Dutch Gramma

Has it really come to this????........

2011-12-23T17:47:00.002-07:00

I wanted to send some sort of holiday greeting to my friends and family, but it is difficult in today's world to know exactly what to say without offending someone. So I met with my lawyer yesterday, and on his advice I wish to say the following:.............

Please accept with no obligation, implied or implicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, generic, low stress, non addictive, gender neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday practiced with the most enjoyable traditions of religious persuasion or secular practices of your choice with respect for the religious/secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all.

I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2012, but not without due respect for the calendar of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make our country great and without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

By accepting this greeting, you are accepting these terms: This greeting is subject to clarification or withdrawal. It is freely transferable with no alteration to the original greeting. It implies no promise by the wisher to actually implement any of the wishes for her/him or others and is void where prohibited by law, and is revocable at the sole discretion of the wisher. The wish is warranted to perform as expected within the usual application of good tidings for a period of one year or until the issuance of a new wish at the sole discretion of the wisher.

Best Regards ( without prejudice )

Name withheld ( Privacy Act ).

Christmas Prep!

2011-12-23T11:50:00.001-07:00

Dutch Butter cake..check, various homemade chocolates...check, Watergate salad...check, Cherry loaf...check, Sugar cookies...check, Pumpkin pies...check....feels good to have this all ready for Christmas Day desserts (snacks)!! Just last minute salad to make yet :) Now to kick back and sip a fresh cup of coffee. We are spending Christmas with my Brother, his three girls, Son-in-law and 14 month-old grand-daughter. They are making the turkey Dinner with me just adding salads and desserts (except for the cheesecake, which one of the girls is making). It is a quiet Christmas this year since most of the family, including our oldest son, are spending it with their in-laws. Since Mom passed away 10 months ago, it just feels incomplete not having her to shop and plan with...so I suppose this is a good year for most of my sibs to spend with the in-laws.

Whatever your plans are for this Christmas, may it be a time of Peace and Joy, with God's Blessings for 2012!!

December has Arrived!

2011-12-01T15:17:00.000-07:00

We have arrived officially to Christmas month....can you believe that?? The fall has passed by SO quickly and we are on the countdown to Christmas Day! Now, I still have to go gift shopping and even set up our tree, but those things start this weekend :)

November

2011-11-23T19:35:00.001-07:00

Welcome to November! All passengers please keep your hats,coats & mittens on until we come to a complete stop in March! Thank you for riding the Winter Express!

November is the month leading up to my favourite Holiday Season.....Christmas!! Tomorrow our American neighbours celebrate Thanksgiving and since my Sister lives in our neighbouring country,along with my Blogger and Facebook friends, I'm more aware of the later celebration of Thanksgiving.
This afternoon my Niece and great-Niece came over for tea. I had some things to give my Niece, so that was a great excuse for a visit :)
Here is my adorable great-Niece:

Such a Silly girlie :)

Look at her adorable little boots! Such a Fashionista!!

Nothing entertains more than empty plastic containers.

Christmas 2011 -- Birth of a New Tradition

2011-11-09T19:04:00.000-07:00

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!
It's time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?
Everyone -- yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?
Gym membership? It's appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.
Who wouldn't appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.
Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the dollars on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.
There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants -- all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn't the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn't about big National chains -- this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.
How many people couldn't use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.
My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.
OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.
Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.
Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.
Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.
You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn't imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.

Precious Words

2011-11-09T18:57:00.000-07:00

Someone has written these beautiful words. Please read - there is a great understanding and deep meaning to each one.

They are like the ten commandments to follow in life all the time.

1] Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble,
but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

2] Why is a car's WINDSHIELD so large & the rear view mirror so
small? Because our PAST is not as important as our FUTURE. So, look
ahead and move on.

3] Friendship is like a BOOK. It takes a few seconds to burn, but it
takes years to write.

4] All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they
will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last
long either.

5] Old friends are Gold! New friends are diamonds! If you get a
diamond, don't forget the gold! Because to hold a diamond, you always
need a base of gold!

6] Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, GOD smiles from
above and says, "Relax, my friend, it's just a bend, not the end!

7] When GOD solves your problems, you have faith in HIS abilities;
when GOD doesn't solve your problems HE has faith in your abilities.

8] A blind person asked St. Anthony: "Can there be anything worse than
losing eye sight?" He replied: "Yes, losing your vision!"

9] When you pray for others, God listens to you and blesses them, and
sometimes, when you are safe and happy, remember that someone has
prayed for you.

10] WORRYING does not take away tomorrow's TROUBLES, it takes away today's PEACE.

Halloween

2011-11-09T14:14:00.000-07:00

We went trick or treating with my sisters, brother in law and four of the five kids(the oldst being 16 now and too old to go door-to-door). It was alot of fun! They ended with alot of loot, which ended up being about half candy/half chips.

Visiting the Pumpkin Farm

2011-11-09T14:07:00.000-07:00

We took a day out of the hectic pace of settling Rachel into her new home, after the movers finally arrived from transporting her boxes and beds from Naniamo, B.C. to Kenora, Ontario to go with the kids to the Pumpkin Farm. It was a fun couple hours out in the fresh air, doing a stamp maze, wagon ride, pumpkin pick, apple roast, pony ride and a little snack.
Great photo op too! :)

Happy Birthday Rachel and Linayah!

2011-11-09T14:00:00.000-07:00

My Sister Rachel shares her Birthday with our Niece and so we had TWO Birthdays in one day!! How lucky were we??

Rachel made this adorable Barbie cake for our Niece's party.

Along with the cutest cake we had a Tea Party. It was us Sisters, our Nieces and Nephew and Linayah's foster Sisters.

Here the Birthday girl is getting ready to blow out her candles :)

Happy Birthday to ME!

2011-11-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

After arriving in Ontario, my two youngest Sisters and their families helped me celebrate my Birthday. We celebrated a belated Thanksgiving as well so lucky me got to have another turkey Dinner....yummy! I felt SO honoured to celebrate my special day with my Sisters :)

We broke out a bottle of Champagne for the occasion :)

I'll Fly Away....

2011-10-12T17:26:00.000-06:00

Today I am packing to leave tomorrow for Northern Ontario. I will be spending three weeks with my youngest Sister. My second to youngest Sister is moving to the same town and flying out with her two little girls tomorrow as well. We are flying into Winnipeg, where we will all spend the night and then head for Kenora. I'm SOOO excited!! I am so in need of Sister time :)

The only thing I'm not looking forward to is that we have to leave our home at 2:30am. and drive 2 1/2 hours to the Airport. If I could have gotten a more reasonable flight time, trust me I would have!! I am not an early morning person anymore.

35 years together

2011-10-10T21:14:00.000-06:00

35 years ago, on a Thanksgiving weekend, we got married. It was a lovely Fall day, with crisp, cool Autumn air, the ground scattered with golden leaves, our hearts filled with love. Little did we know that day that 35 years later we would have traveled the path we did. As we reminisced, we do not regret any of our life together, although we both agree there are some things that made it better and some things we'd rather forget. We also both agree that becoming parents was the best decision we ever made!! We also agree that our love has grown richer through the years we have shared!

Maxine's Solution

2011-10-10T20:46:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving Weekend

2011-10-07T17:12:00.001-06:00

In Canada we are celebrating our Thanksgiving this weekend. I know quite a few of my friends are traveling this weekend and although it's not as busy on the roads as during the summer months, there is still a lot of traffic. In BC our Insurance company has issued warnings to pay attention and drive carefully!!

Here are the top excuses that police heard from drivers who were caught using a hand-held device while driving:

--1: "This is a bogus law." This is the attitude that needs to change. Distracted driving can have serious and often tragic consequences.

--2: "It was my boss on the phone – I had to answer it." In BC, crashes are the number-one cause of traumatic work-related deaths, according to WorkSafeBC statistics. On average, approximately 30 workers in BC are killed each year while driving.

--3: "I wasn’t using it – I just like to hold it." Some even use the excuse that they were holding their garage door opener or hairbrush. The reality is that driving is a complex task that requires our full attention.

--4: "Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because I was on my phone." If you don’t notice a police car trying to pull you over, how would you notice nearby pedestrians and cyclists? Studies show that drivers who are talking on a cellphone lose about 50 per cent of what is going on around them, visually, while driving and are four times more likely to get in a crash.

--5: "But it was an emergency call to my wedding planner!" A real emergency would be if your vehicle flipped over in a ditch because you were distracted at the wheel by your phone.

--6: "My Bluetooth died." If your Bluetooth dies, pull over, change your voicemail to let callers know you’re on the road and you’ll return their call when it’s safe to do so.

--7: Driver: "I’m using my speakerphone." Police officer: "No, you’re holding your phone in one hand and steering with the other." Hands-free doesn’t equal speakerphone. If you must take a call, use a hands-free electronic device and keep the conversation brief.

--8: "I’m not driving; I was stopped at a red light." This misconception needs to end right now: the law applies even when you’re stopped at a light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

--9: "I wasn’t talking, I was checking my messages." Under the law, drivers can’t use hand-held electronics while driving – that includes checking voice mail, making music selections or looking up phone numbers.

--10: "I was just checking the time." There are no excuses for preventable tragedies. Imagine saying this to the emergency personnel and loved ones of someone seriously injured because of your carelessness.

Fall's Dreary Rain

2011-10-04T17:27:00.001-06:00

The sun is back to brightly shining after a couple of days of rain. I know rain is par for the course in the Fall, helping weigh those colored leaves enough so they fall to the ground. Unlike summer showers, Fall rain is damp and with a chill that goes all the way to the bone. But the shiny reward is having the sun come back out and bring lovely warmth again. I notice more bare branches around town now though.

October

2011-10-02T17:39:00.000-06:00

Like my Sister, who posted a top 20 list of why she likes October, I thought that was such a great idea!! As sad as I am to say goodbye to summer, I do love Fall too, but in particular October. For us up here in the Canadian North, we rarely go past Halloween before snow blows in and our winter starts, well before the Calendar says so. As a matter of fact, my brother posted a pic of snow falling up the Alaska Highway...gah!!!

Here is my Top 20!

1) Thanksgiving
2) Our Anniversary
3) My Birthday
4)Crisp cool, sunny days
5)colored leaves, shrubs and grass
6)Pumpkin pie
7)pumpkin spice latte
8)fireplace
9)candlelight
10)new fall line-up of TV shows
11)apple crisp
12)cinnamon spice tea
13)earth tone colors
14)scrap-booking
15)fall routine
16)new clothes
17)the smell of a leaves burning
18)coffee with friends who are back from Summer vacation
19)chili
20)country drive

Five Years

2011-09-30T11:10:00.001-06:00

Five years ago today,our precious son was so tragically taken from us. We still miss him SOOOO very much!! He was such a typical "youngest" kid, with a sunny, goofy,fun-loving personality that brought so much laughter into our family. You could always count on David to tell you long dramatic stories about his day in school or a movie he'd watched. He loved his family, life, music, photography and above all God!!
When he was a young boy we went to a Petra Concert and he just loved this song and asked that it be played at his Memorial Service when he passed away. We honored that request and here it is: "This is my Prayer" by Petra

2011-09-26T11:56:00.000-06:00

I have posted this before, however I just got this again and thought it was too special to not bear repeating. Life goes by too fast, but it's nice when you get stopped in your busy tracks and get a gentle reminder of just how special and NEEDED you really are. Let the week begin with a smile on your face. A little gift from me to you.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men....

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in..

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give..

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Autumn Dance

2011-09-23T12:02:00.000-06:00

"Come said the wind to
the leaves one day,
Come o're the meadows
and we will play.
Put on your dresses
scarlet and gold,
For summer is gone
and the days grow cold."
- A Children's Song of the 1880's

Awareness

2011-09-22T00:12:00.000-06:00

Dad, today is Alzheimer's Awareness Day and we remember you....our wonderful Dad. It breaks my heart that you had to live with this horrible disease that took over your mind and body, but it did NOT destroy your love for us....we are "your people" forever :)

2011-09-21T16:54:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was a very important day for our Son. Canada has joined other Countries in the "Got Talent" TV shows. This was an opportunity for our Son to go into Vancouver and Audition. The grand prize of money is nothing compared to the career defining exposure a show like this can give anyone with the talent to win. My Son said,"So, I am thrilled because I went for it. Did it! Nailed the vocal parts!If I get a call back I will be so so so thrilled, but if not I won't lose a beat pursuing music and hope CGT comes back next year!" And this was the feelings of most of the hundreds of people there for the chance of their life.

14

2011-09-18T13:21:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was our grandson, Tyson's Birthday. He turned 14!! Wow!! He had his party on Friday night and so yesterday was just us two with his parents and sister for Birthday cake and gifts. My hubby and he find xbox fascinating and can sit for hours, controllers in hand, leaning slightly forward in their chairs with eyes intensely glued to the TV screen and the occasional yelp of frustration or victory!! So, guess what his gift was??? Yup, a new game.

Stand Alone

2011-09-16T16:32:00.000-06:00

I saw this pic in the Paint Store my Hubby works in and thought it would be a nice one to paint.

Floral

2011-09-16T16:29:00.000-06:00

I painted two floral abstract paintings today. I'm just having fun experimenting with a different style :)

Canada Remembers...

2011-09-11T11:48:00.000-06:00

....that horrific day 10 years ago!! In an Article found on Canada.com we read of one Canadian 9/11 widow:

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper lays a wreath with Maureen Basnicki, her husband Ken was killed at the World Trade Centre. Basnicki, whose husband was one of 24 Canadians killed on 9/11, joined other family members on Saturday for a private reception with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has travelled to New York for the anniversary.

Since arriving in Manhattan, Basnicki says she’s been “overwhelmed” by the graciousness and generosity of New Yorkers upon learning she is a Canadian 9/11 widow. On two occasions in restaurants — on Thursday for dinner and Saturday for breakfast — Basnicki has gone to pay the bill only to find someone else had picked up the tab.

“They just want to show, in their own way, that our values are what is important,” says Basnicki who adds that such unexpected displays of compassion help in the ongoing process of coping with 9/11.

“My grief came from an event that didn’t just affect the Basnicki family, but did affect the world,” she says.

The Dance

2011-09-10T12:24:00.000-06:00

Energeticcity.ca reports:
"Aurora Borealis, or better known as the Northern Lights, do not show up as much in the Peace Region as they do in Northern Canada, but that didn't stop them from dancing across the sky Friday evening. The show consisted of green stretches of light going clear across the sky, which were very visible despite the amount of light the moon was projecting."
We don't really think of Nature as being "entertaining", however in my opinion you cannot compare a lightening storm or Northern lights to such as the 1st of July fireworks!!

Letter to my Husband

2011-09-09T20:16:00.000-06:00

To My Darling Husband,

Before you return from your business trip I just want to let you know about the small accident I had with the pickup truck when I turned into the driveway.

Fortunately not too bad and I really didn't get hurt, so please don't worry too much about me.

I was coming home from Wal-Mart, and when I turned into the driveway I accidentally pushed down on the accelerator instead of the brake.

The garage door is slightly bent but the pickup fortunately came to a halt when it bumped into your car.

I am really sorry, but I know with your kind-hearted personality you will forgive me.

You know how much I love you and care for you my sweetheart.

I am enclosing a picture for you.

I cannot wait to hold you in my arms again.

Your loving wife.
XXX
P.S. Your girlfriend called.

African Sunset

2011-09-08T14:09:00.000-06:00

It's been seven months since I've felt the motivation to paint. Today I decided that taking up a brush and applying paint to canvas and just painting something simple would satisfy my creative side. I saw this picture and thought it was so pretty and decided to paint it.

Moving things around

2011-09-03T17:30:00.000-06:00

When we moved into this home, my hubby worked in the Oil field industry and would get MAJOR dirty and muddy!! My plan was to use the back entrance for him to come into which is also our laundry room. The hat-rack/bench we had in the condo we moved out of was so handy here to keep all hubby's work clothes and coveralls so they could go straight from the dryer into the bench. Good plan right?? Well, we discovered it was far too much work to dig a path in the snow to go to the back entrance, so it never got used. The bench became a convenient spot to hold recycling bins and cat food and litter. I never used the storage in the bench....what a wasted piece of furniture! Unfortunately I thought that it just wouldn't fit anywhere else and it was too bulky for the spots it was intended for. Today, after tossing ideas around and trying to find a new spot where it could be used, we decided that if it just didn't fit anywhere and was too crowded in the final spot it would fit in our living-room, then it had to be sold. Here is the new place for it and I think I may just like it there after all!!

Women's Anti Stress Diet

2011-09-02T14:37:00.000-06:00

This is a specially formulated diet designed to help women cope with the stress that builds up during the day.

BREAKFAST

1 grapefruit
1 slice whole-wheat toast
1 cup skim milk

LUNCH

small portion lean, steamed chicken with a cup of spinach
1 cup herbal tea
1 Hershey kiss

AFTERNOON TEA

the rest of the kisses in the bag
1 tub of Hagen Daas ice cream with choc-chip topping

DINNER

4 bottles of pop
2 loaves garlic bread
1 family size supreme pizza
3 snickers bars

LATE NIGHT SNACK

whole frozen Sarah Lee cheesecake (eaten directly from the freezer)

REMEMBER:

STRESSED SPELLED BACKWARDS IS "DESSERTS"

Send this to all the women you know or ever knew, and you will immediately lose 10 pounds. ;)

*Thanks to Pastor Tim for this joke!*
cybersalt.org

In the Good Ole Summertime...

2011-09-01T15:47:00.000-06:00

I don't know about you but there is just something about watching old TV shows that kinda puts life back into perspective as well as fills me with nostalgia. Some of them bring back memories of my own childhood gone by and stories handed down from my grandparents. It can be the clothes, or homes, or lifestyles, hair-dos, music, vehicles, furniture, jukeboxes, record players, etc.
One TV show I like to watch regularly is "The Waltons". I had to laugh over a customer at Ike's General Store and Gas Station complaining about fuel now being .8 cents per gallon, which would be .32 cents per litre.

Ha.....look what the price per litre is today!! Grandpa Walton would turn over in his grave.....and John Boy would certainly have something to write about :P

Strange, cloudy, stormy, wet Weather we have....

2011-08-30T11:14:00.000-06:00

Thank goodness we never have extreme weather like Irene come to our part of the country, however we have so much unsettled weather this summer as well. Yesterday afternoon a wicked thunder storm rolled in, carrying with it hail that pounded down on our roof and lingered far into the night.....making it very chilly out there.

For the first time this summer I had to run the car for a bit to clear the fogged up windows, last night before I could pull out of my girlfriend's driveway.
Strange, cloudy, wet weather!!

Let's Do Lunch

2011-08-22T20:03:00.000-06:00

The Ladies Bible Study group I am a part of takes June, July and August off for the summer but we all agree it feels SO long to go without seeing each other. All of us are so busy during this season so having a pot-luck lunch and social time each month makes the time between seeing each other a little shorter. The best way to get to know someone is to spend time together and ask each other questions. We want to continue to develop and strengthen our connection with each other. Building trust and rapport happens gradually and over time. What better way to develop our friendships, than over food?? And what more fun than tasting each other's cooking and swapping recipes??
This month lunch was at my home. Makes for a good excuse to give the house a good clean too :P

Happy 34th Birthday Kevin!!

2011-08-21T17:55:00.000-06:00

Last night was Kevin's Birthday Party, but today is Kevin's Birthday! Friends of Kevin & Jodie's own a Shop for their huge Wire-Line trucks, and decided to convert one truck bay into a bar, which is so totally cool. Another friend, Jeff, bakes these amazing cakes from scratch and he baked Kevin's Birthday cake. It was divine!!

Such a Handsome man :) It was great hanging out with everyone. Some played pool or fuze ball and outside there was a huge fire to hang out at.

I think everyone has a favorite meal our Mom cooks for us so our gift for Kevin was a Coupon for a Dinner and Birthday cake that I'll cook and bake for him and his family.

The sky, the sun!

2011-08-18T17:17:00.000-06:00

The sky is the bluest-blue and the sunshine is sun shiniest-sunshine!!
We had the down-pour-est of rain yesterday in between thunder storms, so today smells fresh. Along with that the smell of freshly mowed grass wafted in on the breeze blowing into my home.
Enjoy something about today :)

Good Will Gone Bad!!

2011-08-17T12:29:00.000-06:00

With all the Natural disasters that our world has experienced this year, we are familiar for the call to dig deep into our pockets and hearts to send Relief to those left devastated emotionally and financially in the aftermath. As a Canadian, I am proud when we can rally together and give SO generously, especially to our fellow Canadians!! I don't know about any of you, but this is CLEARLY a sickening story that makes me ashamed of our Canadian Government!! To think of all the money sent out of this country to help Relief Organizations and then to treat fellow Canadians in this manner is truly appalling!!
In this excerpt of the article run in the Canadian Press Melissa Gunning tells part of her story:

CALGARY - A heartbroken Calgary business woman admitted Wednesday that it was clothing, bedding and toys she had gathered for wildfire victims that ended up in a city landfill.

Melissa Gunning said her eco-friendly baby container business, Wean Green, started collecting items after a friend lost her home in May to the raging wildfire that destroyed a good portion of Slave Lake, Alta.

She said the public's response was overwhelming. She sent two semi-trailer loads of donated goods to Slave Lake, but when the community indicated it didn't need anymore items, she was stuck with two large storage lockers full of donations.

"It was Paul Nielsen, owner of DumpRunner Waste Systems, who spotted the donations, clearly marked for Slave Lake, in the landfill. There appeared to be a truckload worth of boxes — video games, children's clothing still on the store hangers, a crib, coats and new blankets.

"This just shook me to the core because it wasn't Uncle Bob's golf pants from the 1970's. These were random acts of kindness all packaged up and it was just thrown in the landfill. Something went horribly wrong with this distribution," Nielsen said."

So what can we do about this?? Well, I really don't have the answer to that except to make this story known. I am hoping that by this story getting to the public that it creates enough of a buzz for the public to have the opportunity to react and come up with proactive ideas so this will not happen again.

Shiloh

2011-08-16T17:23:00.000-06:00

This afternoon my little Great-Niece brought over her Mommy and Aunty Samantha for tea. What a sweetheart she is and is a bundle of curiosity and motion. We had a nice visit and I realize that we just don`t do that often enough!

2011-08-16T13:59:00.000-06:00

I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.

Audrey Hepburn

I think Audrey was on to something when she said this! I have to say, this is a characteristic my hubby holds and which drew me to him in the first place. I tend to be far too sober, but over the years I've learned to loosen up and laugh more.
I read a great article on melody-mae's blog:
"so i am telling you that smiling
not only makes you feel better
but, also you live longer!
that is quite the incentive to smile
don't you think?"

sing......smile

2011-08-13T18:15:00.000-06:00

Thanks to melody-mae and her inspiring Blog I realize that although I'm weighed down with sadness, that doesn't mean I don't have a song to sing...or a smile to give.

Happy Birthday David!!

2011-08-13T11:46:00.000-06:00

Today David would turn 30!! Graduated to a new decade :) I remember that day so very clearly...a sweet baby boy who was our Miracle. You see, David wasn't supposed to make it, but he did and was the third son born into our family. He was a precocious, adorable, dramatic boy, who made us laugh and look at the brighter side of life.
David lived to his 25th Birthday. If there was anyone who loved to celebrate his Birthday it was David. He took the day off of school or work so he could enjoy a FULL day. Now I know he celebrates every single day :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!!!

Back-to-School inspiration!

2011-08-10T17:54:00.000-06:00

I just came across this Blog that has some very cool posts, but this post caught my artistic eye:
In honor of the back-to-school season, we found some artistic creations by some amazingly creative and talented people. These incredible artists have left us scratching our heads; how did they pull that off?

I can't help but admire those can make such a simple object into such genius art!!

I Believe....

2011-08-10T13:18:00.000-06:00

I came across this quote of Audrey Hepburns and cannot resist sharing it with you :)

Poached

2011-08-09T16:19:00.000-06:00

I really love poached or basted eggs!! I never did get an egg poacher with my cookware set. Last week I went on a shopping mission to find one, but in this town with limited kitchen supply stores, I turned up with zero results. I did however find this cute little set in Walmart...a mini section with mini StarFrit pans. They look like they are made for a child's play kitchen, but, hey...it works perfectly, so who am I to argue :)

Cooking for one has never been so easy with the mini cookware collection by Starfrit !
For frying an egg or warming gravy, cooking individual portions is a breeze. Our mini cookware heats up faster and gives you the benefit of even cooking. Each piece is made of aluminum with an easy to clean non-stick surface. The riveted silicone handle stays cool and is comfortable on hand.

Surfs Up

2011-08-09T15:35:00.000-06:00

Watching the movie "Soul Surfer" has reaffirmed what is important in life. Tragic things happen to so many people and always the question, "Why me?" comes up. Personally I have not found the answer to that question, but I know that I can always depend on what God tells me :"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."
Jeremiah 29:11

Sunshine

2011-08-08T17:40:00.000-06:00

Summer has finally arrived here in Fort St. John, BC. It's a warm 24c and we've spent as much time outdoors as we can. Yesterday I spent washing the car and vacuuming and cleaning the interior while Hubby mowed the lawn and trimmed. Today we pulled everything out of the shed, sorted through bins and landed up either throwing stuff away, taking it to the Salvation Army thrift store or repacking it back into the shed. Needless to say, the shed is far emptier!!
Afterwards we hopped in the car to drop off the stuff for the Salvation Army, took some stuff to the recycling depot and then picked up a well-deserved smoothy.
I love profitable days like this and I am even more thrilled to enjoy a sunny day.

A Fun Giveaway...

2011-08-02T17:02:00.000-06:00

....is taking place at Lavender Dreams Diane, along with Ramsign, are going to give one of Diane's lucky readers a house number sign with FREE shipping to anywhere in the world! Everyone can enter! Take advantage of this special giveaway!! Go have a peek at these lovely Porcelain Ceramic signs here :)

And This Was July...

2011-08-02T01:05:00.001-06:00

Family, New Baby Kiera,Raspberries, Lots of Rain, Rose Blossoms!!

B.C. Day

2011-08-01T13:08:00.000-06:00

British Columbia Day is celebrated on the first Monday of August and is a day off for many people. Here are just a few interesting facts about our Province I found here
These are some Symbols of our Province:

The Stellar Jay

Western Red Cedar

Pacific Dogwood Blossom

Jade Mineral

The most important Symbol of BC is the Union Flag! The top part of the flag consists of a union flag with a crown in the center. These represent the colonial links with the country and monarch of the United Kingdom. The lower part of the flag consists of a setting sun on a background of blue and white waves.
As we celebrate B.C. Day, remember to celebrate what this Province means to us!

August Long Weekend

2011-07-30T16:54:00.001-06:00

In order for our Province to have a long weekend in each summer months, our August long weekend falls on the first Monday of the month, called BC Day. It`s hard to believe that July is just about over and we`ll move into a new month. We have had so much rain and chilly weather that I for one don`t feel like it`s even summer yet. Temps here haven`t gone above 23c, nor have even hit much over 18c lately!! It`s rather sad! I guess we can still hope for a hot month of August. I`d be happy with just a few weeks of 25c-30c....not asking for much.

In the meantime, one thing that is growing in abundance this year are the raspberries. Each juicy berry is a little taste of nature`s goodness :)

Taking a trip without ever leaving home

2011-07-22T19:01:00.000-06:00

One thing I love about meeting new Blogger friends and following those who pique my interest is that I get to visit other places I never would have otherwise had the opportunity to visit. I get to tour through peoples homes and summer cottages. I get to feel the pride taken in many hours of searching for just that perfect piece of furniture or eclectic dish to complete or add to a collection or maybe see the perfection of a refurbished antique. I get to see how colors come together or how lovingly a quilt has been pieced into an heirloom. Creativity is born from seeing how others brings things together and inspire us.

Thank-you to all my Blogger friends for making me feel your passion :)

What to do....

2011-07-21T16:14:00.000-06:00

.....when the weather is cool and rainy. This summer has so far been very rainy and cool, so sinking into a world between the covers of a book is a great way to spend the days. I went to the library yesterday with a list of recommended books I found at Misadventures of the Dynamic Duo who is part of First Wild Card Tour that posts book reviews of Christian books. I wrote down several that I thought look interesting. This also is an opportunity to broaden my reading to other Authors I am not familiar with.
So, currently I am reading:

Here is a little excerpt to whet your appetite:
"Something sinister is happening in Radcliff, Colorado---and police chief Jonah Westfall must stop the twisted behavior. His investigation forces him to involve childhood friend Tia Monroe, new veterinarian Liz Rainer, and the local baker. Haunted by his past, can Jonah ignore his personal demons to protect the town---and the people he cares about?"
320 pages, softcover from Waterbrook.

Flash Flood

2011-07-16T00:00:00.001-06:00

I was out driving this aft and my poor little car was as overwhelmed by this flooding as the one in this photo.

Our local News Source had this to say about our freaky weather this aft:

"Rain: Open Thursday-Sunday 4am through whenever Mother Nature wants to quit and, unfortunately, this weekend she has no plans to quit pouring rain over parts of the Peace Region.

More of this unseasonably wet weather is expected tonight throughout the Peace with an additional 5-10mm for Saturday. On Sunday, showers are expected but no heavy rainfall IS forecasted...Fingers crossed.

The heavy rain wasn't forecasted and hit just before 5 pm this evening flooding parking lots, vehicles and stranding people on streets as some rush to their cars."

Can all this be blamed on Global Warming??

Maybe it's Still Summer!

2011-07-14T18:15:00.000-06:00

After the second bout of rainy, windy, chilly weather here in Northern BC, here is proof that it may still be summer and we may still get some sunshine and heat. PLEASE???

This pot of marigolds survived being "drowned" earlier in rain. Such a lovely splash of yellow beauty!

And the baby rose shrub I planted just this spring has proven she is a hardy soul and produced new blooms.

A Perfect Day For.....

2011-07-10T21:59:00.000-06:00

The torrential rain did stop sometime in the wee hours of the morning and the sky actually brightened. Then we watched dark clouds roll in once again and it poured!! There is supposed to be one more day of this rain and then sunshine...yay!!
This aft, after reading for most of it we decided to watch the Movie, Knight & Day. It's a delightful spoof and we laughed. Well done!

How High is the Water, Momma?

2011-07-09T19:59:00.000-06:00

I mentioned here about the weather prediction for Heavy Rainfall. Well, the rain has come and has already dropped a recorded 3 inches...and it hasn't stopped yet. It's looking like North Peace isn't getting the beating that South Peace is:

Tuby RV Park

Golf Course

This is what my brother had to drive through with his big tanker truck,making work soggy and miserable :

I'll end this with this Johnny Cash song:

Evening

2011-07-07T19:45:00.000-06:00

The summer night is like a perfection of thought.

Heavy Rainfall.....again

2011-07-06T18:15:00.000-06:00

Today has been a wonderful, sunny day. Since my husband is on "Staycation" he has enjoyed puttering around. Today he has been doing yard work and so I've been serving lunch and coffee breaks outdoors and sitting out there enjoying summer weather. I'm glad we have because here comes the rain again. Environment Canada calls for "The Peace Region could receive another 50 to 80 mm of rain this week.

Environment Canada has issued a statement that heavy rain is expected over northeast B.C. Beginning late Thursday night and continuing through Saturday morning. The forecast calls for 50 to 80 mm of rain.

The majority of the rain is expected to fall over central and southern parts of the Peace region. So far the models have been a bit inconsistent with rainfall amounts and exact locations. However, the pattern indicates a high probability for heavy rainfall over the Peace region starting late Thursday night and continuing through Saturday morning."
Not a thrilling prospect and this on the heels of the last heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding and mudslides. Highway crews are still repairing part of the highway in The Pine Pass that was swept away.

A Royal Visit

2011-07-02T11:43:00.000-06:00

Prince William and Kate spent Canada Day in Ottawa, first attending a citizenship ceremony before heading to the huge party on Parliament Hill. Now, as wowed as we Canadians are when Royalty comes to visit, I cannot help but notice how appropriate Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is by wearing a red hat with Maple Leafs, that symbolizes our Canada.

O Canada - The Maple Leaf Forever

2011-07-01T18:12:00.003-06:00

Let me tell you a little story about this grand Country called Canada, on her 144th Birthday :)

Canada Day, formerly Dominion Day, is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act (today called the Constitution Act, 1867), which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire. Originally called Dominion Day, the name was changed in 1982, the year that Canada gained full independence from the United Kingdom.
On Canada Day, July 1, 1980, 'O Canada!' was proclaimed the National Anthem of Canada, 100 years after it's debut performance in 1880.

Jul 1, 1867 - Seeing Canada become a country on July 1st, 1867, Muir was inspired to write a song about this new dominion that he was a part of. After reflecting on the new Dominion's national symbol – the humble maple leaf.

Interesting Canadian Facts:

Canada was named from the Huron and Iroquois word kanata, which means village.
Canada has approximately three million lakes across the country. More than 30,000 of those lakes are larger than three square kilometers!
Princess Juliana of the Netherlands gave Ottawa 100,000 tulip bulbs as a thank-you gift in 1945 for keeping the Dutch Royal Family safe during World War II. The Netherlands was occupied by the Nazis until Canadian soldiers liberated the country in 1944-45.
The Bank of Canada issued the last $1 bill in 1989. It was replaced by the one-dollar coin, known as the loonie, which came out in 1987.
The world's only flying saucer launching pad is in St. Paul, Alberta. It was built in 1967.
The largest mall in the world is West Edmonton Mall in Alberta. It has over 800 stores and restaurants, an amusement park, the world's largest indoor lake with four working submarines, 26 movie theaters and a hockey-sized ice rink.
More than 75% of the world's maple syrup comes from Canada.

Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me This Sooner

2011-06-28T20:49:00.000-06:00

It's the shampoo I use in the shower.
When I wash my hair, the shampoo runs down my whole body.
Printed very clearly on the shampoo label it reads, "FOR EXTRA VOLUME AND BODY."

I have gotten rid of the shampoo and I am going to start using Dawn dish detergent in the shower.
Its label reads, "DISSOLVES FAT THAT IS OTHERWISE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE."

Problem solved!

It sure pays to read the label!

Mopping Up

2011-06-27T15:16:00.000-06:00

We have just come thru an extremely wet time for North-East BC. We have broken records held since 1938, but personally I can think of far noble records to break....but this is not about our accomplishments but rather of something totally out of our control!!
Our local news tells us all about it:
"According to Environment Canada numbers, two records that stood for more than 70 years were broken in the rainstorm at the end of last week.

The three day totals ending on Saturday show Fort St. John received 114.9 millimeters, including daily record totals of 37.1 on Friday, and 57 on Saturday.

The Friday total, pushed the monthly total, to 118.4 millimeters, breaking the previous 1936 June record of 110.5...and it was more than 12 times the June total in the 2010 drought year.

Meantime, the month-to-date total is now unofficially up to 176.4 millimeters, smashing the all-time one month record of 145.5 established in July of 1939.

Despite all that, latest reports indicate Chetwynd and Hudson's Hope were the hardest hit communities recording three day totals of 128.5 and 126.2 millimeters respectively."

2011-06-24T12:44:00.000-06:00

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FOR WOMEN

You've no doubt heard about people who have been abducted and had
their kidneys removed by black-market organ thieves..

My thighs were stolen from me during the night a few years
ago.. I went to sleep and woke up with someone else's thighs.
It was just that quick. The replacements had the texture of
cooked oatmeal. Whose thighs were these and what happened to
Mine? I spent the entire summer looking for my thighs.
Finally, hurt and angry, I resigned myself to living out my
life in jeans. And then the thieves struck again.

My arse was next. I knew it was the same gang, because they
took pains to match my new rear-end to the thighs they had
stuck me with earlier. But my new arse was attached at least
three inches lower than my original! I realized I'd have to
give up my jeans in favor of long skirts.

Two years ago I realized my arms had been switched. One
morning I was fixing my hair and was horrified to see the
flesh of my upper arm swing to and fro with the motion of
the hairbrush. This was really getting scary - my body was
being replaced one section at a time. What could they do to
Me next?

When my poor neck suddenly disappeared and was replaced with
a turkey neck, I decided to tell my story. Women of the
world wake up and smell the coffee! Those 'plastic' surgeons
are using REAL replacement body parts - stolen from you and
Me! The next time someone you know has something 'lifted',
Look again - was it lifted from you?

THIS IS NOT A HOAX. This is happening to women everywhere
Every night.

WARN YOUR FRIENDS!

P. S. Last year I thought someone had stolen my Boobs. I was
lying in bed and they were gone! But when I jumped out of
bed, I was relieved to see that they had just been hiding in
my armpits as I slept. Now I keep them hidden in my
waistband.

I thought this was too 'important' not to pass on. Have a
wonderful day - with a joy filled heart. Always remember to
Laugh!! Helps the heart AND the wrinkles!!

P.P.S. Those same thieves just came into my closet and shrank my clothes!
How do they do that????

My 10 Favorite (Summer) Things

2011-06-21T18:26:00.000-06:00

Yes, it's Summer already!! Time goes by so very fast and I know I say that every year!! I love this time of year because everything is still so fresh and green and there is the excitement of Graduation and the joy of the end of school. Mother's Day and Father's Day are past and we can now officially launch into the laid back life of the Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer :)
So, here is my list of Favorite (Summer) Things:
~ flip flops
~ BBQs
~ the smell of fresh cut grass and flower blooms
~ ice cream in waffle cones
~ leisure walks
~ the smell of a campfire
~ Popsicles
~ swimming in the fresh coolness of a lake
~ gentle breeze making my sheers billow
~ sitting outdoors sipping my morning coffee

Hockey, Stanley and Tim....

2011-06-05T17:53:00.000-06:00

Who started this mad competition for hockey teams to play off for?? Lord Fredrick Stanley, Sixth Governor General of Canada.

And we here in Canada, and even more so in BC are enthralled with watching the puck get whacked back and forth across the ice and then go crazy when it makes it's way into the Bruin's goal. Most Canadians are cheering for our Canucks Team to win the Stanley Cup Final and keep the trophy cup in our beloved country.

One of our true Canadian businesses is helping us celebrate our National favorite pass time....Tim Hortons.

Since Tim Horton was himself a player of our distinguished sport, it only make sense that the coffee shops that are his name sake, create donuts to honor the accomplishment of the Canuck team in the final play-offs. So, let me present:

The Luongo John

The Canuck-a-dip
Go out and have a donut and show your support :)

June is......

2011-06-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

....Heart and Stroke Awareness Month!!

Make sure you recognize the signs and call 911 immediately if you see any of these signs!!
The five signs of stroke are:
• Sudden weakness or numbness.
• Sudden trouble speaking.
• Sudden vision problems.
• Sudden severe and unusual headache.
• Sudden dizziness or loss of balance.

We Are Beautiful

2011-06-01T17:41:00.000-06:00

I stole this from my Sister because I believe this is SO true fro all us gals.She found this article in her journey.

We are beautiful women who have no idea we are beautiful. We stand in front of the mirror and tear ourselves apart, going over every seeming imperfection, every flaw, every bit of evidence that we are not as we were once so long ago.

This is insanity.

In five years, we will salivate for this skin. In ten years, we will have nothing but respect for this ass. In twenty, we won't care about any of it--scanning our pictures instead for signs in our eyes that we were present and willing to be honest and real and incredibly brave, no matter what the state of our abs.

We are aging, every one of us, everyday, all the time. This body will not stay. It will morph and change. It will get weaker, and yes, it will die. And until that moment, this body will house the very essence of us. This body will play host to all our hopes and fears, our most true and alive moments. This body will hold every second of our existence on this planet, and it will remember down to the cells everything that made us laugh and cry.

Today, get out your big camera, your phone or your point and shoot and honor your body. Your perfection (or lack thereof) is not the point. What matters is that you turn your gaze on what is holding you together right now. What matters is that you love and cherish the essence of who you are before it's too late.

June

2011-06-01T17:22:00.000-06:00

It's a new month...again!! I keep saying how fast time flies by and it's true!! We finally finished our staining project. We are so pleased with how the porches look now. Walking up to our front door, you are greeted with new flower bed and freshly leveled and stained porch and the freshly painted windmill, which celebrates our Dutch heritage.

To celebrate the month of June, I decided to buy this pretty nail polish called Gentle Blossom. There's nothing quite as complimentary to flip-flops as happy toes :)

My Favorite (Summer) Things

2011-05-26T14:48:00.001-06:00

Once upon a time, when I was a girl of 1o years-old, I spent the summer reading book after book of the Bobbsey Twins and when I ran across this pic, memories came flooding back of a girlhood summer filled with days of contented reading.

On a hot summer day or evening, nothing hits the spot like an icecream cone. I can think of no other treat to cool off with.

My feet certainly love summer weather. My nicely polished toes love the freedom of flip-flops and I live in them all summer long!

Do you have favorite things exclusive to summer??? What are they???

May Long Weekend

2011-05-22T16:58:00.001-06:00

Here we are in the long weekend of May and moving toward the end of the month already. It's now the fresh green of new leaves and the earth around my place has been totally transformed into a glorious living garden. It's pure pleasure to go walking or for a drive and see how the North has been transformed from a frigid white to a vibrant green and to see people out in their yards, planting and enjoying the sunshine. We have done the yard clean-up, mowed the grass for the first time this season and have plans to add shrubs and a larger flower bed. I a painted fresh coat on the windmill and our two porches will get a fresh coat of stain as soon as we hit another sunny weekend. I even cleaned the inside of the car out and vacuumed all the grit and dirt from the carpets and washed the mud from the mats.

Spring seems to infuse us with energy.....and that feels good!!

Warmth

2011-05-15T17:44:00.000-06:00

The warmth of the sunshine is felt so much this weekend. The digital thermometer reads around 22c. I even feel more warmth in my home, making breezes drifting in through open windows welcome. I also set up the fans to add more air flow throughout the house. The air smells fresh with hints of new plants and grass. This weekend marked the start to camping for most folks in this area since our outdoor starved souls are thirsty for every moment of sunshine and beautiful weather.

May

2011-05-11T16:42:00.000-06:00

May!! We celebrate a new month....one of seeing a fresh new life poking thru the earth, budding on trees and shrubs and watching temperatures melt the last of the piles of snow. I relish going outdoors without having to wear a jacket.

Also Mother's Day comes along and I felt the sheer joy of being a Mother to three amazing men. And then feeling the crushing sorrow of missing Mom this first Mother's Day without her.

May!! The smell of BBQ. The smell of the smoke from a campfire. The smell of a spring shower.

May!! "'Tis like the birthday of the world,

When earth was born in bloom;

The light is made of many dyes,

The air is all perfume:

There's crimson buds, and white and blue,

The very rainbow showers

Have turned to blossoms where they fell,

And sown the earth with flowers."

- Thomas Hood

Rain!

2011-04-28T17:23:00.000-06:00

It's raining for the first time this year. It's not raining hard, just steady. A rain that will help melt the rest of this snow and although the ground is still soft and soggy, eventually this is going to lead to green grass....wahoo!! I think it's finally safe to say that Spring.Has.Arrived!! It's almost strange not to have the sun shining. I was thinking only yesterday that I couldn't imagine anything other than sunshiny days, because we get sunshine SO many days of the year!

Happy Birthday, Husband :)

2011-04-13T10:28:00.000-06:00

So, remember that post I wrote the other day...55, 35, 55?? Well, this is the celebration of that first 55....

It's my Hubby's Birthday and we celebrated with having my oldest son and his family over for dinner and cake :)

We wished our other son, who lives too far away, could have joined us, but it was a nice way to mark a special day :)

Can We be Proud of this Record-Breaker???

2011-04-12T13:14:00.000-06:00

Here in North-Eastern BC Spring was pretty much a given. Temperatures were far milder, snow was melting, huge puddles could be found all over the place, mud was caked like scaly skin on trucks, Oil patch workers were rejoicing with much-needed time off. AND THEN....
45 year old FSJ snowfall record shattered

By:
Dwight Ford

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A 45 year old snowfall record fell yesterday in Fort St. John as the local airport recorded 11.2 centimeters of snow.
According to Environment Canada that was nearly four times the previous April 11th record amount of 3 centimeters set in 1966.
The local area precipitation record for the date was also surpassed with 11.2 millimeters recorded at the airport, nearly double the previous mark of 6.2 set in 2005.
However, neither of yesterday's totals came close to the one day April records for the area.
They are 28.2 centimeters of snow, set on the 14th of the month in 2002 and 28.9 millimeters of precipitation, set on the 22nd in 1994.
Yesterday's snowfall total did however, surpass the monthly average of 10.6 centimeters and the precipitation total is nearly 60 percent of the April norm less than half way through the month.
The local area precipitation average for the first four months of the year is 88 millimeters, and with 19 days left in April we've already recorded 132.

Need I say More??

55, 35, 55....

2011-04-07T15:42:00.000-06:00

Are those numbers to some secret combination lock or a code?? No, what the numbers stand for are Hubby's Birthday age, our Anniversary and my Birthday age....all happening in 2011. Next week Hubby has his Birthday.

By the time we hit 50, neither of us felt like it was a big secret to be kept but rather something to be celebrated, so in the spirit of that we will celebrate next week :) That goes for our Anniversary as well....we are happily married and we figure that by reaching 35 years of it, it's an accomplishment to be proud of and embrace since it seems to be such a rare feat these days.

My Birthday comes along a week after our Anniversary,

so we usually combine the two to celebrate. That'll come along this Fall :) We have some special moments to look forward to!

Wade through the Water....

2011-03-29T11:12:00.000-06:00

It's almost April and here in Northern BC we're seeing signs of Spring....finally!! One sure sign is the endless mud and dirt everywhere! The road bans go up and even paved streets are covered with the grit of sand spread over icy, snowy streets of winter.

Of course, we have great "car washes" to drive through to help rid our vehicles of the worst of the caked on mud...not bad. The best puddles are the ones in the Mall and Walmart parking lots...my Hubby used to drive back and forth through those "lakes" before heading for the car wash to use the power wand to get the really tough mud off. One huge problem though, which I discovered yesterday.....where to park so you don't have to wade through the "lake" to get to the store???!!!

Who Can Resist?

2011-03-26T14:24:00.000-06:00

Unconditional love?? Well, I'm sure Mitzi our cat loves me, but I'll just say this right up front.....she sure can pout and give a cold shoulder when she feels like you haven't made her a priority....but I forgive her because she brings such laughter, love and companionship to our home. It took almost a year after rescuing her, for her to really settle in and show us love in return. Now she'll hop onto our lap when it's her own idea to cuddle, but my does she want to be the center of attention when it suits her and she feels neglected. Just coming home after being away for an afternoon can bring out her vocal side and she'll meow and meow until you give her some loving and then she's content to just snoop through bags brought in or boots taken off to see if maybe you brought home a treat. Oh the simple pleasure a furry cat can bring to our life :)

This is the 1st day of Spring...right??

2011-03-21T16:37:00.000-06:00

Well, the calendar says it's Spring, but up here in North-Eastern BC it is far from that!! We got a fair amount of fresh snow fall yesterday and through-out the night and it is still lightly falling. I hear that in other parts of BC tender green grass is poking through the winter barren ground and the first flowers of Spring are growing their way up to display their glorious blooms. Our school kids have started their Spring Break but as usual,unless they can fly away to warmer destinations, they'll have to entertain themselves with skiing, skating, sledding or just plan indoor things.

Spring Colours

2011-03-18T14:07:00.000-06:00

Just a little fore taste of Spring, which is supposed to arrive next week. Here are some lovely colours to cheer up our day :) Hope these make you smile.

All Decorated for Spring

Lacquerized

Hand Bags

Sole Shebang

Niagara Falls!

2011-03-17T16:26:00.000-06:00

My poor feet have just been in such bad shape all winter long.....thank goodness I can hide them away in socks. My left leg and foot have once again suffered this winter with Cellulitis (infection) in the lower leg and dry, deeply cracked heels on that foot. SO, I file and scrub my feet regularly. I love to polish my tootsies just to give them a bit of dignity. I brought home a smaller toiletry bag of nail polishes from Mom and landed up throwing them all out except for this OPI polish, the colour Niagara Falls. How fitting that Mom choose this colour.....I LOVE it!!

Thanks Mom for my pretty toes :)

An Unexpected Twist.....

2011-03-13T16:13:00.001-06:00

On January 1st, I mentioned that I'm hoping for a better 2011 than 2010 was. Little did I know that this would become another year of deep sorrow. On February 13th, the morning after the one year Anniversary of Dad's death, Mom would have another major stroke, putting her into an unresponsive state and then on the 15th she'd slip into Heaven to join Dad. I feel so lost without her here! In the past year Mom & I had grown so close, with my role expanding to personal care giver. Mom did move from the hospital into the Care Home, however as she got stronger and re-bounded from the stroke of Dec. 2009, I accompanied her traveling, as well as helped Mom with shopping, learning to use her computer, etc.
Once again us 9 kids gathered and honored Mom at a Memorial Service. Now we all need to try to get on with our lives without any parents, which is making us feel rather like Orphans now. Another year filled with "firsts".

Christmas to New Years....

2011-01-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

The holiday season that's anticipated for months ahead is fast drawing to a close. Well??? Was it all we had hoped for??? Did thoughts go back over the year that's past and reflect on changes for a new one? Any new resolutions made with the former year in mind???
I'm hoping for a better 2011 than 2010 was. Why? Not necessarily because there were deep sad days, difficult things to muddle through, times I don't ever want to repeat, but because I hope all those things mixed with a good dose of laughter, family, friends and good times have made a better ME. I want to believe that all those things worked together to create "better, change and good"
"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them." ~Rom 8:28 NLT

Lord, let me stand in the thick of the fight,

Let me bear what I must without whining;

Grant me the wisdom to do what is right,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Let me be true as the steel of a blade,

Make me bigger than skillful or clever;

Teach me to cling to my best, unafraid,

And harken to false gospels, never.

Let me be brave when the burden is great,

Faithful when wounded by sorrow;

Teach me, when troubled, with patience to wait

The better and brighter to-morrow.

Spare me from hatred and envy and shame,

Open my eyes to life's beauty;

Let not the glitter of fortune or fame

Blind me to what is my duty.

Let me be true to myself to the end,

Let me stand to my task without whining;

Let me be right as a man, as a friend,

Though a thousand false beacons are shining.

Edgar Guest

NLT

2010-12-09T10:16:00.000-07:00

I am an avid reader. One important book to me is the Bible and I have discovered that the New Living Translation is a translation I can read with greater ease. I have entered a contest to win a "One Year Bible" and not only would I win one but I'd win another one to give away.

As the end of the year approaches, many people begin to make a plan for new things to tackle once January 1st hits. Diet plans are made, book club lists are tuned, and the idea of filing your taxes begins to slowly creep into your thoughts. What about your Bible reading? Wouldn’t it be nice to have a Bible that laid out an easy plan to read the entire Bible in just a year? Oh wait, that already exists, it’s called The One Year Bible.

Go here to enter for yourself :)

'Tis the season...

2010-12-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

..to shiver and shake and freeze our buns off! Snow is falling and so are the temperatures....Brrrr!! Ok, I have a pet peeve which is not to be mistaken for the gratitude I have to the guy driving that huge monstrosity called a snow-plow. Please, for the love of those of us who brave the frigid wind, will you consider NOT plowing the snow in a beautiful high ridge along the entrance of my driveway. You must realize that the height of said ridge is perfect for taking out my car muffler, or for that matter, the entire under-carriage of my small Ford Focus. I am forced to park in the Cul-de-Sac, trudge back and shovel that packed, heavy snow away before I can park in my own freakin' driveway. Humpf!!!

December

2010-12-01T15:21:00.000-07:00

Already??!! Well, the calendar doesn't lie! The countdown to Christmas is in earnest now. It seems that once Christmas Eve arrives, in the blink of an eye it's January because we all know that time spent celebrating Christmas just blends into celebrating New Years.
For the first time in years I'm not ready for Christmas and since that's the case I figure I may just as well wait until the pre-Boxing Day sales begin :)

"Christmas is a time of little time.

How we get there is a mystery.

Racing madly mall-to-mall, we climb

Into fields of sunlit harmony.

Shopping, cooking, clearing walks and yards,

Trimming house and tree while working, too;

Making phone calls, wrapping, writing cards,

As all worn out we do what we must do

So that this day of joy might joy renew."

- Nicholas Gordon

"A Thousand Villages"

2010-11-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

A very pretty lazy, soft snow fell last evening and part of today, leaving just a thin new layer to cover the dirty slush-covered curb sides. I just stood by the window last night and watched the snow drift thru the orangy hew of the street light...there was just something so peaceful about it.
This morning, getting ready to drive over to over to where Hubby works, while I brushed the fluffy snow from the car, Hubby shoveled the sidewalk and driveway. We did a bit of shopping at the "A Thousand Villages" that had set up in the empty store space located next door to where Hubby works. They were there just for this weekend and Christmas shoppers flocked into the store in crowds! The unique merchandise is appealing and I love the fact that when you buy Christmas gifts there, you are supporting Third World people struggling to support their families. We are so blessed here in Canada, that even on a tight budget, most of us can celebrate Christmas with more than millions of homes in those Countries. I am reminded that Christmas is about SO much more than gifts.

My poor aching feet....

2010-11-26T22:46:00.000-07:00

Yes, they are still throbbing and burning from a day of shopping with Mom. Let me just say right up front....Mom was tuckered right out too, BUT she got pushed around in a wheel chair....just sayin' :P
We won't get into our "wonderful" Walmart with it's packed aisles soooo full you can't get from one side to the other without having to go to the far end of the store. Ok, that out there, we did have fun looking at all the glittery decorations and all the little neat gadgets that only seem to be around at this time of year. TEMPTATIONS....oh the decadent chocolates, the cookies imported from Belgium, the toffee-covered nuts...*sigh*
We managed to fill a cart and Mom's room will be SO pretty, glittery and sparkly. You'll just have to visit her and she'll happily serve tea and delicious cookies and hazelnut chocolate :) I brought over a mini-tree, complete with lights and ornaments. All I can say is that this year mom will celebrate Christmas because she won't be in a dumpy hospital room...Hallelujah!!

Another "First" to live through....

2010-11-19T17:17:00.000-07:00

Today would have been Dad & Mom's 56th Anniversary! I can't imagine losing my spouse, especially on the first Anniversary celebrated since Dad's passing, today must be brutal, for an Anniversary truly marks that union between a husband & wife.....it's THEIR special day!! I stand in awe of my Mom, who has endured so much this year and still manages to laugh, love and sing. Mom, I love and respect you deeply.

November 14, 2010 - World Diabetes Day

2010-11-13T18:15:00.000-07:00

Do you know someone with Diabetes? Most of us do.Take some time to get to know more about the disease that affects more than 9 million Canadians today.

Sunday, November 14 is World Diabetes day. At 2 pm, local time (wherever you live), do the Big Blue Test:

1. Test your blood sugar.

2. Get active for 14 minutes.

3. Test again.

4. Enter your results at BigBlueTest.org.

The Harsh Reality

Today, more than 9 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes - a condition that, if left unchecked, puts you at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This means that nearly 1 in 4 Canadians either has diabetes or prediabetes. More than 20 people are diagnosed with the disease every hour of every day.

The serious complications

Diabetes can lead to serious complications and premature death:

* 80% of Canadians with diabetes die from a heart attack or a stroke;

* 42% of new kidney dialysis patients in 2004 had diabetes.

* Diabetes is the single leading cause of blindness in Canada;

* 7 of 10 non-traumatic limb amputations are the result of diabetes complications;

* 25% of people with diabetes suffer from depression;

* The life expectancy for people with type 1 diabetes may be shortened by as much as 15 years; and

* The life expectancy for people with type 2 diabetes may be shortened by 5 to 10 years.

Remembrance Day 2010

2010-11-11T19:09:00.000-07:00

It's more than a day off. It's a day we remember those who have given their lives to protect the freedom our country often takes for granted. Having buried a grown son makes watching film clips of parents mourning a son who has served this country, break my heart. And it also fills my heart with gratitude that these young men and women go out there willingly, putting their lives on the line, losing their lives for us. Thank-you!

Grandkids, Pizza and Coffee Squares

2010-11-07T19:06:00.000-07:00

What do these three have in common? Our home :) We picked up our grandkids this morning to come over for a visit. Our Grandson is 13 and loves challenging his Grandpa to an x-Box game. Hubby practices not only for the sheer pleasure of playing the game but to get a leg up on his grandson, who is a whiz at these games.
Our Grand-daughter is 8 and is really into helping me do things. As their parents were going to come over later on for a lunch of Pizza, I thought having her help me bake up some Coffee squares would be fun. I think that the reward of slipping the pan into the oven to bake, is being able to lick the bowl, spatula and beaters clean, which is probably equal to that of a treat of candy. The icing on the cake makes for the very best treat yet.Then we hunker down by the coffee table and colour while the squares bake. It's an activity we've enjoyed doing together for years now. All in all I think it was a fun day, snuggled indoors while snow fell outside.

Last Day of October

2010-10-31T17:05:00.000-06:00

Can you believe it's the final day of October and Halloween?? Yes, the time is flying by as fast as usual and the worn out statement of, "Can you believe it?" once more rolled off my lips. No, it's not time to celebrate Christmas, but there are precious few weeks left until Christmas parties start!! According to a News clip last eve, this is the beginning of the FOOD season and most people put on approximately 10 pounds, indulging in all the decadent food, sweets and drink recipes. Even a simple splurge of Pumpkin Spice Latte, which happens to be my most yummy Fall indulgence, comes in with a whopping amount of calories.
So, what are your favorite, sinful treats?

Late Night Muse

2010-10-26T00:44:00.000-06:00

It's late....I'm tired....my back and feet hurt even as I sit here. I'm watching Hoarders and am SO grateful for my cozy-clean-organized-slightly dusty-crumbs shuffled under the the counter from baking this aft-home.
I'm feeling a bit sad cuz after doing some grocery shopping, I cooked up a large Shepherd's Pie and a slow-cooker full of Chili and baked up a Coffee-Sheet square and pumpkin/Orange squares to take over to a gal who is going thru grief and hell after hearing her Sister was killed violently. It's overwhelming, incredibly sad and angers me that someone as wonderful as this gal has to cope with the evil of a sick psycho. All I need to do is take Tylenol to help ease the pain in my body...my friend will need more than that. I can pray, give hugs, take over food. Bless her.
Tomorrow is a new day...Goodnight all :)

A "Quiet" aft

2010-10-24T16:01:00.000-06:00

Have you ever just sat and listened to an xbox 360 game being played? I am sitting here enjoying this Sunday aft and hubby is playing a game. The xbox is hooked up to the TV's sound system and so every little sound is amplified...from the twitter of birds to the clip-clop of horses hooves, the noisy market place with snatches of conversations, to the sudden clang of swords clashing in fight!! I admit, I can handle that far sooner than the constant rat-a-tat-tat of gun fire and dying groans of men gunned down. Every now and then I look up to watch Hubby play and am amazed at the detailed graphics of the game, although I have no interest in playing the game myself.
I far rather stick my nose in a book, visit with friends on Facebook, knit a baby blanket or challenge my skills at an online Scrabble game. That's more my style :)

A Month of Transition

2010-10-23T20:11:00.000-06:00

October is a good month for me. It seems to hold so many special days....our Anniversary, my Birthday, other family member's Birthdays. Yesterday my niece had her baby girl, making yet another brother a Grandpa. I mentioned to Mom today that the oldest 5 out of us 9 kids are grandparents now. For Mom it was such a special feeling to snuggle and hold yet another great-grandchild...sweet & bitter at the same time, because this was the first great-grandbaby my Dad would not hold. It made Mom sad not to share this experience with Dad...a new addition to our family. But ultimately there is joy that life goes on and we have a reason to celebrate. I think God created in us the need to celebrate the birth of a new baby, whose life is pure and innocent and just beginning, after grieving the loss of a loved one who has lived a full life.
October is also a month of transition. We have the cooling fall days, with trees showing off their glorious coloured leaves. Suddenly a day or two of wind and we walk on those leaves, pungent with earthy perfumes.The air suddenly fills with swirling flakes of snow and our world is transformed from rich colour to the stark glittering white blanket of winter, which reminds me of swirled frosting on a cake. We bravely display the orange of harvested pumpkins, knowing that the first snowfall or two will melt perhaps long enough for children to dress-up and venture from house to house unhindered by bulky coats, boots and mittens for the Treats and not the Tricks :)

Fall weather

2010-10-19T17:45:00.000-06:00

Yes, Fall is here!! The leaves have changed into gold and most have fallen to the ground and crunch beneath our feet already. Thanksgiving has come and gone and we look forward to that Spooky night that arrives on witche's brooms the final day of this month.

"O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain'd

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou may'st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe,

And all the daughters of the year shall dance!

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers.

'The narrow bud opens her beauties to

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins;

Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and

Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve,

Till clust'ring Summer breaks forth into singing,

And feather'd clouds strew flowers round her head.

'The spirits of the air live in the smells

Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.'

Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat,

Then rose, girded himself, and o'er the bleak

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load."

~William Blake

Sunshine, Lollipops, Rainbows and Everything Wonderful

2010-08-10T19:12:00.000-06:00

We're moving thru summer on a super fast ride. It feels almost like there is hardly enough time to catch my breath let alone stop to smell the roses. BUT, it's all good :) I think I'm having the best summer I've had in a long time. Yes, it may have busy times or even stressful moments (you just don't travel without some of that!)I have had many chances to laugh, relax, swim, see amazing thunder storms, watch sunsets, see the moon rise, rarely see a sun-rise cuz I can sleep in, read books, spend time with family...well, you get the picture :)
I've had the opportunity to travel to Ontario with Mom. Mom suffered her stroke in mid-December but has recovered enough to travel with me along to help her. Mom has always enjoyed traveling,however was unable to really go far the last couple years of Dad's Alzheimer. Now that dad has passed away, Mom is raring to go and is a bit frustrated that her body has let her down somewhat. We learned a lot on this first big trip and plan to make more, now that I know what conditions need to be in place before leaving home.
Summer is the best season here in Northern BC, so I wanted to be home to enjoy it. I know the hot, dry weather hasn't been the best for the farmers, but I have enjoyed all the sunshine and day after day of dry weather.

Back from a long vacation....

2010-08-03T22:32:00.000-06:00

....I certainly did not intend to be away for SO long, but somehow my days were full with all sorts of activities and although I've been home except for a three week trip to Ontario with Mom, Blogging has taken a back seat.
Now I'm back feeling refreshed :) I will share all the fun facts over the next little while. For now I just want to say a big HI to my Blogger friends :)

Raindrops on Roses....

2010-06-12T17:01:00.000-06:00

....and whiskers on kittens....well, on this overcast Saturday there has been a bit of rain to leave refreshing drops on the rose petals, and because of the cooler day my kitty has spent time sleeping on the couch beside me and I am just that wicked that I had to tease her by tickling her whiskers and see how comically she twitches and pulls away in her sleep *grins wickedly*

I hope tomorrow is nicer weather because we're going to the church BBQ after the service and then a staff BBQ in the evening. Tis the season for outdoor cooking and delectable food. Mmmmm!

As I was reading thru my Blog list, I also came across the chance to enter and win a Coach handbag. Sylvia at A Purse Full of Cheerios tells us that they decided last year that "that even the most frugal of fashionistas invest in a new handbag for summer and well, what can I say?", which inspired this giveaway.
The coach handbag brags Graphic, gleaming, and great organization in one timeless tote. Take the time to visit Sylvia's Blog and enter the giveaway.

Have a great weekend :)

Time Marches On

2010-06-08T17:09:00.000-06:00

Another weekend past and a new week ahead. It was a good weekend. On Sat. aft Hubby, Mom and I went to my brother's 50th Birthday Party. How fun!! We ate great food, had a slice of yummy Black Forest birthday Cake and laughed at all the humorous cards and a few gag gifts.
Sunday after church turned into a quiet, restful afternoon. It's a time to catch up on some Zzzz's and maybe some yard work.
Yesterday I went with Mom to the Doc and she got clearance to travel. The Doc filled in a "Travel Assistant" form to fax off to Air Canada, meaning I can now travel for virtually free as Mom's Medical Assistant. Our first trip will be to my youngest Sister's home in Ontario, on the beautiful Lake-of-the-Woods. Our plans are to spend lots of time at the beach, on the sail boat and her porch, sipping frosty drinks and maybe a glass of wine or two :)