Shannon Saturday - One special girl

Many moons ago, I met a really nice girl who was very quiet and shy.  I have watched this girl grew up to be one special woman.  She is the daughter of my BFF Lorna.  Today I just received an email with some link to an awesome article about her.  You can check it out yourself.  Her name is Shannon Tessier.  Congratulations for being the unsung hero for this month. Keep up the great work.  You and your mom are a great team.  Check out these websites for more information.

http://charityvillage.com/unsung-heroes.aspx

http://www.chancefoundation.ca/

Ahhh, not the little girl anymore.  Go girl!

Faulty Friday - Faith versus Patience

There are two people today who are overjoyed.  Why? The long lost package has finally arrived and was received by my daughter this morning.  Two days ago, I decided to stop by the UPS store to complain about the lost package.  The young girl employee was very helpful and looking back, I should have stop there before making all these phone calls.  She instructed me to call the 1-800 number and she guided me through it.  She was coaching me what to say, etc.  Anyway, make the long story short, a investigation has been initiated.  A couple of hours later, I got a message from UPS needing more info.  Yesterday, I got another call and I returned the call.  Both my daughter and I decided to say a little prayer.  It won't hurt, right.  We have been patient since the package is a week overdue but the bad part is that they really did not know the whereabouts of the package.  This doesn't mean that I have restored my faith with the UPS.  I will have to wait a month to send my next package and I will try the US postal instead.  They are a little bit slow with no tracking system unless you pay extra, but at least I have never lost anything.  So the UPS saga has now come to an end.

By the way, just for fun, I checked on line and it appears that they are still trying to find the package and the system has not been updated.  Guess what?  I won't take the time to tell them the updated information.  

This is for the driver that delivered my package to my daughter this morning. He's our hero.

Minuscule Monday - Happy Birthday, Alysia

Today my daughter celebrates her ?th birthday.  I don't think she will have a big party but maybe just celebrate it with a few of her friends or maybe even just a nice dinner with her husband.  As the expression says "she's all grown up".  Sometimes I can't believe that she's her age because she looks so young that she still gets her ID checked.  She must have that specific genes from her mother.  Recently I had asked her to contribute to our annual Christmas newsletter.  After receiving one article, I was truly amazed on how creative she was with her writing.  It's too bad that she has stopped blogging.  Shortly after, I received another article which was even more heartwarming.  You will have to wait until you received a copy of the newsletter to know what I am talking about.  Today I would like to dedicate this post to her as this day is about her. Happy Birthday Alysia!  May your day be filled with happy times and may you many more years of happiness.  

A bouquet of roses that will last forever.

Almost forgot why I used the word minuscule.  When I was going through the toughest part of my life, she told me something using this word "minuscule", from that day on, each time I encounter something difficult or painful, I would almost hear her voice saying that same line.
Thank you Alysia,  you have truly grown up to be a caring and loving person.  Missing you.

Sadness Sunday - She's moving on

Somehow I knew that it was going to end soon.  My daughter has ended her blog which she started six years ago. It is sad because it was one of the ways I sort of connect with what's happening in her life.  Although we use other social media and of course the good old long distance calls, I sure will miss reading all her posts.  She was the main reason why I started blogging.  Her suggestion was that it will give friends and family a chance to follow me and see how I am doing.  It's timely that she is ending her blog as she takes a new position in a bigger company.  I wish her all the best and I hope that when things start slowing down, maybe she will start another blog someday.

Mini Monday - Little things we love

Who does not love all those cute things that are small, tiny or mini?  I am trying to remember all the items that my daughter and I liked during her last visit.  While shopping we would see some items that are just adorable because of their size.  We both found out that there are definitely a lot of similarities between us.  I thought of searching for new items that maybe she will like to have then I will get a chance to actually look for them in stores.

 

 

Withdrawal Wednesday - Is it normal?

It's a different kind of withdrawal when you want to spend as much time with your daughter but she's only here visiting for a short time.  After dropping her off at the airport yesterday, it all began.  I asked Jeff if we can stop and have lunch at the Taco Truck where I took my daughter.  We ordered almost the same kind of Tacos and ate in the car.  After my hair appointment, I went back to Macy's because my daughter and I just stop by there for a few minutes to check out the store.  When Jeff picked me up at the Hair Salon, he noticed that I was still a little sad so he took me to dinner at one of my favorite place for Oysters.  We also stopped at Big Lots so I can check out their supply of those quarter fabrics which my daughter and I used for our sewing projects.  As soon as I got home, I saw our coffee table with all my nail supplies because we left it last night so I ended up doing my manicure.  That's my Wednesday Withdrawal.  I did a lot of the things that I did with my daughter except without my daughter.  I know it will be a while before she returns but I am very hopeful that she'll be back sooner than later. Before I forget, thank you my daughter for doing yesterday's guest blog.  You can be my guest anytime at CPBB or my blog.

More fabrics for wallet, eyeglasses case or make up brushes.

Fresh Oysters - Happy Hour at Hawgs

Hawgs special clam chowder

Essie nail polish with white and yellow dots

Timely Tuesday - Time to go

 
Hi there! I'm Luckie's daughter and I have been here visiting my mom for the past eight days. I am leaving today so I offered to guest blog.  Usually when I am on vacation, the days fly by but luckily for me (and my mom), the week didn't go by quickly. When I first arrived, we went shopping almost everyday from morning until dinner and then over the weekend, we did many multiple sewing projects. Some people find a massage or baking relaxing, well, for my mom and I - ironing and sewing is relaxing for us (but we also enjoy massages too!).

If you haven't been to San Jose, it's a very laid back city. I find that NO ONE is ever working - everyone seems to be shopping. On a Monday afternoon, there is some traffic and the parking lots are full. There are lots of Mexican restaurants or food trucks to eat from and I find that the most unique and famous place to go to is Psycho Donuts. I mentioned that I did a lot of shopping and if you could see my carry on luggage, it's busting at the seams. We went to Kohl's, Ross, TJ Maxx, Gilroy Outlets, Ulta, Target, Trader Joe's, Daiso, basically all the stores we don't have in Canada.

While I was visiting, one of the days happened to be my SD's birthday (SD stands for stepdad). We ate at one of Guy Fieri's restaurants, Johnny Garlic's to celebrate. We also got to eat some delicious cupcakes made by SD's mom. I like to call her Sticker Lady and she is the nicest woman you will ever meet. She baked me tons of cookies to take home.

I want to thank my mom and SD for the hospitality at CPBB and for making my stay an enjoyable one. Their home feels like my second home. I get three meals a day (most of them home-cooked) and my laundry gets done. I really don't have to lift a finger so it's a nice way to relax when I get some time off work. We had lots of laughs and I learned the 50 states and their capitals. It's going to be hard to say good-bye but it's nice to know that hopefully I will always be welcomed back (unless I was a horrible, annoying guest).

Sweat Shop Sunday - OMG

If only I knew that my daughter would have gone crazy sewing a project this passionately, we should have started earlier in her visit.  We started early on Saturday morning because I had to make two senior bib for a friend and it had to be finished that morning.  After that she decided to try to make one of this so called Fabric Wallet.  Well, after she made one for her self, she wanted to make a couple more, and then another couple more.  Then she started showing it to her friends and it just turned into a sweat shop.  She would choose the fabric and I would cut them as well as the batting and she would start sewing them.  I would let you decide which one would be your favorite out of all the ones she has finished.  When she woke up this morning one of her fellow blogger wants one and is putting her order.  We are having so much fun doing our mother/daughter craft day and I am so proud of how had improved her sewing skill just by doing these wallets over and over.  There's so much more to finish because it will a give away on her blog.

 

 

It's too bad that I don't live in Toronto anymore, otherwise my daughter and I would be a great team to open our own ETSY shop.  Maybe I will just have to wait until she comes back and we can pick another project that we can go crazy making them.

Maybe Monday - No more sleeps

No more sleeps because it's the day my favorite daughter arrives

I am still not comfortable with 101 so Jeff will have to drive. 

Our week will be filled with fun but does not include sky dive

We'll be sleeping late but at least we don't have to wake up at five. 

The weather will be hot for the first two days of her stay

We'll try to keep cool so no walking near the shore nor the bay.

When Gamble comes over, my daughter will show him how to play

I know I will miss her when she leaves, but I know she'll be back one day.

This was the only photo of us during her April visit.  I will try to take more photo this visit.

 

Truthful Thursday - Only five more sleeps

Five more sleeps before my daughter's first solo flight to visit us

I know she's a little nervous because it's not the same as taking a bus.

She'll be fine for sure and her morning flight is direct so that's a plus

I hope I'll have everything ready even if I don't make a big fuss.

We have not made plans on what we will do when she gets here

But we want to see a movie that's not scary and without any fear.

Shell have a list of stores to check out, some are far and some are near

And Jeff will drive her back to the airport, so she won't shed a tear.

Daughter

Mother

Timely Tuesday - Twenty eight more sleeps

After my daughter sent me her itinerary for her upcoming visit, I started counting sleeps.  Today there's 28 more sleeps and maybe I should start thinking of what we can do during her 8 days in very sunny and hot California.  I am sure I won't have any problem thinking of filling up these days.  Let me see, if I know my daughter very well, here's my list and maybe when she reads this, she will comment on her likes and dislike.

1. Shopping at Gilroy Outlet
2. Take Gamble to Gilroy Gardens for the day
3. Spend an afternoon at the Petroglyph Ceramic Store
4. Stop by the Psycho Donut before shopping at Ross & Target
5. Spend an afternoon at Santana Row and then have dinner at one of her favorite restaurant.
6. Watch a good movie at Oakridge Mall and stop after for a snack of ROTI Bun and Bubble tea.
7. Go out to a nice dinner for Jeff's (step dad) birthday.
8. Spend the day with her cousin in Downtown San Francisco.

As you can see, the days could get filled so quickly, I did not even get a chance to add a road trip to one of the tourist spot she has not visited.  I am sure our evenings will be filled watching TV or maybe playing Wii.  I hope she will have some energy to do Just Dance 3 with me.  She mentioned she would like to go for a walk around the block.  What was funny is that she requested that I don't feed her a lot of food.  

 

If you have have 8 days to spend with your daughter or your mother, what will be on your list?  Do you have a great relationship with your daughter?  I am so lucky to have an awesome relationship with my daughter but unlucky because we live so far apart.  

Mississauga, Ontario

Truthful Thursday - six years ago today

The best wedding I ever attended was my daughter's wedding six years ago today.  The reason why it was the best is because we all had an all inclusive vacation.  During that week we got to know their friends, my son's friends, her in-laws friends and other family members.  Most of the time when you attend a wedding, it's a few hours and it's over.  This style of wedding is seven days of fun and great times.  The food and drinks are all included and even some of the entertainment.  Another reason is that the dress code for the wedding was so casual so there was not stress for any one attending.

Very memorable moment

Further more, they are still happily married and they continue to vacation at different all inclusive resorts in several countries.  In fact on their sixth year anniversary they are heading to Cancun to celebrate, do some R&R and just enjoy each others company.  Some of their other vacations seems to be with other couples, so this time they are on their own.  To Alysia and Mike, we wish you a lifetime of togetherness, happiness, as well as fun and laughter.  

Of course, this day would not be complete if we don't dedicate this song.  Everyone that was at the wedding will always remember this song because they played it so many times per day during our stay.  It's so catchy and you cannot get it out of your head.
 

Truthful Thursday - A very nice surprises

You know what is the best surprise?  The one that arrives by snail mail.  The other day I received a box from my friend Lis who visited us at the end of April.  Here's the surprise.

Thank you card for their great stay at CPBB.

This solar hummingbird is now glowing at our backyard at night.

Last night when I got home from tennis and golf, I opened our mail box and found an envelope from my daughter.  At first I thought it was just some regular mail.  When I opened it, there was a surprise for me.  

The perfect birthday card.

What to Eat pad

My daughter found the perfect card and a perfect gift because I do love planning my meals.

I love the three choices for dinner.  Dine in, dine out or take out.  The pad says that it will make my life easier.  I don't have to think about meals every day - only have to think once a week.  Another bonus is the convenient fridge mounting magnet on back.  Thank you so much. 

 

Soulful Sunday - It's not so soulful if she's not around

The expression Time flies when you are having fun is so true.  This past eight days we have been having fun with my daughter and her hubby.  Each day the hours go by so fast and we find ourselves a little tired because we seem to be doing a lot of things.  One day we were laughing so hard we were all in tears.  The other time we were so indecisive about which place to have lunch, we found ourselves talking loud and we all wondered why everyone is raising their voices.  We did a bit of shopping and even this activity was fun when you are with family.  I think they were able to find most of the items they plan to get.  We were able to do at least four out of 6 restaurants that they were eager to try. Last night my daughter and I finally got a chance to do one of the Just Dance 3 routine.  I think I just wanted to show her how I could actually follow the dance moves.  My SIL was watching us and he could not stop laughing so my daughter told him to dance against me, and I am proud to say that I actually got a better score. We also played a little bit of tennis and bowling.  It was just a great way to spend their last night with us.  I am really going to miss them both but I hope it won't be too long before we see each other.  Definitely going to spend as much time as I can next year when I visit them in Canada.  For now I will just cherish all our fun and very special moments.  

Timely Tuesday - Pebble Beach 18th hole

What a better way to spend Monday's lunch at the Stillwater Bar and Grill overlooking the 18th hole of the Pebble Beach Golf Course.  Yesterday we took my daughter and her hubby on a tour of the 17 mile drive and Carmel.  We stopped at all the golf course except the private courses.  I bought at least 3 ball marker (Poppy Hill and Spyglass).  Our last stop was Pebble Beach and that's where we decided to have lunch.  This time we remembered to take some photos.  We continued our trip and stopped at Carmel by the Sea and checked out some of the stores.  I did not really think that my daughter and SIL would be interested in checking out their shops.  We stopped at a candy shop (Turkish delight), Lush (shampoo bar), a pharmacy (postcard) and t-shirt store.  There was still time to get to Gilroy Outlet so we left Carmel and headed to the outlet to do a little shopping.  We all got something for ourselves and got some great deals.  Our day ended with having left over dinner at home and watch a bit of our recorded shows. 

Pebble Beach Clock beside the putting green

BBQ Spiced Sand Dabs

My daughter and I (Monterey Bay)

Simply Saturday - Be good to your daughter

.It's a beautiful Saturday morning and we will be having a grand slam breakfast made by Chef Jeff.  At the request of my daughter, he will be making dollar size pancakes and there will be some crispy bacon (my daughter's favorite) and eggs cooked in their preference.  As this is their first morning, they will also be trying some of the new flavor of our Keurig Coffee.  When it comes to fruits, I am not quite sure what my daughter eats but I know that my favorite SIL loves orange juice.  After breakfast we might make our plans for the rest of their stay or just hang out and catch up with our life stories but if it's a nice day, I might challenge my SIL in a singles tennis match or we can do the Australian style since my daughter does not play tennis.  It would be interesting if she would at least try and hit some balls with us.  We will have to play it by ear.  I am very lucky to have them this weekend to celebrate Easter and for the rest of the week to see some of the sights, do a bit of shopping and just spend as much time together.  I hope the weather will be warm and sunny for them since they need a real break from their Canadian winter.  Even though today is not a Daughter's day (is there such a day?) - in our blog world let us make it that special day.  Happy daughter's day to you all. 

Truthful Thursday - One more sleep

Yes, I am still counting sleep before my daughter gets here.  I have not seen her since July 2011 and that is a very long time.  If you have any children even if they are already adults and you have a great relationship with them, you will definitely be excited about seeing them again. Some of you are very lucky to be living in the same city or the same province/state with your children.  Unfortunately, I don't have that luxury and after being with her most of her life, it's really very hard to be away but I guess I have to live with my decisions.  Anyway, I don't want to make this post a sad one because I am actually very happy because she will be here soon.  Since this is truthful Thursday, I am just saying how I truly feel and how much I really appreciate that she is taking some time off from her very busy life to come and visit us.  I am trying to get everything ready so that I will have as much free time with her and of course my favorite SIL.  Here's another favorite photo that was taken a couple of years ago.