Special Delivery

Having a conversation with an old friend is like getting a bouquet of flowers just because!

When is the last time you called an old friend?

Let the waterworks begin

Although we will be back in January, we have a number of friends who are leaving Quebec City and starting the next chapter of their lives. We gathered last night for a final clink of the glass....

To utter my good-bye implied a permanence that I am not will to except.

   

With a wag of her tail, my best friend left me standing their with 

a puddle of tears falling to my feet.  
Totally dramatic, but totally true

Sam has helped me discover Quebec, endure Quebec and love Quebec.

Je m'ennuierai de mes amis, mais chérir tous les souvenirs.

I will miss my friends, but cherish all the memories.

Jusqu'à notre prochaine rencontre.

Until we meet again....

 Now... back to packing.

What's for dinner?

Better yet, what's for dessert?

   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few nights ago we went to the beach for dinner with some of our dear friends. Fresh gazpacho, a variety of cheese and bread with chocolate brioche for dessert....that is what summer is all about.

(Above) Sam, had so much fun...digging and swimming.
 

No Fool's Gold Here!

(Photo from my middle sister's family room window.)

Believe it or not I didn't take a lot of photos while in Michigan. It's usually me (perhaps a control thing) that has the camera up to my eye at any and all gatherings. For some reason I set down the camera and lived in the moment. It's not stored on film, but in my mind. Sometimes photos last long there and I can imagine myself thin. (Smile)

(Photo from "Girls weekend"...the cottage of my oldest sister.)

It's a great thing to bring friends together. I'm amazed by the love and compassion that surrounds us. Although, we all have busy lives and many responsibilities there's a comfort in knowing they are only a phone call away. Girls weekend made me realize that my problems are not unique and I'm not alone. When any of us want to be a little bit crazy (which we didn't do this time, but have in the past) we are there to protect each other or join in.

Real friends are a treasure. When you open the chest there are pieces of rock, slime and sometimes bits of fool's gold. You're tricked at first, but soon realize it's not the real thing. After healing from the scratches, cuts or embarrassment you learn to dig deeper. The surface is easy to see, but the real thing is still waiting to be discovered. Then with patience you find your way to the bottom to find shining gems. Their beauty is undeniable. With all the different shapes and sizes.... each and every one amazing in their one unique way.... it's a treasure.... A real chest of friends.

Do you have a special gem of a friend?
When is the last time you talked to him/her?

Up..up and away

It's one of those things that you read about in books or magazine articles when a group of friends set out for a weekend away. Away from husbands and kids...away from responsibilities...a weekend just for girlfriends. As I sit here tonight I can see my bag packed full of swim suits (not my favorite article of clothing) and cottage clothing for our second annual "girls weekend". I am flying to Michigan tomorrow! Within days I will be sitting around a camp fire drinking wine, eating smores and catching up with my best friends. What could be better?
Photos from last "girls weekend"...




My first few days will be with my family, but I'll be posting throughout the week.

Do you ever have "girls weekends"?

Friends

Here I sit...o.k. I'm really laying down. I know it's 12:50, but that's what you get to do when you don't have kids or if they're old enough to take care of themselves.

Last night we went to our friends house for dinner and a movie. As door flew open we were greeted with sincere smiles. It's an emotion that can rarely be defined, but often felt when you know your welcome. As fast as I could I reached for their baby. Just before nestling him into my arms our eyes connected and his cute little crooked smile melted my heart. At one point my husband wrapped around me while Cedar was in my arms not only could I see our bright future I could feel it....


We got home around 11:00, just in time to answer the phone. Like most of you a phone call that late brings fear of bad news. Thankfully it was just the opposite. It was a 3 1/2 hour call that filled in gaps of communication leaving me in laughing fits and tears. I love the feeling of good friends. I love knowing miles apart doesn't mean absent from mind.

It's never a bad time to reach out to a friend, Even if it's been a long time...just call. That effort might be the one thing the person needed to get through a difficult time, a lonely day or just an added reason to smile. Reminiscing is great medicine even when you're healthy. Pick up the phone!

Have a wonderful Sunday! I'll be writing a few reviews today, so be on the lookout for some fabulous giveaways.

*A quick shout out to Pink Daisys Blog. I was reading her blog and listening to her great (easy listening) playlist. I opened a new page, so I could continue to listen to it as I write. If you want to check out a new blog...head on over.

3 hours and 12 minutes

Last night at this time I was two hours into what felt like 10 minutes of a phone call.
It's unavoidable when friends hole up in the one part of the house where no one will look for you, the laundry room, and place their attention on one another.

The conversational lasted a total of 3 hours and 12 minutes. It is only because I noted the time did we part ways. We still had hours more to say.

When I ended the call not a tooth was hiding behind the smile I wore.... Sometimes laughter ...friendship.... and years of memories are all you need to be rejuvenated.

If you could talk to someone for three hours who would it be?

This post was written for Monday night. I am a day behind because I was trying to get rid of a virus on the computer... Sigh!

Bag Lady

The mailman (well, I'm not sure if it's a man or women) came this week and left me this.

Look at this fancy box!

A special someone sent me this bag. I love it and I appreciate the thoughtful gift.

Vera Bradley

I love the birds on the fabric.
I already have my bag packed for work on Monday. This might just be the first time I am looking forward to my 7:00 a.m. student on Monday mornings.

Do you carry a bag everywhere you go? More than one?
I never leave the house without at least one bag...more like two or three,
a lot of just in case stuff.

What is something you have in your bag that someone might find funny or strange?

Did you see my giveaway? You don't want to miss it....a pair of "you pick" eyeglasses.
CLICK HERE

Stolen Moments

Last night, I went to see my friend in the hospital. She had her baby and they are very happy. Seeing my friends happy is what makes a good day- great. As I listened to the new parents talk I could hear a little bit of who they were becoming the people they were meant to be. It's like listening to a good singer, but waiting to hear them hit the high note. My friends not only hit the high note they went an octive above harmonizing until their voices morphed into one voice singing the most beautiful lullaby....the baby wasn't in the room. That's happiness!

Tonight, I read an emotional post written by a mother about spending "extra" time with her daughter. (Hold'em Close, by My Little Life) The stolen moments that were not really meant for her, but she took them anyway because it felt right. A very dear friend of mine had a stolen moment too. One that reminds me to live each day....

You see, she owned a restaurant and worked crazy hours. (That is how we became close. My husband who was my boyfriend at the time and I watched her son three nights a week for over a year.) Instead of hurrying around on a typical school day she let her son sleep in. They spent the morning lounging then they went to the library. The entire day was about the two of them sharing simple mother-son time. The next day after getting her son off to school she took some "me time" to do yoga. That is where our friend found her a few hours later only she had had an aneurysm and later that day passed away. When I think of her I can only smile (with a broken heart) because she left all of us the same message she lived by.... She lived life each and every day.

Only you can decide your moments...Only you can decide if you're going to steal a bit of the day for you. Only you have the ability to live each day as if it were your last.

Tonight "Sharing is Caring" blog is My Little Life. (Smile.) Thanks Mama M. for the wonder post and my Mama M and Papa H for giving me this wonderful life!

Have you taken a day off with your children? Do you remember how you felt hours after your children were born?