A to Z Blog Challenge -- L is for Lisa

Welcome to Day 12 of this year's A to Z Blog Challenge.
   
For both my husband and me --
  
  

L is for Lisa

Brad and I are both blessed with longtime friends named Lisa.

The wonderful thing about married life is that we both gained a second friend named Lisa.

Here is Brad's friend Lisa.

They met in the early 80s when they both worked at the Imperial Six cinemas in Toronto. We meet up whenever Brad and I are back in his hometown, like this Christmas trip in 2010.

Or on this trip in August of 2012 when I had an author table at Fan Expo. We're joined here by Ted, who also worked at the theatre with them, and Lisa's sister Cherry.

Just posting this is bringing on a serious dose of Toronto homesickness! Although Toronto is Brad's home, after I moved there in my twenties it became the home of my heart. Brad's Lisa -- hopefully it won't be too long until we're meeting up again somewhere along the Danforth or downtown. Until then -- thank heavens for Facebook!

Here is my Lisa.

We met in the late 80s, after I'd moved to Toronto and had worked as a nanny for a family I consider as part of my own. My next job was in the children's shoe department at the Queen Street flagship Simpson's store (now The Bay.)

We were kindred spirits from the very first moment we were introduced as co-workers.

We both started going out with our future husbands while working together, so the thrills-chills-and-spills of meeting Mr. Right were part of our in-between-customers conversation through the metal shelves of the shoe stockroom.

Very quickly our friendship grew past work hours, and before too long Brad and I were attending Lisa's wedding to Bill.

That's Brad and me with Bill and his sister.

Lisa relocated to Belleville and later to Cobourg, where she and Bill are from, originally. We travelled to see each other often, like this visit she made to our place in Toronto with their son Brandon.

Soon Lisa and Bill were attending our wedding.

If we're in Toronto for Christmas, Lisa makes the trip into the city so we can meet up.

Or I jump on the train and head for Cobourg. If anyone remembers this profile pic from Facebook, this is from one of my trips to see Lisa. This is us shopping. #thatshowwedo

Somehow, the universe has aligned several times to make sure we were with one another at birthday time. This was taken on one of my birthdays during a Cobourg trip. Look at that Brandon.

Here's Lisa celebrating her birthday here in Nova Scotia during one of her trips here.

And here's Lisa and Brandon meeting up with Brad and me in Toronto during her 50th birthday week. (Brandon -- what the heck...?!?)

The best way to let you know about my Lisa is to leave you with a poem I wrote for her birthday six years ago.

The Meaning

Cheers to the two Lisa's in my life.

Can't wait till we can *clink* glasses again in person.

Summer Stock Sunday - 43

Robin's Summer Stock Sunday meme invites all to post summery photos, and to visit other bloggers who share their feelings and memories about this magical season.












Traditionally, summer has been the perfect time to hit the road and make a pilgrimage to visit faraway family and friends.

I have been the happy recipient on many occasions of summer visits from my friend of 23 years, Lisa. We met as co-workers in the late 80s and have been soul sisters ever since.












One of the earlier summer visits was this one, when she brought her little guy to see me and Brad when we lived in Toronto. Lisa and her husband had moved to Belleville at that time, and this was a two-hour trip into the city for a new mom, bringing a welcome interlude of reconnecting to herself as Lisa, while I had the fun of laughing with her son.













Her latest trip to see me was a few years ago. This time she traveled from Cobourg, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia.


























On Monday, Lisa will celebrate her birthday. I wish she was here for a hug In Real Life. Maybe next year!

My visits to Lisa seem to roll around in the fall and winter. Until then, my dearest friend...

Through the Opera Glasses - 46 - Blogosphere Event - One World One Heart

My comments are now closed - thank you to everyone who participated. This has been an amazing event!














I just love stumbling upon blog events. I came upon this one when I popped over to Robin's blog, Around the Island, last week.

Robin started the Summer Stock Sunday series last year, which of course is something for which I can't wait to start up again. I'm already thinking about photos I can post.

So I was enchanted by her Magic Carpet Ride post for the One World One Heart event, which I'm just squeaking in under the wire to join, as sign-up time ends at 11:50 PM Pacific time tonight.


Lisa at A Whimsical Bohemian "feels it is imperative to have a 'tribe' of kindred spirits to help feed one's soul." As I begin my fourth year of blogging, I marvel and cherish the friendships I've made through my blog, and look forward to many more years of laughter, sharing and amazement with all of you.

As of this posting, Lisa has nearly 1000 bloggers signed up to this event. "This international event transcends geographical location, socio economics, political affiliation, religious beliefs......it's a coming together like the giant community we are on this planet."

Lisa - all I can say is - AWESOME.

In a spirit of giving, participants offer something to give away to a lucky winner, whose name shall be drawn on FEBRUARY 15th. Check back next week to see if it might be you!

All you need to do is leave a comment, with a way to reach you in case you are chosen. If you post a comment as Anonymous, please include your email address so I can get back to you.

My prize offering is A Numerology. What's a numerology, you may ask? It's very similar to a horoscope, but the information comes from your name and birthdate.

Good luck to everyone playing, and I hope to see lots of wonderful new blogs in the coming week as I roam the blogosphere, visiting bloggers who cherish the idea of One World One Heart.

I have made many dear blog friends from four previous blog events I've joined: Kailana's Advent Blog Tour, Mimi Lenox's Blog Blast For Peace, Kim's Blog Improvement Project and 5 Minutes For Mom's Ultimate Blog Party.

Who knows where One World One Heart will lead me?

Barbara Olivo Cagle says Hi A Piece of My Mind, Wow, I'm first and hopefully the winner! What a lovely idea and post you have. I love the Numerology Idea. I'm working on getting all the country flags. I promise to revisit your's too.

Valrie says I wonder if there is a fortune in store! Neat!

Red says Very intriquing. Thank you for your generous spirit!

Rather Wordy Wednesday - 134

Ten years ago, in May 2000, my Mom was part of a group art show in Toronto held by the volunteers of the National Ballet of Canada. I had moved to Nova Scotia the year before, so Mom and I took the train to Toronto in order to attend, bringing the art pieces along with us. You can see three of her pieces hanging behind her.

The show hung in the lobby of the theatre where I used to work, and could be enjoyed for the month while the company performed their spring season. During the season opener dress rehearsal, the volunteers held an art opening for the artists and their invited guests.

Mom was thrilled when some of our Michigan family and friends drove to Toronto to be part of her special evening.














Among those who joined us from Michigan were Mary and Chris, the couple seen here in the center of the photo. To the right is my mom's brother, Uncle Warren, also from Michigan, seen chatting with longtime family friend Judi, originally our Nova Scotia next door neighbour who now lives in Ontario.

Mary is my oldest friend - we met when we were 3, and were little playmates living on the same street in Royal Oak, Michigan. We stayed friends when I moved to Canada when I was 6.

I was in her wedding party when she married Chris, and she was in mine when I married Brad.













After the art opening, Mom's art show guests were invited to my sister's apartment (she still lived in Toronto then, but is a Maritimer once again here in Nova Scotia.) Amongst the revelers:

Back row - Andrea (she stood up for Brad as his attendent of honour,) me, my dear friend Mary and my sister Michelle

Front row - Mom, my 'war buddy' Lisa (we survived working retail in the children's shoe department,) and Jacquie (who worked alongside me in the theatre.)

If you can believe it - because I can't - this is the last time I've seen Mary in person. Ten years ago! Where did the time go?!?

It's her birthday tomorrow - Happy Birthday, Mary! You've been a constant bright light in my life. Hugs and many thanks for all the joy you've given me.

Kelly Boyce says Nice post, Julia!

Gattina says I have an exposition each year with my painting group here in Waterloo. Looks like your pictures, lol !

Jams O'Donnell says Here's to friends we haven't seen in a while. I'm sure we will pick up where we last left off!

Summer Stock Sunday - 3

What better part of summer can there be than a visit from a faraway friend?













This is my wonderful friend Lisa and me when we worked together in the Simpson's Children's Shoe Department in Toronto, back in the late 1980's.














She came for a visit last summer, and we had a ball together. It's her second visit here to see me since my husband and I moved to Nova Scotia ten years ago. A return home for me, a new adventure for him.














What is summer in Halifax but having a beer or a glass of wine at the quintessential gathering place - the pub? Here we sat outside at the Lower Deck to enjoy a gorgeous day.














Later in the week we went to The Old Triangle, where we had dinner as well as a few drinks. Absolutely delicious pub food.


















Upstairs there was east coast fiddler Dave MacIsaac and a mandolin & guitar player who had the place whooping, stomping and clapping.

Here's a little taste of what a night out at a Halifax pub might bring you, if you happen to go while Dave MacIsaac is playing.
















Back in our days fetching shoes for little customers, Lisa started a joke on crazy, hectic days where she would tip her glasses sideways as if she'd gotten knocked in the head. It always made us laugh and got us through the next stretch of insanity. So we felt the old wonky glasses routine was in order on our night out on the town.














Old friends, old jokes, great food, great drinks, great music - the best things about summer are these.














For more Summer Stock Sunday, visit Robin at Around the Island.

Thomma Lyn says What fabulous music!

Robin says Good pubs and live tunes, you don't need much more than that, do you?

Louise says After all those pics w/ beer and wine in hand comes those tipped glasses photos and I thought, WOW, they really had a hard night out ;o)

How Do You Sleep? Meme

Mimi Lenox, the originator of the Blogblast For Peace also reigns as the Queen of Memes. Here's one I thought looked enticing...perhaps because it's Friday and I'm SO-O-O tired after a full work week that followed 11 glorious days off between Christmas and New Year's.

This picture of me lounging on a luxurious bed was taken last August when my friend Lisa came for a visit. We stayed a few nights over at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel. What total bliss that was.


1. How long do you sleep each night?

Ah...during my wonderful, precious vacation I immediately reverted to my night-owl schedule. Hit the sack at 3:00, 3:30 (am) - got up at 9:00, 9:30. So 6 hours did me wonders. I used to sleep for 7, if left to my own devices. That would probably be the case again if I were to be off work for longer than a week.

But I hate to admit that I stumble my way through the work week with an average of 4 and a half hours of sleep. I generally get off the computer by 11:30 or 12:00, then need wind-down time on the couch with the Pack (my husband and our dog.) Then I transfer into bed by 1:00 or 1:30.

It's not that I want 4 and a half hours of sleep. It's my job starting at 8:30 in the morning that totally screws things up.


2. Do you fall asleep easily?

I don't bother trying to go to sleep unless I'm sleepy. If I attempted to go to bed at 10:30, I'm quite certain I would lay there with 'insomnia'.

So once I do head for bed, I'm out like a light the minute my head hits the pillow.


3. Do you fall asleep at times not in your bed?

I snooze on the bus on the way into work and on the way home. And I definitely crash on the couch when I curl up with the Pack. It's so comfy on the couch with Xena curled up next to me, or with my legs draped over my husband's lap. It's heaven, really.


4. Do you listen to music or use white noise to sleep?






When I'm on the couch, my husband is watching TV, so I fall asleep to the sound of a movie or a TV show. But very, very low. He's become accustomed to turning on the English subtitles when I'm sinking into sleep so that he can follow the story.

I prefer quiet to white noise, but I can sleep either way. Just not loud. My supersonic hearing is not a bonus at times like that.


5. Do you sleep through the night or get up a couple of times?

I used to get up through the night once or twice, for years and years. I've been able to sleep through the night for over a year, now that I think of it. Who knows why? Haven't the slightest idea.


6. Do you have trouble sleeping away from your own bed?

When I was a kid, it took me about a half hour to an hour to drift off in an unfamiliar bed. I'd just lay there listening to all the different sounds, taking in the new atmosphere.


Now that I'm in my 40's, I'm so grateful for a little vacation or an overnight, I usually sink into the comfy guest bed and zzzz......

This picture was taken a few years ago at a Girls' Overnight in the Annapolis Valley in Nova Scotia. The Girls are my high school choir friends. This was my comfy, comfy bed...


7. Do you need an alarm clock to get you up?

Absolutely yes on work days. I'm just not an early bird.


8. Do you ever take medication to help you sleep?

Not sleeping medication, but I generally take painkiller before bed. I've got chronic pain which will absolutely keep me from drifting to sleep if I don't take something. Believe me, I've tried.


9. Do you/have you slept with pets?


I love drifting off on the couch with Xena curled up beside me. It's a completely blissful feeling to have her little body tucked up against mine. But I don't have her in the bed with me because I am an allergic person, and it's important to have an oasis of relief where my exposures are at a minimum.




Now, a-tagging I will go, a-tagging I will go...

Bogsider
Dorothy
Jennifer
Kailana
Karina

Poetry Train Monday - 64 - The Meaning

The Meaning


The words that make me think of you are these
Soldier – for you had my back and I, yours
Department – with Cedric’s West Indian ease
For retail was our battleground, our shore

Kids – our tiny clientele… and parents
Lollipop – abandoned doll from glorious Oz
Thumbs in suspenders, kick, ‘We represent’
Leaving us bent and gasping with guffaws

‘Yarp’ – the Hot Fuzz joke is our souls bared
A laugh – it’s not a word. A laugh’s a sound
But laughter weaves through every hour we’ve shared
And every hour we’ve shared is treasure found

The words we say, the meaning of a phrase
Like ‘love’ that we write on a birthday card
The words for you embody all our days
The yarpy days and those that felt so hard

You’ve walked 500 miles for me and more
You’ve comforted and healed. You lift me up
I’ve hugged you tight when you shook to the core
Because we laughed soon after at the ‘Yarp.’

Copyright - 2008 - Julia Smith

In the photo: me, my friend Lisa and my husband Brad

Happy Birthday My Friend

I've been very lucky to have my friend Lisa here with me for the whole week - and especially today, her 46th birthday.



We met 20 - count 'em - 20 years ago when we both worked in the children's shoe department at the Queen Street Simpson's store in Toronto. It's now The Bay.


Here we are all these years later and overjoyed to share this celebration together. A few years ago I was able to spend my own birthday in Cobourg, Ontario with Lisa, her husband and son.





We started the day off with a trip to the fabled Frenchy's. My family has always shopped at this chain of secondhand stores. When I lived in Toronto, my mom would send me boxes of clothes she'd picked up at her regular Frenchy runs. Lisa had always heard of Frenchy's, but on several trips to Nova Scotia had never been able to get to one - until today. Mom and I brought her to her inaugural Frenchy visit.


Here's Lisa checking out a blouse which didn't end up fitting, but her other finds were perfect.




For lunch we went to Bedford's landmark Chickenburger.




























Then we drove out to Lawrencetown Beach so she could get some Atlantic Ocean time. This is my mom and Lisa.


Some beach rocks.


Some wave action.


My mom's addiction to beach rocks knows no bounds.


Back at the homestead, Mom put on a huge spaghetti spread in honor of Lisa's special day.


Lisa chats with my sister and Mom while my dog hangs out. My husband also joined us for the fun.


Happy Birthday, Lisa! You've made my world a spectacular place.