Monday 30 July 2012

Don't Blink......

Well you shouldn't during Summer anyway.
We did and before we knew it our family vacation was over.
Last Saturday some of the thirty five of us going on the trip made
our way to a tiny little place in Ontario called Port Albert.
It's just north of Goderich and God's goodness graced every inch of
the gorgeous greenery.
I was amazed to see how well Goderich has recovered from the F3 tornado
that touched down there last Summer.
As you drive in there is a sign that boasts, "The Prettiest Town In Canada"
Far as I could see, they'll get no argument from me.
There is a point while driving past the harbour where you can see Lake Huron
open up in it's endless beauty below, miles and miles of blue bliss, breaking
on the shore.

Our first night was a busy one and had many of us unpacking then preparing dinner.
It might not look like much to do but trust me, feeding 35 for dinner takes tons of time.
I'm glad that our night to cook wasn't until Tuesday,
One of my favorite things about going away with so many other people is that at any
given time you can see women cooking, cleaning or caring for kids while the men are
bustling about outside.
That's not to say they weren't busy also, just in a different way, out of doors.
Night time by the fire pit was always a good time and I'm happy to report that we
even enjoyed live music on one of those nights.
People staying next door had a couple of guitars and a song book for to make
requests from.
The Fella sang lead while his lady friend took to back up and additional guitar.
I'm shamed to state that it's the only thing that got me from our tent where I was
throwing a two year old tantrum.
I had a couple of em while we were away and I'm still trying to shake sadness
over some of my poor choices.
Firecracker quick is my temper and sometimes it takes off at the worst times and
wounds the ones I love.
Anyway, my point was to be made about the excellent entertainment we enjoyed,
much thanks to the musicians, it ended up being a marvelous night and sent me to
bed singing while smiling instead of slumbering down with sad sourness.

Time spent at the beach was another fine place where we found tons of fun!
Many hours have I spent on both sides of Lake Huron's shores and he never disappoints.
Our beloved Aunt even made it out for a swim one day then poked fun at me
for not insisting she go swimming sooner, I told her the same thing I tell other
family members, "I can't make you do anything".
If I could have "made" her join us on any of those divine dips, I surely would have.
It's always amazing to watch how much fun any group of people can have in the
water and our family found a fantastic time on every trip.
A bit miffed at myself I am.
You see, there was one day others went and I stayed back.
I wanted to go but ended up being to slow in getting there, that happened twice
and both times where when the waves were whopping!
I'm happy to type that when I did go the beach, I enjoyed it.
Sadly,  my Sister definitely out mermaided me, this time.
Seeing my family enjoy each others company is one of the finer things in life for me.
We all grew up a block from the beach and when we play together in any body of
water, it's like going home.
I'd bet my beach ball many of you can relate when you're with family in
certain spaces.
I feel the same way when we gather around a fire pit.

Have I mentioned the feasts we fed on?
Every night was fit for a King, Queen and their whole court!
Forgive me family members, for I know that I'll forget some fine food but
I'll give it my best effort.
There was shish kabob, fish & chips, P&H coleslaw, curry chicken with
peanut sauce, chicken fajitas and juicy delicious grilled veggies!
Please pardon my watering mouth as I type.
I think the meal I enjoyed the most baised on how many times I ate it would
be my younger Cousin's.
Her family made spaghetti with garlic bread and salad.
I enjoyed every bite, three different times.
One of my favorite things to eat is fried, left over spaghetti and it was, oh so good!
We shared smores a couple of nights and Cousin Beefcake made a delicous
homemade salsa and guacamole dip for us to share around the fire.
The last night we were there my Hubby and I brought some ribs and pork chops
from home that we thought might be needed.
After spending a couple hours trying to repair a seized break line on a Cousin's
vehicle with a couple other males from our familiy, he took to BBQ'n dinner for everyone.
Did I mention how helpful and giving he was during the whole trip?
Every day I walked by family members asking "where's William?", "you seen Zeke?"
"Tell Bill to come here when he gets a minute", "can Billy Bob come help me with something?"
He was most certainly the "go to guy" when someone needed a helping hand.
It does my blood pumper proudly to see him be so giving of himself with his free time.
A fine quality indeed and definitely worth mentioning.
I'm very much a praise you, kick me kinda person and for that reason I'll tell you
about one of my tantrums.

Tuesday night it was our turn to make dinner and we decided on chicken soo gai.
A family favorite around here.
My Husband always coats and fries the soo gai while I make the gravy,
sweet & sour sauce along with rice, well I use to make the rice but I've been
booted off that duty.
Thankfully my Sis made the rice for me, I have to stir it and apparently it ruins it
if you do, who knew?
All I had to do was make the sweet and sour sauce along with the gravy and
steam the broccoli.
The gravy didn't dissolve right and any of you that know me well are aware of the
affection I have for gravy.
It always turns out but this time it didn't and I threw a two year old tantrum.
Even took it to the end of the line and refused to eat at that time.
Ended up biting me in the backside because when I woke early the next morning
craving the plate of food Hubby kept for me, I was bummed biggley to see someone
ate my soo gai and left only the limp broccoli and rock hard rice.
My own damn fault it is.
I also remember something about a shortage of forks but there's no need to make
mention of all my ugliness at once. ;P

I asked my fellow vacationers what their favorite moments were and got replies
of, "the time off work", "staying up late", "swimming at the beach", "seeing my
Daughter smile and laugh so much".
My favorite moments were all the ones we spent smiling together.
Not one ounce of anything will I give those times when we weren't.
This may not have been "the best" vacation we've ever had but it was "the best"
in being able to spend it together, none of us know if we will be able to do that again.
My heartfelt thanks to all of you who made it "the best" for me.
Sorry that I forgot the duct tape, it really could have been used on my
mouth, more than once. 
Next year I'll hand out personal rolls!  :)

This could be my longest blog entry to date so with that I'll say sayonara!
Of course I'll add a few pictures from our pleasures.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may what's left in this day do right by you.

P.S I have not forgot about the family reunion I was at the day before vacation and
will blog about it soon. 






Thursday 19 July 2012

Demons, Downpours & Desires.....

These are things I have been struggling with for the last few days.
It all started on Monday after my blog entry.
The day was going decently and I was full of optimism in what it might hold.
That's always a sure sign that I'll soon be swimming in sorrow and I did.
Damn near drowned in it.
Either I'm to positive or negative in my outlook on anything, no grey lines live in me.
I've mentioned before that I'm an all or noting kind of girl and this last emotional
episode was no exception.
While speaking with a friend, I misunderstood and flew off the handle.
I'm telling you, if I could turn of my emotions even momentarily, life would be easy,
like breathing in an evening breeze.
Though financial troubles have tripped me up in the past it's usually relationship
matters that trap my mind and heart in a tug of war with each other.
I was so focused on what I wanted and the need to be heard that I didn't even realize
what my friend was saying.

From Monday afternoon until Wednesday evening I snowballed everything I don't like
about myself and life to the point of ugly dark destruction from the demons within me.
Once I was black, blue and emotionally empty I started to brush myself off and
make my way back to the beauty in life.
I'd be willing to bet my banged up blood pumper that every one of you with eyes on
this page are truly tired of reading about all my ups and downs.
Sorry folks but that's me and though I'm trying to improve, I still fall flat on my face frequently.

Today I am making pounds of perogies for to share with my family tomorrow
at our comical Cousins house.
I am filled with excitement over loved ones visiting from out West.
In between making food and packing I will be blowing the rain clouds away, I looked
at the forecast for tomorrow and there's a 60% chance of showers.
Not if my lips and lungs have anything to say about it!
It's pouring rain right now but I haven't got to blowin' yet so I haven't lost hope.

Well I've touched on the demons and downpours, now for the desires.
When I was younger I didn't care if I gave the best of myself to anyone because
I was the only one I thought mattered.
Now that I'm an adult and cherish all the relationships in my life, priorities
have changed.
Everything in me presses on to please the people I love.
Often that scares folks because I'm so ferocious with my feelings that it
completely controls me.
Whether or not they want something from me, I am gonna give them what
I have to offer with full force.
Yes, it's something I need to tackle and tame.
Sometimes I try so hard to please other people that I end up terrifying
them with my extended efforts.
That's partially what took place on Monday but it took me nearly three days to
see it, sorry, slow is me.

Well the water is boiling and I need to get to perogy pinching so I'll leave these
lines with a song that describes how I see myself some days.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may this day be a marvelous one for you!

Monday 16 July 2012

Giving Thanks......

That's what I've been doing since 5pm on Friday.
You see, I had to babysit my two Cousins and most of the day went dandily.
The boys were bouncing about and both in a beautiful way, always enjoyable
to walk into that.
As soon as their Father left for work they started asking to go outside and play
in the hose, something I do with them quite often.
I explained that I had to make dinner for them and after I started that we
could go out and get our gills wet.
Very good boys are they and didn't give me a hard time about having to wait.
They happily played all through the house as time ticked away.
At around 4pm I slathered sun screen on em, grabbed their hats, the dog
and off we were to play in the hose!
I completely enjoyed watching them both run through as I held the hose for em.
Is there anything better to see in life than laughing children?
Maybe seeing a life being born comes first but kids cracking up is a very close
second then.
When the older one ran through he would act like the Incredible Hulk,
making faces and flexing his muscles as he fled from the water following him.
Of course that meant his younger Brother would do the same and there is just
something so comical about siblings copying each others actions.
A damn fine time we were having until it all went woefully wrong. 

As the little one made another pass through the water stream, he slipped
on the wet grass and went down.
At first I thought he was laughing about it then quickly realized he was
having a Seizure.
It happened so fast, he went from laughing and running around to a minor
slip that sent sent him into a "fever fit"
I guess that's what these are often called.
He isn't Epileptic but has Seizures when he gets a high fever.
Though he didn't have a fever earlier in the day, the Fireman and Ambulance
attendants said he had a fever when they took his vitals.
While he was in full fit mode his helpful big Brother went to fetch my purse
as their cell phone was in it and I couldn't reach it from where I was with his Brother.
Scared doesn't do justice in describing how I felt as my eyes saw the terror,
his tiny body trembling.
It sure didn't take long for help to arrive and I was so relieved to see all of the
paramedics come to his aid.
Though the Seizure itself only lasted a minute or so, it took what seemed like
forever in getting him to regain consciousness.
Finally after they pumped air into him through this bag looking thing they were
squeezing, he started crying and came back to us!
Never did I think a child crying would sound so good.
That is the exact moment I stopped praying and started praising!
Until that moment all I could do was stay by his side and pray that it wasn't
his time to go.
Over and over again I thanked all the professionals for their help and it
wouldn't end there.
Here I sit on Monday morning, still thanking the Big Guy and everyone involved.
I love these two boys like they are my own Son's and just couldn't live with
myself if terrible tragedy came calling while they were in my care.
Also I've thanked their Aunt who came to help right after the incident and the
Neighbours that also expressed concern and offered support.

Remember I typed about making presents for friends last week?
Well those presents were perogies and we were due at our friends house
for 6pm on Friday so I could make dinner for everyone.
Because of what happened with the kids I had to call and let them know
we were running late.
If it wasn't for the boy's Aunt offering to help, I would have had to cancel our plans.
My Husband went with their Aunt and dropped off a vehicle to the Father while I fed
the oldest Son dinner and spoke with him about what just happened.
He has seen his Brother have a Seizure before and was cool as cubes during it as
well as afterwords.
I am so proud of  how he handled himself while all the commotion took place.
He was calm and in control the whole time, maybe he should think about being a
Fireman or Ambulance attendant because the boy has nerves of steel.

Once we made it out to our friends house with their presents we had a
wonderful night.
I don't think I could have enjoyed that first jump in the pool more than I did then.
As always, the wonderful water was healing as it washed over every part of me.
It was nice to have my Husband their this time and we enjoyed everyone's company.
Next time we go out there our Aidn will be able to join us.
I'm missing our Son's mugs and can't wait to see them again.
Only  five more sleeps until I see their sweet smiles!

Well that's about all I have to type about today so I'll leave these lines
with a couple of pictures.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may this day do you decently.  :)



Friday 13 July 2012

The Speedy Season.....

If I know nothing else in life, I am certain that Summer is the speedy season.
Since I have been child free for the last two weeks a few of my friends and
family members have seen me online early in the morning and it seems they
feel I should be searching for more slumber.
They keep asking me why I'm not sleeping in?
Simply put, it's because I haven't been able to sleep in, to many exciting
things going on in my life right now.
Besides, I hibernate in the Winter and will catch up on shut eye then.

Though I know many of you do not like the heat and humidity that this season
holds, it sure serves me sweetly.
I LOVE everything about Summer!, the big bright ball that beams above, the wet
wonderfulness of the water, late nights by a flickering fire, tent sleeps under the
stars, lounging around with friends and family and outdoor concerts in the
night breeze are the things I love most during this superb season.
You could add up all the good things about Spring, Winter and Fall but it wouldn't
amount to an ounce of what I adore about Summer.

I'm anxiously excited this morning.
Leaving the niceness of the nest, I made my way to the computer for to
fetch some music.
Instantly I started bopping about to the latest sounds from The Zac Brown Band.
Though I would happily type about music all day, I'm wise enough to know that most
folks don't hold as much interest in melodies as I do, so I'll just politely post here
and there about songs I'm listening to and their significance in my life at those moments.
Soon the above mentioned musicians will be making an appearance on the
Today show and you can bet your banjo I'll be watching them and singing along!
I'm hoping I can see them play the song I posted on my last blog entry.
Yup, if you want to know what it is then you'll have to go back and look,
hehe, I'm every inch of evil, at times.

As I mentioned above, my excitement levels are highly heightened this morning.
You see, today marks only seven more sleeps on the calendar until I get to see
my Aunt, Cousin and her Daughter.
I haven't seen them since I was a teenager and have never met my
Aunt's Granddaughter.
Fond memories do I have of time spent with them and recall my Father
always speaking finely of my Mother's Sister.
We will all be gathering at a fellow Cousin's house and there will be several
branches in our bunch that will be reminiscing about the wind we once
blew in together.
I love that I'm able to get together with the folks I grew up with and relive the
love and laughter all over again.
Yup, it's gravy in the boat of life, to me.

Also, today means only eight more sleeps until our family vacation and
I can honestly state that I am completely cranked up for the chaos to begin!
The thought of all our children smiling, laughing,crying and throwing fits
like we all once did gets my blood pumper pounding.
Some of us still slide into the two year old tantrum stance, every so
often ...(raising hand)
I want my family to know that I will bringing duct tape for anyone to use
over my mouth, if need be.
My Husband and children are excluded from this limited time offer.  ;P
I'll be trying to sponge up every single second in the think tank and you
can be certain that when we return, I'll be telling you all about it in type.

Well I'll leave this short and sweet but I will add a song that's finely
fitting for this Friday.
Thanks for reading what's floating around the mind grounds and I hope
this day finds you full of fabulousness.

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Octopus Openness.....

That's what made it's way into my mind grounds last night as I
lay in the nest searching for slumber.
For my whole adult life I have had an Octopus Openness of emotion.
Friends and family tell me it's one of my best qualities but I call horse heaps!
Though it does feel like my blood pumper has many tentacles, they usually
get entangled in trying to touch the hearts of those I want to help.
Often when this happens it feels like a death grip on my heart.
Does that make sense to you because it does to me, though I'm not always
clear when explaining my thoughts to others.
Yes I talk in circles and usually smokescreen my say so's which may make it
difficult for people to understand me.

It will be two weeks tomorrow since my Son's left for a visit with my
Sister and her family.
So far no one has lost an eye over a war of words but it hasn't been
smooth sailing on every shore either.
I have spoke with the boys frequently and I'm relieved to hear happiness
in their voices.
It sounds like they are having a wonderful time and I am truly grateful for this
gracious gift my Sister and Brother-In-Law have given us these last few years.
They've kept them busy and have taken them to places my Hubby and I couldn't.
It makes me happy knowing that they will carry these wonderful memories with
them for the rest of their lives.
I am looking forward to covering them with hugs and kisses, my arms ache for
their embrace.

Yesterday I spent the day making gifts for some friends.
I do hope that I'll see them soon because I'm anxiously excited to soak
up their smiles.
One of the friends is someone I use to babysit and she now has a child of her own.
Actually she has been like a Daughter to me and I'm so proud of her.
It was her birthday yesterday and I couldn't be with her for it but hopefully I
will see her later today or tomorrow.
I remember the many moons ago when I babysat her and her Sister.
They were like night and day, just like my Sister and I.
One was easy going, sunny and always smiling while the other was more
emotional, easily annoyed and often liked to go off by herself, just like me.
It's the infinite connections that get us every time, it really is.
(I borrowed that line from an Alan Doyle song) 
I love them both with everything in me but as an adult I formed a closer personal
relationship with the older girl.
This lady almost didn't make it a week in this world.
You see, she was born really prematurely and only weighed a couple pounds
when she was born.
She had to much fluid around her brain and they put a shunt in.
After many surgeries and head shaves as a child she overcame her health issues
and is now a well developed, kind and generous 31 year old woman.

My mind is racing as I type, nothing new but it's really hard to sift through all
the thoughts and choose which ones to type about.
Some will never make their way into Cyberspace but it doesn't mean I have no
place to put them.
I'll store em safely in the think tank and release em when I need to.
Right now I need to state that I am well and smiling in this day, grateful for the gifts
I've been given and praising the Big Guy for them.

Later today I will be making dinner for my amazing Aunt and my marvelous Memeness.
As always I pray that she is having a decent day and will be able to recognize
us and enjoy our time with her.
I've stated this in lines around here before but I'm filled with feelings over it at the
moment so I'll say more on it.
The hatred I once held in my heart for my Meme was huge and I could never
understand her strong, stubborn say so's and severe sternness.
My Husband has said that he thinks God is punishing her now for the things
she said and did in her past.
I disagree and feel that she has survived ninety years so that all those who have
loved her can mend the madness from the past and offer her their time, care and forgiveness.
I know that for me personally, healing has taken place in the last several years
and has me filled with love for her that I never knew existed.
Also, I feel a debt is being paid for all the years she took care of my Sister and I. 
Terribly I treated her when I was growing  up and never gave her the respect
and rapport she so rightfully deserved.
I always try and offer her the best of me now.

Well the day is speeding on by without me and I have some work to do
so I'll leave these lines with a picture that perfectly describes my blog
title today, along with a song of course. :)
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may the wind blow you
into something beautiful!



Monday 9 July 2012

Monday Morning.....

Well it is, so I may as well try and type something marvelous about it, could be
maddening though, this is Monday we are talking about but I shall attempt it.
The one thing I do like about Monday's is that they offer us all a clean slate
to start with.
Every new day does as well but Monday marks the start of a new week and
I guess that holds more weight with me.

I haven't even been out of the nest for an hour yet and my heart races over
thoughts of what today might have in store for me.
Like many others, my heart and mind make a mad dash at the start of most
days in anticipation of what's to come.
Never can I turn either off except when in slumber mode.
So it begins, are my kids behaving?, will I be able to sport a smile all day?,
will Hubby Bub be pleasant when he returns home?, will I loose any loved ones
today?, will I make good choices?, will I be kind and considerate to others or will I
throw a two year old tantrum and toss all caution to the wind?
I never know and often the moments that come and go are made good or bad by
my mood alone.
There it is.......my mood decides whether something ends up good or bad!
Fortunately I can swing from feelings like a monkey gliding through the trees,
one branch after another.
The downside to that is that my mood can destroy a perfectly decent day.
Emotions aren't always the best things in the world and when I was younger
I would fantasize about not having emotions.
You know, like Mr Spock on Star Trek?
Now that guy was cool as cubes and could solve any problem.
Why?, because he had no emotions!
I don't know if I could live in a world not feeling love but it sure would be a
darn side easier.

This past weekend went well enough and found me for the third one in a
row at my friend's house.
It's been so wonderful visiting with them while my children are away.
Hours and hours we spent just chatting, swimming and grazing on good food.
It was Hellfire hot on Friday when we pulled into her driveway and I couldn't wait
to jump in the pool.
We would have to be patient though as corn needed to be husked
and ribs needed to be prepared for our feast.
Once the food was ready for cooking we made our way to the water and
though it was warm and about twenty degrees more than I care for, it was
wet and welcomed after a dehydrating day.
After we dined on deliciousness we got back to splashing, laughing and
loving each others company.
Midnight rolled around and it was then we decided to swim in a
different body of water.
Lake Lady Erie had us in her and she was excellent in every way!
Where else can one enjoy cold and warm patches soothing your
skin with every step taken?
I love to get my gills wet in any water but I must say that it's more pleasurable
getting my mermaid on in a lake rather than a pool, hose or puddle.
Yes I have sat and splashed in puddles as an adult and I quite proudly
lay stake to that claim.
We spoke casually for most of the night but never one to leave anywhere
without showing my stupidity, I shook some of my old skeletons in her
face and then felt foolish for it afterwards.
I mentioned it the next morning and she was, as always, kind, considerate
and understanding.
There are many things I don't do well in life but I think I've done dandily in
picking friends.
I must find a way to do that in all areas. ;P

We are planning on another get together this Friday and I can't wait as I have
a surprise planned for her, her Husband, Son and his girlfriend.
Oh I do love getting excited to give others something of myself, come on Friday!
I would share in what the surprise is but that would spoil it for my friends if they
so choose to read here.
I'll let you know in a later blog though, it's not a big anything but I hope they
will enjoy it.
Well I should go and get to this day, it's a beauty.
I'll include a song made for today and a couple of pictures from the weekend.
Thanks for reading what's on my mind and may good things come your way today.