Thursday 25 April 2013

Time Flies......

One of my favorite expressions is "Time Flies And Gains Speed With Each Passing Year". That sentence screams sincerity today. Before I explain why that is I'd like to share the story that started all this speediness. Back in 1985 I was babysitting next door, it was a hot, humid yet bright and beautiful July day. The two girls I was watching were a big part of my life and I'm happy to say they are still in it. I sat on the front windowed in porch reading while the oldest girl played in the room behind me and the little one was nestled in for a nap. The neighbourhood I grew up in was a small one, I've mentioned this before but the repeated reminiscing is brought up now because I was distracted from the book I was reading when I saw a handsome man walk by. You see, in my neck of the woods everyone knew each person that lived on our streets, personally and yes, we were even familiar with any visitors that came by ole Stop 26. The superb sight of this certain Senor, was one I had never seen before. As he casually walked past, my blood pumper pounded. His hair was spiked on top and long on the sides and back, his eyes I could see before he was even in ear shot range; not like I had nerve enough to say anything. To this day, I don't recall seeing peepers that seem so speckled with sparkle from the blue sky above. The only thing more noticeable to me than his sight see'rs , was his sniffer. I've always taken a liking to Fellas with a long snout and this marvelous looking man  had the nicest nose. How could this stranger be walking around my street unknown?,  he must be a thief. Indeed he was because he stole my heart that day. Everything in me wanted to drop my book, run and introduce myself but at the tender age of fourteen, I was to intimidated by his good looks and chickened out. He sure did sink in the think tank though and later that day I would discover who this young man was.

As I mentioned, we lived right next door to where I was employed, in a duplex. My Father, Sister and I lived in the upper half while a couple (friends of my Father's) with their two Daughters occupied the lower portion. I was friends with both the girls and the oldest came over to visit me while I babysat that day. Upon her arrival I asked if she had seen the gorgeous guy that was walking our street a couple hours earlier?, I described in detail the vision of him that had yet to leave my head. She laughed and said "I think you're talking about my Cousin, I can introduce you, if you like". Her Cousin?, if  I like?, well strike me smiley, schweet!, I was going to meet him. My heart raced in anticipation of this event. Yes, I said event, I was fourteen, everything was an event back then.(hehe) She explained how her Aunt and Uncle came down with some of their kids. Hours away they lived, near Ottawa and returned home for their family reunion. As she told me how they were related it dawned on me that I was living upstairs from "The Awesome Eyed Stranger's" Aunt and Uncle and that my Father had known his Mother and Father since childhood, wow!, what good fortune for me. I'm getting ahead of myself here, sorry. It's those speeding years to blame, kinda makes it all buzz by, when looking back.

True to her word, my friend went across the street to fetch her family. I waited on the front porch of her unit, trying to tame my excitement as sweat surfaced instead of seeping into my skin. As she and her two Cousins walked towards me I could feel the birds in my belly, yes, birds, butterflies are to small to describe what whipped inside me and it's love birds I believed them to be. Good glory he was gorgeous! and though I did notice his sweet smiling, Sister next to him, it's his attention alone that I was after. She introduced us and as I beamed, he batted his eyes towards the driveway below us. Shy doesn't do justice in describing his reaction to our introduction and I hardly heard him say hello, I'll let you all know that he still mumbles.(hehe) I tried to come up with good conversation but his tongue tripped over that task. Silence sliced through the awkward moment we were in and ended when one of us; I don't recall if it was his Sister, Cousin or I but the suggestion was made to go "hang out" at the old St Therese school. Oh the memories I have of that space!. It had long been closed when I came of age to attend but boy did we play on that abandoned acre or so. Did I mention it was down only a few doors from where I lived and right next to "The Stranger's" Grandfather's house?. After that day, I wouldn't see "Sir Stole My Heart"  until the following year. The next 365 days would find me making several bad choices but that's another blog entry entirely.

When he did return the next year, I was able to spend time alone with him and we even went to the show. There's a lot to be said about time apart and the guts it can give you. He didn't ask me out to the movies, I asked him and from that moment on, my nerve never gave me another problem when it came to men. We both recall what we went to see even though our eyes weren't on the screen so much. About Last Night was the name of it and I think I've mentioned it in a prior entry. Sorry folks, I'm aging and repeating oneself is part of the process. Distance and being young in years stopped us from the relationship becoming more than friends, but we would again hook up for good, five years later. Anyway, back to the title of today's blog. Time has flown and continues to gain speed. On this day, twenty-one years ago, I married that man that strummed my heart strings and still does. Today I will celebrate my Husband and all he has given me over the years. I'm also crossing my everything in hopes that The Big Guy gifts us many more years together.
Blessed I've been and on bended knee, pray to boast as such in the future.

Well this looks wordy enough and I'm in an excited way to get into this day so I'll say "see ya soonly" and hope that well health and happiness are yours. I will include two pictures, the first is of the church I proudly called my parish and it sat right across from the school I spoke of above. Nowhere online was there a picture of St Therese and only one of the church. Unfortunately, Hubby and I weren't married there but it also holds happy memories for me so I'll add it here. The second shot is of my Husband and I back in 1990 when he moved here from his families house near Ottawa. It's slightly shocking seeing us so young and unwed. Yes indeed everyone, time does fly and gain speed. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise!
(I edited this to add a pic from our Annivesary evening out)









Monday 15 April 2013

Two Sisters: Sunshine & Moon Beam......

Well I'm sure you know which one I am.
Though I mention my sunny Sister often, I felt the need to type about her today. You may be wondering why that is. If you care to read on, I'll try to put into words why she is so much on my mind grounds this morning. Lately I've been going through changes, along the way I've been encouraged by my younger and much wiser sibling. It never seems to matter how stubborn or sour I can be, she is always there to offer her support, even though I'm well aware she secretly longs to slug me. Sometimes I think she should, maybe it would stir up some sense in me on those days that I struggle. Over the past couple weeks we've had a few phone conversations that have had me thinking down right deeply about who I am and how I can serve the people I care for in a more positive way. She has a way of getting under my skin and swimming in the think tank, more than most. I honestly couldn't stand her as we were growing up and I often asked "The Big Guy" to remove her from my life, I'm very shamed to state this but it is the truth. I definitely don't ask him for that now. Not only do I adore her but she constantly inspires me to give more of myself when I feel like laying down the life in me. What changed my feelings from sour to sweet?. I really don't know when it happened, it's not like a light went on or anything but through the years, I've seen why it is so many folks flock to her. She is by far the sunniest soul I have ever encountered. Often do I wish she could be cloned and spread throughout the world. She has the whole package people!, charming, dedicated, funny, witty, wise and ever so beautiful, inside and out!. I hope you can feel the pride I have for her in these lines I've laid because it is my inclusive intention. Unlike her stubborn Sister, she avoids confrontation at all costs and constantly compromises to make others comfortable. I often mention how blessed and lucky I feel to have so many kind, considerate people in my life but few do justice to those two words like Julie does. I'll give you an example of her efforts.

We allowed our youngest Son to have a friend sleep over on Saturday night and decided to take the kids to a life long, loved location. Colasanti's is where we ended up on Sunday, you local readers know where the  spot I speak of is. I spoke with my Sis yesterday to tell her about the great day we had and how our Mother and Step Father joined us in it. She was happy to hear of it and told me of a conversation she had with our Mother recently. I knew instantly that Julie's dedication and determination had something to do with our Mother's marvelous mood yesterday. Yes folks, I can tell right away when someone has had "a talk" with Juw. The woman just has a wonderful way about her and I'm beaming now just because she's my lil Sis. (I was not paid for this praise) Though there were rain clouds and cold all around, sunshine and serenity sliced through our weather woes. Mom and I had pleasant conversations about many things and I was so happy that she accepted the invitation to join us. We shared, good food, laughter, smiles, some exercise and most of all, marvelous memories. I also purchased our Mother's gift for our big day in May. Yup, I'm pretty pleased and can't wait to see her face when she opens her present. Returning home last night and talking to my Sister was the perfect ending to a dandy day. Monday's aren't always great for me but I'm feeling pretty good in this one. Also, I received words of hope from a friend that I've been filled with worry over so my day really did end on a good note all around. There are two things I'd like to quickly mention before leaving these lines. Our oldest Son continues to make excellent efforts at school and yes, my Sister also had a hand in lighting that spark. Our youngest Son was awarded the most improved player medal on his hockey team last week and I couldn't be more pleased with his puck progress.

Well I see the sun is out and it's not something we've eyed in awhile so I'll bid you all a mayhem free Monday and hope that you'll be happy and well in it. I'll leave a few pictures since my last entry, along with two favorites of my Sis. Thanks for reading what's in the mind grounds!










Friday 5 April 2013

Different Day, Same Duties......

Well it's the truth, I'm knee deep in dough once again. Don't read me wrongly, I'm not woeful about it. Actually I'm quite well and wonderful at the moment. I wasn't so, a couple of hours ago. Nothing that a good talking to and reading of others struggles, couldn't take care of though. The sun is shining and I still have all my loved ones with me in this world, what's not winning with that?
This blog my take awhile in getting posted for you, I'm making perogies and can only type in between boiling batches. It's also helpful that I'm busy because if I wasn't, it would be sucking on the sourness of myself for the remainder of this day. I woke filled with woe and worry, on a Friday, who dos that?. Anyway, I've been meaning to add another entry here. I wanted to type about the excellent Easter we had.

Though I wasn't able to make it to Good Friday's mass, I did partake in Passover and though it was nearly three hours long, I enjoyed every spiritual second. As you may remember me mentioning in my last blog, my Godchild's confirmation was at this mass and I was honored to be asked as her sponsor. Never would I have thought twenty years ago that I would be participating in any mass, never mind being a Godparent. It does my blood pumper proudly that she will attend our oldest Son's Catholic high school, next year. Her Mother was also Confirmed and I was glad that they did it together, it was sweet to celebrate their new sacrament with them. On Sunday my Hubby Bub had to work and the boys and I didn't do much with the day until he returned home. Dinner was had at my Uncle's house where we joined many members of my family for the fabulous feast. There was turkey, mashed potatoes, roasted lamb, baked beans, shrimp, perogies, veggies, gravy, dinner rolls, meatballs and much more that I'm not recalling at the moment. We all widened our waistlines and wonderful just doesn't do justice to the efforts everyone made.I was so proud that my Uncle asked everyone over, the older we all become the more frantic I feel from time trickling by.

Like my last lines laid here, I'll keep these short because a beautiful day is upon us and I want to entertain myself elsewhere. I managed to snap a few shots from the Conformation and Easter so I'll post them here. Thanks for reading what's in the think tank and for the love of Friday, I hope you're happy and in well health!