One Part Inspiration...

We watched the big bird load and then take our son today. While I would never want to hold him back from taking wing and flying away, to pursue pathways of his choice, I miss him.

Who doesn't love a bargain ? Raise your hand. Thank you for coming. You are excused......... Now to the rest of you, who like me, get a big kick out of finding the best places to pay as little as possible for the things you love, we will call the meeting to order. [sound of the gavel] Exhibit #1 New Jammies . [with a side trip to "T-shirts at a great price"] I had been into the store just after New Year's. I was looking for a few long-sleeved t-shirts to add to my wardrobe. I happened into the store for their 70% off sale. I had a budget of 25$. As I was browsing through the racks of shirts, I came across the cutest pair of jammies. They were a soft and wintery-warm two-piece set, with a t-shirt and snowflaked patterned bottoms. SOOOO CUTE!!! SO WARM. And yet, if I bought them I would be over my limit. Reluctantly, I put them back. I comforted myself with the knowledge that I had scored three t-shirts for under 25$. Fast-forward a couple of weeks. I checked back in th...

Every year, one of my girlfriends and I exchange ideas for our yearly goals. When I told her that one of my goals was to 'give back', she asked me how I planned to do that. Then she invited me to join her in volunteering at The Gleaners. I asked what that entailed, and her description was so inviting, I had to say yes. They start at 8:30 every morning, and work until noon. Most of their volunteers are seniors who, by the sounds of it, have been involved for a number of years. They take donations of food from the community that might not be 'retail friendly' or overstocked and make it into dried soup mix and send it to people around the world that need it. My #1 son decided he would come with me. He was a seasoned volunteer - having spent time there during his high school career with various missions classes and leadership classes. I was proud to walk in with him, as various people greeted him by name and asked him what he was up to now. My friend had already arr...

If I had made a list of the top ten things about spending a weekend away it would look like this: 10. I wouldn't have to make any meals - just show up and they would appear. 09. I would not have to worry about dishes. 08. I would be in a warm, dry, inviting place. 07. We would make lots of great memories. 06. We would have lots of laughter - sharing in-jokes and making new ones. 05. We would play a game, and no one would end up crying or stomping off, because we hadn't played the game their way. 04. There would be plenty of snacks - both 'healthy' and 'junky' . 03. There would be no schedule, but everyone would hang out with everyone just for the fun of hanging out together. 02. Hot tub would be a nice option. 01. My family would be with me. Oh wait. That was last weekend! What a fabulous time we had! My father-in-law and mother-in-law invited us to share the weekend with them at the camp as an 'after Christmas getaway'. They booked a cabin big enough fo...

My #1 son came home for a visit! (Insert happy dance). He arrived last Thursday night, after travelling for almost 24 hours. He is taller, and thinner and more like himself - only in a more grown-up, independent way. He's been gone for seven long months. Christmas was a little strange this year because he wasn't with us. He sort of fills up the room with his running commentary on every little thing. And I missed him so dearly. Getting through Christmas was helped because I knew that three weeks later, we could steal some time away with him, before he has to return to his new life. I drove to the airport. But first we had to stop by the soccer practice to let my husband know that as soon as we picked the boy/man up, we were going to DQ to celebrate with an ice cream. He promised to join us. [Ice cream is such a nice way to celebrate don't you think?] We arrived at the airport on time (because I had tracked the flights - another reason I love the Internet) to pick him up...

I have become a true native of this region. This is between you and me and the fencepost. It has to remain in "The vault". Don't spill the beans. Deal? O.k. Well, this morning, I had an appointment to get to by 10. Yesterday was a snow day, so there was still lots of snow on the van windshield. And it was mucky out, because immediately following the snow storm, was a rainstorm. Slush abounded. And puddles. Still, I headed out in my shoes. I had boots, but who knows where they ended up? I stepped lightly. But first, I put the garbage can in to the van - and left the door open. It was too big to fit in the van, the way it was, but I didn't want to roll it down the driveway. My feet would get too wet. So I held onto the handle with one hand, and backed out with the other. So far so good. When I put it in drive, I had to look around the large whack of snow still on the windshield. I couldn't find the wiper-brushee thingie - even though I know I have one somewhere. And...

It's so quiet in the house. I am all alone. The dog has retreated to her bed, after having walked with me down to the church, to deliver cookies for tomorrow's bus ride for the youth. The bread is rising. The fireplace is roaring. The rain is falling. The fog has taken over the horizon. It's a perfect day. Today is also a very historical day. In less than 25 km, the odometer on the van is set to turn over to 300 000. That means there's been over 180 000 km. travelled safely since we bought the van. It has been a wonderful vehicle. We bought it at a time when we were constantly driving the kids from one thing to another. We have moved several times with the van holding our precious (and not so precious) possessions. The buffet and hutch fit into it without having to leave the back open at all. We have hauled cargo, and children, and groceries, and boxes of all sizes and shapes. It has held our blankets and chairs for us to attend soccer games, volleyball and basketball g...