Tuesday 25 June 2013

We Didn't Weed Up With Willie.....

Well, we didn't weed up with Willie but we did have a wonderful time. I have many things to mention but before I get to the title of this blog, I think I'll begin with telling you about how we spent Father's Day, this year. Like most years before, this Daddy's Day was spent with many of us at the nursing home. Though she isn't a Father, we gathered to celebrate our Meme's ninety-first birthday. Her actual big day was on June 14th but it's easier for all the families to meet up on the weekend. Lucky are we who were there to share in another year of life for her. Meme was sleepy but did manage to enjoy some of her cake. The weather forecast was woeful but I'm pleased to state that blowing the clouds away, worked, once again. After a couple hours of visiting, we headed over to the house that started us all. Our Uncle lives there now and he did a dandy job of cleaning the yard and even painted "the shed". I felt such pride as we walked into the backyard and towards the fire-pit. Of all the things that still stand on that property, the fire-pit or shed are two spots that I wish could speak about the years we've all gathered around them. This year had us enjoying some visitors that were joining us for the first time in the yard. Our Cousin's Wife invited some of her family to share in the great food and company and it was a pure pleasure having them there with us. The feast was our usual, spare ribs cooked over the fire-pit along with many different dishes made by generous guests. My Husband did the majority of the BBQ'n but did get some helping hands. Everyone had a good time and I'm good and grateful that our Uncle made such an effort for everyone, he even bought all the ribs, thirty-six slabs!. That was by far the most we've ever made and I'm happy to say that we still have some frozen, to feast on at a later date.

Our next exciting event would be our youngest Son's birthday, on June 19th, Aidn turned eleven years old and we spent some of his birthday with my Sister who was in town to celebrate with us. Her gift was dinner at his choice of restaurant. My Husband, oldest Son and myself were invited along. Aidn picked Red Lobster and it was definitely delicious!. He even had the waitress hitting on him and it was great fun to see a stranger want to make his birthday special. It's always a treat having my family together but when my Sister is around, it's extra special. Thank you for celebrating with us Julie, your never ending efforts are always appreciated. Afterwards, we headed back home for birthday cake and were pleased that some other people in our family came over to sing to the birthday boy. I made his favorite, a chocolate cake with homemade mocha icing and I'll admit to doing it decently. He was very happy with everything that everyone did for him on his big day and I'm glad he enjoyed it.

The fun wouldn't end for me, even after dinner and cake, there was more in store. A couple of months ago my Sis called me to let me know she had purchased Willie Nelson tickets for an upcoming concert. Neither of us had ever seen him live before and I couldn't believe my Sister's generosity. You see, Willie was our Father's favorite singer and we had daily doses of his country coolness while growing up. Though I enjoyed every second I spent with Julie that day, three marvelous moments were at the concert. The first one was right before the show started. As we were walking to our seats, my Sis asked if we should exchange seats with our Aunt and Uncle who we met with for drinks, just minutes before. It was an excellent idea and emotion welled in my eyes, over it. How thoughtful and considerate is that?, She paid a good chunk of change for our superb seats and she wanted to let our loved ones enjoy them, instead. I surely didn't give a damn where our seats were, as long as I could hear him, that was my only care. It made me so proud that she would want our Aunt & Uncle to have the better seats and I hoped they would take her up on the wonderful offer. They didn't but it sure was sweet of her to ask them if they wanted to make a trade. Shortly after the show started, came my second smile. As usual, I was bouncing, rocking and singing along, really enjoying myself. My Sister then informed me that I was making her seat shake and she was certain the whole row was vibrating also. Sheesh, like it's a law to remain still at a show?.....hehehe, I loved that she gave me grief, she's my little Sis and that is still her job. Though  it seemed to be a sold out show, there was one empty seat next to my Sis and I imagined our dearly departed Daddy sitting right there, with us. What a wonderful day and night we had and I'll always remember it because of my Sister's kindness. Thanks Juw!

I have one thing left to mention before I get back to perogy pinching. This past weekend found my Hubby Bub and I taking our children and one of their friends out for a sleep over out in the county. Our friends invited us all to come for a visit on Saturday and we happily accepted. We planned on being there before dinner but had car troubles and didn't arrive until feeding time. As soon as we walked in there were warm greetings from our friend and their three dogs. One of them is a blood hound and it always gets me giggling to hear Ruby whine and howl her welcomes. The Wife part of our friend's came in not long after us and I had husked the corn we brought and waited for my Husband to BBQ the burgers and hot dogs. It was a simple meal but scrumptious all the same. Our friends also had some children there, three boys to be exact. Their two year old Grandson along with a four and five year old. My girlfriend and I were out numbered, in total there were eight males to keep us company. Never had I seen a bigger pack of penises in their pool!. It was completely comical watching my Husband toss the older kids into the waiting water. I can still hear their laughter and it's put a smile on my face, once again. Sunday was spent outside and poolside, like the day before and we were happy that the rain held off and made way for sunshine and heat. Our oldest Son was able to mark off some volunteer hours for school by babysitting and bedding down the youngest boys and they enjoyed watching movies with him and playing in the pool. All the kids were well behaved and it made for an enjoyable visit. There was a bit of stubbornness doled out by a certain young, Sir but it didn't ruin the day for any of us. Also, it seems someone had crabby cakes for breakfast but that was easily digested with all the smiles and sunshine. Thank you to my friends for always opening their home to us and making it a place we love going back to. Later in the Summer my boys and I are hoping to spend ten days out there and I for one, can't wait!

Well it's time for me to take off now, thanks for reading what's in the mind grounds and may this day be beautiful for us all. Of course I'll add some pictures of the terrific times we had. 








Wednesday 12 June 2013

Mermaid Marvelousness.....

That's how I'm choosing to describe some recent visits with friends. I know it's been a few weeks since I last laid lines here but this is a busy time of year for me. Though the Summer sun hasn't been sticking around much, it didn't stop us from sharing smiles with friends and family. Let me fill you in on what we've been up to. In my last entry, I somehow forgot to mention where I got my "mermaid on" first this season. It was during May 2-4 weekend at a very good friend's house. I believe it was May 19th to be exact and I loved every kid-less second I spent with her. My boys weren't to happy that I was going for a visit without them but their brutal behaviour brought it about. As I waited for my Husband to drive me over to her place, my friend and I made plans for the day. I was invited to dinner and couldn't wait to see her and her family again. I've been friends with this lady for over twenty-years and even though months may pass between visits, we never forget where we left our laughter. She's cracks me up, constantly and I always return home with sore sides from the belly shakes we've shared. My friend's Husband is a fine Fella and is always a humble, hospitable host. He barbequed ribs, burgers and hot dogs for us and I enjoyed gathering with them at their dinning tent and table. Their Daughter was having some friends over and it was a treat to see them being typical teenage girls. I remembered fondly how I spent many Summer days giggling with my girlfriends, getting our mermaid on, laughing in the lake or playing Marco Polo in some neighbourhood pool. Ahhhhh thoughts of youth, passed. It really is wasted on the young, you know. Also, I'm glad I had my gills on that day because their pool was cold as cubes of the ice kind. I did go in though, only briefly but I can proudly say, I was in water that was under sixty degrees.

My next Mermaid Marvelouness would take place at my Cousin's house. I believe it was Monday June 3rd. I peddled my pounds over to her place around lunchtime and brought left over homemade pizza for us to fill our faces with. It was delicious but not nearly as delightful as devouring the day with smiles and sharing stories. Though my Cousin didn't join me in their hip high pool, I soaked in the sun and splashed about while she shared say so's with me lounging in a lawn chair. We laughed and lingered on while sucking up sweet cloudless sunshine from the sky above. The weather wasn't humidly hot, just bright and beautiful, like my comical Cousin. Two days after this, my Son turned seventeen. Man that doesn't even look right, in reading it back. How can all those years have sped by so speedily?. Though his birthday this year wasn't as elaborate as some others, I think it went wonderfully. He had a nice breakfast, breaded fish and poutine for dinner, a birthday cake with peanut butter/chocolate icing and even a couple gifts thrown in, gravy, I say!. Next week we'll do much of the same for our youngest Senor, he'll be eleven. Yup, it's flying by but I'm good and grateful to be a part of it all. Shortly after this, my six year old Cousin would come for a sleep over at our house. We tried this two years ago but he didn't do well and wanted to go home. That didn't happen this time, he had a blast and loved spending time with his two older Cousins. I'll add a cute picture of them playing while waiting for the weather to warm up. It never did but they shared splash time in the tub more than once. That brings me almost up to date with lines laid here. One more gill goodness to share with you, this past weekend found my Son's and I spending the night with friends in Wheatley. We had a wonderful time and I'm shamed to say that our Aidn took the prize for pool time. We didn't get there until later in the day on Saturday so the supper I had made for us would have to wait until lunch, on Sunday. My friend had a birthday back in May but we were unable to do this, then. The edibles I offered were her birthday gift, one of her favorites, chicken and sliders (glissants) and I'm sure I've mentioned them here before. Our always generous and giving hosts made sure that feasts were had. For our visit, they crammed the cupboards with fabulous foods that have certainly added pounds to my super-sized self. One of the things I like most about our visits with theses friends is their easy going attitudes. Never do I see them up in nerves about anything and I'm always envious when witnessing that in others. I'll not drop names here but, a little wild one I know decided to fling a fit after midnight and I had no handle on it. Yup, I went and lost my lid, nothing to knotting, just stern, stubborn say so's flung from both sides of the fence. In the end, he was sent to bed. While the tantrum took place, my friend sweetly smiled and stayed calm while communicating with my kid. One day, I'll learn how to do that, I hope. Thank you to all of my friends and family for everything you offer me and mine. We are grateful for the good in ALL of you and everything you do!

Well, this day is getting by and I'm thinking, wet is in this Wednesday, for me. I'll add a few pictures from some of the precious time, mentioned above. Thanks for reading what's in the mind grounds and may this day be wonderful for us all!