My Grandma

I just got off the phone with my grandma at the hospital. It brought back memories of when she was in a few years ago and we weren't sure if she was going to pull through -- and I'm feeling sad. My Grandma is a very strong, stubborn lady. (Must be genetic ;) My grandpa died 20 years ago and she has been on her own since. I'm not used to hearing her sound weak and vulnerable like she does in the hospital. I hope she's ok, I hope she can shake this off and regain her strength. She's not done inspiring me yet, and I'm not done learning from her and loving her yet.

I can always count on him to tell me the truth....

Tim and I were out for a walk today - in the beautiful 25 degree weather down under the bridge. A loser, in all his desperate, redneck, glory decided to whistle as he went by in his beat up pick up. Tim, a few feet ahead, stopped in his tracks and decided to clarify what that meant - just in case I wasn't clear on why I was being whistled at.

*GASP* "Mom! That means you are S-E (pause, think)-X-E-Y" (yes, he spelled it and even whispered it in case anyone was to hear)....

...."But, I don't think you are -- cause you're a little short."

Perception

Doesn't this look like I'm about to fall off the roof......

The best thing about spring......

The trampoline is up -- and the flying kid is back!!

Life

Spring is here -- and the early confusion of spring-like weather in January this year doesn't seem to have hurt my bulbs too much. This is my first Crocus of the season - I am so happy to start seeing colour! This winter has been a very grey season.

This week I was reminded of the preciousness of life. My friend's Dad passed away after a battle with cancer - just weeks before her wedding. She is one of the strongest people I know -- and it's clear she gets that strength from her mother. Their strength and courage and willingness to keep their head up in light of struggle is truly amazing and admirable. I figured a card would not show how much I love her - during this hard time and always - so I decided that I needed to go and give her a hug. Arriving in the Bay 11 pm Wednesday night I was able to make the wake on Thursday and leave at 6am to come home on Friday. I wish I could have made the funeral, it sounded like it was going to be a real celebration of his life - not just mourning his passing. I am looking forward to her wedding in a few weeks and being able to give her another hug for the happy time in her life.

On a happier note - this same week marked my other friend's new step into motherhood!! Amanda gave birth to a healthy baby girl on Wednesday, named Danica. They both look beautiful and happy -- and I can't wait to meet her little angel. I have been friends with Amanda since we were 4, and although we are so different on so many levels - she is truly one of those lifelong friends that I am blessed to share in each new step.

While we were up north we surprised my Grandma by pulling up her driveway on Thursday morning. She was pleasantly surprised and immediately went to work making an Apple Pie for her big suck (Garnet). When she told Tim she was going to make a special little Apple pie for him he said "No, I would like a Pumpkin Pie." And she said "Ok, sure!" I was shocked by her willingness to give into both of their demands -- but she said it was nothing. She had made a lot of dough and had leftover Pumpkin pie filling in the freezer. I wonder why the enjoy going there so much?? While I was at the wake Grandma called my cousins Bobbi and Nick and told them to bring their Spouses and Babies out -- but didn't tell them that we were there. So we had a great time with them and decided to try to get the Great-Grandkids in a picture to give to Grandma (we've tried before to no avail) These are the best shots that I got; it's a very difficult task to get all three to sit still and look at the camera -- all at the same time.

Give your loved one's a hug today.....and never hold back saying how much you love them. Too often, we fill our lives with things that really have no importance. Life is precious, and much too short.

xo J

I survived the fish, but surviving Jason, now that's another story!

Garnet made a wonderful, yummy, decadent Death by Chocolate trifle for a fish fry dinner we were invited to on Sunday. Yes, I said Garnet made it and yes, I said fish fry. Garnet, who can count the number of times he's set foot in our kitchen on one hand, baked a dish. And, I who is deathly allergic to fish -- went to a fish fry. It was a day of milestones.
Gene and his wonderful wife Kim have invited us over before; he loves to fish -- and Garnet loves to eat it! Kim was sweet enough to make a chicken Enchilada dish for me and we enjoyed the company of a few other couples from work. It was a wonderful time -- lots of laughs (what would we do without you J?!)lots of great food, and lots of smelly fish ;)

No DNA testing needed; he is Garnet's son.

(an email Tim sent Garnet today at work - when he was frustrated that the vacuum wasn't cleaning well enough)

Hi dad
did the little vacyoom com with 2 atachmints?
Because I have to cleen my fan!
love tim!

Ten more years and the 'fan' will be replaced with 'car'.......

March Break Trip #2 c/o Chuck E. Cheese

We went to Chuck E Cheese's with Sandra and her two boys. We had a great time -- it was even better than we expected. Tim LOVED it!!

March Break Trip; Toronto

We met my parents and my brother (and Hillary because we just can't seem to get rid of her) in Toronto on Monday to check out the Hockey Hall of Fame. I also got to see my two beautiful Aunts; Mary and Faunie who are loyal readers of my blog! It was a great time -- and there are some great videos coming. (ie; Dad thinking he's still the 18 year old goalie that he was in 1929)

Hillary even met some hot boyfriends (pictured above)

And because we were walking distance to the CN Tower....we had to check out that too ;)

Josh came back with us to spend the night here. Apparently MSN is more fun when you're at your big sister's? And we met my Parents again on Tuesday for lunch and to drop the overgrown suck....uh I mean Josh off, to head back up North. Lots of car trips -- make for some interesting ways to amuse yourself;


Tim lost another tooth! Which means that the tooth fairy is going broke and starting to wonder -- just how many teeth do kids lose....and can she still afford to be the tooth fairy? The unfairness of the tooth fairy is beginning to surface - when Tim is saying how the she gave him $5.....and his best buddy bragged about getting $10. Hmmmmmm......

One of those Milestones

Tim lost his first tooth last night. We were at a friend's house and he figured that it was ready to come out. After trying to convince me to yank it out -- he gave up. I don't yank. The big bully in my grade one class made fun of me when I lost my first tooth because it was bleeding -- after that I was determined that I would never let them bleed again. So, I would let my teeth hang on forever until they had no choice but to drop out of my mouth.

When we got home and he was getting into bed he said "Make sure Daddy comes in and wakes me up when he comes home -- I want him to pull my tooth out. I want it out before March Break!"

Daddy didn't dissappoint. He yanked that sucker out - and Tim didn't flinch. I don't understand boys - I never will.

It's Juice in the cup....honestly!

Hillary's Special Day

Tim and I made a special "Pakistan Food" Dinner of Pineapple Chicken Curry. It was hard to hide the smell of it cooking....but we still surprised her ;)


We gave her beautiful tulips to wake up to Springtime and Happiness ;)


Yummy Sherbet Sundaes for dessert, whip cream, skor bits, chocolate and a cherry on top......mmmmmm mmmmmm!!!

Tim enjoyed every drop of it (as you can see)

Then we finished off the night watching American Idol and House (an indulgence that she usually has to feel guilty about because of all her school work) Although we got shafted to the 13" tv upstairs because Garnet had to watch his hockey on the big screen.

I love my sister.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETIE!!!!!

My little sister is 23 today!!!!!!!!!!
I love you babe.....since you were never into stuffing your bathing suit with peaches I decided to put a nice picture of your up....but I may find a good one later hehehe!

Today, just before we replaced the brakes on the one car....

.....our other car looked like this.



The bad luck with vehicles? It never ends with us.......

Showing Appreciation or My Long Overdue Y rant.

I was reminded this week about all the reasons I hated working at the YMCA. While it sounds like such a great place to work - I left after 4 years only liking 2 things about it; the years I got to enjoy bringing Tim to work with me (saving money and babysitter hassles) and the members that I got to know. Nothing else. I hated everything else about the job. When you walk into the Y you can immediately feel the unhappiness of the staff. They are rude, snarky, unfriendly and act superior with a 'it's not my job' mentality on everything.....and it gets a little old when you work along side them. I have spoken to so many members lately who are cancelling their memberships because of the poor service and attitude of the staff. It's sad, because the Y is supposed to be such an integral part of every community - and I think our community is lacking because of the poor service. It is a beautiful new building -- but lacks in every other area.

Which brings me to my story on why I was reminded of all the nasty feelings this week:

Garnet and I were preparing to do our taxes and we had recieved all of our T4's - except from the Y. I called a few weeks ago and asked if it would be possible to get it - but she flatly stated that she does them all at the same time and they are available on Feb. 28. Ok, that was fine - I then asked if she could put mine down at the desk to be picked up and not mail it out. I double checked that my address and information was right (it took me 5 tries to change it last year when we moved) and that she had the right person by my middle initial (there is another staff with the same name that has recieved my pay and other information on occasion). We were set. I asked very clearly; "So it will be there for me to pick it up on the 28th?" ....."Yes."

Was that clear to you? It was clear to me. Apparently, it wasn't clear enough for her.

I called to see if it was at the desk to be picked up. The snarky desk clerk scoffed out her answers "Yep, it's here." When I came to the desk to pick it up and asked one of the desk clerks that I actually like she said "Oh, I thought they weren't going to be ready until tomorrow?" The snarky one beside her rolled her eyes and spat out "We have to wait for tomorrow, but hers is here." I stood there speechless, and shook my head.

It turned out that the envelope that was waiting for me was an old pay stub for the other staff member with the same name. So I went up to speak to the woman in accounting. I was met with the same attitude up there. She sighed as if I was really annoying her. And then she stated how much work it was and that she didn't even have them printed out yet.

They would be ready tomorrow.

It didn't matter that I had every right to have my T4 that day. Legally the employer must have them sent to the employee by the 28th of February. I even double checked on the Government of Canada site -- and found out that there is actually a monetary penalty if they are not ready by that day. Instead I was being treated like an obnoxious child -- and given the sob story of how much work they are. She does them every year -- if she has this difficult of time doing them, maybe she should start earlier next year. That is her job.

When I went back the next day I was met once again with the other name on the T4 envelope! I once again had to go up and once again was met with a short, rude answer; "It's at the desk."

"No, I am Jessica M. like I told you - that T4 is for Jessica L."

She immediately went red. "I'm sure you told me L."

No apology. It must have been my fault. That's right.

I left there completely disgusted.

Then I went to my current job yesterday. And was overcome with a new appreciation for my boss and my co-workers. I could sit here and name all of the amazing things that they have done and wouldn't even bring to light how amazing they are; working around my schedule, encouraging and teaching when I don't have clue what I'm doing, Christmas dinner at a fancy restaurant, gift cards for dinner and shopping for Christmas and my Birthday. It goes on and on. My boss was a stay at home mom for over 10 years and then decided that she wanted to own a business. She is still a Mom type of confidant and understands that family is first. She just came back from a trip to Peurto Rico and brought homemade cookies in for me to munch on and then handed me these;

Her thoughtfulness is overwhelming and I have come to this conclusion;

In all 4 years of employment at the Y - not once did I ever feel appreciated or any positive feelings from any of the staff. I tried at the beginning to make a postive change in the room that I worked. I tried to make it a safe, fun environment and was met with a brick wall everytime I asked for something new. There was a lot of money coming in -- but our room never saw any of it go back towards improving the member's or the staff's experience. I made minimum wage when I started there -- and I made minimum wage when I left. Meanwhile, the CEO's dollar signs in his eyes were apparent in every monthly letter he wrote; "More members, more members!" I listened to the members complaints and tried to be their voice to my bosses. It never worked. I was given empty promises, shown little empathy and treated like that annoying, obnoxious child. Soon, I gave up and became another apathetic employee -- like everyone else. Now, I have cancelled my membership like so many other members that I listened to. Tim is done his swimming lessons and I have recieved my last T4 from them. I am done with that place.

I will appreciate this job and these wonderful women that I work with - gifts aside - there is an underlying sentiment of appreciation and teamwork that I will never take for granted. Because I've seen what happens when they aren't there.