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

My New Ride!

An electric bicycle, also known as an e-bike, is a bicycle with an electric motor used to power the vehicle. Electric bicycles use rechargeable batteries and can travel up to 15 to 20 mph (24 to 32 km/h), depending on the laws of the country in which they are sold. In some markets they are rapidly replacing traditional bikes and motorcycles.
In many parts of the world, electric bicycles are classified as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, so they are not subject to the more stringent laws regarding certification and operation of motor vehicles. Electric bicycles are one type of motorized bicycle. However, electric bicycles are defined separately and treated as a specific vehicle type in many areas of legal jurisdiction.
Electric bicycle usage worldwide has experienced rapid growth since 1998. It is estimated that there were roughly 120 million e-bikes in China as of early 2010, and sales are expanding rapidly in India, the United States of America, the Netherlands and Switzerland.
Eight provinces of Canada allow electric power assisted bicycles. A three-year trial in Ontario ended October 2009. In seven of the eight provinces, e-bikes are limited to 500 W output, and cannot travel faster than 32 km/h (20 mph) on motor power alone on level ground. In Alberta the limits are 750 W and 35 km/h (22 mph) Age restrictions vary in Canada. All require an approved helmet. Regulations may or may not require an interlock to prevent use of power when the rider is not pedaling. Some versions (e.g., if capable of operating without pedaling) of e-bikes require drivers' licenses in some provinces and have age restrictions. Vehicle licenses and liability insurance are not required. Generally they are considered vehicles (like motorcycles and pedal cycles), so are subject to the same rules of the road as regular bicycles. In some cases regulatory requirements have been complicated by lobbying in respect of the Segway HT.
Bicycles assisted by a gasoline motor or other fuel are regulated differently than e-bikes. These are classified as motor cycles regardless of the power output of the motor and maximum attainable speed.
I have now joined the ranks of the e-bike riders. J

A little of this and a bit of that....

I know it’s been a bit since I wrote anything but the weather has been so damn hot that even the heat radiating from the laptop seemed to make me break out in a sweat. Anyway, not too much has really happened in my little corner of the world. I did go for my first ever pedicure and what a wonderful relaxing morning that was. I went to this wonderful Spa to have my feet and toes pampered and holy bejesus I almost fell asleep in the suede lounge chair as the young girl massaged not only my toes and feet but my calves as well, and that was all before the pedicure started! Now I am one that has very ticklish feet and I was a bit apprehensive about going, but now I’m hooked. Upon entering the Spa (and yes it was a Spa) I was given a wine glass filled with chilled water and a slice of lime and led back to the Spa room. I was offered a warm neck wrap (I have no idea why, but it felt so good lying around my neck and front part of my shoulders) and was offered a seat on the lounge chair…..then the magic began. Now remember, I have never in my young years had a pedicure and as my feet soaked in a warm bath of fragrant oiled water I began to really like this place. Soft piano music filled the room and the incense and candle light made it extra special. After a 20 minute soak my feet were dried off with a soft towel and the massage began. After that she began the pedicure making my feet nice and pretty for sandal season. After the pedicure she went to the counter and brought back some warm scented liquid paraffin wax. The liquid wax was placed in large baggies and then each foot was placed inside the baggies, wrapped securely and then soft booties were placed on my feet. I lay there for 20 minutes while my feet tingled pleasantly as the warm wax did its job of making my feet nice and soft. The last step was to colour my toenails, apply a shiny coating to the colour and then buff each foot with a fluffy cloth. All I can say is, wow, it was amazing!

Saturday was spent out at Lakeside on Lake Sunova where my oldest daughter lives. It was a wonderful day even though the sun tried to lick its way through the SPF 85 sunblocker. My shoulders, arms and legs were spared but I forgot to apply some to my face and feet. Well, the tops of my feet are red and I do resemble Rudolph a bit, but it was worth it. I did go swimming and my daughter taught me how to water bob. I guess one is never too old to learn the funnier things in life when it comes to new things young people think up. I had no idea what water bobbing was and I looked on in shock as I was shown how to prepare for this fun sport. Now, you have to picture this, a boat anchored in the middle of the lake a group of females ranging in ages from 15 to …well, my age and life jackets. Now to water bob, one must put on their life jackets like a diaper, yes you read that right and clip up BOTH straps on the jacket to secure your arse inside the upside down lifejacket. Then you jump from the boat into the water. At first you do go under but thanks to the floating device it lifts you up above the surface of the water so that you are actually sitting IN the life jacket and bobbing around as the waves gently make you move. There is nothing you have to do. No kicking your feet back and forth or swaying your arms in the water to try and keep yourself buoyant. Its like sitting in a chair, the life jacket does all the work. That is unless you forget to do up BOTH straps to secure yourself into the diaper/life jacket (like I did). Well imagine my shock as I put on the life jacket diaper, clipped the strap closed and said “here goes!” I jumped off the boat and went under for a brief second and was prepared to spend some time water bobbing. Except when I resurfaced I was arse up and my face stayed under water. I fought hard to get my head above water but ended up arse up each time. I flailed helplessly trying to get this old arse to sit IN the lifejacket but to no avail. A few people had to keep me buoyant in an upright position as my fingers worked open the snap that held the jacket closed. Let me tell you, it’s not easy trying to shed a life jacket diaper while you are IN the water. Well I was finally able to free myself, climbed back up into the boat and tried again, this time making sure BOTH clips were securely fastened before jumping back into the water. This time it worked …so we all spent a good while bobbing around in the water just laughing and having a good time. I’m sure the C.A.S of Boating Safety would not approve of this sport but we had fun!

Mother's Warnings!!!!!

The other day I was at the Garden Centre having a wonderful time picking and choosing different flowers for the back yard. I was rather surprised that it wasn’t that crowed but then again it was a wet cool weekend. I had a shopping cart full of flowers when this high pitched cry filled the area. There was a young child of about 5 screaming her head off in the next aisle. I looked around thinking that O.M.G. this child was hurt, but it turned out that her mother wasn’t going to buy her something she wanted, hence the shrill screams of a temper tantrum. I went about my business and then had to stifle a laugh when I heard the mother say as calm as can be that if the child did not stop her crying she would place a For Sale sticker on her forehead and let someone buy her. It seemed to have worked since she stopped the crying. Later that night I began to recall all the warnings my mother said to us kids as we were growing up.

                                                                

If you don't stop crossing your eyes they will stay that way.

Stop picking your nose, your finger will get stuck and when the Doctors pull it out your brains will fall out.

If you fall out of that tree and break your neck, don't come crying to me.

If you want to run away, ill help you pack.

If you keep making that face, it'll freeze that way, and you'll never have any friends.

If you swallow that gum, it'll take at least 7 years to digest, and then it still may gum up your insides.

Always make sure you wear clean underwear, you never know when you’ll be in an accident.

It’s always funny until someone loses an eye.

Once you go all the way, you can’t go back to holding hands.

Clean your plate, think of all the starving people in the world that would love to eat what you do.

Stop that crying or I'll give you something to cry about.

I hope you have a kid just like you.

Don't go swimming for 30 minutes after eating or you’ll drown.

A Thank you to JoJo

Wow, I’m honoured that JoJo from http://tahomabeadworks.blogspot.ca/ has nominated and given me one of the 15 “The Versatile Blogger Awards”. Thank you JoJo  it was very appreciated. J.

                                                           

It’s really not that easy to come up with a few facts about yourself that not to many people know about but I’ll do my best.

1. When I was about 10 years old I was at a Military Museum where I found a hat and proudly put it on to show my dad. I walked around this Museum with this hat on my head; little did I know it was part of the Army under clothes. I was wearing a Jock Strap on my head!

2. I really dislike when people are late and have no real excuse for it.

      3.  Sometimes my mouth speaks even before my brain has a chance to actually sort out what

           I’m really meaning to say.

4. I love to debate religion with my Mother-in-Law since we are on different sides of the fence with this subject. I find it um rather amazing when her eyes seem to turn red and she is at a loss for words for a change.

5. I’m a very emotional person. Sometimes that’s not so good and being Irish Canadian doesn’t help (I do tend to have a potty mouth)

6. When I grow up I want to be a writer and maybe just maybe have something published or I might want to become a Private Investigator. I love to solve crimes!

7. And finally I am me, I will always be me. I will not pretend to be something I’m not so others will like me.

So there you have it. Just a few facts about me. Have a wonderful great week ahead everyone and always remember………

If you obey all the rules, you miss all the fun.

Now here are my Nominees for this award.

http://muskokariver.blogspot.ca

http://alpenwasser.blogspot.ca

http://myworldaccordingtomeii.blogspot.ca

http://nellievaughn.blogspot.ca

http://www.janesinfinitewisdom.com

http://reasonable-thought.blogspot.ca

http://crackyouwhip.blogspot.ca