BLOG AWARD

Today, I want to take the time to thank another wonderful blogger that I follow.

http://goodmorningsmiles.blogspot.com/

Ma was one of my first followers (and I hers). She's a dear lady who always leaves an encouraging comment and whose own blogs are full of words that lift your heart and your spirit, give you cause for reflection and/or make you laugh.

Thank you Ma -- you deserve an award!

EVERYDAY MIRACLES

This post is dedicated to my Colombian "daughter" Sarita. She had never before seen a dandelion and suddenly, the world is full of them. She adores them and thinks we're crazy to call them weeds.

The miracles of nature do not seem miracles

because they are so common.

If no one had ever seen a flower,

even a dandelion would be

the most startling event in the world.

10 ON TUESDAY

10 Favorite Places to Shop

1. Home Sense - No need for explanation, is there? Just pure ahhh and ohhh!

2. Winners - Wonderful purse selection, great housewares and linens!

3. Reitman's - Fashionable, moderately priced duds in my size.

4. The Body Shop - Sweet "n" smelly "n" earth friendly!

5. Superstore - What can I say! I'm a big fan of food! Plus they have some nice clothes, great home furnishings and a wicked gardening centre.

6. The local farmer's market - A great selection of produce, flowers, homemade baked goodies, crafts et al; sometimes with entertainment included!

7. LaHave Bakery (in LaHave [my former home] on the south shore of Nova Scotia) - This is an awesome store with the best breads & sweets [real butter, farm fresh eggs, organic flour]; a great lunchtime menu and Saturday brunch. They also have a summer craft co-op, a hostel & you can sit by the LaHave River & watch the sailboats. "Homegrown Skateboards" [the owner's son] operates upstairs. Check it out when you visit Nova Scotia; it's in Canada's "Where to Eat" guide.

8. Value Village - I especially love their 50% off days. I am not cowed by large masses of smelly people all in search of the utimate bargain! With my deep intuititive sense and my "chee", I am one with the crowd! I am a victorious warrior!

9. Frenchies - A FABULOUS thrift store .... but sorry! Only in the Maritimes!


10. YARD SALES! I adore buying other people's crap! [A change is as good as a rest???]

So --- What's your Favorite 10?

MOTHER'S DAY BOOTY

Is this not one of the most beautiful handbags you've ever seen? And am I not one of the most deserving mothers ever?

I don't have a husband to appreciate me on Mother's Day, so I've learned not just to appreciate myself but to let myself know it -- in tangible ways! So, I give appreciation to me for the love, sacrifice and hard work I put into family, for hanging in there thru all the tough years (who says they're over!!), and just simply for being me -- an ever evolving, often happy, aging lumpy/dumpy who loves life and looks pretty dang good for an old gal. I can be really hard on myself sometimes; but overall, I agree with God -- I deserve the best! To coin a phrase from an old cigarette commercial, "You've come a long way, baby!"

And even though I don't have a husband, if I did --- and if he had money --- and if he had good taste --- this lovely purse is just what he'd buy me! I know it! Just listen in on this conversation:

"Oh darling!" Sandy exclaimed with delight. "You HAVE been listening when I've said how much I wanted a blue purse! Wherever did you find it? Yes, it was a good thing you scooped it up before someone else found it. Oh honey, I love you! You always know just what I like!" (Cue violins .... smooch, smooch, smooch)

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I had a lovely Mother's Day. In the afternoon, I went on a long distance walk with # 2 daughter in Toronto; we went to the ATM machine & then took the trolly so she could go shopping! In the evening, I talked with #1 daughter in Montreal. We don't talk often; but when we do, we usually get into the most strange conversations about the most bizarre things. I just love talking with her! And, of course, I called my own Mommy in Nfld.

*************************

My girls at home gave me gifts, and then cooked a great dinner and washed the dishes for me. Here's a picture of my booty.

Oh, no, no, no!! Don't look so afraid, my friends! It's not a booty pic of the large one at the top my legs -- it's the small booty pic of my Mother's Day gifts.

( Hear HUGE sigh of collective relief)

The roses in the bud vase came from my pastor who gives all the ladies in the church flowers every Mother's Day. #4 daughter gave me the patio lights in the little cages -- so cute; and #3 daughter gave me the sweet little garden gnome. And my lovely Colombian "daughter" added 4 perennials to the ones I'd already bought.

I have 2 Dracaena Spikes, 2 Geraniums, 2 Oriental Poppies, a yellow Foxglove, a Globe Thistle, a Red Carpet Stonecrop, Burgundy Glow Bugleweed, Bee Balm, and an English Daisy. I worked on my garden on Saturday (post later this week); but I'm unsure yet where to place these. Any helpful hints or suggestions?

Yes, it was a lovely day indeed!

CLOSED TODAY!

I am too busy opening gifts, sitting down to dinner prepared by youngins, and enjoying ice cream cake. I hope yours is as relaxing and delicious.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT FRIDAY

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just like people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." ~ Gordon B. Hinckley

Excuse Me! Wendy Whiner is speaking!!!

I still ache from overworking my body; and I go to the gymn to "help" myself feel better and I ache some more (just maybe in a slightly different part of my body that wasn't aching before I went to the gym)! A week and a half of aching is wearing me out.

I woke up yesterday with a crick in my neck (yes, that's a word here in the Maritimes), and last night I rested and used my trusty hot water bottle, but it still hurts.

No one can find the problem with my car despite my having handed over part of my savings and my 1st born child! (Well --- that last part is a lie.)

It's been raining for 4 days straight now and it drizzled 2 days before that.

I ate at MacDonald's yesterday (I said it was to support local charities but we all know that I just wanted that burger!) Then while I was checking my emails last night, I ate 6 small delicious chocolate biscuits and a row of a yummy hazelnut chocolate bar. So ask me if I think I'll lose any weight this week! Then ask me if I care.

No, I don't care!!!

(Well, I do care, but that's me having a tantrum.)

.....................................................

Sometimes, I hate being a mature responsible grown-up. Sometimes, I want to handle my problems by yelling and stomping my foot and crying and acting out. Then, someone would discipline me by sending me to my room for a time out (which I'd LOVE at any time); or perhaps they would spank me (well, I actually wouldn't mind that at other times too)!! And after I got over my crying, everything would be fine again.

So, because of my childish, churlish state of mind, my post today is made up of the above belly-aching and the following great little cartoon that I stole from http://www.purple4mee.com/. It seems a logical excuse for at least part of the way I feel. (And it makes me feel a little better to steal something and know I'll get away with it. Thank you purple4mee!)

Thanks for letting me gripe today guys! I'll do the same for you some day ..... just not this week, okay!