DON'T sweat the small stuff...

How many times have you seen or heard that one?  Too many times, probably.  It bears remembering now and then, when you DO want to freak out over something, as I seem to have been doing a LOT lately. It must be all that snow still around; it has addled my brain.

When my son came home for Christmas from university, with his hair in PURPLE DREADLOCKS, did I get upset? NOPE!  I told myself it could be SO MUCH WORSE.

When my twenty year old daughter was dating someone who already had a child, did I get UPSET? NOPE!  I just hoped and prayed that she would have many more boyfriends. :)

Recently, when a banking error cost me over $125.00, did I get upset? NOPE!   Some of it was my fault, but it wasn't ALL my error.  What good would it have done though, to tear a strip off  the other person?   Rather, I told her the next time I was in town, I would take her out for lunch.

Admittedly, some small things are easier to "sweat" than others.  It is just that when it comes to children, it is harder to let go.  Case in point:  Despite repeated gentle promptings from me to eat his lunch, the little fellow wasn't touching his sandwich. When I asked him why, he showed me a mouldy corner. The bread was green.  The school has no cafeteria, so I rustled him up a Lunchmate, which isn't ideal, but certainly better than mouldy bread. I don't know the story behind that sandwich,  but I do know the child was living with the father, that week. Hopefully it was an oversight on Dad's part, and NOT because he couldn't afford fresher bread. I had to accept what happened, do what I could to improve the situation, and FORGET about it.  There are some things we NEVER forget though.

If you don't sweat the small stuff, when the REALLY BIG stuff comes along, you will be better able to deal with it.  Fortunately, I have been blessed in life, and I have had very little BIG stuff to sweat over.  A REALLY TERRIBLE, NEVER ENDING WINTER hardly counts. :)

ONLY in Northern New Brunswick...

do you and your neighbour have a privacy fence made out of SNOW, in late April.

do you NOT see anything but the roof of your neighbour three doors down, on April 24th.

do people shovel their lawn, or if they are lucky enough to have a small snowblower, blow the snow OFF the lawn, in late April.

do you need to shovel out your sheds, so that you can access your lawn chairs, since it is suddenly 18 degrees C, and you want to soak up the sun on your deck!

do you see weeds and snow at the same place. 

do you see people wearing nothing but shorts and a T-shirt, AND winter boots!

Is technology ruling YOUR life?

I lost my Fitbit at the beach in Costa Rica.  I had packed up my beachbag and folding chair, but hadn't gone far on my walk back to my villa, when I thought to check my Fitbit bracelet. I had noticed the opening was getting stretched. Sure enough, the little chip had fallen out. I emptied my bag, shook out all my beach stuff and checked everything. Nothing!

So back to the beach I went.  My heart sank, as I saw that a young Tico was busy stamping down all the markings I had left in my spot, with my chair and whatnot. I explained to him in Spanish what I had lost, and proceeded to comb that area carefully.  He assured me he hadn't seen anything.

I realized I would never find it, because it was small, dark, almost the colour of the sand, so I headed back to the villa, AGAIN.  I kept telling myself, “You don't need that Fitbit.  You know you are active. Don't be a slave to a piece of plastic!  YADA YADA YADA!"  All the while I was also telling myself this:  "You should go back and check one more time, following the path you took up the first time.  Don't give up so easily. You don't want to spend ANOTHER $100 on a Fitbit, do you?"
You love knowing how many steps you do a day. It’s a great motivator! YADA, YADA, YADA!”

BACK I went, explaining to the Tico that I wanted to search my spot again.  A neighbouring beach visitor, a lovely lady, looked around as well for me, but neither of us found it.  A bit desperately, I tell the young man that should he come across the chip, I am staying at Uva Blue Jungle Villas, and would be happy to give him a reward of $20,000 colones for its return.  I HAD to be desperate, to want to spend money!  He nods in understanding, and I leave the beach for a THIRD TIME.

However, I am still not ready to give up.  My mind is going a mile a minute as I slowly walk home. I am like a dog with a bone here.  I won’t let go! Then it dawns on me that there is ONE place I haven't checked.  I put everything down, open the folding chair, remove the wet towel I had stuck in the cup holder, and LO AND BELOW, there is my chip for my FITBIT.  I was so happy!!  How lucky was I, that I had stuck that towel in there.  That is what kept the chip from falling out into the sand.  I happily went on my way, just THRILLED to have recovered that lost piece of technology that rules my daily life.

Jeepers, I DO hope that young fellow didn't spend TOO much time looking for that chip so that he could collect the $45.00 reward. :(

Bad service is NOT a thing of the past!

Are you missing Rick Mercer's rants?  Well, I am going to fill in for him, and deliver a RANT of my own.

When it comes to customer service, I am very appreciative of good service.  On the other hand, I have to work really hard at not getting upset with BAD service.  Why do I get upset?  I guess because I figure these people are being paid to be competent, NOT incompetent, or what the French would call, "LES INCOMPÉTENTS!"   I expect to get value for my money, and/or at least be given the correct information when I request it.

These three cases in point have all happened in the last week.

Case in point Number 1:  I had a credit balance of over $600.00 with our provincial utility by the end of February. Since I was going to be away the entire month of March, I called their customer service department,  inquiring as to whether I could skip the March bill payment, because of my credit position, the result of equal billing.   I was told by a CUSTOMER SERVICE REP, that that would be fine! I would NOT be charged a late payment charge.  Well, it wasn't FINE!  This week I received my current bill, WITH a late payment charge.  So I called, requesting service in French. I had to switch to English, because the rep just wasn't understanding my problem.  Get this? They will withdraw the late payment charge, but only because I am a customer in good standing, because technically, I didn't pay my March bill.  My bill balance and my equal billing balance are two complete and separate accounts I was told. Isn't that funny?   My BILL this month indicates that I am NOT to pay, because I have a credit.

Case in point Number 2:  I sold my old cell phone, when I upgraded. The poor woman who bought it, still cannot activate it with a major telecom company, because despite my THREE requests, one online, one by phone and one by Live Chat, my phone has YET to be unlocked.  THREE TIMES I have been assured I would receive an email telling me my phone was unlocked, with FURTHER instructions.  I swear, I could easily throttle the second person, whose name was Bill, who told me last night that he was ESCALATING my request, and the phone would be unlocked within four hours. Didn't happen.  I reserve judgement on the third person, Karen, who said it would be unlocked within five hours today. On a point of principle, I refuse to give the poor woman her money back, (YET!). I may do so gladly, take back the phone, and THROW it in the garbage.  If I had high blood pressure, I would definitely be D-E-A-D by now!

Case in point Number 3: I ordered a self inflating sleeping pad online, from a major sport/leisure company.  I rarely order online.  Now I know why!  I received the product quite promptly, but it doesn't self inflate.  I have watched videos online, reread reviews and followed tips that other purchasers shared about this product, ALL to no avail.  I am totally frustrated.  I am going to return it to said store, when I travel to Halifax soon, and get my money back.  No more online purchasing for me.

Though I hasten to add, I am awaiting the delivery of my new cell phone case, ordered ONLINE last week, obviously when I was not in possession of A+L+L my faculties!  I wonder what screw-up is going to happen with that purchase. Any bets?

I MISSED THEM! Ils m'ont manqués!

Enormément!  QUI? Les petits, bien sûr.

This is a bilingual blog... NB at its best, I hope.  Will Google Translate be up to the task?

MATERNELLE:

Moi -"Nico, si tu fais de bons choix aujourd'hui, je te donnerai un petit prix à la fin de la journée." Nico - "Je vais surveiller ça!"

Enseignante - Qu'est-ce qu'on peut acheter chez Walmart? Les petits donnent leurs réponses.   De l'épicerie, des vêtement, des jouets et..... des cochonneries!

Paul - Il faut que je fasse caca!

Moi - "Vous-êtes vous croisez les doigts, pour avoir de la chance?"  "Je me suis croisé les orteils aussi!" en réplique un.

Un petit à un autre petit: "Je n'ai pas besoin de ton aide pour "cracker ça open."

DEUXIEME ANNÉE

Une élève agacait un autre au départ.  Celle-ci arrive en rouspetant, "Simon m'a dit, "Je m'en fous!" That is the equivalent of him telling her, "I don't give a S(*&!, which of course made me want to laugh so hard! I didn't though.   J'ai 'aborda Simon, en lui suggérant qu'il devait plutôt répondre: "Cela m'est égal! ou,  "Peu importe", comme exemple.   Simon m'a répondu "C'est ce que dit mon père. En plus, elle est tannante!" Là, j'avoue, que j'étais un peu d'accord avec lui.

Un autre garçon, dans la même classe, se plaint de la même élève: "Elle parle tout le temps. Elle parle trop.  Elle n'arrête jamais de parler."  Il est frustré, quoi?

Celle-ci, avec son beau dessin de qu'est-ce qu'elle aime faire l'hiver?
"J'aime glisser à la pute du collège."  C'est trop chouette!

Me - to Charlie - "You are the first one ready!"
Student - "I am NOT Charlie!"
Me - "I am sorry. I always get you and Charlie mixed up since you both have freckles."
Ryan - Seriously?

"Il y a des poux à l'école! Ça recommence! "  Voilà la façon qu'une petite m'a annoncé ces nouvelles en arrivant le matin.

Une petite se pressait à finir son travail, et je lui ai dit, "Tu as fait ton travail très vite, ma belle." Elle me répond, "Je suis Princesse Pressée!"

When I asked a Grade Two class if they knew what a ski half-pipe was, because we were discussing the Olympics every morning, one little one explained...  "We have never BEEN to the Olympics, so how should WE know?"

A Grade Three teacher answering my question as to what time her students should get ready for dismissal?  "When the little hand is at three..."  she starts to say!  I swear!!!

There is a dead raccoon in a pond, on the other side of the school yard fence, which naturally, attracts ALL the children there, at morning and lunchtime recess.  I am increasingly frustrated at having to keep them away from the fence, AND having to give a "survival of the fittest" lesson, every time I am on duty. It also breaks my heart to see that poor little dead raccoon, who, obviously, did NOT survive our HARSH winter.  Today, one little one said to me, in French, "On lui a donné un nom, Madame!"  Moi -" Quel est son nom?"  "On l'a nommé Pitié!" Ah... what wisdom in these little souls!

BEST QUOTE EVER? Today, little Alex in Kindergarten, said to me...

"Tu es la BEST Mémère EVER!!!!"

I don't think I have EVER received a BIGGER compliment!  This little sweetheart is all of five years of age, and has just been adopted, bless his little heart. He has been in foster care for most of his young life.  Who cares if he used the "F" word twice today!  He has had one hell of a long row to hoe, in his short little life. I am sure we ALL would have used the "F" word more than once, had we had to walk a mile in his shoes.

Costa Rica on LESS than $100.00 a day Canadian?

Yes, it can be done. I did it! Here is how, for those who are interested in the dollars and cents - the  facts, all in CANADIAN dollars.

Rental of my little bachelor villa from March 1, to March 30th. = $1,150.00
Air Canada Rouge ticket from Bathurst, NB Canada, to San José, Costa Rica = $635.00
That fare included my aisle seat for the long haul from Toronto, to San José, which I picked.

I paid $80.00 - the cost each, for four of us to hire a private shuttle to take us from our hotel in Alajuela, to Playa Chiquita.

Hotel in San José, on return leg $80.00.

The following expenses all came out of the $1,070.00 I had in cash with me for my month long stay.

One night stay at Villa Pacande, shared room with my sister - $23.00
Shared shuttle to return to San Jose -  $68.00

I traveled February 28th, and returned home at midnight, March 30, so I was gone 31 days.

My cash was used for food, transportation, souvenirs, outings, taxis, bicycle rentals, and of course, alcohol.  If you are a teetotaler, knock off a good couple of hundred dollars right there! :)  Bear in mind, that had I been home in Canada for that one month, I would easily have spent $250.00 anyway, per week, on food, gas, entertainment, drinks, toiletries etc.

While traveling, I do not buy food in airports nor on planes. I brown bag, or bring food from elsewhere, ie. Subway.

I admit I am a major "frugalista!"  In Costa Rica, most of my meals were eaten at my villa, but I also ate at some good restaurants, more than a few times a week. A delicious lunch can be had, ie. two tasty pulled pork tacos, for less than $10.00.

A decent supper?  Main course and glass of wine, plus tip? $25.00.  Lou and I shared a large pizza which she bought for $20.00. We had it for supper, and then for two lunches each, with a side salad. Fruits and vegetables are fresh, cheap and plentiful.

I didn't go on many excursions... which can be expensive. It was my third visit to this beautiful country, and I had gone on many outings during my first two visits. I was there to rest and relax, A LOT, this time.

My point? You don't have to be RICH to travel. You just have to be SAVVY, FRUGAL AND A BIT INTREPID!! 

This "calzone", in the restaurant of my hotel in San José, was packed with meat and veggies, and was the size of my HEAD!

Cost? $9.60   Don't ask me how much my wine cost.  It was more than double the cost of the calzone. Want to really travel cheaply? Do NOT drink. :)

My actual cost per day, for my month long stay? $97.50 per day.

By the way, I am always looking for travel partners, for someone to join me on my adventures.  I haven't had to resort to "travelbuddy.com" YET!

Back to reality with a BANG!

Is it the same for everyone? When I come back from vacation, there seems to be very little time to bask in the afterglow of a WONDERFUL time away.  In my case, my vacation was a month long.  Maybe too long?

Reality hit me in the face immediately, upon my arrival late on Good Friday.  My reality was humongous snowbanks, so much so that I can't see my neighbour's house two doors down, nor my neighbour's garage, NEXT DOOR!  Another twenty centimetres are forecast for this week!   My reality is that my luggage did NOT follow me home, and that forty-two hours LATER, it still hasn't arrived.  My reality is a cell phone that has decided it is old and simply DOES NOT want to be recharged anymore.  My reality is a roof that leaked, somehow buckled my entrance floor, left stains on my ceiling, but no other visible water marks anywhere. My reality is mountains of mail and bills to pay, such as property taxes and income taxes!  Yikes!!!  I could go on and on...

However, my OTHER reality is... the snow WILL melt! The SUN shone briefly on Easter Sunday, and I was able to reconnect with family over a meal, hugs, and shared memories.  My reality is that my suitcase DID arrive, just now, and I have all my little souvenirs that I bought.  Those are more important to me than my glad rags.  They are small items I want to share with those who accompany me on my travels, albeit not in person!  My reality is that I will get another phone and I am able to pay my bills.  My reality is that Vimy HAS NOT forgotten me; my contractor will fix my roof after Handy Bro helps me remove that big chunk of ice lodged there.  My reality is that wonderful friends took care of my home and Jiminy Cricket while I was gone, so that neither were buried when I returned home.

Lastly, my reality is that.... I DID NOT GET STUCK IN MONTREAL. :)))))