Home at last...

What a week!

It was fun, but there is nothing better than a good night's sleep in one's own bed.

Mr's mom is very difficult to buy for. She has a teeny tiny apartment with very little space for "stuff". We thought long and hard this year and finally came up with a great little gift. We bought his mom a digital photo frame. We filled it with 750 pictures - those pictures include childhood pictures of all the siblings, children, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and more. The frame also plays music. Mr. loaded it with cheezy old French music that his mom absolutely loves. (I'm just glad I don't have to listen to it!) The gift was a hit! She loved it. I'm glad because it sure was a labor of love to find, choose, and load that frame.

We had a terrific time in Montreal with Mr's family - we laughed, we told stories, we ate, and we laughed some more. We spent part of the week with Auntie L and the rest of the week with Uncle M. We are hoping they all come down to visit soon so we can repay their kind hospitality.

We only had one issue while we were there. Uncle P decided that he was going to be a pill. Our trip has been planned for months. We wanted to be sure we got to see everyone when we were up there.
We were supposed to meet up with Mr's mom and everyone for dinner as soon as we arrived in Montreal - after a 12 hour drive, mind you. Unfortunately, the 2 hour line at the border put a huge dent in those plans. We ended up stopping at Uncle M's (his house is closest to the border) for a rest and light supper. (Believe me, we could not have driven another mile at that point. We were beat!) Mr. immediately called everyone to explain the situation. They totally understood - well, except for Uncle P. It seems he didn't appreciate the change. (It's not like we PLANNED or even ENJOYED sitting for 2 HOURS at the border!!)
P refused to see us or even return a phone call for the rest of the week. Mr. called, left messages, and emailed to no avail. Mr. even called from a phone booth! Eventually Mr. got a hold of him and asked where and when to meet. Uncle P chose the most inopportune time and place, but Mr. was willing to go anyway - without complaint. The morning of the scheduled meeting Mr got an email... it seems Uncle P was simply too busy. Mr was disappointed. He really wanted to see and spend time with ALL of his siblings. He got over it pretty fast - there is not much that a smoked meat sandwich can't cure!

Me - I was so over P and his games after the first day! I've seen him do this before -- but that was when we lived closer and went to Montreal more frequently. We only get up there once a year or less now. The least P could have done was made some time for his brother. I'm not talking a whole day... I'm talking an hour for lunch or dinner or even just drinks and appetizers or something. And it would even have been our treat. As far as I'm concerned, it's P's loss.

The rest of us had a wonderful time! We rode the Bateau Mouche around the port of Old Montreal. We ate smoked meat sandwiches for dinner at 9pm one night. (Note: A little earlier would be better.) We had lobster at Uncle M's. We spent time in the hot tub. We laughed. We told stories. We toured. We rode the Metro. We all had a really nice time just being together.

P missed out.
So be it.

Soggy Bottoms

When Mr. got into the car yesterday morning, he was surprised by a soggy bottom.
It took a moment for dawn to break on marble head.
As he was trying to figure out what was causing that dampness in his nether region, he happened to glance up. His glasses got covered in rain drops and he saw a dark cloudy sky - not the sunroof that normally covers that gaping hole in the roof.

Can you imagine the sinking feeling he had both literally and figuratively... I can...

And, boy, am I glad that I wasn't the last person to drive that car!

Montreal - Day 1 - A quick post

We are in Montreal.

It was a two hour wait at the border - but that is a story for another time when I have time.

Today we did lunch with the family at one of our favorite local restaurants - Yes, I got the Poutine.

We toured old Montreal and got the kids' caricatures done. The guy who did them captured the essence of both of them - their eyes were perfect!

We did the boat tour - complete with a glass of red wine. Yes, I'm having a great time - probably because my family is plying me with my favorite beverages... As I type this, I have a Labatt's Bleue sitting within arm's reach.

We tried to hit a musical instrument shop, but fortunately for me and my pocketbook, it had just closed 15 min. prior to our arrival. I don't think I could have gotten either child out of there without a new professional level instrument in their hot little fists. My BIL insisted that they could just try and not buy. He's funny. He thinks he knows these children. I know that they would have found "the perfect instrument" and been devastated when we made them leave it behind. Nothing would EVER compare and I would, again, be the MEAN one.

Tomorrow is LLB and my spa day with my SIL, L. We are all excited to spend the day doing girly things. Personally, I'm looking forward to having my fingers and toes expertly coiffed... as I am not one to EVER do this stuff. I just hope I can get through it without totally embarrassing myself - I'm the most ticklish person on the planet.

So - if you hear about a woman who kicked her nail person so hard that she flew out the door - It was an accident. I promise.

Vacation

We are off to the Great White North - AKA: Montreal.

We are going to see family, eat poutine, get our nails done, and take in some sights. The forecast is for rain and cold until Thursday. At least we won't sweat to death like we usually do...

If you know of any sights we should see - indoors - let me know. Last year we did St. Joseph's Oratory and The Redpath Museum. In the past we've seen the Botanical Gardens, the Olympic Stadium, a couple of museums, and St. Catherine Street. We've done the underground shopping, and gone ice skating indoors. We are up for anything that doesn't cost us an arm and a leg.

I've got my camera, my gps, and my toothbrush. I've packed some clothes and I'm ready. We have books on tape for the car and our Nintendos are charged.

I hope to hop on to the internet while we are there, but I'm not counting on doing much more than checking mail. See you all when we return.

Oh - if you happen to drop in - walk the dog, will ya?

Cigar Smell...

Polo always smells like cigars.

We've been going to polo pretty regularly, as you all know.

We are observant people - we saw the blow up doll, we see the outfits, we see pretty much everything.

What we have missed is the cigar girl.

Last night we noticed a young girl walking through the crowd with a cigar tray.

We had a light bulb moment. People don't bring cigars to polo. They BUY cigars at polo.

Dinner Table Conversation

My friend J told me this story that happened at her dinner table on Thursday night. I find the whole thing hysterical...

It all started when I took Zeb with me to pick up LLB at ballet camp. Zeb needed his toenails trimmed and his appointment was shortly after ballet.

LLB took Zeb to see the ballet girls.
One of them asked if he was a girl or a boy.
"He is a boy"
"He can't be a boy. He doesn't have a whatzis."
"He had an accident. That's why he doesn't have a whatzis."
LLB proceeded to tell them the story of why the poor sweet dog doesn't have a whatzis.

That night at dinner, J's daughter and her friend were relating this same story to J and her husband P.
"Zebbie doesn't have a whatzis because it fell off when he was mating and the girl dog pulled away."
J was wondering if they really had any idea what all of that meant when her daughter leaned over to her dad, patted him on the back and said,
"Don't worry dad, that won't happen to you."

Things that make me go GRRR

We had the drum and bugle corps competition at our high school this past week. This is our biggest fund raiser of the year. That meant that we all had to show up on the hottest night of the year to work our tails off, sell food, tickets, programs, etc.

Every kid in the music program was supposed to help. We all know that the last week in July is a big vacation week, so we didn't have everyone, but we did have a bunch of really hard working people there.

What really burns my bippie is when people (who plead poverty all year and get scholarships for their kids to various activities) tell me that they don't want to help because they don't want to miss the show. They would rather fork out $20 per ticket and sit and enjoy it.

Let me tell you... I am steaming!

I'll start at the beginning.
I got a call in the morning from this woman. (She is whiny and lazy, and her kid is obese to the point I worry about him having a heart attack.) She asked me when the gates opened and how this whole drum corps thing worked. I explained to her that this was our major fund raiser for the the year and that we needed every single person to help.

"Well... it's hot. I'd rather just pay the money so we don't miss any of the show."
This is a woman who supposedly worries about every last penny. But, she can pay $60 for her and her 2 cherubs to come and sit at a drum corps show...
"Yes, this is always on the hottest night of the year. But, we really need you and your boy to help. If you help, you will work half of the show and see half of the show."
"Well... maybe I can just show up tomorrow and help clean up."
"No... we clean up right after the show so we don't have to go back in the heat of the day. We need you to have your boy there to help at 4pm."

We arrived at 4:30 after getting LLB from her dance camp. LLB and #1 got their staff shirts and went off to help at their designated spots.

At 6pm the gates opened. My #1 was selling concessions in the stands. My LLB was helping with concessions at the food stand. I was helping at the bank. My sweet Mr. who had been up since 4:30am was helping to park cars.

I hear this whiny voice,"Hi LBC! Are you working hard?"
I looked up to see the woman and her kids.
I grinned while I gritted my teeth and bit my tongue.

How dare she!?
The nerve!

Let me tell you.. if they apply for a band scholarship this year (I know her boy got a free ride to camp last year) and I can have a say, I say NO WAY IN HELL are they getting any of the funds we worked so hard to earn. They didn't help. They just sat on their butts and watched the rest of us work our tails off.

I was annoyed... totally annoyed... I still am annoyed. I firmly believe that if you are given a scholarship because you don't have the money, the least you can do is give your time when it is needed. But, I guess my momma raised me right...

I spent the whole night running - as did #1. As a matter of fact, I had a parent who was working concessions come over and tell me what a great kid my #1 is. He worked the whole night - didn't take a break. He just kept going like the energizer bunny. During the second half he was the only one selling - everyone else bailed on him.

Actually, he loved selling his stuff in the stands. He had a great time!

At midnight, #1 called me on his cell.
"Hi Mommy."
"Hi Bud!"
"I'm tired."
"I know, my boy. Are you finished cleaning up?"
"Yup. Everything is done. I can go."
"Meet me at the car. I'll take you home."
"Okay."

So - not only did he arrive and help set up at 4:30pm, he stayed to help clean up after carrying food in the stands from 6pm until 11pm.

On they way home #1 and I discussed the other boy not helping. #1 is NOT happy about it. #1 mentioned that one of the other kids bought a ticket to watch the show, but showed up early to help set up. #1 was okay with that. He felt that was fair because he did both.

I told #1 how proud I was of him and what a good job he did - as did his dad and his grandparents.
His response, "I had a job to do and I did it."

Yes, my boy...
You know how to work hard and give back.

I have taught you well.