Cup 52 - Me!

January 2015

Cheers and HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Here we are....Cup 52! I'm not sure I have ever kept a resolution for a full year. Or if I ever will again!  While I will admit to cheating a little bit by including myself as one of my "visits" I know there are many who would say a person should spend time with themselves more often.  And, given the amount of time I have spent with myself and my memories as I tried to blog regularly I think I qualify.  So this final (for awhile) post serves in reflection to this past year and the project...

As I believe I have mentioned within a few of the pages, the resolution evolved over the year.  As I was reconnecting with friends I had perhaps not seen in some time, and then celebrating them with a few words, so too did I think I ought to be celebrating all of the important people in my life, even if I do see them more often.  So thus began the shift to this being a blog where readers get to learn about lots of the people I love, whether they be near or far, whether we see each other frequently or seldom. I promise that the weeks I wrote about each person were weeks when we did truly spend time together though.

When I began the journey I imagined who some of my "cups" might be with.  Fifty-two seemed like a lot although there were (and still is) no shortage of important people in my life.  I figured I would for sure see and get to write about people like Helen, Stacey, Lara, Casey, Courtney, Jen F., Jennifer B., Mandi, Abbie, Theresa or ???.  But none of those names will appear as I did not see them in 2014. There are other names of people who I did see, possibly only briefly and who also deserve to know I think the world of them.  People like:  Simon, JL, Darlyne, Josy, Gayla, Lindsay and Meghan. There are even more, who live great distances and some who messaged me to say they would love to be a part of this.  Thanks to Nancy, Carrie, Andrea, Diane and Andrew.   It has all been an interesting process.

I genuinely loved every get together.  Sometimes I worried, though, that people might think I was only inviting us out because I needed "material".  Other times, I'd be out with people who'd bring up the blog and I'd internally think "Oh yeah!  This is one of those opportunities!"  In retrospect I have wondered if I should have just done this privately, and then unveiled the whole thing all at once when it was done.  But then I worried I mightn't have finished as the accountability piece was big for me.  It also occurred to me, around July, I should have been inviting each of YOU to write comments under each entry, about any of the people we mutually know because people have loved seeing themselves in print and I don't think we tell each other often enough how we feel or what we remember.  I will admit that sometimes the writing was hard and seemed like an "assignment" (I guess it was, in a way.)  I didn't ever mind the writing, just sometimes making the time to do it and/or getting caught up.  Hence, today is January 10th! However, because of the joy and value I found in all of it,  and because of all of the aforementioned people (and more) who I didn't get to see or blog about in 2014, I plan to keep the blog "alive" and will sit down with it organically.  There will be no deadlines.

That is all.  For now!! Thanks for everyone's encouragement and compliments.  I wasn't doing this for any sort of congratulation but knowing people were checking in and reading was motivating.

Now, my 2015 resolution?  I think I'll drink more wine.

Cup 51 - Lori

December 28, 2014

My immediate family is a pretty typical family of four.  But extended beyond that,  I think I have a uniquely small extended family.  Being that my mom is an only child and my dad's brother passed when I was only a year old, I have zero aunts and uncles.  My one uncle did have children before his passing and so I have exactly TWO first cousins.  Lori is one of these two cousins.

Lori is (I think) 8 years older than me.  She was a flower girl in my parents' wedding.  We didn't spend a ton of time together, growing up, but I remember being a little girl and really looking up to her.  (Her brother, on the other hand, would always pick me up and drop me in the rain barrel!) There are photos of us together, on my grandparents' farm, making mud pies.  She was clearly a very good sport!  Lori's is the only wedding I have ever been a bridesmaid in - back when I was 17.  (I still have the bottle of wine, with the commemorative wedding label, they gave us....wonder if it's extra delicious or valuable now?!)  And in common, today, is the fact we are both educators.  She teaches Kindergarten and is married to a Principal.  We might only see each other once a year now if our schedules coincide during the times she comes to Calgary to visit our Grandma Glen.  Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't.  But travel to another country and then maybe we can connect!...

Lori and her family (of 5) have a condo in Scottsdale, only a few blocks from where my parents' new condo is and where Derek and I are staying this week.  The five of them invited us over for dinner tonight.   Together we enjoyed a wonderful home cooked meal, told lots of stories and just generally had a nice evening.  Their three adult "kids" are each successful and well-spoken people.  Truth be told, I would have just as much liked to have been on the couches watching football with Ben and Matt but, seeing as I'm married to an "untraditional" sports fan, I stayed at the adult table!  

It was great to have this intentional opportunity to connect with family, something I don't often get to do given there are so few members to do it with!

Cups 49 & 50 - "Brother Bear" and My Daddy

December 21, 2014

Hey!  Why have all the moms and grandmas and nieces and sisters-in-law ranked for a blog entry so far this resolution year, but none of the relatives with a Y-chromosome?  (Other than my Dog.....oh yeah, and Derek - but they are a different sort of family...)  While this blog site has evolved to be more of a celebration of the many great people in my life (versus ONLY a place where I recount reconnections) I cannot run out of "cups" without highlighting my wonderful brother, Mike and dad, Ray.

We have a close, warm family, but somehow it seems harder to gush about the guys...

Mike - Boy. Tall. Handsome. Dad. Landman. Sports. Goofy. Strong. Truck. Beer. Big Feet.

Ray - Boy. Dad. Grandpa. Smart. Thoughtful. Generous. Patient. Funny. Retired. Golfer.

So, that about sums them up!  ;)  No, of course not REALLY!...

Because Derek and I are going away on the 25th we had an early Christmas this morning and so the whole family (all 10 of us) were together for breakfast and to open stockings and a few gifts.  We were at mom and dad's house.  Dad is always quick with the coffee pot (or glass of wine or a beer if it's later in the day) and keen to help anybody with anything.  He is sincerely interested in things we have to say and has valued opinions to contribute.  Dad is a "do-er".  I admire the way he makes decisions about what to do, how to do it and then does it!  He likes a project.  Nothing grandiose or overly challenging, just keeping busy.  In the summer he has the nickname of "Everyday Ray" at his golf club for his consistent routine and tee times.  His golf game moves to Scottsdale for part of each winter and the condo projects earn his focus during those months.  This is now.

Back "then",  dad was a teacher and a school bus driver who worked hard, coached sports and took us on lots of fun, memorable holidays.  While I was growing up he'd let me "mark" his high school kids' Math 30 exams ("Put a checkmark beside question ten if they've written x=8").  Later, during my sabbatical, he let me work for him "for real" in the landman office where the whole rest of my family already was at that time.  We used to have the tradition of always peeking at each other if someone was saying grace.  I wonder what ever happened to that habit?  I do regret that we didn't dance at my wedding but his back was so severely sore on that date it is truly amazing he could even BE at the event, grinning and bearing it as well as he did.  Wow! My favourite "date" has always been going to a Flames or Stampeders Game together.  I could go on and on (and probably should because he deserves it) but suffice it to say I think he's wonderful and I love him a ton.

Now Mike on the other hand.....(just kidding!).  Even though our secret term of endearment is to give each other the finger and our anthem - that we would sing the "NaNa" chorus to - is Centrefold by the J. Geils Band. (Weird - and kind of disturbing!!  I have NO idea how or why either of those things started) there is plenty of unspoken affection between us.  Mike and I had a great relationship growing up and shared lots of laughs and experiences.  Normal sibling stuff, generally, but overall we have always gotten along so well and enjoy spending time together, even though we don't do it very often anymore.  Mike is my "little brother" who, at 6'4" now, hasn't been littler than me for a very long time!  I suppose it was actually HE who "let" me work at the land office as the timing coincided with dad's retirement and Mike's takeover (not hostile!) of the company.  Mike is a successful business guy now, an "old-timer" athlete at 41, he still maintains a large circle of friends (he has always had great friends) and is an attentive, joking, laughing, happy, active dad of two amazing girls.  And I'm pretty sure his wife still likes him a lot too!  Like his dad (and my dad), Mike is glad to help anyone out and is interested in people's lives and stories.  He has an awesome sense of humour but a wonderful head on his shoulders too.  I feel so fortunate, both to have an amazing brother but also to live so close to him and get to still be sharing in each others' lives.

There.  That wasn't so hard to brag about the boys!  Not when they're these two boys anyway.

xxxooo

Cup 48 - Shauna

December 19, 2014

Shauna is my Birthday Buddy and she has a sister named Andrea who was the first "other Andrea" I ever met.  We lived next door to each other when we were 3 years old.  In Springbank. But before you start thinking we're all "fancy", you should know that we lived on a teacherage while both our dads taught at the High School. My house was about 800 square feet and hers was a tiny log cabin with a dirt floor in the basement. A structure flattened LONG ago! I remember watching Mr. Dress-Up at her house and then running over to my house while it was on, only to discover THE SAME EPISODE was playing on my TV!!  But, I digress...

Shauna and I were neighbours in Springbank for a few years and, down the road, both our families also ended up in Cochrane.  We only went to school together through grade five but kept in touch, sometimes sporadically, along the way.  Married in her early twenties, she and Craig moved to Saskatchewan and Ontario for periods of time before settling back in Alberta - first Medicine Hat and now in Okotoks.  (In my whole life I've had seven postal codes but all have been within 35 km of each other, Cochrane to Sunnyside!)

Shauna is one of those people who excels at whatever she attempts.  She has re-invented herself several times already and will undoubtedly endeavour this again and again.  She pursued post-secondary in Criminal Justice, has received her Education Degree and is now also a certified yoga instructor.  She is raising two beautiful, successful daughters and maintains influence with large and loving step and extended families.  She and Craig already have their eye on exciting retirement plans and purchases which, may seem like a practical and common idea but I only barely realized we were even all grown-ups!  Shauna is so positive, and I love her self-proclaimed and unabashed hippy-ness. She is goofy but also wise, very open and also reflective.  She loves giving to other people but has done an excellent job of taking care of her own spirit along the way.

Shauna joined Allison (Cup 47) and I for dinner tonight.  The three of us were elementary buddies but since elementary school we have possibly only ALL been together three or four times in thirty five years.  Interesting, isn't it, how easy it always still is with good friends though?  It's cliche to say that the passing of time just doesn't matter but, it just doesn't matter!

Cup 47 - Allison

December 19, 2014

When I started this blog almost a year ago, I was going over in my head a number of people I might "get" to write about.  Allison's name sprang to mind right away although, even then I knew it would likely be a whole year before her name appeared at the top of the page.  This is because it is almost a tradition for Allison and I to ONLY see each other once a year.  Yes, occasional spontaneous visits have happened if one of her kids had a soccer game in Tuscany, but generally we always know we will see each other every December for our annual Christmas shopping.  Without exaggeration, Allison and I have met to Christmas shop every year (except, I think 1994) since we were in grade 5... that's1980!

It started when her dad was the General Manager of Sears at North Hill Mall and we were armed with our parents' credit cards (if you can believe it) to remain within the confines of his department store while checking in, on occasion, with Bob.  Almost 35 years later, the tradition has evolved to still definitely include some shopping (although Al is generally a "late shopper" while I tend to have much of mine already complete but the time we pick a date) to now be very much about the dinner date also included in our evening - and the consumption of wine during said meal.  We met at South Centre this afternoon and shopped for a couple of hours before heading over to Milestones for dinner and to meet another childhood friend (Cup 48!)  While we were there, so was Santa!  And he and Mrs. Claus joined us at our table for a quick chat too - how fun!

Allison and I have known each other since before Kindergarten.  Our parents were friends and so we were too!  I can remember many sleepovers at her house in Springbank and especially remember that even as a little kid, she could sleep-in way too long and I'd be awake and waiting and waiting for her to wake up so we could play.  (She could even sleep through her mom vacuuming!)  I remember her favourite stuffed Grover, that she always had a German Shepard (still does), horses and the time her older brother, Jeff, ran over my leg with a quad.  After we moved to Cochrane, our school day visits ended but we'd still see each other at Rocky View sporting events, around the University of Calgary once we got there and...always at Christmas!

Today, Allison is an "important person" with the Calgary Stampede.  She used to be in charge of the Agricultural portion of the event but now oversees all of the midway rides, concessions, games and gates.  A former Stampede Queen, Allison is still royalty within their daily organization.  In addition to this successful career, Allison keeps her immediate family of four a priority while also overseeing the care of her mom, Arlene, who has been struggling for many years now with the progression of her Muscular Sclerosis.  She does it all and she does it all with a smile.  The look she is sporting, above, with Santa is how she conducts herself all the time. (At least, all the time - once a year - when I see her!)

Cups 45 and 46 - Sara and Sophie

November 29, 2014

My beautiful nieces!  They live five minutes away but I don't see them nearly as much as one might think.  A combination of all of our busyness, their commitments are ones of talent - soccer, gymnastics, violin and dance, dance, dance!  Today I celebrate their uniqueness.

The picture I have posted is one from my birthday (two days before Brier's last) although tonight I spent time with them at their house, babysitting while Mike and Jacky went to a Christmas Party. We "dined" together, watched Mr. Peabody and Sherman, they danced, played and - since I don't have to be the parent - I let them play on their technology for a little bit longer than they are supposed to!  We also read books and looked at art.  Sophie had a beautiful, handmade card waiting for me. 

At the time of writing, Sara is nine and Sophie is seven.  Their birthdays are January 29th and 30th respectively.  They are each smart and creative, silly and  sentimental.  They are thoughtful and funny, musical and athletic.  They both love to read and can draw intricate, colourful pictures, oftentimes drawing freehand, with a pen - never needing to correct a "mistake".  (How great to be young and not even have it occur to you that anything would ever need to be changed.  Confident perfection from the outset!)

Sara is extremely articulate and inquisitive.  She devours books at the rate, and of a level, of much older kids. Yet I love, love, love the "little girl-ness" still in her as she plays with her Monster High dolls, likes to dress-up and dance uninhibitedly to Katy Perry or Taylor Swift.  She is sensitive and sensitive about this sensitivity!  (Which is endearing too.)  Sara is the proud "mom" to two neat budgies, Sunny and Blueberry and cares for them proudly.  She is a natural leader and has many friends who enjoy her ideas, including her "little sister".  Sara is an awesome Big Sister.

Sophie is compassionate and sincere.  The blue eyes behind her stylish glasses tell you she is genuinely interested, concerned, happy, content, listening...or... whatever the case may be!  She has a silly side too and, as the Little Sister, does a perfect job of getting her older counterpart going.  Both girls have giggles you could listen to for hours.  Sophie is a collector of all things Lalaloopsy and knows the complex names of hundreds of characters!  Soph is a real animal lover and helped Derek and me to pick out our youngest cat, Sam, from the Cochrane SPCA.  When Sophie gives you one of her trademark tight hugs, you know she means it!

It is so great being their Auntie!  We have sleepovers and date days.  There are lots of memories in the vault - many more fun and proud moments to come!  Thanks for letting me brag about them!

Cup 44 - Donna

November 27, 2014

This was the visit that almost never was.  Thanks to Donna, I now have snow tires on my car!! Perhaps I should back up a bit...

Going back a FEW months I texted Donna in August to invite her to a Clothes Swap party I was having with teacher friends.  It had been quite awhile since we had been in contact but I was still shocked when her reply was, "I live in Edmonton now!"  What?!  She told me she would explain the whole story the next time we were able to get together.  Thankfully (thankfully?!?!) my Teachers' Convention commitments take me to Edmonton at least twice a year and so we made a dinner date for tonight.

And then it started to snow.  And we agreed to meet at 5:30 which meant afterwork rush hour.  And I had her home address instead of the restaurant address in my GPS.  Long story short, it took me 75 minutes to drive 7 km.  Granted, had I entered the correct address I actually passed the place much earlier but I kept Donna waiting for a LONG time before I finally trudged in and eagerly ordered a big glass of wine!  But enough about the Adventures of Andrea...

It was SOOO great to see Donna again!  Originally the friend and colleague of Heather (Cup 36) and also a member in the same Book Club as my mom (Cup 19 - haha) Donna and I were drawn together through our professional dive into school administration.  Donna is super smart, very insightful, extremely effective with people and just an all-round natural born leader.  Even tonight, as she was humbly describing her involvements with her new community association her transferrable skill and drive was evident - although I had to point these similarities out to her as she had not connected what she is doing now to anything she has done before.  Donna is taking this year off but is still making a difference to those around her.  What lucky neighbours!  (And one of her neighbours is actually Andrew Ferrence so some might think she and Anhtu are the lucky ones but....nope, it's Andrew!)

And then there is the rest of the "whole story".  Donna defines Resilience. Blessed with the miracle of Baby Sally (who is actually now 4), after more miscarriages than most would ever admit, Donna has since battled through the confusion of losing two more babies - Stuart and Clive - to still-births as well as dealing with other miscarriages.  This is mind-boggling to me!  This is also the reason their family decided a bold new address was in order and who in the world could ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever argue?! Donna tells her story with reflection and resolve and I feel privileged she shared it with me.  (And, I know I am endorsed to tell the story here too.  At some point, near the beginning Donna made a comment to the effect of, "Get out your pen to keep all this straight for your blog!" As an aside - it hadn't even occurred to me I was out for one of my Cups of Coffee.  I was just excited to see my friend and, as is usually the case, realize much later on I should ever write about the person!) But now back to our heroine... to look at Donna one would never guess the depth of the pain that must be lurking inside both she and her husband, Anhtu.  While we were enjoying a carefree night of reminiscing I can only speculate there have been other nights where questions for the universe are the only focus.  All readers here are probably asking a few right now!  She is inconceivably forgiving and still grateful for other things.

While it's unbeknownst to anyone but her how far along the healing process Donna is, it would appear she is not letting these heartaches define her.  Resiliency, yes. Wallowing, I don't see it. Donna is striving to be an example - likely to little Sally most of all.  Hers is truly an inspirational story of how her family has dealt with the grief, found silver in the small things and is moving forward (no matter how difficult) because humans are amazing creatures and can be strong when determined.

It sure put a long, snowy drive into perspective!

Cup 43 - Carla

November 15, 2014

Carla - while unique in so many amazing ways -  also reminds me a lot of me in other (less amazing?) ways.  I'm not sure how SHE would / will feel reading this statement but I would hope she doesn't mind!  Carla joined the teaching profession as her second career, and while this fun fact is not similar to me, since starting teaching seven years ago she is continuously reinventing her practice, either through changing roles or through an evolution towards leadership herself. (At least, this is what I see.  Again, I know she knows I hold this view of her but am unsure if she holds it of herself.) 

Confident in her practice probably partially thanks to her exceptional organizational and technological skills (not a similarity) Carla is also able to volunteer some of her time to the ATA and other extracurricular endeavours.  She keeps an open mind and has a balanced perspective. She can juggle multiple tasks, as evidenced by her Executive position as Local Secretary (although when she has tired of this title I plan to recruit her to our Convention Board and Executive!  Worst kept secret now!)

But enough about her professional attributes! The most important thing about any person is their character.  Carla is talented and funny. (She can sing and play multiple instruments - she recorded a CD!)  She is genuinely kind, interested in other people and has a fun sense of humour.  So does her husband, Terry.  They are a perfect pair and clearly have lots of fun together. (And, they were married at a more "seasoned" age which is something else I relate to.) Another trait I recognize is her being a sports fan and casual participant.  I haven't seen her play ball but if she can bat like she golfs then her team is in good stead.  

Of course, her athletic stints can only happen when she doesn't have a cast on her foot or have to rely on a knee scooter to get around!  Carla had a little "mis-hap" earlier this Fall, leaving her unable to teach for the term.  Hearing she was going a little stir-crazy at home, I "volunteered" her to assist me with some of my Convention Program administration.  It was during this visit to her beautiful and "homey" home where we got to catch up a bit.  I realized (not surprisingly) how much I like her and miss having her optimistic attitude permeate my world on a more frequent basis.  (Which must be where my "recruiting" idea has come from.  See paragraph 2.)

Carla is a lovely, down-to-earth friend to so many.  Colleagues admire her and students adore her.  I am one of those fans!

Cup 42 - Brier!

Brier 2000-2014

Not a lot I need to write. Those who knew him already know there aren't enough words.  I made a video though.  That was therapeutic!  You were a Good Boy, Brier!  THE Best Dog!  XXXOOO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5OjuGVD9bQ

Cup 41 - Tiffany

November 4, 2014

Tiffany came into mine and Derek's life, first as a causal friend but then played a professional role, which before long led to her becoming a highly valued and significant friend.  Tiffany is another one of those incredible, successful moms who somehow manage to do it all.  The fraction of the "all" which we have enjoyed has been largely as she wears her Veterinarian hat.  A friend to our cats she is extended family to Brier.  Or....she will be for a couple more weeks.

Tiffany came by tonight to consult on Brier's quality of life as we have been suspecting he is on a gradual decline although us seeing him everyday makes that difficult to discern.  She did agree that all signs point to him being weaker than when she saw him last and that "making a plan" was probably in order.  I think the decision is as hard on her as on us!  

Brier has played a role in her life too.  She and Curtis parent two boys, one of whom is autistic and has always been nervous around dogs.  Brier met them at Bowness Park one weekend a few years back to play ball.  It went really well. Following this, he also had weekend sleepovers at Tiffany's house and those visits went even better.  She credits Brier with helping Logan overcome some of his worry around dogs and this is where the "extended family" descriptor comes in.  We think Brier was the lucky one!

But Tiffany is much more than a veterinarian or surrogate family.  She is a beautiful, intelligent, hard-working, fun-spirited and adventurous woman. She is not afraid to make tough decisions on behalf of her family as she has a practical streak to overrule her free-spiritedness.  She is sincerely caring and down-to-earth.  She is fast to do a favour and never expects anything in return.  We have been blessed to enjoy parties with her, as well as shed tears.  Her friendship has meant the world to us!

Thanks Doc!

(PS - She is also very tall!  In the picture above, Derek is standing on a stair!  At that same party (my 40th), friends of mine drove up, saw her in the window and decided they were too underdressed, compared to her, to come in!)

Cup 40 - Jen

October 21, 2014

Jen and I met a little over six years ago. although it has only been in about the last three to four that she and I have become good friends.  Prior to that we were colleagues of the "acquaintance" variety given that she originally worked at my school part time and then was on a maternity leave and in a substitute role.  As with any great relationship, people have to spend time together to get to know each other and I am ever glad I've had this opportunity!

In common are our "approximate" ages, our love (hate) affair with good food, Keurig coffee, pets, shopping, Grey's Anatomy (I feel like I've blogged about this show before), our sense of humour (she's funny - and I like to think I have a good sense of HaHa too...).  We even did a "Starter" triathlon together. One of the most important commonalities, though, is the way we are wired up to work with kids and colleagues and to have an innate desire to lead.  I blush inwardly when she sometimes refers to me as one of her "mentors" because this seems far too lofty a regard when I know I have learned just as much from her as potentially otherwise.  However, she is currently the assistant principal in the office where I used to assume that same position so I suppose I did share a few pearls of wisdom with her over time.

In her outside sections of our Venn diagram is the fact that she is an amazing mom to three girls who, being in varying stages of their  life / career / education, she advises steadfastly and loves fiercely. They all genuinely love spending time together and possibly hold some sort of record for Mother-Daughter selfies.  All beautiful people, Jen regularly is mistaken for a sister of her older daughters. (And I don't mean to highlight the word "older" here.  It's just that her younger daughter is, like, six!) Jen juggles their worlds, and that of her devoted - though remotely working - hubby.  How she manages all of the hockey, dance, part time jobs and various school commitments (her own and her girls') is a feat.  I know lots of moms do it, and they all deserve high praise, but this is Jen's Cup of Coffee so we're bragging about her today!

Jen and I met at OJs tonight to catch up on life in general.  Despite a lot of "shop talk", including much about our own learning / university programs, the mood was light, time passed quickly and it was just another fun, casual chance to relax with a like-minded soul.  Where we used to see each other every day, now we have to carve out intentional moments.  This is "good" because it means we have each evolved into new opportunities but it is "bad" because now her Keurig machine is on the other side of the City from mine!  Thankfully Jen is always just a text, email or phone call away (yep, still know how to use a phone as a phone!)  I'm proud of both of us and especially because our common career trajectories ensure we will get to continue crossing paths.

Cup 39 - Jacky

October 14, 2014

Jacky is one of those people who I hope I would be friends with, even if I wasn't related to her. Married to my brother now for 13 (?!) years, Jacky is a wonderful sister-in-law.  (Gee, I hadn't planned for two blog posts in a row to be about in-laws but seeing as this is a site dedicated to my friends, and these two recent honourees qualify, how lucky am I?!  Both originally from Saskatchewan too.  Huh.) 

Jacky came into all of our lives quite by coincidence.  A new teacher to Calgary, Jacky was hired to teach at Edgemont School when my mom took a semester's leave of absence.  Being new to town, a veteran teacher took Jacky under her wing and introduced her to her son of the same age.  This friend was a friend of my brother's which is how she and Mike came to be introduced.  So, even though Jacky was teaching in our mother's classroom, this isn't directly how they met.  It IS the angle she used to RE-connect with him, however - under the guise of having something of mom's to return, so maybe Mike could meet her for coffee?  Aw shucks, what the heck. It worked, and they now have many years behind them and the future of their two beautiful daughters ahead of them.

Jacky and I had a visit tonight when I dropped something off at their house for my brother (gee, are you sensing a "dropping off" theme here?)  Mike and Sara weren't home so Jacky and I got to chat while Sophie played in the background.  Seeing as I have mentioned my nieces twice now, in the last two sentences, it should be noted that they are one of Jacky (and Mike's) greatest achievements. They would NOT argue about this either.  I love being an auntie, even though I am guilty of not seeing them more considering they live in Tuscany too!

Jacky isn't teaching anymore.  She stayed at home, to be with the girls (there the proud auntie goes again), but has now gone back to school and is pursuing education in the field of Holistic Nutrition. (For as much Jacky and I have in common - teaching, red wine, watching the Bachelor, to name a few- holistic nutrition isn't one of them!)  

Jacky is passionate about her causes.  She is devoted to her practices and in passing down these good habits to her kids.  One simple but great example is how diligent she is in having her kids use sunscreen and wear their hats - ever since they were very young, I doubt they've missed a day. The girls don't realize it now but they are going to have the most beautiful, youthful skin for years and years to come!  Thanks Mom!

Jacky is an amazing mom, a great wife and fun to have as a sister-in-law.  An identical twin, she has that super-bond with her sister but seems almost as close with all of her girlfriends.  And it's a big group!  She enjoys cooking but dining out, weekends away but also family times at home.  She is fashionable and athletic, well-read and an amazing shopper.  She is super thoughtful and has been an important part of our family for a long time now.  Not just part of our family.  She IS family!

Cup 38 - Ellen

October 12, 2014

I have never understood Mother-in-Law jokes.  Of course my husband's mother-in-law is an incredible woman but my husband's wife has an amazing mother-in-law too!  

Ellen.

Family is very important to me and while Derek's family doesn't resemble the (conventional) closeness mine enjoys, not surprisingly Ellen is the glue and we are fortunate to see her on a fairly regular basis.  Family is absolutely, extremely important to her too!

A retired teacher Ellen is probably busier now than when she had to commute to school daily. Like her son, she is an avid reader/researcher and a do-it-yourselfer.  She keeps a vegetable garden the size of two backyards (really!) and is regularly maintaining her own home, inside and out.  Several times a year she ventures to Humboldt, Saskatchewan to spend time with sisters, aunts and other relatives (including her mom up until 2010, who lived to be 99!) who still reside in and around where her family farm was.  She and Rick also take short journeys together or spend time either renovating his properties or looking for new ones to buy.   In Calgary she maintains a wide circle of girlfriend - of all ages - who she enjoys lunching with, going to speaker series with, and the like.  It would be rare for her to miss a sporting event of one of her two talented, active granddaughters and, true to Grandma form, she is proud as a peacock of these girls!  (For good reason too!)

And speaking of being a grandma, I think she is equally proud to call herself Brier's grandma!  Both Brier (and our cats) know she faithfully arrives with pockets full of treats and they all accost her the moment they hear her voice through our front door.  Ellen has taken Brier on many a weekend when we travel by air and we call these visits his trip to the Spa.  Ellen purchased Brier a top-of-the-line Radio Flyer wagon last Spring and proudly walks him through either her neighbourhood or ours much to the delight of other walkers (especially seniors) who cross paths with them during their adventures together.

Being Thanksgiving weekend we enjoyed turkey dinner with Ellen and the rest of Derek's immediate family tonight.  She always puts on a delicious, homestyle spread and then loads us up with leftovers. (Actually, every time she comes over she brings us food.  Pies, pickles, veggies from the garden......hmmm, maybe my mother-in-law doesn't think I can cook!  Well, actually Derek IS better at it than me!)  But she is generous in more ways than can actually be mentioned.  Always caring, always concerned, always interested and always ready and willing to give back, Ellen is always thinking of her kids.  (Of which I include myself in the list.)  She would drop anything for us and we love her so much for this.  For other things too.  She doesn't have a negative bone in her body and her patience extends beyond compare.  She is a truly amazing woman who I am lucky, lucky, lucky to have in my life!

Cup 37 - Janay

September 22, 2014

Miss Janay!!  Another friend who dates back almost 20 years, Janay is someone I met during my "Industry Days".  If you've ever waited tables you will remember those days of always having cash in your wallet and being on a very unconventional sleep schedule. What fun it was to be 20-something!  Janay is a friend who, not on Face Book, I have felt out of touch with from time to time.  (And judging by the size of her her Linked-In photo (left), chooses not to have a very large digital footprint!)  But she dos have a large personality!

I met up with Janay at Nick's Steakhouse tonight.  The scene of the crime, if you will.  We worked in this lounge together for about four years and, although we think it had been four years since our last get together USED to at least meet annual for a pitcher of beer and a "Vegetarian Pizza with Spolumbo sausage, hold the onions but please add pineapple".  Yes, we are THOSE customers!  (But at least we tip well.  "Those" customers didn't always necessarily fulfill this requirement back when we were serving them!)

Janay is a self-made woman.  Climbing the ladder to her successful position as a consultant-rebrander-writer-marketer-advisor......(I don't actually know what her business card says) Janay worked her way up from lesser positions at ad agencies, and free positions at magazines, to have her own business today.  Her clients range from Crave Cupcakes to the Government of Alberta so diversity is a strength, for sure!

Fiercely proud of her own adoption story, Janay and her talented hubby, Mario, are the proud parents to Olivia - who shares a (loosely) similar story to her mum.  Not only has Janay been successful in her professional life but she stopped at nothing to achieve these blessings in her personal life too.  I admire her.

Janay has a contagious laugh, is genuinely interested in people (and animals) and can rock any hairstyle from a pixie cut to long, straight locks.  The twinkle in her eye has not faded in twenty years and I look forward to noticing it for twenty more.  And then twenty more.

I'm Way Behind!

October 27, 2014

Yikes.  I am way behind in my blogging!  I have still kept up with seeing people, and I have Cups 37-41 cued up in my "Drafts" box.  Unfortunately, I need to do more than type the title and date.  I am determined to fulfill this resolution, however, and so will set aside a Sunday (soon) to catch up on bragging about all the awesome girls and boys in my life.  But not before I go to Las Vegas this weekend!!...

Stay tuned and be patient with me!

A.

Cup 36 - Heather

September 5, 2014

Who ever knew I'd become great friends with the Girl-With-the-Dinosaur-in-her-Backyard?!  Heather was one of those people who, throughout university I knew who she was (lots of people did) but she didn't know me.  If it seems like I'm painting her with a Scarlet Letter in reputation, let me back up. Her dad was the wildly successful coach of the Dinos Football team (he is now in the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame!) and so many people knew Heather as the coach's daughter.  Apparently this moniker helped her cut the line at many a nightclub back in the day - all the ex-football player bouncers knew her -  so it's unfortunate I didn't know her better then!

Heather and I met at Nick's Steakhouse.  We were both working there as servers during the end of our Education degrees.  There were a small group of us who became friends while working there together and eventually Heather was my first.......roommate!  Well, sort of - we initially moved out together with a third girl who turned out to be.....um.....wacky?  (Is that a PC and sensitive term?)  No matter, we worked around her because we were happy in our 100+ year old house in Sunnyside.  It was undoubtedly a firetrap but it survived our Hat Party and Boxer Short Party during the year we lived there.  Eventually we moved to Parkdale, where I lived with Heather for another year and a half while both threw ourselves into our first years of teaching.

What to tell you about Heather?  Well, from living with her I can tell you that she is a night-owl but then that girl can sleep!  It was more than once that I got a call at my school, from someone at her school wondering where she was.  Colleagues were combing her drive route, thinking she must be in a ditch while she actually slept soundly through her blazingly loud alarm.  Other Fun Facts?  She was (is?) the Martha Stewart of my social circles.  Heather loves to cook and entertain and the way she decorates her house and especially her table for all occasions certainly puts my flowered napkins from Costco to shame!  She's "all-in" for any sort of theme party too and has lost hours of her life sewing (usually at the very last minute) some intricate costume for Halloween or the like.

Heather is a woman of very few words.  HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa........ actually, she is famous for her stories.  Often she will say out loud that she has lost her place and has actually become bored of telling a particular story herself.  She went on some fun travel excursions in her youth (aren't we STILL in our youths?!) and has been through some less-fun "grown up" excursions since then.  All of our experiences make us who we are, though, and Heather has many a wise word to say about much of it.  She is open to sharing.  (Even though she would say "ompen" to sharing - a pronunciation she literally can't get her lips around and so a harmless point of teasing over the years.)

I believe busy people generally like to be busy and Heather fits this description.  She and her kids are all active with family, sports and school.  Heather juggles home and career in Calgary and during her "vacations" in the Shuswap spends much of her time at the family cabin swinging a hammer or hauling something from point A to point B.  She is a hands-on girl with an awesome work ethic.

It was wonderful to get to spend the evening with her tonight over fabulous food and flowing wine. Even though I'm not sure I got to say much!  ;)  <3

Cup 35 - Leslie

August 24, 2014

I am honoured to get to write about one of the most wise, amazing and resilient women I know.  I visited Leslie in her beautiful home this morning; the first time I had been there in....well, while I'm not exactly sure, it had been over ten years, for sure.  I hadn't seen Les in over six.  She had sent me a photo Christmas card last year with a short message about how she wished our lives were "lived a little closer together".  I remember wishing the same thing.  I'm guilty to report that it took my hearing about some challenging circumstances happening with her family (this is an understatement) for me to properly get back in touch.

While the intent of this post is not to headline the struggles Les and her family are facing, I do want to briefly put it out there, as many of you will know Leslie and will want to keep them in your thoughts and prayers.  I also know she is open to sharing the story.  Currently, their eldest daughter, Maddie, is battling cancer following the removal of tumours from her brain.  This is on top of Maddie's autism diagnosis several years back, as well as other serious health matters for Leslie herself, and one of their twin daughters too.  If you would like to know more about Maddie's courageous fight (she is a smart, talented and overall AMAZING girl!) please, follow this link to her story.  (Finding the first Journal entry - a few pages back - will reset the story of her journey back to the beginning.  Huh - I had never connected the words Journal and Journey together until right now...)

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/maddiefriesen/journal

Thinking about Leslie (and her family:  Dave, Maddie, Nate, Sally and Ella) I almost don't know where to begin or what details to share.  There are so many.  And they're all wonderful details as they are all wonderful people.  Seriously.  I walked into their big, beautiful kitchen this morning to realize Dave's same, smiling face and upbeat persona (he likes to point out a few of his grey hairs but, honestly who would ever notice, it's his infectious nature that is most present.  It's Les' nature too.)  It was only 9am and she had already baked homemade scones, prepared a huge bowl of strawberries and was ready to decorate my coffee with Bailey's Irish Cream.  (I accepted!)

Dave left for the hospital while, over the next three hours (which flew by), Leslie I and caught up by reminiscing old times and about common friends.  I got to meet her other three children (all fantastic people) and, when the time was all said and done, left in awe that she had been more sincerely interested to hear about my vanilla life considering everything she must have on her mind at all times!

Les and I went to the same high school but only knew each other as acquaintances.  It wasn't until my second year of teaching that we were paired together on a grade six team at an Airdrie middle school.  Thus began a relationship that was the root of so many others (I have already written about Diane, Brandi, Sarah....all people I became connected to because of Leslie and, of course, there are many, many more!)  We taught together for 4 years until she and Dave successfully adopted Maddie. During that time, though, she connected me to Country Hills Community Church.  And while that particular church has since merged with another, and I no longer attend, it all culminated in being an extremely significant eight years of my life.  Leslie was the foundation and I am forever grateful for all the experiences and people who have contributed to my repertoire of who I am today.

Leslie is a beautiful person, through and through.  She is gorgeous on the outside but this extends a thousand-fold to the inside.  She would literally do anything for anyone.  She is genuinely interested in everyone!  She has an amazing faith and is so matter-of-fact and open when she talks about it. Everything about her is natural.  I admire all of these traits and would love to emulate more of them.

I did have to laugh, when reading a recent journal post Les wrote now that Maddie's home for a stint, where she called herself that "good-enough-girl" (in reference to being worried about sterilizing items needed for Maddie's care).  This might be the one definite thing we have in common.  I love that it describes her because if Les can get away with being a good-enough-girl then that gives me all the more ammunition to continue!  (I write this for the benefit of my perfectionist husband who cannot stand that I subscribe to, "Sometimes good is good enough, Derek!")

It's unfortunate that tough times are often the ones to reunite friends.  Blessed am I that our reunion leaves me overflowing with the memories of wonderful times and the inspiration of incredible people.

Cup 34 - Brandi

August 18, 2014

Born only one day after me (well, okay - four years and one day after me) Brandi and I share a Scorpio status.   Not that either of us really subscribe to the astrological world; we certainly have better things in common than November.  Things like our careers, our elevated status of family, an affection for dogs, clothes, cards and Grey's Anatomy.  We had lunch today on the patio at Joey's Crowfoot (did I mention an affection for good food?) and, seeing as she has lived in Kelowna for...eight?!....years already, it was great to get to see her today.  Life had somehow been happening and we let a few years pass between conversations.  Today's was a great one though.  I knew it would be.

Brandi and I met for the very first time when she was substitute teaching for my teaching partner, in my team teaching classroom, back in 1998.  Having just moved here from Edmonton, she and her husband Corey arrived to work in ministry with youth and I was drawn to their vision.  Over the next several years I joined them as a volunteer in a youth group and eventually as general manager of a youth centre.  We spent a lot of time together, working with young people but we also carved out time, just for our friendship.  We'd walk, we'd talk, we'd meet at the gym where I would put in a half-hearted effort.  We'd see movies or watch fluff on TV.  We went on a couple road trips while she still lived in Calgary and then, after they moved to Chicago and then the Okanagan, Brandi and Corey's home address would become my single girl's road trip destination.

Boy, that last paragraph covered a lot!  Basically from 1998 to 2007 and several thousand kilometers.  Two children were even born!  I don't really feel like I need to share all of our secrets to convey that Brandi was (IS!) an important person in my life.  What is important is the bond we formed; this doesn't require detailed explanations of the past!  She and I were friends during some formative years and life's circumstance separated our proximity and eventually the amount of time we spent talking or together.  No matter.  People talk all the time about how "real friends"are ones who you can pick right up with after any amount of time and Brandi and I are cliche that way. Thank goodness!  

Over the past few years we had gotten out of touch I had thought about Brandi and her family a lot (and OFTEN wished she would post more to FaceBook!).  I have since learned there have been lots of celebrations, a few struggles and challenges and that she is still very much the same open, warm, kind woman.  She is an incredible mom, wife, daughter and sister, is excelling in her career (if the BC gov't would ever just recognize their teachers appropriately so that she could get back to her important work) and, since I last saw her about 7 years ago, hasn't aged a day!   I hope that's something Scorpios have in common.  Oh yeah, if we believed in that stuff... 

Cup 33 - Steve

August 7, 2014

Kind of funny that "Cup 32" was about a friend I first met when she was "just a kid" in Youth Group and now "Cup 33" is about a friend I knew when he and I were BOTH kids in Youth Group. Ah......Youth....

Actually, I'm not sure Steve and I actually MET in Youth Group. But we did spend lots of time together there, running around the United Church basement in Cochrane and asking one of our leaders to "show us again" that he didn't have a bellybutton.  (SO freaky!  It had been sewn over after a surgery.)  Ah...Memories....

Another fun one is that Steve and I were in the same grade 7 homeroom.  There were 35 students in the class, only 3 of them boys!  During our Social Studies unit on government, as a class we had a very Survivor-esque assignment.  I think it was called Stranded!  Or Shipwrecked?!  No! MAROONED!!  (Don't you just love my stream-of-consciousness blogging!)  The premise is that the 35 of us were stranded on a deserted island and together we had to come up with all of our own rules and laws to form a new society.  You can imagine the scenarios us 32 girls were forced to concede given only 3 males with whom to ensure the survival of all mankind!  And all of these polygamist decisions made while we were all only 12 years old.  Not sure a class would get away with that now. Come to think of it, that teacher "retired" kind of early. Heard the poor guy owns a Tim Hortons now.  Hope he isn't suffering from his decision to leave Education...

Steve is a social beast and it's the BEST!  I had the honour to plan our 25 year High School Reunion with Steve and three other alumni.  Steve was a maniac when it came to tracking down old classmates.  He made phone calls to cities across the country and I'm pretty sure he just showed up on a few doorsteps.  His ticket selling success rate was second to none.  Funny that, after literally 15 months of planning, on the day of the reunion we called him when he was 30 minutes late for setting up and he was at the wrong community hall.  Guess he missed THAT detail during all his Googling! 

Steve, today, is a life-long learner who - even after having achieved both success and promotion with Canada Post - is back at school adding to his repertoire.  More important than career is his beautiful family which includes a wife, two great kids and two lazy dogs (at least those are the pictures of them he shares.)  Steve is active in his neighbourhood and in his kids' schools. He's an avid sports fan and has his finger on the pulse of the city, in general.   He can ALWAYS be counted on for a witty retort as his sense of humour is famous (at least, to me.)  Knowing him as a grown-up now, his heart for people is very evident.  That is probably his greatest quality.  His sincere heart for people.  And while he might try to make a joke about that, it's not a laughing matter.  Just a matter of fact.  We had coffee at a small shop in Hillhurst this morning and he recognized the barrista as a former neighbour from years back and struck up some banter. He later texted me from the Bottle Depot where he had run into a current neighbour - albeit one of the Calgary Flames (yeah, an NHLer at a bottle depot, you read it right) - but it's all just further proof that Steve knows  and remembers everyone!  Super glad he knows me!  (I WAS one the wives in his fictional, 1983 harem after all!)

Cup 32 - Sarah

August 6, 2014

I hadn't seen Sarah in....eleven years?  Twelve?  Nope, I think it has been thirteen!  I remember because this last time was at a friend's wedding and I remember the wedding was the same summer as my brother's wedding.  Mike and Jacky just celebrated thirteen years last week.  Whoa - where DOES time go?  It doesn't seem all that long ago that Sarah and I were sitting on my couch, routing for Clay Aiken during the second ever American Idol finale.  Or that we were handing out lunches on East Hastings Street in Vancouver, while trying to "blend in" but no one was buying it.  (Two very diverse memories, I realize!)  

The next mind blowing fact is that when I MET Sarah, nineteen years ago she was twelve years old. Never a student in my class, Sarah was one of the youth in the church group I volunteered with. Even then she was bright and ambitious, determined and driven.  Today she might very well be one of the people I admire the most. Someone I am definitely in awe of and proud to know. She obviously isn't a teenager anymore, and apparently I missed all of her 20s too (except via FaceBook these past few years.) Appearing on TV and presenting at international conferences, Sarah is a "big-shot" (to me) in the non-profit world, fighting to end homelessness and giving our fellow citizens, who battle addictions and mental struggles, a right to the basic need for shelter.  I couldn't begin to tell you what and how she does this as eloquently as she explained her role to me, but just believe me when I tell you she is a hero and a leader.  A wise, patient, kind, compassionate, hard-working, genuine and loving hero and leader.  Our community is beyond lucky to have her.

And this is only part of why I feel beyond lucky to know her.  Apart from her professional achievements I relate to Sarah on more personal levels as well.  She recommends good books.  We enjoy some of the same smutty, reality TV.  Family is uber important to both of us (ask us about our nieces!).  So are our friends equally important.  Just like I was at 30, Sarah is a single girl and a catch!  Beautiful, fit, funny and stylish (okay, maybe those didn't all describe me...but I WAS single!)  Sarah is an independent home owner, a traveller and an amazing big sister (and Auntie!). She oozes positivity and honesty.  Love it all.

The fun anecdote from our visit was tonight's venue.  Having read so many of her FaceBook posts about the Bowness Pub, I wanted her to take me there for wings.  But it wasn't wing night after all. And the kitchen was closed for renovations so we actually couldn't get anything...until the wonderful waitress told us we could order in pizza from the neighbouring take out place.  So we did.  But pizza and a couple of pints wasn't enough time so we walked the neighbourhood and chatted even more in a park until the sun started to fade and our goosebumps started to grow.  Sarah is lovely and fascinating and just so "real".  I don't know how high her stock will rise in her career (and of course that has nothing to do with why she is doing any of it) but I feel privileged I'll be able to say, "I knew her when..."  

I feel privileged to know her now!