It was difficult to justify such an expensive event as the 2010 Olympics coming to our province. With much opposition preparation forged ahead. Cut backs and cleaning up as any decent person would do for company. When all is said and done many of us thought we’d either leave the Province or boycott the festivities at all costs. Avoiding the hoopla of crowds and chaos. Many felt money could be better spent on those living in poverty, and only when pigs fly would we even endorse such a ridiculous waste of money!
Pigs must be flying in droves around the lower mainland of British Columbia as we swallow our previous disdain and embrace the spirit, beauty and free events. Preparation for any party is expensive and time consuming, but when all is said and done, Canadians love to party and have fun!! Not only are we all feeling patriotic, we are absolutely in love with our country, our cities, our province and each other! We have renewed our vows, as record numbers of people line the streets in Celebration of freedom, accomplishment, love and of course Hockey!!! Everyone says the same thing, there is absolutely nothing like it, the happiness and joy of celebrating goes beyond anything they have ever experienced!! I may just have to join in the fun, bad knee and all!!!
My friend Lucy blogged about her dance of intimacy with guilt and her mom. As a woman I can’t tell you how I could relate. Seems like there is so much guilt around getting things done and being everything to everyone. I have heard several young woman call their moms selfish or weird when they hit menopause. It struck a chord with me. How long must a woman go on serving the world and her children? All the driving, extra curricular activities, holiday preparation, cooking, cleaning, cuddling, and coddling, being present, a woman does, when she finally scales back because she has menopausal sleep lapses, or malaise or just plain wants her life back, she gets criticized and she feels guilt for it!! If a woman leaves a party early, doesn’t attend every requested family event, or opts out of volunteering to host a large celebration she shouldn‘t have to feel hoards of guilt.Eventually it's time to pass the torch!!! If she chooses to travel, explore quilting, art, music, golfing or whatever else has been left on the back burner for years, she should be supported, guilt free in her choices! Really, when does the guilt end??? Thankfully I have support for my creative endeavors, however many aren't!! Tell me what you guilt you feel pressured by??
Well I had a nice quiet Valentines day, the kids marinaded a huge variety of veggies then BBQ them, with steak and baked potato...is was fabulous. I blogged, tidied and finishing off this piece art to fit in a Starbucks mug for my son in law. I added a few musicians he reveres, music notes and his favorite color. Pepper thought the photos were kind of hokey....but alas he liked it, being the old fashioned boy that he is. I offered to change it up to his liking, asking him to be totally honest. Assuring him I wouldn't feel one bit insulted. After all I'm old now and slightly out of the loop to what's cool these days. Once it was together it was cooler than I thought it would be. I was surprised when he took it to work today that's why I didn't get a photo of it! I'll post it later.....I have posted Peppers now....
Happy Second Anniversary to my dear Daughter and her wonderful man!
Today's Sunday Scribbling prompt "Ethics" is so fitting for my daughter. Who
was born with exemplary ethics. Never discussed was the huge cost,
especially have piercings, dying your hair different colors and wearing a t-shirt that says "bad little virgin".
When she was about four or five she spilled a coke on the carpet, forgetting to tell me. It dried a little before I asked what it was. I explained how cleaning it up immediately was imperative so it wouldn't stain. I promised never be angry about accidents, but said I would be mad about lying.
A few months later her friend got gum stuck on something, and asked her not to tell me. She assured the girl I wouldn't be mad if they told me. I wasn't... the trust was built.
I expected my child to experiment, but she had no desire to. She prided herself on being an oxymoron. Looking like the wild girl, with cherry red and black hair, goth clothes, and piercings, while being on the honor roll, year book editor, and having a job on weekends as a production assistant at a golf club.
When all the teens were partying, experimenting and over indulging she was either working or opted out. Still she always knew how to have fun! Playing board games, watching movies, skating, swimming, going to concerts, sewing, making collages she kept busy. Eventually the gang who hung out all through high school went their own way. Clubbing every weekend finding different partners. While she had found her love at first sight and held tight.
She's been put in charge of peoples children and their businesses at a very young age. Holding that responsibility in the highest esteem. Always fiscally responsible paying her bills on time, contributing to the house without being asked. Giving to charity, accounting for every dime in her places of employment. She was just born ethical, but there is a cost. I remember the whispers from parents assuming she'd be
a bad teen because I let her dye her hair and wear funky styles at a young age.
When she got married she refused to get herself in debt. They wanted a simple ceremony, a dinner, and laughter. While I endorsed their right to marry in their own style after six years together, they were judged by some friends and family for not having a large reception. For marrying in secret. The judgment was tough, still they defended their right to make good life choices for themselves.
Having worked at wedding ceremonies, they knew the cost and kerfuffle of large weddings. They witnessed family discord and unhappy couples mentally and physically too exhausted to enjoy their day! So instead they chose to do it their way, having it paid off in the first six months! Allowing them the ability to travel, enjoy concerts and have dinner out on occasion.
Almost as much guilt goes with being ethical as not. I remember a pair of jeans she bought as a teen. They cost too much, she had a difficult time wearing them knowing she could have found ones cheaper. Right now she is having the same dilemma about that second pair of boots she bought a few weeks ago. Feeling they are too extravagant especially in light of the Haitians, and children she saw bagging groceries at Walmart in Mexico.
She takes transit instead of driving, she is frugal and generous, she earns every cent she spends, she's thoughtful and charitable, she deserves to wear the boots already!!!
Happy Anniversary dear daughter, you deserve the best and you got the best!!!
You have always made better choices than me!!!
Now wear the boot already. I can't wait to see them on you!!!
All photo copyrights on this post belong to Pepper
Momentum builds for today's four o'clock
Winter Olympics opening ceremonies in our city.
Things have been kept very hush hush!
I live on the out skirts, basically a skytrain ride or thirty five minute drive from the main hub of Vancouver B.C. but born and raised in North Vancouver an even shorter stint away and closer to Cypress bowl (Mountain) where the down hill skiing takes place.
Many opposed to the expense of the games have even buckled with patriotic spirit and love for our Country! Everything is a buzz! Not as many cars on the roads with streets blocked off for pedestrians and locals encouraged to take transit!
Universities have gone on two week reading breaks, delivery trucks are commanded to deliver after midnight and each torch run has brought people out in droves no matter the hour of the day!
Monday night my kids did enjoy the hoopla of the torch running in our city of Surrey B.C.
Last night the kids were invited to a Closed Gibson Guitar party.
They headed to Vancouver early jumping in on the attractions
taking opportunity for a few photos before the free surprise concert!
Including Buffy St Marie, Hedley, a couple of Canadian idol kids, a few of the Canadian Tenors who were on Oprah Wednesday, the Odds, Default and many many others! Bare naked Ladies were in attendance but didn't perform. The kids caught the second to last train home before one fifteen. Excitement was at a high as celebrities played covers while people casually sang along! This is just the beginning, free concerts are scheduled in many different municipalities!
Let the fun begin...... can't wait to see who's performing.
