Do not blame it on menopause.......

My world has never been perfect. I am so very aware of that. I, however, try my level best to deal with each and every situation as it arises...but lately, ......well, I know a saying that goes a little like this "God never gives you more burdens that you can bear"....at least it goes something like that. I gotta tell ya. Lately. Wowzer. I am feeling a little weak in the knees. So much is happening to family members around me and I have little if any influence on outcome.
Trying to find a place of quiet, balance and calm is integral to my well being, or at least I always thought it was....but lately I seem to be floating on some sort of ship that doesn't seem to be heading towards a port of quiet and calm. If I extracted only the surface parts of Christmas I could make it sound real nice....but the meat of the matter is ...it was a very "different" Christmas season. My kids were not with us, my Mom and Dad were discontent, and the spirit of Christmas that seems to float in the air and I breathe it in and actually feel different due to the wonderful feeling that to me is Christmas was not to be had. I feel like I kinda missed Christmas. Don't get me wrong, my brother and his wife, were great hosts. They planned lovely meals, drove us to shopping spots that I had never heard of, shared their home and hearth with us and happily so. It was just strange to be away from our own home, away from our kids, away from the traditions that we have put together to make Christmas a special and meaningful time for us. There was an anxiety hanging about, a restlessness of spirit that just would not go away. My Dad had an "episode" whilst were at my brothers....poor Dad, we were not sure if we should call 911 or not....turned out the "episode" passed and he recovered but it certainly threw my brother and I for a loop.....as we were the only two to be eye witness to it. yeash....that was Christmas morning. Did I mention that it was a strange and different Christmas......so many things happened that I know I had little if any control over.....but it was the lack of tradition that mostly had me in a flutter, I believe. Not in our own home, none of my kids around me, no church service on Christmas eve, ah....so many things. I have my feet so deeply embedded tradition and the familiar that once I am pulled out of it....I feel like a turkey that someone threw from an airplane and said ....now fly! Try as I might, I am just not made up that way. Next year. ...yep, you got it.....staying home.

I hope each of you who have wandered in to patiently read my chatter have a wonderful 2007 and you find peace, contentment and love in abundance over the next twelve months!!


Stay tuned......

it is better to give than receive......

So, I have a bit of a issue....apparently I am not very good at receiving "Thanks".
I love to give out little surprises....like unexpected things...little stuff, uh....like chocolates or an unexpected little "thanks" gift. I tend to leave then behind, without letting anyone know that I have dropped them off, my name is always under the "from" indentation....so it's not anonymous...maybe it should be. One item was a fun little mug with a top on it to keep her coffee/tea warm....the color reminded me of my friends pretty blue eyes. She came to offer her thanks, and I replied with a "your welcome" and it should have ended right there. But, .....okay...I'm not good at extending the moment. She laughed out loud, when I exclaimed "I am not so good at the thanks part of gift giving"...okay she replied....well, then .."what are you up to tonight?"...end of odd feeling moment. She understood completely were I was coming from, for some reason.
I mean it's okay to slip in a "thanks"....and I appreciate that. But, I tend to be rather self conscious of people walking by, of feeling in the spot light, do you understand of which I speak here, folks? I'm thinking anonymous just might have to be the way to go......or maybe therapy. Good grief.

I wonder if Santa has the same sort of feeling, as he comes in whilst everyone is sleeping and leaves the presents/ fills the stockings ....never having to deal with face to face thankful people.....maybe he's got something there.....hmmm.

As we will be doing a lot of meet and greet, laughing with family, sharing with friends over the next while....I am going to make my Christmas greeting to each of you today.

"May the Lord open your hearts and minds to the true meaning of Christmas a little more this year. May you find more than a moment to give thanks that a Savior was born. I pray you notice your blessings and give thanks for them, not just assume they will always be there....your family, friends, loved ones, warm home, food on your table, the fact that we can give because we have plenty bestowed upon us.
Merry Christmas.....enjoy and give thanks.
Happy New Year.....may God's love surround you, His peace flow through you and His joy be seen by other's who don't know Him but can "see" Him through YOU.

to sleep would be best, I just can't afford the rest.....

Garth Brook's words above.....well, it's basically how I feel tonight.

Tired, but so much to do...can't afford the rest. Dates have been made with friends, things need to be done and cannot be put off any longer. Good grief, does that mean that I have to get to Wal-Mart tonight....ew..I think it does. I pretty much need a "pill" before I head into that puzzle factory.....so many people, shoppers with no manners, people talking at each aisle end, stuff ready to fall over....me included. Just get over it and get on with it...right. RIGHT. okay, I will. (ew....)

Tonight, my husband left a message on our machine....he will be bringing home dinner.
Omigosh, how I love that man. He is in the kitchen making bacon, eggs and hash browns in his pajamas....nice visual,huh? Dinner or breakfast...doesn't really matter it's food and I am not making it....are you with me on this one??

I have not found my Christmas "spirit" as yet...usually about this time, just before Christmas, I get a really wonderful, blessed, "spirit of kindness & goodness" fall over me.....I hope it comes soon.....I miss that. Maybe once I do some shopping and hand out some "surprises" it will come. I await patiently.

Did I mention that I have an addiction. Well, not a true addiction, but a craving that comes over me regularly. Since the Spring of this year I have been freezing fresh orange juice into popsicles...usually under the statement "They are for Molly!"...ha, that's a joke.....I eat 'em up....gobble would be a better word. I do share if I know Ms. Molly will be here, but I go through them like wildfire. I love 'em...it's my way of getting vitamin C....yeah, like you believe that one. I like the flavor, I like the texture and I love the taste. I haven't had any orange juice in the house all weekend, all I can think about it getting to Wal-Mart and getting me some. ....Yep, that is first on the list of thing to purchase. How bad is that? yeash......get a life, girl!!

Hope you find some time to feel the "spirit of goodness & kindness" in your life over the next week or so....till next time,

Wow....it's been 24 hours....what kinda whirlwind was that?

So, heading for the land of nod when the phone rings and it's my son in law. To remove a lot of details that don't need to be told....our daughter, his wife took a trip to the hospital last night and they found the problem...it's one that is solved fairly easily and with some pills. Thanks be to God. But it was quite a night and she has never dealt with such horrific pain.

The snow and wind have brought about a day of rest.....much needed I believe for a lot of us. Molly is here with me today, as our daughter and her hubby need to have some rest and recuperate. Daisy the dog makes me laugh....she flat out gallops down the hallway and her little paws sound so cute....she doesn't want to miss out on anything and is very curious about each nook and corner of the house....next time she comes I won't vacuum before she gets here!! She is a lovely little puppy, when she comes in from outside she has a complete white beard....and snow all over her tiny paws....really quite adorable!

Well, Molly is sleeping and Gramma needs to just relax a little bit, two hours sleep in a night just doesn't work for these old bones.

O' the weather outside is frightful,
but the fire is so delightful,
and since we no place to go.....let it snow...let it snow..let it snow.

Molly asked if we were gonna make snow globes again....we are living in one today no need to make a fake one!!

day is done......

When I awoke this morning, I wondered if I could actually crawl out from under the warm, fuzzy, cozy blankets I was cocooned in. Today was the day of the funeral.

The morning passed in a blur, trying to remain focused on what needed to be done and not on my emotional rollercoaster I seemed to have been riding lately. The funeral was an amazing one, full of celebration of Stew's life and loves, his humor, and his commitment to family & work. It's really just hard to believe he his gone from the earth and his memory is what is left....truth be know...he made a lot of memories! Memories that his family will lean on and cherish for years to come.

Coming home we found our daughter and grand-daughter walking in our door.
Our girl's back has been horribly painful over the past week or so and she was going to get looked at by a chiropractor as well as a Doc. The chiro treatment did nothing for her and the Dr. prescribed some major pain killers, poor girl....I hope she can get some much needed rest. I have never dealt with a wicked back problem but watching her gives me a furrow between my brows....my worry for her is great. Please add her to your prayers if you would, thank you. Ms. Molly and I spent a little over two hours together, I figured we needed something "time consuming" to do...so we built a gingerbread house. Wow. ...for a two year old child she has some great dexterity going on. She really did a fantastic job of putting the smarties, gumdrops and candy on the house and not in her mouth....okay a couple went into the mouth...but she was great about not eating any more!! We are giving the gingerbread house to my mom...her great-gramma.....a "sweet" Merry Christmas.

I am totally wasted now.
so .....good night ......sweet dreams.....

one jumped over the cuckoo's nest.....

It would seem that lately I have had a large amount of (uh....for lack of a better word) TENSION in my life.
I have often over extended myself trying to "help" someone, but lately I have felt as though I have OVER extended myself and am needing to draw back in and regroup, stabilize and find a balancing act that works for me. It doesn't seem to relieve the "tension" when work situations arise and they are not work related but personality related. That a friend who was only 55 yrs. old just up and passed away quite suddenly over the weekend, causing a complete whirlwind of emotions to slide in and out of my life. My sister-in-law was best friends with the gentlemans wife, my brother was stranded in NWT (he is out as of now) causing stress to heighten and a multitude of other circumstances that are circling about. I have tried to deal with situations as they arise, but it would seem that when your in a little bit of a weakened state....the arrows, the hurdles, the valley seems to be sharper, taller and deeper than I am able to handle.
I think I was at my wits end this evening when I decided to make a grilled cheese sandwich for dinner and heated the pan...the butter "smoked" a little but the sandwich did not burn. My sweet hubby decided at that moment to kindly remind me that I had burned the hamburgers the other night in the same pan and noted that "I was really having trouble with that pan?"...
uh...oh...dear.
Too much life circumstance, too much upheaval, too much....too much...
yeah, it feels like I'm in someone's "cuckoo's nest" but, I know that as time move on situations will resolve themselves and balance will happen once again. I just need to remain pro-active instead of reactive.....yeash, so easy to say and sometimes so difficult to do....but God's hand
is comforting and His Spirit is always there.....for that I am grateful.

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.....

We shared food, friendship and laughter last evening. What an enjoyable night. Had a little wine, lots of different cheeses, a major paella, some Fantastic coffee, and the whole thing topped off with much giggling over some very silly issues and situations.
Sitting near the Christmas tree with a full tummy and sharing some great conversation with sincere and caring people who have a similar humor streak running through them.
What great fun. oh...oh..oh...can't forget the dessert ....a chocolate pate....with fresh raspberries...o...h. my that was incredible!

Today is "family" day, we are having our kids over for dinner and plan on making a few fun things, decorating some gingerbread and eating a lot of full on carbs....yep, it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas.

We had planned on putting up the artificial tree this year, but Brett decided that just was not the way it was going to work this year and while I was at work went out and got a REAL tree and set it up in the living room. I walked into the house and it 'smelled' like Christmas tree.....what a lovely welcoming smell to come into. A nice surprise indeed! So today we decorate the tree, eat more sugary things that I have eaten in two entire years....but, once in a long while.....is just going to have to be okay! Hey, that is what sweat pants were made for....these kinda days....ah...elastic waists.....such a happy thought.

Well, blessings to each and everyone.....enjoy the season with your family and friends.

gestures.....

Driving down the street the other day and I noticed a vehicle going a little faster than it should coming my way. Uh..so I slowed down a little thinking "I wonder if that guy is gonna turn, real quick"...the man beside me as I glanced over did not have the same idea...he pressed down a little harder on his gas pedal. SO. Yes, the oncoming car did a real quick turn in front of us, not really cutting us off, but closer than would be needed. The guy in the car beside me went NUTZOID, hands flying, arms flapping and one finger poppin' up ! Wow.
Later in the day, I was taking the bus down Acadia, bus driver is not speeding....but some whacko comes flying outta the Tim Horton's parking lot full tilt and it was a near miss, him hitting the bus in the side. He, the driver (Whacko), throws his hands up in the air and his lips start fluttering....oh, brother. But wait.....in the passenger side of the vehicle is a young lad of maybe eight,....isn't that JUST GREAT that he gets to witness first hand his Dad mouthing off at a huge bus that was minding it's own business!
What is wrong with these people?

This morning, I happen to be walking past our livingroom window and I heard a police siren...so I watched out the window. Sure enough a little grey vehile whips past the house, turns into the parking lot a few yards away...slip, sliding away,...as they are travelling too fast for road conditions as well. The officer pulls in behind said vehicle and
gets out to "chat" with the driver.....I don't want his job. Too many "road rage" type of people out there for my liking!
The phone rang so I never finished seeing the scene finish out with the little grey vehicle.

The other gesture that is so common, is the one were you let a vehicle "merge" into your lane and you do it happily.
The other driver generally USED to give a wave of thanks. Not so much anymore, it's THEIR right I guess that you let them in.

Oh..and this may not be a gesture....but .....people who smoke, talk on their cell phone and drive at the same time....just how exactly is that humanly possible????

a mother's gift

Dr. Ben Carson -"I not only saw and felt the difference my mother made in my life, I am still living out that difference as a man".
Dr. Carson's Mom only had a grade three education, worked as a household domestic to pay bills, raising two small boys as a single Mom. She guided those two young lads through school with a lovely but firm hand....she raised one of America's finest neurosurgeons as well as a strong light for the gospel of Christ.

I can only imagine the fights she had to put up with throughout the young lives of those two young lads. But through her faith and tenacity she walked each day knowing she was doing what was best for the future of her children. I believe most Mothers try to do that for their children.

I have been reading the story of Hannah, if you have never read it....it's an extra-ordinary story of unquestionable faith, love as well as suffering. It made me stop in my tracks, literally. So many times, when I give my kids a hug, they just think (I'm sure) that it's just Mom giving another hug, but what they don't know many times over I give thanks to the Lord as I hug them for their presence in my life. I am so thankful for "who" they each turned out to be, different as night and day those two, but I see them through a Mom's eyes and am thankful each day for the gifts they have each given me throughout this life.

Hannah gave up her first born, Samuel, after being barren for so many years then finally having a son, only to keep her promise to give him to the Lord. Which she did, she took him to the priest Eli and gave her son over to God's keeping. Wow. Hannah understood her faith in God, stood firm in it. I have learned much from the story of Hannah. The first thing I noted was to continally stand firm in what I believe to be true....don't let others influence my belief system unless it feels right and I understand it's truth.....I am answerable for ME....therefore I need to stand firm in what I believe, trust God to guide me always. There are many other noteable things, but I have already taken up a lot of your time.
I wish that Hannah's passion would somehow strengthen our faith, today.

God's blessings to all.
My thoughts for today........

What do you mean you DON'T AGREE with me?

oh, bother.
I have walked the hill of learning lately. The curve was steep, but I think I have come out a little wiser....hopefully it sticks.
The conclusion I have come to is simple. My life, my circumstance, my choices (daily, weekly, yearly?), my belief system all make up for MY opinion, MY choices...it also gives me some patience in "seeing" someone else's choice. Their reasoning for making their own choices comes from who they are, where they come from, what they believe...sometimes the WHY can be a little foggy.
During a conversation the other evening with a friend, she vehemently wanted me to be agree with her on a point she was trying to make. I could not. I did not have the same feelings as she did, I did not "come" from her point of view. Her passion for this "announcement" was not mine. I could, however, see her point. I just did not agree with her outlook on it. Did I HAVE to? no. Did she WANT me to? yes, but I did not come from her way of thinking. I am dealing with a different set of issues, a different set of circumstances....I have compassion for her, I can comprehend her feelings but mine are not on the same level....we are not going to be like minded on this issue. It upset her.
That was unfortunate to say the least.

My issues are MINE, they come from my own enviroment, my own space, they are mine to deal with as best as I can, when I can.
A friend is someone who will walk beside you during happy times, crisis moments, even just to be company....they don't always agree with you....we found that out and understood that we won't always agree with each other's opinions or decision but friendship should not be based on such things.

I suppose it comes down to little things, as well. I love milk. A friend of mine claims she "hates" it and makes horrid faces when I happen to mention the word. I lapsed. I spoke of how I love hot milk with vanilla added. She responded with a quick, MINE is better....I like a new chai tea. blah...blah...blah. the thought that popped into my head, was wait a minute....why is yours better??? Its just different, it's better for you...not me. Not better.

Silly how we can hinge on words other speak sometimes, huh.
Anyway I just wanted to let you in on the way my head has been thinking lately and a reminder that How I think and respond may not be YOUR happy thought, but it's mine. Lets not judge to quickly, condemn or draw conclusion that could put us at odds with one another.
Freedom of speech is a wonderful priviledge. But freedom to put foot in mouth, well....that's just uncomfortable for a lot of reasons.

fffffreezing....I tell ya....ffrreezing

Wow. Had to wait over 1/2 an hour (rough estimate, cause I believe it was longer!) for my bus to come. By this time, there are just a shwack of people waiting to get on the same bus....one stop and it's full with people standing! oh, man....then the driver announced that the bus is not going to go it's full route, it's gonna turn around at the next terminal after "expressing" it to said terminal. Uh, a lady on the bus...verbally expressed herself...over that decision!! She was a single Mom of two and needed to get home, as she was already 1/2 an hour late..now this. I felt sorry for her, but what's the driver gonna do but follow "headquarters" instructions. A lot of very upset people on the bus tonight...wait let me amend that...a lot of cold, shivering upset people on the bus ride home tonight. It sure felt good to get inside the house where it's nice and warm.

I am not sure but the snow we have in our front yard pretty much matches the amount of snow we had ALL of last Winter, ALREADY. Really. I bought a Farmer's Almanac....generally speaking maybe Saskatchewan doesn't have a lot of snow as a province but I tell ya,..my front yard sure does!

This weekend, plan to watch the MI-3 movie with Tom Cruise in it. I am NOT a fan of the Tom-cat, never have been but I did like MI-1 & MI-2....so will give this one a check out and see if it's any good. A friend of mine watched the new James Bond movie at the theatre last night, she came to work all dreamy eyed over the new James Bond. Me thinks....NAH. I wait for it on DVD, and even then....I dunno. I like to watch movies but I really need to be in as specific mood for them....I seldom get to watch a romantic comedy which would be my favorite, but the hubby doesn't care for them at all. I have brought a few home and watched them myself, that was okay..not great, but okay. ...it's better to laugh when someone else can laugh with you....I find it ODD to laugh out loud in a room when I am by myself....strange feeling that.

Well, I am thinking hot chocolate & marshmallows....and a warm blanket.....
stay warm folks.....

it's official....

Well, it's always been official. But as of yesterday it's exactly one month until Christmas day. I have done little Christmas shopping, I don't have anything to get that is .....hard to find items, so Christmas shopping is about being creative this year not unlike most years, but this year...I plan on using my creative juices and try to find a bit of a theme for a couple of presents I will buy. "How to relax" is the theme, me thinks. Watching the general public, close friends and noticing that we don't really take a lot of time to relax. I don't mean going off to Mexico, taking a cruise and such....I mean everyday moments when you need to sit back and just be. So, I am putting on my thinking cap and trying to make a one female gift and one male gift of " relax". Not sure of the things I would place into these packages, if anyone out there has some grand idea then please pass it along. It's always nice to have some tried and true ideas.

I have begun to decorate the house a little with Winter seasonal things as well as a little Christmas cheer. There is something different within the house when it's got some "added spice" to it, seems to bring out a little happier feeling along with the comfort of home. I would like to think there is something to the theory of scents giving us a feeling of comfort, more energy and such.....cause I love to use my little wax melting, aroma filling the air 'thingey' that my Mom bought me a few years ago. I love the smell of McIntosh apple, cinnamon or even Christmas Eve.....they make the house smell good. Very comforting. I used to put a apple and cinnamon in a pie plate and tuck that into the oven for a bit....but, everyone coming in the door thought they were about to eat Apple crumble or apple pie....uh, no...I was just making the house smell good. Faces fell and I felt kinda bad...so now it's the little wax wafer on a little plate above the tealight...and for the most part no one has thought there was fresh baking to be had. All good!!

My husband made a stew for dinner tonight, I will make the dumplings later on. Now really what a great thing to have on a chilly winter day, I just might put on a little Christmas music.....hmmm...not a bad idea.
later folks.....
fa..la...la...la..la..........la...la...la...la......

Friday frenzy....

On my Fridays off I sometimes look after my grand-daughter. It's just her and I pretty much the whole day. We get along pretty good, I think. She's a wonderful and bright young lady for being all of 28 months old...just over the two year mark. I do lots of craft-ey type of stuff with her and she likes to make a bit of a mess, but that's why we do the crafts...she learns all kinds of things including how soap works after all is said and done.
Today, my first hour with Molly was anxiety ridden, you see Molly has a new addition to their loving family, a puppy. She's a cute little nugget this little mutt. But what do I remember about training puppies, never mind trying to keep track of a two year old as well....the first hour was a little frantic on my part. But, as soon as I realized that "Daisy" would do her "business" if I put her outside....well, the frenzied frantic feelings went away. Relief....for all included, I suppose. We got into a routine, no problem.
Molly and I painted, did some stuff with play dough, stamped till she couldn't "stamp" anymore, watch FROSTY the snowman....and the final craft thing of the day was making snow globes...she loved it....so easy but what a treat!! Molly loves snowglobes....so this whole craft was right up her alley. We made three, one leaked....but she took two funtastic snowglobes home...and if they break..no problem everything is non-toxic and easy to clean up! WE had a great day Molly, Daisy and I.....yep.

Tonight is quiet night on the home front. ahhhh..

surroundings, spirit and stuff.....

I have decorated my little corner of the workplace with some green boughs, some holly and a little sparkle from a garland that wraps around the boughs. I have also taken to playing Christmas music on the occasion that I think of it.
One too many comments of "Isn't it a little early??? you're playing Christmas music...."
Okay, Folks, here is the scoop.
We NEED A LITTLE CHRISTMAS ....right this very minute!!
There are enough reasons to grump about stuff, but putting up a little evergreen boughs isn't one of them! Playing some songs that speak of the joy and happiness that comes together with faith, family and God willing a little extra food for a holiday....cannot be a bad thing! Quiet down on the too early for Christmas stuff.....we need it all year long....it isn't about the hustle and bustle of the streets full of shoppers, it's about the Spirit of the time of year. The sharing, giving and the hope that is wrapped up in a Saviour! If my dressing up my corner with evergreen and holly, if my putting on hot chocolate so as you can sniff that wonderful aroma when you pass by, if the sound of sweet music puts you in a green suit and your fingers become elongated, you might wanna check in the mirror for the GRINCH is surely lurking about somewhere in there.
Its a time of joy, happiness and laughter, a time of friends and family and caring.......having it at the workplace, considering I spend most of my day there......is a good place to stretch out one's joy, peace and love to co-workers.
I think I am doing the right thing.....now, I just have to convince the rest of the staff!!

Today, as I looked out the window in our staff room just before I left work, I thought it seemed as though we were living in a snowglobe and someone had given us a shake. Happily, the bus was on time, I walked down a quiet street and the snow swirled about me.....it was quiet, sweet and chilly enough to redden my cheeks and nose.....it felt wonderful!!! I love this place!!

here kitty kitty.....here kitty kitty.......

I don't dislike cats.
except when........
they are up on my roof top scampering about from one endof the house to the other, chasing each other, frantically. I am used to quiet....I mean no tv, no radio, no music playing ....I like the quiet when I am sitting down to read. I am all settled in for a quiet time, between me and my book. Then the little paws started. I ran outside to see what was the matter, there up on the rooftop was a minature sleigh...oh, sorry wrong story. There were too cute little faces gazing back at me just over the peak of the house. Call me nasty, but I tried to chuck a snowball at 'em to get to move off the roof.....nothing, I was nothing but a crazed woman in her pjamas acting stupid throwing snow and these two critters. I thought I heard a "nah...nah...nah nah nah" but I could be wrong.
I gave up and went into the house, funny....but they left too. Their amusement for the evening was found and it was time to head home.
Good grief.

Grey Cup stuff that I noticed......

Driving home today from Winnipeg was totally tiring, but the highways were great. We took Yellowhead route and it was double lane all the way home....perfect. The scenary severly sucked. No snow to brighten the landscape, no sunshine to lighten the sky....so I slept a lot, or at least rested my eyes. My husband, myself and another couple travelled together down to Wpg. to watch the Grey Cup and take in some of the venues. wow....the sights that I beheld.
First the woman at the airport who was working the Information booth had had wayyyy to much coffee....she spoke at double the rate of any normal human being possible....hard to keep up to that. We trundled through the parking lot looking for our car that we were to pick up there, the only way to find it was to keep clicking the remote....wait for the horn to honk. Did not take long but was a little strange wandering about the parking lot with luggage in hand and the remote held high.....I am sure people passing by musta thought we were more than a little nuts. Got to our hotel easily. Met with some very nice people through the lobby entrance and became kinda friendly with them over the next couple of days......but can some people slam back a lot of beer NON STOP. It seemed like these new found friends stories were always about the consumption of beer....strange.....but believe me they were not the only ones. We visited a convention centre entirely dedicated to fans of football, one called "Riderville". My first observation was that their seemed to be more Rider fans than any other, surely I must be mistaken.....wrong, I believe that 70% of the fan base in Winnipeg was Riders, at least in any venue we took part in or visited!!! There was Green and White EVERYWHERE!!! even a few "melon heads" showed up. You know the guys who carve out watermelons and put them on their heads like helmets....yeah, well, whatever!!
The section of seating that we witnessed the Grey Cup game from was filled with Rider fans, most of them wearing something green to identify themselves as Rider fans. Talk about a large family unit, if you met a person with a Rider logo/or Rider colors on.....they smiled and conversed like you were their best friend. Amazing stuff, I tell ya.
Some people dress up like superheroes....they drape their team banner on their back, they wear crazy hair/hats, paint their face, dawn on some of the wildest gear I have ever witnessed just to claim the fame of their favorite team and it would seem they proceed to drink themselves into a stupor. Not everyone was a drinking fool, but there were plenty of them.....and one just shakes their heads and wonders what they do to get their livers healthy again....if ever. Most of the fans are there for the good natured fun and frivolity in the spirit of the game....not a fight broke out, not too many nasty words spoken of another team (there are always those who open mouths and let "junk" fall out).
All in all it was quite an experience. Lots of good natured laughter, lots of meeting new people from all across the country.....and lots of strange and wonderful pictures to bring back the memory of the Grey Cup 2006.
Okay, the picture that my husband took is priceless.....
While we waited at the shuttle stop, a few VERY FULL shuttles passed us. I mean they could not squeeze another person in 'em. One of the buses back doors was very different, two very white butts stared back out.....turns out a couple of very brave and not so bright fans decided to "moon" everyone they passed by. That had to have been cold on the tush.....but then again, some people will do anything for their moment in the sun....or "moon" as those two did.
Strange goings on....oh yeah....but the laughter was heard coming and going all the way down the street.....

opinions....and other irritants

A person's words are very powerful, powerful indeed.
Like that is something new to us, huh.

I have learned this lesson a number of times, in all likelyhood will have to learn it again another time or twenty! Watch the words that come outta my mouth. I try. I'm sure I mess up, which gives me a little space for those who give me some direct hits with their verbal diarrhea. It happened today, I got. Put my back up but, hey your opinion is just that. YOURS. Somedays I would like you to keep it to yourself, but then there is that occasion that I flap my gums and realize....I, too, need to restrain myself more often. It's when people give "facts" and "I read somewhere" opinions....and they are opinions because their is someone else out there who will refute what you just announced.
It's like listening to someone rant on and on about a specific kind of vehicle that they will ONLY drive. Say it's a Ford, well the next person freaks out and oh...no...I only drive a Dodge. Good grief, last time I looked they both had service centres!! Opinions. I'll only use a Mac computer, well, what about an Acer.....there are those diehards that will argue till the cows come home.
Opinions. Life is too short to get yourself into a KNOT over someone elses opinion!! But we do,
we have our shield down, or sensitivity button is on and wham we get blind-sided by someone's words.
I think Mom was right when she said "If you can't say something nice, don't say nothing at all" or a dear friend of mine just e-mailed me a great saying "Don't always believe what YOU think"

Opinions. Somedays are just verbal diarrhea, or simply put.....SEEMS to be true to YOU.

where did I hide?

I got invited to a "condo" warming party. It was held this evening. Hubby preferred to watch the hockey game...so I was okay with going alone. I believed that most of the people there were from my place of work. I was correct. What I wasn't prepared for was my "quietness" to rear it's ugly head. At first I did not feel outta place, but then some little bug musta bite me, because I withdrew into a corner and remained there for quite some time. (not literally) Strange how that works. After a few people left and only a couple ladies remained, I came out of my shell once more.
Wow. I wish I could predict this crap. It drives me nuts. Feeling as though I need to study a book about the art of conversation one moment and the next feel like I could talk most of the night through. Strange and weird behavior. Yep, that me.
I admire people who have the "art of conversation" down pat.....what a great gift. I was not standing in that gift line when the Lord was handing out that particular one....

Maybe I should try to locate a book or ten about the art of conversation.....might not be a bad idea.

who were those guys??

Pre-ordered pizza. Made some hot buttered popcorn. Whipped up some home made brownies.
Had a cheese ball and an assortment of crackers. Fresh coffee and a few other beverages alongside. Friends brought shrimp, oysters and goat cheese and assorted other treats. We were all ready. Candles were light to add some "atmosphere", a few banners were placed about the room.....someone colored their hair green (NO, not me) and wore a jersey proudly. Yep, the scene was set. Rider pride was in full swing. But, as the afternoon wore on, the pride kinda dwindled, the cheese even seemed to sink into the dish....the cheers become fewer and far between. Wow. That was a strange game indeed. Well, like all good Saskatchewan Roughrider fans...the last words spoken were "well, theres next year!!" Such optimism. Typical of a true Rider fan, always backing their team no matter what situation they are in.....go figure.

Well, I guess the Grey Cup will be a coast to coast deal this year, BC against Montreal....played on the prairies......I suppose that will make fans on both teams a little happier cause they will just meet half-way across the country in Winnipeg for the game!! See always optimistic....always in Saskatchewan....it's part of our DNA, me thinks. I sure hope those BC and Montreal fans know how cold a prairie wind can get, especially when you are sitting outside on a metal bench for a few hours!!!

Next year, Roughrider fans....next year!! just wait and see.

the tracks of my tears?

Well, after nearly two years, much discipline, a few bad days....but lots of good ones, approximately a tooth brush per month, miles of specialized dental floss and the odd Advil....I am braces free.
The retainer is completely clear, molded to my teeth and for now...seems to be a dickens to remove. I am sure as time goes on we will come to an understanding.
Another gift that I am thankful for......who knew at this late of date that I would get my "teenage" wish come true....a"straight-toothy" grin.

Mama she's crazy......

I have lived in this province all my life.
I don't get bent all outta shape when the big snow storm hits, or we get rain .....getting them both within hours of each other tends to slow one down....but, not get myself into knots over....
we have seen it before and likely will see it again, sooner rather than later. Driving means being careful and you KNOW that it will take more time to get to work/appointments and such. That all being said and so that I do acknowledge the fact that there are some "down" sides to the weather conditions we are experiencing!!

I love it.

I love the fluffy, clogged streets. I love the sparkle of the snow, I love the fresh wintery smell of the air. I love the quietness of the street as the snow buffers all noise. I love the red noses and "apple-cheeks" of people walking down the street. I love the fact that we HAVE to slow down!!
I love watching neighbors helping neighbors shovel their walks, or help them get unstuck from their driveway. I love the picturesque landscape of the snow hanging off the trees. I love having hot chocolate and a good book waiting for me when I settle in for the evening.

Yeah, there are some difficulties that come with snow, I do agree.....but the beauty of the season for me really and truly out weighs all that other by tons.

I love it.

maybe I'm crazy......or as my friend told me today at lunch....an eternal optimist. Whatever the case maybe......

I still love the snow.

Agitation

I tend to think of a washing machine when the word "agitation" comes into a sentence.
The quick movement, the swishing and swashing, the never ending swirling, the draining....yep,
that is what goes on inside my poor little head some days.....agitation...by the time my head has finished it's final cycle in a day, I am drained!
I need more time to soak up some quiet and solitude. When I get "off balance", I ..like the washing machine tend to bump around and make a whole lot of useless noise....until I manage to balance out the load I carry in my life.

Here's to finding some balance, a little less agitation....and lessening the load.

Comparison's

Making comparison's in shopping is necessary, essential if one is on a budget.
Checking out differences between products can be interesting and vital to the use of it.
But, making yourself stand in comparison to another is futile. YOU are YOU, special, talented and physically put together mostly due to genetics....my Mom has blue eyes, so does my Dad...have I ever wished for brown eyes? No. I'm on the shorter version of the scale, do I wish for long, long legs...well, somedays it would be nice, but do I dwell on wanting those long long legs, NO. I accepted who I am, I suppose, a long time ago. We all do things to make ourselves "look" better, feel better and that in my opinion is just fine, it's when I talk with people who seem to always compare themselves to others, what kind of scale are they using to say they aren't "as pretty", "as smart", "as wealthy"...etc, it's seems we have drawn up some sort of strange and odd table that one is never going to achieve what WE THINK WE WANT ...it's the old saying "keeping up with the Jones'...." whoever made up that one said a mouthful!!
It's funny but just the other day at work I mentioned to a friend that when I sit down to read at home, I like the room tidy. But should I sit down to read in someone else's home and it was not a tidy room I would be fine to sit down and read. It's my house, my corner and how I like my things. It really doesn't affect me about other's things....I enjoy going to my friend's home and sitting back enjoying her lovely and very modern home. I don't come home and compare my house to hers! It's her house, how she likes things....my personality shows in my house and in my stuff. Comparing mine to hers would just get me into a frenzy, I don't have the money, time and effort to do that....nor do I want to.
Comparing yourself at work. Good grief. We each have a job to do. If the President of the place is gone missing for a year, the place looses balance and leadership,...should the Janitor go missing for a year, the places is filthy and a mess. I understand that this is a simplified simile but you get my drift. We each have tasks to do that keep a place of work mobile and on track, should one postition be held in higher esteem than another?, not in my little head.

In my little world, we are pieces of a puzzle that all fit, the puzzle is not a 3D puzzle with some pieces being "higher" than others....it's a flat playing ground...and each of us have a place to fit into to make our "world" work. Skinny, tall, highly educated, compassionate, whatever ingredients make YOU up....you're unique and you bring a special flavor to the world you live in.
It's an intricate and delicate place, Doctor's hold lives in their hands everyday and I am thankful for their skill and knowledge, teachers shape the mind of children, parents love, police guard and uphold the laws, friends care, communities support....we each have a rare and special role to be.
Don't compare, chose to BE the person God made you up to be....it's a lot about choices.

Be slow to compare yourself to others either physically, emotionally or intellectually....Be quick to add your special qualities that make up YOUR heart, YOUR mind, and YOUR spirit.
God made you unique and a special fit for the puzzle of this life, be sure to fit into your own space and not try to fit into some else's. You won't be comfortable, happy or content until you snuggle into your space that God created specifically for you.

once again, just my thoughts....

these are the best days of my life.....

Ya...it's a line from a George Strait song....I know.
But, today I spent the morning with my daughter and grand-daughter.
We did a little shopping, had a treat at a fantastic smelling bakery...uh, yeah the scones we ate were yummy, too... It was so great to hold that little girl in my arms (not too long as she is getting too heavy to carry any great distance) and have her put her little arms around my neck, to look across the vehicle and see my "Ivory" girl of a daughter happy with life and full of laughter'n'giggles. It was a lovely morning spent with two pretty "girls" and my heart felt wonderful.
These are the best days of my life.....
it may be a line from a song...but sometimes you just need to be so very thankful for the blessed moments that come your way in a day.
Today I recognized mine and it did my heart a world of good.

Co-workers

I have this co-worker who when she comes in to work she ALWAYS has a smile on her face for me, she always has a little wave when she say's "good morning". When my lunch break comes and she will remain at the job, she usually not always, but usually will come to me and tell me to have a "nice lunch". She even comes to me at the end of the day and ALWAYS wishes me a "good evening or good night" again the little wave and a smile accompanies it. Its something she has always done.....and I actually have come to look forward to it. She is a sweet, dedicated and lovely woman who cheers my day up when she is there working with me

The ladies that I have my coffee break with do not work in the same dept. as I do. They are a delightful bunch and I have found much information about food, cooking, health issues and more just by sitting and chatting with these woman. They make me laugh and even offer to share their goodies with me....they share their life stories, their family issues and more.....it's almost like cheap therapy. These few minutes a day spent talking about life, love and other such interesting issues with some compassionate and caring woman is good for the soul, especially the working woman soul....these ladies KNOW what you talking about when you tell them ....you're tired!! They can relate to the same kinda tired. It's comradeship it a fine degree!!

Yes, there are some co-workers who just bring sunshine into a day......thank goodness there are those blessed people....since we spend, probably, more time with them....than our own family!!

just another bus ride

On my bus ride I was sitting beside a man that works in the same building as I do. We did not talk much about anything. UNTIL, we passed a church that had a sign announcing a Fall Supper. I asked if he was planning on attending one. He had never been to a Fall supper and did not know what it was. I explained in detail all I knew of what a Fall supper could be. As I detailed the rich gravy, the warm turkey and home-made desserts....he smile became more pronounced.....I think I convinced him it was a thing to do. Wow. really the poor guy living in Saskatchewan and never partook of a Fall Supper talk about deprived. We have taken in many a Fall or Fowl Supper in our day and each time I think about them my saliva does a little dance.
What a wonderful thing the "Fall Supper."

Check out Saskatchewan Fall (Fowl) Supper sites at
www.fowlsuppers.bravenet.com

not such a little question

God's expectations for me, MY expectations for me......do they match?

Welcome to a thought that passes through my head.....just one of the many.

Who will believe it?

1. two doors off the cupboards.
2. taped off the required measurements needed.
3. Assisted in sawing down the two shelves.
4. Sanded the wood.
5. Hit the hardware store for cornering, now that the width needed was known.
6. Glued, cornering, tacked down some edges.
7. Washed floor, chairs, all the cupboard surrounding the area.
8.First coat of paint on, "new and improved" area.
9.vacuumed the carpet in the livingroom, and bedroom.
10.washed two loads of clothes, folding to come while drinking morning coffee.
11. ate dinner, played with Molly for a bit.....
12. vacuumed carpet downstairs and lightly dusted the tables'n' such
13.cleaned toilets and sinks in bathroom, mirrors done as well.
14.Second coat of paint on, "new and improved" area.


Yep, the day off of just a "run of the mill" kinda full-time working woman.
Sound familiar, anyone??
Betcha can relate, huh.....

the need for coffee and other important stuff...

Every morning my husband and I sit and chat over a couple of cups of coffee. It's a very nice way to begin a day. Two days ago we noticed that our coffee was almost finished, but we have the decaf. stuff sitting in the cupboard to use up, so hey.... Wrong!! Wrong! Wrong! I woke up yesterday with a headache and a slight upset tummy, so I decided not to eat breakfast and just have a cup of java. I pretty much always eat breakfast, it's the right thing to do...but if the tummy is a little off...well....breakfast may come later in the morning in the form of a bought muffin. But, the decaf. coffee.....yikes. As much as it tasted like coffee....my headache did not like the decaf. So by the time I got to work, my first task was to put on some REAL coffee and
then take an Advil for my headache. Uh, I don't usually make dumb mistakes. But now really, empty "upset" tummy and Advil....what was I thinking!!! Wow. What a combination. The tummy ache went from mild discomfort, to who is tearing up my tummy's lining! Food. I needed FOOD. All in all, the experience of Advil and no food in tummy ...well, I can safely say that it won't happen again, EVER!!! (I did get rid of my headache, the stomach ache proved to be a little more than needed, though!!)

I knew I was getting up in years....but
last night my husband played with his band at a local watering hole. A shwack of ladies that I work with came out to listen and keep me company...all very nice. We enjoyed the music, danced in a huge group and generally laughed and had some innocent fun. What was disturbing was there was a "pub crawl" happening. I have never partaken in a pub crawl so I had to ask what it required....duh. Anyway, while the ladies and I were at the tables, two buses of young people had poured into the place and left an hour later. My eyes nearly popped outta my face.
These kids were so young....they did not look old enough to drive never mind drink. This is a sign of getting older...no doubt. Sitting back and watching the adventures of these kids was one that made a few of my friends and I look at each other and shake our heads, numerous times over. It's true, I am getting old....wait, let me amend that thought.....I am old.

a few random thoughts of things....

Accentuate the positive.
Sometimes people who continually accentuate the positive have a name to live down, Pollyanna.
I remember the first time I watched the movie Pollyanna with Hayley Mills in the starring role. I thought it was a grand movie, later in life when the name Pollyanna was flung at me in response to a situation......I wondered what I had done wrong. Apparently, I have taken a dip in my "Pollyanna" attitude and am finding I am leaning towards the dark side on way too many situations over these past years. I may not need to tap into Pollyanna-mode again, but finding a positive here and there is much better than slipping around on the slope that is negative and
dark....it just makes me grumpy as those that are moving about the slippery slope along side me. I hereby remove myself from the slippery slope of despair!!

My life and the world I live in is certainly not perfect. I struggle daily with issues in a variety of natures. But, hanging on to disappointment, dis-illusions, disruption, and letting others drag me into the depth of negative that they find a comfort zone.....well, forget it folks.
I don't have to be suzy sunshine all day, everyday....but I won't be negative, grumpy and raining on everyone who will listen.....NO, NOT, NEVER.....at least I'm gonna give it my best shot....

A little ray of light now and then, a breathe of fresh air, saying something kind and good to someone, sharing a smile.....it isn't that difficult, is it?

trying to keep a sense of humor

Today we woke up to a blanket of snow, underneath that blanket of snow was a layer of ice from the rain that came before the snow fell. Driving to work we were almost side-swiped by a person who did not shoulder check nor did she signal....we drove a little on the sidewalk but we managed to miss getting customized by crunch! wow. Got to work a little late and everyone was chatting about the snow and the hazardous road conditions.

Each year on the first day of snow I send an e-mail to a co-worker/friend. Each year I type in "it's a marshmallow world in the winter" and my co-worker/friend is completely ticked at me....in a humorous way. There is the claim that once the words "it's a marshmallow world in the winter" have floated into the brain matter then you hum/sing that Christmas song for EVER. I personally do not suffer from this malady (melody)....ha....but my co-worker/friend does. Each year that we have worked together I have performed this little tidbit...each year he falls for it....it's nice that some things remain constant in this ever changing world....huh?

But, today it did look like a marshmallow world!!!

a day of rest.....

Today has been a quiet day. The smell of beet borscht is wafting throughout the house, the apple tarts have just come out of the oven. Wind is blowing outside, the leaves are floating about and the sky is gray....it's a "home-cooking" kinda day. When it's blustery outside the warmth of the oven baking a fresh little somethin' and the sweet smell of home-cooking seems to make it all okay. Funny how that works.

My husband and I went out for lunch, then headed to the grocery store and the final stop was Wal-Mart. Uh. hm. Shoulda quit while I was ahead. Lunch was nice and lots of great conversation, the grocery store was busy but we managed to smile through it all. Then came Wally-World....oh, dear. Like I said, shoulda quit while I was ahead. The parking lot was really quite full, then when you finally make it into the store....lo and behold, neighbors are having their MEETING time at each aisle end! That is my husbands personal favorite, the meeting of the "minds" in the aisle, end of the aisle....taking up the whole aisle....or the abandoned cart that is sideways in the aisle and as soon as you put your hand on the bar.....up pops a head that is eight feet away from said cart..."oh, that's mine". Brett's eyes ...well, let's just say they got a lot of exercise today, rolling, staring, glaring and slipping from side to side. Next trip to Wal-Mart will be a "alone" exercise, me thinks.

I wonder exactly how much insight I have into the human psyche, because my husband continually asks me "why". Why do people stand at the end of the aisle? Why do they walk away from their cart? Why ...Why...Why....? He really must think I have a lot of insight/understanding/perception into the human race...cause he always asks me about it? Funny how that works, huh?

Just hangin' out.....

my grand-daughter is with me today.

We have played with play-dough, the home-made kind that smells like orange kool-aid. She has painted, this time more on the paper than on her....that is progress. We went outside and finished pulling out some annuals that finally met their doom, we put out feed for the birds and
talked about what we do to prepare for winter. Lunch was "chat" time and we discussed many a wonder.....like how does the kittycat from next door walk along the top of the fence? what is an igloo? she loves pasta, did I know that? so many things to talk about! It's nap time for the little punkin, Gramma's time to finish folding laundry and straightening the kitchen from the whirlwind of activities we have done this morning. Having our grand-daughter around keeps me smiling, she brings joy into our lives....just watching her dance around a room when you play a nursery rhyme is amazing to behold....the smiles, the dancing, the giggles....yep, life is good.

We called Grampa to see if he wanted to come home for lunch. "Uh, no Gramma he can't come home he's got a message"....what? a message. I talked to Grampa to confirm. He had a massage booked at lunch. Message, massage,....close enough.

who is gonna fill THOSE shoes?

Who's leaving?
My dept. head is retiring. Her shoes are huge, who is gonna fill those, I wonder.

She has been my best resource for my constant curiosity, her patience is remarkable.
I have just written about 15 sentences and then erased them, words are difficult to write when I feel like I am losing the person who knows what I do, how well I do and regarded me in high favor like few others ever have....and maybe ever will? We may not always have seen eye to eye on all issues but she always had my respect and in some cases my "awe" in how she dealt with some very difficult situations.

I shall miss her. I try to think positively and believe the person to take over her position will be fresh, new and innovative......and maybe that will happen and come to pass....I am trying to be positive here folks!!


Who paid a visit?
a friend of mine dropped in to my place of work today, she's a police officer. She is also, tall with the longest legs I have ever seen....being a cop suits her....and not just because of her long legs. In my estimation she was born to be a police officer....her personality, her wit and her attitude ...along with her strength both physical and of character make for a really great cop material. What is funny....is when she walks into the place....the look on people's faces. Stunned is a polite word to use, I suppose. It's just funny to witness the strange "thoughts" that float through people's facial features when the blue uniform shows up for no reason other than she was on her break and was in the area.
It's nice to know that a police officer has my back, but it's even better to know that I have a good friend, back....

Who gets a snowman?
Stay warm everyone. Forecasting snow for next week. I already bought my grand-daughter a new snowman to give to her on the first day of snow!! looks like it might be sooner rather than later.......I already gave her snowman sheets this summer (hey, they were on sale) so her Mommy told her on the first day that it really snowed hard.....they would put them on her bed.
Well, now the grand-daughter will have a snowman to place on top of the bed, too!! I love being a Gramma!!

the chill of an early winter wind.

Gasp.
Red nose.
Zipper up to chin.
Hair in eyes.
Gloves on hands.

I am not ready for this....this cold, bitter wind. Lived on the prairies all my life, but today....what the heck? this one took my breathe away. Boy, that was cold. Better
think on "outer clothing" a little longer, best check weather report for "bitter, cold, frigid wind"
and dress appropriately next time.

Motto for living in Saskatchewan...."always be prepared"...oh, wait that is the the Brownie motto......ah, it works for living on bald prairies too!!

Talk about having your head cleared by a brisk wind, if that were the case....well....no cobwebs left in my attic, I tell ya.

Stay warm, folks.
Think hot chocolate, marshmallows, and a good book.......

enlightening conversations

After having a conversation with a girlfriend last night, I sat and pondered a few things over in my head. My friend talked about her sibling who was resentful that they had grown up "poor". He is now on the wealthier side of the pay scale due to hard work and discipline. She talked about how he wanted to talk to her about how disappointed in her that she had been in an abusive relationship and never got out of it SOONER. She went on to say that he never talked well of their parents, never wanted to go back to "home" and generally
was relagating his parents to "done and to be forgotten". His conversations with her tend toward all material things; house, car, trips, and stuff that you need money to have. She talked about feeling sorry for him and how very difficult it was to be around him. This guy sounded to me like a character out of a movie, one that I would not like, one that I never want to become.

It once again brought home all the things I hold dear in my life, it's not the material things that bring tears to my eyes or pull at my heartstrings. It's my kids - knowing they are in good solid relationships with someone who loves them; it's my husband - who is always brings laughter to my life and on more than one occassion flowers to warm my fanciful heart; it's my friends who carve time out of their busy schedules to stay in contact with me. It's a card that holds remarks from co-workers that mean my spending more time with them than my family means I have touched their lives in some small way beyond WORKING together.
Its common every day things like the sunshine on half of the tree across the street that brings the top half of the tree to brilliant gold while the other half remains a soft warm brassy color....but it's lovely to behold.

It's simple things.....yet some so complicated....like forgiveness.
Forgiving and letting go. I was doing the dishes at the sink last night and I thought about the Lord's prayer. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." That line has always brought me up short when I say that prayer. I always am slow to say the next line....because my mind seems to wander to those people whom I need to forgive in my life...those that I need to require forgiveness from. Truth be know, I could stick on that line for a long period of time....and then forge ahead to the next after calling on the Lord to bring names to my mind that I should be forgiving. okay, for only a moment....I had the words "dirty deeds done dirt cheap" float through my head. but...a dirty deed is never done dirt cheap if your trying to walk the "Path", right? a callous word spoken; a hurtful opinion; a broken relationship gone unmended; these type of things don't come cheap. The cost to the spirit of a person, it's a burden carried that weighs heavily and over time if you carry too many you become unaware of the burden you carry and someway somehow you seem to want to share that burden with the next person so you snap out a comment, a hurtful response, the heaviness of carrying that load is somehow equated with "hey, I can share this"....so goes the cycle.
Where do we go to become aware, enlightened if you will, that we are sharing our negativity with others, than learning to forgive is a long process but healthy to ones spiritual balance; that God has provided the most beautiful of experiences FREE for the 'noticing'. I suppose we all learn in different situations, in different times of our lives....I have much to learn in this life yet. The lessons are never simple ones, but the results of those lessons/teaching moments are enriching.....and not in any material way.

Time to go baste the turkey. See what happens when I am alone for too long.....and the computer is up and running.

Thanks for hanging with me for a time.

Enjoy the day and remember to give thanks for the material things you have, true....but for the things that go un-noticed most of the time.

those that have and those that have not....

I would think you expect a blurb about material things after the heading, huh?
Wrong.
It's about the Shaw techie named "John" that we spoke to this morning. Our computer was on the fritz....so we called Shaw and John answered. Nice chap, very detailed in his responses to us - which is truly a necessity in view of the fact neither my sweet husband nor I am terribly well educated in the runnings/maintenance of a computer beyond the basic stuff. John walked us through a number of tasks patiently and finally after much deliberation and poking about the problem was solved and our computer is a happy little machine once again....as our it's owners!

People like John are just doing there job, I know. But, when you hear the smile in his voice when all if finally fixed and well, plus he was so incredibly patient!!!! These guys need to be complimented...which we did.

You know for those of us who don't have the "techie" in us.....we appreciate those that do and are glad they are just a phone call away.

Turkey days are here again.....

Turkey days are here again,
the stuffings gonna disappear again,

yessiree, it's gonna be a feasting kinda weekend. Pumpkin pie, turkey, fresh mashed potatoes.....omigosh....I love this weekend for the wonderful food that we put together.
Plenty of food, plenty of family, plenty of laughter, plenty to be thankful for.

Today was one of those days that just brings a childlike kinda wonder through me....driving to work some of the trees shed their leaves in mass amounts...like it was 'snowing' leaves!
It was so absolutely gorgeous!! I love this time of year in Saskatchewan.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Life is good.

...not the first time probably not the last

Today, I added a year to my life....well, sort of.
I told a number of people that I was one year older than I really am, I wasn't fooling. I really thought I was one year older than I really am!!
Does that mean that I have packed SO much into this past year that I feel like maybe I have put it 24 months of living into 12?
Does that mean that I am getting old and forgetting ALL kinds of things including my own age!?
Does that mean that I have way to much on my plate and need to quiet myself a little more than I have been?
ah, whatever....I'll get over it.

Good grief.

What's in a name?

Picking a name for heading my blog was not as simple as I thought it would be. Seems like most of those I thought of were already taken so...one must be a little creative. Good grief. Creative....me? okay, I can do this. So, here's the story.

At one time we had four Donna's in my dept. Confusion?, oh just a little!! So, I got the nickname of Nik. My last name shorten considerable, but it worked for everyone including me. All the Donna's have left the dept. except me, but there are those whom I worked with back in the day that continue to call me Nik, daily. The "ezer" part of the name is biblical. "Ezer" is pronounced like azer...(razor). There is differences of opinion on the definition of 'ezer' but I have likened to warrior, or strong helper. In this day and age, a woman has to be a strong helper and a warrior in different areas of life, battles taking place in relationships, in the workplace as well as spiritual ones....so, now you have the complete story. Thus begins my journey, once more, into the world of blogging.

Leave your name when you drop in.....

Nothing fancy...

Well, I have revived blogging in my life. Simply done because of a little encouragement from Sherri, of late. Thanks Sherri!!

I have come to miss throwing down my thoughts on different subject matters that float through my head, I could pick up and journal....I suppose, but I have tried my hand at that and found rather quickly I am not very good at it.

So, I'm backkkkkk.