The scales of new years

I went out to Christel and Joey's social last night, leaving Chris at home still feeling rough after the recent stint with a severe sinus infection. That, and our babysitter for the evening clearly has taken on too much already. Hub's mom,, ever agreeable, is watching his sister's four foster children for two weeks while they vacation in Jamaica, visiting family and enjoying a needed break with their two kids. But what an adjustment for a sixty some widow accustomed to solitude since her adult son moved out and in with me years ago! She would tell me beforehand that having watched them for two days before was easy and she didn't forsee problems with a couple weeks. Before the first twentyfour hours passed she was at the end of niceness and sugary grandma, instead sending them to the basement to get some peace and quiet. I'm sure a rhythm is being reached, she no stranger to watching children alone. Her hubby would spend six months away at a time, working the dew line in the 70s while she single parented their three kids. Add assorted foster and childcare over the years and she is more than qualified. Still, what a change to your lifestyle for such a long time!

So Chris stayed in and I headed out to a Manitoba social. Cold hall with no heat for the first hours we shivered in jackets and stayed far from the door. In true Manitoba fashion we simply stayed bundled, drank more and inhaled plates of chips. Finally the alcohol and the dancing and the food warming you from the inside and I ended the night winning no silent auction prizes, despite sending out my intention to the universe that I really wanted to win something. Oh the Secret, you lied to me... Some awesome prizes included a laptop and printer, a wii, nights away at Falcon Lake, Bijou jewelery, massage and clothing from Voila par/by Andreanne (previously known as MJAnne Couture). I so wanted to win a prize! Alas it was not to be but all money to a good cause anyway. And a good group of VIAs that I don't see outside work often.

But the scales pull down and Jude broke a fever while I was out. Spiking past 104 made dad nervous but he gamely took care while trying to reach me and let me know what was happening. A bath and milk and cuddles, stripping bare layers to cool down, a heated head down by the time mom returned.

And the drunken yahoos who already broke the covering of our tail light last month returned to break the side mirror on our car. Chris found our car unlocked with the trunk popped but nothing taken, and the side mirror broken on the ground. How useless some people are to society. And if I caught whoever did this in the act, it certainly would not be a child appropriate scene.

Last year we entered the year with an amazing trip to the Bahamas.. In fact, I think I probably started blogging almost a year ago now! I was putting my heavy boy down to sleep tonight remembering the morning when my six month old awakened before sunrise. Strapped on my chest slipping down quiet streets, we watched the sun rise over the bay as we mimicked roosters and hens, found goats grazing on the rocky edge, peeked in yards and doorways of Caribbean houses, uniformed children off to class, sun breaking through red clouds which should have fortold of problems weather

Red sky at night, sailor's delight,

Red sky at morning, sailors take warning.

Rouge le soir, bel espoir

Rouge le matin, de la pluie en chemin.

 

 

 I remember red skies over water on the east coast led to heavy rains that day too. And sure enough, I turned the corner and thought - my those clouds look dark. What a contrast of bright island morning rays with heavy moist clouds hovering. The drops started before we crossed the road and by the time we sheltered in the entryway the rains started in earnest. I remember his face smiling at me, perfectly comfortable with our bag and water bottle, nursing in the warm island air waiting out the storm. No way to reach a ride if I needed to so we waited. Sang songs, rocked and made faces while watching the clouds move through. What a fantastic morning we shared, my son and I. And it's interesting that the moments I remember so clearly I didn't capture photos of... knowing that to pause and photograph would be to step back from experiencing it. The memories are sweetest when salty air brushed you in the face and you remember questioning eyes peering into mine, wide smiles and complete trust. Oh Bahamas, I miss you too.