Searching Kijiji for a Rocking Chair

The theme for this past week can be summed up in one little word:

OLD

On Friday, The Mr. and I drove 5 and a 1/2 hours south to attend his 40th high school reunion.  Just the mere mention of the word "40th" sounds old.  But the mention of it was nothing compared to the reality of it.  When I saw what everyone else looked like, I realized how we look to people -- OLD!

Sunday found us attending church with the congregation that The Mr. attended as a youth.  He was interested in seeing some familiar faces.  It turns out the only faces he recognized were the octogenarians.  All the middle-aged people in attendance probably weren't even born yet by the time he moved away.  FEELING OLD!

On Wednesday we attended The Mr.'s family reunion.  His parents -- in their mid-eighties -- now have a posterity of 97 people.  This was the first year that I noticed not only how old The Mr. and his brothers and sisters are getting, but even some of the next generation -- our children -- are starting to get grey hair.  OLD!

The final clincher was remembering that The Mr. is often mistaken for being the older of the two between him and his older brother.  (Not just wondering if he is or not, but outright assumption that he is!). When I mentioned this to my children at the reunion, they unanimously agreed that their father looked older than their uncle.  Ouch -- OLD!

I feel like I've aged about 20 years this past week.  I'm feeling like I better learn how to crochet.

Oh, and before I forget, here are a few pics from the reunions we attended:

The Mr. and I couldn't possibly have had more fun!

Dixie

Here's to a Fresh Start

This morning, as The Mr. and I were leaving the gym, we noticed a familiar face coming toward us down the sidewalk.

A familiar face who was walking with a pair of crutches.

A familiar face who -- much to my peace of mind -- we haven't seen at the gym for a couple of months.

As we got closer to him, my mind went into overdrive:

                        "Oh no!  It's "Nigel".  What should I do?" 

                        "Should I act like I didn't see him?"  

                        "Too late -- we've already made eye contact." 

                        "Should I keep talking to The Mr. and walk
                        right past without a word?"

                        "Should I mention anything about his crutches?"

                        "He's getting closer -- is he going to be mean?"

                        "He just raised his head to look me in the eyes."

And that's when I heard myself say "Hello!" in a cheerful, sing-songy voice!  And with a very surprised look on his face he said "Hello" back to me!

I was both pleased and surprised with my new-found benevolent attitude.  My kindness was short-lived, however, when I thought about "Nigel" in a cast and walking with crutches.  It was really hard to keep a couple of less-charitable thoughts out of my mind:

                        "Serves you right!"

                        "Did you get that injury from one of your 'gyms
                        around the world'?"

And then The Mr. -- who had been quiet up until this point, and having not heard any of the thoughts running through my mind -- made my day when he said,  

                        "He probably kicked a woman off an exercise
                        machine, and she kicked him back."

Okay, so I've got a long way to go before I can claim any moral high ground.  But in the meantime, maybe saying "Hi" to Nigel was a way to make a fresh start.

Although I doubt he'll be requesting me as a Facebook friend any time soon.

Dixie

36

The number of inches in a yard.

The age of my mom when I was born.

The current age of Jessica Alba, Justin Timberlake and Paris Hilton.

The number of months of gestation for a salamander.

The number of years The Mr. and I have been married.

Happy Anniversary, honey.  It's been a fun ride!

Dixie

Hey Canada, Happy Birthday!

The Mr. and I recently vacationed in Nova Scotia, where there are more trees than I have ever seen in my life!  It was a beautiful province to visit, and made me realize how lucky I am to live in this awesome country of Canada.

Yes, we're the second largest country in the world.  Yes, we're polite.  And, yes, we have poutine.  But in honour of Canada's 150th birthday, I now share a few more reasons why I think Canada is cool!  In no particular order I present the following (drum roll please):



 1)  Hawaiin Pizza -- my favourite -- was created in Canada.  (Ontario to be specific.)

 2)  This year the Canadian government has waived the entrance fees to every National Park and Historic Site in the country!  This Discovery Pass came in so handy while vacationing in Nova Scotia.

 3)  Canada has the highest percentage of college graduates -- 51%.  (Does it matter that I got my degree in the states?)

4)  We have a $1,000,000 gold coin.  (I know!  That was news to me, too.)

 5)  If you write a letter to Santa Claus -- North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada -- he'll write back.

 6)  We're a hearty bunch.  Most of us have worn shorts outside during the winter.

 7)  Canada has more lakes than all of the rest of the world's lakes combined!

8)  Canadians can order a portrait of Queen Elizabeth and have it shipped to them for free.  I'm not sure I'll be ordering one any time soon, but it's nice to know that option is available to me if I so desire.

 9)  We take off our shoes when we enter a house.  I love that!

10)  We have free health care.  Huge!!

11)  "Heartland" -- my current favourite show is filmed here!   Not only in Canada, but in my home province of Alberta.

Well, it's officially past midnight, and it is no longer Canada Day.  The Mr. and I, along with Son 1A, had fun celebrating.

Happy Birthday Canada.  I hope I look that good when I'm 150!!

Dixie