My husband’s Lovely Cousin/Family

These are my thoughts to share about family, cousins not seen for awhile and general travel into the State of Washington.

My husband has a cousin he met again about six years ago when we attended his Uncle’s funeral. They were best friends when younger and I was so glad they got together again. Then about 4 years ago, Pauline came to Canada to visit with us and she is so delightful, I wanted a repeat visit so this week we got in the car and drove (get this) over about 15 different highways, got lost, got back on the right road and, eventually, we found her. I will never know how people can drive on these freeways every day, to and from work, and think it is normal, Sheesh!

Now for the good parts….When we arrived, we enjoyed catching up with everything and then enjoyed a lovely supper of pulled pork sandwiches and chilled salad with the PROMISE of ice cream later. We were too stuffed at this point. Pauline, we are still waiting for the ice cream, ahem!

Oh, just to mention that when you are visiting some one else and staying over, ask if they drink coffee. Just joking Pauline! NOT…this family does not drink coffee or tea, so off we go and are going to buy a pound of coffee, only to find, no coffee pot in the house. Says me “instant’ is fine, after all we are only there for such a short time. I actually did.

The next day we had a slower start and headed off to the Chihuli Glass Museum and spent a bit of time there and then headed for home. We did stop off at Appleby’s Restaurant for a light lunch and off to get ready for the party tonight. Pauline made the very best enchiladas I have ever eaten and perhaps would not eat any other recipe. These were perfect and I am going to post this perhaps tomorrow. Then we had refried beans and a Mexican-style rice dish to accompany these. Sorry, I forgot the actual name but I will also post that recipe as well.

Pauline has to be the easiest, most accommodating person I know and is so much fun to be with. The night is to be shared with her brother and his wife, and her son and his wife and their two teenage children. The most outstanding feature of this crowd are the two teenagers. So well behaved and, yes, they are very bright students. The lad is into Math and his sister is a remarkable soccer player. You saw them but never heard them until they were spoken to. WOW! Polite? Absolutely.

The conversations (and there were several) flowed freely and the laughter was loud and long. It was so much fun, it was truly a highlight of the summer so far. I honestly hope the friendships made this week will flourish long into the future. If it wasn’t for the freeways, I would want to be near them. Oh, wait….silly me! They could all move up here. I will work on that.

It was such an experience…not harsh words, no bad words and no nasty  ‘gossip’. Loved, loved, loved it. Only animated conversations and  lots and lots of laughter.

Okay Pauline, the next visit is up to you. Hitch a ride with the others and we could do it all again. Please?

 

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Lucky Me

A short 31 years ago, I was lucky enough to meet this man, Don, and 3 years later, I became his wife. So, today, I am going to tell you about this man I have been blessed to live with and for as this is our  Anniversary.

Don has the biggest heart in giving of himself, not only to me, but his family in general. He has a smile and laugh that ‘tickles my heart’ and he still makes my heart skip a beat when he comes into the room. He always has. He also has a wonderful sense of humour and, yes, I can still make him blush.

We have had our struggles, just like everyone else, but have never gone to bed angry, ran home to “mommy” or, in his case, his 4 kids. It was always solved. We have traveled to places I couldn’t have even dreamed of going to leaving me with memories of new sights, new friends and more adventures.

For example, for my birthday just two years ago, he surprised me with a trip to Ireland, where we visited the area my Grandparents came from, or when I was facing serious surgery last year, the night before he gave me the gift of a trip to Maui…for a month. Who wouldn’t take the surgery with a present like that?

We are a blended family…I gained four kids and he gained one. What we didn’t know, after dating for more than a year, is that our kids went to the same high school. Their ages are like 5,4,3,2 and 1 . Mine was in the #3 spot and refers herself as the ‘middle’ one. (listed by years apart only).

Don is an amazing cook. There isn’t anything he can’t cook, bbq, roast or braise that can and does put many restaurants to shame. I only bake but when we ran the Bed and Breakfast for so many years, it was like a symphony in the kitchen. I did all the cleaning, baking, smoothies, desserts (yes, even desserts) and Don would come in and make the entree. Guess who got all the praise. I used to joke and ask if I was chopped liver.

Health issues aside, we both help, aide and support one another.

Lessons to learn: never discuss religion or politics and you will survive. We are both lucky as we have a deep faith that has brought us through so much and we tease each other about cancelling out their vote.

The one rule (if you have any) is no name calling, swearing or putting down allowed. No need to act like a bully with the person you profess to love.

Besides, he owes me 40 years today, it was 40 years yesterday and will be 40 years tomorrow. Love him? With every breath I take so when I say “lucky me”, I mean it.

Lucky, lucky me. I won the lottery on a chance meeting so short years ago.

 

**Psst….Thank you God. I have been blessed in this life.

 

 

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