good things: March 2014

The biggest news for March was my MOM & DAD 60^th ANNIVERSARY.

A lot was wrapped up into one weekend so here it goes. Are you ready for a lot to read about my life and my family? If you make it to the end, there is some other news.

Friday the 14^th

Took the day off work and drove to Calgary. Up bright and early because somehow your internal alarm clock never fails but you know you have to set the alarm otherwise you’ll constantly wake up wondering if you’ve overslept. We couldn’t leave our dog, Meeka, at a kennel this time so we took him along for the trip. That always makes getting ready a lot of fun. He gets so excited when he knows something is happening that’s not a regular routine, like packing and suitcases. In the morning we had his bed ready to take sitting by the front door and he just sat in it as if to say “I’m going along guys”. I feel sorry for him when we take him and then leave him in a semi-strange house to go do our stuff when we get there. He really needs a lot of activity to burn off his energy.

We are so glad to stay at Crystal & Mick’s home when we’re in Calgary and it sure has been cheaper on the pocket book. They have a dog too, ‘Harley Winston III’, which is company for our dog when we’re out. We have our own room there and it’s just so comfy and cozy. I’m sure we may owe them a nice house gift eventually. Anyways, it’s always great to arrive there. We always have so much fun! We ordered pizza for dinner after Luke & Craig came over as well. It’s just a mini family reunion. It’s just so good to catch up in person.

Saturday the 15^th

Mick cooked a great breakfast, that’s definitely his thing. We so love his breakfasts! The boys came back for breakfast and we had more visiting and laughs while we ate. We left for my parents Anniversary at noon and all drove out together to Linden. My family moved to Linden when I entered grade 8 and I met Greg in grade 9. Our kids went to school in the area from K-12. Everytime we drive out, well mostly everytime, we take a tour of the town and reminisce about the old days. I believe we moved, well let’s count –

1.     Apartments in town where Craig was born
2.    Mobile Home on Greg’s parents Poultry Farm – Crystal was born here.
3.    Duplex back in town.
4.    Purchased new bungalow in town and Craig started Kindergarten.
5.    Mobile Home (newer) on Greg’s parents Poultry Farm – bus rides to school began. I think they were in grade 2 & 3.
6.    The Big Farm House – as Greg’s folks were travelling with the African Children’s Choir (the original choir) and we were preparing to purchase the farm.
7.    Mobile Home again as Greg’s folks missed the big farm house when they returned from the choir.
8.     New house in town that we built, actually Greg’s Uncle Evan built.
9.     To Calgary
a.     Bungalow close to Confederation Park.
b.     Duplex on Center Street
c.      Townhouse in Ranchlands
d.     Purchased home in Sandstone
10.To Morden, Manitoba – and we’ve been here 5 years. Time for a change J

So you see why there’s a lot of history in Linden and Calgary for me.

Now back to the weekend events.

The big festivities began when mom & dad arrived at my sister’s home. I couldn’t believe how great my mom looked! She gets her hair done at the Lodge now and I don’t think it’s ever looked better! She was dressed in a blue dress, which I hadn’t seen in a while, with pearls and high heels. Dad looked good too of course, but he just never changes really.

We had cake and took lots of pictures. Speaking of pictures, we gave mom & dad a digital frame so they could keep the photos running all day of the family. Then my dad talked about when he met mom because some of the new family members had never heard these stories.

After a fantastic meal, things started to wind down but the wee kids seemed to have a burst of energy. After hugs and sad good-byes to my parents and family, we drove back to Calgary. After we arrived back at Crystal & Mick’s, we had a night cap and re-capped on the day’s memories. These are the moments I cherish a lot.

Me and my hubby, Greg with Mom & Dad

Dad must be looking at the deer on the front lawn.

Hey, that’s my family!

Crystal & Mick

Luke & Craig

Me and my lovely daughter.

Don’t know what happened to me though.

Me & Greg with my sister Brenda and husband Larry

All the grandchildren and spouses with Grandpa & Grandma

Sunday the 16^th

Breakfast at Cora’s has become a regular for us on Saturday or Sunday mornings. Its menu is full of a healthy dose of fruit along side your regular breakfast menu. Because Craig owns Calgary Hot Yoga, he had to teach a noon class so we wandered to a few stores before dropping him off at work. The weather was pretty nice so we decided to take the dogs for a walk at an ‘off-leash’ park. I’m not a city folk right now so I’m always a little nervous letting our dog just run, mainly because he’s such high energy. Crystal & Mick’s dog, which is a miniature pincher of some kind and I know I’m getting that wrong right now, walks nicely down the path. But he does have small feet so even walking in mud is no big deal. Our dog on the other hand is sniffing everything, walking thru everything from mud to water. He is a mess and his belly is soaked. Did I mention he’s a cocker spaniel. That should explain it all. Sorry Crystal & Mick for the mess in the back of your car.

Back at their place we wait for Craig and then head out for dinner. I really miss these times with our kids. We watch a movie back at Crystal & Mick’s and just enjoy relaxing for our last evening with them. I don’t think we finished the marshmallow peeps.

Monday the 17^th

It’s back on the road again for 13 hours. The trip is uneventful, which I suppose is good. I feel like I’ve been on another planet. It’s a very strange feeling to leave family, almost like you’re abandoning them because you know you can’t ‘be there’ in a minute should something happen. I leave a lot also to my sister to care for our mom & dad. Is it fair? No, but that’s the cards life has dealt and we’re hoping time will be on our side to change this.

I’m very thankful for all the ways we can keep in touch today. The ways are endless so I’m not even going to begin naming the ways. When we moved to Morden I was without internet for 3 weeks. It was horrible! Now I can Facebook, email, text, twitter or Instagram any news and know I’ve connected with someone and it feels good. There’s nothing however like an old-fashioned phone call to hear a real voice and laugh and chat about life to make me feel like I’m close again to my loved ones.

So if you’ve read this and been totally bored, take one thing from it and that is to cherish the closeness of family and friends. Love everyone.

ON OTHER NEWS

I’m quite excited about selling my re-painted goods at a consignment store in a neighbouring town. I’ve just made a portfolio and the store owners were vey excited to see some of the things I’ve done. I’ll be bringing her some product next weekend. We also chatted about some new things she’d like to see in her store and she asked if I would consider doing or making these for her. So the challenge is on and Greg & I will be pursuing these ideas immediately. So I’m excited!

GETTING ORGANIZED

It’s not news to myself that I need to have lists and be very organized to feel productive. Otherwise the world just spins and I accomplish very little. March has been a practice month so see if I could stick to a schedule for the week and so far it’s actually been great. Because my interests are in re-painting furniture, home décor and staging, sewing and blogging, I NEED to have a clear mind at all times.

Now I can go to my 9-5 job and when I come home I feel like my real passion begins and I see what’s on the schedule for that night! May sound crazy, but life is crazy and if we don’t take control and do what we can, we’ll be bumbling around and accomplish very little.

I’m hoping you enjoyed a peek into my life for March. The month has gone very fast and I’m hoping April will see green grass and warmer temperatures for walking the dog. New Spring pictures soon of my house décor too as I’m still buying and making my home warm and cozy for the warm season ahead.

Hopefully no April Fool’s jokes on you tomorrow.

Happy 60^th Anniversary to my Mom & Dad!

MARCH, 60 years earlier and I wonder if my mom ever thought about décor when she was setting up her house when she was newly married. I’ve never asked her what the style was in March of 1954. I don’t ever remember her spending a lot of time changing curtains with the seasons, buying pillows or arranging flowers in a vase. I do know she spent a lot of time sewing so I believe this was her passion. I know she kept us girls clothed in dresses and she made blankets and aprons and I don’t remember all the things, but I remember the sewing machine was always open and there was material around it.

Technology today sure plays a big role in showing and recording our passions. If I could take a peek at a color photo of my mom & dad’s first home in 1954 or see a photo of mom holding a quilt she had sewn or sitting at the sewing machine, THAT would be awesome! Then I wonder, are we way off course today spending too much time DIYing. There seems to be so MUCH stuff and ideas that we could get a little off course. When I look at old family albums, I see photos of reunions and holidays all containing people. People are what’s important and we need to remember them. Maybe I should take more photos of my passion in décor with a live person in the shot so that it would make a better keepsake. Can you image how much more meaningful our photos of DIY projects would be if we made sure there was a loved one captured sitting at the table we just re-finished. I think I may concentrate on making this a goal for 2014.

Now for a few pictures of my living room and the new colors for spring.

Thank You IKEA for a good start!