Minus A Bazillion

Today in Saskatchewan it was minus a bazillion.  So, to my dismay, when I got in my vehicle this morning, I knew I was almost on empty and would have to stop to get gas.   Usually I pump my own gas and pay at the pump, but today I went to a full service station.  People that pump gas in minus a bazillion all day deserve a tip.  So that is what I did.  I tipped the freezing gas bar attendant happily and gratefully for allowing me to stay in truck and not having to freeze to death pumping my own gas.  Tomorrow is supposed to go to -4C.  Only in this Province can it warm up 40 degrees overnight.  Unreal!

Stay warm.

Happiness is Real When Shared

Yesterday I took my mom over a book called "Water for Elephants."  I started reading it the other day and it's one of those books that draws you in and makes you want to keep going.  One of the things I love best is sharing books with other people.  This reminds me of a quote from a movie called "Into the Wild" that I saw back in 2007.  "Happiness is real when shared."  It's sort of like seeing a really great movie and having no one to tell and discuss it with or getting a great mark in school and not having anyone to tell.  Things just feel a little emptier or less exciting when you can't share them with someone.

The Lung Association

There are many things in life we take for granted.  For most of us breathing easily is one of them, but for many thousands of people living with asthma, lung cancer, COPD and other diseases of the lung, breathing is not always easy.  The Lung Association of Saskatchewan provides patient support and services to many people suffering with lung disease as well as provide education to the public and schools.  Today I sent a small donation to the lung association.  Every little bit helps.

Stay warm fellow Saskatchewanians!

Warm Houses

Today I am thankful for a warm house and hot baths.  I went to the movie Black Swan tonight and I think the temperature must have dropped by 10 degree while were were there!  Black Swan was very dark and was a tad creepy but overall I thought it was great.  The acting was very good and it makes you think.

16

I had an upsetting encounter today with some guy in a red van who apparently has a bit of road rage.  While parked at a red light, looking down at something in the car,  I missed the light turning green.  After a few seconds, I was startled at the sound of a long stream of honking that went on for 4 entire blocks as he drove along side me, glaring and motioning with his hands.  He even swerved into the lane ahead of me as we approached another red light and sat there honking.  I was seriously afraid he would get out of his red van and come talk to me.  I CANNOT believe how something as crazy as that can wreck my night and get me this rattled.  I'm not sure if he thought I was on my cell phone (which, for the record, I wasn't) or what his problem was exactly.  And I needed to vent to red van guy, in case he's reading this, to GET A LIFE! Whew.  That feels better lol  And apparently I need to get a life for letting the crazies of the world get to me so easily.

Now...after having vented that, I have to tell you about my day and why, for the most part, it was pretty special.   I ran many errands, one of them being getting a new vehicle registered for my baby, who is turning 16 in a week!  It was going to be a surprise and I wasn't sure how I was going to pull it off.  She was at a friends house in the afternoon and my husband texted her and told her he was picking her up to come home for dinner.  I rode along with him and when we got outside the house, he texted her and told her he was there.  She texted back and said she'd be right out.  I sat in the back seat, leaving the drivers seat open for her.  My camera was ready as I saw her coming out of the house.  She walked toward the vehicle, uncertain maybe if that was us inside, as the vehicle wasn't familiar to her.  She got in and had this beautiful grin on her face and a hesitancy in her voice that was saying "is this for me?," but her spoken words were "what's going on?"  My husband looked at her, smiling, and said a very loving "Happy Birthday Bailey."  I took a picture of the grin and excitement on her lips and in her eyes and my heart was filled with so much love and admiration of the beautiful young woman I've raised.  16.  Oh my god, where has the time gone?  Where did my little strawberry blonde, wavy haired girl go? Waves of love, excitement and fear rush over me as I picture her out in her vehicle, on her own, exploring the world.  Happy Birthday my beautiful girl.  Have fun exploring and be safe.  Words cannot begin to express what you mean to me and how much you are loved.

Give

I was watching a new talk show with Piers Morgan who was hosting an interview with Oprah.  He was discussing her friendship with her long time friend, Gayle.  Oprah was saying that she wishes for everyone to have a friendship with a woman that has been that deep and meaningful in her life.  It made me reflect on my own relationships with women over the years and I am grateful for the friendships I've had and have.

She also discussed what her life has been about and how she would define herself.  She talked about how she feels she is an instrument through which she can help others achieve more and have a better life.  I've watched Oprah for years and I really think that's true about her.  She is a great humanitarian and Piers mentioned on the show that she has given away over 3 million dollars of her own money to worthy causes.  Oprah said that it is far higher than that.

You don't have to have billions of dollars, like Oprah, in the bank to give.  You can be a Gandhi or a Mother Teresa and have nothing, and still give.  Today I am grateful for all the giving souls all over the world who help enrich people's lives.  I know this has been a recurrent theme in my latest posts but it seems that everywhere I turn lately, I'm reminded of it.

Valentines

I was in WalMart yesterday doing some errands.  I hadn't eaten anything for breakfast so decided to stop into McDonalds for a quick bite.  While I was in line, I noticed a little girl behind me who wouldn't have been more than 3 years old.  She sort of reminded me of one of my girls at that age.  I purchased my meal and at the same time I bought 4 books of "Valentines" in which each included 8 free coupons for $1.00 !!!  3 free cones, 3 free fries and 3 free drinks.  The catch is that they have to be used by kids 12 or under.  I turned to the mom of the little girl in line and asked if I could give her a book of Valentines.  She said yes and the little girl took them and thanked me.

This morning I went down to the river to take some pictures as I'm in a photography class and I have a homework assignment coming due on Tuesday.  I've been driving around for the last week with bags of bottles to take to the recycling depot but haven't made it there yet.  My husband had an idea that we should drop them off in a back alley where we've seen a lot of people looking for bottles in the garbage bins.  So on the way home we dropped the bottles off.  I hope someone who really needs them finds them for a little bit of extra cash.

Tomorrow is Monday....sigh.  The weekends never seem long enough do they?