New Father in the Family....?




We have another addition to our traditional Fathers Day photo. Far right, niece and God daughter Candice's Aussie husband Scott.
Candice and Scott are the main characters in a fairty tale-come-true that saw the pair meet during a Continki Tour vacation just over two years ago...atop the Eiffel Tower in Paris. It was Down Unda meets Up Ova and the rest ...as they say...is history.

First came love, then came marriage..then came baby in the ... doggie handbag!?
Scott and Candice are now a threesome with the arrival of Scarlet the Morky. Morky is part Maltese and part Yorshire or Yorkie.

I don't know which was the bigger occasion..Fathers Day or Scarlet's coming out! Everyone was following her journey of discovery in my sister and brother-in-law's rambling backyard, a.k.a. "jungle" for something that weighs just over one pound.

A highlight of the day, other than opening those Fathers Day presents was "the meeting". There were discussions, deliberations and both sides of the argument expressed their concerns, all well-founded, but in the end it was the inevitable that resolved the debate. Zoe, the 5-year-old original dog of the house simply must have a close-up and personal encounter with Scarlet.

Now Zoe is a pure Maltese, still small by most standards and very freindly and loveable. BUT to Scarlet, she is a looming giant of a creature. One friendly slap of the paw could....well none of us could even contemplate the possible and quite likely horrific outcome.
But as canine members of the same family, keeping them apart was simply unreasonable and unfair...maybe, just maybe they'd really like each other and Zoe would learn to be gentle.

And so it came to pass. The first nose-to-nose, the first sniff, the first playful crouch and spring and then...they were OFF.. Zoe nose to tail, chasing the little Morky through the hosta and day lily jungle...legions of cameras in tow.
Emerging from one thicket, a reverse play! It's that little Morky Scarlet now chasing the giant Zoe, sprinting and lunging every few seconds to nip at her tail. The final play of the game sees Scarlet hiding under the BBQ cover and staging surprise attacks on the now outsmarted and outwitted Zoe. Time out.....two dogs napping...mission accomplished with peace of earth....back to Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day Daddy, Dave, Randy, Stew and...Scott. A little taste of what's to come should a two-legged baby launch a brand new generation...but no pressure Candice and Scott...whever you're ready, we'll be ready!








"Runway" Success in Oakville!


I felt like a kid trying on my Mom's glittery jewelry and gowns she'd wear to the Princess Ball every year at HMSC Star. I remember how she looked like a real princess and I couldn't wait to look like that one day!
While belly dancers balanced sparkling chandeliers on their heads, I wore them on my ears last night! I've never worn such gorgeous earrings!
Oakville Carmen's "Arabian Nights" Fashion Show for the Charity of Hope raised an equally sparkling $40,000.00 for children in need throughout Halton and Hamilton and boy do they ever do it with CLASS!
Top-notch dining perfectly matched the middle eastern theme along with the most exotic fashions from area boutiques: Tofano's of Ancaster (I wore 2 of Sylvia's stunning gowns and those incredible earrings and bracelets by "Karen". Word has it Michelle Obama has indicated an interest in her work!). Other fashion retailers featured included, Mainstream, the Oyster, Poise, Harry Rosen and Jonathon Quinn for Men. Yes even the men sparkled!
Morris Mercanti started the Charity of Hope in 2003 with a group of hand-ball friends and since, with his committee and Co-Chairs this year wife Lynn Mercanti and niece Jennifer Mercanti (shown in photo), has raised a total of $300,000.00.
The $40,000.00 raised this year will go to HALTON FAMILY SERVICES, THE HALTON LEARNING FOUNDATION, JOSEPH BRANT HOSPITAL, KERR STREET MINISTRIES AND OAKVILLE TRAFALGAR HOSPITAL.
For everyone there last night, it was a sparkling affair.
For our children and our community: a brighter future.
For me: a chance to work with Sandie Krueger's incredible Vogue models and strut down a runway with chandelier earrings, without a care in the world...just like being a kid again.

Birthday Sharing



We share birthday parties in our family.

Part of it is pragmatic; part of it for the fun of it, inspite of the challenges this presents!

A lot of us were born on each other's birthdays. I was born on Christmas Day, the same as you-know-who. My sister was born on our father's birthday; my one nephew on his mother's birthday; my son on my grandmother's birthday.

Then we have this huge cluster of these mass birthdays, Mother's Day and Father's Day within a month or so of each other.

The photo shows from left to right, niece/God-daughter Candice, June 4th, my Dad, Bob, May 29th, my brother-in-law Randy, April, sister Barbi May 29th, and her daughter Sierra, just because she always helps everybody blow out their candles...and open their presents. She has taken over that job from her older brothers (not shown) and my son, Calvin whose birthday is next month.

Our birthday parties are huge fetes (like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving etc), with more food than anyone can ever eat, at least five conversations going on at once with the younger set normally retreating to the video gaming area of the house while Papa (my Dad) finds a good war movie on one of numerous televisions in the house whose turn it is to host. (We rotate between the three sisters and are waiting for the eldest niece, Candice, now married, with a big enough house, to join the rotation...any time Candice...)

Two of the so far three venues have hot tubs so there are always damp and towelled bodies moving in and out of the house...and the inevitable, "Can someone grab me a towel" and "Don't sit on that chair, you're wet!"

Our biggest challenge these days is getting everyone fed at the same time while the hot food is still hot and cold food still cold. We've experimented with the buffet model, the runner/server model and the platters on the table model. The jury is still out on the winning approach.

We're working on refining the present-opening ritual but it's a work in progress...just like the Christmas present ritual. Every year we decide, we will open one at a time but it always ends up a free for all with Sierra, yes the same five-year old in charge of candle-blowing and present-opening, also ripping open cards that often get separated from the gifts, making for a game of match the card to the present! (please note: every child in this family has played this role! It is mandatory!)

When all is said and done and those last cups of tea emptied from the teapots, our family inevitably attempts to exit all at once. Keep in mind our numbers usually top 18 now, counting new husbands and children, sometimes aunts and mothers-in-law! Now, there is an inherent problem in squeezing a dozen and half people through a normal-sized front hall and doorway all at once! Add in the good-byes and kisses, often repeated because in the melee, one often forgets who has been kissed and said good-bye to, plus, looking for and putting on shoes/boots and other outer wear and pandimonium results!

My Dad's approach is to somehow be first out. He starts looking at his watch during dessert and puts his hat and coat on within moments of the last present-opening. Trouble is my Mom is usually last out. Thus my Dad is left to wait outside in the nice weather or in the car during wind storms and snowsqualls. Sometimes, we're left wondering if he's still out there or just where is he?

After the last car honks the horn in the expected, traditional fashion, much to the on-going chagrin of all our neighbours, I am sure, the host family is left to marvel at how this scene is replayed time and time again....and marvel at how marvelous it all is! Until next time....I can hardly wait! And I think it's my turn!