It's Been Awhile

since Bad Betty and I went to Hawaii so we're looking forward to going in May. It'll be Mother's Day and my birthday all rolled up into one nice weekend celebration. We are such creatures of habit. We like to stay at the same place - done. Contact the same people - done. Plan the same menus - done. same activities - done. Why? Because it's what we love. It's what we enjoy. We are people who enjoy doing things over and over again, making wonderful memories and enjoying the time we have together.

This May marks what would've been my parents 60th Wedding Anniversary. So that means it's 20 years since my dad went to be with the Lord. We like to remember those times and as my mom ages I feel it's important to spend that time with her, remembering.

To All My Fans

If I haven't been around much it could be because there's been lots of cleaning and sorting and painting and trimming going on around here. We're putting our townhouse on the market and not sure what we're doing after that. We are looking for something that will meet our need for space while living closer to town making Chris's commute easier.


Oh, and in the meantime we've decided to sell the cottage so we're putting that up for sale as well. We just have to get ourselves up there to get things ready to do that.

Then, there's the cat who needs to have his stitches out today because of the biopsy they took 2 weeks ago to see what's wrong with his sweet little self.

The only one ho hum around here is sweet little Benson. He just runs into the nearest closet and hides. Maybe he's onto something.

look what I found

My mom and I are going to get together on Saturday to have a picture day. She has lots of family pics and I am trying to put together a heritage album for our family. We have very few family photos as there were a lot of years members of my family didn't speak to each other for whatever reason.

This is Summer 1977 after my nephew Derek was dedicated. I was home from Hawaii and John and Lynne had bought their first home. I can't remember if Ralph and Lani were together or not or had just come for the dedication. There are a few years that are rather hazy on their relationship. John and Lynne separated many years later.

It's not hard to see why Chris is my mom's favorite daughter-in-law.

Maggie

"When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us."

Helen Keller




Today Maggie went to live in happier hunting grounds. I hope she's chasing lots of balls and eating lots of snausages and sleeping by lots of fireplaces. Those are the things that made her happy. Her health concerns just became too great for her and for us and after talking to our Vet we all came to the decision that it was Maggie's time to go.



We had Maggie for 4 years and she brought a lot of love into our home with her gentle quiet nature.
We'll miss you Maggs.

Friends

Last night we went out to our local community theatre and saw a delightful play called "Marion Bridge". The story of 3 sisters who return home to see their mother before she passes away. It was interesting on many levels to see the different roles the sisters took in their family and how we relate to those roles.

The oldest daughter was very artsy, lived in the 'big city' but was very lonely and drank to escape loneliness and lack of success. The story unfolded of how she'd had gotten pregnant as a teenager and was forced to give the baby up for adoption. She reconnects with the daughter and although you don't see a visible reconnection the emotions are there in the dialogue.

The middle daughter is the 'good one' who grows up to be a nun because she wants to serve God with her whole self but in the meantime loses sight of God and wonders just to whom she is loyal when she tries so hard to be so very good.

The youngest daughter is the 'funny one' and yet gets overlooked and dismissed because she's crazy. On a memorable trip to Marion Bridge as children the 2 older sisters have vivid memories of the day yet don't remember that the youngest had to stay home because she had chicken pox.

It was a good story and well done. There was quite a crowd of us that went from church and afterwards we enjoyed meeting at a friend's house for dessert. Good times.

It's great to have friends in the midst of all of life's changes. As I get older I find myself appreciating my friends more. Maybe because neither Chris nor I have a sister we find ourselves connecting with other women around us and enlarging our group of friends.

We All Need a Laugh So Here's Yours

What Religion is Your Bra?



A man walked into the ladies department of a Macy 's and shyly walked up to the woman behind the counter and said, "I'd like to buy a bra for my wife."

"What type of bra?" asked the clerk.

"Type?" inquires the man. "There's more than one type?"

"Look around," said the saleslady as she showed a sea of bras in every shape, size, color and material imaginable. "Actually, even with all of this variety, there are really only four types of bras to choose from."

Relieved, the man asked about the types.

The saleslady replied: "There are the Catholic, the Salvation Army, the Presbyterian, and the Baptist types. Which one would you prefer?"

Now totally befuddled, the man asked about the differences between them.

The Saleslady responded, "It is all really quite simple ... the Catholic type supports the masses; the Salvation Army type lifts the fallen; the Presbyterian type keeps them staunch and upright; and the Baptist type makes mountains out of mole hills."

Have you ever wondered why A, B, C, D, DD, E, F, G, and H are the letters used to define bra sizes? If you have wondered why, but couldn't figure out what the letters stood for, it is about time you became informed!

{A} Almost Boobs...

{B} Barely there...
{C} Can't Complain!...

{D} Dang!...
{DD} Double dang!...

{E} Enormous!...
{F} Fake...

{G} Get a Reduction...
{H} Help me, I've fallen And I can't get up!...

They forgot the German bra. Holtzemfromfloppen

Random Act of Kindness

Last winter when I was working nights all the time I told our night dispatch N. (who's a sweetheart) that while she was away in Mexico suntanning a memo had come out saying that from now on during the cold weather drivers would leave their car keys on her desk and when they called in at the end of the shift to say they were clear and coming in, she could then pick up their keys, go out to the bus yard, scrape the ice off and warm up their car for them. I thought it was a wonderful suggestion. Don't you think? She just laughed and told me how funny I was. After she told me she hadn't gotten the memo of course. I told her to keep looking.

Last week it was really really cold and I was working a night shift. After driving through a blizzard and hazardous road conditions I was more than ready to come in after clearing my last client. I called in and said I was on my way in. A few minutes later N. called and said it sounded like we were all heading in and she was just going to go outside and warm up her car. Niiiiiiice. So I reminded her of the memo. After a big guffaw she asked me where I had parked my car. I told her. "Out in the bus yard beside a big yellow bus." Another guffaw and then a hearty 'seeya when you get here'. Big laughs.

I pulled into the yard and waved at N. as she was scraping the ice off her car and warming it up, kept going to the far end of the lot where I had left my car, jumped into my car and started warming it up. Lots of snow, lots of ice, very cold car. About 10 minutes later after I had parked the bus and my car was all warm and toasty I drove up to the office to drop off my keys. N. was standing there in amazement. She asked me where I had parked my car and I told her, 'at the end of the lot'.

"OH NO" she said, I've cleaned the wrong car! What she didn't realize that one of the other night drivers has EXACTLY the same car as me and so sweet N. being kind went and scraped off his car for him! I bet he was surprised.

Moral of the story, when you're being kind to someone, make sure you've got the right person. You'd hate to be kind to the wrong person. LOL.

I Been Churchified

Yesterday was the day for all things churchy. In the morning we went to witness my friend Christine get baptized in the Baptist church, the full dunk kind. Christine and I have been friends for many years and this was a big step for her. She's more like how I used to be. I'm not sure if that's bad or good but going back to the Baptist church made me so much more aware of how my view of God has changed over the years. I'd forgotten just how much guilt gets heaped in an everyday sermon. Whew! I was glad that was over, especially when the Pastor started talking about the church finances being $14,000 in the hole and they were going to be looking for where the 'sin was in the church'. Oh my.

I guess it's been awhile since I've been in a guilt-ridden church, you know, attending the one we do now is really low on guilt so I'd forgotten just how much of a worm I am.

Then, last night we went to church AGAIN but this time back to the church where it all began for Chris and I as a couple. It was nice to see our old buds again and enjoy worshipping with them. The Pastor and I go back many many years to a ministry team in a Pentecostal church. He lost his credentials with the denomination when they found out his roommate meant more to him than just someone who helped pay the rent. After reconciling his faith with his sexuality and more years of ministry at other GLBT churches he began this one. I reconnected with him there and met Chris.

It's all been such a journey for all of us. From the guilt ridden conservative church to the liberal "anything goes" church. In between a healing balm for restoration of soul and spirit. It's all part of the journey.

Won't it be great when we get to heaven and we're accepted into His Kingdom just as we are? There sure will be some surprises. For everyone.

9 years smoke free

Today marks 9 years since my last cigarette. Oh the poundage! But the poundage is still better than the bondage. The best thing I ever did. Well, one of the best things anyways.

Speaking of the Good Ole Days

I think I'm about 3 here...........aren't I cute?

The Good Ole Days

Today I picked up a young guy from his place of employment. His client info reads that he is 'mentally challenged' so that's how I'd describe him. He was friendly and started a conversation with me. He asked me my name and how long I'd been driving the DART and so on. I would've guessed him to be about 25 at the very most. But he looks more like 18.

We talked about his work and how the guys bug him and I gave him some advice as to how to handle them..............'shake it off'. I'm big on advice, ya that's me all right.

Just before I reach his house he leans forward, puts his head in his hands and says "J. I miss the good ole days". I wanted to chuckle.....can you imagine? So I asked him what he missed and he said. "oh you know, running and playing and riding my bike", stuff like that.

After I told him that I too miss the 'good ole days' sometimes as well I asked him how old he was. "23". So I said...'yeah, by 23 you really start missing the good ole days.'

It made me smile for the rest of the day.

Actually this should say "proud DRIVER of the short bus"

What a night! First one of my clients was (as they say in the group home) incontinent on his seat...........ya, translate that for yourself. The other word we used to have to write in our daily log was "void". To this day, whenever I write a "void" cheque for PAC I still think of that and shudder.

I asked all of my clients at my next stop "Please don't sit in this seat, it's wet". Of course somebody had to ask "How did the seat get so wet?" I replied.,"How does your seat get wet when you sit down"? Yup, she got it. Smarty pants.

THEN.....it started snowing. Big ole chunks of the white stuff coming down. Of course it was my night to drive the guy out to timbucktoo in the blizzard. Of course! Along the way, big chunks of ice were forming on my windshield and I could hardly see. But good ole R. He kept encouraging me.........'i'm goin' home, i'm goin' home,' Yup, you sure are R. just as soon as this freakin' blizzard lets up. BUT we got him home. Safety first. Always.

So.....................then it was time to head back to the Hospital for dialysis clients (essential services don'tcha know) and along the way..........well, apparently SOME people didn't notice it was just a wee bit slippery and they crashed into each other. Go figure. So there went my last break of the evening, but I got to the hospital and they all got on board and I'm here to tell you they all got home safe.

What is with this winter anyhow?

Can I go to Hawaii soon? Puhleeze??????????????

I'm So Dutch and I Have the Pictures to Prove It

I have been to the small town of Volendam (Netherlands) three times and every time I've had my picture taken in Dutch costume. It's a fun memory, dressing up in Dutch costumes and getting the pics done, usually in a hurry, and away we go. Years later it's fun to look back and remember the trips by the photos taken.

The first time I was there was 1974. I was 16 and my brother John was 21. We were trying to ditch our parents at the time and do a little travelling on our own, you know, because we were all grown up. We got our picture taken in Volendam for the first time. John's hair was longer than mine 'cause he was still in the hippie stage. He had the VW bus to go along with it, only thing was he never did the drugs that went along with the lifestyle. He just always had the look.

Then when I was in Bible College in Hawaii my friends Brian and Linda and I signed up to work in a church planting team in Belgium for the summer of 1981. Afterwards we went to Holland for a week, mooched off my relatives and did some travelling of our own and once again, landed in Volendam.


In 2004 my mom and John, Chris and I went to Holland for a cousin reunion and Chris and I did some travelling on our own and went to Volendam. Back to the same photo shop and here we are, huffing and puffing, squeezing ourselves into costumes. They didn't seem so tight before.

Celibacy

Celibacy can be a choice in life, or a condition imposed by circumstances.


While attending a Marriage Weekend, Walter and his wife Ann, listened to the instructor declare,

'It is essential that husbands and wives know the things that are important to each other.'

He addressed the men, 'Can you name and describe your wife's favorite flower?'

Walter leaned over, touched Ann's arm gently and whispered, 'Robin Hood-All-purpose, isn't it?'

And thus began Walter's life of celibacy

You Gotta Love It.............

The Medical Profession Speaks out on the Financial Bail-Out Package

The allergists voted to scratch it, and the dermatologists advised not to make any rash moves.

The gastroenterologists had sort of a gut feeling about it, but the neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and the obstetricians felt they were all laboring under a misconception.

The ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body!" while the pediatricians said, "Oh, Grow up!" The psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the radiologists could see right through it, and the surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing.

The internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow, and the plastic surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter."
The podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.
The anesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas; and the cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no.

In the end, the proctologists left the decision up to the assholes in Washington.

25 Random Things About Me

1. I get called by my first name in the USA and my second name in Canada. I blame this on my parents who couldn't decide what to call me.
2. My favorite colour is yellow.
3. I graduated from a Bible College in Hawaii. Aloha!
4. I drive a bus for people with disabilities as well as seniors. Sometimes seniors also have disabilities but they only pay once. they're seniors.
5. I treasure my friends and like to keep them around. It's hard for me to make new ones.
6. I love connecting with people with disabilities and have learned so much from them.
7. I love to travel.
8. I have to clean my ears every night at 7:00. It's like clockwork. I always have Q-tips with me. I know. It's weird but it's me.
9. I miss my dad and am sorry he didn't get to see me all grown up.
10. I miss my brother John. He died far too young.
11. I love the one I'm with.
12. I have 3 pets. 2 cats and 1 dog and that's more than enough!
13. I bought my first brand new car at age 50. It's less than a year old. It's also only the 5th car I've ever owned and I've been driving for 34 years!
14. I was really skinny as a kid. My, how the times have changed.
15. I alphabetize everything from groceries to CD's.
16. I have to have my shoes tied evenly or I can't wear them.
17. I love to sing. And I don't need an audience to do it.
18. I was once a champion high jumper.
19. I once went to Greenland.
20. I play guitar.
21. I play piano.
22. I love palm trees.
23. I've been to Israel.
24. I love to scrapbook and have completed several albums.
25. I love being by the ocean.

I Got Me Some New Boots!

Love those bargoons in the good ole' U.S. OF A!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Outlet Mall was jam packed with cars and about a cuzillion people.........but being the big girls that we are, determination is our name and shopping is our game. We did it!!!!!!!! And we got lots to show for it!!!!!!!

I got a pair of shoes for $50 US and a pair of boots for (wait for it) $22 US!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots of new under garments for both of us, new jeans, and Chris has a new EB vest, very West Coastish look - great look for her. I got a new leather jacket I love!!!!!!!!

We ate at a wonderful Mexican restaurantay that was recommended by a friend. Fabuloso. So much food. You can see I speak Spanish now.

The hotel we stayed at (very cheap, thanks Priceline!) had a free breaky in the morning. It came with its own Breakfast Nazi. Remember the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld? Of course you do. There was a Breakfast Nazi.

I lifted the lid to the hot breaky eggy thingies and there was only one old sitting there so I put the lid carefully down. She was standing behind me so I nicely asked if there would be more eggs coming. Not an unusual request I thought.

She yelled at me. "THERE ARE MORE COMING JUST BE PATIENT" OK lady, you don't have to yell. So I went and sat down with my empty plate waiting. She lifted the lid to the dish herself and turned around and yelled at me some more, "THERE'S STILL ONE LEFT, DON'T YOU WANT IT" um no, I dont, but thanks.

Then, when after she came and refilled the eggy thingings, she slammed the lid down and moved on to harassing the waffle making guy. Poor guy just wanted to make himself a waffle, didn't look like he was a serial killer or anything. Quite nice looking young guy. Poor guy, didn't know who he was up against. Well, she let him have it!

APPARENTLY you only have to scoop a little of the mix and pour it into the waffle maker. OR ELSE IT WILL SPILL EVERYWHERE AND THE BREAKFAST NAZI WILL HAVE TO CLEAN IT UP!!!!!!!!!!!

Whoo boy.................glad we got out of there when did. Who knows what was going to happen to the lady who had the nerve to ask for more juice. Yikes!

Anyways.................it was a fun weekend away and we got to do what we do best..........go shopping!

gone shopping............seeya next week! hi-ho-hi-ho-it's off to the states we go!!!! yippee skippee!!!!

Tales from the DART side

anyhoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I was picking up a lady from the mall this afternoon...............minding my own business, doing what I'm supposed to be doin' - as she was getting on my bus another lady (from who knows where) poked her head through my doors as they were closing and asked, "how do people get to use this service?" I opened my doors a little and said, "you need to call our office to book a ride". SHE said, "my husband has dementia, how can I book him on your bus" I SAID "call the office" and THEN she asked, "is that the number on the side of your bus?" Of course I said!

Ya, the number on the side of my bus is advertising for a law firm. It has nothing to do with booking a ride.

AND THEN (you thought that was all didn't you?) about 10 minutes later I had dropped off the lady I had picked up and on my way out of her complex I couldn't get past the gate. I waited and waited and waited while the gate went back and forth and back and forth........well you get the idea. While the gate was going back and forth a car was blocking the entrance with its door wide open and the engine running.

At first I thought the driver had gotten out and was trying to look up a number on the directory and waiting to get buzzed in. Wrong! It was a driver who for some reason had jumped out of her car, left it running, the door wide open and ran down the street. Like, I was supposed to know that!

Anyways....................after the gate opened and closed one more time (just because it was so much fun) I got out of my bus and went and closed the door of the car because a) closing the door meant I could go past the car and b) well there is no b.

I no sooner closed the car door when I heard this yelling "I told you not to close my F*&*(&*& door!" "My f&*(&*&*&*(&**$* door is locked"

Well, then, hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, an irate person came up to her car, slammed her fists on the hood and yelled f*((k just one more time), tried her passenger door, and then (Guess what?) tried her driver side and it opened! Just like that!

Well, didn't she look..............um dumb? and THEN the lady who had asked me for the DART # who copied down who knows whose number appeared! She came in behind the lady who was swearing her head off at me because I had closed her door so that I could get past her and get on with my work.

The irate lady started yelling at me. "I'm going to report you" she said in her big girl voice.

The lady behind her (who had written down the phone # off the side of my bus) came and stood beside her and said, "yeah, I have the number" meaning she had some number from some advertising off the side of my bus. Ya, I'm scared.

So I said as quietly and meekly as I could without busting a gut laughing........" talk to her she has the number!" and off I drove.

I really really hope this story is as funny as I've tried to write. I won't forget this one for a really long time!

So on Sunday we were signed up to be greeters at church. It was something we were asked if we would like to do. I said we would and got Chris to agree to do it, somewhat reluctantly but she still showed up all showered and dressed. We came with a willing heart and gee, first thing on a Sunday morning, what more do you want?

We read our list of things to know and do before hand but still got there a few minutes late because Chris couldn't find her good watch. Not that she doesn't have 5 other ones to wear, but you know how it is, you want to look your best and you need your good watch to do that.

When we got there I went up to a lady handing out bulletins and asked her where she'd like me to stand to greet/give out bulletins.

She just looked at me and said, "we don't need any more people". Oh! Excccuuuuuuse me! THEN she asked me if we had 'just signed ourselves up because people do that'. Yikes!

So..............we didn't hand out bulletins but we did help take up the offering. And we did it cheerfully. Cause that's what we do.

Next Sunday? We're off to the Outlet Mall in Seattle cause we do that really really well! I bet they'll be glad to see us!

When Good Things Happen.............

Awhile ago (I think I wrote about it) a client called my boss and told her how pleasant her ride home with me had been that afternoon. I got called into the office thinking I was in trouble only to be commended. What a nice thing to do and I never got a chance to thank the client.

Last week I picked her up for the first time since the commendation. There she was, standing outside her place, ready to go, suitcase in hand. I jumped out of my bus and said, "well, where are you off to with that suitcase?"

She was taking a one way trip to the drop-off place for the shuttle bus to Seattle because guess what? Her friend had called her at Christmas and told her to pack her bag in January because they were going to Hawaii for a week! Her friend had won 'a boat load of money' and wanted to do something nice for my client.

My client was in tears........she has a brain tumour and has suffered a lot of pain, loss of income, loss of dignity and a whole lot of stuff I know nothing of. Her friend wanted to do something nice for her.

I listened to her story and by the time I got her to the bus stop to wait for her bus to Seattle, I had tears in my eyes. I told her, "a few years ago you did something nice for me and I'll never forget it". She had completely forgot about the call, not having a good memory, so I reminded her of it and thanked her for taking the time to make my day.

It's days like that I'm reminded of the good things in the world, in people's lives and in the goodness of God.

The beginning of a new week. I'm hoping for a good week and positive results. The weekend went by fast but it was fun.

Saturday I went to my Scrapbooking day and finished my Mexico album. Looking good. Love the scrapbooking times with friends. Lots of fun.

Saturday night our previous employers/holders of our contract gave us a farewell dinner. Very nice. Lots of speeches and applause for everyone. I won a bottle of wine.

Sunday, church with the new pastor. Church has a different feel to it, I can't quite put my finger on it but we'll give it our best shot and see where we go from there. Chris had some football game to watch so she didn't come. Next week we're greeters and offering takers! Wow! I know!

Went to see BB in the afternoon and take her for lunch. She's always up for a good laugh. She still makes me laugh even at our advanced age(s).

Anyways..........................off to DARTn.

What goes around comes around. I'm not sure about the word KARMA but I did have someone on my bus express that recently.

It has been a rather trying week. It seems that whatever ideas we have had as drivers about customer service are being tried. We no longer have time to care about our clients, just get them there. If they're not ready to go, we wait 5 minutes and we're gone. It doesn't matter if they're on their way downstairs and move a bit slower, gone. it's so sad. I feel like giving up. I've really enjoyed this job and now, not so much. The clients aren't happy and based on last night's Union meeting it's easy to see how defeated the drivers are feeling.

Anyways...........................apart from that life goes on. I don't know where this will all lead but it's strangely reminiscent of a job I worked at years ago that i loved that was taken over/sold to another kind of people who thought nothing of letting go all of its top people with no hesitation. I had a breakdown around that time and it was very hard to maintain any kind of normalcy.

I hope the weeks ahead will be better and that we all just will learn to get along. it's time for a change for everyone. Good and bad. Happy and sad.

Gotta Love Maxine, she always knows what to say.

Today was declared an Official Snow Day meaning we only pick up people for essential services. Except it didn't really snow that much and it was all rain by this afternoon. But all of my trips were cancelled so I partnered up with my buddy Barb and we did a total of 3 trips for the whole day. wow. Aren't we something special! And they were all in wheelchairs!

Now we're waiting to see if we get paid for the whole day because the new peeps in charge don't know about snow days being from them there united states of america where apparently this NEVER HAPPENS. Right. They've never seen snow before. Sooooooooo.....things are moving along swimmingly.

But it's all good and as long as I collect a paycheque I'm happy. 2 of my colleagues told me this morning they never got paid at all last pay period and are still waiting for someone to cut them a cheque! We got paid last Friday and they're still waiting? Yikes! Kinda scary people.

That's my beef for today. I'm happy now that I got that off my chest.

Peace out cub scout.

If I Didn't Have a Dog...OR A CAT (OR 2)......

MY SENTIMENTS EXACTLY !!!

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be

Free of hair.


When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.

When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without

Wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.

I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,

Without taking into consideration how much space

Several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.



I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.

I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians,

As I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.



The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out,

Sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.

My house would not be cordoned off into zones with

Baby gates or barriers.

I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'.

'Yummy yummy for the tummy'..

My house would not look like a day care center, toys

Everywhere.

My pockets would not contain things like poop bags,

Treats and an extra leash.



I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,,

F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O,

R-I-D-E

I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

I would not look strangely at people who think having a

Dog or cat ties them down too much.

I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead

Of dreading 'mud' season.


I would not have to answer the question

'Why do you have animals?' from people who will never have the joy

In their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by

Someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.

How EMPTY my life would be!

The Real Reason the Plane Went Down in the Hudson River

Images of Mexico

People Watching

One of our very favorite things to do is to sit in public places and watch people. We like to make up names for them, occupations, family dynamics, marital status, you know that sort of thing.

There were many peeps in Mexico that got nicknamed by us. There was Mavis, an older lady who positioned herself around the lobby with her book, seemingly inconspicuous and yet, she was always there. No idea if her name was Mavis but it suited her.

Then there was Jack and Helen, an older couple who looked like a retired school teacher and bus driver, the reliable sort of people you could call on a moments notice to drop off a hot casserole to a grieving family. Good people, Jack and Helen.

There was an older gay couple we called Gary and Allen. They'd been together many years and Allen had just retired as an accountant. Gary was still working because he was a few years younger. They were travelling with Gary's sister and brother-in-law who seemed completely at ease with their travelling companions.

And then there was SB. (I will explain later what the initials mean, stay with me) Whew! SB was in his late 40's and had a hard time wearing more than a speedo bathing suit. No matter the time or the hour SB was standing in position by a swimming pool. Standing and strutting. SB was what you might call "well-endowed" or "one envied by many a man who hadn't just come out of a swimming pool". SB never just stood, he posed. When he laid down on a lounge chair he posed. And as unclothed part of him posed so did the clothed. The little teeny speedo bathing suit could hardly contain his manhood.

It seemed SB caught the attention of many who wondered in amazement of the show he was putting on. One afternoon we were all strewn about on lounge chairs, not too close to each other but close enough to over hear a rather loud conversation about SB. 3 women were coming back from the beach and paused to stand and have a good gawk at SB. After talking amongst themselves and who knows what they were saying then, one of them loudly proclaimed,

"Ah, it's probably just a sock".

At which point we named him Sock Boy.

And We're Home!!!!!!!!!!

Mexico was fabulous! We had a wonderful, relaxing time. It rained more than we would've liked but it was still warm. Our resort was wonderful and every bit what the pictures made it out to look like.





Our room was on the top floor with a breathtaking view of the ocean, pools and palm trees (my personal fave). Sooooooooooooo nice.







I can never get enough of an ocean view. At night we'd leave the patio door open and fall asleep to the sound of the roar of the ocean. No cars, no sirens, no city noises, just ocean.







There was a quiet pool which we really enjoyed leaving others to enjoy the not so quiet pool with swim-up bar. Not our thing but really enjoyed by other travellers who apparently were very thirsty.




Never having stayed at an all-inclusive resort before I had heard lots of stories about the food. Yup, it was all that and a bag of nachos. Fabulous.

I'll write some more in the days ahead. Just tired now and needing to go to bed after a very long day.

And We're Off!!

See you in a couple of weeks............ ahh............. sunshine........ swimming....... eating......... reading........ spending time with the one I love...............it's all good.

My Wish for You in 2009

May peace break into your house and may thieves come to steal your debts. May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet of $100 bills. May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips! May your clothes smell of success like smoking tires and may happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy. May the problems you had forget your home address! In simple words . . . May 2009 be the best year of your life!!!

ARRRRRGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I got stuck in someone's driveway tonight for over an hour and had to have the tow truck come and pull me out. Thankfully it was my last client of the evening so I didn't have anyone else on my bus.

I am sooooooooooooo ready for our vacation! I don't ever remember having this much snow or ice, maybe because I never really had to do much driving in it before.

Plans changed so much over Christmas because of weather but it turned out to be okay. Instead of bringing BB over here for 4 days we ended up not going anywhere on Christmas or Boxing day and instead went and cooked dinner over at her house the day after Boxing Day.

The best news in our family this Christmas was the announcement of a baby being born in June to Josh and Gina. What a miracle! After cancer, a bone marrow transplant, and 4 hip operations it didn't look too promising. They are so excited!

2009 looks like a promising year. New employer - same job, new uniform - same bus, new wages - up - it's all good in the hood. Good health and happiness to all.