I think this is the longest I've gone without a post. The reason is, there is no cottage news to deliver. It seems that all of the urgency has completely dissipated - it's pretty much done, so we've been enjoying a much-needed respite. Having Lorenzo home for the past several weekends has been so nice - and almost strange; I've been so used to him being gone that it seemed like we were on holidays. We could actually make plans and do things together. We've had friends over for dinner, gone grocery shopping together, watched tv, etc. in other words, all the things that normal people do.

And then our oldest son turned 16 two days ago, so there were preparations involved for that. It is really odd looking at this tall boy and having to accept the fact that he's only two years from legal adulthood. I cannot wrap my mind around it. Last week, he challenged me to a left-handed arm wrestle. (I'm left-handed, he is not). About six months ago, I flattened him with my left arm. In just six short months, he has grown about seven inches and gained super-human strength. Before I even had a chance to engage my arm, we heard a loud "crunch" - like someone crushing a small handful of potato chips. That was my left wrist. The days of frolicking with my boys are over - I always get hurt. I iced my wrist on and off in the days following but it is still not healed. My son felt terrible. So, it's official: I'm weaker and shorter than these two punks. Strange.... But now I never hesitate to get them to do stuff for me, so that's kind of nice. I'll just pretend that I'm too feeble to manage....sit on the couch eating bon-bons, cradling my injured wrist for the next ten years.

On Monday morning, Lorenzo left for the interior to visit all the customers he's been neglecting since the cottage reno began. I was worried that he'd encounter a blizzard somewhere, but so far the clear weather has held out. I had a lot of apprehension before he left. He was waking up at 4:30am so I left him a note, urging him to take the truck just in case. Instead, he took his hybrid and did not seem concerned. He'll be home on Thursday. 

The nice thing about him being gone is the ease with which dinner is approached. Yesterday, he missed glorious "Pancake Tuesday," which I know he doesn't mind as he's too Italian to understand the joys of eating breakfast for dinner. 

When we were first married he was actually appalled by the idea of bacon & eggs past 9-am. I remember accusing Lorenzo of being snob - and reminding him that if his ancestors had been on the Titanic, they'd have been in steerage. He fired back, "Oh, and your family were aristocrats!" I've never forgotten that - I laughed so hard. In any case, the kids love Pancake Tuesday as do their friends. Sometimes I've had to double the recipe - and I always use buttermilk which makes such a difference. The thing is, it is very tiring coming up with a new meal every single day. Pancake Tuesday is like my little vacation - one bowl, one pan, throw some fruit on the table and you're done...

What else....I am itching to get over to Mayne Island and might leave later in the week, I'm not sure. With my wrist being sore, I don't have the same strength. And I'd want to start bringing some smaller furniture over and all the boxes with odds & ends, etc. Also, the floors and windows need to be thoroughly cleaned. Didn't realize how much an injured wrist can slow you down. Maybe I should have it looked at....my hand is a bit numb and tingly which probably isn't a good thing.

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I've been meaning to get a "No Soliciting" sign for my front door. Yesterday, the door-bell rang - dog went bonkers. It was two young men representing "Weed Man" offering to sign me up for a free consultation. They wanted my phone number. I told them that I'm not interested and then one of them said,"If they call, you don't have to sign up for anything but we'll still get our five-dollar commission. Can you help us out?" So I gave them my phone number. I have compassion for young people just trying to make a living but I don't support lawn pesticides.

An hour later, it was the Girl Guides selling cookies. There's nothing worse than being confronted with a cute tot on the porch with their hopeful parent standing in the background. I never have cash on me, so had to decline. But even if I did, I might have said no, because they contain palm oil. Palm oil is the cheapest oil on the planet and it's saturated. But worse, is that rain forests - which contain the planet's most bio-diverse ecosystems - are being mowed down to allow space for palm plantations. Palm oil is found in everything from soap to granola bars and it's bad - for us and for the planet. Therefore, I don't support Girl Guide cookies.

A few hours later, another knock on the door. By this time, I was getting ticked off. A woman holding a clip-board identified herself as a canvasser for the Canadian Cancer Society. I told her that I do not support the Canadian Cancer Society. She blinked a few times and said, "May is cancer awareness month."  Think about this for a minute: can you think of a single person you know who hasn't had some experience with the disease? It's practically an epidemic.  It's like having "Rain Awareness Month" for Vancouverites. Imagine someone canvassing for "Cancer Oblivion Awareness." To raise awareness for people who are oblivious to cancer. 

In any case, this woman was not interested in knowing my reasons for declining support which was a relief, actually - discussing big pharma and the multi-billion dollar cancer machine with someone working for the agency is akin to discussing the possible non-existence of god with a Jehovah's Witness. Also, I'm tired of this "raising awareness" all the time. I am fully aware of cancer: it took my mum, several aunts and uncles, my husband's mum, my neighbour's son, and my best friend in grade four, just to name a few. I'm aware of cancer. 

Last month, two fellows from Iran were canvassing for the Red Cross. I told them I don't support the Red Cross. Man, I sound like such a cranky old bag. I support nothing! Bugger off! Anyway, the Red Cross has been under fire for financial mismanagement for years now. They received two billion dollars for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Where did it all go? People are still living in shacks with no running water. I just think it's always a bad thing when non-profits become bloated international bureaucracies; I'd rather donate to community food banks or local environmental groups. And I have to mention that it bothered me greatly when the Red Cross refused a one million dollar donation from the Dixie Chicks because they voiced their disapproval of the war in Iraq. 

So, I need a sign....

But I don't like the thought of sticking something this unattractive on my nice front door. This one is perfect: Who's going to doubt it?

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BC is gearing up for another election and by all accounts, the Liberals are out and the NDP is in. I chose not to run in this election and my neighbourhood is being represented by a friend of mine in the Green Party. I wish her all the best. I've got to dig up my Green Party signs and get them to her asap. My main reason for not running this time is because Lorenzo is having hernia surgery on May 8th, and he'll need my support. He's not supposed to do any lifting or engage in anything strenuous for about six weeks; if I were gone all the time I know he'd end up injuring himself. I'd find him climbing a ladder or scurrying around with the leaf blower....chasing that one lone pine needle down the sidewalk...

Well, that's my boring blog for today!

Cranky Lady signs off....