My Old Man

My dearest Hubby John turns 60 today and he is having a bit of a hard time with it.
Here, in Canada, it means that they, the powers that be, officially recognize HJ as a senior citizen.
This is not a bad thing......Really!!!
Just think seniors discounts.
People opening the door for you.
You get to say "I forgot" and have people smile at you and say, "that's OK...we all forget now and then."
You get to whine and complain and nobody will tell you to shut up. They will just smile, nod their heads and say "it will be alright" and "things are sure to get better" and ask "is there anything I can do?"
As the "officially old man" wife I will do my best to ensure all this senior power doesn't go to his head.
When HJ forgets, I will be the one to say, "What do you mean you forgot? Why didn't you write it down or put it in your Blackberry?".
When he whines about being cold or hot or whatever, I WILL be the one to tell him to stop whining.
When HJ complains I will be the one to say, "Shut up and quit your complaining!"
The way I see it, getting old gives you the best of both worlds.
HJ will have those who sympathize with him and will help him wallow in self pity and he will have ME, the one who keeps him grounded, sane and in the real world.
So HAPPY 60Th BIRTHDAY HUBBY JOHN!
Remember HJ that turning 60 is not a death sentence.
It's only a number....a big one, I will admit, but still it's just a number.
After all has been said and done in this post,I've saved the best comment for last.
Hubby John remember to "them" you may be an just another old man..
but to me...... your my old man.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

After cleaning out the front attic I phoned my baby boy, John Vincent, to come in and go through the boxes of his stuff that had been stored there. JV is 38 and has been married and out of the house for over 15 years, so his stuff had been there for some time. I think he was quite pleased to see some of the "oldies but goodies" that had been waiting rediscovery. HIs daughter and my Cutie -Patootie, Neve, had a great time asking her daddy what this was and what did that do. JV had a Vic 20, which you may remember was a early version of the home gaming systems. It was in the original box and had all the tapes, connections and cables. I think JV may put it on EBay, Craigs List or wherever, to see if he can make a profit on it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained I say. There were a bunch of old dinky cars with dates on them, teen magazines and books. A chemistry set which had all the test tubes and burners in it. Nothing poisonous in the chemicals; they were dispersed of and the glass tubes were recycled. There were little bits and pieces, the things that little boys keep and collect....you know what I mean, snakes and snails and puppy dog tails. A Dukes of Hazard car....the metal one that Hubby John and I took months to find and give JV as a Christmas present, many years ago. Hot wheels and his beloved skate board which JV used to go all over town on, without a helmet, I might add. An old lunch pail full of buttons, not the ones you sew on clothing but the kind that have advertising and logos and saying on them. A stuffed toy or two, and a whole box of McDonald's treats of the weeks surprises. Of course these are the older ones that were made quite well really with heavy plastic not the thin stuff they use today that breaks if you move it wrong. There was what I thought to be a Transformer but was informed that it was a "Go Bot". My mistake! A wrist Racer that still worked and a dinosaur robot that worked but had pieces missing. In one of JV's boxes of memories, he found Spider Man action toy (it no longer worked) and the arch villain Green Goblin, that still works after all these years. There was one of his baby toys, a Fischer Price Merry-Go-Round with one of the original people still on a horse. It works, sort of. I plan on taking it apart to see if I can fix it. Another find was a plastic "ray" gun that makes lots of noise and looks like it is sparking, when you pull the trigger. My Cutie-Patootie, Neve, was quite taken with that particular item. Unfortunately for her, daddy and mommy refused to let her take it home. Parents today have no sense of humor. Hubby John and I thought it would be a great thing for CP to play with at HER house. LOL! Apparently we are wrong. Go figure! So the noisy ray gun will stay at our place for CP to use when she comes to visit. There was so much more in the boxes. Some John Vincent kept, some he tossed and some got donated to a fund-raising garage sale. It was a great evening and we really enjoyed it. It's always fun to take a walk down memory lane.

One Down and Only Two To Go!

I am SO proud of myself (even if pride is one of the no-no sins but that's another post ). I finished cleaning out the front attic. The BIG attic. I got rid of so much stuff that I am amazed that I didn't go sobbing to my bed each night. I did that once..... oh so, many, many years ago. Hubby John and I had two little babies and two little kittens. I couldn't, either mentally or physically keep up with all of them especially after the little kitties shredded the patio door curtains. I made the decision to get rid of the furry ones. As a cat lover that was a really hard decision for me to make. HJ took them down to the local animal shelter. I was so upset. I cried all evening and that night when we were bedded down HJ said he was going back to the shelter the next day to get the kitties back. Anything to stop my crying. I was very happy with that decision. However when HJ went back to the shelter the next day he was informed that the pair of kitties had been adopted out, together, within an hour of being taken in. Expecting me to be prostrate with grief when he told me, HJ was quite happy when I reacted with a big smile and exclaimed that I was so happy they had been adopted together. I guess that had been my main concern....that they would be separated. So that episode worked out for the best. I kept my babies, got the fuzzy babies adopted together to a new family and, eventually, got new curtains for the patio doors. Does it sound like I may have been a bit depressed or house bound crazy during that time? Hmmmmm.....let me think on that for a minute...LOL...yah I would say so. Anyhow, I digress! The BIG attic is cleaned out and now I can turn my attention to the smaller ones at the back of the house. I have proven that I can do this so onward I march. Out with the old....and some new.... is my new motto for 2012. Once I am done with the attics the basement beckons. That sort of scares me.....there is a lot of "stuff" down there. It won't be a problem though because I have Hubby John to help. HJ is great at saying what (of my things) should go. I compliment him because I am great at telling Hubby John what (of his stuff) should be tossed. LOL! After the basement there is the fruit cellar, closets and the outside sheds to clear out. All will be done all in good time. I am not on a time schedule really. As long as it gets done by the end of this year I will be happy. This weekend however, I am taking a few days off to watch a dance recital, a dance competition and go to an out of town family baptism and birthday party. In time I will get back to the attic clean out. I am not worried about it though. After all, I have one down and only two to go.

On My Way Up

I have decided to clean out the attics this year. It MUST be done. We have 3 attics that are used for storage. They are located at the back and front of our house under the eaves. It is impossible to stand up straight in the attics. When you enter them, if you're smart, you wear a hard hat or helmet to prevent head whacks against the beams. I am not smart. I have however, over the years, learned to crouch and scuttle like a big crab while in the attics thus avoiding, most of the time, getting bruised and battered. So, as I was saying, I decided to clean out the attics. It is time to downsize, to get rid of unused and unneeded stuff. That was, I found, easier to say than do. My problem is that I have a tendency to remember "who gave me what" and so I feel guilty when I put something in the "to-go" pile. SIGH! However, I straightened up my backbone...after I came out of the attic....and got on with the dirty deed. I am happy to say that half the front attic has been cleared. Yes, there is a lot of Christmas stuff going back into storage BUT there was a whole lot more that was tossed. In fact Hubby John was, I think, surprised by how much got sent off to a good cause. Really, when you think about it, it WAS a good cause because it is someone else's problem now. A local organization, now has a whole lot more items, most in excellent condition, for their upcoming garage sale fundraiser. So, by my cleaning out they will be cleaning up. Yes, I still have the other end of the front attic to clean out but that is mostly old paperwork that will need to be shredded. There is not really much else left in there. Maybe 3 or 4 boxes of John Vincent's childhood treasures that will be sent over to his house. It will be his decision to decide what to or not to keep. So now, I have one attic almost done and 2 to go. I have to work faster as hot weather is approaching and I can't work in the attics in hot weather as I will pass out from the heat. Time is moving on so I need to get into high gear. Attics beware.....I am on my way up.

Something old new again.

I never got around to saying "Thank You" to the Bamboo Bunch for the lovely framed artwork and gift certificates that Hubby John and I were presented with last month at the Chinese New Year celebration. We have over the past five years helped out at this event. Every year HJ and I help with the serving of food, washing and clearing up of dishes and after all is done we help to take down the tables, chairs and decorations. We donate raffle prizes that I put together, with both new and previously enjoyed items, to help raise money. Tis year we donated about 30 raffle prizes.
The money raised is used for events for the children during the year and also for a foster child that the BB sponsors in China. HJ and I were called upon during this years event and presented with the gifts that were totally unexpected. We were so surprised. It was very kind of the board to remember us in this way. So THANK YOU to all those involved. Some of the raffle prizes had to do with a previous post in which I happened to mention that I had some beautiful, large, old calendars that I just couldn't throw away but I didn't know what to do with. You can read all that here. I meant to tell you that I thought of a great way to use those calendars. I got some peel and stick paper stock and covered the calendar date part with it. I used a stock that is called "Blockout" and nothing will show through once it is applied. Doing this made it easy for the pictures to still be viewed while the new owner of the calendar could use the covered part as a doodle pad, paint book or whatever. The calendars were put into the raffle prizes that I did up this year for the along with my usual jumble of this and that. I hope whomever won them were happy with them. Personally I thought my idea was a great way to recycle and make something old new again.

Goodbye Don

It is so sad. I cannot believe that another family member, albeit a distant one, has passed away.

Don was such a nice person. He had been sick, off and on, for some time. We had hoped that he was on the way to better health. It was not to be. His wife Peggy and his children, extended family and friends will miss this wonderful man. He was really a nice person and I am sad to say goodbye to him. Heaven has another angel and if he is anything up there like he was down here then Heaven just got a whole lot nicer than it already was.

Goodbye Don we will all miss you so much.

Goodbye Gus

Gus, who was a wonderful man and grandfather to my dear daughter by marriage passed away on Christmas day. He was in his nineties. He led a very adventuress life and always had a funny story to tell me whenever I had the honour of seeing him. He was very much loved by his family and all of us who knew him. He was so full of life that it is hard to believe that he is no longer with us. Gus was a wonderful wood carver and water birds seemed to be his speciality. He always made us laugh. He was a flirt and a great tease when the ladies were around. He made my mom blush, and that in itself was a real undertaking. Gus was a good person and he will be missed very much. I have no doubt that he is entertaining the angels with all his daring deeds and adventures. He will be missed by us all. Goodbye Gus, we will think of you often and always with a smile.

Goodbye My Brother.

My brother Scott, passed away, suddenly and unexpectedly, early Monday morning.
Scott was two years younger than me. He was only 56 years young.
Although he had been distant from the family for many years, he was still, my little brother.
I remember him as very quiet, one to stay in the background, as a child, funny and quick with a joke, the one to wear a lampshade as a young man and quiet and not easy to get to know as a mature man.
He was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather.
He will be remembered in many ways and will not be forgotten by anyone who knew him.
Goodbye Scott, rest easy.

Goodbye Benjamin

Monday, October 3, 2011
The world has lost a wonderful little boy tonight.
He fought bravely for the last three years; with dignity and his wonderful
sense of humour always showing.
He will always be loved and remembered.
Goodbye Benjamin.
You will be missed.

Out in no-blog-land.

Wow....I've been off in no-blog-land since March and when I come back to do a quick post I can't remember how to do it. I mean really....I had to log out and come back in to figure out how/where to go to do a new post. Man, my mind is just too busy! My body has been busy too. It seems there are not enough hours in a week let alone a day, to do everything that I want to do. I have been very neglectful in posting anything and also in reading up on any of my "Blogs that make me go Ohhh". I am hoping in the next few months to be able to remedy this problem. To show how behind in time I am.... I just got the planters on our back deck filled this weekend and we are already into July! The pool just got opened in the last week and the two sheds have been more organized than they were. HJ and I have been trying to get everything that needs to be done....well....done. April was nothing too exciting. I slept a lot. ..and do i mean a LOT! I just couldn't seem to get my act together that month. Every time I sat down I fell asleep. Weird huh? I'm fine now but boy was I tired then. I spent time gathering and putting together prizes for the raffle table for the June golf tournament. That kept me busy for a while as well. I was also busy organizing an upcoming anniversary party.
May was not a really good month. A too-young husband and father of a 4 year old and a three week old passed away. Alan, also left a wonderful wife, parents, grandparents and brothers grieving. Three months from his Cancer diagnosis to his passing stunned us. That was and still is, a hard death to come to terms with. We had 2 funerals that same week. One was for my mom's younger brother Buzz (78 years young) and two days later was Alan's. My Uncle Bert (another of my moms younger brothers), lost a grandson and a brother within 2 days of each other. How very sad for him....and for the rest of the family members of both men.
I know that both Uncle Buzz and Alan are missed very much by a lot of family and friends. They are all in my prayers nightly.
It seemed that May just went so fast. It was such a whirlwind of activity for us. A lot of May was sad but it had some happy events too. At the end of May we had a surprise 25Th anniversary party for Hubby Johns' sister Nancy and her husband Mark. Shannon and Chantal, their girls put a lot of work into this event. I helped where I could. I designed the invites around a "movie" theme. Popcorn was on the tables and the posters we put up had Nancy & Marks faces imposed on them. I must say that Mark made an excellent Alvin the Chipmunk.
Yes, it was a lot of work but it was a big success. M&N were surprised, everyone had a good time, the band was excellent, we had lots of food and people went home happy! What more could you ask for?
Next thing we knew May was gone and June was here. We had 3 events that we were invited to for the first Saturday in June but we had promised way back in the fall of last year to help at a golf tournament fund raiser that our son John Vincent, had organized and headed.
It was for Neve's day care (next year she will go to the after school part as she will be in grade 1). It is a not-for-profit organization. Hubby John and I donated time and raffle prizes. HJ went golfing, enjoyed it very much and then we had a great tasting dinner afterwards. There was a raffle table and silent auction too. There were, as always,some really good prizes and donations. They had a good turnout. This year they let me out of my cage for an hour or so. I was out on the course to oversee the "closest to the flag" chipping thingy. I enjoyed it even if only 5 people tried it. Next year they need to advertise that it is a no charge -try to win a prize event and then maybe more golfers will come over to my side of the course. The event raised a lot of money to be used on playground equipment. We have already booked the first Sat of June 2012 to do it all over again. Whoo Hoo! The following day we spent a wonderful afternoon with our good friends Karl & Virginia. We missed Ginny's 60Th Bday party (which had been held on the day of the golf tournament) so we were able to see all of their gang who had come into town. We had a lovely lunch and spent a few hours just enjoying and visiting with everyone. Happy Birthday again Ginny!
June also saw us both doing a lot, but not enough, babysitting of both grnadbabies. We attended Cutie Patootie's kindergarten graduation ceremony. She is now officially a big girl who will, in September, be able to go onto the big kids playground. CP told me that this is a really BIG deal for her. She will no longer be in the baby playground at school. She is very excited about this. June also saw us going to the Cutie Patooties year end dance review. As always, she did an excellent job (all the kids did). I found it a long night and I was only there from 6:30. Neve had been there from 1:00PM that afternoon and by 9:00PM she (and all the other kids) was totally wiped. Good Dancing Neve! You Rock!!! June saw the Wee Fiend, Kian, learning how to crawl and trying to walk (without help). He is one busy little man. His first Bday was the 24th and although he did get new cars from us his main gift came later. A swimming pool with an umbrella to keep him shaded. He likes the pool. Wow.....I can't believe it has been a year already. Time really does fly! He is sooo cute! A Bday party for our Wee Fiend was this past weekend. It was a great party and the birthday boy was in fine form. All the immediate family of grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins were there for a very HOT afternoon. Great grandma was there too as well as friend Rosie who was visiting from BC and her mom, Aunt Cara. A great time was had by all and the birthday boy got some very cool gifts! It was a wonderful long weekend and a great way to start July!
So, Hubby John and I will be getting away to the USA for a few days, both this month and in August. I am sooooo looking forward to both trips. This month we go to Erie PA for a few days of shopping and then we drive over to Darrian Lake(Sp?) for 2 days of water park wet fun and amusement park rides. We are travelling with John Vincent, Sarah ,and of course, my Cutie Patootie, Neve. It will be lots of fun. This way we get extra cuddle time....well at least one of us will...won't we Papa? (But she does like my macaroni salad and tells everyone that her Gram's make the best macaroni salad, so I can't complain.)
When we get back from the US I get my favourite Wee Fiend, Kian, to cuddle, chase and spoil for a few days while mom Jaime is at a course and dad Mike is working. Then we have another 25Th anniversary party. This one is for my baby sister Alison and her hubby Dave. That's been a busy party to ready for. I had the invites all designed and ready to print then I decided at the last minute to change the design. Why do I do that to myself? Oh well....I am very pleased with how they turned out. Mind you, having to deal with a postal strike was not the greatest but we managed. It's all good. I am sure that everything will come off smoothly. I know that it is a fun crowd of people that have been invited and they will have a good time no matter what! I just have to have everything ready before we leave for Erie. I won't have time the week I get back. So I am checking and rechecking my lists and emailing furiously to my niece Beth and making sure I have all the supplies ready to go. No problem...organization is the key to smooth running events. It will be OK!!!
The Saturday following Ali's & Dave's 25Th,we have a fundraiser dance (for Alan's family) to attend. It's out of town but I look forward to seeing everyone. I haven't seen Wendy and Dave (Alan's mom and dad) for a few weeks. We have talked on the phone but I think they both need some hugs. I've missed not seeing them.
Then there is a week of holidays/babysitting/fun times ending with a long weekend mini family reunion in Ohio. Both HJ and I are really excited about that event. His crazy canuck cousins from the North will be there too so it is sure to be a fun fun time for us all!
I, of course, will want to check out the craft stores in the area. HJ will buy a book and read a lot. He's good that way....let's me wander while he reads....it works for us.
Getting back from the states takes us into the 2nd week of August and I will be crazy busy at work. Sheila, my office cohort, will be gone on holidays for three weeks. I will be by myself in the office. August is always a busy time there anyway and with Sheila gone I know it will be a zoo. I just have to remember to take deep breaths and repeat my mantra.... I AM WOMAN...I WILL SURVIVE! Hmmmm......I'll just keep telling myself that...hee...heee...hee....
Anyway, I've got to go....I will post soon....or maybe not....depends when I can grab an hour or two for myself.
Take care everyone and have a great summer!