Day 2 of September

Ok, ok, I know I have been behind, but I have been away.  There hasn't always been good Internet connection so I took notes and for the next fess days, you'll be brought up to date on my activities.  I'm calling this my LA, Victorville, Disneyland, San Francisco, Vancouver, Victoria, Madonna Holiday.  So lets begin:
Day 1, Wednesday, September 19th

The goall was to leave the house at 11:30 am to catch our 2:00 pm flight to LA.  Ashley, our taxi driver arrives home at 11:15 am, and she asks"where is Dad, I thought you wanted to leave at 11:00?". As I am listening to this, I am wondering if she hears the irony in that statement. She has arrived home 15 minutes later than she thought we wanted to leave..... 

Do I have spell it out-she was late.  So I collect my thoughts and answer Ashley truthfully, "I don't know." As the words leave my mouth, my tummy starts to feel a little weird . My OCD is starting to kick in and my mind fills with jumbled words ( we're going to be late, we are going to have to do the OJ Simpson run through the airport ; Bill  got stuck in a meeting at work; maybe he's gone to pick up my birthday present and now I can't get mad at him.). So at 11:25, I bite the bullet and the I  call Bill to find his where abouts.  Turns out he's not at work; turns out he wasn't out buying my birthday present.  Seems he is just finishing up on the 18th hole.  When I mention to him that I thought we were leaving at 11:15, he replies that he thought we there leaving at 11:30.  Now granted by now it's only 11:29 as we hang up.  Can he make his best ever putt, get the cart and clubs back to the club house and get home and load in a minute?  All of a sudden that "light" in my little head comes on... Like father like daughter.  In order to control those doubting voices, I pop some Ativan and wait for the calmness to return.  I also address the questions in my head. What is the worst thing that can happen if we're late; I don' have to do the OJ run.  I can just meet Bill at the gate. And on a positive note, he had not gone to work, but instead chose to golf, his way of relaxing when he's stressed.

    So according to the watch on my wrist (and I took a picture for proof) we left the house at 11:50 with our driver. 

 Other than hitting every red light along the way , the ride was pretty quick and uneventful.  I did have to convince Ashley to get out of the car to give me a good bye hug.  And then the sprint began.  Just kidding.

  The check in, security, and boarding of our flight was uneventful.  With my Ativan still lingering, and a couple of gravol I pretty much slept through the entire flight. 

  We arrived at the LA airport right on time.  Our luggage made it through the trip unscathed and after we picked it up, we hopped on a shuttle and headed to the rental car place.  I can't remember ever having to rent such a large vehicle.  But because Ashley and Ethan will be joining us, it was the best option.

  By 5:45 we were on our way to Lora and Mike's house.  I couldn't believe the amount of traffic on the freeways.  Bill was glad to have me along as a passenger - it gave him the opportunity to use the car pool lanes.

   A quick pit stop at Quiznos for a bite to eat (hey don't we have those in Calgary?)  Mike was in the driveway to greet us when we arrived a couple hours later. We did a bit of catching up and by 10:30 my jet lag (that's what I am calling it) had set in and we all headed to bed.

Day 1 of September

September 11th - "Where were you when the world stop turning, on that September day" - that's from an Alan Jackson song.
I remember being at home, with the TV news on, having just got the kids off to the bus for school, and seeing the terrifying images on the TV.  I sat on the couch, and my first thoughts were - "How are the teachers at school, going to explain this to these young innocent elementary kids."
Thinking of all those who were directly or indirectly affected by this horrific event in history.


Like life itself, we must go on with our every day events, and so I lead with this comment:  New Year's Eve - must be a time for lovers!!!!!!  You probably know where I am going with this.  Do you know how many birthdays there are in September. I'm not going to mention last names, and forgive me if I've forgotten any names: Wendy, Muriel, Ken, Linda, Tammie, Henry, Chuck, Eldon, Trevor, Nathan, Lynn, Ashley, Candace, Shaunan, Cheryl, Robbie, Paige, Tyler and Stacey!!!!!  I am so behind on my card making right now.  I should have gotten my act together in July.
  It has been a busy past week.  Attended the funeral of Auntie Bea last week.  The minister (who Robin mentioned was the minster at her wedding) had some thought provoking words.  For example, can you imagine all the "historical" moments that Auntie Bea lived through - from wars, to The Depression, to running water, working toilets, cars, and many many forms of communication.  It was nice to see the cousins, and the 1st cousins, once removed (who are actually more my age).  Learned a few more interesting facts about Auntie Bea and her life as well.  And best of all, with good intentions, we exchanged email addresses to make sure we stay in touch.  Small world story - One of my cousins granddaughters is attending the same university as Patrick.
  Saturday I attended the Springbank Fall Festival with my work family.  It was just like when we used to attend the festivals in Lloydminster or Estevan. (a little smaller scale) but perfect for little kids.
  I also sent a short note to one of my favorite celebrities:  Ellen Degeneres.  I decided since we are going to be in her neck of the world, I would love to see her show.  Well you can imagine the tickets are all gone so I did what any "stalking fan" would do - I wrote her a poem:  Here it is:

Ellen, Dear Ellen
You're simply the best
And I'm asking of you
This one little request.

I hope that it's simple
Though you may not agree
I'll even pay money
It don't have to be free.

Cash isn't the answer
I'm seeking from you
Our family's been blessed
With a penny or two

A new car would be nice
But we already have those
So that's not the answer
to my terrified woes.

An Ipad, not neeed
Nor a movie or book
It's tickets to your show
I'm hoping to hook.

We're travelling from Calgary
(that's in Canada, you know)
And with one day in LA
I know where I'd go.

The family's all coming
But I'll sneak away
They can go visit Mickey
And stay there all day

If I get in your audience
I will cheer really loud
As for my 50 year old dance moves
I'll try making you proud.

So I hope you will ponder
This silly poem that I wrote
I know you won't choke
From a tear caught in your throat

I wrote it quite quickly
With a smile on my face
On by the way
Here's a twenty in case.

So I'm sending out positive energy, that even if nothing comes of it, Ellen will get a chance to read my words.

That reminds me, I better get my poem book edited (after I add this last poem)
Enjoy the day!
S

Day 6 of August

August 31st, 2012 - the official end of summer (not in my mind though)  Where did August go?  The long weekend is here and it's time to get ready for school.  Wait - I'm past that stage.  The only thing I have to remember is to slow down in the school zones.  I even started that today, because although no students had started, the parking lots were packed with teacher cars. 
No big plans for the long weekend.  I'm actually working Monday, so really it's not a long weekend for me.  It's just as well that I didn't take the day off, as it looks like I have another funeral to go to.  It's a very sad day today, my precious Aunty Bea passed away.  She was one of the most gracious, classiest, funny, gentle, talented, independant, strong woman I knew.  She was 50 years old when I was born, and she never seemed old to me.  So if you've done the math or if you've seen past blogs, you know she turned 100 this past May.  I can see the smile on Uncle Casey and my Dad's face when she crossed over to see them.  I'm sure she had many family and friends there to meet her.  I would only ever want to live that old, if you could guarantee me I could be just like Auntie Bea.  I am really going to miss her.  I'm so glad I got the chance to sit down with her a number of years ago, and get some of the Zoback history.  R.I.P Aunty Bea.
  Haven't heard the son's voice in a few days, but I've seen him on different media devices, so I know he's out and about.  The daughter is busy working at Spruce Meadows, so when she comes home at night, she's pretty tired and doesn't stay around too long to chat.  That leaves me and Bill.  But although summer is over, golf season is not (yeah) and Bill is out on the course as I type. 
  I guess it's time to get my desk cleared off, and put my feet up for the night.
Enjoy your weekend everyone.
Stacey

Day 5 of August

I'm downstairs waiting on the laundry so I thought it would be a good time to get caught up on the blog.
 Last weekend had a great time at Reggaefest.  Not a fantastic time, but a great time.  Janice and I have worked the Green Room for the past 4 years.  This year, they just seemed to have too many volunteers in that area.  We were basically bored.  We let the other girls serve the alcohol and food, so Janice and I spent most of the time walking around talking to staff, volunteers and of course the entertainers.  When you're not busy, the four hours seem to drag on.  After our shift, a couple of Janice's friends came by so, we didn't really get a chance to just chill and relax.  We finally left around 11:15 and walked back to Janice's place.  It was a beautiful evening and the weather showed up for the show.
  I spent most of last week helping the son prepare for his departure.  I can't believe it's time for him to head back to University.  Was he even home........ I look around the house, and oh yes he was.   So Friday morning, Bill, Patrick and the daughter's boyfriend head out in the rain, with a truck full of furniture to transport the son back to school.  After a quick stop in Langley to drop off the boyfriend, Bill and Patrick continue on their way.  On the way home, Bill will stop back in Langley and pick up the daughter and the boyfriend and arrive home sometime in the late evening.  Did I mention I've had the house to myself for the entire weekend.  Today's Sunday, and it's 8:44 in the evening and I haven't even gotten out of my pj's.  The laundry is up to date; the son's room is back to acceptable standards; mending in caught up; all the bathrooms have been cleaned; ironing is done...and I squeezed in a nap and a cooler.  Who needs to go on a vacation - just send everyone else!!!!!!!!
Back to the grind tomorrow.  Ok, not really a grind, but the PJ's will be off much earlier.
Better get the vacuum put away!
S

Day 4 of August

I never realized how much a dentist and piano tuner have in common.  First of all, they are both late.  9:45 is only 35 minutes late, but when you are trying to get rid of a barking dog, you need some sort of plan.  But I guess the biggest similarity is the both lecture you on waiting so long for a check up. I will admit, 9 years is a little long on waiting to have the piano tuned (it would also be a long time in between dental check ups). I do have many excuses; I was waiting for the furnace to get cleaned - and we all know the story behind that one. Nobody but me is playing it, and I've been a little busy (ok, that was a very poor excuse). Needless to say I didn't tell Albert the piano guy any of my excuses, I just hung my head in shame, and agreed to not wait so long next time. I've even booked in my calendar a reminder for 6-8 months. And I guess the last similarity would be the cost. But considering how long it's been since the last tuning, we might still be ahead. But I have made myself a promise, to get on that piano at least once a week.
  Here is a plug for another great product I have discovered; Soft Soap Body Butter Coconut Scrub.  It's a very inexpensive way to bring the tropics to yor senses in the shower every morning. To me, it reminds me of suntan lotion that I wore in Hawaii. The best part, it is cheap compared to a lot of those fancy, dancy scrubs out there. Rose, I think you'll love it. I know Walmart carries it.
  Only four more days until Reggaefest.  This will be the fifth year that Janice and I have volunteered in the Green Room.  If you get a chance to come down, it is a wonderful family venue. Lots of great music, food, and the weather is supposed to be beautiful.  If you want to avoid the cost of getting in, volunteer four hours of your time, and your entrance fee is covered. Will keep you posted on how the day goes.
Well I better get stuff ready for work. I am thinking Albert might just about be finished.
Later
Stacey

Day 3 of August

That is a cereal bowl filled with hail!  Yes, Hail.  There was a storm that passed through our part of town last night.  I was sure the sky light in the bathroom was going to break.  And you can only imagine what happens to a five car family, with only a three car garage.  The only two cars that were safe was Bill's Bat mobile and my baby CRV.  The truck was parked outside; Ashley's crv was parked outside (but it was already written off with hail damage when it belonged to Uncle Ben) and Patrick was out driving/parking in the storm, so the Hyundi has a few (quite a few) dents.  Bill's to do list is getting longer and longer and longer.  On the bright side (which Bill failed to see) nobody was injured.  And I thought living in Calgary was a safe place, weather wise.  Where is all this crazy weather coming from?

 It was a busy weekend.  Saturday we had a family dim sum get together.  Bill's cousin Kenny was home for a few weeks.  He teaches English in Korea and took his holiday time to come visit family.  There was a house full and lots and lots of food.  It was good to see everyone.  Kenny's Mom, Auntie Mary wasn't able to join us as she was participating in the events going on in China town.  Auntie Mary was pregnant with Kenny when we got married and I beileve Kenny was born 15 days after that.  I was awake at 4:00 in the morning and decided to get up and get stuff ready.  No use trying to sleep if I was going to be awake thinking about it anyways.  I think the last person left around 3:30 in the afternoon.  It was time for my nap.  I had one of those "lack of sleep and dehydration" headaches.  It finally left by Sunday morning.

Sunday was pretty quiet during the day.  I got up early to take Mom shopping.  When I talked to her Saturday night, she asked if I was busy as she needed to get out for an hour just to feel better.  How could I refuse.  Ever since I talked to my OT friend and found some articles on seniors, I'm am having a better understanding of what Mom must be going through.  I'm pretty sure she is dealing with depression.  You can talk to her one day on the phone and she sounds like the life has been squeezed out of her.  Her voice is very monitone and there is no enthusiasim.  And then the next day, I can be talking to her and we'll laugh and giglle the entire time on the phone.  Every week when I visit her, I try and take new pictures on my i-pad to show her.  Well there not really new pictures, but new to her.  She loves it.  And this visit, I had come across a picture of Barry on the golf course website.  I made a copy of it and framed it for her.  You would have thought I had just given her a million dollars.  She asked me if I could get up to date pictures of her other kids.  Guess I'll get working on that.  So after 2 hours in Walmart, just walking, and having a smoothy we headed home.  Even then Mom wanted me to come for a visit.  I'm hoping to get over during the week to help her feel better.  I wish I could convince her to go to activities in the manor.  I think she is slowing down and she's even finding it hard to do her laundry now.  I offered to do it on a weekly basis, but she's hoping Tracey will want to.  Mom thinks she is doing Tracey a favor by offerering to pay her, but I think deep down, she's just hoping to see more of Tracey and Sharry.  Oh well, I'll leave the offer for her.

I had hoped to accomplish a lot this morning before I left for work this afternoon.  Other than my blog up date, I really haven't covered too much else on my list. 

I guess procrastinating on the blog isn't helping.  I better get my butt in gear.

later \

Me

Day 2 of August

Do siblings ever stop squabbling?  I guess that is a really dumb question considering I have three siblings!
And the subject of the squabbles - a clean bathroom!  Really people!  If everyone would just clean up after themselves when they walk out of a bathroom, the major clean-up wouldn't be that bad.  I could go on and on, but I don't think there would be an end.
   Had a nice long weekend.  We headed over to friends for a BBQ on Sunday.  Now normally, an evening BBQ is pretty tame, but this BBQ was at our tequila friends house.  Need I say more.  Of course I was prepared - we took my car so I could be a designated driver, and I was.  We brought plastic bags in case they were needed, they weren't.  Bill did however, close his eyes as soon as he sat in the car, and didn't open them again until morning (except for getting from the car to the bed).  Hmmmm, I really couldn't think of anything I wanted to buy.  And then it came to me.  I have been bugging Bill for the past few summers that I wanted solar lights in the garden.  So Monday morning I went to Walmart (end of season sale) and got my garden lights.
  Monday also brought our kids home to us.  Technically Ashley got home Sunday but we were home late and she left early Monday for work.  Is it wrong to be looking at the calendar for our next kid break.  I guess if I want to be honest, I miss them when they are gone for too long (without communication).
  A funny story to tell:  A few weeks ago, I sent an anonymous letter to a girlfriend.  I addressed the envleope to her without a return address.  It was just a cute little note (hopefully she thought it was cute too) and I gave her a few hints in the letter as to who was sending it.  It didn't take Shaunan long to figure out who sent the letter.  Then the following week, I get an envelope in the mail with no return address or name who the letter was for.  It only had our address.  In the envelope was this tiny, tarnished ring.  It didn't look familar to me and didn't seem like it was worth much.  Naturally I assumed Shaunan was recipicating with her own little joke.  I phoned her to let her know I received it.  Shaunan denied she had sent anything; she even swore on her mother's grave (1st clue, her mom is still alive).  So the more she denied having any involvement, the more I thought she was involved.  That was last week or the week before.  Up until 30 minutes ago I still believed, despite her denial, that Shaunan was involved somehow.  I mean really, what are the chances.  So I'm cleaning off the kitchen counter today, and I find this envelope with the ring.  Ashley walks in the door and I ask her if the ring looks familiar.  Mystery solved.  Seems the young man that Ashley was dating last year sent it.  I guess Ashley had accidentally left the ring at his place.  She didn't worry too much about it.  The young man either forgot about it, or was hanging onto it.  Either way, he apparently has a new love and now the ring shows up.  I questioned Ashley as to why all the mystery and her answer was "mom, don't even get into it."  So that's my only answer.  Shaunan I apologize for thinking you were being funny.... wait that didn't sound right.  Anyway, I owe you friend.
Better get some mending done so I can put away the sewing machine.
Later
Gater
Stacey