Happy Thanksgiving!!!

  It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. While tomorrow is the official day I thought I'd beat the rush and get all of my thanking done early.

  I'm so very thankful for my children. You drive me crazy, make me laugh and be happier than I ever thought possible. We are lucky to have more happy than sad in our lives. Each day I marvel at the glimpses we get of the men you are becoming. Now if only you would sleep more...

  My family and friends make me very thankful indeed. I'm not sure what my life would be like without the love and support you have given. We learned a long time ago genetics isn't everything when it comes to family. 

  Not to be over looked, I'm so thankful to live in Canada. We may not be perfect but we get a lot of things right. To know my kids are growing up in a safe place means everything.

  And finally to my hubby. You I'm most thankful of all for!

  Ang

Oh Donald

  Oh Donald Trump. Just when I think there is nothing else you can say that would offend women more than you already have....you keep proving me wrong. Over and over and over again. 

  I'm not surprised, or even that bothered by, your comments. After bartending for years, I know how some men behave when their significant others can't hear them but their buddies can. Not usually men in their 50's and 60's but hey there are always exceptions. 

  However the comments about being rich and famous meaning you can do whatever you want and get away with it well that's a different story. That's not "classic locker room banter" as I've heard different people describe your comments. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Ask Bill Cosby.

  Then you, or your "people", get your wife to make a statement. How she is disgusted with your comments. But any Howard Stern fan knows that she was well aware, and even at times participated in, your bragging and disrespectful comments. Her disgust makes her look controlled. Which I'm sure with that statement she probably was. 

  During the past few years you have said things that should make women run  in the opposite direction. The fact that they haven't scares me even more than you do.

  And the idea of you running a country scares the crap out of me!

  Ang

  

  

  

I Should Be.....

  I should be at the grocery store this morning. As Riley reminded me at 6:18....we have no food. It's a never ending job. The list is longer than my arm. It really should just say "everything".

  I should be finishing the laundry. We go through clothes like some people do water. Poor Riley, who has more than everyone else, needs two changes per day. Socks always seem to be in short supply.

  I should be moving the last of the dirt for the walkway. These might be the last warm days before the cold sets in. Not to mention the snow. It needs to be finished before then.

  I should be emptying the dishwasher and cleaning the pans from this morning. The back splash and counter are so pretty they should always be on display. Not covered in dirty dishes.

  I should be cleaning out the car. It's been neglected this summer and needs a proper cleaning. Soon the salt and sand will be on our boots and the new mats should be in place before then.

  Instead I'm having a second cup of coffee. It's almost white since the only cream in the house is whipping cream at a whopping 35%! On a positive note there is no need for sugar.

  After this I'm going to get started on the above list. With a new sense of determination. An energy unheard of this past week. I'm going to work quickly and efficiently, letting nothing interrupt me.

  Or I might just take a nap. Decisions. Decisions.

  Ang

Wedding Traditions...New & Old

  This past weekend we were honored to be invited to a wedding. It was beautiful in many ways, very personal, and I'm sure the newlyweds will have many happy years ahead of them. Over coffee Saturday morning we realized there were some huge differences between this one and previous weddings we have been to.

  To start with this was a 100% outdoor wedding, on a Friday evening. In all the weddings I've been to I can only think of one other that wasn't on Saturday. I'm assuming it would be easier to get a venue, not to mention cheaper, on a Friday. Smart.

  Flowers....there were none. At least none that I saw. None of the over done displays and center pieces that dominate most receptions. Simple stones and candles decorated the tables. Classic. Timeless. Inexpensive.

  Speeches.....one. Short. Sweet. Grateful. Funny. Perfect! We all know, but maybe don't say, the speeches are mostly boring and made by people who definitely don't want to be making them! Usually they go on too long and very few people "get" the insider jokes.  Not the case here.

  There was no "head" table. Lots of little tables, close enough together to chat with folks beside you but far enough apart to sit comfortably and walk through. The newlyweds walked around mingling and thanking their guests. Very relaxed and a chance for everyone to get a selfie with them.

  When the music started it wasn't from an over priced d.j. playing whatever they choose and think the crowd might like. Nope it was a playlist, on either a phone or ipod, made by the couple. Their favorite songs. Music that meant something to them. Songs that made almost everyone get up and dance....think Prince and Madonna. Every age group was on the floor.

   I think the major reason this wedding was so different is because the couple weren't twenty something. They are adults, in the work force, with a mortgage and a sense of what is important and what isn't. They know who they are and how they wanted to celebrate. Maturity brings clarity.

  A wedding takes a lot of time. And money. We all try to make it the best day possible. This last one is a prime example that the traditional ideas aren't always necessary...or the best.

  Congratulations Blair and Gordon! We hope you enjoy many, many happy years together! And thank you for letting us be part of your special day!

  Ang
  

 

Scary School Drop Off

  I drove Riley to school this morning. He qualifies for a bus so it's a rare thing. What I saw amazed, shocked and scared me. Parents dropping off their kids in unsafe places with little or no regard for the other children trying to get to school.

  One parent did a u-turn! In front of the driveway about three feet from the crosswalk! With kids in the crosswalk! She didn't even seem concerned that she was a few feet from them. I guess she was in a hurry to get to work. Or go somewhere. She sure as hell had no worries about the other children's safety.

  What is wrong with people? Why do they loose their common sense when it comes to drop-offs and pick-ups for school? We are all busy. We all have places we need to be. But no one is so busy, or important, that they can put a child's life at risk when they are going to school. Not me. Not you. No one.

  So why does this happen every day? And more importantly what can the school, police and other parents do to stop this. There are teachers outside. They are visible to the drivers.  The drivers just don't seem to care. The police have shown up but the next day the parents go back to their unsafe driving habits. Nothing seems to be a long term deterrent.

  Personally I would like to place them all in a room and slap them back to sanity. Ask them what their reaction will be when they run into a child. Or when someone else runs into theirs. And it will happen. 

  Someone will get hurt and then it's too late.

  Ang

I Don't Understand

  Women baffle me.  I believe the huge majority of us are the same. We want the same things. Happiness. Good health for ourselves and family. Respect. Equality. Financial security. You know....the basics.

  Lately I'm starting to question that. At least about some women in the United States. I'm confused about your support for Donald Trump. Truly. He is an unapologetic misogynist. All his other political beliefs aside, this seems like the ultimate reason not to support him. But they are. Not in the numbers he would like you to believe but enough.

  Let's pretend you are at a dinner party. The man across the table from you calls a woman he disagrees with a fat pig. Or calls the hostess Miss Housekeeping because she is Latino. Would you let that pass? Of course not. You would instantly dislike him and thank your lucky stars he has no daily effect on your life.

  Perhaps it's Thanksgiving dinner and your Uncle Bob is at the end of the table talking about how you are a fool for staying with your husband after he had an affair, when he, himself, has had several. Or about how his daughter has a great body and if he wasn't her father well...Women everywhere would be throwing a turkey leg across the table at him!

  But he isn't a stranger or your crazy old uncle. He's on tv. He's famous. And that seems to mean we forgive a lot. That's what I don't get. Does it give him a free pass to be degrading? Or rude? Not to mention just plain mean?

  I can't think of one woman who would be okay with this man's attitude and behavior towards women who challenge him. Or the ones who don't. Not one. 
  
  Maybe we aren't as alike as I think.

  Ang

  

Aches & Pains

  Physical labor after a certain age is hard. Not so much while it's happening but the next morning...that's an entirely different story! Today both John and I are experiencing that reality.

  We are building a new walkway for our house. And while it will be beautiful and nicely clean up the side yard, it's a lot of hauling, lifting and shoveling. With more to come. Sadly, for my back, lots more to come.

  This morning I was dead to the world. I blame it on the fresh air yesterday. But when my legs swung to the floor I had an over whelming urge to just lay back down, pull the duvet up and go back to sleep. It's a school day so no such luck.

  Anyone watching me walk down the stairs would have thought I was celebrating my 90th birthday. Lots of creaks and cracks. Not all of which could be blamed on the stairs! 

  Coffee helped, not as much as a whirlpool tub would have, but some. I managed to get the kids on the bus, with food in their stomachs and a lunch for later. I'm almost positive I will make it through the day.

  Almost.

  Ang