NURSES, GHOSTS AND SNOW

My first call came in this morning at 6:15 AM. I had been up already for an hour or so, and was in front of the computer, by now having read Kilroy’s blog, made my comments in Facebook, and was pursuing some posts in the Blogit writer’s site. When I spoke to my brother last evening, he told me he was not feeling too well, so the phone was on my little bureau by the bed…just in case. When I heard it ring so early, I immediately thought it was him, and I raced to answer it. My heart settled down when I saw the number on the caller ID. It was the nurse’s aid who was on her way to a client’s home in the city. It is the first day for this job, and she was having difficulty finding the place. I logged onto Google map and relayed more directions, then attempted to call the client to warn him that she would be slightly late. He didn’t answer, so I left a message on his voice mail, and I’m now waiting for one of them, the nurse or the client, to confirm that she has arrived, and all is well.

Later today I will be invaded by little ghosts and goblins – it’s our Halloween party, and there should be up to 20 weird beings gathered here. I’ve decided that my costume will be an ‘old lady’ – not too much effort required for me to dress up accordingly, LOL! My son and Yo are to prepare the bags of goodies for the little ones and, instead of pot luck supper, we decided to order a buffet. Most of us are rushing during the week, and having food made to order is one less hassle.

And there is snow out there! It’s no secret that I love the stuff, even if it does cause more work. Shovelling, mopping wet doggie tracks on the floor, carrying up wood….I’ll probably be complaining about all that later into the season. At the moment though, seeing the first layers of it lying here and there on the mountain makes my heart sing! For some reason, winter floods me with a warm, happy feeling. I’m not sure why – maybe it’s a flashback from childhood, the sleighing and skating and snowball fights. Or remembering kisses on the cold, rosy cheeks of my children, all bundled up in scarves and mittens, as we laboured at one of the many snowmen built during the years. Whatever the reason, anything that makes me feel that way is more than welcome!

In fact, I think I’ll pull on my boots and go take a little jaunt out there before it melts away. So, while reading this, folks, you can picture me running around in the yard with the doggies, pitching my first snowball, and you can be sure I’m SMILING! Here’s hoping your morning is making you SMILE too!

Luv from the Bush in Quebec

A FUN AGENDA

Guess what? I’m going to Saskatoon, finally! My friend, Karen, has been living there for years, and this is a first visit. Even better is that another friend, Dawna , is flying out with me! The three of us hung together when teens (how long ago was that, again??), and I know we’ll have great fun. My DIL, Yoshiko, now works for a Travel Agency, so she does the shopping for the best rates, and takes care of all those annoying little details required at the airports. What’s more, when Karen told me the hockey games televised out there are Toronto games, I checked the schedule, and guess who the HABS are playing that weekend? Yep! The Leafs! I swear that I did not pick those dates especially for the game! It just happened that way. Talk about a good omen!

Before the trip, we have the Halloween party to organise. This started out as plans for a get together at my home with my Cuban friends, Dawna & Malcolm, and my kids, but has bloomed into a full-fledged celebration of ghouls and goblins. My son, B, invited the many friends who attend our birthday parties each year, and now the idea is disguises for us all, decorating the site, and bags of treats to be prepared for the numerous little tykes (my grandsons included) who will be accompanying their parents. The supper will be what we call ‘pot-luck’; each guest bringing a dish to contribute to the meal. It’s happening this coming Saturday, and will be great fun, I’m sure.

It seems that the past weekends have kept my house very busy. Thanksgiving, then my bro’s daughter, and last night I had guests for supper too. Looking ahead, with the party and the trip out west, then the cooking and baking to prepare for Christmas, I have this gut feeling that, once more, I’ll be doing my shopping on the eve of the main holiday. One thing certain; with all this going on, together with the extra work at the office, there is definitely no time to be bored! In fact, I’ll probably be searching for a little hole to hide away now and then, LOL!

This morning is a cold, rainy start to the week. Part of autumn, and inevitable, but it is so much nicer when the sun is out there, isn’t it? I know the traffic is going to be arduous – rain or snow incite uncertain drivers to slow down to nearly a crawl. I going to take the time now to hunt up some old CD’s, music I haven’t heard for awhile. It doesn’t shorten the ride into the city, but does make it more enjoyable.

Have a good one folks, no matter the weather in your area. There’s nothing like a huge SMILE to brighten anyone’s day. I’m wearing mine. How about you?

Luv from the Bush in Quebec.