What it takes to be elite

D and I went to Ethan Allen last week to look, just look, at some furniture as I am trying to narrow down the furniture for the living room as the current furniture is fading fast. Wow. I mean, yes, the furniture is wonderful and some of it actually fit our taste. And yes, I knew they were expensive, I guess I just never really imagined how expensive. And did you know, for free, they will come to your house and a designer will work on your room for you. After much discussing after the designer came in, we have unanimously (cause if we aren’t united, one of us will spend a whole lot of money and then get buyer’s remorse) decided that there are maybe 2 things that we would possibly buy from the company and the rest that she was talking us into (through the use of a wish list) were vetoed. There was a really cool sofa table in the color of wood we like that expands into a full size dining table. Perfect for the library where I want to occasionally do puzzles, but during parties, I just need a narrow table for drinks, etc. And there was the Drake chair which to me looked like a wing chair and it would fit really nicely into the ‘old world’ theme of the library. We have also agreed together that this is far down the list of what we need. Wish list is the operative word and really, the living room is more important than the library, which is what none of the furniture fit into. The designer has this idea of what she thinks I want in the living room, but even after talking with her, I think she is just really limited by what Ethan Allen sells. I know exactly the look of furniture I want and really, I think I will have to break down and make it. Now ain’t that scary… and domestic. I loves my power tools. :) Heh heh.

My thankful things

Today is thanksgiving here in Canada and so, as is custom, I would like to focus on the positive.

1. I am on holidays. I know this is pathetic to start with, but really, I have a wonderful job that allows me to take paid holidays and though I am not going away or doing anything really special, I like that I can do what I want when I want and not have to get up early to go to work and all that. And I know, when the holidays are done, I have a job to go back to.

2. Despite my few health problems, I do have good health. I live in a world where so much can go wrong and with my science background, I know a lot of what has and what can happen and I am glad that I am well. The problems I do have are controllable and can even disappear.

3. I live in a country that promotes freedom. The paper recently stated that Americans are not the only countrymen who take pride in their country, but that Canadians are also Very proud of their country. And I am. I love living in Canada. I love the 4 seasons, the uber-politeness, the ‘Eh’, and the mix and tolerance of differing lifestyles, cultures and religions. We have our problems and not everyone is tolerant (I do live in a province that is known for its stereotypical rednecks), but it is a wonderful country.

4. I have wonderful friends and family. Though I never get to see them as much as I would like, I know that they are there if I ever need them in a pinch and that I am loved.

5. I have hope. As naïve as it may seem, I do have hope for humankind and our planet. So much is happening around the world that is scary and monumental and though it doesn’t touch me directly, I do think that we will eventually come to our senses and work things out. We will learn to clean up after ourselves and Mother Nature will eventually forgive us for our errors. People will learn tolerance and acceptance. People will remember to have fun. Because we spend so much of our time facing our responsibilities and doing what we need to do to survive (as we each define it) and to keep up with the Joneses, we forget about the little things that make life happy and fun. Like watching the clouds or singing a tune. Like talking with friends and learning about new things.

Anyway, those are just my top five thankful things. I have a good life, I have an avid imagination that my closest friends encourage and accept, and… don’t tell anyone, but deep down, I am happy.

That is all I wanted to say. Thank you.