The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighbourhood.

Sunday 15 April 2012

Everyone Loves a Bargain...

On Saturday my friend Leanne took me to a fabric sale. Need I say more? Once a year the United Church in Spruce Cliff opens its doors to hundreds of bargain fabric shoppers. At one point the count was right around 500 people - mostly women. A few brave men followed along at a close distance, arms piled high with bargains while the women continued to "shop".

Come rain snow sleet or hail, no matter the weather, a good 1/2 hour before doors even open cars are vying for parking spots and the line up lengthens. You begin to make conversation with other shoppers in line... "what are you looking for?" "You need to just rush to your favourite items right away, or they will be gone..." Being a first timer I carefully listen to experienced one day shoppers talk strategy and listen to advice. All the while keeping an eye open to see who else from the 'hood' might be braving this experience.

Another example of a community building event. For weeks, perhaps months - possibly since last years sale date, the United church basement has been filling with fabric, wool and other creative "sewing type" cast offs from retired crafters and even some donations from fabric stores. Thousands of items are sold by the piece for $1, $2, $3 - or a little more. Funds are raised for Grandma's helping Grandma's in Aids affected societies. A bargain with a great cause what could be better?

So armed with shopping bags in hand and cash in pockets, Leanne and I made our way through the mazes of tables and rooms - each corner filled with something special. Crafters with determined looks choosing their items of choice, filling bags as they go. Occasionally you spot a reluctant husband following along behind a woman, meekly doing his duty of carrying treasures. Being extra careful not to get in the way. The event brings its own kind of community with questions such as "have you seen any yellow fabric?" Quilting fabrics, cottons, denim, yarn, patterns, etc... all at a bargain.

Eventually Leanne and I re-unite and we declare we are done - right after we quickly look through this stack of quilting magazines. *snicker*snicker - all the ladies giggle a little when they hear a comment like that. But alas, they all understand.

I spent a total of $26 - and came away with 3 large shopping bags of stuff, plus the find of the day - an extra large wooden quilting/embroidery frame for $1!

$4 bundle - in honour of my Grandma Peters and her love for both purple and pansy's.

$2 bundle

$3 bundle - vintage. One of my favourites.

$1 bundle

$2 flannel sqaures 10" size

$1 each piece. Pinks to add to my Craftsy BOM projects, Noach's Ark for a baby project, plain white - can never have too much white, and bright yellow - the perfect match for Amy's quilt binding (the yellow was $3 but its a huge piece)

$1 each - craft folk ark and plaid.

$1 large piece of denim

$1 green plaid - must be at least 3metres here. I see a beautiful sun dress for Amy.

$1 - large hoop for quilting.
Everyone loves a bargain....

16 years married...

What happens when you`re been married for 16 years? Sometimes not too much.

Beginning the week of Spring Break, someone has been sick in the house ever since. First Sam. He was sick the week of our break and most of the following week. He went to school Wednesday afternoon to write a test and Thursday. Easter weekend came and went, and then Rob got sick. He went to work on Monday, but was home by noon. He spent the next three days in bed. On Wednesday we saw Kari was sick. She stayed home Thursday and Friday. Friday night, Amy... And so on it goes.

My question is, who is going to take care of things around here when it's my turn to spend three days in bed? The kids know exactly what will happen - they suggested they would get an extra vacation from school if I am not well enough to take them. My plan - to avoid the germs and vitamin up so hopefully I don't get it. So far, everyone seems to have the same basic thing. A bad cold...with some slight variation. Some with chills and slight fever, lots of coughing, some with plugged sinuses, not a lot of eating and quite a bit of sleeping. With no school yet again on Monday, we hope to return back to routine by Tuesday.

The week ahead promises to be full of activity with badminton tournaments, start up soccer team meetings and information sessions at school for out-trips with the junior highs. In two short weeks Sam and the grade 9's will leave on the S.A.L.T.S. trip, and we need to be prepared. Amy is hoping to particiapte in a trip to Ottawa and Montreal next spring, so there will be meetings about that.

In addition, practices continue for the spring musical, the Music Man jr. as well as the Harmony Through Harmony concert.

So what happens when you've been married for 16 years? The celebration dinner is post-ponned till further notice in hopes that we become healthy first. Rather we will spend our time preparing for and accepting filled soccer equipment bags, sorting through uniforms and eagerly awaiting the coaches to drop by for various pick ups.

Celebrations carry on bit by bit, a little each day  - the biggest perhaps being that we continue to be married after 16 years.

Happy Anniversary!

Soccer Season Starts...

"Welcome! Just curious if this is the first time for any of you visiting a church? Please open your coach manuals to page 6 and we will go over the season rule modifications. We will read through rules 1, 2 and 4."

On Saturday March 31 the door was swung wide open for many witty church jokes. I had the opportunity to invite approximately 40 people to church. Not your typical church service, mind you. With Cadence Coffee on the back counter, free from the local coffee shop just 1 block over, along with delicious fresh baked coffee house muffins, I invited approximately 40 people into the house of God. We sat together in small groups around round tables, ate and drank together - discussing community.

A church service? Perhaps...

In reality, the volunteer parent coaches for the Bowness Soccer Club gathered for orientation. We talked about  club expectations. We talked about team rules. We renewed past acquaintances. We talked about building on previous connections to strengthen our community neighbourhood bonds. We encouraged each other, we co-operated and made new friends.

We DID NOT sing in traditional worship style. We  DID NOT pass an offering plate. We  DID NOT stand and sit at rehearsed intervals and we  DID NOT preach. (some might argue I preached a little - but not really) But we DID fellowship.

Most importantly, we officially started off the 2012 spring Bowness Soccer Club season. From here on in, its practical.
Phone your team players,
Pick up equipment and
Play...