Mammy's Love

A Christmas Story - The Silver Rattle

2010-12-22T16:17:00.005-05:00

The moon shone across the snow and pierced the darkness of the barn through the many holes worn through the old wood.

The animals stood silently in the night; their breath escaping their mouths as billowing puffs of steam.

It was Christmas eve so farmer Sam had brought in new bales of straw and extra feed for the animals. He was a kindly man, especially to his animals at Christmas time.

“After all”, he said “these animals are my best friends, they don’t ask questions and they don’t pass judgment.”

On this particular night as the moonlight shone and the stars glittered in the sky like a million diamonds, something was different in the barn. The animals were a bit more restless than usual. It was as if they sensed Christmas was close and as you all know, Christmas is a time for magic and miracles.“It’s Christmas Eve Bessie,” said Geraldine (Geraldine was Sam’s prize winning Jersey and Bessie was the oldest cow so everyone naturally listened to whatever she had to say). “And I’m going to stay up all night to see what Christmas miracle will occur. What do you think might happen?”

Bessie just nodded her head. She didn’t speak much, but all the animals loved and respected her.

Gertrude the duck was running around as usual flapping her wings making quite a lot of commotion. “I’m so excited, I don’t know what to think, where to go, what to do, oh my!”

The animals continued their discussions on just what miraculous event might occur tonight, while in the old farmhouse Sam and his wife Edna were sitting quietly by the wood stove ~ he with his paper and pipe, which incidentally was not lit, he just liked to hold it between his teeth, and she working the wool in and out of the mesh watching as her picture came to life in her hands.

Sam and Edna had been married for nearly 50 years but had never been blessed with children. The animals they cared for on their farm were their family. Never was there a farm where animals were treated so well. Every day you would find them down in the barn cleaning out the stalls, making sure the water in the trough was fresh and the feed trough was full. Even the barn cats got fresh milk every morning after the cows were milked. This was a happy farm. The animals loved Sam and Edna.

A few miles away from Sam and Edna’s farm, a young couple was running through the snow using only the moon (which was a full moon tonight) to light their way through the dense brush. They knew if they stopped, they would be found by the sheriff who was searching for them after they had stolen bread and cheese from the grocery store in town.

Ben and Emily were hungry, cold and tired. All they wanted was to find somewhere warm to sleep. To make things even more difficult, Emily was pregnant and the baby was due.
As they broke through the trees into a clearing they saw the farm in the distance. Ben took Emily’s hand. “Come on Emily, if we get to that barn, we can rest there until the morning.”

Emily’s feet were so cold she could barely feel her toes, but she knew she had to keep going.

It wasn’t always like this. Once upon a time, they had lived in a lovely home. Ben had worked for Emily’s parents, Edward and Madalyn Lincoln as a houseboy. But all that changed when Ben and Emily fell in love. As the Lincoln’s youngest daughter, her parents had hoped she would agree to marry Angus Campbell, the mayor’s son. So when they found out that she loved Ben, they were enraged. She told them how much she loved Ben and wanted to marry him, but they were unrelenting.

Not knowing what to do, they ran away. They spent the next few months running and hiding, pinching a little food here and there, sleeping wherever they could find shelter. But the running would have to stop soon, Emily knew the baby would be here soon and they couldn’t keep moving with a baby.

As they came closer to the barn, Emily felt a strange sensation in her stomach, something that she hadn’t felt before. Could the baby be coming? There was no doctor, how could she give birth alone? Fear came over her and her trembling intensified.

Quietly Ben slid the door to the barn open as he and Emily slipped in quietly. They didn’t want to wake anyone as they were terrified of being sent back with the sheriff. Ben would be punished and the baby would be taken away from Emily. This was not the life they wanted for themselves.

The animals moved quietly about as they came in. There was no heat in the barn but at least it provided shelter from the wind.

Ben helped Emily sit down and then went off in search of something to keep them warm. He found the fresh hay that Sam had brought in, so he dragged some over to build a shelter around them. He also found a few worn woolen blankets hanging on a hook which he wrapped around them.

There were a half dozen or so sheep standing near them. They were watching and saw how Emily was shivering.

Quietly one of the sheep said to another, “You know it’s not right, that young girl sitting there so cold, when we have all this warm wool to keep warm. Let’s go make a circle around her to warm her up.”

As Ben and Emily huddled together to stay warm, the sheep made a tight circle around them. Their warm breath and the heat of their bodies instantly warmed up Ben and Emily and they quickly fell asleep.

They slept in the warm circle of the sheep until suddenly Emily woke up with the worst pain she had ever felt in her life. “Ben, Ben, wake up, I think the baby’s coming. We have to find a doctor, I can’t do this alone.”

“Emily, you’re not alone, I’m with you,” Ben said.

“But you’ve never delivered a baby Ben,” Emily replied.

“No, but I saw my mama have my little brother and sister, it looks pretty natural to me. We can do this without a doctor.”

Emily knew the baby was very close. The sheep sensed that a miracle was happening. They tightened the circle around Ben and Emily, followed by the horses and cows. And, they stayed that way keeping the cold away from the little shelter of hay.

A few hours later the first cry of a newborn was heard. The full moon was directly overhead and a beam of moonlight shone down and touched the face of this beautiful new baby as she took her first breaths. Ben took one of the wool blankets, wrapped her and laid her down in the hay nest he had created in an old wood box he found in the back of the barn.

“Emily it’s Christmas morning. Our little girl was born on Christmas day. Let’s call her Christmas to always remind us that she was the best Christmas gift ever!” Ben cried.

“Oh yes,” Emily agreed with him, “she is a wonderful Christmas present.”

Just then, the barn door slid open and Sam came in calling out to his beloved animals. “Bessie, did you keep watch over everyone last night?”

As he lit his lamp, his eyes fell on the scene before him ~ the sheep, horse and cows lined up in three circles around a young boy and girl with a new baby lying in one of his old manger’s filled with hay.

“What’s going on here, how did you two get in here? Well, I guess that doesn’t matter as much as this wee baby and mama that needs some warmth.”

Sam went over to the old wood stove and lit it. As it roared to life, they could feel the warmth spreading throughout the barn.

The animals that had stood guard throughout the night luxuriously stretched their limbs in the warmth.

“That’s so much better,” Geraldine said.

“I agree,” said Eliza (the old mare that he couldn’t ride but loved dearly), “I was getting kinda achy standing still all night.”

Ben and Emily stared in shock as the animals all starting talking to one another and the farmer.

“This was such a magical night Sam,” said Bessie (the oldest cow and definitely the boss). “You should’ve been here. These two came in and built up a lovely bed of hay where this beautiful Christmas baby was born.”

The animals were so excited and talking one over the other. Even if you tried to understand one animal you couldn’t, there were at least fourteen voices going all at once.

Ben and Emily were still shocked at the animals talking and sat with their mouths open just watching all the activity. The farmer “Sam” was walking from one animal to the other calming them down with just a touch of his hand. As he gently touched the head of Bessie, Geraldine, Eliza and each of the other animals, they quickly quietened. He seemed to have a magic touch.

Sam looked at Ben and Emily saying, “Now that these animals are calmed, maybe you could tell me who you are, why you’re here and how I can help you.”

Ben and Emily both started talking at once.

“My goodness, slow down and tell me your story one at a time,” Sam said.

Ben started, “My name is Ben and this is my girlfriend Emily and this” he said looking down at his new baby, “is our new daughter Christmas. We came into your barn because we were so cold, Emily was going to have the baby and we needed somewhere warm and away from the wind.”

“But,” Sam interrupted, “what were you doing out at night in the cold, when clearly Emily should have been safe at home in bed waiting for the birth of this lovely Christmas baby?”

“Well,” Ben said, “that is a long story.”

“It looks like we’ve got lots of time,” Sam said as he pointed to the field outside where a huge snowstorm had whipped up overnight and dumped at least one foot of snow on the ground.

“Well,” Emily started, “Ben used to work for my father and mother, Edward and Madalyn Lincoln. My father is the court judge in Staffordshire. And, Ben was our houseboy and I loved him. We told my father and mother, but they wanted me to marry Angus Campbell, the mayor’s son. So, they wouldn’t hear of it when I told them I wanted to marry Ben. Then when I became pregnant, my father was furious, so Ben and I ran away, slept where we could, stole a little food here and there so we weren’t hungry and now, the sheriff is looking for us to take back home.”

“Well,” Sam said, “that is some story. This farm is a very special place where special and magical things happen. You are both very welcome to stay here as long as you want.”

“It certainly does seem special,” Ben said, “I …. uh …. were your animals actually speaking? Was it my imagination?”

“Yes Ben, they were speaking. Me and these animals just seem to understand each other. They don’t ask for anything except food, water and love. But they give me and my wife so much love in return.”

“But how is it Sam, that they can talk, I’ve never seen or heard any animals talk before,” said Ben.

“Well, as I said Ben, this is a magical place and things happen here that don’t happen anywhere else. Maybe it’s just because we love our animals and treat them so well, so they show their love for us by trusting us with the gift of speech,” Sam responded.

As they continued talking, Edna came quietly in the barn with a box full of gifts for the baby. She sat down on a box beside Emily, opened the box and brought out a lovely quilt she had made many years ago for a baby that never came, then a beautiful crocheted blanket with a matching sweater, bonnet and leggings. She reached in again and brought out flannelet nightgowns, nappies and hand knit woolen nappy covers.

She reached in one more time and brought out a tiny silver baby rattle. Emily though she could hear the tiniest ringing coming from the bell. It was very tarnished, but Edna had a polishing cloth and began to polish the rattle. As she rubbed the rattle with her cloth the ringing grew louder and louder until all heard the beautiful melody of bells.

“How does that little rattle make that melody?” Emily asked.

“It’s a song that only we who believe in the magic of Christmas can hear,” said Edna. “Always believe in the magic and you’ll always hear the melody.”

When Ben and Sam came over, Emily and Edna had baby Christmas dressed in a nightgown, pink sweater, booties, bonnet, swaddled in the crocheted blanket and then laid on the quilt. They had tenderly laid the silver rattle beside her hand.

Edna pointed at Ben and Sam saying, “You two boys come over here and sit down so we can discuss how we’re going to get these two young people back home.”

“We can’t go home Edna,” Emily said, “We would not be welcome. My dad was pretty upset when I told him I loved Ben and did not want to marry Angus. You know how dads are; they think that no one is ever good enough for their little girl.”

“Well,” said Edna, I think little baby Christmas just might change all of that. Maybe when the snow settles down, we can get out the sleigh and take you two back home to your parents.”

“I don’t know,” said Emily. “They were pretty angry when we left and said as long as I stayed with Ben, I wasn’t welcome at home.”

“Emily if you could have one wish, what would it be?” Edna asked.

“To be at home this Christmas with my mom and dad, have them accept and love Ben and now baby Christmas.” Emily replied.

Ben looked out the window and saw that the sun was shining on the snow making it glitter like diamonds.

“The snow always makes Emily smile especially when we used to build snowmen together.” Ben said to Sam. “I remember running around the house raiding drawers and closets looking for the clothes and bits ‘n pieces we needed to decorate the snowman.”

Sam suggested that he and Ben go outside and build a snowman for Emily and baby Christmas.

As they walked through the door, Sam looked back at Edna, gave her a knowing nod and a wink. Then he turned to Ben and said, “Ben instead of making a snowman let’s get the sleigh out, we’ll harness the horses and bundle you, Emily and baby Christmas in the sleigh and drive you back home. You can’t run forever and since it is Christmas day, I’m sure Emily’s parents will feel more forgiving.”

They went over to a second barn on the property where Sam threw open two very large doors. Inside was a beautiful old sleigh. It was dark green and shiny with silver runners. Sam led two horses over to the sleigh where he gently harnessed them up. He wrapped two heavy wool blankets over their backs to keep them warm while they silently stood waiting until Edna, Emily and baby Christmas were safely tucked under piles of feather comforters inside the sleigh.

Sam and Ben hopped up in the front, where Sam grabbed the reins and clicked his teeth. The horses knew this signal and took off. The sleigh moved so gently Ben and Emily couldn’t even tell they were moving.

It seemed that they were in front of the Lincoln’s home in the blink of an eye. As Sam laid down the reins, the door swung open and there stood Edward and Madalyn Lincoln arms wide open as Emily, Ben and baby Christmas ran into their arms.

“Ben, Emily, we have been so worried about you, you shouldn’t have run away especially with the baby coming.” Edward said.

“But daddy,” Emily replied, “We thought you wouldn’t let us be together and you were so angry about the baby when we told you. I didn’t think you wanted us.”

“My darling girl,” said Edward, “time heals. We have had time to miss you and realize how much we love you and how important you are to both of us.”

Madalyn took Emily’s arm, “Come in, come in out of the cold and let me get a look at this beautiful baby.”

“But wait a moment, how did you get home especially with this new baby? It is so cold outside; surely you haven’t been walking all this time.” Edward asked.

“No, no we haven’t been walking,” Emily said as she turned toward the laneway. “Sam and Edna brought …” but she stopped mid sentence. “Where is the sleigh Ben? And where are Sam and Edna?” She asked.

Ben turned to the laneway as well. As they looked down the lane, there was no sign of the sleigh, horses or Sam and Edna. There was not a mark on the snow and no tracks from the runners on the sleigh.

“We stayed in a barn overnight, we were so cold and that’s where baby Christmas was born. Sam and Edna own the farm and they have animals there that spoke to us.” Emily said.

They came inside and gently Emily laid down Christmas on the chaise lounge.

“Are you sure you got a ride home Emily?” asked her father. “There is no sign of anyone having come up the laneway at all.” He said as he came in the front door stamping the snow off his boots in the hallway.

“I’m sure they were there,” said Emily. “Here look at the baby, Edna gave me beautiful pink sweaters, flannel nightgowns and a quilt she made for a baby she wanted but never had.”

As Emily unwrapped Christmas, her mother saw the beautiful handmade quilt and then as the quilt fell open, a glittering silver rattle fell on the floor. It produced the most beautiful melody any of them had ever heard.

“Oh Emily, that is such a beautiful song. How does that little rattle make such a lovely melody?” her mother asked.

“Edna told me that we who believe the magic of Christmas can hear the song and as long as we always believe the magic and we’ll always hear the melody.” Emily said.

“So your Sam and Edna will always be part of the magic of Christmas,” replied Madalyn.

The new houseboy brought out a tray with eggnog and they all sat together in front of the fire enjoying the warmth. Madalyn held baby Christmas gently in her arms as she softly sang a lullaby.

Outside the house in a dark green sleigh with silver runners sat Sam and Edna nodding their heads and smiling. As they drove away, a group of carolers could be heard singing ….

Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin Mother and Child
Holy Infant so tender and mild
Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia!
Christ, the Saviour is born
Christ, the Saviour is born

Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth

Alone

2010-10-30T14:18:00.015-04:00

She sits alone, the sunlight streaming through the window warming her body with the warmth she long ago lost. Her thoughts wander to the life she once had.

What happened to that life that was here only moments ago?

Her one and only love and the life they shared for nearly 60 years. Her thoughts strayed to the last few weeks they spent together as his illness slowly took him away from her. The precious words and moments they shared.

She remembered when he became so weak he could not feed himself, so she held him in her arms and nourished his body with small amounts of food. The softness of his whiskers when her lips brushed his face with a gentle kiss as he slept, the frailty of his body as she cradled him when he took his last breaths in this life. So many memories tucked away in her mind, treasured in her memory box so she could recall them when the loneliness overwhelmed her. Memories so real she could taste and feel them when she closed her eyes.

The intimate part of their life long asleep as their bodies had aged, but she remembered and felt the familiar stirrings in her loins. She closed her eyes to once more taste his kisses, feel the strength of his arms cradling her, his gentleness as he lay upon her taking her to himself and that perfect moment, his sweet breath and dewey skin as they lay with legs entwined in the afterglow of completed love.

With these delicious thoughts slipping in and out of her memory, her head slipped onto her chest and she dropped off to sleep, the dreams coming fast as she nodded in her chair.

She is sitting in a hospital bed holding the son they thought they would never have. He is so perfect - his little fingers, toes and that curly black hair on his beautiful head.

She is sitting in the nursery as the sun rises, feeding her baby as he innocently gazes into her eyes. She is so overwhelmed with love for this child that she feels that familiar stab of pain in her heart. His innocence and total dependence binds her heart with love. At this moment she would sacrifice her life for this child. She thinks of the dreams she has for him as she watches him suckle at her breast.

Now she holds out her arms for her precious boy as he takes his first steps, giggling as he realizes that he has achieved mobility. He has been practising on the furniture and in his crib for a few weeks, but finally today he has stepped out on his own with no support. His first steps towards independence.

Now he is walking towards his first day of school, turning to wave bye bye as their entwined fingers slip apart. She sees the anticipation in his eyes as he continues to wave and walk towards the teacher and his new classroom.

Now she sees him at the front of the church as his bride walks down the aisle towards her groom - ready to take their marriage vows. He is stepping into a new life - a life where he will not need her in the same way. Soon he will be a husband and his needs will change. His wife will fulfill his needs now. There will be no more moments at the kitchen table when they shared ginger cookies and hot cocoa while they talked of their activities that day.

Now she holds another baby - this one her first grandchild. Sophie - the girl she never had. This baby grips her finger in her tiny hand so tightly - she feels the stirrings in her heart as it expands with love for this precious child.

She suddenly wakes, tears trickle down her cheeks, she feels the crushing pressure of loneliness as she realizes she was only dreaming of the life left behind - the life that no longer needs her and the realization that - she really is alone.

Summer Heat

2010-06-24T19:28:00.003-04:00

How much do you love this firepot?

I recently purchased one to use our deck so we can sit out in the evenings.

They burn a gel fuel which burns clean, smokeless, non-toxic and no soot, smoke or ashes.

It provides a realistic bright yellow, orange and red flame that crackles just like an authentic wood fire.

The gel fuel which comes contained in a can, can also be used indoors and I plan to use it inside in our fireplace this winter to eliminate the need for wood.

Welcome Miss Abbey

2010-06-24T19:02:00.006-04:00

On September 18th, 2009 dear friends lost their beloved Rikkers, a beautiful red border collie.

They struggled with her loss, struggled with the emptiness in their home without their Rikkers, struggled with a decision ~ should they remain dogless or get another pup?

Well, that decision was made and I'd like to introduce Miss Abbey. She is a beautiful 10 week old border collie who will never replace the place in their hearts that Rikkers holds, but I'm sure with this beautiful face, she will most certainly wiggle her way into her very own spot.

In this picture above, she is 6 weeks old.
Here in this picture she is 10 weeks old.

Welcome home Miss Abbey.

Happy Mothers Day!

2010-05-09T02:07:00.003-04:00

"The mother-daughter relationship is at the headwaters of every woman's health.

Our bodies and our beliefs about them were formed in the soil of the our mothers' emotions, beliefs and behaviours. To become optimally healthy and happy, each of us must get clear about the ways in which our mothers' history both influenced and continues to inform our state of health, our beliefs and how we live our lives.

Every woman who heals herself helps heal all the woman who came before her and all those who will come after her." ...........Christianne Northrup

Happy Mothers Day to all the woman in my life.

First to my mother, who I am so fortunate to still have in my life. This woman who nurtured and loved me and who, now without my father relies on me to nurture and love her.

Second to my daughter who is part of every breath I take. I feel such a strong bond between she and I and I could not imagine my life without her as one of my very dearest friends. She is n extraordinary mother and has taught me many things about mothering.

Third to my two dear sisters ~ Frannie and Vicki - both mothers and grandmothers. I pause here to remember my sister Gina who passed four years ago but left many memories of her mothering not only to her two sons, but to all of her family.

Fourth to my sister-in-laws, Tammy, Helen & Sarah all of whom have joined the motherhood club in the last 7 years.

And lastly Happy Mothers Day to all my dear girl friends who are mothers.

The moment a child is born .... a mother is born.
She never existed before. The woman existed, but the mother never.
This mother is something absolutely new ...... Rajneesh

Here I Go Again

2010-04-28T07:48:00.003-04:00

So, the other day I went to see my orthopedic surgeon about my extremely painful feet.

After checking my xrays, bending unyielding toes and poking and prodding each and every osteophyte I own, his recommendation is that I have the metatarsal or big toe joint in both feet replaced. He said the arthritis is about as severe as it can be and there is nothing else short of complete fusion that he can do.

In the metatarsal (MTP) joint, as with any joint, the bone ends are covered by a smooth articular cartilage. If wear and tear or injury damage the cartilage, the raw bone ends can rub together. You can see in the illustration to the right bone spurs or overgrowth which may develop on the top of the bone. This overgrowth can prevent the toe from bending as much as required when you walk. The result is a stiff big toe or hallus rigidus.

Hallus rigidus usually develops in adults between 30 - 60 years of age. There is no known cause why it develops in some people and not others with the same amount of arthritis. It may result from an injury to the toe that damages the articular cartilage or from differences in foot anatomy that increases stress on the joint.

The joint shown in the picture is the one which I will have replaced. This is not a surgery I look forward to. I already have such exquisite pain in my feet (similar to a blow torch with a beat), that I can't even imagine what it will be like recovering from this, but I will hope that a few weeks of pain will give me a lifetime of relief.

My surgeon was amazed that I am walking the distances I do considering the severity of arthritis and my lack of foot mobility which leads to supination (walking on the outside of my feet).

The waiting time for this surgery will be close to one year, so for now, I will just put it out of my mind and continue my walking, cycling and good healthy eating as I continue my journey to good health. My hope is to halt my arthritis from progressing further in other parts of my body.

What Colour Is Your Aura?

2010-03-24T22:41:00.006-04:00

The human aura is an energy field that reflects the subtle life energies within the body. These energies make us what we are and in turn are affected by our surroundings and life style.

Our aura reflects our health, mental activity and emotional state. It also shows disease ~ often long before the onset of symptoms.

Close to the skin is the etheric aura. It is seen as a pale, narrow band that outlines the body, usually no more than half of one inch wide. It looks like pale smoke clinging to the body. This is the visible part of the etheric body in it's contracted state. During sleep the etheric body expands greatly and opens to absorb and store cosmic energy. The etheric is better named the vitality sheath or energy body. After sleep, it contracts, forming a dense sheath around the body close to the skin.

Everything in the Universe is vibrational. Every atom, every part of every atom, every electron, every elementary particle, even our thoughts and consciousness are vibrations.

Auras are an electro-photonic vibrational response of an object to some external excitation - for example ambient light.

A human aura is partly composed from electromagnetic radiation ~ from microwave, infrared to UV light. The low frequency microwave and infrared part of the spectrum is related to the low levels of our bodily functions ~ DNA structure, metabolism, circulation, etc... whereas the high frequency UV portion is related to our conscious activity such as thinking, creativity, intentions, sense of humour and emotions.

Children are naturally able to see auras. Infants frequently look above a person in front of them. When they do not like the colour of the aura above the head, they will cry, no matter how much smiling the person does. This natural ability slowly disappears as they age due to the materialistic world and suppression of their nature by following superficial examples.

For the past few weeks, after learning how to see auras, I have practiced religiously on a daily basis to see mine. When I finally learned how to soften my gaze (this is hard to do deliberately), I was able to see a white glow around my feet and also my fingers. This is not to be confused with the after image that you see if you stare at something long enough and then look elsewhere quickly. As I continued to practice, I started to see a little colour ~ right now it is a beautiful spring green. After seeing my aura, I started to work with my dog while she slept. Chelsea's is pure white. I tried as well with my daughter and saw a whitish blue haze around her.

This skill can take months, even years to perfect. As I continue to explore my spirituality, I must exercise patience and accept this gift as it is given. I've only just begun.

The colours I have seen represent only the top layer of what is hidden beneath waiting for me to discover.

I have learned that different colours mean different things.

Red indicates force, vigour and energy. Dark reds indicate a high temper and is a symbol of nervous turmoil. A lighter red indicates a nervous, impulsive, very active person, one who is probably self-centered. Scarlet indicates an overdose of ego. Pink or coral is the colour of immaturity, frequently seen in young people. In all cases of red there is a tendency to nervous troubles.

Orange indicates thoughtfulness and consideration of others. Golden orange is vital and indicates self control and creativity. Brown orange shows a lack of ambition and a don't care attitude.

Yellow indicates health and well-being. These people are happy, friendly and helpful.

Green is the colour of healing. It is helpful, strong and friendly. Blue greens indicate helpfulness and trust. Lemony green showing lots of yellow is deceitful.

Blue is good but the deeper shades are best. Pale blue indicates little depth, struggling toward maturity. Middle blues or aqua indicates a hard worker. Deep blues indicate a person immersed in their work, tending to be moody with a mission they are steadfast in fulfilling. These people are usually spiritually minded and dedicated to unselfish causes, such as science, art or social service.

Indigo and violet indicates seekers, people who are searching for a cause or a religious experience. Those showing purple are inclined to be overbearing.

White indicates perfection.

Black indicates serious illness or death.

Brown indicates humility, earthy, sincere, a gentle heart.

Grey indicates an absence of life force.

Silver indicates balanced life force, an appreciation for life and its' offerings, a universal outlook.

So, what colour is your aura?

Green

2010-03-22T15:48:00.005-04:00

As you know, I have radically changed my lifestyle by adopting a vegan lifestyle, juicing, eating a 60/40 raw food diet.

And now, I have added "green monsters" to my diet.

What ~ you ask is a green monster"

Well, let me tell you, it is the yummiest smoothie (raw food) I have every tasted.

I discovered this marvelous website thanks to my daughter called "The Green Smoothie Queen". I spent hours perusing this site, pouring over the information therein, and then I jumped in with both feet. Since Monday of last week, I have replaced one meal each day with a green smoothie. There are recipes posted here, but you really are only limited by your own imagination. I put a banana in every smoothie for the sweetness and potassium, and then everything else is whatever happens to be in the fridge .... blueberries, strawberries, pineapple, mango, papaya, avocados and then, I stuff in as much leafy greens that I can fit in the blender. I have used spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, parsley and swiss chard. I also throw in a spoonful of ground flax seed for the EFA's.

You won't believe this, but you can't even taste the greens. (My grandsons drink one of these "green monsters" every day and they hate vegetables.) Now, I do love my greens in salads, sauteed, in soups or .... pretty much any way at all, but this is a great way to get them in their raw form which is the superior way to consume vegetables and fruit. So I get all the wonderful nutrients and goodness from the greens while enjoying a smoothie that is sweet, thick and gloriously delicious. On her website, the Smoothie Queen suggests using water to make the mixing easier. I use a little almond milk which adds even more to the creaminess of the smoothie. I was talking to my daughter about what liquid she used in her smoothies and she said she saved a little leftover juice from her morning juicing to use. As I said earlier you are only limited by your imagination.

Prior to adding this to my daily menu, my energy had most definitely gone up, my daily fight with fatigue disappeared, but now, my energy is practically blowing the roof off my house. I can't seem to slow down or stop.

Simply amazing!!!!! I don't remember feeling this well in well over 20 years as I have fought to deal with my arthritis, my fibromyalgia along with other health issues.

So, grab your blender, some fruits and as much greens as you can fit in the blender and whip yourself up a cup of pure energy.

Savour the moment of blending as you enjoy watching the beautiful fingers of green lacing their way up through the fruit as they turn your concoction into the most vibrant shade of green which will tickle and tantalize your taste buds. But be prepared for the revitalization you will most certainly be rewarded with as you continue to blend your greens into a yummy, yummy smoothie.

My daughter ~ Sebrina recently did a post on her blog called Radiance. Pop over there and have a read and you'll know exactly how I feel lately.

Purely radiant.
Enjoy!

My Guilty Cravings

2010-03-19T15:39:00.007-04:00

Well, I have officially been living a vegan lifestyle for 6 weeks now as well as maintaining a 50% raw diet daily. Although I will preface my use of the word "vegan" by calling myself a "begegan". This means that I occasionally indulge in honey and goat cheese.

I am thoroughly enjoying this new lifestyle change and having fun with different recipes and trying many, many new fruits and vegetables, either juiced, in smoothies or lightly cooked.

However, for the past 3 weeks, I have been craving a hamburger in the worst way. I tried putting it out of my mind, tapping my way through the cravings all to no avail ~ the craving would not go away.

After intensive research on food cravings, I have discovered that if you are craving certain foods ~ in my case red meat, that most likely I am deficient in either iron or protein in my diet. Now, I have not had a blood test to determine this, I am quite sure that is not my problem as my energy levels are astronomical which indicates that I have no problem with iron reserves and as well I am careful to ensure that I have protein in my diet every day with either nut butters or bean spreads.

So why was I craving this darn burger so badly.

Certain foods are loaded with chemical additives, refined sugar, opioid peptides (think opium & morphine), and other addictive ingredients that literally make you "need a fix".

When it comes to food cravings: this poses a challenge ~ is my body asking for something it needs or is it remembering something it was once addicted to.

Should I ignore my cravings or indulge them?

Well, yesterday I indulged my craving ~ and yes I paid dearly for it. Major stomach upset for the remainder of the afternoon, but no matter today I am back on the wagon, enjoying a delicious juice for breakfast (grapefruit, orange, lemon, apple, carrot, kale & beet) and then for mid morning a "green monster" smoothie, then for lunch a delicious wrap filled with peppers, mushrooms, onion & garlic all sauteed in olive oil, then wrapped with spicy black bean dip, guacamole and salsa. YUMMMY!

As well today I decided to update my measurement chart which I have not done in one month and I was rewarded for all these changes I have made to my diet.

My losses are as follows: 5" from my chest, 4.75" from my waist and 5.25" from my hips. I am officially not shopping in the plus size clothing any longer and can easily slip into a large tee shirt or large - extra large or size 16-18 bottoms. Not bad considering that when I started this journey I was wearing a size 20-22 on my bottom and a size 18-20 on my top.

Feeling quite satisfied with myself today.

As for the cravings ~ well, I don't imagine I'll be having any for quite some time. My reaction yesterday was swift and strong, enough to keep me away from "meat" leaving it to the animals like the tiger up above who actually has the proper digestive system to digest meat, unlike humans whose intestines are so long that meat putrifies and sometimes can take up to 8 days to eliminate.

Yup, I think that my indulgence yesterday might have been the last one ~ at least I certainly hope so.

What Does 25 Look Like?

2010-03-02T08:20:00.005-05:00

A full body shot is not something I would ever share with anyone.

But since losing 25 pounds (actually 26 now), I can't believe the difference in my body shape or size. It really seems like such a small amount, but the difference to me in how I feel and secondarily how I look is astronomical.

Here I am at my birthday part last year ..........

And here I am this morning ............

I notice the biggest difference in my upper body, my shoulders, my collarbone and upper chest area and my back. When I look in the mirro now, I don't see an obese person, I see someon who could stand to lose a few more pounds, but not what I saw before.

I have gone down almost two sizes in my hips, but the biggest difference I see is in my upper body.

I just seem to keep feeling better and better. And another interesting note, since I've started this new life style of eating a healthy and mostly raw diet, it would seem that I can have a little cheat here and there and it doesn't seem to make any difference. By cheat I mean a small bowl of Buffalo Blue chips or maybe one of my daughter's absolutely terrific brownies.

However, the one thing that does make a huge impact on how I feel is to have something fried or processed. None of that for me any more. It bloats me .... makes me retain fluids .... gives me gas (pardon me) ..... and just generally makes me feel like crap.

So although this started out as a diet of sorts, it has become a true life style change which I will cling dearly to for the rest of my life.

Here's looking at a skinnier me sooner than later!

You Shouldn't Have

2010-02-28T16:37:00.007-05:00

Alli over at http://www.oceantreasures.blogspot.com/ gave me this award last week. I've been a little busy and am now just getting around to joining in the fun.

First, thanks Alli for this award. I hope I can live up to your very kind words.

Here's the rules, list 10 things and 10 blogs that make you happy.

1. My family ~ the treasures in my life. As I get older, I realize how important it is to treasure each and every moment with them.

2. My friends. They hold me up, they keep me sane, they love me just for who I am.

3. Good food. As I journey down this road to a healthier lifestyle, I am rediscovering old favourites and discovering some new favourites, luscious soups, crispy stir fries, curried beans with vegetables and something as simple as a date with a dollop of fresh goat cheese and an almond slipped inside like a little treasure waiting to be found.

4. A pedicure. The luxurious hour I am fortunate enough to enjoy every month to keep my feet in beautiful walking condition.

5. The peace by the lake when I'm walking. The smell of the water as it crashes over the rocks, the gulls screaming as they swoop and swirl above the water, the wind as it whispers through the tall grasses, the little chickadees nesting in the old trees, coming across a small field where I see deer tracks in the snow.

6. Reading. I love books, how they smell, how they feel, how they look lined up in perfect order on my bookshelves. I am especially drawn lately to beautifully detailed and photographed cookbooks.

7. The sun coming in the windows in my living room first thing in the morning. Getting comfy on the sofa with a few feather cushions and a velvet throw ~ in the early dawn waiting for the sun to come up and start the dance of lights around my room.

8. My new Breville juicer. I LOVE MY JUICER!

9. A good chiropractic adjustment. After years and years of pain being told by my chiropractor that my scans are almost perfect. Is there anything better?

10. My new smaller & healthier body. To date 26 pounds down, my BMI down by 2 points, 8 inches lost (from the important spots) and 2 sizes smaller (I can shop in regular size stores now) ~ clarity of mind, a lower level of daily pain and a body that actually works with me instead of against me.

Blogs that make me happy.

Since Alli and I read many of the same blogs: I can only list a few blogs that she didn't list herself. As well, I don't read a lot of blogs, but enjoy staying with the same ones day in and day out. I feel like these are my friends even though we have never met.

1. Julie at Moments of Perfect Clarity. Julie's blog is just purely happy, colourful, homey and her thoughts on many subjects give pause for thought many a day.

2. Sebrina at Sebrina Wilson Photography. My daughter's portraits are simply stunning, artistic and creative. Maternity shots, newborns, children, families, engagement and wedding photos. She captures each moment in a soulful, calm, pure and simple way that touches my heart with each photo shoot she shares.

3. Colleen at Gradual Transition is inspiring. She is on a journey to better health and I am pleased to be able to walk this road right beside her.

4. Vickie at Frenchy Addict. Although Alli awarded her first, I just have to duplicate it and give it to her again. I love popping by her blog to see what's new in her world, knitting socks, sewing up an apron, having a girl's only glam night, sharing her gardening adventures. It's just a lovely restful moment to drop in to visit here.

5. Alli at Ocean Treasures. Here's the happy award back to you Alli ~ Your knowledge is awesome, I learn something new each time I pop by for a visit and your orchids are especially beautiful and breathtaking.

Won't you drop by and see why these "friends" of mine make me happy.

Twenty Five

2010-02-24T07:52:00.006-05:00

Well, there it is ~ Twenty Five ~ my first goal.

This morning I got up and weighed myself and there it was for all to see.

I have lost my first twenty five pounds.

I can't believe how easy it has been, especially since I bought my juicer and decided to do a 60/40 raw food diet. The interesting thing is I don't really want much of anything else now. I am loving the juices ~ don't get hungry and besides a piece of fruit or stir fried veggies with tofu, goat cheese and a bit of rice, I really am not craving anything else.

Who ever thought that this girl ~ the original "sweet tooth" herself would actually reach this goal. My sweet treat now is a Medjool date (pit removed), filled with goat cheese and two almonds ~ delicious!

On to the next 25!

Are You Getting Your 5-9?

2010-02-16T12:52:00.008-05:00

As I have said through past posts, I have wanted to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle for years, but just needed a push to get there. I stopped eating red meat last August, but was having trouble taking the final step. Going through a detox over the past 4 weeks, was the just the push I needed.

And now, another step in this journey to health "A New Juicer".

I am so very excited. This too is something that I have wanted to have for a long time. Years ago I picked up a very cheap one at a garage sale and although it juiced, I wasn't treated to what my new juicer treated me to this afternoon.

This new Breville Ikon Juicer is amazzzzzzzzing!

Not to mention how sleek and beautiful it looks on my counter.

And then of course, there are all the benefits that juicing provides my body. It is recommended that we consume 5 vegetables and another 3 fruits in our daily diet and yet the average person today only consumes 1 1/2 servings of veggies and generally no fruit on any given day.

Although consuming whole fruits and veggies is important, juicing gives us the minerals, vitamins, enzymes, essential fatty acids, carbohydrates, protein and more in a form that is much easier to digest. Much of the goodness is locked in the fibre of the fruit and veggies which goes through the body and is expelled. By juicing, all of this life giving goodness is released from the fibre and is in your bloodstream in less than 30 minutes.

Now, enough about the nutritional side and on to the juicing.

So, I got my beautiful new juicer home, opened it up, read the instructions fully as instructed, then washed all the removable parts in warm soapy water, dried them, reassembled the juice and got ready to juice. I then proceeded to wash a beet, 2 carrots, 3 stocks of celery, a handful of parsley, 1/3 of a cucumber, one apple and a 1" piece of ginger.

I learned something very important today as I turned on the machine and got ready to drop in the beet. That lesson was to make sure that I push down immediately on the inserted fruit/vegetable with the food pusher. I dropped in a beet and then reached for the pusher. Well before I got the pusher in the chute, beet bits started to fly up out of the chute and onto everything.
Lesson learned! Veggy in one hand ~ pusher in the other ~ now GO!

After this wee bit of fun, I got back to my first juiced, healthy drink. It was a delectable, slightly sweet, frothy, beautiful shade of garnet red, gastronomic delight. The ginger added just a little nip to the flavour.

One really nice feature of this juicer, is a specialized spout that allows me to juice directly into my glass, or for larger amounts I can take off the spout and juice into the jug.

As well, I am continuing to pursue my walking and this weekend I accomplished my furthest walk yet. On Sunday I walked 8.3km followed up by 5km on Monday. Although I really feel it today (probably pushed a little too far), I am very proud of myself and the distance that I covered.

Guess the "ugly" shoes are really working.

Great Day Today

2010-02-05T21:48:00.002-05:00

What an amazing day I had today with my food choices.

For breakfast I had steel cut oats, at lunch a homemade asparagus soup with a spoonful of organic miso. Mid afternoon I enjoyed a banana/pineapple/raspberry smoothie with a tbsp of hemp protein powder.

Then for dinner the piece de resistance ~ a delicious curried lentil dish.

In a saucepan I browned 1 chopped onion and 6-7 chopped garlic cloves in a little olive oil. I generously sprinkled it with cumin, curry powder, cayenne pepper and sea salt to taste.

When it was browned I added 2 chopped sweet potatoes, approximately 1 1/2 cups Puy lentils and covered with homemade vegetable broth. When the liquid was absorbed (about 3o minutes), I added 4-5 handfuls of organic baby spinach.

Then I made up one avocado into guacamole and spooned it on top of the lentil dish. YUMMY!!!

I am not missing animal products at all in this new diet. Besides with a delicious day of food like I had today, who needs it.

I Am An Athlete

2010-02-01T07:50:00.005-05:00

The temperature was minus 22 celcius on Saturday morning, crisp, cold, sunny and the kind of day that the snow squeaks when you step on it. But I needed to get outside for a walk, as I have only walked on the treadmill over the past few weeks.

So I got on my walking clothes and headed outside to walk. Well, let me tell you, it was freakin' cold out there. I had on my sports bra, a base layer shirt, a cool max shirt and then I put on a heavy sweater, over which I wore a fake fur coat, with a tube scarf wrapped around my mouth and ears. I wore a pair of cashmere lined leather gloves and covered them with a pair of hot paws mitts. And of course my Uggs to keep my tootsies warm. Do you know that I ended up taking off the hot paws and undoing my coat and just wearing it over my shoulders, my body got so hot. However, my face burnt from the wind chill and my thighs were numb and red as tomatoes by the time I got back. (Unfortunately I neglected to put anything on my legs underneath my Lululemon pants).

That was probably the fastest I have ever walked, I was so anxious to get back into the warmth of my home. I didn't even notice if my feet were hurting because I was soooooooooo cold.

I left before Don got up, so when I got back he was sitting reading with a cup of coffee and pronounced me a true athlete to go out walking in such frigid temperatures.

Then yesterday, I walked 4.8km in my new "ugly" shoes. BTW, that is what I named my new running shoes ~ ugly.

What a difference in my walking ability to have a proper pair of technical shoes, my feet hurt very minimally, the plantar fasciitis didn't start to burn until I had walked about 4km.

So, take a look at me ~ I'm an athlete!

Day 3 of The Big Detox

2010-01-27T19:40:00.004-05:00

Well I have made it through day 3 and I am even having a little fun dreaming up recipes. I have managed to walk through Starbucks on my way into Chapters and not even stop for a coffee (which I love incidentally and is NOT on this detox).

Today for lunch using leftover brown rice and broccoli I came up with this recipe. It was delicious.

In a frying pan brown chopped onions, garlic, peppers, celery and firm organic tofu in olive oil for about 10 minutes. Add the rice and chopped broccoli. At this point I squirted in about 1 tblsp of Bragg's (non GMO, no gluten soya), cumin and freshly ground black pepper. When everything was crispy and brown, I threw in a few handfuls of organic baby spinach. When it is wilted, plate the mixture and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and hemp hearts.

When this detox is over, I think this would be extra delicious with a bit of goat cheese crumbled in to melt a little ~ now I am drooling.

I think tomorrow night I am going to try stuffed peppers using tofu and brown rice.

This might be just the start I need to move to a vegetarian lifestyle ~ something I have thought about for years but just have never got around to actually doing it.

Having started this detox with a viewing of Food Inc., I have a whole new appreciation for how our food today gets from its' natural state to our table. The meat industry in particular I found quite difficult to watch, disturbing and upsetting at times. So far it has not been difficult to keep meat out of my diet.

If you are interested in how large corporations (some of which are named) have turned what should be a source of sustenance into a multi billion dollar conglomerate that has more power than even our governments, not to mention running over anyone or anything in their way, buying out those who don't agree with them, even lobbying to have laws passed to favour their way of running their corporations, then you must see Food Inc.

Watching how cows, pigs and chickens were treated just so we can eat meat made a huge impression on me ~ so much so that I am not sure I can eat meat again. I have lived my life disassociated from the fact that those lovely plump chicken breasts actually belonged to a living, breathing chicken once upon a time, a chicken that was given hormones to promote record breaking weight gain, a chicken that was kept in a chicken house in the dark, living in their own feces, sometimes being pecked to death.

I'll never look at a package of chicken breasts the same again.

New Shoes

2010-01-26T07:53:00.005-05:00

Okay, I admit it ~ I love shoes. Unfortunately due to very painful feet, I can only wear flats, but occasionally you can find some really pretty flat shoes. In fact, I recently found a gorgeous pair of purple suede pumps with an open toe. Great with all the plum pieces I have added to my wardrobe this season.

On this past weekend Don and I went to see a personal trainer to be properly fitted for athletic shoes.

Because Don trains regularly for marathon runs, he requires a perfect fit in a shoe to avoid injuries. As walking does not inflict the force on my legs and feet that running does, I require a less technical shoe, but still with good cushioning to hopefully prevent more pain when I do my 5k walks.

And, as you can see from the picture, I got my first pair of running shoes. (Believe or not, I've never owned a pair of running shoes).

Due to the amount of walking I am doing now, my Clarke's walking shoes were not providing enough support and my plantar fasciitis kept rearing it's ugly head. So, swallowing my love of shoes, I was fitted with a pair of New Balance 758.

Now I have to say, these are so ugly, I'm just not into athletic gear ~ does that say anything about my personality? Hmmmm.
Give me my black leather skirt, black tights and my new purple pumps anyday.

Tell me, how does a girly girl wear these ugly things? I'm going to have to develop a whole new mind set about athletic clothing. Well, maybe as long as it's Lululemon athletic clothing, I guess I can suck it up and feel a little fashionable while I'm walking.

Putting aside their appearance, these are however, the most comfortable pair of shoes I have ever put on my feet. The cushioning on the bottom is miraculous, preventing any soreness on my feet. I'm going to try them out today for a longer walk after I get back from my morning group meditation.

Why Should I Detox?

2010-01-21T07:14:00.004-05:00

Our bodies naturally detoxify everyday as part of a normal body process. Detoxification is one of the body's most basic automatic functions of eliminating and neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph and skin. Unfortunately in this day and age, with the pollution found in the air, water and the food we eat, our bodies have a hard time keeping up. Our chemicalized diet with too much animal protein, too much saturated and trans fats, too much caffeine and alcohol radically changes our internal ecosystem.

Body systems and organs that were once capable of cleaning out unwanted substances are now completely over-loaded to the point where toxic material remains inside our tissues. Our bodies try to protect us from dangerous substances by setting it aside, surrounding it with mucous and fat so that it will not cause an imbalance or trigger an immune response (some people carry up to 15 extra pounds of mucous that harbours this waste).

Detoxification through special cleansing diets and colonics is the best way to assist your body's natural self-cleaning system. It is especially important for immune-compromised diseases like cancer, arthritis, diabetes and chronic fatigue. However, even if your diet is good, a spring cleanse can revitalize your system and rid your body of harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites.

I have fasted in the past and also done the elimination diet. With the start of the new year I joined a group in my community who are detoxing together. This detox is very similar to the elimination diet ~ no sugar, no wheat/gluten, no diary. We will do this together for 4 weeks.

As well, I have discovered another method of detoxing through bathing, which I will add to my next 4 weeks. The detox bath was developed by Louis Kuhne, (a German naturopath) in the 19th century to in an effort to heal the hereditary stomach and lung cancer's that were devouring his body. Not only did he succeed in alleviating the symptoms, but he went on to devote his life in treating the ill.

Here is the recipe and instructions.

1/8 cup of fresh ginger, 1 cup Epsom salts. Add to water as hot as you can stand.

Before submersing in the water, dry brush your skin (always towards the heart). This helps with lymphatic drainage.

Now, get in the tub (make sure you keep a bottle of water handy in case you get thirsty). After 30 minutes, get out and rub your body vigorously with a towel until your skin turns red. Wrap up and get into bed, covering your body with a blanket. You will most likely sweat for an hour or so. If you can fall asleep ~ that's great, your body will be eliminating toxins through your skin.

New Year - New Goals

2010-01-19T16:45:00.004-05:00

Well here we are at the start of another decade.

Did any of you make new years' resolutions? I am not a believer in making resolutions. Too many start off the new year with resolutions and within short order they are forgotten. Why set yourself up for a failure by setting unrealistic goals.

Now, having said that I am embarking on another leg in my journey towards good health. Having lost 15 pounds and maintained that loss for over 2 months, I am now prepared to take on the next 10. So I guess you could say I am making a resolution to lose yet another 10 pounds.

I also signed up for my second 5K walk in April, so I must stick to my walking program. Over the Christmas holidays I fought a case of acute bronchitis and walking pneumonia, so unfortunately my exercise took a major hit and I'm just getting back at it now. I walked 2 miles this morning and tonight I am nursing stiff knees and sore calves.

As well, I have started to meditate. I came upon meditation through a lovely woman that I met through a joint friend. She has a lovely, relaxing way of leading a group meditation which I participate in one morning each week. As well I am working towards incorporating sunrise and sunset meditation into my daily routine. I find that I spend most of my time rushing towards the next thing on my list, so meditating is teaching me to "just be".

Those who practice meditation on a regular basis report that their ability to concentrate increases and the mind becomes progressively sharper and more under control, including freedom from unwanted thoughts, emotions and influences, and with a much higher ability to enjoy the present moment. Research has shown that meditation contributes to reducing stress and achieving deep relaxation and a profound state of rest. Meditation gives us the tools by which we can start to enjoy fuller, happier lives and better relationships. Many people have noticed dramatic improvements in their lives and health. People who meditate look and feel much younger than their age!

Meditation calms the mind, relaxes and dissolves tension from the body (and who can't use a little less stress/tension today). With regular practice, the mind begins to experience much higher levels of peace, tranquility and serenity, not only during meditation itself but also during daily life. There is a progressive and profound increase in happiness, tolerance, love, understanding, fearlessness, and inner powers and abilities.

This moment contains all moments ...... C.S. Lewis

EFT

2010-01-16T08:11:00.005-05:00

I have just been introduced to a new program called E.F.T. (Emotional Freedom Techniques).

Let me say what an incredible method of releasing pain, illness, past issues, etc... I downloaded a manual on the basics and already I have relieved a headache that has been plaguing me for just over one week. It had been so bad on some days that I was injecting pain killers. But with only two sessions which take about 1 - 1/2 minutes, the pain was completely gone.

I am going to continue learning about this technique and continue to use it to unlock all the potential within me.

EFT is based on this simple discovery statement ~ "The cause of all negative emotions is a disruption in the body's energy system".

Imbalances in the body's energy system have profound effects on one's personal psychology. Correcting these imbalances, which is done by tapping on specific body locations, often shows remarkable recovery. Most problems vanish in minutes.

By tapping near the end points of your energy meridians (acupuncture/pressure points), you can experience some profound changes in your emotional physical health. Many health practitioners are finding ways to use our vital energy system to aid in physical healing. Acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, massage therapy and chiropractic are but a few of them.

Go to Gary Craig's ~ (one of the pioneers of this healing modality) website and learn about it for yourself. http://www.emofree.com/

A Christmas Story - Christmas Magic

2009-12-24T11:46:00.005-05:00

Emily sat on the floor with her legs tucked under her staring at the corner where they always placed the Christmas tree for as long as she could remember.

But this year, the corner sat empty. There was no tree. At only 9 years old, Emily didn't understand why they had not put up their traditional tree and where were the Christmas presents?

You see, earlier that year Emily's father and older brother Rowan had gone out to one of Rowan's hockey games, but they never came home. Her mother said they had gone to live with baby Jesus. But then Emily didn't really understand why then they couldn't go to visit them if they lived somewhere else.

After that night Emily's mother changed. She cried a lot, she didn't talk much to Emily and she stayed in her room to sleep much more than just at night.

It didn't even seem like Christmas this year except of course for the beautiful blanket of snow outside and the silver icicles that hung outside the windows glittering in the sunlight.

Every year at Christmas, Emily and her mother would go into the city to the big stores to do their Christmas shopping, they would spend the day shopping and looking at the windows on the street which were full of toys and beautiful Christmas decorations. After their day, they would have dinner at a nice restaurant where the tables had white tablecloths and napkins to match. Mommy showed her how to lay the napkin across her lap. The man who brought their food wore a black suit with shoes so shiny Emily could almost see her face in them. Mommy told her to be polite and say thank you when he brought her food, but when he put her food in front of her he bowed and then clicked his heels. Unable to help herself, Emily asked him if he had seen The Wizard of Oz (her very favouritist movie), because his heel clicks reminded her of Dorothy. The man smiled kindly at Emily and said that of course, that was his favourite movie. He always clicked his heels at Christmas because his family lived far away and he, like Dorothy wanted to be home with them, especially at Christmas time.

Then, when they finished their dinner they would put on their skates and go to skate on the frozen canal which ran through the centre of town. After skating they would go the hotel where they would stay overnight, change into their pyjamas and sip hot chocolate which a very nice lady brought to their room. In the morning another very nice lady would bring a delicious breakfast of pancakes, fresh strawberries, whipped cream and maple syrup. After breakfast with their shopping complete and their adventure over, they would head back home to everything that Emily loved, her daddy, her big brother Rowan, her dog Ellie.

Of course, while Emily and her mother were gone, Rowan and daddy would hang the Christmas lights and decorate the outside of the house in preparation for Christmas.

Once the presents were wrapped, they would bundle up in warm clothes and go out into the woods just behind their house to find a perfect tree for that corner.

Mommy would get out all the ornaments and they would spend the afternoon decorating the tree and drinking hot chocolate with little marsh mellows in it.

Emily hugged her knees up tight against her chest remembering all these lovely things that made her feel warm inside. But then she looked at the corner again and remembered that this Christmas something was very different.

Her dad and brother were gone, her mom was different, she never laughed any more. Even grandma and grandpa couldn't get mommy to feel Christmassy this year.

As Emily sat there remembering her Christmases past, a small tear escaped from her eye and slid down her cheek dropping onto her knee. Her dog, Ellie who had been lying beside her on the floor, suddenly looked up at Emily and sensed her sadness. She sat up and leaned against Emily licking her cheek where the tear had been. Emily put her arms around Ellie, snuggling in close to her neck and whispering, "We have to make Christmas special this year for Mommy."

Jumping up, she grabbed her warm winter clothes and ran outside to play in the snow.

Ellie bounded out the door after her, running through the snow with her nose down. The snow sprayed in every direction as Ellie pushed through it. When she finally stopped and looked up, Emily laughed to see all the snow on Ellie's face. She had a white snow beard with white snow hair on top of her head.

While Emily played outside, Mr. Whitcombe, their next door neighbour watched her from the window. He felt so sad for Emily and her mother. He knew the pain of loss to, as his wife; Bessie had died only just 1 year ago and left him alone. As he watched Emily and Ellie playing in the snow, he wondered what he could do to help this family?

Mr. Whitcombe put on his coat and boots, tied a scarf around his neck and headed outside to say hello to Emily.

"Hello Emily", he called over as he started walking towards her. "Are you and Ellie enjoying this new snow?"

"Hello Mr. Whitcombe, we're having lots of fun, Ellie ran through the snow with her nose and got so much snow on her head she had a white snow beard and white snow hair. I'm going to build a snowman, do you want to help?"

So, together they started to roll the snowballs to make their snowman. As the afternoon wore on, they ended up making a snow family, a daddy with a top hat that Mr. Whitcombe found in his attic, a mommy with a shawl that he also brought out and a little girl and boy who each wore a knitted hat and scarf.

Throughout their snow family making, they talked about how sad Emily's mommy was; about
how there was no Christmas tree, no presents and no laughter at their home any more. Mr. Whitcombe pretended to blow his nose, but he was really wiping away the tears of sadness that he felt for this sweet little child.

So, he said to Emily, "Let's you and I see what we can do to help make Christmas better for you and your mommy."

It was getting late, so Emily said goodbye to Mr. Whitcombe and went inside.

Her mom was sitting wrapped in a blanket on the chair in the front of the fireplace.

"Mommy, come to the window and see the snow family that Mr. Whitcombe and I made this afternoon." Emily took her mother's hand and pulled her to the window, telling her how nice Mr. Whitcombe was. "He is just like Santa, with his big white beard and his fat tummy."

As her mother looked out the window at the snow family, Emily thought she saw a very small smile, but then a few tears also glistened on her cheeks.

Emily and her mother spent the day quietly, watching a couple of movies and having a small dinner, then heading to bed. It just was not like Christmas Eve in the past. The stockings were not hung, there was no milk and cookies and carrots laid out for Santa and his reindeer. Would Santa even come to their home this year Emily wondered?

In the morning, Emily woke to the sunshine coming through her window and noticed the icicles glittering like diamonds in the sunlight.

She ran downstairs, hoping to see that overnight Christmas had somehow magically arrived and there would be a tree and presents just like before. But there was no tree and no presents. Emily sat down, crying. Why did all these bad things happen to their family? And why didn't Santa come last night? Did he forget that she, Emily still lived here and had sent her Christmas list to him?

While Emily sat there feeling just a little bit sorry for herself, she heard her mom coming down the stairs.

"Emily, I am so sorry that Christmas is not fun this year, it has been hard for me to get in the Christmas spirit without your daddy and brother, but next year I will try harder to make it better for you."

Emily ran into her mother's arms, as they sat there together on the floor feeling the sadness at their aloneness this Christmas.

As they sat there, they heard a rustling noise outside and then suddenly there were bells ringing out a Christmas carol.

They jumped up and ran to the window to see what the commotion was all about. They both had to rub their eyes because they could not believe what they saw.

There on their front lawn was a big red sleigh and nine reindeer. Now you do remember all the reindeer's names don't you? Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen and of course Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.

Santa was standing in his sleigh waving to them and on their front porch was a tall, beautiful, decorated Christmas tree with flashing lights and a beautiful star shining on the top of the tree.

How could this be? And how did Santa know that they did not have a tree like usual?

Emily pulled on her boots, grabbed her coat and ran outside. Rudolph turned to nuzzle Emily's neck as she rushed towards the sleigh to see if this was real. Santa reach down and grabbed Emily pulling her up and into the sleigh with him. She sat on his lap leaning against his long, soft white beard.

"Santa, how did you know that we did not celebrate Christmas this year? And how did you know that we didn't have a tree? And, it's Christmas Day; shouldn't you be home at the North Pole now?" Emily had so many questions, she was practically breathless trying to ask them all.

Santa replied, "Emily, a very special friend told me about your daddy and brother and how sad your mommy is, so I thought that a special trip was in order to bring Christmas to you and your mommy."

As he explained everything to Emily, the beautiful Christmas tree disappeared as a gust of wind blew open the door and then suddenly there it stood in their home in its usual corner, but this time it was surrounded by parcels wrapped in silver and gold and tied up with big red bows.

"Emily, remember Christmas is not just a day but a feeling that is always in your heart. It is not just Christmas trees, presents and a big turkey dinner, but a feeling of love, forgiveness, family and remembering others who are not as fortunate as we are.

That's why I came on a special trip today, because you and your mother are having a difficult Christmas this year without your daddy and brother. I though you both needed extra love and attention."

Emily sat with Santa for a while enjoying his stories and attention. I think she might of even dropped off to sleep for a wee bit while she was snuggled in his arms.

And all the while, a kindly old gentleman stood at his window watching ........ and smiling.

Olympic Torch

2009-12-19T09:08:00.000-05:00

What an exciting moment this was!!

On Thursday, the Olympic Torch came through our area carried for 300 metres by John Stanton, a gentlemen from Edmonton, Alberta, who founded "The Running Room" located throughout North America.

Don and I went out the see him run and pass the flame to the next torch bearer. It was an exciting and much more emotional moment that I had anticipated.

Afterwards, Don had to go back to work and he dropped me off at home. At the last minute I decided to pop back into The Running Room to pick up his book and see if he was still there to autograph it for me.

Lucky for me, he was there and the manager suggested I have my picture taken with John. As I stood beside John, he put his arm around me and then at the last moment pushed the torch into my hand to hold.

This was quite an honour to actually hold the Olympic Torch and to meet John, who gave me quite a few tips on my walking program.

Progress

2009-12-19T08:47:00.005-05:00

Well, I continue to work towards a state of good health.

I continue my walking program that I started in the summer and I`m proud to say that last Sunday, I walked my first 5k. I registered for this walk in Whitby, Ontario, but unfortunately at the last minute, it was cancelled due to icy walkways & trails. With this cancellation came a problem - I had sent out an email to friends and family asking for donations to Toy Mountain (a charity run by the Salvation Army to provide toys to underprivileged children at Christmas), and had my own little Toy Mountain at my home to donate.

I was so disappointed that the walk was cancelled, but having all these toys, I didn`t feel right not going on my walk. So down I went on my treadmill and did my walk - 5.6K to be exact.

At the halfway mark, the phone rang and it was one of Don`s brothers who with his family had gone out to cheer me on at my race. Also one other brother and his family came along too. They showed up at our place just as I completed my walk and as they came in the door, Rebecca, their oldest held up a big sign covered with Christmas tinsel which read `Go Auntie Barb Go``. This beautiful sign is now proudly hanging on my basement wall - my trophy for my first walk.

An emotional moment for me upon completion with this very wonderful display of support.

So now with my first 5K walk completed, I have registered for another in April and continue to walk on my own 2 times a week - about 3-4Km each time and as well riding my recumbant bike 5Km once a week.

The weight is very slow to come off, but to date I have lost 17 pounds and don`t plan on stopping. I do not have a weight loss goal, my first and foremost goal is good health and the weight loss is secondary (a little extra bonus), so wherever it stops is where I`ll be content.

Merry Christmas everyone and all the best for the new decade ahead.

Many Lives ~ Many Masters

2009-12-02T05:07:00.004-05:00

Recently, I completed this book by Dr. Brian Weiss, MD.

Thanks so much to my sister Fran who suggested this book to me ~ I'm so glad she did. I will be digging up this author's other books to read as well. Simply fascinating!

There is very little I can say except "WOW" ~ and if you haven't read it, you should.

I was raised in a very religious home with no room for an open mind outside of Biblical teachings.

But let me tell after reading this book, I'm not so sure any more.

This is a recalling of the many sessions between the prominent psychiatrist, Dr. Brian Weiss, MD and his patient Catherine, who through the vehicle of hypnosis recalled close to 100 past lives. And I might add recalled them with vivid detail even down to the clothing she was wearing at the time.

It is not a long book ~ 218 pages ~ but what a page turner. I was fascinated at every turn but most of all, this book opened my mind to the possibilities of what awaits us when our journey has come to an end on earth.

Remembrance Day

2009-11-11T07:40:00.007-05:00

Today is Remembrance Day!

And I pause to remember the freedom we all take for granted.

And then I think of all our fallen heroes who have died to preserve our freedom.

The Highway of Heroes in Canada has seen far too many of our young soldiers travel along it for the last time.

It is a moving tribute to see the procession as it drives along the highway and the amount of people including soldiers, firefighters, police, families of previous fallen soldiers and those of us who silently weep at the senseless loss; congregate at each & every bridge from CFB Trenton to Toronto.

There is a reverence and silence each and every time a soldier comes home for the last time.

Let us not forget today our precious freedom that was and continues to be bought as such a high price.

Let us also remember the familes ~ the mothers and fathers who held their sons and daughters for the very last time, the children who said goodbye to their mother or father for the very last time, as they were deployed to go and fight these wars.

Today is also a special remembrance day in our family as our third grand baby Zander was born six years ago today.

I have always called Zander my little cuddle muffin. He is a very special little boy, full of a love of life and very full of love for his family who surrounds him.

We went to a birthday party for him on Sunday where Don and I were treated to a very special viewing of two movies that Zander's big brother Jayden produced and directed. While we were sitting on the sofa watching the movies, Zander came over, squeezed in between Don and I and casually placed one hand on each of our legs. Now that he's getting older, we don't get these very special moments quite as much as we used to, so when we do I savour each and every moment, enjoying the delicious flavour of unconditional childhood love.

Happy Birthday Zander!

No More Allergies

2009-10-27T15:33:00.006-04:00

Well, here I am again with more interesting steps along my journey to "good health".

Yesterday I underwent a holistic allergy clearing known as "Bioenergetic Intolerance Elimination (BIE)".

As I am extremely allergic to dogs, cats, dust, mould and through my life have tried all the conventional methods ~ skin testing, allergy shots, antihistamines & decongestants, corticosteroid inhalers and rescue inhalers, etc, this method seemed like a good choice since nothing else has ever addressed the root of the problem ~ only masked the symptoms.

I cannot even visit my grandbabies without taking an antihistamine and then using my rescue inhaler at least 2-3 times.

So in my quest to get off chemicals and regain good health with a healthy immune system so I can fight viruses, colds, influenza and other nasties that might come my way, I decided to have my allergies cleared.

This was a very interesting process. First let me explain (to the best of my ability) what BIE is.

BIE is a safe, effective and non-invasive alternative therapy for assessing and eliminating allergies, sensitivities and intolerances.

BIE works by “clearing” the energetic pathways of the body. These bioenergetic pathways, or meridians, whose existence has been confirmed through electro-magnetic imaging technology, allow energetic signals to flow continuously throughout the body via the nervous system. Any number of factors can cause a disruption in the normal (healthy) flow of energy through the body’s meridians. These disruptions interfere with the communication between the brain and body, causing energetic abnormalities which can underlie a wide range of symptoms and conditions, including allergies, sensitivities and intolerances.

During the procedure, the client is exposed to the allergenic substance (which is held in a glass vial), while a hand-held device is used to transmit a low electronic frequency at various meridian sites on the body. As the electronic frequency clears blocked meridians, the body’s cells interpret the allergen’s energetic frequency as “non-threatening”, resulting in the elimination of adverse reactions to the cleared allergen.

BIE is quite different from conventional methods of treating allergies. The most widely used conventional allergy test is the scratch or pin prick test, whereby an area on the skin (usually the back) is scratched or pricked to allow for a small dilution of a suspected allergen (typically inhaled allergens such as pollen, mold, dust and animal dander) to be applied and absorbed into the body. The appearance of redness and inflammation within 20 minutes confirms an allergy. Since the scratch test measures only one specific type of allergic response (IgE-mediated), it does not reliably detect food, chemical or environmental allergies and sensitivities.

Another significant drawback to the conventional approach to allergy is its reliance on pharmaceuticals to control allergic reactions and their symptoms. Antihistamines, inhaled orticosteroids, bronchodilators, aminophylline, oxtriphylline and theophylline medications may be used to provide temporary relief from symptoms, however, these short-term solutions pose the risk of serious long-term side effects (melatonin depletion with antihistamines; calcium, vitamin D, potassium, zinc, magnesium, vitamin C and folic acid depletion with corticosteroids; depression, insomnia and cardiovascular disease with bronchodilators).

In contrast, because BIE addresses the issue of allergy energetically, it is painless and non-invasive and can be used to assess the body’s reaction to virtually any substance. Further, a distinct advantage of BIE is its ability to restore the body’s proper physiological functioning without the use of pharmaceuticals and without any lasting adverse side effects.

During my appointment with the holistic allergist, she used muscle testing to determine the severity of my allergies using the substances to which I exhibit allergic reactions. So I brought fur from each of the animals that I react to. I had a very strong allergic reaction to the dogs and cats, reaction slightly less to dust and mould.

Then I went through the clearing which took about 20 minutes. Afterward she, using muscle testing again to check my allergic reactions to the substances. No more allergies to dust, mould, and all the animals but two had cleared. She said they would likely clear within 3-4 days.

For my followup appointment in December she suggested that I bring dust samples from my home and my daughters (the two places I spend the most time) for a clearing.

All I can say at this point is Hallelujah - now I can visit my daughter and her family without suffering asthma attacks, itchy & runny eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, coughing and just way too much liquid draining from my nose.

So, Just Exactly Where Have You Been?

2009-10-15T14:34:00.005-04:00

It would appear that I have lost my interest in blogging.

Why ~ I am not sure.

So much support and love across the miles came my way when I blogged my feelings through my fathers illness and ultimate death. During my knee and gall bladder surgeries I was overwhelmed by your concerns and good wishes.

So why, I wonder has my interest died. I have always enjoyed expressing myself through writing, painting, taking pictures, crafting, but all of these things have fallen by the wayside.

Well, part of the issue is that I am presently under construction to improve my health.

A few months ago, I decided to incorporate a Naturopathic doctor into my health management.

She discovered a great many problems in my blood chemistry, not the least of which was glucose at pre-diabetic levels. As well, I have acidosis which is a highly acidic body chemistry, high sodium levels, high potassium levels, too many liver enzymes, high cholesterol and anemia from very low iron.

She really put the "fear-of-God" into me by telling me that she felt within 5-6 years I would be a very sick woman if I did not make some big changes.

So, what am I doing?

First I am moving towards a vegan lifestyle. I have removed all red meat from my diet and am eating mostly oily fish (ie., salmon) as well as chicken and turkey. For the time being no more alcohol and I am following a 1600 calorie per day diet consisting mostly of vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, eggs, yogurts and again only white meats and fish. Dark chocolate, olive oil and olives are also in diet daily.

To date I have lost 12 pounds and dropped a size. YAHOOOOO!!! The weight loss has been slow (in my opinion), but my chances of keeping it off are greater according to statistics if I lose approximately 1 pound a week, rather than rush things along with a faster weight loss.

As well on my last follow up visit, my bloodwork showed considerable improvements in all the areas that she was very concerned with.

On the recommendation of my naturopath, I have also undertaken a series of colonics hydrotherapy.

What is colonics you might ask ~ here is a short overview.

Colon hydrotherapy, or colonics, is a centuries-old therapy using filtered water to flush accumulated fecal waste, harmful bacteria, intestinal parasites, gas and mucus from the colon. It is a safe and gentle yet powerful way to cleanse the body, and to make all body systems and organs more efficient.

When waste matter is not efficiently eliminated from the colon, it becomes impacted and eventually putrefies and turns toxic. These toxins are absorbed into the bloodstream through the colon wall, where they travel throughout the body and eventually settle in various tissues. The stress created by these toxic deposits weakens the body, and can cause or aggravate a multitude of symptoms. Colon hydrotherapy cleanses the colon, helping to prevent the absorption of toxins into the bloodstream, and provides a clearing for the body to release trapped toxins so that these can be properly eliminated. Facilitating the optimal efficiency of practically all body processes, and thereby preventing the onset or degeneration of illness, is what makes colonics a useful part of virtually any treatment for virtually any condition.

The practice of using water to flush waste from the colon as a form of therapy dates as far back as 1300 B.C. An ancient Greek medical text called the Eber Papyrus (named after George Eber, a German professor who had the text translated in 1873) extols the virtues of cleansing the colon via the rectum. Early fathers of medicine Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) and Galen (129-210) were strong proponents of colon cleansing as a medicinal tool. Ambrosio Paré (1517-1590), a French physician, was the first to describe colon hydrotherapy (also known as colon irrigation or colonics) in detail and to differentiate it from an enema.

Into the 20th century, pioneering physicians including Dr. John Harvey Kellogg (of Kellogg's cereal fame), Dr. Norman Walker and Dr. Bernard Jensen stressed the importance of receiving regular colonics as part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, until the 1930's, colon hydrotherapy was commonly practiced in many hospitals and doctors' offices, attesting to its legitimacy. Regrettably, the advent of pharmacology and the ensuing ubiquity of pharmaceuticals relegated colonics to virtual obsolescence for several decades.
Since the 1970's, however, there has been a grassroots resurgence of interest in the health benefits and healing potential of colon hydrotherapy.

Hectic schedules, high levels of stress, a growing dependence on nutrient-deficient processed and fast foods, artificial food additives and preservatives, sedentary lifestyles, alcohol consumption, smoking, recreational and prescription drug use, thousands of toxic chemicals in every day household and industrial products, environmental pollution, soil depletion - these are some of the common contributing factors to a general decline in people's health, producing conditions ranging from a vague feeling of malaise to more serious chronic and degenerative disease states. Ultimately, the body is burdened by toxic overload as it is not designed to cope with these hazards in the excessive quantity and frequency to which it has become exposed.

The consequences of these excesses have left many people searching for ways to regain their lost vitality. Drugs and surgery have become the interventions of choice in the field of medicine. However, although typically prescribed, drugs and surgery are limited in their effectiveness as a means of prevention. In fact, they are of little value until after the onset of illness. The use of drugs and surgery as a cure is also restricted. Because they tend to target a specific symptom rather than addressing the relationship between a symptom and the rest of the body, drugs and surgery generally do not address the underlying disturbances which caused illness to occur, leaving the door open for symptoms to recur or for new symptoms to develop. While modern medicine can be of invaluable service in certain critical circumstances, more and more people are seeking holistic health care alternatives to help alleviate illness before it reaches a critical stage.

As a holistic preventative and healing therapy, colon hydrotherapy is beyond comparison. It is widely practiced in the United Kingdom and in many European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Switzerland. In North America, a growing number of people are experiencing the far-reaching benefits of colonics as word spreads about this unique therapy and as more holistic practitioners offer colonics as an integral part of health care.

I have also gone back to chiropractic adjustments which I firmly believe are important to prevention of illness. Unfortunately I have let it go over the past year, but have just started back again. Still going through the difficulties of flare up due to the adjustments, but this too shall pass.

Back in August of 2007, I wrote how much I love chiropractic care and why you should see a chiropractor. Here again are my reasons for seeing a chiropractor.

1. Relieve nerve irritation caused by narrowed openings of the spine due to degenerated discs.
2. Restore movement by stretching shortened ligaments resulting from chronic joint stiffness.
3. Restore joint movement by breaking down scar tissue from old injuries.
4. Help to "pump" in nourishment and lubricates the discs to avoid drying, cracking and rupturing of discs.
5. Calm muscle excitability to reduce tensions and spasm.
6. Can trigger specific pain-controlling nerve reflexes.
7. Can save you time and money in the long run by preventing chronic pain and future disability.
8. Correct underlying structural problem, rather than "cover up" your symptoms.
9. Pain relief without drugs or surgery.

Many, many people are nervous to see a chiropractor because of many horror stories of neck twisting, cracking, etc.... When you look for a chiro make sure that you and he/she understand your fears. Many do not employ twisting and cracking, but use a small tool called an activator.

It's most important to understand that chiropractic is not a treatment for disease. It's purpose is to reduce nerve system stress, a serious and often painless condition most adults and children have in their bodies. Nerve system stress interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system, can weaken internal organs and organ systems, lower resistance, reduce healing potential and set the stage for sickness and disorders of all kinds. When a chiropractor frees the nervous system from spinal stress, the healing power of the body is unleashed: the immune system works more efficiently, resistance to disease increases, and your body functions more efficiently. You can then respond to internal and external environmental stresses such as germs, changes in temperature, humidity, toxins, pollen and all the other stresses you may come in contact with more efficiently.

As well I have incorporated a small exercise program into my schedule. As I am sure you must all remember, exercise and me do not mix .... sort of like oil and water, but for the sake of my health it must be done.

So I went out and bought a good pair of walking shoes, a pedometer and started a walking program of 2-3 times per week. To date I have managed to walk 1 - 1 1/2 miles on each walk.

So, if you have wondered where I have been, now you know .... spending a great deal of time getting my health under control.

I want to continue to enjoy my grandchildren as they get older, not have to make excuses for why I cannot do .....

Gone But Never Forgotten

2009-09-21T08:28:00.006-04:00

Very dear friends of our recently lost their beloved "Rikkers" to cancer.

As you can see she was a beauty of pooch. Many memories I have of sitting around their pool, while Rikkers would bring her frisbee for me to toss for her. This would go on until I got too tired ~ never her.

Their wonderful veterinarian helped them fight for an extra three months the Lymphoma and Leukemia that eventually took her life on Friday September 18th.

Here's a sweet picture Bev came across of our youngest grandson Zander (who is almost 6 now) enjoying a day of playing with Rikkers.

Rikkers August 2000-September 09

I Am Not There

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Heat, Humidity & Flowers

2009-08-18T09:50:00.003-04:00

I just had to share these "GORGEOUS" Hibiscus flowers that I woke up to yesterday.

I bought this plant three weeks ago. It was covered in buds, but had no flowers. I found it in the end of the season clearance isle for $4.99. A great deal I thought, so I bought it and hoped for the best.

Then the weather got really, really hot ~ outside thermometer showed 33 Celsius in the shade and that's not taking into account the heavy humidity we have had to contend with as well.

Well, I'm guessing that this little beauty loved the humidity because it started blooming yesterday morning and today there are four more plate size blooms.

I'm not an annual flower kind of the girl, my garden is mostly shrubbery and perennials, but I do have a few urns and cast iron plant holders that I fill up with annuals for shots of colour in the garden. This if the first time I have ever purchased a Hibiscus, usually I stick with Asters, Geraniums, Bacopa and Sweet Potato Vine, German Ivy and Vinca Vines for fillers.

My point and shoot camera doesn't take the best quality pictures, but I hope you can appreciate the beauty of these flowers ~ their size is spectacular, approximately 7" across and the fuchsia colour is breathtaking.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer and your gardens!!!

Forty is The Old Age of Youth ~ Fifty is The Youth of Old Age.

2009-08-13T10:21:00.025-04:00

Last Saturday I threw a birthday party to celebrate Don's 50th birthday.

What a wonderful afternoon and such fun we had!

The party was planned with just family (or so he thought), so he was very surprised when friends started to arrive as well.

The little sweetheart in the middle ~ Lindsey was the first to arrive with her mom and dad.

I told her to go outside to say "Happy Birthday" to the birthday boy.

He was so surprised, he couldn't for a moment figure out who she was.

That's what I call a good surprise!!

Then Mom and Dad followed along with other friends who arrived shortly after.

This is our oldest, beautiful niece Rebecca and also our newest niece Grace who just turned 7 weeks old.

A few of the party goers, son-in-law Mike, good friend Lesley who worked her buns off keeping the kitchen clean, providing drinks, cutlery, dishes and generally being a great hostess, Don's brothers ~ Paul & Peter.

Vanessa gets a ride from Uncle Glen.

Don has a few helpers to open his gifts, grandson Zander, niece Vanessa and nephew Jake who is working his way over to get in on the fun.

Don told me that he didn't want any fuss over this birthday and especially no presents brought.

Of course, since when do I do what I'm told .....

As you can see, presents were brought and he was thrilled to open up this gift from his brothers ~ a blu-ray player.

After he opened up the player, he turned to me and said, "Guess we better get some blu-ray disks now."

The perfect segue for his next gift. Because I knew he was getting the player I picked up his all time favourite movie ~ Top Gun.

Then probably the biggest surprise was this laptop from me, our children, my mom and one of our friends who contributed as well. Since I had given him a gold and diamond ring to mark this very special birthday, he wasn't expecting anything else from me, so this came as quite a surprise.

We had a wonderful day visiting with friends, family and enjoying the food I had prepared the day before ~marinated flank steak sliced thin and served cold, souvlaki, tiger shrimp, sushi (ordered in), pita bread with a variety of humus dips, quinoa salad (made by our daughter) and greek salad. This was the first time I had ever done flank steak. I marinated it for 3 days and then barbecued it on Friday afternoon, let it cool down and then sliced against the grain thinly. It was outstanding and I received many compliments on it.

Thanks to our daughter Sebrina, for taking all these absolutely beautiful pictures and portraits. We are quite proud of her for turning this amazing talent into a very successful photography business, which in the past few months has taken off like a rocket.

African Thunderstorms

2009-07-30T20:02:00.003-04:00

A friend shared this video with me today. It's incredible!

Close your eyes as you pay special attention to beginning where they use their hands to simulate the thunderstorm. You'll feel like you're in a tropical forest.

You Don't Look Fifty

2009-07-28T14:22:00.008-04:00

Today is a very BIG day for my hubby!

Shhhh don't tell anyone but it's birthday number 'fifty'.

So here is a little tribute to my sweetheart and a very big Happy Birthday with all my love.

The love of my life has a big day today
It’s birthday number ‘50’ so let’s say hoorah.

He’s a wonderful guy
Loves the girls in his life
His daughter, his granddaughter
And me ~ his wife.

He’s a really great dad and poppa to boot
These traits he owns
And there is no dispute.

His grandsons are great
But with them he cannot keep up
Not on the PlayStation III, the Nintendo or WII.

His nieces, they love him
Uncle Donald they say
“Can you come over and watch our ballet?”

He’s a terrific brother and wonderful son
Watching over his parents
Helping brothers when needed
But all the praise he receives goes unheeded.

He works very hard at his job in the city
Keeping customers happy ~ all systems up
After a hard day at work ~ his mood’s not too pretty.

His team ~ they are great
And they work very hard
To keep their boss happy
This I can’t overstate.

Today on this very significant day
Balloons and streamers in his office they draped
Too bad this wasn’t videotaped.

Well, his day’s nearly over
No dinner celebrations tonight
He’s training for a marathon
So he’ll have to eat light.

Finally!!

2009-07-24T08:39:00.010-04:00

Finally, Chris and I have met.

As Don came home on Tuesday night, pulling into the garage, Chris, husband Alain and son Joel drove in within seconds directly behind him.

I stood at the door, waiting for what seemed an eternity and then there was Chris ~ coming up my walkway to my front door.

She came right into my arms as we shared a hug and yes it felt like I already knew her. Chris is warm, loving and has all the character traits that I cherish in a friend. You can see in her the love she radiates for her husband and children.

This woman is truly a treasure!!

Her friendship which I have treasured for years has now become a living breathing relationship.

I stretched out my hand to shake Joel and Alain's hands, but they just reached out to share a hug ~ they too already knew me through Chris. It was immediately so comfortable.

Joel made a interesting observation when he and I were chatting at breakfast the next morning. He commented that this was an easy transition as the trust has already been established and as well the knowledge of each other that takes so long when developing a friendship. We so easily slipped into comfortable talk and easy companionship.

This visit had seemed a little like Christmas day ~ so much excitment and buildup and then in a flash it was over.

But, what a wonderful time we had with her, Alain and Joel.

It seems a little surreal to me that she actually was here after all of our years of communicating through emails. It was so amazing to be sitting in the same room with Chris talking and sharing like we have for years on email.

My plan had been that we would sit outside in the garden and barbecue corn, homemade burgers, sausages and of course my Tuscan smashed potatoes. But, alas, it was not to be ~ about 1 1/2 hours before they arrived the skies opened and poured down rain for the rest of the evening ~ so I had to quickly change course. The corn was steamed on the stove. I put together a huge green salad and grilled seasoned chicken breasts which I quickly had to defrost. They brought a lovely bottle of Ontario red wine. By the time we polished that off (our second bottle) and then coffee and liquors ~ a shot or three of Rémy Martin, I was feeling quite tingly. After imbibbing that much, normally I would want to close my eyes and go to sleep, but the stimulation of our visit and conversation for the very first time kept me awake until after 1:30. Don had to get up at 6:00 for work, so I thought it best at that time if we all went to bed ~ I didn't want to keep him awake with our talking.

Sidenote ~ I didn't really sleep at all that night ~ too excited.

Now that they are gone ~ I wonder did it really happen? I must pinch myself awake.

Coincidentally her son Joel also was leaving our home to go to Minneapolis to meet a friend he too has known via email for years.

So now we are back to emails, but can we look forward to a visit to their home in the future? I hope so.

Now that we have finally meet, I would dearly love to keep this friendship alive with visits.

But thank goodness for the wonders of technology today, we can email or even talk using a webcam and Skype to stay in touch when we can't be together in person.

Edited to add: Joel is not in the picture because he was behind the camera!

One Year Ago

2009-07-22T06:29:00.001-04:00

One year ago today, I lost my dad. The family sat in his bedroom surrounding him with love, as he took his last breath and left this world.

My dad and I did not have the closest relationship but the three weeks prior to his death made up for a lifetime of an absent dad.

He worked in the financial industry so spent most of his evenings and weekends on sales calls. I remember so many nights standing with my mom at the front window waiting for my dad to come home.

As well he was a very devoted born-again Christian and spent a great deal of time writing book after book, pastoring and teaching at the Bible seminary.

Most of my memories of my dad are of him holed up in his office downstairs tapping away on his typewriter. There are very few memories of him actually being a dad.

But when he got sick last year and knew he was dying, we shared so much. The love exchanged, the intimates words and talks we had during that period pushed all of the past away and replaced it with a loving father.

My mom continues to suffer his loss, but is doing the best she can to continue on without falling into a pit of despair. I am so proud of how well she is coping.

It is hard to believe that one year has gone by ~ in some ways it still seems surreal that he and my mom aren't still living together in their condominium, but then I go over to visit with mom at the retirement home where she is living and reality crashes in.

It would have been their 60th anniversary this August which my mom thought they would celebrate together. She talked about this the other day and was upset that he wasn't here to celebrate this day with her. I said she should still celebrate the day. Although dad isn't here physically he will alway remain in her heart and they are still together in her memories.

He wasn't a perfect father, but he taught me morals, taught me to love the arts and reading, taught me that nothing can stop me from achieving my dreams and taught me the value of hard work.

Five out of six children, twelve out of thirteen grandchildren and over twenty great grandchildren are his legacy. The over 250 books he wrote also remain as his legacy ~ George Bowman's words live on.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop ........

Just Beyond

2009-07-19T15:37:00.012-04:00

I love doors .....

The thought of what might lie beyond that door ...

Who lives there?

Their decorating style? What do they like to do? Do they have children? Maybe a multi-generational family?

The possibilities are endless .........

Stumbling upon a beautiful door or a collection of doors in a quaint courtyard in Ireland ...

The old gentleman of the village lives behind the middle door surrounded by stacks of his beloved books. The shelves are so high there is a ladder to reach the uppermost shelf.

Next door to him on the left lives the old spinster who still lovingly tends to her wild flowers. Every now and again she brings a pot of stew to the old gentleman.

Now on the right ~ well there lives a young artist who brazenly splashed red on his door to wake up the community and let them know a wild and untamed soul lived here.

Or a door into a church ...

Does this door give a clue to what's inside ~ I think it belongs on the front of an old European catholic church, the padre old and wise wearing long robes gently moving about lighting candles (because there is no electricity in this church).

A door into a bistro.

The door says everything.

What is their cuisine? Do they use fresh ingredients?

Of course this door says French cuisine to me, how about you?

How about these doors?

Now you just know that gnomes live here .... Mibbiwick, Dwobrick and hmmm, let me see maybe Ninwicket.

I can see them scurrying about keeping their little homes spotless, of course a fire is always burning with a kettle of soup simmering above the fire just in case someone drops in.

Mibbiwick loves to sit by his fire reading a text or two and smoking his beloved pipe.

Dwobrick always has his chess game set up for a drop-in anytime to have a match.

Ninwicket of course is too busy for chess or sitting by the fire to read as he is always running about after his nine offspring while his wife keeps the house, cooks and sews their tiny little clothes.

Now this is an interesting door ... what do you suppose might be behind it?

I see this door as an entrance to a courtyard somewhere in Mexico.

Open these doors to a veritable cornucopia of earthly delights.

Handmade terracotta tiles cover the entire courtyard. Large terracotta pots filled to overflowing with tall feathery grasses, bromelaids, firecracker plants & butterfly vines, yellow asher and palms.

In the centre of the courtyard is a beautifully sculpted fountain with its' water spilling over the edges of not one, not two, but three separate bowls before it runs away into the ground to be recirculated up to take its' journey down once again.

Of course around the circumference of the courtyard are numerous wrought iron settees, chairs and tables with lanterns to light the evening. Draped over the arms of the settees and chairs are a few handwoven cotton throws just in case the air is cool tonight.

And this last door ~ this is definitely a door into an old warehouse that has been renovated into a home and business.

The owner ~ why an artist of course.

Large canvases cover the chalk white walls ~ their riot of colours creating a cacophony of sounds to the artistic mind.

In the corner stands a stately old cello that belonged to the owners grandmother ~ lovingly rubbed to a brilliant shine by the hands that played it daily.

The furniture is an eclectic collection of mismatched finds that have been picked up in consignment stores, antique stores, flea markets and the occasional curbside find.

I love doors ~ the excitement of what's behind it ~ allowing my imagination to run wild as I ponder the infinite possibilities.

What's behind your door?

How Could They???

2009-07-14T08:38:00.010-04:00

I am so thoroughly disgusted by news my daughter shared with me last night.

The adoption agency which Gabriella came to us through have disappeared. And not only have they closed up shop, they have also defrauded many clients of their monies paid to this agency to secure a child.

After children have been selected, they are moved from the orphanage to a transition house. It is from this house that the new parents eventually pick up their child. The waiting parents have been told that the transition house has not been paid and will not to be able to keep these children for much longer.

So now the dilemma:

What will happen to these children for whom many parents are waiting here to complete the adoption? Will they go back to orphanages which are overflowing .... Will they be put out on the streets .....

What will happen to the three owners/partners of this adoption agency who have absconded with the funds of potential adoptive parents?

What will these parents do to safely retrieve their child?

Will these prospective parents be forced to travel to Ethiopia, Haiti, Ghana or Equador to complete these adoptions without the knowledge of the adoptive process?

This makes me so angry........

The owners/partners hid behind the face of Christianity claiming they were led by God to this lifelong work of bringing orphans and adoptive parents together. Their byline ~ a Christian faith-based non-profit organization. Read here an article from The Globe & Mail in Toronto about this.

Money can truly corrupt. The lure of riches for these people I guess outweighed their desire to do a good and moral work for these adoptive parents who in good faith handed over thousands of dollars to have their dream ~ a child.

Edited to add: This event has hit the national news. Apparently the agency has claimed bankruptcy, but still continued to take funds from prospective parents up until 2 weeks ago. Surely they knew they were in financial trouble and heading towards bankruptcy, so why would they still continue to ask for money from these unsuspecting people who would do and pay anything to have their dream fulfilled?

Just One Phone Call

2009-07-14T07:58:00.008-04:00

We live on a ravine/greenbelt. It is not a natural ravine, but rather one man made, due to the small creek that runs through it which overflows its' banks during rainfalls.

(You can see the creek which overflowed its' banks and came right up to our fence during a rainfall the year we moved in).

When this neighborhood was designed, they left a ravine about the length of a couple of football fields between us and the homes on the other side. Protection from basement flooding.

When we first moved in, the grass in this area was kept manicured. Then a few years ago, the city informed us that they wanted to "naturalize" this area, so they came in and planted a few saplings. As part of this "naturalization" program they stopped mowing the grass, except for three feet behind the fences and three feet on either side of the walkway which rambles through this ravine/greenbelt.

Methinks the naturalization program was really a way to use our tax dollars somewhere else.

It didn't look great, due the overwhelming amount of weeds, but at least part of it was kept short. Then this year to my amazement they stopped mowing behind the fence. There are 10 homes on our street that back onto this "naturalized" area and all of us were very upset with this change in care not to mention fighting enormous weeds spreading seeds to our properties.

After watching the weeds grow to about 4' tall and share many thistle seeds with our lawn, I became fed up and decided to the call the city. I spoke with our councillor and said that this type of weedy mess would not be tolerated by the city if I left my property to grow to such proportions. He promised he would look into the problem and call me back.

Well, just that one phone call did the trick. I was called back by the supervisor of the crew that manages this piece of property and was told that it was a new foreman and crew and the 3' which was mowed last year should have been mowed this year. The new foreman did not know that it was to be cut behind the fences as well. That very day they came out and cleared the enormous weeds from behind our fences.

So the lesson to be learned here ~ make that phone call.

July 21, 2009

2009-07-09T14:15:00.005-04:00

This date above holds a great deal of excitement for me.

On this date, I will be meeting (for the first time) my dear friend Chris.

We have been email and "bloggy" buddies for about six years.

The relationship started small and has blossomed into a deep and "dear-to-my heart" friendship.

I called her for the first time the other night and she emailed me back today. I quote from her email the feelings that we share.

"I was thinking about you yesterday and marveling how a person can feel so much love and feel so close to someone they have never met. I honestly feel like we have travelled to the depths of the earth and back together."

It's quite amazing how deep our friendship has become. I just know without a shadow of a doubt that the moment she walks through my door ~ I will know her.

When our darling boy, Jake was diagnosed with diabetes, our veterinarian told us to put him down.

It was very bad and he said that regulating the blood sugar in a dog was extremely difficult. And as well, he would have to be injected every 12 hours which meant that my life would revolve around Jake.

So I came home, called my husband at the office and then proceeded to cry for days.

Well Don, not one to admit defeat, started to research canine diabetes through the Internet. He happened upon a support site where he got an amazing amount of information and was told by a member that we should definately talk to this lady named Chris in Red Deer, Alberta. Her beautiful golden lab - Midas had Diabetes and Cushings and he was regulated and doing well. She had accumulated a great deal of knowledge so she became indispensable to us and a great sense of support.

Well, the very next day Don got an email from Chris. She said we should not even consider euthanasia for Jake and we should work to regulate his blood sugar.

I have Chris to thank for the almost two extra years of love and companionship I had with Jake.

Anyhow, Don and Chris just hit it off (she also loves hockey - score one for Chris in Don's books). She and I shared a few emails and our friendship slowly developed, but it was Don and she who shared most of the emails. They seemed to have much more in common.

So fast forward to last year. When my dad was ill and dying, she and I started to share very intimate feelings and thoughts throughout that time. It was so interesting as we opened up to each other how much alike we are. We share similar interests, share similar beliefs, thoughts, but I have to say ~ I STILL HATE HOCKEY! Sorry Chris.

She started to follow my blog and before I knew it, I developed a great love for this woman.

Now I can't even imagine a week or two going by without sharing an email.

So their vacation plans are confirmed and now I must wait for July 21st to arrive. In her email today, she informed me that they would be here between 3:00 and 4:00pm.

How exciting is this to finally meet someone I have known in my heart for years, but now will be able to wrap my arms around and give her the hugs that I have sent to her via email for so long.

We will only have the 21st and the morning of the 22nd to cram in a lot of visiting.

Hmmmm, I wonder if she and I will get to bed that night????

Perfect Purple

2009-06-19T10:04:00.007-04:00

How perfectly purple and lush are these absolutely gorgeous lilacs that burst into bloom two days ago on the miniature lilac bush in the garden.

Have a marvelous weekend & a very Happy Father's Day to the wonderful men in my life who are father's, grandpa's, grandfather's and poppa's.

This is my first Father's Day without my dad. It hit me suddenly the other day when I went out to pick up cards and gifts. Suddenly while standing in front of the cards I realized, I only needed to pick up one card ~ for my father-in-law. This year there would be no morning phone call or the usual visit to see him, maybe take dinner over for my parents or just let him know I love him.

"Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you."

A very special Happy Father's Day to my brother-in-law Paul. He and his wife Sarah welcomed their first daughter ~ Grace yesterday morning into the world.

Happy 1st Father's Day Paul and welcome to our third niece ~ baby Grace (aka "Little Pea").

Taking a Break

2009-05-13T09:19:00.005-04:00

I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while.

As my health ~ both physically and emotionally has been precarious, I've decided to make recovery my focus.

On that note, I'm not going to be posting for a while. It's been difficult to keep up with my reading and posting while I've been going through this struggle.

Thank you to all my "bloggy" friends who have supported me throughout the past few months ~ your comments and loads of personal emails mean so much to me. I don't know sometimes how I would have gotten through without "my friends".

So thank you ~ I hope and trust I'll be back soon.

May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields.
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.

Spring At Last

2009-05-09T14:06:00.005-04:00

It is raining heavily outside, but between the lightening, thunder and heavy rains, I can almost see the buds opening on the trees and new life being born before my very eyes. If I stand quietly and listen, I believe I will hear the life coursing through the veins of the plantworld.

There is that wonderful earth wormy smell outside that screams of damp earth which is of course encouraging all the sleepy little things beneath the earth to spring up and drink in this beautiful spring rain.

Everything outside is surrounded by a green aura and vibrations of life.

It is mostly green outside, BUT how many words can I use to describe that green. Greens alive with splashes of citrus yellow in it, green deep and rich in its' freshness, green softened with tones of white and the new grass ~ green, but there are no words for this green ~ only lucious!

I digress here for a moment to say that these beautiful pictures were taken by my daughter, who recently started a photography business and I might add is realizing success after success.

So having said that, I just had to borrow some for the expression of spring colours in them.

Her pictures are so beautiful and artistic ~ they just plain make me happy.

This renewal of life inspires me to new heights ~ clean the house till it sparkles ~ get to work on finishing that darn exercise room in the basement ~ maybe get at some painting that has been hanging around annoying me for nearly 5 years ~ finish my quilt ~ get the pieces cut out for a lap quilt I am going to make for my mom for a Christmas present.

What is it about spring that renews a sense of hope ~ a sense that somehow everything will work out just the way it is supposed to ~ a sense of happiness?

Well, the sun just made its' third appearance today in between the thunderstorms, so I think I'll step into my Crocs and head on out to the garden heavy with raindrops ~ glittering in the sunshine like diamonds.

Just how much have the wee sprouts grown in the last hour?

"Everything is blooming most recklessly. If it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night" ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

My Little Secret

2009-05-06T09:23:00.005-04:00

Okay, here I go ~ I'm a closet American Idol fan. I admit it. I love watching these kids start out and grow in their confidence and abilities throughout the season. I've watched this show since Season 1, have cheered on many of the contestants as they took on different genres of music.

This year, I'm finding that the talent is quite extraordinary.

We are down to the final four ~ Adam Lambert, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen & Danny Gokey. These are four very talented young people. They have also had some pretty amazing mentors on this year. Last night they highlighted Slash who helped these four young people tune into classic rock.

Adam Lambert and Allison Iraheta were right at home singing respectively Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby". Good, strong performances by these two.

I could imagine either of these songs on their Cd's.

Then Kris Allen sang the Beatles "Come Together". His voice lends itself beautifully to a softer ballad sound but I think that he did a great job on this song.

Danny Gokey (my favourite) sang Aerosmith's "Dream On". He took a lot of risks with this song hitting (hammering a fingernail) notes. This song is definitely out of his comfort zone, but he nailed it.

Then there were duets, Danny & Kris and Adam & Allison. I have to give kudos to Adam and Allison who sang "Slow Ride". It was professionally presented, well choreographed and beautifully sung. It was more like watching a concert than a competition. Well done by both of them.

So now you know my dirty little secret. I love "Idol." Must be the "cheering for the underdog" in me that makes me faithfully pursue these shows. I just love to see a contestant who starts out nervous but talented turn into a polished, confident singer.

We are down to the final two weeks after the elimination round tonight.

I will continue cheering for Danny Gokey. Although Adam Lambert is an amazing performer and singer, I think Danny has the audience drinking up his understated sweetness and charm.

The Sound of Music

2009-04-29T08:21:00.006-04:00

This afternoon, I am taking my mom to see "The Sound of Music".

I watched this movie over and over again as a teenager, loving Maria played by Julie Andrews.

Maria, of course falls in love with Captain Georg von Trapp, but alas he has become engaged to Elsa out of a duty to provide a mother for his seven children.

Sensing that she would not be comfortable staying there after the marriage she returns to the abbey to take her monastic vows, but the Mother Abbess tells Maria she is running away from her feelings.

So many obstacles were overcome in this story for Maria and Georg to finally realize their love. Of course the rest of the story you know ~~~ they lived happily ever after.

Then there was the sweet love between Liesel and Rolf which of course gave me pause to dream of love for me as a young teenage girl.

This is one of my mother's favourite movies so I hope she enjoys the play.

In Toronto over the past few days a massive protest by the Tamils is blocking road traffic very near the theatre district, so I decided we would be better off to take public transportation downtown.

Tomorrow I'll post an update to let you know how the play was.

Dumb Animals???

2009-04-29T07:52:00.007-04:00

This is a touching story.

These pictures made me think about how often I hear animals called "dumb animals".

The instinct shown here by Anjana ~ the surrogate chimp mother is astounding. She appears to love and nurture these tiger cubs as if they were her own babes.

When Hurricane Hannah separated two white tigers from their mother, Anjana came to the rescue.

Anjana, a chimp at TIGERS, in South Carolina, became their surrogate mother and playmate. She even helped with bottle feeding according to The Sun.

But here is the truly amazing part. This is something Anjana does all the time, having helped raise leopard and lion cubs on several occasions.

These pictures truly depict "mother-love".

Olympic Gold

2009-04-27T07:23:00.009-04:00

Whew !!!!!

Finally at 11:35pm last night I finished the baby blanket I set out to make on Friday.

Here is it in all its pinkness. I love the ruffled edge.

I stood in the rain working on this yesterday while watching my sister-in-law run across the finish line. (Don held an umbrella over my head).

I sat working on this while at her home celebrating with everyone else in Don's family.

I sat working on this while visiting with my girlfriend who had surgery on Wednesday.

I sat working on this through breakfasts, lunches and dinners this weekend. Don even brought dinner in last night so I could continue working.

Now why is my post titled ~ Olympic Gold? While sitting crocheting yesterday at my sister-in-laws home, Dons mom and my two other sisters-in-law wanted to know what I was making. Don answered them to tell them that I was doing my own marathon this weekend and was going for the Olympic Gold medal in crocheting. He even told them how many hours we calculated it would take to make this blanket. BTW ~ ended up taking 20.7 hours.

Don's a pretty quiet guy ~ doesn't show emotions (except for his daughter and grand babies), but this extreme show of pride in what I was doing really made me feel good. His family tends to accent sporting triumphs so Tammy's 29 minute run was a really big thing with everyone in the family coming to the race to cheer her on and meet her at the finish line. I have never felt a kinship with his family because my skills do not lie in physical fitness but in the creative world. His obvious pride in what I accomplished this weekend was very validating for me within this very fit, very athletic family where I am quite the misfit with my very obvious lack of physical prowess.

So now, all I want to know is ~ did I get the gold medal?

Did I break a record in crocheting this blanket in one weekend?

I can tell you one thing ~ I'll never do this again. It's going to take my right arm and fingers days to recuperate ~ they are still numb, tingling & throbbing this morning.

Edited to add: When Don arrived home last night, he told me that my blanket was a big hit and quite a few of the women at his office asked if I took orders.

Happy Birthday Ryan

2009-04-26T18:17:00.004-04:00

I'm a little tardy in getting this birthday greeting onto my blog, but I have been attached to yarn and a crochet hook to complete this blanket all weekend and haven't taken time to do much of anything.

No cooking ~ no cleaning ~ no exercising, just crocheting where ever I happened to park my fanny.

I even watched my sister-in-law in a 5k run today while my fingers continued crocheting the blanket.

I'm now in the home stretch and blanket will be going into the office with Don tomorrow.

So although one day late, I am wishing Mammy's first love ~ Ryan a very happy 9th birthday.

It seems like only yesterday when I watched him make his entrance into this world and I can still feel his dear little body in my arms when I held him for the first time. Took me all the way back to when his mom was born.

We had fun at a birthday party last night, Sebrina made a delicious Oreo cake (devils food chocolate complete with butter cream icing ~ topped off with real Oreos), watched Mike put Ryans 251 piece Lego Star Wars ship together and then Ryan provided us with a fashion show of the clothes that we took him as part of his birthday present.

At this point I think I owe Mike an apology for the Lego gift.

So Happy Birthday my love ~ you make Mammy's heart sing and my eyes sparkle with love when we're together.

This Weekend

2009-04-24T17:52:00.004-04:00

What do you have planned for this weekend?

We are going to be soooooooooooooo busy. First hoping to get to our grandson ~ Zander's gymnastics class tomorrow morning at 9:20.

Then it is Ryan ~ our oldest grandson's 9th birthday, so time will be devoted to the festivities.

Then on Sunday morning my sister-in-law is running in a 5K marathon, so we are going to surprise her and be at the finish line. She recently lost about 20-25 pounds and running has been part of her fitness routine. BTW ~ she looks marvelous!!!

Then after that we're heading up to see my girlfriend who recently had surgery. Just want to check her out for myself and make sure she's okay. Maybe I'll take her a bunch of "Springy" flowers.

Then back home and I have to make a baby blanket ~ yes you heard me right. One of Don's reports recently had his & his wife's second daughter, so I was recruited to make one of my famous crocheted baby blankets. I usually make these in yellow, green, white, because we don't always know what's coming, but since this baby was born last week and we know it's a girl, I get to make a pink one. Now, I sat last night and started the chain 131 chains, then 124 rows consisting of single and double crochet to create a bobble like effect. The picture below is what the blanket will look like when it's completed.

It took me 1 hour last night to complete 8 rows ~ so in working out the math, that means it will take me approximately 15 hours to finish this blanket and that's not including the picot edge. I managed to do 36 rows this afternoon, so I'm well on my way. Oh and by the way, that was after I was recruited to do the baby shopping, so I was out this morning filling a sweet little pink lacquered storage bin with a whole bunch of goodies as well as running around to quite a few stores looks for Beatrix Potter baby china only to find out that Wedgewood is having some kind of licensing issues so all the Beatrix Potter china is pulled off the shelves presently, so I had to settle for Bunnykins ~ not a terrible thing, but since I got Bunnykins when I was a baby, I find it a little ..... for lack of another word ~ yucky. The colour of the china looks dirty to me. I just love the white background of the Beatrix Potter china. Oh well, it will still be a nice keepsake for the new baby.

Stay tuned to see if the blanket is completed by Monday morning when all the gifts will be wrapped and delivered to the new daddy.

Have a great weekend all, enjoy the beautiful sunshine ~ think I just might sit outside to get my daily dose of vitamin d and do my crocheting in the sun.

More Girl Power

2009-04-21T08:14:00.008-04:00

I have a friend who always tells me, "You're such a boy".

Well, I must admit, I love building things and I especially love power tools. I'd much rather spend time in Home Depot, Rona, Millwork, etc.... than clothing stores. Now don't get me wrong, I love clothes shopping but construction materials, my new Dewault 18V cordless drill or my compound mitre saw ~ now that really gets the creative juices flowing!

Here, so far are the results of my latest project. My boxed in venting in the basement which incidentally I am quite proud of. I made it by simply building ladders and hanging them in vertical and horizontal configurations. Easy peasy!

And here is the partition that I built to split the room in half. Oh by the way, I also levelled and hung the door myself. I used the cottage grade pine panelling, because we can't get a 4' x 8' sheet of drywall in our car, so this was my solution. I will paint it out to match the room. The door was one that was in a bathroom the previous owner installed in the basement, but didn't vent any of the drains, so we took it out and I found a good use for the door. It will be painted white like the rest of the trim in the basement.

My mom says, I should hang out a shingle and go into business. She tells me that I could probably build an entire house if I really wanted to. I got news for her ~ I don't.

As each project is completed, it becomes much more pleasant to exercise downstairs. Now I'm at the point where I am getting impatient for the carpet and ceiling to be finished.

Spooky!!!

2009-04-19T16:12:00.003-04:00

Okay, the mysteries around here continue to grow.

This afternoon ~ believe it or not ~ I found my engagement ring. Remember this post about the "strange" occurrences around here.

Well, you are not going to believe where I found this ring.

I had to return something to a store this afternoon and went in my laundry room to get two large shopping bags ~ one was from Winners and the other was from Homsense. I always keep these bags folded in three and piled up in the space between my laundry tub and my dryer. First I pulled out the Winners bag to put one of the items I was returning in and then I grabbed the Homsense bag.

I must pause here for a moment to say that the Homsense bag was on the bottom of the pile with about four other bags folded and stacked on top, but it was the largest and I needed two large bags.

Okay, back to my story, I grabbed the Homsense bag and shook it open. Something sparkled and caught my eye as I shook it, so I shook the bag again and reach down to what I had seen in the bottom. In the very bottom corner was my diamond ring.

There is no possible explanation for how my ring got into the bottom of a bag that most probably came home from the store many, many weeks if not months ago. I just can't wrap my mind around how this happened.

Another one to chalk up to the strange and mysterious things that continue to happen around this house.

SSSSSSSPPPOOOOOOOKKKKKKYYYYY!

Special Day

2009-04-19T06:00:00.001-04:00

Today is a special day for me.

It is the 35th anniversary of the day I gave birth to my first child.

After 29 hours of labour and fourth degree tears (ouch!), I delivered a healthy 9 pound baby boy at 5:27AM.

Today my son is 35.

The pictures are blurry, but after all they are 35 years old.

We faced quite a lot together through the years, but today he is a proud homeowner ~ is in a management position with a financial firm ~ and still brings his mom roses occasionally.

Happy Birthday Todd with all my love!

Camp Out

2009-04-15T08:22:00.005-04:00

Last night our youngest grandson Zander came over for a sleepover. This is following on the heels of having Ryan (our oldest) a couple of weeks ago.

Zander decided (with a little help from Mammy) that he wanted to to have a camp out in the family room.

So off we went to Canadian Tire to purchase flashlights to use in the dark ~ air mattresses (sleeping on the floor doesn't cut it with me) along with other sundry camping paraphernalia.

When we got home we inflated the air mattress and I of course got to sleep (well lay all night) on the sofa. We turned out all the lights and used our flashlights and watched "Spongebob" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". What fun!

I decided a while ago that I would take one child at a time for special Mammy time. This works well for me and hopefully for the children too. They will get one on one time with Mammy and Poppa with no distractions from their siblings. And we get to plan special things just for us. I let them choose three movies to watch, I let them choose what they want for dinner (within reason) and then they get to choose one treat.

Now that they are older, it is so much fun to have them one at a time to spend an overnight with. It gives me more opportunity to really get to know them as individuals. When they are all together it is hard to see who they really are, so this is such a wonderful opportunity and I am so grateful that I am able to do this.

Zander is a very caring little individual. He could not stop running up and down to my mother's room to check on her, to offer her one of his mints, to see if she would like to come downstairs to watch a movie with us. And then when she wanted to rest, he kept asking when she was going to come back down. After we came back from an excursion out, he ran right upstairs to tell her he missed her.

So, all in all we have had a fun time ~ as I write this Zander is still having fun letting Chelsea chase the flashlight beam around the floor. (Sidenote ~ Chelsea thinks she's a cat and loves chasing any beams of light that might move).

One overnight seems to be just right for the boys ~ they miss each other and start showing boredom after one day, but it is still so much fun for me to have them all to myself just for one day.

Looking forward to my next visit with Jayden.

Still Here

2009-04-13T07:53:00.013-04:00

I don't have much to say lately and find that I'm not feeling very bloggy.

Although I have determined to make this the year of "Barb", I continually turn around and find the same old issues biting me on the ass yet again. Why can I not just move forward and accept the things that I cannot change. I still exercise gratitude on a daily basis, but those nagging old issues creep in and infiltrate my mind wiping away all the good I have spent my time working on.

Recently a comment was made to my daughter that "this family is f---ed up". The only thought that comes to me on this comment is ~ what family? I have never witnessed such a lack of love as is evidenced in this family. Very few phone calls made to inquire about the well being of my mother ~ no calls to see if we could use a break. I never imagine caregiving for an aging parent would be so taxing. However, that is not what this post is about.

I just thought to check in and let you know why I don't seem to be doing much blogging lately. It seems that I have lost interest in most of the things that have always brought me so much joy in the past ~ my crafting ~ reading ~ my home ~ the blogs that I have followed so faithfully ~ writing. Other than my grand babies ~ it feels like someone has sucked the joy out of my life. Sleep has become quite elusive and I struggle with a good nights sleep waking usually around 3-4:00am and then staying awake the rest of the night. As well the surgery in June is weighing heavily on my mind. Although not continually experiencing the discomfort from a gall bladder that is non-functioning and causing biliary colic is a positive aspect to the surgery.

Then just to add insult to injury ~ I recently discovered that my engagement ring was missing. This has been a particularly heartbreaking episode to deal with, as when Don and I got married we put all our funds into buying our home, so there was no traditional engagement ring. Then after paying off our mortgage, he surprised me with a beautiful diamond ring for Christmas ten years ago. I remember it so clearly. He put it on the finger of a stuffed animal ~ our son-in-law was so excited and told Don to get on his knees and ask me to marry him.

It's funny, but I still keep feeling like it will show up. Then I wonder "Is it my resident prankster up to no good yet again? Remember all the strange occurrences I talked about in this post. Well strange things continue to happen around here.

A lovely old handmade satin wrap that my mother had since she was a girl and kept her mothers handkerchiefs in disappeared, however the hankies are still here. She had two links taken out of the bracelet on her watch and kept them in a small ziploc bag. The other day she went to look for them and they were nowhere to be found.

I am truly struggling with where my diamond ring may have gone to. I am very methodical about where I keep everything. In my home I always know where everything is kept ~ what cupboard ... what shelf ... even keep my clothing hung by colour. The same goes for my jewellery. I wear five rings whenever I go out ~ two pinkie rings, my wedding band, my engagement ring and an inherited diamond ring that belonged to my great aunt. I only wear them outside never at home, so they go on when I go out and come off the minute I come into my home. When I'm not wearing them they are in small dish in my kitchen. One day the rings were worn and the next morning when I went to put them on to go out, my engagement ring was gone.

I really wish whoever or whatever is pranking me would stop. This isn't amusing anymore.

Now on to a couple of knitting projects that I have completed from the "Debbie Bliss" spring & summer knitting book.

This lovely blanket is so soft and just the right weight for this transition time between winter and spring. I too knit it pure white.

I can't share the second project because it is a birthday present and I don't want the birthday girl to see it, but it too is soft and the perfect weight for a cool summer evening.

Hope she likes it!

We had fun on Good Friday deciding to do some gardening. We planted five cedar trees to provide a little bit of privacy from the ravine behind. Just when we were getting started, we had a surprise visit from our daughter and her family. Of course the boys wanted to help Poppa dig the holes, but once they got started, Ryan (our oldest grandson), sat on the ground and rescued all the worms that were turning up in the soil. It was a touching scene watching him pull out all these worms and gently placing them in another spot.

Then on Saturday we drove out to watch Zander (our youngest grandson) in his first gymnastics sessions. His enthusiasm and sheer joy was such fun to watch. Zander attacks everything with such energy and gives 200%. Then Sebrina cooked a wonderful Easter dinner ~ turkey, ham, fennel, asparagus, mashed potatoes, stuffing ~ delicious!

We took some Easter chocolate and gifts for the kids. Of course they knew that Easter was the next day so wondered how we were able to get early chocolate from the easter bunny. I told them I emailed and asked him to specially bring it early to our house for them. They were quite happy with that answer.

I just love treasuring this secret and hope that they believe all these wonderful childish ideals for many years to come.,

Happy East Monday and I hope you all had a wonderful weekend too.

How Was Your Weekend

2009-04-06T08:02:00.005-04:00

So, what did you do this weekend?

As you can see from this picture, Don was working on a roof. He helped his father build a shed in 1992, but unfortunately it sustained a little damage to the roof and was leaking. As the weather was gorgeous yesterday they decided to undertake this project.

Here's a picture of Don on the roof cutting out the damage so they can replace it. It took him and his brother from early morning until 6:30 last evening to complete the job.

He looked about 5" shorter when he got home, he was so sore.

We are both slowly coming to the conclusion that we are getting past the age of doing all these home projects.

As for me, I spent all day Saturday and yesterday morning hauling cedar shrubs, raking the garden, bagging the garden refuse for compost, turning over the soil, finishing the taping and plastering on the bulkhead in our basement, then applying two coats of Venetian plaster, removing and rehanging a door in a partition wall I built last week.

Then, after about 6 hours of work ~ my fibromyalgia (FM) hit full force and I seized. This is actually not such a bad thing. In the past I would never have been able to accomplish this much work, so I am quite pleased that I could finish as much as I did before the FM set in.

So today, I am taking Arnica (homeopathic remedy) and not moving too much ~ it even causes me pain to take a deep breath. It will probably take a day or two to recuperate.

The second part of my weekend was spent watching a movie probably because I couldn't do much else. So what did I chose to watch?

"The Secret Life of Bees".

Based on Sue Monk Kidd's ravishing debut novel which is set in South Carolina in 1964. "The Secret Life of Bees" tells the story of Lily Owens (played by Daykota Fanning), whose life has been shaped around the blurred memory of the afternoon her mother was killed. When Lily's fierce-hearted "stand-in mother," Rosaleen (played by Jennifer Hudson), insults three of the town racists, Lily decides they should both escape to Tiburon, South Carolina ~ a town that holds the secret to her mother's past. There they are taken in by an eccentric trio of black beekeeping sisters who introduce Lily to a mesmerizing world of bees, honey, and the Black Madonna who presides over their household. This is a remarkable story about divine female power and the transforming power of love ~ a story that women will share and pass on to their daughters for years to come.

This is one of my favourite books and I have been anxious to see the movie. Originally we were trying to set up a "girls night out" to watch this, but couldn't get everyone together, so I went ahead on my own.

May I say ~ What a delicious movie!

Now I know you're probably thinking, "but Barb, it didn't get very good reviews".

One reviewer said it has charm but is largely maudlin and sticky sweet. Another critic described it as sappy, syrupy, sentimental and sermonizing.

However, Roger Ebert said "I have great affection for this film because it honors a novel that many people loved for good reasons. It isn't superior, nor does it dumb it down. It sees what is good and honors it. The South was most likely not like this in 1964. That was the year the Civil Rights Act was passed, and a year before the Voting Rights Act became law. The Boatwright farm, as I said, is really a dream. But in those hard days, people needed dreams".

So, what do I say ~ watch this movie. If you love love, charity, looking beyond skin colour, feeling good and feel good movies ~ you really must see this.

Queen Latifah plays an amazing role. She is regal, majestic, loving, wise, fiercely protective of those she loves and a dreamer ~ I could go on but will stop with that. Daykota Fanning is simply marvelous as Lily. This child's breadth of acting knowledge and believability just continues to increase as she takes on more challenging acting parts. I see this young woman moving towards a fantastic adult actor. Roger Ebert has compared her to Jodie Foster ~ no small compliment.

So, all in all I will watch this movie again and try to set up another "girls night in" so we can get together to laugh, cry and feel good while enjoying this movie.

Removal

2009-04-02T05:41:00.004-04:00

Well, it's official ~ I am to be parted with my pet gallstone which I posted about here as well.

After much testing, gastroscopies, biopsies, ultrasounds, blood tests ~ my internist and surgeon have through the process of elimination determined that due to the size of my gallstone ~ my gall bladder is non-functioning with a slightly thickened outer wall and irritated lining.

It amazes me though that the surgery is done via laparoscopic surgery (five little puncture wounds) and I will be in and out on the same day. When my grandmother had hers out many, many years ago, she was in the hospital for a week and very ill for over three weeks.

There are pros and cons for this surgery. There is a 60% chance that I will still experience symptoms after the cholecystectomy. So do I proceed with this procedure (which is booked) or do I carry on with the nausea, pain, bloating, diarrhea, heartburn, gnawing, etc...

If I can live with these symptoms indefinately, I can carry on with no further problems other than the ones I mentioned above, as the stone is very large, there is virtually no chance that it will ever move into and lodge in a duct.

Then the question ~ will dietary changes help?

Here is alist of foods I should try to avoid:

Eggs, pork, onion, fowl, milk, coffee, oranges, grapefruit, corn, beans, nuts, in that order.

Trans fats, hydrogenated, partially-hydrogenated oils, margarine, fried foods, saturated fats including coconut oil, red meats, dairy products, eggs (Research shows that eggs caused symptoms in up to 95% of patients).

Coffee, regular or decaf, chocolate, ice cream, black tea, alcohol (what no bloody caesar), beer, wine, liqueur, fruit juice, carbonated water, tap water, radishes and turnips, cabbage, cauliflower, colas and all sodas, oats (for some people), wheat, barley, rye (although the sour German rye's seem to be less troublesome). all legumes (beans) as they tend to increase the cholesterol in the bile.

Artificial sweeteners, sugar, preservatives, refined and bleached foods (like white flour)

Certainly doesn't leave me much of a choice to eat now does it????

So far, I have not been able to find any food that doesn't seem to cause problems except for Oatmeal. Very small meals also are much easier on the tummy, but it is a matter of changing the way I think.

So to this end, I think after giving this some thought, I am going to do three things.

One ~ Have the gall bladder removed.
Two ~ Change my way of thinking about the way I eat. Try to move towards a more vegetarian type of diet. And just as a little extra, I am going to do my utmost to lose 10 pounds before the surgery.
Three ~ Ask the surgeon to save my pet. I want to personally meet this little beggar who has caused me all this grief.

My Thought Today

2009-03-29T13:20:00.000-04:00

How To Wear Colour

2009-03-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to the topic of colour, the most common question that is asked is: "How do I know what colours are good for me?"

You can get your 'colours' done professionally, but here are some simple tips to get started!

1. Make a list of the colours that instantly 'light up' your face when you put them (even when you are not wearing any make-up at all). Those colours are definitely colours that are 'good' for you; and you should have more of these colours in your closet. Colours that compliment your skin tone will make your complexion glow and make it appear clearer. Shadows under the eyes will become less pronounced.

2. Make a list of the colours that always get you compliments or those colours that friends tell you that you should wear more often.

3. Make a list of those colours that make you feel good when you are wearing them. When you feel good in something, you'll look great.

4. Keep in mind that it is the colour that is worn up near your face that matters most. So let's say you love khaki green, but khaki green really doesn't do that much for you - then wear khaki green in the lower torso (as a pant or skirt) and match it with a top that works well with your skin tone.

5. Finally a safe bet ~ navy blue and charcoal grey are colours that flatter just about everyone and are fabulous colour staples to have in your wardrobe.

Monochromatic Look

1. Any time you wear a single colour through the entire frame of your body you will look longer and leaner. (Great tip for those of us who wish to appear ~ ahem a little trimmer).

2. The colour you wear can be a light colour, a bright colour, a dark or dull colour - regardless of the colour you will get a lengthening effect through the body.

3. This illusion of length is created because you are providing the eye with a continuous line of colour without any colour breaks to stop the eye.

4. As a variation of the head to toe monochromatic look, you can also achieve this effect by wearing a pattern or a print head to toe, or by wearing subtle variations of the same colour.

5. To maintain the illusion of length but to add some interest to the outfit, add a contrasting coloured accessory or a contrasting patterned blouse to a matching blazer and skirt or pant.

Colour Breaks

1. When you are mixing two or more colours of different intensities, your eye will always be drawn to the lightest or brightest colour first versus the darker colour. Lighter colours appear to advance while darker colours appear to recede when they are mixed together.

2. Understanding this principle can help you make the most flattering colour combinations for your figure type.

3. For example, if you have a pear shaped body (fuller through the hip/thighs compared to shoulders) might want to try wearing darker colours in the lower torso (to de-emphasize this area) and brighter colours in the upper torso (to draw the eye upward and highlight this area).

4. Women who have an inverted triangle figure type (stronger shoulders in comparison to their hips) might want to try the reverse ~ darker colours in the upper torso and bright or lighter colours in the upper torso.

5. Also be aware that the eye will also focus on colour break points (the point where two colours meet), so be careful that your colour break points do not hit at your figure challenge area.

6. For example if you are wider through the hips or thighs be careful that the colour break point does not happen at your widest point. What you want to do is wear a jacket or top that ends either an inch or so above or below the widest point on your hips or thighs.

7. Use colour breakpoints to accent your figure assets as well. If you have a smaller waist line try wearing a top in a contrasting colour to your bottom piece and be sure to tuck it in. To further highlight your waist ~ wear a belt and do not wear a jacket to cover up that beautiful small waist.

Wearing Prints Or Patterns

1. When you mix prints with a solid colour ~ your eye will be drawn to the print or patterned piece first (as it is more visually interesting). For this reason a lot of women tend to avoid wearing prints or patterns on their lower torso.

2. If you want to wear a print on the lower torso, there is a way to soften the effect of the print or pattern. Make a list of all the colours in the print. Remember ~ the eye is drawn to lighter and brighter colours first, so select tops and jackets in the lightest or brightest colours in the print.

In the late 80's early 90's it was all the rage to "have your colours done". Although it is not as prevalent now as it was then, it is still a wise idea to match colours to your skin tone.

Skin tones were divided into Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Once the season was established, you were then told the colours that would work best with your skin tones.

Hokey you may ask ~ no, I did succumb to having my colours done and there is a distinct difference in wearing a colour that work with your skin tone as opposed to wearing onees that do not.

Here is a breakdown of the four seasons ~

Summer

Summer is a cool tone and like winter complexions, the summers among us have blue or pink undertones. Skin is very pale and pink. Summer colouring usually occurs in natural blonds, and even pale-skinned brunettes with pale eyes. If you’re a trying to discriminate between winter and summer, winters are usually brunettes and summers are mostly natural blonds.

Summers have a low level of contrast between their hair, eye colour and skin tone. In order to look your best, choose soft neutrals and pastels, as well as muted colours with cool undertones.
Powder blue, dusty pink, mauve, lavender, plum, and pale yellow are all great colour choices.

The worst colours for summers to avoid are intense, vivid hues because they will look harsh. Don't wear earth tones either. Stay away from black and orange.

Autumn

Autumn is a warm tone and people with this complexion have golden undertones in their skin, like a pale peach, golden beige or golden brown. Many redheads and brunettes with golden brown eyes fall into this category. However, golden blond and black hair colouring can also fall into this range.

The best colours for Autumn are rich golden, spicy and earthy colours to accent your complexion. Therefore, look for a warm undertone when selecting a colour. You can wear both muted and rich warm colours that are seen in autumn leaves and spice colours, such as camel, beige, olive, orange, gold, and dark brown. You will also look great in a rich warm grey.

The worst colours for autumn to avoid are clear, bright colours and black and white, which will make your look tired and faded. Also steer clear of pastels and blue tones, which will look cold against your complexion and give you a pale appearance.

Winter

Winter is a cool tone. People with winter complexions have blue or pink or rosy undertones. Skin can be pale and porcelain white, yellowish-olive, or dark. Winters are generally brunettes with deeply coloured eyes. Many Asians and African Americans fall into this category. Natural white-blonds may also be winters.

The best colours for winters are colours that are sharp, stark and clear. You will look best in intense, rich colours, like black, navy blue, red, and hot pink. These powerful shades will compliment your colouring. For lighter colours, wear bright white or icy pastels, such as like cool blues, pinks and yellows.

The worst colours for winters to avoid are earthy tones and subdued colours like beige, orange and gold. They will make you look faded and ashen.

Spring

Spring is a warm tone. People of this complexion have subtle golden undertones and are usually creamy white or peach. Springs have extremely light, ivory skin colour. People of this colouring are usually natural golden blonds, auburn, or strawberry blond redheads. Springs also have very clear, light blue and green coloured eyes. Freckles and rosy cheeks are also characteristics of this group.

The best colours for springs are very pale, soft colours, such as peach, camel, golden yellow, golden brown, and aqua. You will also look fabulous in ivory, bright greens, true reds, clear blues and coral. Your colours may be particularly hard to find because they can never be too muted or too dark.

The worst colours for springs to avoid are black and white, which are too contrasting for you. Stay away from dark, dull colours.

The colour wheel is your best friend ~ buy one and keep it handy all the time. It really will help you are you work with colour placement in your home.

My living room has been monochromatic (shades of creams, custard, vanilla) for years, however this year I decided to inject a little colour into the room. I started by picking up a large bowl for my coffee table. It is clear with swirls of frosty white and a blue grey through it. Then I took the blue grey in the bowl and matched it to two cushions on the sofa in that same shade. Accessories on side tables in the same shade and then a large vase in a punchy tangerine (remember blue & orange are complementary colours) gave the living room a completely different appearance.

I have deliberately not posted any pictures in these last three posts on colour as I did not want to detract from the message on colour and how it affects our lives so strongly, however, if comments show interest I will post a picture of the living room before and after the colour injection so you can see the difference a little colour makes.

I apologize as well for the wordiness of these posts, but colour theory is a subject near and dear to my heart ~ a subject I had to study intently with my fine arts background and I pondered on the thought that my knowledge may be of some interest to some of you.

I hope you enjoyed the tips and tricks within these posts.

Well, Happy Weekend my friends, I hope these little primers on colour in your life will help you a little when you are adding more colour to your home ~ your wardrobe ~ your life.

Colour As Healing Therapy

2009-03-26T06:00:00.003-04:00

I love colour ~ colour in my home ~ colour in my clothing ~ colour in my art. Colour plays a major role in setting up a particular mood or state of mind. Colour affect one's feelings, moods, and emotions. Through this week I would like to touch on different aspects of colour and how large the role is that it plays in our lives. Today I would like to discuss colour therapy and it's healing properties.

Colours are certain wavelengths of electro-magnetic energy seen through our eyes. The colour we see is the part of the visible spectrum that is reflected back by a certain object.

Colours affects us in so many different ways. They influence our mood and emotions. They have their impact on our sense of well-being or unease.

Using and avoiding certain colours is a way of self-expression and sheds light on our personality.

Colours affect our perception (light colours make a space look big, a high ceiling looks less high when painted in a dark colour, etc.)

Colours influence the flow and amount of energy in our bodies and the use of Colour as a Therapy is a truly holistic, non-invasive and powerful therapy which dates back thousands of years.

True healing comes about when the cause of the condition or illness is addressed and transformed. If healing goes no further than masking the symptoms, then, eventually, that which brought about the need for healing in the first place, will resurface and manifest itself within the body in one form or another.

Holistic healing says that the body is an outward expression of that which is taking place within the mind, the soul and the spirit of the individual. Thus, any healing technique which deals only with the physical body and the energy field of the individual tends to accomplish one thing ~ it jump starts the individual and gives him or her an added boost of energy. That energy boost then allows that person's own internal healing mechanism to become mobilized into greater activity.

A preference for certain colors can point at two things:

Self-expression (you choose the colors which match your personality; for instance green for a lover of harmony and nature)
Completion (you choose the colors you need more of; for instance an active, passionate person chooses blue colors to cool down his nature).

An aversion against certain colors gives information as well.

Red

Healing properties: Brings warmth, energy and stimulation, therefore good for energy, fatigue, colds, chilly and passive people. Red energizes heart and blood circulation, it builds up the blood and heightens a low blood pressure. Energizes all organs and the senses hearing, smell, taste, vision and touch. Increases sexual desire and activity. Stimulates ovulation and menstruation. Cancer is never treated with red, because it stimulates cell growth! Red links with and stimulates the root chakra, at the base of the spine, causing the adrenal glands to release adrenalin. This results in greater strength. Red causes hemoglobin to multiply, thus increasing energy and raising body temperature. It is excellent for anemia and blood-related conditions. It loosens, opens up clogs, releases stiffness and constrictions. It is excellent for areas that have become stiffened or constricted.

Preference for red:

Red is associated with passionate love, sex, great energy, impulse, action and stimulation, assertiveness and aggression, courage, strength and power, adventure, danger, warnings, revolt and revolution. Temperamental and ambitious people with a need for personal freedom.

Aversion to red: A person who has an aversion to red may be over-active, too impulsive, hot-tempered, aggressive and egocentric, or have difficulties with people with such characteristics. It can also symbolize deeply hidden fears and rejection of his own assertiveness.

Orange

Healing properties: Orange is warm, cheering, non-constricting. Orange has a freeing action upon the body and mind, relieving repressions. Orange shows new possibilities and other options in life. Stimulates creative thinking and enthusiasm, and helps assimilate new ideas.It is also helpful in dealing with excess sexual expression. Orange stimulates the lungs, respiration and digestion. It increases the activity of the thyroid. Relieves muscle cramps and spasms. Increases the amount of mother milk. Finally, orange links very strongly with the sacral chakra.

Preference for orange:

Orange represents the warmth of the fire. It brings even more energy than yellow, celebration and great abundance, comfort, enjoyment of the senses. Warm, sociable, dynamic and independent people who dedicate themselves to whatever they do.

Aversion to orange:

A person who has an aversion to orange may have suppressed sexual feelings or other difficulties with sensual enjoyment of life. The attitude can also be over-sensual, indulgent, or too materialistic.

Yellow

Healing properties: Yellow helps strengthen the nerves and the mind. It helps awaken mental inspiration and stimulates higher mentality. Thus, it is an excellent color for nervous or nerve-related conditions or ailments. It also energizes the muscles. Dark yellow soothes pains in the nerves. Yellow can be used for conditions of the stomach, liver, and intestines. It helps the pores of the skin and aids scarred tissue in healing itself. Yellow links with and stimulates the solar plexus. Activates and cheers up depressed and melancholic people. Gives lust for life.

Preference for yellow:

The color of the sun, life-force, vitality and energy. The colour of cheerfulness, curiosity, flexibility, progress, amusement, contact through traveling and communication, learning and practical knowledge. A feeling for writing and speaking.

Aversion to yellow:

A person who has aversion to yellow may be emotionally disappointed and bitter. May have tendency to rationalize feelings, or to avoid the depth of life by often changing relationships, many superficial relationships and/or constant changing activities.

Green

Healing properties: Green is the color of Nature and the earth. It is balance and harmony in essence and possesses a soothing influence upon both mind and body. It is neither relaxing nor astringent in its impact. Green can be used for just about any condition in need of healing.
Green stimulates the heart chakra. Green affects blood pressure and all conditions of the heart. It has both an energizing effect and a moderating or soothing effect. It cures hormonal imbalances and stimulates growth hormone. Harmonizes the digestion, stomach, liver, gall bladder with a healing effect on kidneys. Increases immunity. Builds up muscles, bones and tissues. Stimulates inner peace. Strengthens the nervous system.

Preference for green:

Green brings peace, rest, hope, comfort and nurturing, calmness and harmony. Interest in nature, plants, fellowmen, children and animals, health and healing, natural and plain life. Longing for a safe home and family-life. A dislike of conflicts.

Aversion to green:

A person who has an aversion to green may be more interested in independence and self-development than in a warm family-life. May prefer to keep a distance in relationships.

Blue

Healing properties: Blue is cooling, electric, astringent. Dr. Edwin Babbitt, in his classic, "The Principles of Light and Color" states that "the Blue Ray is one of the greatest antiseptics in the world." It cools down inflammations, fever, high blood pressure, stops bleeding, relieves headaches, calms strong emotions like anger, aggression or hysteria. Brings tranquility. Soothes suffering. Blue can be used for any type of ailments associated with speech, communication, or the throat. Excellent for laryngitis or inflammation of the larynx. Blue stimulates the throat chakra. The throat chakra is often referenced as the "power center" and "the greatest center in the body" because it is the primary center of expression and communication, through speech.

Preference for blue:

Cool and soothing, dreamy and magical. Peace and rest. For people who keep a certain distance, but give calm and practical help; they are faithful and loyal, have a sense for order, logic and rational thinking. Flying in day-dreaming, ideals or nostalgia when felt misunderstood. Dark blue is more severe and can be melancholic. Blue is also the color of truth.

Aversion to blue:

A person who has an aversion to blue, may be very disciplined, strong career worker, with an aversion of commentary or restriction. He may have charted out a clear direction for his life.

Indigo

Healing properties: Indigo is a great purifier of the bloodstream and also benefits mental problems. Indigo combines the deep blue of devotion with a trace of stabilizing and objective red. Indigo is cool, electric, and astringent. It stimulates the brow chakra (third eye) and controls the pineal gland. It governs both physical and spiritual perception. It can be of great assistance in dealing with ailments of the eyes and ears.

Violet / Purple

Healing properties: These are colours of transformation. They heal melancholy, hysteria, delusions, alcohol addiction, bring spiritual insights and renewal. These colours slow down an over-active heart and stimulate the spleen and white blood cells. Aids sleep. Soothe mental and emotional stress. Decrease sensitivity to pain. They help in detoxification. Leonardo da Vinci proclaimed that you can increase the power of meditation ten-fold by meditating under the gentle rays of Violet, as found in Church windows.

Preference for violet/purple:

Colours for meditation, contemplation, mysticism, spirituality and religion power. A longing to ascend and dissolve polarities (purple consists of the active red and passive blue), to improve the world. Reservation, mystery and dignity. Soft, sensitive people with often paranormal abilities.

Aversion to violet/purple:

A person who has an aversion for violet/purple may have very serious attitude towards life; and may find it difficult to give dreams, fantasies, vague fears or memories a place in it. May have tendency to reject everything unnatural or unrealistic.

White

Healing properties: White is the perfect colour; for it is all colours, in perfect balance and harmony. Just about everyone has heard of surrounding people with the "White Light of Healing and Protection." White light raises the vibration of one's consciousness and the body, bringing harmony in all aspects of one's life. Directing white into a part of the body that needs healing is one of the fastest ways to bring about healing.

Preference for white:

White points at innocence, purity, virginity, cleanliness, freshness, simplicity, nothingness, oneness and truth. In some cultures white is the colour of death and mourning.

Aversion to white:

A person who has an aversion to white colour is solely interested in 'realistic' and tangible things, not in illusions or things that are beyond seeing or understanding. Knows and accepts imperfection and does not wish to achieve perfection.

Magenta

Healing properties: Strengthens contact with your life purpose. Stimulates adrenaline and heart activity.

Preference for magenta:

Much energy and activity focused on achieving power and self-realization. Strong but controlled passions and emotions. Daring, ready to fight, willing to give everything for a goal. Can drive things too far and have fixed ideas.

Aversion to magenta:

A person who has an aversion to magenta may feel overwhelmed by people with strong convictions or heavy emotions like jealousy; also may have difficulties with exposing deep emotions.

Pink

Healing properties: Heals grief and sadness. Restores youthfulness. Brings you in contact with your feelings.

Preference for pink:

Regarded as a feminine color. Pink symbolizes softness, sweetness, innocence, youthfulness and tenderness. Soft and kind people.

Aversion to pink:

A person who has an aversion to pink may have a challenge with expressing soft, tender, female side.

Turquoise

Healing properties: Increases intuition and sensitivity. Works disinfecting and antiseptic. Tones the general system. Builds the skin. Relaxes sensations of stress.

Preference for turquoise:

Just like the wide turquoise sea you don't want to feel restricted and you don't immediately bring to the surface what goes on in you ~ emotions can remain hidden. A colour for renewal, innovation and inventions, progressive techniques, alternative ways of living together, humanity.
Aversion to turquoise:

A person who has an aversion to turquoise may be looking for solidity and security in society, especially in marriage. Also, may be reluctant to think originally or to walk new paths.

Brown

Preference for brown:

An earthly colour for practical people with a preference for natural, tribal and primitive things, solidity and simplicity. Brown can be warm and cosy but also depressing. Family-life persons, stable people, loyal friends.

Aversion to brown:

A person who has an aversion to brown may feel an aversion against normal, boring, trivial life; may not feel connected with his roots (home-land, family, etc); may experience instability in health and attitude.

Grey

Preference for grey:

Very neutral and indifferent, non-expressive. It can be deliberate, but also lifeless, fixed, depressed and apathetic. Reserved, cool people; unwilling to expose themselves or to have obligations. Grey can be refined and tactful.

Aversion to grey:

A person who has an aversion to grey may prefers to be straight to the point, no time for political and tactical attitudes. Demands clarity, a knowing where one stands.

Black

Preference for black:

Symbolizes seriousness, darkness, depression, death, mourning, mystery, secrecy, occultism, a standing apart from or revolting against triviality, provocation, underground, underworld, things that have to remain hidden, nothingness as the great source of all creation, the need to keep your energy with you. Black is a color for extremes, everything and nothing. People who foremost trust themselves.

Aversion to black:

A person who has an aversion to black may have fear for the unknown, or fear for the abuse of power. Desires to become free from all kinds of dependency, blockages, hindrances; to throw off shackles.

Colour

2009-03-25T07:48:00.008-04:00

Do you love colour?

Do you choose colours according to your mood?

Do colours affect your mood?

Here's a little primer on colour and why it plays such a large role in our lives.

Here is a colour wheel which is an organization of colour hues around a circle, showing relationships between colours considered to be primary colours, secondary colours, complementary colours, etc...

Primary colours are red, yellow and blue.

Secondary colours are achieved by mixing the primary colours. These colours are green (mixing blue and yellow), purple (mixing red and and blue) and orange (mixing red and yellow).

Tertiary colours are the result of blending primary and secondary colours, for example ~ red-orange, orange-yellow, yellow-green, green-blue, blue-violet, violet-red.

Analogous colours are a palette of compatible colour combinations that blend well together. They are neighbors on the colour wheel. They tend to live harmoniously because they are relatives to each other.

These colours are less vivid, bright and saturated. They have less contrast and vibrational energy then complementary colours. Think of purple, blue, and, magenta colours in a twilight sky or the yellows, golds, and oranges in an Arizona desert. A pine forest has light greens to blues and purples within its depths.

Complementary colours are colours that are opposite each other on the colour wheel. They contrast, enhance and intensify each other. An example of complementary colours would be red and green.

Monochromatic colours are all the hues (tints and shades) of a single colour. As a result, the energy is more subtle and peaceful due to a lack of colour contrast.

Triadic colours are high-energy colours that are found by choosing three colours that are separated by 120 degrees on the colour wheel. The primary (red, blue, and yellow) and secondary (purple, orange, green) colours are examples of triadic colours.

Colour, without our realizing it, can have a profound effect on how we feel both mentally and physically. Dr. Morton Walker, in his book The Power of Color, suggested that the ancient Egyptians as well as the Native American Indians used colour and coloured light to heal.

Blue can "slow the pulse rate, lower body temperature, and reduce appetite.

Green soothes, calms, and has great healing powers. It is often worn in operating rooms by surgeons.

Orange symbolizes balance, warmth, enthusiasm, vibrancy, flamboyancy, and is demanding of attention.

Purple represents royalty, spirituality, nobility, ceremony, mystery, transformation, wisdom, enlightenment, cruelty, arrogance, mourning. Purple is considered an exotic colour.

Red is associated with love, valentines, danger, desire, speed, strength, violence, anger and can evoke a fight-or-flight response, raise blood pressure and make the heart beat faster.

Yellow represents joy, happiness, optimism, idealism, imagination, hope, sunshine, summer, gold, philosophy, dishonesty, cowardice, betrayal, jealousy, covetousness, deceit, illness, hazard, spirituality and inspiration.

Did you know that colour is light and energy and the fact that it has a physical effect on us has been proven in experiments? When blind people were asked to identify colours with their fingertips they were all able to do so easily. The shorter the wavelength, the stronger the underlying physical effect.

Sir Isaac Newton demonstrated that light travels in waves, when he shone white light through a triangular prism and, when the different wavelengths of light refracted at different angles, he was able to demonstrate that the colours of the rainbow (the spectrum) are the component parts of light.

So now that we've completed our lesson on colour theory, let's get back to my original question ~ is your mood affected by colour?

Most definitely .... When yellow daffodils, bluebells and colourful crocuses appear, we immediately begin to feel livelier, all symptoms of SAD seem to disappear ~ when grey skies and rain or snow surround us we instinctively draw in and tend to hibernate.

We choose colours to surround ourselves with according to our mood. We wear colours choosen according to our personality type.

For example ~ a very confident person will wear many, varied bright colours. A person with a lower self confidence may choose darker colours in an effort to blend into the background and not draw attention to themselves.

From my own experience I find that I am uplifted when I choose to wear brighter colours like yellow, orange, coral and turquoise. After enjoying cashmere's, denim and wool in shades of grey, brown, navy and black through the winter my spirit is uplifted as I anticipate the arrival of the warmer weather when I enjoy all the colours of the rainbow making me feel as glorious as my garden in bloom.

This morning the sky was many shades of lavenders, reds, corals and pinks set in a beautiful silvery blue morning sky. A few wispy clouds were sprinkled here and there across the sky.

"Red sky in morning ~ sailors warning .... red sky at night ~ sailors delight."

This gorgeous sky I was treated to this morning is, according to the old adage, my warning that bad weather is on the way.

Hope it holds out until tonight, Don is planning on barbecuing steaks for my thirty-twenty fifth.

Looking Forward

2009-03-20T00:01:00.001-04:00

One third of the way into the "Year of Barb", I continue my journey to a calm acceptance and a pure & true happiness that radiates from within. I am succeeding in many of my resolutions.

Putting myself first ..... releasing anger, bitterness, resentments and old hurts ..... accepting, loving and enjoying this time I have been given with my mother in the sunset of her life ..... nurturing myself ~ physically (still exercising every morning ~ alternating 20 minutes daily on the recumbent bike ~ treadmill), spiritually, emotionally (centering myself through quiet introspection, meditation & reading) ..... loving every single moment I have with my daughter and grand babies ..... learning to say no ..... not biting off more than I can chew ..... getting back into my crafting and art.

One important aspect of this journey is starting each morning with an attitude of gratitude. My feet do not touch the floor before I have expressed gratitutde. Then with each step towards my day, I say thank you. This simple act has gone a long way to improving my postive outlook on life. It is very hard to feel negative about anything when you are thankful!

Finish every day and be done with it.

you have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in;

forget them as soon as you can.

Tomorrow is a new day; begin it well and serenely,

with too high a spirit to be encumbered

with your old nonsense.

This day is all that is good and fair.

It is too dear, with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays.

Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

I Love ....

2009-03-18T14:51:00.006-04:00

........ this child.

My third grandson ~ Mammys love.

He is precocious ...... he is daring ...... he is precious ...... he is sweet ...... he is beautiful ...... he is so very gentle with his baby sister ...... he loves his mammy and never fails to greets me with kisses and tight hugs after jumping into my arms (usually from the third step).

(We won't be able to do this much longer, he's getting heavy).

While visiting last week, he and I had fun playing a game called "Guess Who". On our second game, I guessed who he was on my second question. He stopped with shock on his face, looked up at me and said, "Mammy ~ you're right." The stunned look on his face as he gave me a high five was absolutely priceless.

Then on Saturday, while we were entertaining friends, the doorbell rang.

Don went to the door and I heard him say, "Oh my God." I couldn't imagine who was there when I heard the voice of our little princess.

She came in and ran immediately to her "Poppa" and stayed in his arms for most of the visit. She was quite shy with our friends, but had no trouble entertaining everyone as long as she was in Poppa's arms.

While in his arms, I asked for a hug and kiss and she placed her little hands ~ one of each of my cheeks and brought my face to hers to give me a kiss. It was such a tender moment, that I could barely contain my heart from bursting with love for this precious child.

This young lady is very girly (Mammy is looking forward to pedicures together) ..... she loves sparklies (I must always wear jewellry for her when I visit ~ she does look for it) ..... she is entertaining ...... she is loving ...... she knows what she wants ...... she is going to break hearts ..... she is going to make her daddy worry ..... she is stunning ....... she adores her Poppa.

How fortunate am I to be Mammy to such wonderful grandchildren? And these are only two of my loves.

I could never imagine being separated from my four babes. They are my happiness ~ the air I breath. Just the thought of them, brings sunshine to my day.

As I sit here writing this I am looking forward to my visit tomorrow, hoping that Ryan our oldest grandson is better from a cold he was fighting earlier this week. Fingers crossed he will be better tomorrow and Mammy will once again have her weekly fix.

How Beautiful Is This????

2009-03-18T06:05:00.002-04:00

Yesterday I received a package in the mail from a dear friend whose blog I regularly read.

We have never met, but have shared numerous emails and lots of comments on each others' blog.

I apologize for the sideways shot, but no matter how hard I tried, it absolutely refuses to upload right side up, so here is the beautiful shawl knit of Noro wool, which Vickie sent to me ~ albeit sideways. It's is gorgeous no matter how you look at it. The wool is so soft and luxurious and I have been wanting to pick some up and make something, anything just to feel this beautiful yarn pass through my fingers as I knit.

I must mention here that knitting is a moderately new craft to this lady. She just started knitting last year if I'm not mistaken.

Beautifully done Vickie!!!!

Thank you so much. I am actually sitting in the office with the window open right now and have the shawl around my shoulders to keep the chill off.

It is clasped together with a beautiful handmade wooden ornament made specifically to hold the shawl from falling off the shoulders.

It also came with a gorgeous card hand painted by her husband Dave - Thank you Dave - another cherished keepsake.

There was also a deliciously fragrant peppermint handmade soap which was made by Sherrie over at Frenchy's Finds. Can hardly wait to try this invigorating soap.

Fabric & Flowers

2009-03-17T08:18:00.008-04:00

What a beautiful spring day it was yesterday with more of the same on the way today?

I thought it would be nice to take my mom out somewhere she has never been before, so off we went to Ikea.

She was a little overwhelmed by the size of it ~ it really is quite a large store.

She enjoyed it thoroughly and we stopped by the restaurant for breakfast which she really liked.

As I walked through the window coverings & fabric section, these beautiful fabrics practically jumped into my shopping cart, so I relented and purchased a couple metres of each.

I won't say what I'm making, but they will somehow make it into the "Handmade Giveaway".

Then when we got home, my son stopped by ~ a surprise visit with these beautiful roses for me.

It was a lovely finish to a beautiful day.

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful week.

Body Image

2009-03-13T08:10:00.002-04:00

How do you view your body?

The dictionary defines body image as a term which may refer to a person's perception of their own physical appearance, or the internal sense of having a body which is interpreted by the brain.

Essentially a person's body image is how they perceive their appearance to be to others, which in many cases may be dramatically different from how they actually appear to them.

Do you know that 44% of women today express negative feelings about both individual body parts and their bodies as a whole. The desire to lose weight is highly correlated with poor body image, and more women than men desire to lose weight.

There are a brave few on Flickr who recently have been posting self portraits of face & body in an effort to improve their body image.

If you pursue self portraiture, it can help you in your efforts to accept your body. Shooting self-portraits regularly gives you inner strength and can help in the process of healing any illness ~ physical and psychological. As real women, we must undertake to do whatever it takes along the journey to become more comfortable in our own skin.

The little girl inside of me wants to see a beautiful woman, but unfortunately when I look in the mirror this is far from what I see.

I only see the wrinkles, the big stomach, the sagging breasts, the thinning hair, the not quite straight smile, etc.....

Why is that?

Why do I not see what the people who love me see?

Why as women are we so hard on ourselves?

We are constantly bombarded with "Barbie-doll" images. By presenting an ideal that is so difficult to achieve and maintain, the cosmetic and diet product industries are assured of growth and profits. It's no accident that youth is increasingly promoted, along with thinness, as an essential criterion of beauty. The message we're hearing is either "all women need to lose weight" or that the natural aging process is a "disastrous" fate. Botox, Restlyne, liposuction, fat transfer, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels. These procedures are as common as having a tooth filled. Clinics and spas providing these services are popping up on every street corner.

Why can we not be happy with this marvelous body we have? The body that has sustained us throughout our lives .... the feet and legs that carry us where ever we go .... the arms that carried our babies .... the hands that lovingly prepare the very nourishment that feeds our body .... the breasts that fed our children ..... the stomach that nurtured that life as it prepared to be born ..... the face with all its characteristics that is ours alone.

Negative Body Image is a distorted perception of your shape. You may perceive parts of your body unlike they really are.

You are convinced that only other people are attractive and that your body size or shape is a sign of personal failure.

You feel ashamed, self-conscious, and anxious about your body.

You feel uncomfortable and awkward in your body.

Positive Body Image is a clear, true perception of your shape. You see the various parts of your body as they really are.

You celebrate and appreciate your natural body shape and you understand that a person`s physical appearance says very little about their character and value as a person.

You feel proud and accepting of your unique body and refuse to spend an unreasonable amount of time worrying about food, weight, and calories.

You feel comfortable and confident in your body

Here are ten things you can do every day to improve your body image.

1 ~ Twice a day, everyday, I will ask myself: "Am I benefiting from focusing on what I believe are the flaws in my body weight or shape?"

2 ~ I will think of three reasons why it is ridiculous for me to believe that thinner people are happier or "better. I will repeat these reasons to myself whenever I feel the urge to compare my body shape to someone else.

3 ~ I will spend less and less time in front of mirrors, especially when they are making me feel uncomfortable and self-conscious about my body.

4 ~ I will exercise for the joy of feeling my body move and grow stronger. I will not exercise simply to lose weight, purge fat from my body, or to "make-up for" calories I have eaten.

5 ~ I will participate in activities that I enjoy, even if they call attention to my weight and shape. I will constantly remind myself that I deserve to do things I enjoy, like dancing, swimming, etc., no matter what my shape or size!

6 ~ I will refuse to wear clothes that are uncomfortable or that I do not like but wear simply because they divert attention from my weight or shape. I will wear clothes that are comfortable and that make me feel comfortable in my body.

7 ~ I will list 5-10 good qualities that I have, such as understanding, intelligence, or creativity. I will repeat these to myself whenever I start to feel bad about my body.

8 ~ I will practice taking people seriously for what they say, feel, and do, not for how slender, or "well put together" they appear.

9 ~ I will surround myself with people and things that make me feel good about myself and my abilities. When I am around people and things that support me and make me feel good, I will be less likely to base my self-esteem on the way my body looks.

10 ~ I will treat my body with respect and kindness. I will feed it, keep it active, and listen to its needs. I will remember that my body is the vehicle that will carry me to my dreams!

Let us not pass on this legacy of self abuse to our daughters and grand daughters. Let us learn to love ourselves as our friends and family do. Stop for just a moment and think ~ if your best friend talked to and treated you the way you do to yourself ~ would you maintain that friendship. Of course not ~ so it's time to become your own best friend and love yourself.

Friendships

2009-03-12T07:50:00.004-04:00

What do friends mean to you?

My friendships are so important to me. Even more so since observing my mother following my dad's death with no outside support from friends. All she has is Don & me and our family and she relies more and more on this relationship. Her situation make me even more determined to cherish and keep strong the friendships that I enjoy presently.

What makes a friendship?

What draws us to particular people and not to others?

In the past year I met a woman who I felt an instant connection with. We recently spent some time together and after 3-4 hours of non-stop talking, it felt as if I had known her forever.

I have spent the last couple of days trying to analyze why I felt this instant connection and yet with other relationships I find that I cannot go deep. Time spent together produces those uncomfortable moments or lapses in the conversation. Do emotions play a role here ~ are there resentments ~ jealousy ~ bitterness that resides so deeply they can't be identified yet somehow they put up a wall that is so difficult to get over?

Edited to add:

Today I spent some time with another friend. We chatted about my thoughts and she offered some interesting insight on how she and I were both raised in a very judgemental, critical atmosphere. Could the fear of criticism or judgement be what holds me back in these relationships? Hmmmmm, I wonder ......

Is the deep connection that is felt instantly when we meet a kindred soul something as basic as a commonality with our likes & dislikes ~ or something deeper such as our moral structure.

In our familial relationships what makes some work and others not? My thoughts stray to my relationship with my mother. I love her, but do not consider her a friend, yet my daughter is a cherished friend to me.

A dear friend who lives hundreds of miles away from me is one of those connections. We have known each other for over 20 years. We share the odd email and occasional phone call. Six or seven years ago I went to visit her. Our conversation started when I arrived and didn't stop until I left. It was like we had never been apart. How can that be when we don't constantly refresh that friendship on a regular basis? The connection just remains constant.

This new friendship in my life has really made me think deeply about why some relationships work so well and so comfortably while others although the love is there present those uncomfortable moments where participating in meaningful conversation is almost painful.

I believe everything in life happens for a reason and I know this new friendship has arrived in my life for a reason ~ it is up to me to determine what that reason is.

My cherished friends and I go very deep in our conversations, sharing everything, supporting, loving each other and giving all.

I think of a dear friend who I have not met in person, yet we have shared intimate thoughts and feelings through very lengthy emails. I cherish her words in each email and look forward to the day when we will meet. Will we still have this innate ability to be as open with each other in person or will there be those uncomfortable moments. I hope not ~ I have most definitely grown through the years to love this person.

What are your friendships like?

What are your thoughts on these feelings that haunt my thoughts as I try to understand these dynamics?

I would be interested in knowing how you view your friendships and if you experience these same issues that I have raised here.

Happy Monday

2009-03-09T08:11:00.004-04:00

As I sit here this morning enjoying my morning coffee, I'm watching a very gentle spring snow fall as it comes to an end.

It's one of those beautiful snowfalls with big, wet snowflakes that holds onto everything as it comes tumbling out of the sky.

Everything has a light coating of white ~ my concrete statuary in the garden are all wearing garments of white ~ the gazebo frame which is charcoal gray has a ribbon of white laid carefully over top of the frame ~ the cedar bushes are frosted with white whipped cream ~ the deck has been covered with white velvet ~ the bare trees are a study in sharp contrast as the dark brown limbs hold onto the snow ~ the bird feeder has been dusted with icing sugar ~ every plant laying dormant in the ravine behind us has been sprinkled with white frosting ~ all the homes have changed the colour of their roofs to pure white ~ Chelsea after going out for her morning, ahem "constitutional" came in looking like she had been sprinkled with coconut ~ the birds are not in flight, but taking cover under the larger branches on trees ~ even the chain link fence between our garden and the ravine is outlined in white.

Outside my window looks like a crisp black and white photograph with a few focal points of colour.

I have to describe this quickly ~ it blew in wild and willful, but was over in just a few moments.

I am not posting any pictures of this beautiful scene ~ you will have to use your imagination to see what I see.

Have a lovely, happy Monday!

Give Away

2009-03-06T16:36:00.008-05:00

Today on reading Sherrie's blog over at Frenchy's Finds, I read that she was doing a handmade giveaway.

Sounded like fun, so I decided to participate, however in order to participate I must "Pay it Forward".

The first 5 people who respond to this post will get something hand made by me: it will be my choice, but will, hopefully, be something you can use or enjoy for its aesthetic merits.

I won't guarantee that you will love it ~ but I sure hope you do!
I also promise to mail my handmade gift to you before the end of the year (December 31, 2009) or sooner.

To participate, you must "Pay It Forward" by posting your own hand made giveaway on your blog. Then put together something to be sent out as 5 surprises of your own.

These surprises can be anything ~ a piece of art, a photo, a poem ~ whatever you choose.

Now I'll just wait for the comments to come rolling in! If you're one of the first five to comment, please e-mail me your mailing address (mailto:barb.takeda@gmail.com, and my gift to you will go in the mail sometime in the next 9 months!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!

Life Lessons

2009-03-05T07:28:00.009-05:00

~ Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

~ Marry someone you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.

~ Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.

~ When you say, 'I love you ,' mean it.

~ When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.

~ Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

~ Believe in love at first sight.

~ Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.

~ Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

~ In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.

~ Don't judge people by their relatives.

~ Talk slowly but think quickly.

~ When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'

~ Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

~ Say 'bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.

~ When you lose, don't lose the lesson !

~ Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.

~ Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship..

~ When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

~ Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

~ Spend some time alone.

~ Bliss ~

2009-03-04T06:45:00.000-05:00

If you love to knit, you must pick up the newest Debbie Bliss knitting magazine.

This is the second publication.

Last year, I picked up the Fall/Winter one and literally drooled over the patterns.

In fact there wasn't one pattern in there that I wouldn't love to knit.

The cover on the Spring/Summer magazine tantalizes with it's soft pastel and believe me when you open the pages, the softness continues.

There is a beautiful section on all white ~ white cushion covers, white dish cloths, white trims, white blankets, etc...

I love the white blanket and this I will be my first project. It is knit on circular needles in a plain garter stitch with a ribbed border. Simple, lovely and would look just great on my bed for a little extra snuggling.

There are cardigans galore and I think I just might make every single one.

Well, off to dream about colours and yarns and whether I can talk hubby into springing for all this yarn I'll require.

Here are a few patterns from the Fall/Winter publication last year.

A Thought

2009-03-03T07:55:00.001-05:00

I can't change the direction of the wind,

but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.

Remembrance

2009-03-01T06:02:00.001-05:00

This day is the second anniversary from the first day I saw my precious granddaughter ~ Gabriella.

This to the left is Gabriella in my arms with a couple of other children in the orphanage.

Along with that wonderful memory come the sharp, cutting images that are impressed on my memory of Africa and her pain.

Today I am thankful to Gabriella's Enat (birth mom) for the enormous sacrifice she made in giving up her child. I cannot imagine the hole it must have left in her heart.

Only through her unselfish sacrifice were we able to bring this amazing child into our lives.

I remember all that I witnessed there ....
the terrible living conditions ....
the number of orphaned children living in the streets ....
the extreme poverty set against extreme wealth ....
the struggle of so many people.

Then there is her breathtaking beauty which is in stark contrast with her poverty.

Terrible living conditions .... not enough food .... little to no wages for many.

But still I was uplifted in this country at the joyfulness of these people ....
their generosity .....
their willingness to always help.

But always when I look in the face of this beautiful girl ~ my granddaughter ~ I will remember Africa, the impression she left on me and the place in my heart that she touched.

Barb Needs

2009-02-27T08:26:00.002-05:00

This morning I saw this little game on my daughters blog.

Hers answers were much more interesting than mine. If you do this, you go to Google and type in "your name" followed by the word needs, then run a search.

Here's what I need.

1. Barb needs to leap ~ trying to do this this year.
2. Barb needs to be fed a variety of foods including vegetables as well as meaty foods ~ hey where's the sweet stuff.
3. Barb needs some positive vibes ~ always.
4. Barb needs to only hear your voice clearly ~ I'm going to interpret this to my being a good listener to each and every person in my life.
5. Barb’s Needs. Meds. Meds. Meds. Water. Water. Water. Food. Food. Food. Bianca. Bianca. Bianca. Toilet ~ yes, yes yes and definitely yes to the toilet after all that water.
6. Barb needs healing vibes ~ again always.
7. Barb needs to be eliminated ~ don't think I care for this one too much. LOL

Another friends needs "an orgasm". I would rather that than #7. Oh well, we can't have everything we want can we??

Let me know if you decide to try this. Come on you know you want to do it ~ it really is fun!

Resolutions

2009-02-26T16:19:00.003-05:00

How are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions?

Have they fallen by the wayside ..... are you sticking with them ..... or are you telling everyone that you're sticking with them but really just keeping up a facade?

Well, I'm telling you today that my resolutions posted in January, are still first and foremost in my mind. I will not say that I have successfully completed them, but I am in the ongoing process of running towards that finish line.

I resolved to "take back my life" and make this the year of Barb and that is exactly what I have been doing.

Along the way, I have been firm in my decisions ~ no fence sitting for this girl. When I make a decision to move forward ~ I do.

One major decision I made was to remove the resentment, bitterness and anger from my mind. I realize that my family is as it has always been ~ I am NOT the problem, so it has been quite simple for me to remove myself from the equation. This I did for ME, not for anyone else. I had to come to the realization that the resentment, bitterness and anger was hurting me and no one else.

Due to the upheaval not only in my life but my home as well, my attention to my physical condition went by the wayside. So, how did I correct this you ask?

I spent about one week in the basement cleaning, throwing out a lot of stored unnecessary items and rearranging and I now have my exercise area set up again with a treadmill and recumbent bike and I have faithfully walked or rode every morning for 12-15 minutes for about 6 weeks now. I'll never be ready for a triathlon but I do feel more energetic because of this particular attention to one part of my life.

I also resolved to spend one day a week with my grand babies and I have given them back Thursdays. Now having said this, I have missed a few here and there, due to illness, chauffering my mom to appointments, but I thoroughly enjoy spending time with them, giving them me in whatever ways they want ~ game playing ... movie watching ... singing ... talking or just loving each other.

Don and I have started to go out without mom, leaving the guilt feelings here at home and not allowing them to fester while we are out together. Every time I leave the house, I cannot allow her to overwhelm me with feelings of guilt because I am not taking her with me. Before my dad passed away I certainly didn't take her with me each and every time I went out, so why did I feel I had to when she moved in.

So as you can see I am overcoming quite a few of the obstacles that had been stumbling blocks to my happiness in life.

Mom too has started to make a few changes herself ~ she has gone back to church on Sundays which gives Don and I a couple of hours to ourselves. She is talking about going to visit her sister in April. Not only will that be good for her but it will give us a break too.

And I'm back to crafting regularly ~ knitting, quilting, baking, painting, etc...

So as you can see, I'm well on my way to reclaiming me.

As I write this post, I have just completed the finishing touches on an angel food cake with fresh whipped cream & raspberriess and shaved dark chocolate curls. As well I have had a lovely pot of marinara sauce simmering for hours filling the house with wonderful aromas and I'm sipping a deliciously fruity glass of sangria. Why all these specialities today. These are for my sister Fran who is coming here today for her birthday dinner a little later as her birthday was last Friday ~ but better late than never.

So salute to your resolutions ~ keeping them ~ and succeeding in your determination to follow them through to completion.

What Would You Pay For a Pet????

2009-02-26T08:32:00.005-05:00

Recently, I came across an article about this new breed of cat which I found quite interesting, although I cannot imagine spending this kind of money on a pet. It would seem to me that this cat would be a status symbol for the up crust population of our society.

A new hybrid breed with Asian leopard blood, the Ashera, is slightly more eye-catching, than the Bengal.

They stand 4 feet tall on their hind legs. At $22,000, they’re certainly a very expensive breed of cat. The Ashera weighs around 30 lbs and lives for 25 years. Despite their hefty price, they’re actually fairly low maintenance, though they do prefer to sleep on heated beds.

The reason the Ashera is such an expensive cat breed is that each one is guaranteed to have the same coloring and appearance. These traits are bred, from the African Serval, an undisclosed domestic breed and the aforementioned Asian leopard cat, by British entrepreneur Simon Brodie of Lifestyle Pets.

The is a picture of an Ashera GD kitten at six months of age.

Brodie also developed another expensive cat, the hypoallergenic cat. These cats notably do not possess the gene that causes them to produce the Feld 1 glycoprotein, the major cat allergen. This allows cat lovers whose families include one or more persons with feline allergies, or who have feline allergies themselves, to still keep a feline friend around the house. Lifestyle Pets are even planning on introducing a hypoallergenic Ashera in the coming year. These cats range in expense from the Allerca GD’s $5,950 price tag to the Ashera GD’s $28,000 price tag.

Any of these cats may provide a (feline) lifetime of entertainment and companionship for their owners. However, a new Lexus convertible and a cat from the SPCA might be a better way to spend your money than $40,000+ for the most expensive cat.

What I Love About Winter!

2009-02-24T08:58:00.005-05:00

When it's so cold outside that there are feathers on the windows.

When it's so cold outside that the snow cracks when you walk on it.

When the sun shines brilliantly on the snow and it glitters like diamonds.

When I go for a walk in the ravine and hear the trees crack.

When the ice crystallizes around stones, tree limbs, anything laying in the creek where the water swirls its' icy fingers around each object.

When the cold permeates our home creating the need to wrap up in lots of warm & cozy blankets.

The dazzling colours of a blue sky against the blinding white of the snow.

Going out, turning on the heat in the car seat to warm the leather and then gradually feeling the warmth work itself into my body.

A cafe latte.

The stillness .......

Make A Perfectly Luxurious Bed

2009-02-22T19:17:00.008-05:00

Start with your mattress.

Do you need a new mattress?
Do you need a new mattress pad?
Or maybe just a little extra comfort is in order.

If that's the case, try an inexpensive foam topper. Or if money is no object go for a 2 - 4" piece of memory foam or a feather bed. It really makes a difference. I sleep on memory foam and it is absolutely delicious. There are no pressure points and the foam really does mould itself to your body.

Now for the sheets. Don't skimp here. Quality sheets really are much nicer to sleep on ~ the higher the thread count ~ the softer and more durable the sheets will be. Thread count refers to the number of threads, both vertical and horizontal, in a one-inch square of fabric. A good thread count is about 400 - 500. When choosing fabric content a Supima or Egyptian cotton is superb.

After placing the mattress topper of your choice on top of the mattress ~ place the fitted sheet over both.

Now the flat sheet goes on with a nice, deep fold back on the top sheet ~ at least 12 inches. Don't forget the hospital corners. After tucking in the bottom of the sheet, lift up the overhanging side about 12" back from the bottom ~ making a triangular shape. Now just tuck in the bottom of the triangle. Lay the side back down and you have a perfect hospital corner.

Did you know that tightly tucked hospital corners where used to protect patients from falling out of bed before the side rail came into use.

Top the flat sheet with a light, quilted coverlet and matching shams. Then, add a duvet with cover, folded at the end of the bed. It's nice to match the duvet cover to the sheeting.

Now for the pillows.

Choose a pillow suitable for your sleeping habits. Select a soft pillow if you sleep on your stomach ~ a medium pillow if you sleep on your back ~ a firm pillow if you sleep on your side.

Pillow fill is a personal choice and can be polyester, foam, goose down or a combination of feathers and down. Down is usually more expensive. It's very soft and is easy to shape or mold to your head and body. Polyester, which is less expensive, is comfortable too, depending on the quality, but it won't fluff up the way down does. Check the amount of fill in the pillow (how full it is). The more fill, the firmer the pillow.

Now for pillow placement.

Sleeping pillows in the back, shams that match the coverlet in front of that, then decorative pillows in front of the shams. A chic hotel style of placing the pillows is to lay the sleeping pillow with the sham laying flat on top of it.

The decorative pillows look best if you choose another fabric or texture different from the duvet and coverlet. A good size for the decorative pillows is a 22" square. And then perhaps a small rectangle pillow in the very front.

For a king size bed use three euro pillows across, for queens use two across. However, don't go overboard with the pillows. Do what is comfortable for you, as too many pillows can just be a hassle. There should definitely be some space between the folded duvet cover and the pillows.

Finally, make your bed every morning. Our mothers were right - it really does make a difference in how the room appears and how the sheets feel to get back in at night!

Now if reading about that on a Sunday evening doesn't make you sleepy, I don't know what will!

What Am I Working On Now You Ask??

2009-02-20T09:58:00.008-05:00

My craft room seems to have inspired my creativity lately and I just can't seem to sit still without something in my hands.

About a month ago Sebrina and I spent a day together for her birthday. While we were out we popped into a fabric store. They have just started to carry a small collection of yarn. While I was going through the yarns and free patterns, I saw this pattern for a poncho. The yarn is a wool bamboo mix made by Moda Dea.

I didn't care for the colour combination shown on the pattern to the left ~ it felt a little wintry to me .... so I decided to purchase a lovely natural off white colour and make it.

Fingers crossed I'll have it completed by spring so I can throw it on over a pair of jeans when the weather is a little cool, but too warm for a coat.

One side is completed and I'm about 1/3 of the way up the other side.

Here's how the pattern is shaping up so far.

I'm just loving the texture. It is quite an easy pattern but very boring. A two stitch cable every three stitches which switches from front to back every other row.

Stay tuned ~ I'll post it when it's finished ~ hopefully in the next week or two.

Here's a closeup showing the pattern and texture.

Food Week

2009-02-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

Although I'm not participating in "Food Week" this week I have thoroughly enjoyed some of the yummy recipes shared by the participants. You can see whose participating here.

In my effort to try to calm down whatever is going on with my digestive tract, I've been eating less and less meat, so last night at dinner I made a vegetarian dinner for myself. My mom and Don also ate these dishes but had chicken pot pie with it.

Here's what I had and let me tell you it was yummy!
I pan fried onions & garlic in a little olive oil until the onions were translucent. Drop in about 20 grape tomatoes cut in half. Then top it all off with a bunch of chopped swiss chard and continue cooking wilted. After it was done I sprinkled it all over with Herbamare® Provencale Aromatic Sea Salt (made by A. Vogel).

The other dish we enjoyed was yams cooked until tender, mashed with a little butter and Herbamare. Mash half an avocado with a little lemon juice, cumin a sprinkle or two of Herbamare. Top off the yams with a big spoonful of the guacamole.

The other half of avocado I scooped out and chopped with tomato, feta, red onion & a little lime juice drizzled over top. Fill up the avocado skin with the mix and enjoy!

Sorry no pictures, you'll just have to imagine how delicious this was and the best part for me was no tummy problems afterward.

A Thought

2009-02-19T08:15:00.002-05:00

"When we create harmony in our minds and hearts, we will find it in our lives.

The inner creates the outer.

Always .....

Louise Hay

A Rose By Any Other Name Would Smell As Sweet

2009-02-18T10:38:00.004-05:00

How gorgeous & creative is this beautiful photograph my daughter took.

She considers herself an "amateur" photographer, but I am constantly stunned by the breathtaking beauty of her pictures.

Water droplets full of reflections from what is surrounding her at that precise moment .... water droplets in mid drop as they rush earthward to meet the object of their affection .... beautiful bokeh .... fabulous action shots of her children .... imaginative textures and layers over images .... beautiful natural shots of seagulls, swans & geese in all their frosty winter beauty .... food & drink shots that make my mouth water.

She captures such perfect moments in time ~ moments that once passed are forgotten save for her magnificent images.

She recently opened an online shop to sell some of her photos after much encouragement from friends and family.

Please drop by her shop and check out some of her pictures.

You can also view all of her photographs on her photostream on Flickr.

What The Heck Is My Problem?

2009-02-17T17:20:00.010-05:00

I haven't been doing too much blogging lately or even visiting my favourite blogs to read or leave comments because well ~ here I go again with more health issues ~ digestive and stomach problems.

A while back I posted that I had a pet gallstone 4mm to be exact. I have nursed this little guy for quite a few years, but last year due to stomach pain my doctor sent me for an ultrasound. No inflammation, but my pet is still in residence.

I struggle with a yeast overgrowth in my gut which I constantly must be wary of, watching sugar intakes and using a product to keep the overgrowth down to a manageable level.

Over the past couple of years, it seems that no matter what passes my lips causes me some type of digestive distress ~ pain ... bloating ... distention ... gas ... a feeling of always having eaten too much, yet a constant gnawing feeling in my abdomen, gastric reflux, heartburn ... etc... And these problems flare my asthma which just add to the cacophony of issues I'm dealing with by impairing my breathing.

So in my quest to try to discover just exactly what the heck is my problem, I have researched Celiac's disease and tried eliminating gluten from my diet. I definitely had some success with this, the bloating and subsequent gas was easier to cope with.

I've questioned ~ could it be IBS, could it be diverticulitis, could it be leaky gut syndrome, could it be a gallbladder attack, could it be gastritis, could it be colitis ~ the list goes on and on. Symptoms will subside for a bit, but then come back with a vengeance. At this point after quite a few months of pain, I am nervous whenever I pick up something to eat. Will it cause me pain? Will it make me bloat? Worse yet will it give me gas and cause me embarrassment?

I've been in crisis for the past few weeks with this pain and am now unable to determine just what foods are causing this discomfort. All my symptoms seem to point to my gallbladder and knowing that I have a large pet stone, it seems quite reasonable to me that this is what it could be.

I must interrupt my rant here to mention that I recently had a consultation with a gastroenterologist who has me scheduled for an endoscopy on March 26th (Happy Birthday to me). He is planning to take a biopsy from my stomach and small intestine. His opinion from my symptoms is that I have a problem with my stomach muscles not naturally contracting. Apparently there is a condition called Gastroparesis where the stomach muscles are paralyzed due to the stomach not getting nerve impulses from the vagus nerve. His recommendation in the interim is to eat more and smaller meals. I've been doing this for about 10 days now, but even a few bites this week are causing me great discomfort.

So my quandary at this point is do I just sit and wait until March 26th for the endoscopy, or do I trundle off to the emergency room at my nearest hospital with this problem where I know I could have the on call specialist most likely pursue some immediate testing to determine the cause of this pain.

This week is probably the worst it has ever been ~ I have lost nearly 6 pounds due to cutting my caloric intake by half. I continue to drink my aloe vera juice and take my diglicerized licorice (DGL) to sooth my digestive tract but with little success. I've resorted to chewing on Gaviscon tablets which do help a little, but I don't want to continue this for too long due to the aluminum content in this product.

Well, the silver lining in this cloud is the weight loss. I've been wanting to lose weight for years, but just can't seem to get it off ~ severe lack of will power, not to mention a husband who seems to love me just as I am.

So here's to stomach problems that last long enough for me to knock off about 30 pounds!

Ding ~ Ding ~ Round Two

2009-02-12T08:53:00.004-05:00

Well, just when I thought I was well on my way to recovery ~ two days of no snot, blowing, coughing, head pain, etc.... I've received a knock out blow ~ only this time I think it might be influenza.

Last night I woke up every 30-45 minutes feeling quite nauseous. This was followed by a few quick trips to the bathroom for rather violent eliminations, followed closely by another.

Now this morning, I'm quite dizzy, achy and with a tight chest, so my guess ~ this is the flu. Thanks goodness, I'm not normally a puker, so, so far no upchucking. Keep my fingers crossed on that one.

So, my question is whose to blame? I am ~ that's who.

All of the stress I have subjected my body to during the adjustment of having my mom move in, has I am sure played a huge role. I know that I have been under a great deal of stress as we three have worked towards adjusting to this new situation.

My concern now is that my mother is exposed to me and as well I visited with my grand babies yesterday, exchanged hugs and kisses which exposed them to this bug as well. So Seb, forwarned is forarmed.

I did a little research to see just how much of a role stress plays in our overall well being.

"When an individual is faced with stress, his body mobilizes for action in what is called a fight or flight reaction. During a fight or flight reaction, the heart rate increases, breathing is accelerated, and the muscles tense up as if in preparation to throw something like a rock (fight) or to run away.

If stress persists after the initial fight or flight reaction, the body's reaction enters a second stage. During this stage, the activity of the sympathetic nervous system declines and epinephrine secretion is lessened, but corticosteroid secretion continues at above normal levels.

Finally, if the stress continues and the body is unable to cope, there is likely to be breakdown of bodily resources. It is in this stage that there may be a reduction of the levels of epinephrine and nor-epinephrine in the brain, a state related to depression. Stressful life events are related to the risk of infected individuals developing an illness. Traumatic stressful events may trigger either behavioral or biological processes that contribute to the onset of disease. Chronic stress has been associated with increased reports of illness. Long-term exposure to chronic stress may facilitate the development of illness during exposure to stress. Exposure to chronic stress may results in permanent or at the very least long-term psychological, biological, or behavioral responses that alter the progression of illness. Those who had either a work related or interpersonal chronic stressors (defined as stress lasting one month or longer) had an increased risk of developing colds compared to those who had no chronic stressor. In addition, the longer the stress endured, the more likely a person was to become ill.

Psychological stress predicted a greater expression of illness and a greater production of interleukin-6 in response to an upper respiratory infection. Life experiences are significantly related with energy level."

So my advice ~ stay well ~ stop and smell the roses and try not to obsess over anything in life ~ because, you will pay for it with your health. I'm learning ~ if I can't change a situation, then learn to live with it without obsessivly stressing about it. Stress breeds stress and as I said in an earlier post, the tension in our home has been so thick we could have chewed through it and we have passed it around from person to person.

It's Done!

2009-02-10T10:08:00.002-05:00

Here's my quilt that I started a couple of weeks ago using the Amy Butler pattern. You can get to the free pattern here.

Not too big ~ just enough to throw over my lap if I feel a little chilly.

I quilted the entire piece by hand. After quilting a couple of seams on the sewing machine, I wasn't too crazy about the finish, thus the hand quilting. I really like the way hand quilting looks especially after the first wash and dry when it puckers it up so nicely.

I quilted using a stitch-in-the-ditch technique on every seam and then bound the edges with the blue & white toille pattern.

I'm very happy with the result.

Julie, you might be interested to know ~ I just couldn't master sewing the binding on with the sewing machine. This, even after looking at instructions on line and also the pictoral instructions in my Kaffe Fassett quilting book, so I cut and sewed the strips by machine and then hand sewed the entire binding onto the quilt by hand. Got the corners bang on by hand.

An Inconvenient Truth

2009-02-09T08:20:00.009-05:00

Yesterday, I finally sat and watched "An Inconvenient Truth" by Al Gore. This DVD was quite an eye opener on how emissions of C02 are rising and destroying our atmosphere. The catastrophic effects of this destruction are mind boggling.

If you haven't seen this documentary yet ~ my recommendation ~ run don't walk to your nearest store and pick up a copy ~ you must watch it.

I have for years tried to conserve as much as possible ~ mainly because my utility bills are kept low by conserving. After watching this DVD, yes I still like my low utility bills, but my focus will definitely expand to include my contribution to helping heal our planet.

I watch my consumption and try to leave as small a footprint as possible by reducing, re-using and re-cycling. When I hear the facts that were presented on this documentary, it pains me to think what we have done to our home and what we may or may not be leaving for future generations.

An Inconvenient Truth is a documentary hosted by Al Gore in which he discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations.

It is a very interesting and informative documentary to watch.

Have you signed up yet for your contribution to "One Million Acts of Green"?

Did you participate last year in Earth Hour by turning out your lights for one hour. I did and I've signed up again.

It's happening this year on March 28th at 8:30. Show your support and love for your home and go here to sign up for 2009.

WHAT IS GLOBAL WARMING?

Carbon dioxide and other gases warm the surface of the planet naturally by trapping solar heat in the atmosphere. This is a good thing because it keeps our planet habitable. However, by burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere and temperatures are rising.

The vast majority of scientists agree that global warming is real, it’s already happening and that it is the result of our activities and not a natural occurrence. The evidence is overwhelming and undeniable.

We’re already seeing changes. Glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and the number of severe storms and droughts is increasing.

The number of Category 4 and 5 hurricanes has almost doubled in the last 30 years.

Malaria has spread to higher altitudes in places like the Colombian Andes, 7,000 feet above sea level.

The flow of ice from glaciers in Greenland has more than doubled over the past decade.

At least 279 species of plants and animals are already responding to global warming, moving closer to the poles.

If the warming continues, we can expect catastrophic consequences

Deaths from global warming will double in just 25 years -- to 300,000 people a year.

Global sea levels could rise by more than 20 feet with the loss of shelf ice in Greenland and Antarctica, devastating coastal areas worldwide. Netherlands, Manhattan, British Isles, one half of the Florida coastline and many other land masses would be underwater from this catastrophe.

Heat waves will be more frequent and more intense.

Droughts and wildfires will occur more often. Right now Australia is suffering from wild fire made more intense from the catastrophic heat wave they are experiencing. Click on Australia to read about how climate change is responsible for this occurrence.

The Arctic Ocean could be ice free in summer by 2050.

More than a million species worldwide could be driven to extinction by 2050.

A Thought

2009-02-06T17:41:00.003-05:00

"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.”

Dr. Suess

Let's Freshen Up

2009-02-05T12:51:00.002-05:00

My family room fireplace was feeling very grey, very cold and very ugly to me. It really needed a shot in the arm.

Ever since we purchased this home, I have wanted to build a wood mantle and surround for the fireplace, but alas, in five years it still has not come to fruition.

So in the picture on the left, when we first moved in, I whitewashed the lavender ~ yes that's right LAVENDER bricks. Unfortunately it made them look grey and I have done my best to ignore how awful they looked for nearly five years.

This morning while I had my coffee I thought to myself ~ why don't I get out the Benjamin Moore Cloud White semi-gloss paint and paint over the whole darn thing, mortar, brick & stone mantle included.

Here below is the result. I had fun moving the pictures around in the room and re-stylizing the mantle as well. As you can see I went with a collection of mercury glass with a nod to a primitive feel on the left. I switched the original picture with an African flavoured painting and set a brass handmade singing bowl beside it. This will have to do until I actually start the DIY project and get that mantle and surround built.

All in all, I'm quite happy with the look and the room suddenly feels like the sun is shining in it.

What Do Dreams Mean?

2009-02-05T07:53:00.006-05:00

Do you dream?

Do you believe that dreams have a meaning for your life?

My dream life seems to have provided a doorway to those in my life that have passed away. I have lost a grandfather I adored .... a sister I loved .... a brother-in-law who was a dear friend ... and very recently my father.

Following the death of my adored grandfather, I grieved for many, many months and especially because I had scheduled a visit to see him on the very weekend he passed away, so I did not get to see him before he died.

I struggled with his death and loss of time spent with him prior to his death for 3-4 months. Then one night, I had the most vivid dream of him. We had our visit .... he reassured me that he was happy, that he loved me, that he missed me and then he was gone. But following that dream, I had such a peace in my soul which washed over me providing a calm acceptance of his death.

So I remember wondering about the possibilities ............

Then when my sister died, I was fortunate to have many, many dreams of her and I spending time together, having tea, lovely conversations, which all served to give me a sense of peace in accepting her death.

When my brother-in-law passed away 1 1/2 years ago, Don & I received an upsetting phone call from his fiance to please come to their apartment. When we arrived the paramedics were still working on him, although it was clear they were not going to bring him back. I found myself tortured by the very painful night he died, my memories of sitting on the floor beside him, holding his hand all the while knowing he had slipped away before I had had the chance to say ~ "I love you", missing him and our wonderful conversations, the unexpected visits and great meals prepared by him after my sister died. We were great friends and I truly loved him. Every time I drive by his apartment, I feel the pull to stop and have a coffee and conversation with him.

But then last night I dreamed of John. We talked and visited, had a wonderful meal, expressed our love for one another. I remember standing with my arms around John, my head on his shoulder and feeling his very tight bear hug. I can still hear his voice and remember the words we spoke.

I wonder now will I still feel that pull to stop and have a coffee when I drive by his apartment in the future?

A Little Fun

2009-02-02T15:02:00.006-05:00

I've come to the conclusion that I really must be sick, since I've been sitting here for about one hour amusing myself with layering different textures over a photograph.

But I must say it was fun to see how the picture changed each time I applied a different techniques.

This one is a poster overlay.

This one is a pencil sketch.

This one I exploded the pixels.

And this one is a neon overlay using 13 colours.

Okay, I'm done now ~ going to have a nap and sleep off the drugs before I attempt to cook dinner on the gas stove.

Sneeze, Cough, Blow, Cough, Sniff, Sneeze

2009-02-02T08:00:00.006-05:00

Well, it has finally happened to MOI.

MOI ~ who never gets colds, flu, infections ~ finally succumbed and have a whopper of a cold. It's in my chest, in my eyes, in my sinuses ~ I'm not positive but I think it might be in my toenails too!

I'm sure this is my punishment for being so cocky for years about never getting sick. I really cannot remember the last time I was sick from a virus.

It started with a very sore throat for three days. I immediately increased my Echinacea, Vitamin C and garlic thinking I could beat it. After three days I thought that a sore throat was it and would soon be over.

Then we went out for dinner Saturday night to our daughters. Within about an hour of being there I started to have what I thought was one of the worst allergic reactions to their four cats & one dog I've ever had. But alas no ~ it was not to be ~ by the time we got home, my eyes along with various other orifices on my head were running keeping me awake all night along with coughing, blowing, sneezing, etc....

So for the last few days, I have been living in a drug induced stupor ..... trying various concoctions to alleviate all these symptoms .... sinus pain, sinus congestion, dripping eyes & nose, tight chest, dry cough, chest congestion, popping ears with sloshing liquid, slight fever.

So yesterday morning I send wonderful husband to the drug store. He comes home with bags full of different remedies. I say I can't take them all, but he says he wasn't sure which one was best so he thought I should try a different one every four hours in order to determine which one worked best for me.

So here is what was in the bag.

Benylin All-In-One Day/Night
DayQuil/NyQuil
SinuTab
Advil Cold and Sinus
Ricola Cough Drops
Cold-FX

And then there's the increase in immune boosting supplements .... extra Vitamin C, Garlic, Echinacea and for good measure I doubled my Greens Plus. I made a big pot of chicken soup from a chicken breast (bone in) and I'm drinking that. So I'm into day three and hoping that things start to ease up soon.

So here is my report of what products are doing the trick.

I have to say that nothing is getting rid of all the symptoms, but that NyQuil sure does make me sleep. One little dose and ~ lights out. Maybe I should take this all day too, so I can sleep right through this virus. LOL! The SinuTab eliminates the sinus pain best, but the DayQuil works best for the all the other symptoms.

Now I have a very well stocked medicine cabinet for the next cold virus that hits our home.

And, I promise to never, never, never again say that I don't get sick. The "Virus Gods" must have heard me and decided to teach me a lesson in not being quite so cocky in the future.

Is Spring Out There Anywere???

2009-01-29T08:20:00.003-05:00

After yet another blast from winter .... 15-20 cm of more snow, I now officially cannot see over the snow piled up on my front lawn anymore.

Thank goodness we have a snow blower, because it is taller than I am and I would not be able to throw it on top of the mound if I was inclined to go out and shovel ~ NOT.

So instead I find myself dreaming of spring weather and sitting outside sipping a drink enjoying the sunshine .... listening to the birds .... hearing the water trickle over the rocks in the creek ..... watching the grass grow.

How 'bout you???

Under The Covers

2009-01-28T22:30:00.000-05:00

Okay, here's a challenge for you ~ What does your bed mean to you?

As sleep has been difficult for me for the past couple of weeks, due to nocturnal pain, I started to think about my bed and the very different roles it plays in my life.

Providing a soft landing at night when I can no longer hold my head up.

Stacks of pillows against my headboard, providing a comfortable place to peruse a book.

On my side, curled up with a feather pillow bunched under my neck and my down comforter pulled up around my shoulders ~ soft as a cloud.

The place where Don & I can whisper into the wee hours.

After a drink or two ~ my own magic carpet ride.

However, in the middle of the night when sleep eludes me, it is my own personal torture rack as my hips undulate with wave after wave of pain .... the once soft feather pillows feeling like a board against my neck which spasms sending pain radiating up the back of my head ..... crushing my arms, waking me up to pain and pins and needles from my fingers up to my collar bone .... the memory foam that invited me to snuggle in before midnight now burns every inch of my body as I turn from side to side looking for just one square foot of comfortable space ..... the down comforter which comforted me when I climbed in with warmth, coziness & security now smothers me as I endure wave after wave of hot flash, my body screaming for release or a blast of cold air to bring my temperature down.

But, at 9:00 PM after having forgotten the pains of the night before, my bed beckons, the feather pillows plumped up ~ soft & fluffy and full of air ..... the memory foam restored to normal waiting for me to make an impression ..... crisp freshly laundered 600 count supima cotton sheets with a hint of lavender water spritzed on ~ waiting to release the fragrance as I slide underneath the comforter which was shaken and fluffed this morning in preparation for another night of slumber.

Ahhhhh to sleep perchance to dream.

So what does your bed mean to you?????

Did I Say ~ I LOVE MY CRAFT ROOM!

2009-01-27T14:59:00.003-05:00

Loving my craft room and the luxury it affords me to go somewhere where I can concentrate on nothing but the task at hand, no phone, no TV, no bodies to bother me.

Did I say - I just love my craft room!

I've started another quilt ~ just to break the monotony of working on just one.

The pattern I am using for this quilt is an Amy Butler pattern. It is pieced completely using a variety of lovely toiles given to me by a friend at Christmas time. It is such a simple pattern and I pieced almost the entire top in an afternoon.

When the top, backing and batting are all pinned together I'm going to quilt using the stitch-in-the-ditch quilting technique on the sewing machine.

Easy peasy!

When it is completed it will be approximately 36" x 36" ... not too big and not too small .... just the right size to throw over my legs if I feel a little chilly.

(Chris, hope you like this!!!)

Spring???

2009-01-23T14:36:00.002-05:00

Today, while out walking with my dog, I found this branch broken off a tree, laying on the snow.

But, look at how swollen the buds are .... could this mean that spring is not to far off?

With my hope renewed that winter is getting shorter and spring is on its' way ~ well one can only hope!!

There Are No Words to Describe

2009-01-23T10:49:00.013-05:00

I just finished watching this video below on my daughter's blog and wanted to share it with you.

There are no words to describe my emotions as I watched this video.

As I came back to my blog to post this ... I looked on the faces of my beautiful grand babies ~ the picture of health and happiness and I wept for the life that these innocent children had been condemned to suffer by nothing more than chance and their geographical location.

But for the grace of God, there go I ..........

Please watch and resolve to do something, even a small thing to make this world better.

Sebrina also found this catalogue of affordable things that you can donate. Please share this with everyone you know. We can all make a difference.

I went to this website to see what this organization does. Go and see how much progress Sam, Esther and Jane have made. Scroll right down to the bottom for a few pictures.

Comfort ~ Image

2009-01-23T06:00:00.002-05:00

This is the image(s) that brings me the most comfort.

Whenever I need a boost .... an attitude adjustment .... a smile, I go and sit in my living room and look on the faces of these beautiful babes ~ my grand children.

Ryan ~ our first grandson ~ thoughtful, kind, empathetic.

Jayden ~ our second grandson ~ curious, full of emotion, bright.

Zander ~ our third grandson ~ sweet, loving, still my baby.

Gabriella ~ our fourth grandchild, but our first grand daughter ~ beautiful, funny, loving & very girly.

I can't think of anything else that brings me more comfort than the images of these beautiful children.

Thank you Sherrie who was our host for this theme week on Comfort.

Wander on over to see what comforts the other participants have shared.

Comfort ~ Routine

2009-01-22T06:00:00.002-05:00

This is proving to be a tough one for me as there are so many things that I routinely perform which bring me comfort. It is too difficult to choose just one, so I'll share a couple.

The process of getting my coffee ready in the morning. Blending and grinding the beans. Standing still inhaling the freshly ground coffee scent as it assails my senses. Pouring in freshly drawn cold filtered water, then adding the coffee grounds to a fresh laid filter. Waiting (not too patiently) while the coffee brews. Again the scent is overwhelming but delicious to my senses. Then when the system has informed me that it has completed the cycle ~ I pour 18% cream to a quick count of 4 into a pre-warmed cup .... then top up with coffee .... take it to my favourite chair .... snuggle back with a feather cushion & a velvet throw ...... then lift the cup to my lips .... inhale first the coffee goodness .... then take a mouthful of the delicious liquid .... over my lips .... onto my tongue waiting for that first explosion of flavour ...... all this followed by an audible ahhhh. Now that's comfort!

Gently cleansing my face. A light spritzing of French pure spring water. Massage in a skin serum. Then the application of a deliciously luxurious French cream .... feeling my skin drink in the moisture .... the gentle application of a rich eye cream ...... then seeing the glow of my skin following this morning cleansing routine. This is comfort!

Drawing a bubble bath ..... pouring in the lavender essence .... lighting the candles ..... getting out a freshly laundered white fluffy bath towel ..... putting on a CD to play quietly ..... slowly lowering myself into the scent and softness ..... laying a pillow at my neck for relaxation ..... closing my eyes and listening to the music. This too is comfort!

Sitting quietly with beautiful yarn and bamboo needles in my hands knitting, watching as the project sits on my lap, feeling the weight of it as it grows. Looking at the wound yarn on the ball and then feeling the delicious texture of the yarn as it knits up. This is comforting to me.

Well, now that I'm comfortable just thinking about all this deliciousness, let me invite you to wander over to Sherrie's blog who is hosting "Comfort Week" to see what the others who are participating in Comfort week are up to.

6:28 AM

2009-01-21T06:00:00.005-05:00

That was the moment thirty two years ago that I delivered my second child ..... I thrilled to the words "it's a girl". Then as I held my baby girl in my arms ~ I marvelled at her perfection. That seems like only yesterday.

Today I see a woman who is a wife and mamma to four beautiful babes of her own.

It is hard to believe that in the blink of an eye this women ~ my child went from a babe in my arms to a mother with babes of her own.

You've grown into such a wise, beautiful woman of whom we are so proud. I feel fortunate that we enjoy a close friendship.

She and I recently watched Mamma Mia together and one poignant song in the musical was "Slipping Through My Fingers". As I listened to Donna sing this to her daughter Sophia it brought tears to my eyes as I thought of how time like sand in an hour glass had slipped through my fingers. The words are beautiful in this song. Click on the song title to hear it. (Edited to add ~ when I clicked today on the song, it brought up a different ABBA song)

On Grateful Friday January 9th, I wrote how grateful I was for this special girl. No more needs to be said today.

Happy Birthday my girl!

These pictures are a few memories that are special to me.

Comfort ~ Place

2009-01-21T05:48:00.004-05:00

Imagination ~ this is the place where I find comfort.

Limitations ~ there are none here.

I can dream .... think ...... be anything or anyone I want.

My creativity soars ..... I am in touch with my true self ..... there is no discrimination ..... no hatred ..... no judgements ...... peace abounds and I find comfort here.

This week of comfort is proving to be a thought provoking project for me.

Thanks to Sherrie for hosting Comfort Week. Click on Sherrie's name and see who else is participating and check out their ideas on comfort.

A New Day

2009-01-20T15:54:00.006-05:00

"This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed ~ why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath."

This powerful line was delivered by President Barack Obama today following his inauguration to the office of President of the United States.

Politics do not interest me and I am seldom impressed by the candidates that are clambering to run our countries, but this man ..... this man is different.

His speech was grounded in a series of historical events leading to this black man who today was sworn in as the 44th President of the United States.

"For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life," said Obama. "For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth. For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn."

The Washington Post said "The rhetoric was powerful ~ one of Obama's best moments in a speech that was as workman like as it was soaring ~ it ably connected the struggles and triumphs of the past to the struggles and triumphs of today and beyond."

This moment in history was a powerful, moving experience for me as I watched and realized the immensity of what was happening. I realized that the only limitations are those that we place upon ourselves. If this man .... a black man could become the President of the United States ~ then anything is possible.

I am blessed to be alive to see this day, and will press it into the pages of my memory to recall someday for my grand babies when they are old enough to comprehend the importance of this moment in history.

Comfort ~ Home

2009-01-20T05:56:00.001-05:00

It is impossible for me to come up with just one thing in my home that brings me comfort.

So to that end, here are a few of the things in my home that bring me comfort.

Feathers cushions piled high ......
Candles .....
A bubble bath .....
A collection of mercury glass .....
My dining room .......
Flowers ......
My kitchen ......
Beautiful fabrics - passe·men·terie ......
Soft feather cushions on a leather club chair

Here are the other participants in Comfort Week. Take a moment and check out their ideas of comfort.

Vickie, Annie, Amber, Jane, mothergoose, Alli, Ingrid, sunmamma, Austen, Teresa, Mitten Monster, Heidi, nahiacreations, and Sarah!

Comfort ~ Food ~ PM

2009-01-19T17:31:00.004-05:00

This recipe is one of my favourites and one that I find very comforting.

I am not good at following recipes to the letter, so here is the way I make ~ Chicken Paprikash

~ Chop 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite size pieces and dredge in flour.
~ Chop one large onion and garlic (as much or little as you like - I love garlic, so I used approximately 3 cloves).
~ Fry in olive oil.
~ Add the chicken and cover in paprika. Salt & pepper to taste.

~ Cook until chicken has turned white. ~ Add one can of diced tomatoes & 1/2 can of chicken stock.

Continue simmering on low for approximately 30 minutes. Serve over white rice with a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Delicious!