Adcock Gardens

Remember that cartoon in the early 80's called "Fables of the Green Forest"? That cartoon comes to life at Adcock Gardens. Emmilia, Fern and I went there on Thursday. What a sweet, hidden gem that place is. I love the pond filled with lily pads, water lilies, frogs and turtles - complete with a wooden arched bridge and row boat.

I don't know the story about the family who owns the place. I wish I did. My imagination envisions it to be a husband and wife who are happily retired. Who fill their days tending to their garden and they couldn't be happier. Their children have moved out and are raising families of their own. They cherish the days their grandchildren come over and run through the garden to tend to their favourites. Whether it be getting dirty in the pond catching frogs, or picking crab apples off the trees. I picture the woman to wear a messy bun and old blue button up plaid shirts.

They drink tea in the morning, eating toast and reading the paper in silence before starting their day together. They have a crafty sign on their bedside table that reads "Always Kiss Me Goodnight".

And I bet they do.

Favourite of the Day: I just showed this to Mike at work and he said "If that really were Fables of the Green Forest, that frog would be wearing glasses".

10 Years to Celebrate

My mom & dad, with Avery
- August 25, 2000

Ten years ago, I begrudgingly put on my Blockbuster Video uniform, knowing my sister was in the early stages of labour and I couldn't bail on my shift at work. Thankfully, when all was said and done, I made it to the hospital in plenty of time.

A decade has gone by and I celebrate 10 years of a beautiful girl.

A girl:

-who is passionate and sensitive and feels with her heart.

-who's bald little head was quickly loaded with bouncing curls that make you cringe with envy.

-who cries out in a movie theatre when an animal is injured - completely unaware of anyone else in the room. Because her heart aches at the thought of someone else in pain.

-who greets fear with confidence. She conquers any roller coaster, while the rest of us chickens stand to the side with our stomach in knots.

-who challenges her mother, because she knows what she wants and fights for what she believes to be true. A characteristic that will only help her succeed in life.

-who is a waterbug, just like me. She can swim for hours on end. We made up a golfball game in the lake. I know she cheats at it. But I do too. (Don't worry, I usually let her win)

-who used to sign her name at school with the middle initial "H". And told everyone her middle name was "Horse" (her middle name does not start with H)

-who told stories that were full of adventure and imagination about her and her best friend Janie. You would have never guessed that Janie wasn't real.

-who brought a newspaper clipping of Motley Crue to kindergarten for show and tell.

-who innocently tested her match-making skills in finding me a mate.

-who has made me laugh with so many one-liners....I couldn't begin to list them all.

I can't believe how fast ten years have gone by. I miss her chubby cheeks and blowing zerberts on her soft baby belly. I miss the Boston accent she grew when she couldn't say the letter 'r'. I miss the way she would run to me and squeal with delight when I would come over to visit.

But I look at her now and I smile at the wonderful girl she has become. Happy Birthday to my sweet Avery.

Father, Mother, Brother, Sister

I took this picture on Thursday. I was excited to find this turtle family hanging out in the sun.

This prompted me to remember when I was in golfing in North Carolina three years ago and took the picture below. I called this family the Berenstein Turtles. Doesn't it look like they're posing?

This only leads me to one question:
Why do I get excited to find turtle family's?

Favourite of the Day: My major crush on Daniel Tosh from Tosh.0. (His line about double rainbows and unicorns almost shot soup out of my nose today).

Big Eyed Freaks

My niece Avery's birthday is coming up soon so I emailed my sister to see what she might like as a gift. This is her emailed response:

"She wants a big eyed freak from Zoo Zoo. She is no longer collecting Webkinz and has moved on to these. They are these Russ Stuffies with giant eyeballs. They are about $15.00. She was just there and saw them. She wants the elephant, the mouse, or she said there was a bear she liked there too.

Those are some ideas. She hasn't asked for much else. Other than them, the skateboard.

Later gater"

It seems I did not read this email in great detail. I was mainly focused on remembering "Elephant or Mouse". I decided to go to the mall and buy her birthday gift today. I walked into Zoo Zoo and wandered around looking for these toys. The owner came up to me and asked if I needed help. So, I asked him where the "Big Eyed Freaks" were. He said he didn't know. He had never heard of them. I said my niece had wanted one for her birthday. He thought maybe they were a new up and coming toy and offered to look into them for me.

I thanked him and wandered around the store a little more. I decided to call my sister to figure out where to buy these things.

Me: "Hey, where do they sell those Big Eyed Freaks?"
Her: "Zoo Zoo"
Me: "No, I'm at Zoo Zoo and they don't know what I'm talking about."
Her: "Please tell me you didn't just walk in there and ask for a Big Eyed Freak"
Me: "Um. Yes, I did."
Her: "hahahahahahahahhahhahaha"
Me: "................."
Her: "That's not what they're actually called. Avery just calls them that."

Then we were both cracking up. I had to go back and explain to the guy that there is no such thing as a Big Eyed Freak. Which may only be funny to me and my sister. But when Avery hears this, she is going to LOVE this story.

And she better like the damn elephant too.

Friday Night

Coke Machine Glow

by Gordon Downie

Here we are on the highway.

Here we are on the road.

Here we are in the parking lot's

pink Coke machine glow.

Here we are in the bedroom.

Here we are in the bed.

Here we are

beside each other

after everything

we've said.

YEAH Toast

I love the art of conversation. I love how I often find myself in very random, out of the blue discussions. Particularly when I'm talking with a bunch of women (or Brian), our conversation will take unexpected turns and go off on wild tangents. You just never know where a conversation will lead or what will come up.

I love that.

I know this generally happens to everyone, but I feel like perhaps I may be a more random person than most. Maybe not. Either way - I have interesting conversations, frequently.

The other night, in a somewhat 'normal' conversation about relationships (note that I use the term normal loosely) we suddenly started talking about bagels. Then toast. Which lead to a discussion on toasters. Which lead to us listening to this song on someones iPod. Which lead to me laughing my head off.

Favourite of the Day: This quote: "If you don't have time to love your life now - when will you?" I often spend my time worrying about the future. Plain silliness. Why worry about things I can't control, when I can listen to funny toast songs and laugh with friends? My life is good RIGHT NOW.

The tables have turned...

While I most often feel I am my mother's daughter, tonight I realized the tables are turning.

I remember as a kid, riding around in my dad's chevrolet pick-up truck while he listened to CBC radio and thinking it was the most boring thing in the world. I couldn't understand having a radio and NOT listening to music.

Well. Let me eat crow. Now I like CBC radio.

Oh, and I will pull over on the highway to nap in my car. And I keep a phone book in my car.

I am my father's daughter too.

Favourite of the Day: Great night out with some girlfriends. It's comforting to know they'll go out with me, even when I look like a bum. Quote of the night? From Jayme: "Um....Don't tell anyone I do your hair". Lots of laughs, as always. I love girlfriends.

Tomato Soup

Tomato Soup is a staple for me. It's my longstanding back-up plan and my comfort food. I always have some in my cupboard and I know it's always there for me on a day when I don't feel like cooking, or when I just want something simple and warm. I love my Tomato Soup.

How I feel about my soup is also how I feel about Oprah. Knowing we will soon embark on her final season is already making me sad. This is pathetic, I know. In 2006 she released her 20th Anniversary DVD set, which I am currently re-watching right now. It is all the highlights of the best moments on the show. I'm not exaggerating when I say I've cried over 25 times already, and I'm only on Disc 3. (pathetic count: 2)

If this is how I'm feeling now, I can only imagine how I'll be during her final show. In fact, when that day comes, I suggest everyone leave me alone - I don't think it's going to be pretty. Following that day, you'll probably be able to find me at the grocery store every day at 4pm.....buying more Tomato Soup.

P.S. NEVER GO TO the 2nd LOCATION. (only some people will get that)

Forever 12

"You drive a school bus?"

"No, no - I drive a STOOL bus"

HAHA. Toilet humour never gets old for me. I was driving down Base Line the other day and ended up following this truck. I giggled the whole way. Is that sticker necessary? Does everyone have to know the truck is full of poop? And then be cautious because of it? But then I realized - yes, it IS necessary. Truly, you ARE going to be a little more careful when driving near this truck. No one wants that poop to explode if there were an accident. Furthermore - if you DID crash into this truck - you would want a heads up before you ran over to help, no?

Thank you for the fair warning, Stool Bus. As you were.

Favourite of the Day: After a weekend dog-sitting Knox and Mimi, I was very happy to sleep in today.