My summer, so far

Two weeks without a post–I know I am sorry.  I have already been put in my place by my #1 Fan. So to her, and to you all–I apologize.

What have I been doing???  I will tell you some highlights.  I have gone to a BlueJays game,  Note that this is #19 –the Shortstop–MarcoScutaro    Jeremy went to driving school and I helped Megan buy a new camera before her 3 week trip to Ireland.   On Canada Day we went to mom and dad’s–’cause its what we do.  Phillip and I took Nan to the hospital.  Phillip files his EI claim, we went to the Beaches for a day and had pie in this cut little cafe, cute until we realized that all the pies have a layer of almonds (phillip is allergic), but all was well.  We did gardening outside. Since EQAO marking was out by the airport, I stayed with mom and dad for almost a week.  Meals were cooked for me and we watched “SPACE”.  My aunt was featured in the Toronto Outdoor Art Exhibition, so we went to Nathan Phillips Square to see her.  We wanted to steal two tiny Shi-tzu puppies in the stor, but we didn’t.  The next nan visit I was at, was the fastest EVER!!  Our lawn mower broke and the only place that will fix black and decker is in Toronto,  at this tiny, little repair shop like you’d see in the movies or in a Stephen King novel–so cool.  We visited the CN Tower with my cousin Gabe and his girlfriend Katie–both visiting from Florida.  I love my cousin of course, but Katie was great–and we share common interests like photographing  graffiti, and checking out the fixtures in all bathrooms.   Phillip and I spend hours talking to a NEW DISNEY CONVERT, a former co-worker who will be a current co-worker soon, just came back from a disney trip with her daughter and LOVED it.  She said to me “I get it, I know why you go back”.  Woo hoo, got another one.

That is all the photos to share (although there are more), and there have been many wonderful things not mentioned–dinners at the Tin Mill, and the Keg, visits with friends from St James, from high school, watching movies outside with best friends, baseball games in the park (just watching, not playing).  Visiting friends, adn seeing where they will be getting married (and where I am taking photos)

Now I have to get ready for a busy few days before our trip to Florida.  I promise to share more with you.

 

ITS ALL OVER!!!!!!!!!!!

Summer!

Oh yeah, can you feel it??!!??

I am already starting to plan my days away, and then in late August, I wonder where the free time went. 

This year I am photographing my summer vacation.  (Which I usually do), but this time with a difference.  Usually I take photos of exceptional things (WDW, birthdays etc).  This year I am keeping a photolog of even the normal things.  If today’s plan is being lazy on the couch, then I will take a photo of it, just to have a record.

Now, I will not be photographing every moment (or each trip top the bathroom), but each visit with someone, or choice to see a movie, go to an event or just relax will be documented.  I have tried keeping a diary before–didn’t last two days.  But I’m thinking this might give a great record and I will remember a lot of little “gems” that happened this summer.  It will be fun to look back through the photos and have at least one photo from each day.  There will be photos of my garden, Phillip, Jeremy, baseball games, around the house, taking nan to the hospital, staying over at mom and dad’s, seeing friends, going to restaurants and shops.  It will be great!!!

Woo hoo, summer time!!!!

Thank God for Sunburns

I am lucky to have a sunburn. 

Despite the fact that it made me feel sick all last night, and this morning, I’m still happy that I have it.

Because a sunburn means so many good things:

A sunburn means the weather was amazing.  I hate snow, so hot weather always makes me happy.  Hot, sunny, hazy, humid days are the best feeling in the world.  They mean no school, no responsibilities, nothing to do and no where to go.  Summer days are wonderful.

A sunburn means I was outside.  This is a big deal for me.  I am a lazy person, and the couch and the TV are some of my closest friends. (Sad, but true).  Having a sunburn means that I was doing something active, outside, and probably either very needed (like gardening) or something very fun (like being at the beach, WDW, etc)

A sunburn means, I have a body that is strong and healthy.  Weeding the rose garden is not my favourite activity, but I am using the gifts and talents that I was given to make the world a better place.  And for that, I am eternally grateful.  Sure, my body isn’t in the BEST shape, but I am glad that I have the mobility and dexterity to be in the backyard.  So many people can’t physically do what I did yesterday.

A sunburn means, I was in a place that I feel safe, and that I had lots to do.  Phillip and I did work outside and then we got out the golf clubs and started to teach me how to play.  I have a beautiful home and yard, and an amazing husband to spend time with.  A sunburn is definately worth having all those things.

And yes, I know I shouldn’t HAVE a sunburn in the first place, I should be lucky  and thankful for SPF 40 and hats with brims.  But the sun on my skin grounds me in the here and now like no other feeling.  The warmth holds me and makes me feel alive. I love it, I long for it, but……… I need to be careful. 

I will enjoy my life, and the blessings I have, taking more care of my skin!!!!  Promise!

For a final week, it’s going to be busy!!!

I was hoping for a quiet end to the school year.  No such luck.  Starting in a few hours, I go really hard until Mon. June 29th.  This was an initial date, but now I’m thinking to July 4th, until I really have NO plans. Perhaps writing it all out will help me to remember it all.  (This is not unlike my use of shopping lists–Whenever I write a grocery list, it never makes it into the store, but remains on the kitchen table or in the car.  But, the act of writing it out helps me to centre and focus.  I find I don’t NEED the list, because I wrote it)

So, Saturday: Grocery shop, house clean, get dressed up, Jeremy’s formal piano recital, drop J off at Brad’s house, go to staff party

Sunday: GARDENING–we have 6 bags of mulch waiting for the rose garden to get weeded.  And the magic fairies let me down again.  SO we will have to do it.

Monday:  School mass, no one has talked about it (because there is so much going on at school), and despite the fact that choir is finished for this year, we still get to sing.  Hmmmm  I think “Its a small world” is an appropriate Processional song. hee hee  (I won’t do that–I’ll pick nice songs).  Monday evening is Grade 8 Graduation.  Woooo  (Said with just as much enthusiasm and energy as you’d expect) woooooo blaah

Tuesday: Outdoor play day for all the primary students.  I am watching stations 5 and6 (what ever that means) but its always a fun day.  Tuesday night is Jeremy Jujitsu in Bowmanville. 

Wednesday: my class has been invitied to SK graduation, because they are our reading buddies.  So we will have to find a time to make them cards or something.  But we are going morning and afternoon.

Thursday: clean out the classroom, send everything home, hand out report cards.  I like this day.

Friday: Pioneer Play Day with the Gr threes, we do bobbing for apples, sack races and three legged races, egg and spoon race. Its like the church picnic in “Anne of Green Gables” only with out the singing or the ice cream. Students (finally) go home.   Friday night–Ju jitsu in Bowmanville

Saturday: Clean up because Jeremy is having a birthday party.  (Poor summer baby, never has people over, only get to go to WDW on his birthday and see Mickey Mouse–poor Jeremy).  Teenagers, food, drinks, movies, guitar hero, yikes.  Jeremy’s driving school

Sunday:  TEAM W is coming over!!!!!  Woo hooo ( or we are going there, not sure on the plans, but its us and them!!!!!!)  Jeremy’s driving school—******See I have just found a slight glitch in my busy week–Must confirm times of driving class and confer with Violaine– no prob, just needs to be checked!!

Monday:  STAFF MEETING 9AM, how horrible.   Plus side–Neil says its only and hour, Minus– a lot of our staff will not be joining us, Plus- I get to see the new staff that I’m looking   forward to having with us.  Plus or minus (not sure yet)  Get to meet the REST of the new staff.  Jeremy’s driving school Monday night, hoping to go to the Blue Jays game (we are not bad luck–this time they wont lose when we go)

Tuesday: Jeremy’s Driving school

Wednesday July 1: Canada Day.  Track (undecided yet), BBQ at mom and dad’s (yes a go)

Thursday:  Taking Nan to the hospital

Friday July 3rd; Jeremy going bye bye for 2 weeks–need to get him packed and organized.

Saturday and Sunday–NO PLANS!!!!

Boy I’m glad school is fininshed!!!  My job really gets in the way of my life sometimes!!!

I’m a garden voyeur

I love looking at other people’s gardens. 

 I feel like I am breaking commandments or sinning or something, as I gaze upon the properties of others.  I think evil thoughts like “Wow, what are those purple things, I have to dig them up in the middle of the night, and plant them in my garden”.  I have a long list of plants I want to steal under the cover of darkness.

Is coveting your neighbour’s hostas the same kind of bad as coveting their wife????

I really like looking at the variety of colours, shapes and textures that I see in gardens.   Coral Bells, with the long stalks of flowers, and funky leaves.  (I like the plants that are brown/red leaves).  Ferns, Hostas, anything that flowers like iris or lilly–LOVE IT!!  Black eyed susans, daisies, poppies, dahlias, phlox, cosmos, bleeding heart,  roses, can’t get enough!

When you are digging up stuff in your garden–save me a piece, I’d love to plant it!! (and that would save me sneaking into your yard at night)

If  you know of a great garden (public or private) let me know, I want to take a look (and probably a photograph)