long day) and then headed to one of the meeting rooms in our hotel for finger food, conversation and prizes. Darn, we didnt' win a thing. (even a eco clip board, would have been something), but it was a very impressive day put on by the university. Needless to say, I didn't need any rocking Monday night. Tuesday morning we slept in (until 9:00 am) Patrick made a quick trip to McD's for our egg mcmuffins. We slowly ate and got ready for our last day in this beautiful city. We checked out of our hotel; boarded our luggage and walked; and we walked and we walked. Patrick wanted to hit the local soccer store; it was a 22 minutes bus ride. We did most of it by foot. We were going to stop at a couple of malls first; then grab the bus. I didn't buy anything on this outting, but Patrick came away with some good deals. Boy can that kid shop! By the time we got back to our hotel, we still had a couple of hours before our shuttle bus came, so we used some of the University coupons and hit the IMAX. I can't remember the movie title, but it was about caves and collecting micro organisms for research. I think Patrick slept through most of it. We back in Calgary by 10:28 (right on time) and Bill and Maya picked us up at the airport. Now it's time to place catch up (on sleep, laundry, work and sleep) Hopefully the next few days won't be too hectic!!! Yeah to Victoria (I brought home the classifieds, in case we want to look at condo's for sale) Stacey

6th Day of March

This has been a very very busy week. But out of all the days, Thursday was the most interesting. After 2 years on a list, I finally got in to see a new psyhic lady. I had got her name from two different people. She works out of her home; she doesn't charge, although she does accept donations which are used towards organizations for abused woman and children. I spent an entire hour in her presence. She explains what she is doing; and how it works. she also asks a lot of questions. To some people, (or sceptics) they would say this is how she is figuring out her information. To this I say - maybe on some things. But this lady told me things that could not be found out with clues; investigating the internet (Bill's theory) or guessing - . I don't have all the answers from the reading yet; but I have transcribed the tape; and hopefully when something happens I can say "Oh yes; Margaret mentioned this might happen." My Dad came through; and my mother-in-law finally came through; I asked about Uncle Len, but she said it was too early. She "guessed" Ashley's personality and her relationship with her Dad. And she also did the same for Patrick and his relationship with his Dad. She told me i was a lovely, lovely lady (so I knew the reading was going to be exact!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She mentioned that Bill and I might be moving. (there is no way she could have known that we had gone to look at condo's the previous weekend) I came away from the reading with a deep sense of calmness and tranquility. If you have never been in a house with thousands and thousands of angels, it is a sight to behold.
First thing I did Friday morning, was take Mom to get her stitches out. She got the same doctor, and as stern as he acts, he does have a great sense of humor. Then we popped into the optometrist to get Mom's glasses fixed. So I spent the rest of Friday afternoon, driving Patrick to write exams, and transcribing my reading by Margaret. Then Friday night I was off to dinner with my girlfriend Janice. We didn't have any set in stone plans, so we ended up at Earls in the lounge. Well technically the lounge was full, so we found a couple of seats at the bar. Best decision we ever made. Who knew we were also going to be entertained (and annoyed). We ordered our drinks from the very cute (and very young) bartender. Shortly after that, a creepy drunk began to hang around us - he was a happy drunk, but still creepy (and not at all cute like the bartender). Anyway the bartender offered to throw him out for us; but we told him we could handle it. So the next time he dropped by us, we basically told him he was creepy and to give us some privacy (a little nicer than that). And he graciously did.
Then this young lady (or not that much younger than us) but alone and dressed up, sat down beside us. It didn't take long for two regulars to come and start harrassing her. Despite Janice and I trying to hold our own conversation, you could not help but hear the lines these guys were feeding this lady. Both Janice and I discussed whether we should rescue this lady. We weren't sure if there was a "sisterhood" bar rescue code......... After they bought her a bottle of wine; tipped the bartender $30.00. and some begging on their knees, they finally departed "ladyless" into their limo. We talked to the lady afterwards and she asked why we didn't rescue her!!!!!
So I think between kareokee bars and Earl bar sitting, Janice and I have our entertainment planned for the next little while.
Saturday was a quiet day; Bill had to work; Patrick and I watched a soccer game; and he spent the afternoon in his room; disappointed. Seems his plans with his girlfriend and their one year anniversary fell through. (we all can't have great in laws)
Night
Stacey

5th Day of March

Sundays seem to be the best day to find time to write my blog.

I took a look at my 50 list and realized I have a few things I need to get working on. So I started working on my Book of Poems. Ever since the computer became part of our "household", I've kept copies of all my poems, Eulogies, Christmas letters/poems, and one of the goals is to put them all together in a book. It won't be professionally done, or sold at Chapters (Hey if Bruce Hart can make money on a book....) I've got 20 pages already done up with about 29 items. Maybe 20 more to go. Maybe I'm folloiwng in my great grandfather's footsteps. Grandpa Sandy (Alexander) Fraser had a book of Scottish poems made up. He'd probably be rolling in his grave if he could read mine.

I had intended on going out and getting a bit of shopping done today, but that would involve putting on realy clothes and fixing my hair. The hair got washed, but I'm not liking this new style. It seems to just point out everywhere. And this natural color....dark brown.... not sure how long it was last. I finally have all of the color out of it and I am letting the gray grow in. When I look in the mirror, it just doesn't look natural - go figure.

Had our family meeting after supper tonight. I think I have finally trained the son on how to participate - he actually asked Bill for rides a couple of mornings. Usually he waits until the night before.....Some people in this house don't like surprises. And Patrick also told us about soccer practices he needs to be at - or let me rephrase - he wants the car for.

I had a little flash back moment on Saturday night. Patrick went to the senior girls basketball finals at Crescent Heights High School (which just happens to be mine and Bill's old high school) When I was in school, we always went to the games, and they were usually held at Crescent Heights because of the large, great gym. And of course the tv cameras were there. I tried to look and see the son (he was working his sports med hours) who was sitting with the team. Seems the camera man was just focused on the game!!!! (shot from the same side as the teams were sitting)

Well a busy week is ahead. Extra preschool work hours and at least 7 visit to the card "stores."
I better get on that laundry so I have time to read before bed.

Night
Stacey