Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bannnnggggggggg!

My brother, Shenley: How’d the bathroom renos go? John: Awful. We missed your help. Trust me, I would rather have spent the entire day at Kin Beach. Shenley: Couldn’t have been that bad. John: Oh it was. Trust me. Flashback to the morning… Bang! Bang! Bang! BANG!!! John: Arghhhhhhh! G#$ Damn it! The nail keeps bending when I hammer…

Open Letter to Habitat for Humanity

Dear Habitat for Humanity, Hello. My name is Shelley Smith. Since September 2012, my husband, John and I have volunteered for Habitat. The purpose of this letter is to share my thoughts and feelings on June 14th’s Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North Piercy Build Dedication Ceremony and to offer my thanks to Habitat for creating the opportunity for us to participate in this worthwhile cause. Prior to…

You Gotta Wear Clothes

Shelley: How’s England? The family? John: Good. Good. What about you? Keeping busy? Shelley: I know you’re worried that I’d run out of things to do and get bored, But, I haven’t stopped. And when I did, I went shopping. John: Hopefully nothing too expensive? Shelley: Of course not, we’re retired and not made of money. Hang…

If you put Your Mind to it, Anything is Possible

John: Honey, you’ve been in the tub for over an hour. Don’t you think it’s time to get out? Shelley: No. I’m still cold. John: I know what will warm you up. Heh! Heh! Heh! Shelley: Nice. God, I miss being on the road, being warm, the sun,… Blahhhhhh! If you bring me a glass of wine, that might help. Check…

I know that Christmas is a Time for Giving, But…

Last week, after finishing our third day of volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, John and I stopped by the grocery store. While checking our goods through, the cashier asked, “Would you be interested in donating to the local food bank?” We politely declined , “Sorry. Next time.” Although she said, “No problem.” Her withering gaze said something else, “What a couple of…

Are you There God? It’s me, Shelley, the Drywall Queen

Actually, Peter, our first friend in the Comox Valley, bestowed me with this honourable title, “Shelley, the Drywall Queen.” (BTW, it’s true he’s our first friend in the Comox Valley, because when I said, “Peter, you are our first friend in the Comox Valley.” He did not say,” No, I’m not.” ) Anyway, I don’t…

Math Smath Even I Could Teach it

The Present at Habitat For Humanity October 18/2012… Peter, the Project Manager: Any problems with the measurements? Shelley: Not at all. I was just finishing this measurement…. and this one is… 36 inches and 6/10ths. Peter: 6/10ths? Well if you look here, you’ll see that with inches, there are only 8ths, or 16ths or 32s. Shelley:…

All I Really Need to Know, I Learned While Volunteering for Habitat for Humanity in Courtenay, BC Canada

What “I” learned while volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. You get to wear cool pink helmets. Your hot pink tool belt has a compartment for your hot pink lip gloss. John is not the only stud. These are toe nails. So are these. This is a header. As is this. This is a crown. So is…