Giving Thanks...

Bruce and I were feeling a bit down about missing our "Calgary" Thanks Giving dinner at the Ranch this year. Packing up and heading off to the DK Ranch/ Powder Room for turkey and a drunken round of "One Thing I Hate About You" has become a real heart warming tradition. Terra and Ryan play Mom & Dad, Albert and I play Grandpa and Grandma, Bruce is Grandma's "special friend", and Christy is the "drunk aunt" - all the delights of a family affair where people seem to like each other more than actual family members! In lieu of this we were lucky enough to be invited for turkey with the Oldrings! (for those who weren't aware, Peter Oldring's Mom and Dad live out in White Rock.)

What a TREAT!

We got to meet Peter's Grandma and Grandpa (Lil and Tom) who have been married for SIXTY ONE YEARS!!! (And, watch your back Peter because your nephew Austin will be nipping at your professional comedy heels VERY soon!) I asked Lil if she had any advice for Bruce and I after her 61 years of married life. She said, "No."....and then went on to say, "Well, if you love each other and you get along that's all that matters. I would do it all over again the same way if I was given the choice - and I was married at 18 years old and had three kids by the time I was 25." Peter's Grandpa said, "She caught my eye when she was 18, and I buy her chocolates once in a while to keep her sweet."

Carmen Grant was out for the weekend and a little visit. We all went for brunch this morning and discussed wedding plans. Carmen has been a good friend of both Bruce and myself for 10 years - and she will be officiating our wedding in the spring. What fun! (although - strange to be making all of these plans when Bruce has YET to propose!....we're unconventional I guess!) A large part of our ceremony will involve giving thanks to the many people that have impacted out lives - so this was a perfect weekend to be discussing it.

On Saturday evening we sampled a bit of White Rock "night life" by crossing the street and going to the Sandpiper Pub. It was packed! As we made our way to the door Bruce said, "Excuse me", to a man who was easily in his mid-forties who relpied, "Why? Didja FART?!" Weeeeeee!!!! Saturday is Karaoke night at the Sandpiper so we were keen to toss our hats in the ring, of course. While we waited for our songs to come up we found a table to sit at up front, right on the edge of the dance floor. What an amazing mix of people! Somehow the Sandpiper has managed to transcend generational segregation (perhaps through the universal appeal of Karaoke?) and caters to a clientel of people ranging in age from 19 - 65, SERIOUSLY! And they all take turns at Karaoke too! Between tunes the DJ plays music to get the kids up dancing and the old folks join in shaming the rest of us with their dance step prowess. I ran into Mr. "Didjafart" when I went up to the bar to get drinks. He very purposefully bumped into me and then slurred, "Oh, sssry, did I bump you?"

Me: Yeah. You did.
Mr. Didjafart: Sssry. Didn't mean to bump you.
(bumps into me again while I'm looking right at him)
Mr.Didjafart: Oh, ssssry. Bumped you again.
Me: That's fine.
Mr. Didjafart: Did I bump you, or did you bump me?
Me:(dripping sarcasm) Gee - I don't know. Maybe I bumped you.
Mr. Didjafart: Oh yeah? Didja bump me for a ssspcific reason?
Me; No. No I didn't.
Mr. Didjafart: Well then......(staggers away)

This encounter was almost as delightful as the exchange Bruce had while trying to push past the crowded bar to get to the washroom:

Bruce: (realising his way is blocked by a gal with her back to him, he turns to the cougar at the bar) This isn't going to happen, is it?
Cougar: Well, it might if I spread my legs. ( spreads her legs open to create a path to the washroom for Bruce to squeeze into!)

Carmen was also asked to cut a rug by a gentleman in his 60's who looked delighted to be leading her around the dance floor.

All in all - a wonderful White Rock weekend with friends, surrogate family, (and White Rock singles) to be thankful for!

Wednesday it's back to work for me....and fingers crossed that the BC teacher's strike will be over soon so that Bruce can go back out on tour ASAP!

That's it for now....

R