Ya gotta love Family!

Well the day has come and gone and I’m no worse for the wear. The chuckles, giggles and snorts of laughter added up to my family get-together being a huge success. My Aunt who just turned 78 even braved the heat and came adding to the happiness that filled me. She even remarked that “since I found my balls and left my job that I look so much better and younger.” Of course the “younger” part wasn’t really true, but it put a bigger smile on my face. As the food, drinks and laughter flowed the day just seemed to fly by. Of course there was the usual group of family that sat off to the side and mumbled and gossiped about other people, but this year I was ready for that. I was in my element when I filled up the small plastic pool. I knew Bentley (my dog) was anxiously awaiting a nice cool swim. The pool wasn’t to far from the picnic table, well ok it was almost right beside it, and as soon as the water started to flow from the hose Bentley bounded off the deck and began to frolic and paw at the flowing water sending spurts of wetness towards the picnic table. Of course I had to chastise him and “try” to keep him calm but in all fairness it was hot and well he wanted to cool off so being a responsible pet owner I stood in the pool with him while he rolled around in the water having fun. Well…………….we all know what dogs do when they have wet fur and Bentley is no different. He happily exited the pool when he was cooled off to his liking he promptly shook his body starting from his head to his tail. He’s a golden retriever and definitely has a lot of fur. I’m not sure why, but the gossiping group had a few choice words for Bentley AND me which I in turn I just smiled and exclaimed “damn dog!” The small group was forced to move closer to the others making Bentley’s escapade worth while. All in all the day went really well and after the last guest left I was ready for bed!

It seems that lately I have been running into people from my old job. I ran into someone at the mall and we stopped and chatted for a bit. It seems that one of the Supervisors was fired. It really wasn’t a shock since once you are on someone’s s**t list there, the only door that opens is the exit door. I know this person has her problems for sure and she wasn’t the most mentally put together woman I have worked with, but I do hope all goes well for her. I know this woman gave most people a really hard time and made it almost impossible to work, but no one really knows what goes on inside a person to cause such behaviour. There isn’t one person I worked with, including myself that didn’t carry something bitter and hurtful in their heart. We all have hurts and secrets that we keep deep inside and no one should judge another until they have walked in their shoes. I learned a hard lesson and one that I came to terms with. I just hope the ones that are left judging her will tread lightly least they eat their own words.

There are still a few things that I want to accomplish by the end of summer and I’m really working on them. I hope everyone is having fun, keeping themselves cool and enjoying the summer season.

Just checking in......

Boy did I have a huge laugh yesterday!

As you all know, instead of b****ing and complaining about my job any longer I threw in the towel and walked away. My previous job that is.  Well yesterday I was grocery shopping and ran into a couple who have bi-weekly meetings at the center. They also have a son who attends a sport rental there and well, let’s just say that I was enlightened as to the reasons I left my job. I really wasn’t surprised when they told me what the gossip was and that they never really believed what they had been told. After pulling our carts over to the side of the produce aisle I told them the “true” story of what happened. They just shook their heads in disbelieve and after adding their own thoughts of the staff that work there gave me a hug and told me that I have been missed (damn that certainly made my ego blossom!). Wait…..it gets even better!! Last night I was at my Bother-in-laws house and lo and behold, their Land Lord is also part of a sports group that uses the center on a weekly basis. He was there doing a few repairs and when he seen me he smiled and said hello. He took a coffee break and asked why I was no longer there. I told him exactly what had transpired and needless to say he was rather shocked. He also said that he would enlighten others about this to make sure everyone knew so they could put the nasty gossip to bed once and for all. He said there are a few staff members there who are not well liked within the user groups. Gee, I wonder who they could be??? (lol) It certainly made my day knowing that I was able to let people know the “real” story behind the walls of that building.

Ok so enough of the past and onto the present. I was able to survive the insane heat wave we had..lord help my hydro/electric bill! Now I know some people have very hot temps in the summer, but hells bells I’m from Canada, better known as the land of ice and snow. When the temperatures hit 109 with the heat index I was crying for snow (I’ll probably be reminded of that statement come the middle of winter.) Yes we have central air, but even then it was very uncomfortable. The green grass has turned to brown picky straw making it almost impossible to walk barefoot to the back of the yard. Watering it was just a waste of time since the ground sucked it up faster then the hose allowed the water to squirt out. The rain barrel has almost depleted its stock of water and if we don’t get rain soon the last remaining trickles will dry up like a desert water hole.

In a few weeks I’ll be hosting my annual summer family gathering. This should really make for a fun time (she says sarcastically). Most families talk about the time ole uncle so and so got so drunk or great aunt what’s-her-name complained about the taste of the potato salad. Well my family is a wee bit different. I’ll be dealing with the usual “my sickness is worse than yours, her kids need to really be disciplined or what does he/she see in him/her among a few other things. I swear that the Merriam-Webster Dictionary should apply my family photo along side the word dysfunctional. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family but in very small doses. Thank goodness summer only comes once a year! (and people wonder why I don’t have the traditional family Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners). Oh I’ll get through the day well enough, although I’ll have a secret stash of “calming potion” better known as chilled wine in a secluded area where I can sneak off for a bit. By the end of the day I’ll be smiling my wine induced smile and wishing everyone a safe journey home!

Well that’s it for now. I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying their hazy, lazy dog days of summer!

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.  ~James Dent

Happy Canada Day to all my Canadian Blogger Friends and Family