I’ve been thinking about buying a new car for a while now. I used to drive a Mazda MPV that is now almost 20 years old. It’s had some hiccups over the past couple of years, but it’s been a really good little van - easy to drive, easy to park, lots of room for kids and their friends, good on gas. It finally died. On a major roadway. My husband was driving it. He phoned me and said:

Him: I need you to come and get me, the van died.
Me: Can you call someone else? My toes are wet.
Him:
Me: Let me just make a few phone calls and I’ll call you back.
I phoned school to tell them to let T’s friend’s mom pick her up. Then called my husband back
Me: Hi. Just hang tough for about 15 minutes. As soon as my toes are dry, I’ll be right there.
Him: wha? Huh? wh?
Me: Oh .. just wait a sec … the salon owner is coming to get you. She’s driving a pick-up truck. See you in a bit!

I mean, come on girls - I was getting a pedicure! A french pedicure, no less. I couldn’t waste $55 when he could wait for 15 minutes. My husband is the most steady, calm person in the world. He didn’t get mad at me for leaving him on a major throughway with cars whizzing by at amazing speeds. He was just a bit confused. Once he realized that I was getting a pedicure and not just painting my toenails at home, he was understanhding. Plus … the salon owner is a frequent client of his, so he knew who she was. He dropped off a bunch of mini chocolate turtle cheesecakes for the salon the next day.

I’ll miss the van. It’s got a lot of good memories attached to it. But, I’ll make new memories in my Mazda3 Sport Hatchback with a sunroof and my XM sattelite (how do you spell that? 2 t’s? 2 l’s?) radio. It’s mine. I’ve saved for almost three years. It’s a girl car. I have to look for some girly, un-tacky accessories to put in it. FUN!!! I wish you could all come over and go cruising with me, just like when we were 17 years old. Except this time, there wouldn’t be vodka in the slurpees from 7-11.

My little girl will be finishing elementary school this year to move on to middle school. I’m feeling two things: One - I’m excited for her because it’s a new chapter in her life, an opportunity to meet more friends and experience more life! Two - I’m sad because this is the last connection that I have to this particular elementary school. The very first time I stepped into this school, my nephew (who is now 21) was in grade one. One of my twin nieces was diagnosed with cancer (that will be another post - she’s fine now - smart, beautiful and in first year university) so while my sister was in the hospital with her, I was very involved with her kids in this school. I volunteered for snack days, swimming days, skating days, sports days. I helped out in the classroom once a week. When my own children were old enough to go to school, I continued to volunteer. It’s a very special place.

I would like to buy a goodbye gift for the school to thank them for everything. Does anyone have any good suggestions?

My son’s school travel club is planning a trip to London and Paris next year and he’s going! While he’s in London, he’ll be seeing
The Strand
Trafalgar Square
Leicester Square
Covent Garden
Big Ben and Houses of Parliament
Piccadilly Circus
St. Paul’s Cathedral
Changing of the Guard at Buckinghan Palace
Westminster Abbey

I’m so excited for him! I’ve ALWAYS wanted to go, so I’ve told him that he needs to write in a diary every day - even if he’s too tired.

Do you have any tips or things to look for while he’s there?

I loved reading about Piereth’s account of spending time with her son. Those were the best days … no time constraints, just being spontaneous and having fun!

My son is 16. I have great memories (like Piereth’s) about going for a walk and taking 20 minutes to walk one block because we had to follow an ant. I remember going to the park when it was 35 degrees outside (Celsius!) and running through the sprinklers that came on. I remember going for a walk in the dark (when it was freezing outside) because he got a new light sabre and wanted to pretend he was Luke Skywalker.

These fun things don’t have to end just because you have a teenager. In fact, they become more important. I just got a call from my son’s school counselor. He went to talk to her about changing a class because he wanted to try something else and, because she was easy to talk to, he ended up spending half an hour talking to her! She just wanted to let me know that he was telling her about the lectures that I take him to at our local university and that he has a great time riding bikes in the coulees with his dad. She said that she doesn’t hear from many families that do those kinds of things with their kids and that, even though he probably speaks in monosyllabic grunts a lot of the time, the times that we spend with him are important to him.

So, all you moms and dads out there who enjoy spending timewith your kids, give yourself a pat on the back. Don’t let spending money on them take the place of spending time. You’ll reap the rewards!

These are some photos that I just had to stop and stare at when I walked by them at a local art exhibition. I’m not sure what it is about them… I just really like them!

Avocados by Edward Steichen
Three Apples by Edward Steichen

One of our local art centers is having a one day sale today. I’m going to look for pottery.

I used to think that pottery was WAY too expensive. I mean, how hard is it to make a bowl? Or a plate? Since taking a pottery class last year, I now have a new appreciation for it. It is REALLY hard to make a bowl! Never mind a MUG! I’ll have to take some photos of my “work” and post them.

Another thing that I always thought looked easy was playing the guitar. I mean, really - strum strum strum - what’s the big deal. I took a guitar class through the fall - it’s really hard TOO! I still can’t get all the way through “You are my Sunshine” (well, I can - but one verse takes 3 minutes to play).

I like learning new things. Any suggestions for another class I should sign up for in the fall?

…or not.

“C” had a hissy fit because another department had a little wine and cheese to celebrate their achievements. ‘Why doens’t our department do that’ she said. I said “I think that’s a great idea … let’s do it after summer is over - everyone is going on holidays now and this will be a great way to sort of welcome everyone back”. No no … that won’t work…why can’t we do it right away? The other department did! So, I did a little poll to see if anyone could come. A few people could - 9 of them as a matter of fact. “Invite the other departments as well!” C said. So I did.

The party was today. 9 people were there. 9. Nine. That’s it. As opposed to the other department’s 30 people.

And here’s the kicker ….. C looked at the calendar wrong and is out of town. Out. Of. Town. Can’t. Be. Here. HA HA!!

Thank God there was wine!

I’m having a dinner party on Saturday the 26th. It’s one of those “dinner club” things and this time it’s at my house. We’re supposed to make Indian food. I’m not very good with spicy food, but I’m going to try to be adventurous. Does anyone have any good mild Indian recipes? Someone is bringing Butter chicken (their Indian gramma is helping them make it!) and naan.

I’d also like some recipes for a good alcoholic Indian drink. Perhaps if I make those really well, they won’t care if my food is bad.

… as the mother of a 15 year old! My son will be 16 tomorrow! The big One-Six! What were you doing with you were 16? Don’t be afraid! Tell me the sordid stories! (I didn’t do anything until I was 17 - you’ll have to wait another year!)

I went to a screening of The World’s Greatest Commercials” last night. This was one of my favorites.
Have a nice weekend everyone! What are you up to this weekend?