I went to a toy store today, on a mission.
(This toy store is absolutely wonderful. It's just a good, old-fashioned, independent toy store full of games and dress-up items and stuff animals and puppet theatre sets and just a little bit of everything. You can't set foot in this store and NOT be happy. It's impossible.)
So, as I walk in, the young man (what am I? 90?!) standing near the front says to me, "Just so you know, we're closing in about 5 minutes"
I cut to the chase. "Do you have any tiaras?"
I swear he sort of looks at me a bit oddly before he leads me to them.
But from the moment the words leave my mouth, I can't help but smile.
Standing in a toy store, on a mission to buy a toy tiara. Taking pleasure in every minute and really excited about it.
Life is pretty good. :)
(It's amazing how a $2 tiara purchase reinforces the joy in life. Or rather, it's finding such joy in buying a $2 tiara that makes life so wonderful.)
May 24, 2006
Truly in Memory-am
The park in which I take my walks (around the river) is full of benches that are dedicated (and donated) in someone's memory.
Several weeks ago, I walked by one bench decorated with coloured, crepe streamers.
A couple days after that, another had a card taped to it and a small bunch of white flowers.
Tonight, on yet another, there were three separate bunches of brightly coloured flowers tied to the sides and top of the bench. The young woman to whom the bench was dedicated died at age 20.
With so many fundraising items in this world, donated in memory of someone, it is rather nice to see that the memories of these people are truly alive - not just in the minds and hearts of their loved ones, but in every single one of us who stroll or run or bike through that park. For all the sense of community and togetherness these types of initiatives try to achieve, this town, this park, and these people are succeeding. Effortlessly. Truly creates a feeling of love in the air.
Several weeks ago, I walked by one bench decorated with coloured, crepe streamers.
A couple days after that, another had a card taped to it and a small bunch of white flowers.
Tonight, on yet another, there were three separate bunches of brightly coloured flowers tied to the sides and top of the bench. The young woman to whom the bench was dedicated died at age 20.
With so many fundraising items in this world, donated in memory of someone, it is rather nice to see that the memories of these people are truly alive - not just in the minds and hearts of their loved ones, but in every single one of us who stroll or run or bike through that park. For all the sense of community and togetherness these types of initiatives try to achieve, this town, this park, and these people are succeeding. Effortlessly. Truly creates a feeling of love in the air.
May 09, 2006
Let's try this again
So, after I got myself all organized to start reading regularly again, I somehow chose a series of books which did nothing but bore me and, ultimately, somehow manage to completely turn me off reading - a feeling I've never experienced in my entire life. Well done Paulo Coehlo and well, non-fiction in general.
A week or so ago my aunt told me about a John Grisham book which is partly set in my grandmother's home town in Italy. Aside from being interested in reading a book set in the lovely city of Treviso, I wondered if John Grisham could be the perfect little piece of brain candy to get me back into reading. Hardly a literary genius, sometimes plowing through a quick little mystery is the shot of adrenaline that makes the heart start pumping again. I also requested Le Suite Francaise - when in doubt, return to a tried and true friend - the World War II love/war story.
I think I'll also stop in for The Nanny Diaries. Mindless chick lit. Will hardly make me feel intellectual, but if it returns me to reading, it will be worth it.
If there are any other recommendations for interesting (non-science) fiction works, I'm taking suggestions!
A week or so ago my aunt told me about a John Grisham book which is partly set in my grandmother's home town in Italy. Aside from being interested in reading a book set in the lovely city of Treviso, I wondered if John Grisham could be the perfect little piece of brain candy to get me back into reading. Hardly a literary genius, sometimes plowing through a quick little mystery is the shot of adrenaline that makes the heart start pumping again. I also requested Le Suite Francaise - when in doubt, return to a tried and true friend - the World War II love/war story.
I think I'll also stop in for The Nanny Diaries. Mindless chick lit. Will hardly make me feel intellectual, but if it returns me to reading, it will be worth it.
If there are any other recommendations for interesting (non-science) fiction works, I'm taking suggestions!
May 08, 2006
The Neighbours
Ahh, the neighbours. Good neighbours, bad neighbours. Loud neighbours, quiet neighbours. So much potential for things to go wrong, and yet, a good neighbour relationship can be a lifesaver.
One never knows with neighbours.
I'm finding myself with an interesting neighbour situation.
The weekend I moved in, I had to return to my "home city". When I got back on the Sunday, I discovered that my grass had been cut for me.
Months later, when the first heavy snow fell, my driveway was snow-blowed (is that a verb? And the proper past tense of it? :p) for me. A couple times. (Until I decided to just hire the kid since I didn't have a snowblower)
Tonight, I'm outside planting flowers and all of a sudden one of their sons (not the one who did the snowblowing - the younger one), started cutting my grass (I had cut it days ago but apparently he didn't like how high my blades were :p). The thing is, his parents didn't even know he was doing it. His father came out and was like "are you going to cut ours too?" and his mother came over to check what was going on. So there's goes the theory they told him to cut the grass for me.
I've heard of random acts of kindness but I have to admit the whole randomly cutting grass or shovelling snow - with a certain frequency - is catching me off guard. Especially when I'm young and healthy and, like, *own* a lawnmower. Perhaps I'm not neighbourly enough for this street. :p
What I could really stand is for them to spontaneously wash my windows. :p
One never knows with neighbours.
I'm finding myself with an interesting neighbour situation.
The weekend I moved in, I had to return to my "home city". When I got back on the Sunday, I discovered that my grass had been cut for me.
Months later, when the first heavy snow fell, my driveway was snow-blowed (is that a verb? And the proper past tense of it? :p) for me. A couple times. (Until I decided to just hire the kid since I didn't have a snowblower)
Tonight, I'm outside planting flowers and all of a sudden one of their sons (not the one who did the snowblowing - the younger one), started cutting my grass (I had cut it days ago but apparently he didn't like how high my blades were :p). The thing is, his parents didn't even know he was doing it. His father came out and was like "are you going to cut ours too?" and his mother came over to check what was going on. So there's goes the theory they told him to cut the grass for me.
I've heard of random acts of kindness but I have to admit the whole randomly cutting grass or shovelling snow - with a certain frequency - is catching me off guard. Especially when I'm young and healthy and, like, *own* a lawnmower. Perhaps I'm not neighbourly enough for this street. :p
What I could really stand is for them to spontaneously wash my windows. :p
May 07, 2006
Two little sentinels patrolling the table
Whenever I peruse wedding registries, running through the possible pieces of formal dinnerware that can be purchased, I am always drawn to the creamer and sugar bowl. No matter the pattern, I love the idea of the creamer and sugar bowl. I don't know if it's because they present the opportunity for a little bit of creativity in, and a chance to stray from, the otherwise rigid setup of dinner plate, salad plate, bread plate, bowl, cup and saucer of the typical place setting. Or if it's because they evoke the comforting feelings that accompany a hot beverage at the end of a lovely meal. Or, if it's because I've somehow assigned little personalities to the creamer and sugar bowl - picturing little conversations, complete with little spats and bickering, between the two pieces. To me, they are the court jesters in the kingdom of dinnerware, travelling throughout the land, making observations and reporting back on the happenings they've witnessed. Taking notes and keeping tabs. Two little sentinels, patrolling the table, with no one the wiser.
I think this is why my purchase of the creamer and sugar bowl excites me in a way that the large serving platter never could.
I think this is why my purchase of the creamer and sugar bowl excites me in a way that the large serving platter never could.
What a Girl Wants
Went to a coworker's wedding tonight. Wore a cute new outfit and really cute shoes (that I even already owned, *and* were on sale!). Was a bit concerned about having sequins on the top, but I figured, if I had to attend this wedding by myself, then I should at least look fabulous.
As I was walking down the block from my car to the wedding location, carrying the gift, I suddenly thought of Sex and the City. Not that I was ever one of the huge followers - I've only watched it in syndication. But walking down the city street, a bit glammed up, carrying this rather large gift, I felt like I was in one of the monologue portions of the show about the power, or perils of being single. Because, as much as you can project this aura of confidence, or convince yourself you're okay and happy with being single at this point, it still takes a fair bit of "suck it up" and a rather large collection of inner courage and confidence, or self-convincing, to walk into a situation like this completely on your own, especially when everyone you know at the event is married.
At one point later in the evening, just as I was finishing up a drink, my one coworker (who had gotten me a drink earlier in the evening) appeared, literally out of nowhere (I hadn't even started wondering if I wanted another yet - and he had been having another conversation on the other side of the room since he delivered the last drink), with another, saying "Here, you looked like you were low on that one."
And while there's nothing there - he's married and is just actually that sweet - it sort of solidifed something. Any time I've wished my single status was different in the last year or two, it came down to a fairly basic reason. At the end of a long, hard day when all I wanted, more than anything else in the world, was a hug. Crawling into bed on similar days, wishing I wasn't alone and had someone to put my arms around. Waking up first thing in the morning, wanting to be someone's first thought, or having someone wondering how I was feeling that day. Being somewhere (like at an event) and having someone pay enough attention to what's happening with you that they somehow show up with the drink you didn't even know you wanted.
For all the laundry lists of what we want in a man, or think we want, I really just want someone who looks in my eyes and cares and is concerned, about what's happening with me and what I'm feeling. That's all.
As I was walking down the block from my car to the wedding location, carrying the gift, I suddenly thought of Sex and the City. Not that I was ever one of the huge followers - I've only watched it in syndication. But walking down the city street, a bit glammed up, carrying this rather large gift, I felt like I was in one of the monologue portions of the show about the power, or perils of being single. Because, as much as you can project this aura of confidence, or convince yourself you're okay and happy with being single at this point, it still takes a fair bit of "suck it up" and a rather large collection of inner courage and confidence, or self-convincing, to walk into a situation like this completely on your own, especially when everyone you know at the event is married.
At one point later in the evening, just as I was finishing up a drink, my one coworker (who had gotten me a drink earlier in the evening) appeared, literally out of nowhere (I hadn't even started wondering if I wanted another yet - and he had been having another conversation on the other side of the room since he delivered the last drink), with another, saying "Here, you looked like you were low on that one."
And while there's nothing there - he's married and is just actually that sweet - it sort of solidifed something. Any time I've wished my single status was different in the last year or two, it came down to a fairly basic reason. At the end of a long, hard day when all I wanted, more than anything else in the world, was a hug. Crawling into bed on similar days, wishing I wasn't alone and had someone to put my arms around. Waking up first thing in the morning, wanting to be someone's first thought, or having someone wondering how I was feeling that day. Being somewhere (like at an event) and having someone pay enough attention to what's happening with you that they somehow show up with the drink you didn't even know you wanted.
For all the laundry lists of what we want in a man, or think we want, I really just want someone who looks in my eyes and cares and is concerned, about what's happening with me and what I'm feeling. That's all.
May 05, 2006
I may have a new pet.
I think I might have a cat. I don't know yet if I'm being adopted, or if my presence is just being tolerated.
During the winter, I would occasionally see paw prints in the snow, so I knew there a cat out and about. Yesterday, I was at the computer and looked out the window. At the back of the yard, in the flower bed, sat a black cat. He (she?) wasn't moving - simply resting in the flowerbed. He sat there for at least a good 20-30 minutes. At one point another cat was sitting on top of the fence, looking down at him. I started to wonder then if perhaps the thing was dead - one cat sitting the flowerbed, not moving - the other sitting atop the fence watching him. I ran out to do some errands, the cat still sitting there.
Tonight, I come home from work, look out the window and see the cat lazing about in the grass, in the shade of the shed. Stretching occasionally but otherwise, showing no intention of exerting any energy.
I know his point of entry is under the fence that separates me from the people behind me, but after that, I don't know from where he comes. At first I thought I was being adopted, but then I realized, I'm the new one here. He probably thinks I've entered his playground. I'm interested to see how long this goes on. And just who will prove to be more territorial.
In the meantime, I may have to go buy some mothballs to protect all the flowers I'm planning on planting this weekend.
During the winter, I would occasionally see paw prints in the snow, so I knew there a cat out and about. Yesterday, I was at the computer and looked out the window. At the back of the yard, in the flower bed, sat a black cat. He (she?) wasn't moving - simply resting in the flowerbed. He sat there for at least a good 20-30 minutes. At one point another cat was sitting on top of the fence, looking down at him. I started to wonder then if perhaps the thing was dead - one cat sitting the flowerbed, not moving - the other sitting atop the fence watching him. I ran out to do some errands, the cat still sitting there.
Tonight, I come home from work, look out the window and see the cat lazing about in the grass, in the shade of the shed. Stretching occasionally but otherwise, showing no intention of exerting any energy.
I know his point of entry is under the fence that separates me from the people behind me, but after that, I don't know from where he comes. At first I thought I was being adopted, but then I realized, I'm the new one here. He probably thinks I've entered his playground. I'm interested to see how long this goes on. And just who will prove to be more territorial.
In the meantime, I may have to go buy some mothballs to protect all the flowers I'm planning on planting this weekend.
May 03, 2006
Joyless People
I bought a card at the store today and was checking out. I realized I had exact change. I LOVE exact change. I even exclaimed "Exact Change! How exciting!" The cashier woman said nothing. Nothing. Not even a half-smile to humour me!
She was obviously in need of a hug. I mean, what kind of person can't find joy in exact change?!
She was obviously in need of a hug. I mean, what kind of person can't find joy in exact change?!
May 02, 2006
Maybe I'll name it Packy
(I'm not really intending on turning this into a knitting blog, but creating something is quite fun and often requires an exclamation of "look how cute!!!" and running around like a 5 year old showing everyone your creations. At least I won't have the 17 requisite cat photos that seem to be required on every knitting blog).
Several weeks ago I bought myself a treat. Well, two sets of treats. Variegated green and variegated purple hand-dyed alpaca yarn! I really wanted the purple and justified buying the green by telling myself I'd make it as a mother's day gift for my mom. And I kept telling myself that even though I knew it wasn't true. :p
I didn't buy a ton (because, shockingly enough, hand-dyed alpaca yarn from Chile is a bit pricey) so I decided to make a couple scarves. I've finished the green one! Look how pretty!!! (Sorry for the picture quality. I can't get myself to break down and buy a digital camera so I'm stuck with webcam photos)
I'm going to do the purple in a bit of a different pattern which I, admittedly, took off a knitting blog. :p But first I think I'm going to finish the tuque I started for my father 5 years ago. Just because I'm a good daughter like that. :p
Several weeks ago I bought myself a treat. Well, two sets of treats. Variegated green and variegated purple hand-dyed alpaca yarn! I really wanted the purple and justified buying the green by telling myself I'd make it as a mother's day gift for my mom. And I kept telling myself that even though I knew it wasn't true. :p
I didn't buy a ton (because, shockingly enough, hand-dyed alpaca yarn from Chile is a bit pricey) so I decided to make a couple scarves. I've finished the green one! Look how pretty!!! (Sorry for the picture quality. I can't get myself to break down and buy a digital camera so I'm stuck with webcam photos)
I'm going to do the purple in a bit of a different pattern which I, admittedly, took off a knitting blog. :p But first I think I'm going to finish the tuque I started for my father 5 years ago. Just because I'm a good daughter like that. :p
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