A Spot of T

I See You...

Well it's finally happened.  I've officially become old.

I went to my Optometrist the other week because I've been having trouble with my eyes.  I've been working hard on graduation pictures, Prince Edward Island pictures, picture pictures and so I've been spending a ton of time on the computer lately.  I wasn't sure if the way my eyes were feeling was because of all those late nights staring at the computer screen or if it was something else, so I decided to get in and get my eyes checked.

I haven't been to the Optometrist since I had Laser Eye Surgery seven years ago.  I know.  Not good.  Although now that I think about it I did go for my one year check-up after the surgery so really, it's only been six years. Which, according to my Optometrist, is still very very wrong.  "Try and make the effort to get in here every second year Joy.  At your age we need to keep a close look on your eyes and how they're changing." he told me.  To which I replied "At my age?  At MY age??  Ok.  That sounds good.".

Because really?  We should keep up with things like that.  I make my kids go to the Optometrist regularly, why can't I look after myself the same way?  It's the same with the dentist, doctor and anything else that would make me healthier.  I just keep putting it off and putting it off and....if you have the answer to that I'd love to know.

I love my Optometrist.  Unlike dentists who I'm deathly afraid of, I will sit in my Optometrist's chair any time day or night.  The reason?  I'm completely fascinated by him.  My kids have gone to him forever and think he's weird but I like him.  Not in the sense that I want to have his babies, more of a I wish I had a third of his energy sort of fascination.

My Optometrist is as skinny as a bean pole, about 6'3" and has energy to burn.  I'm fascinated by his energy.  By the time I'm done seeing him I want to climb a mountain.  Seriously.  I walk out of there thinking even at 8000 pounds, I could absolutely without a doubt take a poke at climbing Mount Everest.

He talks and laughs and jabbers on.  He's beside you one minute then across the room the next, then saying "Look at my right ear" before you even know he's across the room again.  The man has more energy then a million Energizer Bunnies put together.  Oh.  And the man climbs mountains.  I know this because he has pictures all over his office of him climbing...on mountains.  One of these years I'm going to ask if one of those mountains is Mount Everest because it sure wouldn't surprise me.  A fascinating man my Optometrist is.

After much looking into my eyes he comes to the conclusion that my eyes are strained and most likely dry from being on the computer so much but otherwise spectacular.  His word not mine.  My eyes are exactly the same as they were six years ago.  And apparently the doctor who did my Laser Eye Surgery seven years ago did such a good job, my Optometrist can barely see where he cut.  "Truly remarkable" is what he said.  My eyes are spectacular and truly remarkable and haven't changed one bit in the six years since I saw him last.  At least something on this body of mine is remarkable and spectacular.  I've decided to start with my eyes and work my way down.  No sense pushing it and trying to be all spectacular all at once.

My eyes, however, do need these.....

Those would be reading glasses.  I will no longer have to stretch my arm out when I want to read the labels in a grocery store, or my vitamin bottles or...any other small print that has been the bane of my existence for some time now.  According to the Optometrist I love so much, reading glasses are quite normal for people of....my age.  There goes that age thing again.  It's really starting to tick me off.

I don't need to wear them all the time of course, just when I'm...um...reading.  But you just know I can't have any old reading glasses.  No way.  I've finally had time to sit and do a bit of exploring and there are some pretty cool reading glasses out there.  Right now I'm looking for some cool dangly thingies to hold the glasses.  You know.  So I can wear them around all the time and then pull them onto my eyes when I need to read something at the grocery store.  I think those things are neat.  And because I lose things easily.

My oldest daughter came for a visit recently and brought me a cool pair of reading glasses.  I should have a picture but I don't.  Let's just say she saw them and thought of me.  Let's just say they are...colorful.  And I love them!

Memories

I was visiting Belleek's blog and she was doing this little "Memories" game and I thought it was kind of neat.  Here's what you have to do....

The rules are simple:

1. As a comment on this post, leave one memory that you and I had together.  It doesn’t matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember.  And if we’ve never met in real life, leave me a comment of your favorite post I wrote and why it was your favorite.
2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you.  It’s actually quite funny to see the responses.  If you leave a memory about me, I’ll assume you’re playing the game and I’ll come to your blog and leave one about you.  Joy's Note:  And of course if you just want to comment but don't want to play it on your own blog...well that's ok too here at A Spot of T.

Why do I feeling like singing that song "Memories" from the musical Cats right about now?

Anyway.  I'm off on an adventure for our long weekend here in Canada and if I don't come back I want you all to know my personal memories of each and every one of you have been lovely in the short time I've spent blogging.

So wish me luck.  Because I'm facing fear straight in the eye and I plan on laughing in it's face.  Well.  Either that or peeing my pants and running away screaming like a small child.

No Matter What....I Believe In The Kindness Of Others

About a month ago I received an email.  Ok I receive emails daily but in this particular email I'm talking about, the person asked me what I felt the hardest part about being a parent was.

I think each parent you ask would have a different answer and I imagine those answers are different at different stages of parenting.  What was hard when my children were 3, 2 and 1 are completely different to what they are now at 20, 18 and 17.  When they were 3, 2 and 1 for instance, I felt the hardest part was making sure they all felt loved and cared for the same.  With three children under three years of age and Gregg gone so much, they were all little and tiny and itty bitty and all needed me at once it seemed.  I worried we had made a mistake in having them so close together.  Of course I see them now and how incredibly close they are and they tell me how much they know I love them and I shake my head at having such a thought back then.  But like today, there were no crystal balls when it came to parenting so back then I worried sick about it.

Today, at the age of 20, 18 and 17 I worry sick about how they are treated by others.  Being treated unkindly.

Thankfully my children handle things that come their way pretty darn good, but that they have to deal with it at all is a bit heartbreaking to me.  Yes everyone.  I am one of those people who believe in the kindness of others.  Unlike some, I still hold out hope that this world will turn itself around and we will find peace and love and kindness towards each other and....ok ok I know.  But I like my bubble world thank you very much.

At the age of 44 I have learned to deal and handle most things that come my way.  It's rare any more I will leave a situation saying "I should have said this." or "I should have done that.".  My children on the other hand?  Are still young enough that they are...at that stage.  You know the stage right?  Where you just can't deal with the person because they're being a complete and utter eejit.  So you get frustrated but yet you were brought up to be respectful and kind so you sit and try and deal with it.  Try and talk to the other person like a human being, like another adult, but they don't look at you like that.  They look at you like you are young and don't know a thing.  So they're rude or condescending or...complete eejits.

I've never been a parent who steps in.  One of those dreadful heliparents the papers are always writing about.  If my child had a problem in school they were to try and handle the situation on their own and only if they tried and failed would I step in.  Guide them yes, step in and do it for them no.  And I will add here that I have only ever had to step in a handful of times in all the years my children went to school.

I was always of the mindset that they needed to be able to handle things because one day they would be on their own and they would certainly have to deal with what ever came their way.  Stand on their own two feet.  Make their way in the world, etc., etc.

But two instances have happened with two of my children in the past couple of weeks and try as they might, the other adults in the situation had them so frustrated.....my children were reduced to tears.  My oldest will probably kill me for writing that she was reduced to tears but she can add it to her list she wants to talk to us about on the weekend.  I think it's on her "Bad Parenting 101" list but I can't be sure.

I listened to my oldest and how the situation went and I thought she handled herself very well.  I admitted I would have been extremely frustrated with the situation too.  After all, the person she was trying to deal with was supposed to be helping her and guiding her but instead was being very unkind to her.

And me?  Well it took everything in my power not to call the woman and give her a good talking to.  If my daughter would have been younger?  I would have.  It definitely would have been a time to step in situation.  As it was, my oldest daughter is not a teenager any more and she handled the situation the best she could and I can't step in no matter how much I want to.  I'm a proud mom for sure.  Well except for those things on the "Bad Parenting 101" list.  It doesn't stop me from making a doll with the woman's name on it and poking it with a very sharp needle though.

My youngest yesterday dealt with a similar situation.  And again, I didn't want to be a hovering parent so I stayed up front while my daughter went in for a fitting.  I was sitting up front and listening to the extremely annoying woman beside me smacking her gum when I looked at my watch and noticed how long my daughter had been in the fitting room.  So I text messaged her to see if everything was ok.  Because I didn't want to be a hovering parent and just go back there so thank you to who ever invented text messaging.  I can now hover from my cell phone and it doesn't feel like hovering at all.

I received her text message back and my momdar immediately went up.  I could tell things were not going well so I walked to the back because she's still 17 and not legally an adult and so I can still come to her rescue without looking like one of those hovering parents I hate so much.

All I will say is when my daughter opened the dressing room door?  She was in tears.  I'd love to say I ranted and raved and carried on but that's just not in me to do.  Instead I kindly stepped in, things were handled and the service was great after that.  But I'll tell you...another doll is being made tonight with a very sharp needle and this woman's name on it.

We got out to the truck and I told my daughter she handled the situation great.  We agreed there are people in this world you just won't be able to deal with no matter how much you try.  I know this.  My kids know this.  It's just learning how to deal with them so the frustration doesn't take over and reduce one to tears.  That confidence and strength will come with age for my children, this I know.  But it doesn't mean I have to like it.

And so that would be my answer to the question.  The hardest thing about parenting.  Today.  In the here and now and the world we live in.  With children who are 20, 18 and 17.  It's having to watch or hear about how people will treat them with cruelty.  With the disrespect they don't deserve because no one deserves to be treated like that.  And because I believe in the kindness of others.

And The Winner Is.....

Live and learn.  That's my motto.  This contest was tough, I realize that now.  I thought since I talk a bit about Gregg on here, I portrayed how the two of us are with each other in our every day life.  I mistakenly assumed readers would see us in the same light as our friends and family do.  Oiy.  I heard this quote once, it goes something like.....never assume because it only makes an a$$ out of u and me.  Get it.  A$$-u-me.

Moving on.

Some people came close to how I sound but then got Gregg completely wrong.  Then some came close to how Gregg sounded but got me completely wrong.  It.  Was.  Tough.  Next time?  A nice easy contest and the handy dandy randomizer thingy is being used.  That's all I have to say about that.

I had my oldest two children help me with this contest because they are 18 and 20.  After all, who knows better how their parents are with each other then them.  I would have asked the youngest T child to participate but I didn't feel some of the comments were appropriate even at 17.  And I know, I should have mentioned they were going to be reading this but I never dreamed people would think Gregg and I swore at each other.  Let's just say swearing at each other like that would equal a divorce in the T home.  It's just not done.  Ever.  I've said it on here before, I'm not a prude, but when it comes to how I am in front of my children or people in general, I think I've been a bit misleading on my blog.

Moving on again.

I printed out the comments and Kelsey and Michael sat and pondered over them.  Some they quickly eliminated and some were tricky because like I said, some had me right but Gregg very wrong and vice versa.  Then it happened.  Kelsey and Michael saw it at the same time.  A late night Sunday commenter snuck in there and Kelsey and Michael looked at each other and said "They've got it pretty darn close!".  Oh those sneaky late night Sunday commenters.

So thank you to everyone who entered.  I appreciate it, we had fun reading the entries and I know it wasn't easy.  I do apologize for that.

The winner of the really hard never to be done again make it much more simple next time "Tell Me What You Think We're Saying" contest is....

Dawn from Colours of Dawn.  I'll tell you Dawn, after reading what the kids picked out, you had us down pretty good.  Now if what you wrote was meant in a non-hurtful all-in-fun teasing sort of way?  Then by george you nailed us even better.

Congratulations Dawn and thanks for playing.  Please send your address to aspotoft@shaw.ca and the gift card will be to you in about a week.

"Tell Me What We're Saying" Contest

**The Contest is now closed**

It's hard to tell how busy I am from where you're sitting but believe me, I'm busy.  Not only do I have a life but I'm trying to get the Prince Edward Island Photo Album done on my blog and because I'm not a "just slap the pictures in an album" kinda gal, it's taking me forever to get the pictures through photo shop and then put them in some kind of order on the album.  I know.  I need serious therapy.  I'm also getting more recipes together to add to the Recipe Section.  I also need to pet and cuddle Mushu eighteen million times a day because he's feeling quite neglected lately.  See?  Busy busy busy.  You all think I sit here twiddling my thumbs all day but this sure proves you wrong.

I also have posts I want to get done.  I'm not sure what kind of system all of you have but when I get an idea I jot it down in a folder.  I will also write the thought down on a gas receipt if I'm out doing some errands or in extreme cases on my hand.  Then Gregg will say "What's that on your hand?" and I'll say "Nothing.  Don't worry about it." and he'll say "I'm not worried about it but aren't you a bit old to be writing on your hand?" and I'll say "Shut up.  Mind your own business." and he'll say "No really.  I mean I used to write on my hand when I was 12." and I'll say "I mean it.  Be nice.  You jerk." and he'll say.....

So I thought it would be a great time to have a little contest.  I did one contest on here awhile ago and man oh man was it fun.  I told myself I was going to do more and by golly what better time then right now.  While I'm so busy.

If you have been a reader here for any length of time you have figured out by now that Gregg and I constantly kid with each other.  While some may think we're being mean or disrespectful to one another others, who don't have a stick firmly lodged up their you-know-what, take it for what it is...simply having fun with each other.  We poke and pick and tease each other all the time.  It's what we do.  We're good at it.  It works for us.  So I'm going to show you the following picture....

Here's the set up....

It was very windy.  I had the wide angle lens on the camera which I was highly disappointed about.  I took a million photos like this of the two of us standing on this beach.  Yes this is the best picture out of all those shots.  Oh be quiet.  It was taken on my favorite beach right after I wrote our names in the sand.  You can see that discussion by scrolling down two posts below this one.

So here's the contest....

Tell me what you think Gregg and I were saying to each other while I was trying to take this picture.

You can either email me or write in the comment section, it's up to you.  Most importantly the prize.  The prize will be a $200 gift certificate to my favorite retail kitchen store in the entire world.  Williams-Sonoma.  I will literally drive four hours because Edmonton for whatever reason doesn't have a store to go to the nearest Williams-Sonoma.   Go take a look around their site.  See for yourself.  It's a spectacular store.  No I'm not getting a darn thing for sending you there.

Deadline for the contest is midnight (Mountain Time) Sunday August 24th.  **Edited to add:  Only one entry each please.**

Fun Monday #35

Fun Monday is brought to you by Lisa from Lisa's Chaos.  Here is her assignment....

What is one thing you would like to ask your readers?  Come up with a question to pose to your visitors and throw it out there on Monday.  As we’re all visiting each other’s Fun Monday posts we should answer the various questions we come across....OR....Show & Tell me about a bird, I’m easily made happy.

I saw this assignment and instantly thought of this book from years ago.  It was called The Book of Questions by Gregory Stock and it was a huge best seller.  It brought hours of entertainment with friends as we would flip open a page and randomly select a question to ask those around the table.

Oooeee some of the conversations that were had over some of those questions.  It was fascinating and amazing and a great way to see how the people you think you really know, actually have very different views and opinions on certain subjects. 

I decided not to pick a hard question, although it was mighty tempting.  Instead, I decided to ask a fairly easy question from the book....

Do you find it so hard to say "no" that you regularly do favors you do not want to do?  If so, why?  I'd also be interested to know if this has changed the older you get?

My own answer would be.....

I used to find a lot of the time favors were asked by people who were very good with the guilt trips.  I would find myself feeling pretty bad if I even thought of saying no.  I was about 35 when things really turned around.  Now at the age of 44 I rarely, if ever, fall into the trap of allowing someone to guilt me into something.  So......no.  I don't find it hard to say no and I never do favors I don't want to do.  If I'm doing something it's because I've thought long and hard about it, made sure I can give it 100% and am happy about doing it.   

Happy 22nd Anniversary

Once upon a time, in a land far far away.....screeeeeech!

I won't bore you with the full book.  It's a 22 year old story and the book is about 8030 pages long.  Let's just say the story is a bit of a romance novel, sprinkled with some drama, one section of horror, highlighted by action and adventure,  a lovely children's section and of course lots of comedy throughout.  That would be the 22 year old story of Gregg and Joy T.  In a nutshell.

If you haven't guessed by the post title and that little intro, it's our anniversary today.  22 years of wedded bliss.  No really.  Not one fight, not one harsh word towards each other, hugs and kisses and looking longingly into each other's eyes every single day.  Yep.  Only happy happy happy in the T world. Did I mention there was a great fiction section in the book?

So anyway.  It's our 22nd Anniversary today and like I do each and every anniversary, I crawled into the crawlspace in our basement and pulled out my wedding album and the album that holds some of the pictures from our honeymoon.  My mission this year was to find this picture.....

The picture above was taken on our honeymoon 22 years ago on a beach.  Obviously.  But don't ask me what beach because unfortunately my gosh darn memory won't allow me to remember the name of it.  I was looking for the picture because while Gregg and I were in Prince Edward Island I took this picture......

It's also on a beach.  I remember this beach but I'm not telling anyone because some day I want to build a home there and if I tell everyone, it won't stay as private and quiet and gorgeous as it is now.  I'm greedy like that.

I don't remember what Gregg said when I wrote our names in the sand 22 years ago on our honeymoon but it was probably something like "Are you done yet?  K let's go back to the room!"

On this particular holiday...22 years later....did I mention 22 years yet?...because I might not have mentioned 22 years....however, I do remember because fortunately it hasn't been too long so it's still in this steel trap memory of mine.

Gregg:  What are you doing?

Me:  I'm looking for a stick.

Gregg:  Why?

Me...finding a stick and starting to work my magic:  You'll see.
Gregg watching me write:  Oh cool.
Me:  I know right?  Do you remember when I did this on our honeymoon?
Gregg:  blank stare
Me:  You don't remember me doing this on our honeymoon??
Gregg:  Of course I do.  Yep.  It was great.  Very romantic.
Me....finishing up my masterpiece:  There!  Isn't it beautiful?
Gregg...looking a bit puzzled:  Ya.  That's nice.  Um.
Me:  What's wrong?  Why are you looking at it like that?
Gregg:  Well most people put their names in a heart.
Me:  YE-ess.  And?
Gregg:  Well why did you put our names in a pumpkin?
Me:  *blink*  *blink*
Gregg:  I mean it's nice and all.  But a pumpkin?  It's kind of weird.
Me:  It's not a pumpkin Gregg.  It's a heart.  A.  HEART.
Gregg:  Oh.
Me:  It's not perfect.  Kind of like us I guess.
Gregg:  Ya but what's that thing through it?
Me:  It's the arrow.  You can't tell it's an arrow through the heart?!
Gregg...trying everything in his power to see the arrow and heart:  Well no.  I think it looks like a pumpkin.
Me:  Ya.  Well you're a pumpkin and I'd like to take that arrow and...
Gregg interrupting me:  Aww come here.  It's a nice heart.  I love you.
Me:  No.  You're a jerk.
Gregg:  Ya but you love me.  I know it.
Me:  No I don't.  You called my heart a pumpkin.
Gregg:  Ya you do.  Now come here.

And I do.  Happy Anniversary dear.  Here's to many many more.  Next time you're drawing the heart.

Blogger's Supper

First up?  An apology.

When arrangements were being made to get together for a blogger's supper, I asked everyone if they would mind if I brought my camera along.  I either didn't hear back, which in my mind meant they didn't care, or the ones I did hear back from said they didn't mind as long as I took good pictures.  So of course I have to take this opportunity right now and apologize for the not so great pictures.  **this is just one, there are a couple more in the Breakfast Blogger's Photo Album**

I'm all about candid shots when it comes to people.  Nothing worse then a group of people all smiling and saying....cheeeeeeeese.  That's my opinion only of course.  What do I know.  You want to say cheeeeeese then fill your boots.

The thing about candid shots though is you have to be quick or you have to take a million pictures and then sort through those pictures to get a good decent candid shot where someone isn't chewing, have their eyes half closed, blinking, sticking out their tongue, etc.   Maybe a professional photographer can do it but I've never claimed to be a professional photographer so I need to take a lot of pictures. Depending on the lighting my camera can be pretty darn speedy.  Depending on the lighting, there's not a darn thing I can do about it and the camera is slower.  And I can't tell you how much I hate using flash.

I was taking a few pictures the evening of the Blogger's supper when all of a sudden I heard someone say "How many pictures is she going to take already?"  It wasn't mean, just a statement.  Now I don't know who the culprit was who said it, but next time?  I'll be taking more pictures.  Because out of the very few shots I managed to take, these are the best I could come up with for our first Blogger's supper and I hate not having more to choose from.  So that's my apology.  Now onward and upward.

A couple of weeks ago the blogger's got together again.  Yea us!  I love these get togethers.  Normally it's for breakfast, hence the name Breakfast Bloggers, but this time we agreed a supper was in order.  The reason being was we all wanted to meet She from A Screaming Pages.  See She works during the day and if she isn't working she's busy getting a Degree or Masters or conquering the world or something like that.  Which means She is one busy lady and never available during the day.  And if you think it's easy writing she and She in a sentence....it isn't.

The reason I still wanted to post the pictures was because I thought the evening was fantastic.  Let's see here.  There was Dawn from The Colours of Dawn, Debbie from A Step at a Time, Emma from A Question of Sanity, Nancy from My Friend Told Me I Should, me, and She.

Also?  See that man in the picture?  He belongs to She.  Apparently Dawn's husband Sirdar was supposed to come that night so She brought her hubby Drew along to keep Sirdar company and talk about.....man things.  Or something like that.  Sirdar didn't show up because he was sick so Drew had to sit there with all the women.  And I laughed.  Because I'm evil like that.

I'd like to link to Drew but he's an undercover agent working for the FBI so his site is highly confidential.  Alright he's not an undercover agent working for the FBI but wouldn't that be a hoot if he was??  Drew doesn't have a blog, although I feel strongly he should.  I think he'd have a great blog.  He's personable, has a lot of great things to say and.....he just should.  But he doesn't so we'll forgive him.  I do however think we should make him an honorary member and hope he comes to more get-togethers.

The evening was spent at the restaurant Syrtaki, Greek Island Restaurant and if you have never been to this restaurant you must stop what you are doing and go.  Go now.  Not only was the service great but the food was spectacular.  Thank you to Debbie for suggesting it, I now have a new favorite restaurant in the City of Edmonton.

It was a short get together for the bloggers...and Drew...this time.  Only four hours of chatting and laughing and I think this was a record for us.  If you've been following along with the Breakfast Bloggers you know we usually start off with breakfast and end up visiting so long we're well into lunch.  One of these times I'd like to try for a world record.  Breakfast, lunch and supper.  I believe it could be done with this group.

It was another successful blogger's get together.  Next time?  More pictures.  No matter how much they complain.  It's a promise.

Happy 20th Birthday Kelsey-Belle

Her real name isn't Kelsey-Belle, I've just called her that since she was itty bitty.  It's just Kelsey but she's never rolled her eyes at my nickname for her so it's her fault for encouraging me.  She's a good sport like that.

Kelsey is the oldest T child and she turns 20 today.  20.  Twenty.  dwadziescia....in Polish....zwanzig...in German....twintig...in Dutch...no matter how many times I say it or in what language I say it in....I have a hard time wrapping my head around my child being 20.

Should I go into details about what a great child she is?  Burble on and on about what a fantastic human being she's grown into?   How she warms my heart every.  single.  time.  I.  see.  her?  Do we have an eternity.  Could a mother love her child any more??

Should I tell you about the time when she was pretty darn small and just learning to walk and she held her breath because she was mad and came crashing down onto the floor because she passed out...from holding her breath?  Oh my that girl was one strong-willed girl.  Still is.  And I encouraged her to be just that.  Well ok the passing out completely freaked me out but Gregg laughing his pants off didn't help with me running around the house screaming "She passed out oh my god she passed out!!!".

I could tell you what a beautiful heart she has and her smile that lights up the room when she walks in.  How in the twenty years she's been on this earth, the countless times people have said what a pleasant sweet girl she is.  No longer a girl but a woman.

I'm the type of person who sits back and watches and it's no different with my children.  I rarely step in unless I see things falling completely apart.  I've always been the 'live and learn' type of parent.  I watch how she's handling her way into the world and I'm amazed.  She's become an independent young woman who handles the ups and downs of life remarkably well.  She handles what comes her way with grace and dignity.  She says she doesn't handle stress very well, but I watch, I see, and I say she handles it beautifully.  She may feel overwhelmed like we all do at times but she's got a gift that allows her to feel overwhelmed...then sit down and get her head together and fix the problem.  She's a doer not a complainer.  A strong-willed girl.

I could also tell you how much I love spending time with Kelsey.  How the word 'mom' will always be there but my mom'dar' goes down and the word 'friend' gets stronger as the years pass.   We talk, we laugh, we enjoy each other's company.  A special bond my daughter and I.  And don't think I've left Gregg out of here....absolutely not.....he's close to his Kelsey as well....in their own father/daughter way....but it's my blog so he'll have to write his own post.  *smile* Hi dear.

Dad and I love you Kelsey-Belle.  Michael and Samantha adore and love you and we couldn't be more proud of you.  *sniff*  I'm not crying.

So if you have time and feel like wishing a 20 year old a Happy Birthday, I know she'd love it.  She's having a bit of a hard time wrapping her head around this birthday.  No longer a teen, I get the feeling she feels she should have conquered the world by now.  Her dreams just can't come fast enough.  I adore that girl.

She's at work today and she reads my blog....not necessarily in that order if her boss happens across this......so your birthday wishes would certainly bring a huge smile to her face.  And I love when she smiles.  Makes me feel all warm and tingly that we got our money's worth from that Orthodontist all those years.

Fun Monday #I Don't Know

I could go look up when the last time I did a Fun Monday but I think I'd be too embarrassed.  Hence the #I don't know in the heading.  The assignment this week is brought to us by The Lurchers.  It is....

Show me your favourite photograph and tell me why it's your favourite.

I saw this assignment and thought "HA.  I can do this!".  Then I signed up.  Then I whimpered a bit because picking out a favorite photograph is like asking who my favorite child is.  And I've asked my three children who they think my favorite child is and they sit there and sit there and sit there and then they say they can't honestly tell me who they think my favorite child is.  Which is excellent.  Because my parents had a favorite child...and it wasn't me.  And it can be quite a traumatic thing that lasts well into adulthood.  What was I talking about again?

Right.

So I give you this photograph....

This is my latest favorite photograph.  It's a picture of my favorite hubby.  For those of you who are new here that would be my favorite husband Gregg.  I talk about him a lot on my blog.  It's easy to do because he gives me a lot to talk about.

This is Gregg in the black Mustang he rented while we were on holidays.  Behind him is Peggy's Cove.  Peggy's Cove is an amazing little fishing village in Nova Scotia and if you have never been there, I highly recommend it.

Gregg liked Peggy's Cove, walking on the rocks, watching the waves come crashing in on the rocks, having lunch at the restaurant there, but I think he liked his Mustang more.  Oh sure, we got some pictures of Peggy's Cove but I'm pretty sure I took more pictures of Gregg in his Mustang.  No he didn't ask, but I could tell how much driving this car meant to him so I had to get some pictures of him.

Apparently he's always wanted to drive a Mustang so he took this opportunity while we were on holidays to rent one.  I didn't mind he rented it although I did find it a bit....squishy.  Let's just say the suitcases juuuuust fit into the trunk.  But being the good wife I am, I helped to strategically place those bags in that trunk at every stop.  I would even smile and nod and say "Oh really!" when he'd tell me how many horse thingies the Mustang had in it or V-somethings or...blink...blink.  I think he even told me how fast it would go, but I might have erased that one from my memory.  Fast I bet.

I didn't mind how cold it got when the sun went down and a certain someone didn't want to put the top back up on the Mustang.  Nope.  No one can accuse Joy of being a party pooper.  No siree.  I'd just casually reach over and crank the heat up high, wrap myself in coats and sucked it up so my favorite hubby could scratch "Drive a Mustang" off his Bucket List.  Because I'm good like that.

Too bad the assignment only asks for one favorite photograph.  Otherwise I'd show you a photograph of Gregg's favorite wife.