Mazie

This is what I sometimes call my best friend. It was all a misunderstanding. She had written her middle names down...and her writing is sooooooooooo bad! So I thought it said Mazie, which it did not, and the nickname just stuck.
We had very different upbringings. Mazie & my parents love their children in their own way...they just seem to love us very differently. My parents are full of physical affection. Hugs & kisses when I want or need them. Always a helping hand if I need it. Very supportive and a very 'hands on' family. My parents seem to miss me (and my sister), just an hour after we've finished a family visit. And they of course will say so.
Mazie on the other hand...
I know her parents love her, I have no doubt of that. I think they're great, we get along and they've even invited me to live in their home so I could accept a job in that city. Very generous! But it's how they are with Mazie that bothers me. It's the little & big things. When she flys home for a visit, instead of being treated like a guest she's more like a maid. They put her to work..it's more of a 'do this', instead of 'would you mind helping me?'. Mazie's income is less than 1/5 of what her parents make and at least 1/4 of what her brother makes. She always manages to go home and visit. She can't afford to, but she misses her family. All her trips go onto her credit card and she is still paying for them. She has lived in Ontario for over 5 years now. Her brother has yet to visit. Her mother has been her twice. One of those times is because her husband and son were away and so they sent the mom here so she wouldn't be alone. Maybe it's petty. But I wish they would come to see her because they missed her and loved her...not because they just don't want to be alone. Her dad has been here a few times, but that's mostly because he has business to attend to in this area. He has been here once for a pleasure trip. So I can't totally fault her parents.
I guess I'm all annoyed, because Mazie & I are looking to buy a house together. Last night she was upset because it means she'll have no money to go visit her parents. Her parents don't seem to care that she's going to buy a home. My family is excited for me. My grandmother squeeled on the phone for heavens sake! (grandma is REALLY excited) Mazie's parents said they would come and visit her when she gets something bigger than an apartment. Because they can't afford to stay at the hotel. So Mazie gets an email this morning from her father. He can't afford to come visit. He just bought a truck worth 60,000...so her visit has to wait. She is totally hurt! And I'm totally pissed off. I don't understand how a truck is more important than a child. It's like ... I'm sorry I can't fly to see you for $500 and stay at a hotel for a week $700 (even though we offer our apartment instead) a total of $1200 but I can buy a $60,000 truck. This is just the tip of the iceberg of things that happen. I hurt for my best friend. I can't imagine my father saying that. I know I would be devastated, and hurt. Hurt isn't even a strong enough word. It would feel like a gouge in my heart.
I know all I can do is just be there for her. I just wish I could make things better for her.

Yellow Roses

I forgot to say...

When I was visiting my grandma & grandpaW to pick up 'Simone' ...

My Grandpa 'G' came by to see me. I had issued a ticket for his brother and brought it up for him. In our conversation when he was booking the ticket, I asked if I could go shoe shopping with his credit card. He said no. So I asked if I could by myself some flowers...he said I could buy one. So I made a loud exhale...then I said ... can it be a yellow rose? To which he agreed. (but I was just joking, and he knew it)

My Grandpa 'G' loves me, I know this. But he doesn't really know how to show it. I'm used to a very lovey, dovey family who is very openly affectionate. So I have a hard time with my grandfather G's lack of outward affection.

As a thank you for bringing the tickets all the way down to him. He showed up at my grandparents 'W' with a thank you gift for me. It was 2 red roses & a Russ teddy bear. I can't remember him ever getting a gift for me, so I was VERY touched. He couldn't stay long, but we still had a little chat. When he left, he was gone about 30 seconds then popped his head back in the front door. He looked at me and said ... 'I hope it's ok, they didn't have any yellow roses so I got you two red instead'. All I could do was smile and thank him. I held it together until after he left. I went to find my grandma ' W' because I needed a hug. I just started crying.
It just meant SO much to me. He had listened to me ... not just heard what I said, but was listening. Sometimes, I may feel like he doesn't care or I don't matter... but he just proved me wrong.

It was a day of blessings. I was quite overwhelmed. The minivan from my grandparents 'W', my grandpa 'G' expressing how much he loves me...and on my drive home...my new minivan has good brakes. Why is this a blessing? Because a family of deer were crossing the road. It was a very peaceful moment and I just had to thank God because of the sheer beauty of the moment. I am so blessed...with the beauty of nature, with a giving & loving family, two adorable puppies, the most amazing best friend, a job I love, a wonderful boss who is a fun and caring person, a roof over my head, a lovely & free country and finally a prime minister with some brass ones.


ADDITION...

I am also blessed with a wonderful sister who loves me despite my kookiness.

Simone

Simone... That is the name of my brand spankin' new van!! I'm Soooooooo excited! My grandparents called me almost a month ago and offered me their van. They gave me a great deal on it too! It's a grey, 2001 Ford Windstar minivan with 6 cylinders. I'm not sure what 6 cylinders means...but my new baby 'Simone' has some kick to her! Two weeks ago, I went down to see my grandparents and change over the van to my name. But apparently you need a safety check & an E-Test done on it. So I didn't get her then. But that's ok, because I had the best visit with my grandparents. So on Monday, I went up back to my grandparents where we changed 'Simone' into my ownership. I'm a proud mama! She has cruise control and TONS of space. I can put my usual laundry in the back and still have room enough for a dozen bodies. Maybe not sitting down...but definately stacked up. I've felt comfortable enough in Simone to leave my cellphone at home. She's not going to break down on me and still has that brand new smell.

The best part? The first 4 characters on my licence plate??? AZWX Does anyone play bumper stumpers? Cause I started laughing at the vehicle registry office. Azzz Wax ... hee hee. I could never remember my licence plate for my poor old 98, 3 cylinder neon.... but I'm pretty sure I'll remember this one!

Maybe it's Spring...

Today is the first day in a long time that I've felt good. Not just, ho hum good, but really GOOD! I haven't lost more weight...I'm actually plateaued and I still feel fat. But I'm starting to feel healthy. I haven't felt this healthy in years! I'm up to 60 minutes on the bike, and even started stomach exercises last night. Even though the scale isn't going down, I feel like I'm getting somewhere. Plus I can smell spring in the air, which makes me even happier and adds that extra spring in my step :)

YAY for springtime!!!