Sunday, May 24, 2015
MJust Sayin: A Weekend in Another Country
MJust Sayin: A Weekend in Another Country: It seems I can't stay away from Steven Sondheim. "A weekend in the country...how amusing, how delightfully droll..." Well an...
A Weekend in Another Country
It seems I can't stay away from Steven Sondheim. "A weekend in the country...how amusing, how delightfully droll..." Well anyone who knows me knows can attest to the fact that I would not be very amused if I was in the actual country as the song indicates.
Me and Nature ...we got a deal..I stay out of your area and you keep your bugs and spiders and such out of my house. Not that I don't appreciate the outdoors...I d have enjoyed many a drink on a patio as a matter of fact I am outside blogging right now! But a tent...sleeping bag...critters. I believe they had me in mind, specifically, when they coined the term "not a happy camper".
Anyway- I did have a weekend away -in another country...Oh Canada! I never want to lose sight of the fact that we can hop over to another country in twenty minutes. It is kind of cool- but because we've been doing it our whole lives, we forget. I have memories of being a kid on our way to our cottage and crossing the Peace Bridge coming up to the flags at the actual border chanting US US US US -CANADA ! and on the way home CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADA- US
Not at all annoying - I'm surprised my dad didn't drive directly in to the Duty Free shop!
So here we go, my sister in law and I on a little getaway that we have been talking about for at least 15 years! We booked our room in Niagara Fall, Canada and made reservations for dinner and that was all the planning we did! A weekend free of plans! We were on the road with our GPS - (did I mention we've lived here all our lives) and got to customs and for some reason it turned into the airport scene from Argo.
Why am I so nervous?
Do I just hand the passport to him or do I open it ?
Should we say we have wine?
How many should we say we have... three?
Say "a couple"
That's too vague
That's the point
Stick to the script.
Do you speak Farsi?
So after they barely asked us our citizenship, we were in another country - ready for adventure...but first... a nap! After a little pajama miscommunication ( I can sleep anywhere in anytime and place in any outfit.-in college I used to wear my waitress uniform to bed after a late, late night so I can just get up and go to work) apparently she has to be in full pajama mode..to take a 10 minute nap. If I did that I 'd never go out..( I have a once the bra is off policy). Once that was hilariously figured out- we went out on the town. and we did that for three day- laugh eat drink repeat!
I love Canada- you pay for stuff and they bring you this blue paper back that you can also use to buy ore stuff. Cool...I guess it's their currency...there was a moose on one and I think Michael J Fox was on another...It was kind of like that old Steve Martin thing where he was that awful waiter who messed everything up but when he brought your change it was a ton of money back "one hundred-two hundred three-hundred"..
It wasn't quite that good, but our very, very expensive steak and lamb chop dinner turned out to be very, very affordable. Thanks Canada! This was just what I needed after the last couple weeks-no months- no years of shit...it was nice to be free-care free and phone free (international roaming what the fuck? we are 20 minutes from home!) .It felt great-and I have to thank my sister in law for being so persistent and actually making the plans. I also want to thank the nice Canadian lady who told me I looked so pretty as we walked down the street after dinner. I felt just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman- only with black hair ...and a foot shorter, with food stains down her dress and full of delicious lamb but still- Is Richard Gere Canadian? I thought I saw his picture on some money.
Now we've all had weekends away and it is hard to get back to real life and yeah, it was ...but kind of different this time. There was not the dread of the last couple years. It was not the feeling of what fresh hell awaits me now. I have read so much stuff on loss and grief lately and some of it helps and some of it makes me want to say shut the fuck up and get on with it. Either way, I think I'm ...healing. Healing from the following: my husband's cancer more than scare- my mom's battle, my losing and starting new jobs...my kids moving out....my granddaughter's open heart surgery and losing my mom after such a awful fight. (well I'm exhausted- how about you?) I would be lying to say that there still isn't a little waiting for the other shoe to drop feeling but at least they are really cute shoes...little strappy sandals actually! I have learned to take each day as it comes whether it be delightful or heartbreaking. You can never plan for things- if someone told me I'd have a granddaughter who would have to go through what she did- I would be paralyzed with fear...and although she was 80 and ill ...how do you prepared for losing your mom...you do it moment by moment...day by day...Oh dear Lord! You have to handle things the best way you know how. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There is no time frame either.You have to do what is right for you.
For example, at the Hershey stor,e when they didn't have the big chocolate covered strawberries you wanted - you just have to pick your self up, you do not (I learned) drop to your knees and scream WHY ME GOD?? you move on...tearfully... and maybe have some strawberry frozen yogurt with chocolate sauce...not the same but close and better for you (maybe not the chocolate sauce... hell, I'm GRIEVING).
I have had a couple of very close, close friend have health "events "as of late. In talking to them I learned to take it slow, appreciate each day- I know it may be really really scary, but you got this guys I know you do and I'm here for you and if you need a getaway....I'm your girl! I am so good at it. Very amusing and sometimes hilarious...extremely agreeable- up for anything (maybe not boats)! I wish there was an occupation as a travel companion that doesn't me sound like paid escort.
Anyway I hope for them and for all of us that there are more good times and happy days ahead if we take this life one day at a time...now I sound like a 70's TV Guide! I guess we just have get out of bed every morning no matter how difficult or how emotionally hung over you feel and seize the day or at least face it....because when all is said and done -that big beautiful bed is waiting for you when you get home!!!
Now I don't want you to think my life is prefect...when I'm with my beautiful grandchildren- I dare say it is damn near perfection...but I still have the same fucking day to day bullshit ...money shit..like your new debt card is lost in the mail and other stresses. In years past I would have freaked with the what ifs and although it is still my first reaction now I breathe and call what ever moron is on the other end of the line and get things straightened out.
Oh some times the send the YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR CARD BY NOW letter before they send your actual card
WHAT THE FUCK?
Who in the wide wide world ever thought that would be a good idea????
Or you failed to pay your taxes...
yeah because it;s included in our mortgage now.
What? yeah I guess that's true...but it will take 6-8 weeks to fix it in our system
Or your FREE gym membership is going to cost your $20 a month (never trust a gym)...
Did I mention I like wine now? I do...I really do ..it's delicious! What was my point- oh yeah that every day is a gift...my life could have been very different starting Thanksgiving weekend of 2012- but we handle things and we are happy for every little bit of sunshine after the longest winter EVER or a three day getaway with fake money or a nice dream that makes you feel that everything is going to be alright.. I used to love that feeling ( and I think I've talked about it before.... the second you wake up ....right before you are really up and everything is right in the world- you know , before reality sets it.)Well I haven't felt that in a while...the dread of reality part...I guess that's healing! I still look over my shoulder hey- I'm Italian. But I am thankful for everything I have and the things I have to come. I have to remember to breathe, be sad if I want to and laugh as much as possible and have a little faith that everything is going to be okay!
Wow.. all this from a little getaway to Canada....Imagine how enlightened I'd be if I went to sayyyyy Italy,...any takers...I'm a fun companion /escort...just sayin'
Me and Nature ...we got a deal..I stay out of your area and you keep your bugs and spiders and such out of my house. Not that I don't appreciate the outdoors...I d have enjoyed many a drink on a patio as a matter of fact I am outside blogging right now! But a tent...sleeping bag...critters. I believe they had me in mind, specifically, when they coined the term "not a happy camper".
Anyway- I did have a weekend away -in another country...Oh Canada! I never want to lose sight of the fact that we can hop over to another country in twenty minutes. It is kind of cool- but because we've been doing it our whole lives, we forget. I have memories of being a kid on our way to our cottage and crossing the Peace Bridge coming up to the flags at the actual border chanting US US US US -CANADA ! and on the way home CANADA CANADA CANADA CANADA- US
Not at all annoying - I'm surprised my dad didn't drive directly in to the Duty Free shop!
So here we go, my sister in law and I on a little getaway that we have been talking about for at least 15 years! We booked our room in Niagara Fall, Canada and made reservations for dinner and that was all the planning we did! A weekend free of plans! We were on the road with our GPS - (did I mention we've lived here all our lives) and got to customs and for some reason it turned into the airport scene from Argo.
Why am I so nervous?
Do I just hand the passport to him or do I open it ?
Should we say we have wine?
How many should we say we have... three?
Say "a couple"
That's too vague
That's the point
Stick to the script.
Do you speak Farsi?
So after they barely asked us our citizenship, we were in another country - ready for adventure...but first... a nap! After a little pajama miscommunication ( I can sleep anywhere in anytime and place in any outfit.-in college I used to wear my waitress uniform to bed after a late, late night so I can just get up and go to work) apparently she has to be in full pajama mode..to take a 10 minute nap. If I did that I 'd never go out..( I have a once the bra is off policy). Once that was hilariously figured out- we went out on the town. and we did that for three day- laugh eat drink repeat!
I love Canada- you pay for stuff and they bring you this blue paper back that you can also use to buy ore stuff. Cool...I guess it's their currency...there was a moose on one and I think Michael J Fox was on another...It was kind of like that old Steve Martin thing where he was that awful waiter who messed everything up but when he brought your change it was a ton of money back "one hundred-two hundred three-hundred"..
It wasn't quite that good, but our very, very expensive steak and lamb chop dinner turned out to be very, very affordable. Thanks Canada! This was just what I needed after the last couple weeks-no months- no years of shit...it was nice to be free-care free and phone free (international roaming what the fuck? we are 20 minutes from home!) .It felt great-and I have to thank my sister in law for being so persistent and actually making the plans. I also want to thank the nice Canadian lady who told me I looked so pretty as we walked down the street after dinner. I felt just like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman- only with black hair ...and a foot shorter, with food stains down her dress and full of delicious lamb but still- Is Richard Gere Canadian? I thought I saw his picture on some money.
Now we've all had weekends away and it is hard to get back to real life and yeah, it was ...but kind of different this time. There was not the dread of the last couple years. It was not the feeling of what fresh hell awaits me now. I have read so much stuff on loss and grief lately and some of it helps and some of it makes me want to say shut the fuck up and get on with it. Either way, I think I'm ...healing. Healing from the following: my husband's cancer more than scare- my mom's battle, my losing and starting new jobs...my kids moving out....my granddaughter's open heart surgery and losing my mom after such a awful fight. (well I'm exhausted- how about you?) I would be lying to say that there still isn't a little waiting for the other shoe to drop feeling but at least they are really cute shoes...little strappy sandals actually! I have learned to take each day as it comes whether it be delightful or heartbreaking. You can never plan for things- if someone told me I'd have a granddaughter who would have to go through what she did- I would be paralyzed with fear...and although she was 80 and ill ...how do you prepared for losing your mom...you do it moment by moment...day by day...Oh dear Lord! You have to handle things the best way you know how. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. There is no time frame either.You have to do what is right for you.
For example, at the Hershey stor,e when they didn't have the big chocolate covered strawberries you wanted - you just have to pick your self up, you do not (I learned) drop to your knees and scream WHY ME GOD?? you move on...tearfully... and maybe have some strawberry frozen yogurt with chocolate sauce...not the same but close and better for you (maybe not the chocolate sauce... hell, I'm GRIEVING).
I have had a couple of very close, close friend have health "events "as of late. In talking to them I learned to take it slow, appreciate each day- I know it may be really really scary, but you got this guys I know you do and I'm here for you and if you need a getaway....I'm your girl! I am so good at it. Very amusing and sometimes hilarious...extremely agreeable- up for anything (maybe not boats)! I wish there was an occupation as a travel companion that doesn't me sound like paid escort.
Anyway I hope for them and for all of us that there are more good times and happy days ahead if we take this life one day at a time...now I sound like a 70's TV Guide! I guess we just have get out of bed every morning no matter how difficult or how emotionally hung over you feel and seize the day or at least face it....because when all is said and done -that big beautiful bed is waiting for you when you get home!!!
Now I don't want you to think my life is prefect...when I'm with my beautiful grandchildren- I dare say it is damn near perfection...but I still have the same fucking day to day bullshit ...money shit..like your new debt card is lost in the mail and other stresses. In years past I would have freaked with the what ifs and although it is still my first reaction now I breathe and call what ever moron is on the other end of the line and get things straightened out.
Oh some times the send the YOU SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN YOUR CARD BY NOW letter before they send your actual card
WHAT THE FUCK?
Who in the wide wide world ever thought that would be a good idea????
Or you failed to pay your taxes...
yeah because it;s included in our mortgage now.
What? yeah I guess that's true...but it will take 6-8 weeks to fix it in our system
Or your FREE gym membership is going to cost your $20 a month (never trust a gym)...
Did I mention I like wine now? I do...I really do ..it's delicious! What was my point- oh yeah that every day is a gift...my life could have been very different starting Thanksgiving weekend of 2012- but we handle things and we are happy for every little bit of sunshine after the longest winter EVER or a three day getaway with fake money or a nice dream that makes you feel that everything is going to be alright.. I used to love that feeling ( and I think I've talked about it before.... the second you wake up ....right before you are really up and everything is right in the world- you know , before reality sets it.)Well I haven't felt that in a while...the dread of reality part...I guess that's healing! I still look over my shoulder hey- I'm Italian. But I am thankful for everything I have and the things I have to come. I have to remember to breathe, be sad if I want to and laugh as much as possible and have a little faith that everything is going to be okay!
Wow.. all this from a little getaway to Canada....Imagine how enlightened I'd be if I went to sayyyyy Italy,...any takers...I'm a fun companion /escort...just sayin'
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