Hope

  A part of me wants to climb back into bed, pull up the duvet and watch Netflix until I fall asleep. I'm tired of this dismal weather. Needing a jacket in mid-May is depressing. My toes, frozen in the sandals I refuse to not wear, makes me sad. When can I permanently turn the heat off? When???

  The dandelions are up. Mind you those weeds could grow through the snow. The tulips are open and pretty but with single digit temperatures, I'm not sure how long they will last. And the poor robin who built a nest on our front wreath must be frozen trying to keep those hatchlings alive.

  I want to sit in the morning sunshine, with a cup of coffee in my hand, warmed by the heat of the sun. Listening to the birds and smelling the flowers. I'd be happy even if I needed a light sweater just til the sun came fully up. I'm not asking for the moon....just double digit temperatures.

  Blue skies. Sunshine. Eating al fresco. Watching the kiddies playing in the pool....which we need to wait longer for because nothing has dried out yet. All those things that in other years we would already be enjoying. Some years the air conditioner has even been needed before now.

  Please Mother Nature give us a break. A little sunshine. A little heat. We will take anything. And I promise we will all stop complaining.

  Just a sparkle of hope is all I'm asking for.

  Ang

YELLING

  We just got horrible service at Canadian Tire. A little back story.....ordered a part, it never showed, asked why, no response, complained it was over 2 days, was told yelling wasn't going to help anything.

  Yelling? Yelling? My voice may be called annoying but trust me everyone is well aware when I'm yelling. No mistaking that. And I most definitely wasn't yelling.

  Right beside the cash register is a notice stating that staff has a right to work in a safe environment without abuse. Abuse is yelling, swearing or threatening staff. Asking a question apparently is abuse. At least to that clerk. Funny enough I commented to John, on the previous visit looking for the part, that he had better be careful or he would be considered abusive. Again he had just asked a question.

  When did asking a question become abusive? Does wanting information make for an unsafe workplace? Do I not have the right to ask where something I ordered and paid for, is? I would think that was okay. Apparently not.

  Having worked with the public for too many years to count, I know people are horrible. They are rude, demeaning and arrogant. But that same experience means I know that anger, rudeness and yelling get me nowhere. I'm very adept at being polite and empathetic towards those who have given me bad service. That's why I am always happy with the outcome if I have to complain about something. 

  Is good customer service dead? Of course not. But many companies are lacking. We need to let them know when they fail us. More importantly, we need to compliment the ones who do a great job. Like the EB Games close to me or Costco. We all have our own list.

  Even after my "yelling".....still waiting for that part!

  Ang

Sunshine

  I got up early this morning. Guess what I saw? Blue sky. The sun rising. It's a miracle! I wasn't sure it was going to ever happen again. A week of rain followed by snow flurries yesterday.....yes in May! The sun is a welcome visitor.

  If it stays out all day, fingers crossed on that one, the grass will be a foot high. So will the dandelions. The flowers will open and maybe a bee or two might be seen. And that poor robin, who has a nest on my wreath, won't have to freeze keeping her babies warm.

  Sunshine means I won't have to turn the heat on. Or see Alex leave for school with his winter jacket on. Dog walkers will be able to leave their hats and gloves at home. Well, maybe not it's still only 1 degree.

  No matter what else happens today, weather wise, I'm going to enjoy these few brief moments of spring. Listen to the birds singing. Watch the squirrels doing their thing. All with a smile on my face.

  Live in the moment my friends.

  Ang

Down Town

  Living in the burbs means I don't get downtown often. Especially during the week. But when I do I enjoy myself immensely. It's a different world. One that I wish we lived in. At least part of the time.

  The market is fun to walk through. I love the flowers vendors. Great prices and so many colors. I'm sure some of them don't occur naturally. I can picture myself out for a morning stroll and coming home with a fresh bouquet to brighten the window ledge.

  Every designer has a store. Tiffany's is there. Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and Nordstroms. You know, the places that sell Burberry scarves at $550 a pop. Or a $1000 wallet that leaves you with no money to put in it. I love those places!! I would need to win the lottery to buy everything that caught my eye.

  Not that the suburbs are bad but to be able to walk to many restaurants, theater, concerts.....sounds great. Not with kids mind you. Too many people. Not enough open spaces. Kids need room to grow.

  Yes there are lots of sirens and construction noise. There is a constant stream of garbage trucks and horns blowing. But I think it would be nice to have everything at your fingertips and within walking distance. 

  Maybe after the kids move out....if we live that long!

  Ang

  

  

Water Everywhere

  John is home from work today. The flooding around his work has hit an unsafe level and they were told to stay home. In fact, flooding is the big topic all across the country. British Columbia, New Brunswick, and Quebec are all dealing with a certain amount of it. Ottawa is no exception.

  Several houses not far from us have been evacuated by the city because of the fear of a landslide. These houses back onto a ravine/gully and the week of heavy rain has taken most of their back yards and deposited it in the stream below! Scary stuff.

  Locally those who live on the river are fighting to save their homes. Unfortunately, you don't always win against Mother Nature. I would imagine this is one of the things you must consider before buying a home on the water...no matter where you live. Good luck to them all.

  The army has been called in for many areas. Evacuating residents, sandbagging and debris removal. I heard a few people complaining that they came too late. Please remember they must be asked...they can't just show up as a unit and help. That is an issue you need to address with your local government officials. Thank those in uniform whole-heartedly for coming to your aid.

  This morning brought snow flurries and temperatures in the minuses ...I don't know if that's a help or a hindrance. But it's May there shouldn't be snow flurries period! 

  Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay safe. 

  Ang

  

  

The Not-So-Friendly Skies

  When did flying the "friendly skies" become so difficult? When did road rage move to 30,000 feet? It seems like every day we see another video of a passenger, or crew, doing something crazy. The FAA rules are being enforced, or not enforced, depending on what the airline reps have for breakfast. 

  Over the years it's become much more common to hear of a plane making an emergency landing because of unruly passengers. Handcuffs are now standard issue on flights....just in case someone needs to be restrained. The rules have changed and not everyone is happy, including the airlines.

  It used to be the occasional flyer would have a little too much to drink and perhaps not be happy when they were told no more booze. Now a melt down could happen because you weren't given the entire can of soda! 

  Over booking flights is the main culprit though. It is frustrating to be told you must get off a plane you are buckled into. Especially when you have paid the ridiculous amount of money it now costs to fly. But airlines based in the United States do it all the time. We were booked on a flight with United a few years ago and while they had booked us, because of weather delays, we had not been assigned seats so we technically were not on the flight. The plane was over booked by about fifteen people. We got lucky that a family of four didn't get to the airport in time and we got their first class seats!

  In the past John and I have benefited from over booked flights. We gladly volunteered to take a later flight and were given free passes to anywhere the airlines flew. Without kids it was not an issue hanging out in the airport for another hour or two. With food and beverage vouchers no less.  Those days seem to be long gone.

  When you get on a plane from now on take a deep breath. Relax your body and mind. Put on your headphones and meditate. Remember everyone wants to get to their destination safe and in one piece.

  Or take an Ativan....what ever works.

  Ang

The Caravan Blues

  We have been the proud owners of a Dodge Caravan for over ten years now. It has never let us down on long road trips. It's done the trip to Florida twice and except for a little black smoke, got us there, and back, safe and sound. A 5000 km trip to Alberta was uneventful....ok the mirror flew off in the mountains but hey that stuff happens! I'm not so sure though that it's going to survive it's next hurtle.

  Every year all vehicles must be registered. And if your car is over a certain age it needs an emission test before the province says it's ok to drive it. The van needed some work last year before they passed it. To the tune of $700. This year I'm not sure there is enough money to get it to pass. John swears it can be done....I think he is hoping for a "Hail Mary" moment.

  While the van has had it's fair share of work over the years, we've been able to do most of it. Anything emissions related must be done by the professionals. At least the expensive parts of it. Now comes the hard decision...when is enough enough. John is having a harder time of that than I am.

  It would be very hard going back to being a one car family. We did it for a few years when Alex was a baby. Both John and I like coming and going when ever we like. But my car isn't paid for yet and we definitely don't want two car payments!

  Pass or fail. Keep or scrap heap. The van will go down as the most fuel efficient, reliable vehicle we have ever owned. Fingers crossed it will be around for a at least a few more years.

  It's not like I'd teach Alex to drive in my car!

  Ang