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.