Had a rough week, that’s life.  So I went away, cause the next best thing to being in the water, or around the water, is on the water. I had three days free and all my bases were covered so I split, to ……Victoria,  to do some power shopping, retail therapy we call it in certain circles. 

I caught the three O clock and hardly left deck.  I was organizing my agenda and hit list for thing to do and making sure I hit all my fave places  I sped past Aunties in Sydney, a little guilty, sure the malls would be open late.  A storm was coming, who cares.  The Malahat was a white out. I didn’t believe em.  Funny how I listen to news and then don’t bother. 

Auntie Rose lives in Sydney.  She the sweetest dose of Scotish reality ever and hopefully, she remembered I was coming,  I told her to write it down.  She is kind of losing her memory, which I was in denial of, until I spent three days with her.  I had to be truthful when she asked if Elvis had died.  I didn’t even wanna tell her about 911.   There is something to say about someone who gets equally excited every time you enter the living room , I mean that with love.   Auntie Roses Scottish drawl and tea was just what the doctor ordered.  I swear her lil Robbie Burns tea spoons have magic in them.  One sip of her Tentley tea and you forget all your troubles and the ferry line up you were in.  Auntie was shuffling and saying “Awe sweet Kimberley, you must come see your Auntie Rose again soon, were family you know”, in her Scottish drawl which I love , and then covering me with mounds of blankets and extra pillows. 

We watched the news earlier and some dancing with the stars and ate éclairs I bought with tea and talked about God and the roses I got her and how perfect some things were and how much I love her and cherished her and my family.  She showed me pictures of my Dad and sang old Scotish songs to me and at times, relied on me to recall vague words.

She knows what day it is by the paper my awesome cousin and his wife has delivered and refers to it frequently and sometimes, I didn’t even know which day it was, and didn’t care to be true. 

She doesn’t ask who it is at the door when someone rings by as I stood guard when someone stopped in.  My cousin and various people came to care for her and make sure she was safe and healthy.  It shocked me and made me sad to hear her ask me if her next move would be fine and if she would be OK.  Her place is on the market and she is missing her home already, it is for the best truly.  I assured her that her son had her best interests.  Its shi shi and everything she needs and more, I can still go stay over! Auntie goes out on Tuesday’s,  like with Morrey, with her gadabout friends.  She knows that much.  Its fun and she can have a lil lunch and sing.  I asked her if she really liked it and she said yes.  They pick her up and deliver her home which I thought was sweet.  I was worried she would slip outside as she left.  She was equally worried about me going in town to shop. 

I went with my hit list and straight to John’s Place.  A renowned eggs benny joint.  When you take in all the atmosphere and get your order of classic benny you will forget you were ever on a ferry.

I sped off around the corner to a dollar store, which has different colored tissue than my home town, then china town , then Fantam alley where I picked up some choice Christmas presents.  Off to the mall where stores were closing way to early. I hit Cleopatra’s bedroom and bought me the fanciest imported belly dancing belt this side off the pacific.  I certainly hit gold when I found the best hat shop ever on Government.  I think I may have heard Angels sing when I walked in.  I can sure pick em, The best Hat Store EVAAA.  Roberta’s Hats.  The first one I tried on felt like 500 dollars aaaaaaaaaaaand, I was right it was.  I looked and drooled and found one I quite liked, but like with any purchase over 50 bucks I think about it over night. 

I bought myself ice cream at Purdy’s with the crushed almonds on the side, I ran into A Channel and got me some contacts to email and then went to my other cousins for dinner.  I had a fab time catching up and almost got lost up the Malahat but didn’t care.  A yummy steak and great conversation and I headed back to Sydney. 

I felt like I had been on a long holiday driving around and seeing so many folks.  After some tea and hen partying with Auntie I slept and dreamt about this one hat that was more reasonable and practical, and swiss chard for some reason, but thats another story… I wanted to catch the 11 am ferry, but I knew I needed that hat.  So I sped into town at 945, hit the store fast and grabbed it, grateful it was still there and ran over to Starbucks across the street and got my fix for the day. 

 I had a whole 3 extra minutes the lady at the ferry joked with me, I said I had time to get my hat wrapped in that case.  She laughed and had them hold the boat for me.  Several guys rolled their eyes when I rolled over the last of 12 speed bumps. I stopped at the bottom of the lift as they were frantically rolling there arms showing me where to go.  “Thanks for holding  the boat for me”, I said with my new fancy hat.  Five crew men bursted in laughter and waited for me to get on board.  I parked and said “I was ready to go now”, more eye rolling  and they pulled up the thingy and we left.

Just what the doctor ordered Auntie Roses tea and a fancy new hat, how easy is it to make my day and a post card party in my car with all my fave tunes and a special lunch from Auntie!

PS To the ferry guys, sorry for holding up the boat, and, ahem Sorry I killed my car battery and was the last one off too……Thanks for the free jump, again!!

Posted: December 23rd, 2007 under Journal Entries.
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