Older Singles Meet Up

I joined a Meet Up group for older singles and have attended 2 interesting events.


The first was for women only. It was to inform women what attracted men to the opposite sex. Although there was no professional guest giving solidly researched information, the host did her best having done her own research, and used her own experiences.

All of the women there were divorced women. I was the only one who had never been married. That is not to say that I haven't experienced relationships and the ending of them. As the evening went on I got the impression that many of the women were bitter and blamed all men for the faults of their last bad relationship. I tried a number of times to spin the conversation into a more positive light, but was shot down, because I had "never been divorced."

The end of the evening couldn't come fast enough for me. Hanging out with a bunch of women who enjoyed bashing men, (who were not there to defend themselves) was not my idea of a great evening.


The second event was a barbecue, with over 100 people. I arrived fairly early and after paying the fee of $15, I walked into the yard only to see a receiving line of people lined up against the right angles of the fence.

Immediately I wanted to jump in the middle and shout, "I'm here now, the party can begin!" But being my first time I held back. It reminded me of the school dances where the boys stood together and the girls hugged the walls, neither one looking at the other. So I started at the beginning of the line and introduced myself to each and everyone.

We all had name tags on, so the dialogue went, "Hi George, I'm Mary. Nice to meet you." Then I went on to the next person and continued until I got to the last person. After introducing myself I asked him to come to the middle of the yard and talk to me. Then it seemed that people relaxed a bit and moved around a little.

These were older people 40+ I think, which makes me wonder what they are shy about. Surely we get bolder as we age, or is that just me? I don't care much what people think, if you don't like me, that's your problem.

Anyway it turned out that there were way too many people in that tiny yard, which made it difficult to walk around and meet everyone. Some people were complaining about there being no booze, others wondered where the music was. The host purposely excludes both to encourage socializing.

I was given a ride home by another guest who promptly asked for my number. Why, oh why do I always get that guilt feeling? Why is No so hard for me to say? My mind told me that since he gave me a ride all the way home, I should at least accept a cup of coffee from him some time in the future. Why? He was not attractive or interesting. There was neither spark nor fizzle. I need to make the word No much more accessible in my vocabulary.

Introductory Service

Before internet dating there were introductory services. I’d get about 2-4 names and phone numbers with a profile in the mail each week. We’d phone and talk to see if we had anything in common, to see if there were any sparks, to see if we should meet. Sometimes it was just one short phone call, sometimes many long ones. I was tricked on many occasions when my mind would draw a picture to match the voice, only to be disappointed when we met.

Many of my dates were unbelievable. Many were boring. Few were interesting.

One date I had was with a very nervous man. He picked me up at my building, and that was when I noticed the tic. Also he was about the same height as me. I’m short, really short.

He didn’t have a car, so I thought we’d take a cab. However he wanted to take the local transit. That was okay. We went to the revolving restaurant at the top of the Manulife Building.

He talked about himself all night, not asking about me.

He continued the tic throughout the date. I was afraid that I might end up subconsciously imitating the tic too.

He didn’t order a drink, or anything to eat, and I was afraid that he was going to stick me with the bill. Sure enough when the check came, he just left it on the table. After some time I got up to use the washroom, and slid the check towards him and asked him to pay while I was in the ladies room. When I returned he asked me if I could pay the tip!

While in the elevator in front of others, he suggested that I’d be okay to see myself home.

I was amazed the next day when he called and asked for another date.

Six Degrees of Love

I have experienced love or what could be considered love probably 6 times in my life.

My first love, Kevin was when I was 15. He was at the same boarding school as me, and he was a year younger. We shared so much in that last year at school. It was a sweet and simple love. But it ended once I left and went on to work, and he continued his education.

The second was a blind date. But now I think about it, it was lust more likely. Larry was a musician playing trombone with the Woody Herman Orchestra. We made each other very happy. Even though he went to England on tour and asked my parents for permission to marry me, it wasn’t meant to be. His was a life I couldn’t keep up with, and so I decided to leave.

The third was my son’s father, who still refuses to think of my son as his. Stanley was also a musician who played trumpet for the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra. We had a passionate fling, he being 17 years older; I am convinced that was infatuation, not love. When I got pregnant, he wanted nothing to do with me. I thought that if I didn’t push, he’d come around. My son doesn’t know his father.

The fourth was a man that I met through an introductory service, (pre internet dating). Looking at Ron I thought we had nothing in common, but I felt at ease talking to him. After 2 years I ended the relationship, realizing that it never really was love. I was happy to have someone accept me as a woman with a child.

The fifth was not really love, but it sure was fun. I hung out with a neighbour who was in the entertainment business. We hit it off, but he had a girlfriend who was overseas. He was looking for someone, as was I, to go out with and have a bit of fun. That’s what we did, until he married his girlfriend.

And finally the real true love of my life. George. Again a blind date, and again I thought we had nothing in common, but he was the sweetest, loving man I’ve ever met. In fact the relationship was so great, that we questioned why things were so perfect. We made the decision to go with it full tilt, and enjoy the ride. It ended three years after we met. He died suddenly, and I missed him incredibly.

In the mean time I have had my share of dates and short relationships that were fun initially, but fizzled out when the excitement vanished.

I am open again to find the man who will enhance my life. And I do have a lot to offer.

Okay...

My life is one full of adventure, mishaps, travel, challenges, ups and downs. And now on to another adventure, looking for love.

I have tried online dating.

• Lavalife was so much fun. I noticed that when I listed myself as looking to date or relationship, that I got almost no attention. But the minute I signed into intimate encounters, there were men jumping out of the monitor trying to get my attention.
  

• eHarmony seemed promising as I filled out endless pages of information on what I wanted and what I was like. Alas, the two men who showed interest fizzled out when it came time to meet. I had over 250 profiles sent to me and only 2 showed mutual interest. I even tried to increase the area I was willing to travel, but that didn't work either. Six months of looking and nothing to show for it. Not even a date.

• Plenty of Fish is a free site that sends matches regularly, but looking at the men and their interests was a bit disheartening. Too many men like to cuddle up in front of t.v. watching a movie. Where is the adventure, where is the excitement and anticipation?

I've tried social network groups.

• Meetin has a group here in Toronto, but is seems to be younger people who are new to the city looking to make friends. It is also well known that it is not to be used as a dating site. I did attend many events and even hosted a number of my own, but no potential boyfriends showed up.

• Meetup has so many groups it is hard to keep them all straight. I did join a over forty's singles group, and the first event was for women only!! And it seemed to me that the night ended up with the majority of the women bashing men. I tried on two other occasions to join meetings but alas, they were canceled.

• Couchsurfing is a fantastic online group where people offer their homes to others from anywhere in the world to stay a night or two. You can travel and see your destination through your host's eyes. I have hosted over 40 people in the last 2 years, the average age of the surfers is 30 perhaps. I have made amazing friends, but no potential dates here either.

• Meet Market Adventures was tons of fun. A group specifically for people who love adventures and to meet others who have similar interests. I enjoyed so many of the adventures, horse back riding, glidersoaring, dog sledding, circus school, hiking, and so much more. The average age was about 30. Made lots of friends again, but no dates.

So what else is out there?

• The bar scene. I'm so over that, although if there is potential there I will give it a go. Where do all the eligible men go, you know, the ones looking for a woman over fifty?

• Take a course. I can't think of courses that would interest me that men would be interested in too. Scrapbooking? Card making? Gluten-free cooking?

• The Gym. I'm a member at the gym, and I love working out there. It seems the men are there to take care of their bodies, not looking for over 50 women.

• Speed Dating. Been to many and figured out how to get men interested, but once we have exchanged email addresses, there seems to be little interest on their part. Why put my name down, if you aren't going to call me?

I am sure I am missing other ways of meeting men who are looking to enhance their lives by having me in it.

But what are they?

Where are they?

THERE'S NO JOB TOO BIG, (oh yes there is!)

I have the summers off and decided that it would be a great idea to clear out my scrap room, purge and put stuff back in an organized manner.

What a joke!

I took EVERYTHING out of the room and put it in the living room on Monday. I did this because I have a guest coming to stay today, and knew it would be incentive to clean it up quickly. WRONG!

I did quite a lot everyday, but it just didn't seem to look like I did anything. So today I scrambled about trying to organize stuff, but unfortunately I ended up just shoving stuff in boxes and putting it in the scraproom. I still have time to spend in there doing little bits every day, but it really is overwhelming. And I only threw out about 2 garbage bags of stuff, and have only a small box of giveaways. I really tried hard to get rid of stuff I don't use anymore, and stuff that has sat around for a year collecting dust.

My biggest sin is the scraps of left over paper and cardstock. I just can not throw it out. I have promised myself to go through it again early next week and throw out those little strips and pieces smaller than 4 x 4.

Last night in bed I was convinced that I have some sort of illness that makes me think I need more stuff. With all the paper, card, embellishments, stamps, inks, and other yummy stuff, I still visit any store that sells stuff that I think will fit on a card or page.

Insane!

Also I realize that when you do decide to organize, it makes sense to have the right boxes, shelves, and storage systems BEFORE you start. Well at least now I know what I need. The room is only 5'9" x 9'6", and with all the mismatched shelving and boxes, that don't fit, I realize I need to go out and invest in some useful pieces, (lol, more money to spend!)

What a way to spend a holiday weekend!

Colonoscopy Journal

Someone sent me this in an email and I loved it so much I had to add it here.

I called my friend Andy Sable, a gastroenterologist, to make an appointment for a colonoscopy.

A few days later, in his office, Andy showed me a color diagram of the colon, a lengthy organ that appears to go all over the place, at one point passing briefly through Minneapolis.

Then Andy explained the colonoscopy procedure to me in a thorough, reassuring and patient manner.

I nodded thoughtfully, but I didn't really hear anything he said, because my brain was shrieking, 'HE'S GOING TO STICK A TUBE 17,000 FEET UP YOUR BEHIND!'

I left Andy's office with some written instructions, and a prescription for a product called 'MoviPrep,' which comes in a box large enough to hold a microwave oven. I will discuss MoviPrep in detail later; for now suffice it to say that we must never allow it to fall into the hands of America's enemies.

I spent the next several days productively sitting around being nervous.

Then, on the day before my colonoscopy, I began my preparation. In accordance with my instructions, I didn't eat any solid food that day; all I had was chicken broth, which is basically water, only with less flavor.

Then, in the evening, I took the MoviPrep. You mix two packets of powder together in a one-liter plastic jug, then you fill it with lukewarm water. (For those unfamiliar with the metric system, a liter is about 32 gallons). Then you have to drink the whole jug. This takes about an hour, because MoviPrep tastes - and here I am being kind - like a mixture ofgoat spit and urinal cleanser, with just a hint of lemon.

The instructions for MoviPrep, clearly written by somebody with a great sense of humor, state that after you drink it, 'a loose, watery bowel movement may result.'

This is kind of like saying that after you jump off your roof, you may experience contact with the ground.

MoviPrep is a nuclear laxative. I don't want to be too graphic, here, but, have you ever seen a space-shuttle launch? This is pretty much the MoviPrep experience, with you as the shuttle. There are times when you wish the commode had a seat belt. You spend several hours pretty much confined to the bathroom, spurting violently. You eliminate everything. And then, when you figure you must be totally empty, you have to drink another liter of MoviPrep, at which point, as far as I can tell, your bowels travel into the future and start eliminating food that you have not even eaten yet.

After an action-packed evening, I finally got to sleep.

The next morning my wife drove me to the clinic. I was very nervous. Not only was I worried about the procedure, but I had been experiencing occasional return bouts of MoviPrep spurtage. I was thinking, 'What if I spurt on Andy?' How do you apologize to a friend for something like that? Flowers would not be enough.

At the clinic I had to sign many forms acknowledging that I understood and totally agreed with whatever the heck the forms said. Then they led me to a room full of other colonoscopy people, where I went inside a little curtained space and took off my clothes and put on one of those hospital garments designed by sadist perverts, the kind that, when you put it on, makes you feel even more naked than when you are actually naked..

Then a nurse named Eddie put a little needle in a vein in my left hand. Ordinarily I would have fainted, but Eddie was very good, and I was already lying down. Eddie also told me that some people put vodka in their MoviPrep. At first I was ticked off that I hadn't thought of this, but then I pondered what would happen if you got yourself too tipsy to make it to the bathroom, so you were staggering around in full Fire Hose Mode. You would have no choice but to burn your house.

When everything was ready, Eddie wheeled me into the procedure room, where Andy was waiting with a nurse and an anesthesiologist. I did not see the 17,000-foot tube, but I knew Andy had it hidden around there somewhere. I was seriously nervous at this point.

Andy had me roll over on my left side, and the anesthesiologist began hooking something up to the needle in my hand.

There was music playing in the room, and I realized that the song was 'Dancing Queen' by ABBA. I remarked to Andy that, of all the songs that could be playing during this particular procedure, 'Dancing Queen' had to be the least appropriate.

'You want me to turn it up?' said Andy, from somewhere behind me.

'Ha ha,' I said. And then it was time, the moment I had been dreading for more than a decade. If you are squeamish, prepare yourself, because I am going to tell you, in explicit detail, exactly what it was like.

I have no idea. Really. I slept through it. One moment, ABBA was yelling 'Dancing Queen, feel the beat of the tambourine,' and the next moment, I was back in the other room, waking up in a very mellow mood.

Andy was looking down at me and asking me how I felt. I felt excellent. I felt even more excellent when Andy told me that It was all over, and that my colon had passed with flying colors. I have never been prouder of an internal organ.

Food Inc

My Esty

Etsy Buy Handmade makingmaryment

Couch Surfing

What is CouchSurfing? from Jan Keck on Vimeo.

I have been a host for couchsurfers for over a year now, and I hang out with the Toronto Couchsurfing Group. For more information please go to www.couchsurfing.com

Why God Made Moms

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3. God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1. We're related.

2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1. My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1. His last name.

2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2. She got too old to do anything else with him.

3. My grandma says that mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?

1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.

2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3. I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms and dads?

1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3. Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1. Mothers don't do spare time.

2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?

1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.

2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

WHEN YOU STOP LAUGHING --

SEND IT ON TO OTHER MOTHERS,

GRANDMOTHERS, AND AUNTS....

and anyone else who has anything to do with kids or just needs a good laugh!!!

SICK and TIRED!

Well the new month begins much like the last month ended, I am still sick with something! It seems that I have not had a full week at school since just before March break due to not feeling right. Last week, even though I had a sore throat and runny nose, I did see the whole week through. But I am pretty sure, as I write this, I will be taking Monday off to try to get my body back to normal.

I went to the doctor and had a host of tests done, blood work, ECG, a carotid Doppler, and all is normal. I don't feel stressed and I don't have reasons to be either. Yesterday I woke up and scared myself when I looked in the mirror, as a blood vessel in my eye had broken. I checked online for causes, and it was either from sneezing, coughing or plugging my nose and blowing to fix my blocked ears! So now I will look freaky for about 2 weeks until it disappears.

I have been ridiculously tired for a few weeks now. I came home Friday after work instead of working out, and slept on the couch. Yesterday after taking a few kids from school to the Toronto Football Club, I came home and slept again. I'm sleeping during the night too, and I am still tired.

Up until this past week, I was eating very well, using my new Blendtec to make green smoothies and soups, as well as adding more fish and eggs to my diet. This past week though, I was just too tired and had a poor appetite. Having said that, I did have gluten-free pancakes and syrup this morning and then for lunch I had rice and Indian stir fried veggies. But I still feel shaky, as though I am hungry.

So what more should I do? I am sleeping, sort of eating properly and getting fresh air, and this morning, because I couldn't take it any more I took a pain killer to try to feel better.

HELP!

Karina's Kitchen- Recipes from a Gluten-Free Goddess: The Gluten-Free Cheat-Sheet- How to Go G-Free

Karina's Kitchen- Recipes from a Gluten-Free Goddess: The Gluten-Free Cheat-Sheet- How to Go G-Free

Congratulations Sophie

My niece Sophie and her partner Mark delivered their first baby today in England. Their little girl, Talia was born at 7.21 pm England time, weighing in at 6lb 12oz. My sister text me to tell me that the grandparents are so happy and that Talia is perfectly beautiful.

Great Job Sophie, I'm so proud of you.

(I just realized that this is my 100th post!)

Amazing James

I called my dad to have my weekly chat with him, and in the process I told him that I had chatted online with my brother, his son, David. My dad then asked me if I wanted to talk to him as he was there with my dad. I was surprised, and asked if David was visiting him. That's when my dad realised he was thinking James, his grandson was his son David.

I spoke to James for almost 45 minutes talking about what is happening with my dad. James moved in with my dad while the family awaited caregivers to come and help him out. Now that the caregivers are there, my nephew doesn't feel comfortable leaving as on more than one occasion the caregivers have forgotten to come. Essentially their job is to come three times a day to make sure he is taking his pills. One woman came and filled in the paper work stating she had watched him take the pills with water, but when James came into the kitchen he discovered the pills on the table. Also it seems that they are really only there to make sure he takes his pills. Only one person stops to have a little chat while they are there. The others are in and out.

I am extremely happy that James is there. He has managed, single-handedly to clean up my dad's house, even his bedroom! My dad won't allow anyone to touch anything, as he wants it left the way my mum had it when she died. Anyway James had removed cobwebs and dust and dirt and grime from everywhere. He is now working on trying to get him to bathe more often, good luck on that one!

I can only call in to check up on my dad, so it is very comforting to know that someone is there during the day. James drives a cab at night, so he can spend the daylight hours with his grandpa.

My Mum 08/16/1929 - 07/21/2004

Eileen Hicken was born August 16, 1929 in Cape Town, South Africa, daughter to Isabel and Frank Voges. She was sister to Joyce, Audrey and Yvonne. She arrived in England for a holiday with Joyce in 1950.

Eileen started her nurses training in the same year, at St. Mary's hospital. She worked a year at St. Mary's (54 -55), a year at St. Albrights (55 - 56), and 23 years at Colchester Maternity hospital (69 - 92). Her contribution in providing a vital service to mum's and their babies was phenomenal. She gained personal satisfaction and made many friends throughout the duration of her career. She retired in 1992 after 26 years of nursing.

Eileen met Phil a soldier, in Colchester and after a romantic courtship, married on March 7, 1953. They enjoyed 51 loving years together, enhancing their relationship with a son David, and three daughters, Mary, Lorna and Yvonne.

Eileen was an aunt to Kathy in Ireland, Ann in Australia, Della in New Zealand, she had a nephew, Johan in South Africa, and her closest nieces and nephew, Marilyn, Felicity and Glen in England.

Throughout her life Eileen loved to broaden her knowledge of the world. She took in students from all over who came to Colchester to learn English. She traveled to many places in the world and returned to visit her home, Cape Town after 48 years.

Eileen had many friends who admired her. Her three closest friends were Millie, who became an aunt to all of Eileen's family, Connie who nursed with her from the begining, and Anne who nursed with her at the maternity hospital.

She loved her grandchildren and they loved to visit her. They were always surprised with her latest find from a car boot sale.

Vanessa enjoyed having her grandma as her hair dressing model.
Megan and her grandma enjoyed each other's company, having a chat and a laugh.

Jack loved adventures at the beach hut and Friday woods with his grandma.

Jenna's last visit with her nanny was full of laughs and funny sketches nanny thought her very talented.

When nanny visited Folkestone, Chris looked forward to his visit with her at the Burstyn Hotel, especially watching a show with her.

She was proud of Thomas in all his endeavours, including his studies at university.

James would willingly drop everything to drive his grandma wherever she needed to go.

She knew Sophie's love of chocolate, and would always appear with a big bar of Galaxy to Sophie's delight.

One of the most fun filled family events that was enjoyed annually, was the Boxing Day trips to the Mercury Theatre to watch the Christmas Pantomime.

Eileen knitted many sweaters for children in Africa. She collected money to buy goats for the poor families in Africa. Her family will continue to collect donations in her name for this very worthy cause.

Eileen enjoyed the volunteer work she did with the seniors at the Activity Centre. It gave her pleasure serving tea to the "old dears" and listening to their tales.

Some of Eileen's loves were:

Her family
Her grandchildren
Her career
Roses
Travel
History
Helping children and their families in Africa
And watching sports and athletics on television

Rest in Peace, Mum

BASKETBALL

Here I am many years ago sitting on the left end of the bench. Only 5 feet tall and still I managed to play on the girl's basketball team. Way back then (circa 1970) there were only a few other schools that had girl's teams.

Our coach was David Cook who was our geography teacher (not pictured here). He was pretty good, we did pretty well I think. I also used to score for the boy's team. The boy on the right end is Julian Castle who scored for the girl's team.

Last semester I watched all of my school's girl's games, they did really well. They got to the semi finals that they won, and then on to the finals. They won the finals and went onto the regionals. They did really well however lost the last game by one point. The girls are amazing.

This semester I am following the boy's team. The two teams play very different games. The boys so far are in the middle of the semi finals. Next game is sometime this week.

At the last sports awards assembly the girls showed off their pennent for the finals win. All the kids who played on any team got awards of some sort. The parent's of the girls who played basketball surprised the 2 coaches with basket balls signed by the team. Then I was surprised when Vanessa, another teacher, and I received an award for being the best teacher fans!

Sad News

Yesterday I told you about sweet little Cora fighting a tremendous battle. How sad I was today when I read that she lost that battle. I can't imagine the sadness her family is going through now. Keep them in your prayers.

The Macs

I came across this blog quite by accident from a scrapbook blog who commented on the story. I sat and read the story and cried. Then I went back to the beginning of the blog when Jess and Joel gave birth to their little Cora 11 months ago.

After an ear infection and little Cora not feeling herself, he parents took her to the doctor who quickly saw things were much worse than an ear infection. Late in January they took her to the hospital where it was discovered that she had Neuroblastoma. She has had 4 surgeries since then, removing the worst, having tubes put in her ears, releasing fluid build up around her heart, and her parents and uncle have been updating their blog to keep everyone informed. The family have a very strong religious belief, and are asking everyone to pray for them. If you are interested or can help with prayers, please go to their website and make a comment to help the family know that others are concerned for them.

It is when we read things like this that we realise how lucky we are, even when we think things are bad, someone else, somewhere else is battling much worse scenerios and are doing so with dignity.

I just wanted to blog about this in hopes that others would read it and then send their prayers to whomever they think can help.

http://themcclenahans.blogspot.com/

Dad's upcoming birthday

While I was talking to my dad on the weekend, I was wondering how fast his Alzheimer's would progress. He was hit by a car last week while crossing the street. He misjudged how far the car was and thought he had enough time to cross before the car came. He left the dog outside for 6 hours in the snow in December, having forgot that he had let the dog out. Someone brought him back home the week before last, explaining to a neighbour that he'd forgotten where he lived.

This particular phone call he only repeated himself once, which was unusual. However on about 6 occasions during the call he forgot simple words. "The thing with grated carrots and stuff," I reminded him was salad. "Those things I take in the morning and at night," medicine. My brother had been over that weekend explaining to him that he would like to be the Power ofAttorney for him. I'm hopeful he understood what it was, but said what a great thing that my brother wanted to do that for him.

Aging is hard enough, but watching your parent slowly decline is awful. We all try to keep a positive outlook, but at the same time we have to remember that it's his disease when he sometimes says hurtful things, it the disease when he forgets to bath, its the disease when he forgets his keys and can't get in his house, (only to discover that when you show up to let him in, that the keys were in his pocket all along).

On February 3 he will turn 82. He is the only one from his own family left. His parents, step mum and both sisters died many years ago. His wife of 51 years died 4 1/2 years ago, and he now shares his home with Lucy, his faithful dog. My 2 sisters visit him weekly, my brother makes it there when he can, and all that I can do is call him once a week. We talk for about an hour, and often he has very little to tell me about, but I try to fill in the gaps with memories of old times, or stories of my kids at work.

This is the card I made for him.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

I was all prepared to sit at home and work on a few scrapbook pages when I got a text from Glenn saying that he had a spare ticket for the play Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I checked out the time of the show and realised that I had 10 minutes to get there. I got my boots and coat on and rushed to the Canon Theatre. I had been there a few weeks previously to see A Chorus Line.

Glenn met me there and we went up to our seats to watch the show. I was a little disappointed with the singing, and the play itself lost a lot of the story, so for those who were unfamiliar with the story, they didn't quite understand it. But it was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon and I was given the ticket for free.

I did however manage to get a couple of scrapbook pages done earlier in the day. I haven't any journaling on either one, as that is not one of my strong points. I have made notes on the second one though.