R

R - Ryan ... my first grandchild. I remember the excitement I felt as I watched him come into this world. I love this child deeply, he is beautiful, sweet, empathetic, loving, can whip my butt at any video game and is growing up way too fast.

R - Raspberries .... my absolutely favourite berry.

R - Red .... Christmas is coming with all of it's beautiful colours, red being one of my favourites. Although I tend to accent all year with red, at Christmas I can pull out all the stops.

Q

Q - Quartz ... like my daughter, I too love quartz. I find it calming and see much beauty within it's depths. We recently renovated our kitchen and had granite counter tops installed. We chose Uba Tuba because it is full of pieces of crystal quartz and I love quartz.

Q - Queen - that's me, queen of my domain.

Q - Quit, I don't like to quit, I hate unfinished anything.....

O & P

O - Opera ... I love opera, not so much watching them, but listening to the music. Coincidentally Ophelia is one of my favourites.

O - Onion ... a very favourite vegetable that goes in everything I make ... except apple pie of course.

O - Ochre .... a deep warm golden colour that I absolutely adore.


P - Paint ... I love to paint, both decorating in my home and artistically, I am most drawn artistically to oil on canvas with a palette knife. I have been artistic my whole life but found it very therapeutic during my sisters illness and death. My painting gave me an outlet.

P - People ... people watching.

P - Pink ... another favourite colour, but mostly to wear.

P - Purple ... very recently I have been enjoying the resurgence of the beautiful jewel tones of purple in both clothing and interior decor.

P - Pillow - lots and lots and lots of decorative feather stuffed pillows on my furniture, don't forget a feather pillow to sleep on. zzzzzzzzzzzz

P - Plaid ... I love plaids, jackets, trousers, kilts, scarves ..... I love plaid.

P - Physio Therapist ... I am now in physio 3 times per week for the rehabilitation of my knee, as well as acupuncture to help with pain management. My therapist says I am doing freakishly well. Is that a compliment???

N

N - Novel, I love novels in any shape, size or style.














N - Name ... we are identified by our name. As my name is Barbara Anne, and my parents gave me this name after a famous skater who hit the scene in the 40's ... Barbara Anne Scott. So you very quickly know that I am a baby boomer from the 50's.

N - Noodle ... I also love noodles or pasta in any style and with any sauce or additions you wish to make to it.

N - Nutrition ... once again I am stealing an idea from Sebrina's blog, but this too is very important to me. If I don't have 5-8 servings of vegetables/fruit in a day, I get the guilts.

M

M - Mother ..... I am a mother, I have a mother, my daughter is a mother.

I am thankful for my mother, I am thankful I am a mother, I am thankful that I am a mother to my daughter, I wouldn't want any other.

M - Marriage ... I love being married, I have a wonderful husband who makes me feel complete. When he isn't around, I miss him .... we don't need to spend every second together, just knowing he's near makes my world right.

M -MaryAnne ... my best friend for almost 15 years. She is like a sister to me, we have an intimacy only soulmates can share. Together we have seen joys and sorrows and have grown into a comfortable, loving & giving friendship. She knows me as well as I know myself.

I love you MaryAnne!

Knee Progress

Well, I had my first physiotherapy session yesterday morning. It was very difficult ... even though I have been stretching at home, this was much more difficult. The bend is the hardest thing to do right now, and the physio-therapist wouldn't accept only 80 degrees, so pushed my leg to 97 degrees .... ouch!!

Then after one hour of abuse there, I had to go to the doctor to have my staples out. I was very nervous about this and boy was I ever right to be, after 4 staples I nearly fainted from the pain ... oh well, keep your chin up Barb, there's only 28 more staples to come out. Then at home last night while I was applying vitamin e to my incision I discovered that the doctor missed one, so back again this morning for a little more abuse.

As well I have decided to go off the narcotic pain killers. They are so hard on my system, causing dizziness, nausea and making me feel like I am on a different plane than everyone else. Now to try to manage the pain on OTC products. I think after 2 days that I can do without constant chemical pain management, except when I go for therapy and need the pain masked and then as well I require something at night to help me sleep, otherwise the pain constantly wakes me.

There are however, some really terrific changes though as the days go by, I can now life my leg up onto the sofa or bed by itself. Up until 3 days ago, I had to place a long strap under my foot and then holding the two ends lift the leg up onto the bed or sofa as it was too painful to do without the strap... so I feel like I have accomplished something great. I can also put on a sock or slipper by myself now ... another great achievement.

Here's to better days ahead!!!

K & L

K - Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. Don bought me one for Christmas last year and I was a little concerned that I would not make good use of it. Boy was I ever wrong.

K - Knitting .... I love anything hand knit.



L - love ... I love how much my grandchildren love me, their precious hugs & kisses, their sweet concern that they showed their mammy with her knee surgery, the beautiful cards they made for me. There's lots of love to go around in this family.

L - lasagna, we're having lasagna for dinner .... and I love lasagna.

J

J - Jayden ... my second grandson. He is feisty, intense, creative, very smart, dramatic, loves being the centre of attention, reminds me so very much of Sebrina, my daughter - his mom when she was his age and ..... he has the most beautiful head of hair I've ever seen on a boy!

J- Jewellery. I love jewellery, any shape, size, colour, costume or real. I especially love African jewellery of which I have collected quite a few beautiful pieces, both while over in Ethiopian and since coming back.

J - Jam ... just little on a piece of homemade, warm, toasted spelt bread.

J - Jambalaya - one of Don's and mine favourite dinners, jumbo shrimp, chunks of chicken, hot italian sausage .... yummmmm!

I

I - Icebergs - like humans there is much more below the surface.





I - Ice ... I love a drink with 4 ice cubes, not 3, not 5 .... FOUR!

I - Indian food, next to Sushi, this is my favourite food.

I - Interior Design ... my home is an outlet of my creativity, I am always changing colours, wallpapers, the arrangement of furniture, accessories, etc.... I love to decorate

H

H - Health .... this is an appropriate entry after my last two weeks following my knee replacement.

I do realize that conventional medicine has its' place and I had no choice in this decision to have my knee replaced. It was either that or probably end up on a walker permanently, so the decision was fairly easy to make.

First I have been put on a very large drug cocktail which my poor body is really having trouble with. I inject myself every day with a blood thinner. Every four hours I take a narcotic pain killer, but it makes me vomit, so I have to offset that side effect with a prescription anti-nausea medication. In the hospital they had me on an iron supplement - certainly wasn't a natural supplement, it played havoc with my bowels, so .... let's offset that side effect with an anti-diarrhea medication.

Then the food, much was made about how important it is to eat properly in order to get the proper amounts of vitamin C, iron and calcium for maximum healing. Let me give you an example of one breakfast I was served. The tray was delivered with juice full of glucose/fructose and a complete line of ingredients I couldn't pronounce (if I can't say it don't eat it is my motto), a box of corn flakes and a processed toaster waffle and corn syrup .... where is the nutrition in this breakfast????

H - homeopathy.

H - home, I love my home, my home tells my friends and family who I am ... I am told frequently it is warm, inviting and cozy.

H - Honda .... these are the only automobiles that we purchase and drive. When I had my accident 3 years ago, I was t-boned, the car was a write-off, but I was able to get up and walk away from the vehicle. Love my honda!

H - hair ... much ado is made about a woman's hair and unfortunately I buy into that philosophy. Since entering menopause a few years ago, I am experiencing a great deal of hair loss, which I struggle with regularly ... how to my hair, how to have it cut, how to get a lift with such a small amount of hair, how to style it so it covers my scalp at the front ..... hmmmm, maybe I'll just buy a wig.

G

G - Gabriella, granddaughter .... my treasure .... my great joy!!

Garden
Originally uploaded by Barb.Takeda

G - Garden, I love my garden, I love to garden, I love to be in my garden watching the birds, watching the flowers, weeding, feeling the earth in my hands, enjoying a morning cup of coffee while the garden wakes up.

F

F - Freckles ... I have a multitude of freckles ... my mom used to tell me they were beauty spots. I am certainly identified by my freckles.

F - Fran - my sister. She is one of the most selfless people I know. When our oldest sister Gina was sick with leukemia in Princess Margaret Hospital, Fran gave up her life to go down there every day until the very moment that Gina passed from this disease. She is fun, always good for to share a chuckle & doesn't take much in life too seriously. Life has not been kind to her, she & her husband lost everything they called dear during a business failure, then 10 years ago she was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost her breast. But does she complain and blame anyone ... no she's always grateful for what she has. She has an enormous capacity for love ... when you are loved by Fran, you know it.

F - feet. I studied reflexology a few years and was amazed at how sensitive our feet are to touch.

F - Fire. The warmth and compelling draw of a beautiful wood burning fire.

F - Fingers ... because they are responsible for so many beautiful things, I love to paint, to knit, to crochet, to play the piano, to scrapbook, to cook & bake, to decorate my house, to sew, to hold a book or magazine to read. What would I do without fingers???

F - Fibromyalgia ... I have lived with this disease for over 25 years. It defines me to a certain degree as I suffer from chronic pain and overwhelming fatigue. Since I stopped working however, I have had much better control of my fibro.

F - Fish, I love to sit and watch tropical fish in an aquarium. It is so relaxing and enticing to me to get lost in their world.

I also love to eat fish, pecan crusted salmon, pan fried breaded tilapia with just a small squeeze of fresh lemon juice, tiger shrimp fried in garlic butter, scallops with pasta Alfredo, tuna salad with chopped onion & celery, lobster tails, crab legs, raw SUSHI quality fish (salmon, tuna, etc) ... I could go on and on ... I love fish!

E

E - edamame .... yummmmmmmm!

E - eating, I love to eat GOOD FOOD. Following my stay in hospital for my knee replacement, I appreciate good food even more. If the hospitals expect you to recover and get well on their food, they are sadly mistaken. Most meals consisted of processed foods, refined carbohydrates and tinned vegetables & fruit. Always a fruit drink but it was full of glucose & fructose & other items that I could not pronounce. My motto is "if I can't say it .... I don't eat it."

E - Echinacea ... I take it faithfully during the winter to ward off bugs ... and it works. I very seldom get sick.

E - Ethiopia, I had to come back and add this. Ethiopia is country of many contrasts. After going there with Sebrina to pick up our darling Gabriella, I am forever changed. The heart of Ethiopia now beats within mine.

D

D - daughter, here is Sebrina doing what she does best, mothering.

D - dog ... my dogs, first my Jakey who passed away in my arms in September 2005 after a lengthy battle with diabetes.
Then our Chelsea shown here with a friend. She is feisty, cute & loves everybody.


D - Don, here with his precious Gabriella. He is my best friend, my lover, my angel and presently my nurse as he is taking very good care of me after my knee surgery.

Finally Home

Well, I'm finally home after my knee replacement surgery. As I have a laptop, I can sit on the bed with my leg elevated and enter this information.

Out of deference to those of you who may be squeamish I am not putting a picture of my knee on this entry, but let me tell you, it is quite the mess. Sebrina, my daughter said it looks like Frankenstein, Ryan, my grandson said it looks cool, Don says it looks like I have been in a terrible car accident ... as for me I think it just looks horrific.

As I mentioned in earlier blogs, I chose to use homeopathy. All the nurses and physio-therapists were amazed at my minimal bruising ... so thanks to Arnica. Unfortunately, I did not stick with using the remedy every hour as instructed by my homeopathic doctor, so the pain was and still is quite intense. As well, I had trouble with pain killers in getting my pain under control. (The pain is very intense .. actually has made me cry quite a lot). I started back on my Arnica - one dose every hour 2 days ago and it has decreased the pain along with the pain killer quite a bit.

The swelling has been unbelievable, my foot looks like a football (no pun intended). Coming home yesterday was the first time I was actually out of bed for more than 15 minutes, so I experienced quite a lot of bleeding into my foot, which swelled up and turned very blue on top of my foot. Me and my ice packs are becoming intimately acquainted.

It has been very difficult for me accepting the amount of chemical drugs that are necessary in this surgery, first injections into my tummy every day of blood thinners, antibiotics to prevent infection (incidentally didn't work that great - I ended up with cellulitis in my thigh, so had to switch to a different one), narcotics to control the pain, then 2 different anti-nausea drugs because narcotics made me vomit violently.

I'm finally off the antibiotic which incidentally to add insult to injury gave me vicious diarrhea. I only have to inject 6 more doses over the next 6 days of the blood thinner, and hopefully as time goes on and the pain decreases, I will be able to do this without the narcotic.

The team that Markham Stouffville Hospital has in place for a knee replacement is incredible. The information and support provided was superb. I had a wonderful talk with the social worker & physio therapist who went through the emotional process of this replacement. The mind is set on how things function within the body, so my mind must go through the process of re-learning how to walk properly, it must accept the loss of my knee and then acceptance of the prosthetic ... quite a lot in my opinion. But I must say, it was very helpful going through this information with this incredible team.

Being back home I have started back on my probiotics to get my system back on track after having a long round of antibiotics. Don went shopping this morning and bought lots of vegetables and fruit, so I'll get back to eating properly too.

This is day 9, so there is certainly some improvement, but most definitely one of the most difficult surgeries I have ever gone through .... would rather have had 5 babies naturally than this. (LOL).

The stretching is exquisitely painful, as the quad muscle is completely severed from my knee in this surgery and then re-attached to my new prosthetic knee. I cannot even lift my foot off the bed when sitting with my leg extended in front of me. Have you ever stopped to think how many muscles you use to put on a slipper??? I look forward to when I can do this again without thinking about it.

Here's to better days!!!!!!!!!!!!!

C

C - celery, cucumber, carrots, I love vegetables, in soup, in salad, with dip .... anyway at all.

C - cuddle, I love to cuddle with all of my four grandchildren.

C - COFFEE - I love coffee, especially Ethiopian or Kenyan. I have found a coffee shop near my home that sells freshly roasted beans or you can buy green coffee beans and roast them yourself. Delicious. Sure wish I could have a coffee right now.

C - comforter - sitting in front a fire wrapped up in a cozy comforter.

C - Contentment!!

C - crochet - I crochet a baby blanket for every friend and family member who have a baby. They are soft and luscious sherbet colours.

Today's My Big Day

Well, today is my big day! My surgery is scheduled for 2:00pm this afternoon.

I have been instructed to have nothing by mouth since midnight last night, so needless to say I am hungry & very dry.

My anxiety seems to have quietened as this date drew nearer. The inevitability of this surgery seems to be the factor that has aided in my calm acceptance.

After quite a lot of research I have decided to have this surgery with a spinal, wasn't my first choice as I would prefer to be totally out when they have to use the bone saw and drill. So when I have my interview with the anesthesiologist today I will specifically ask him to please ensure that I am asleep. Research shows that the spinal gives a few hours after surgery pain free which aids in the bodies ability to heal faster.

As well I mentioned in an earlier blog, I have started using homeopathy for this surgery, Arnica for the bruising, bleeding & swelling, Ruta for the specifics of orthopedic surgery & Gelsemium for the anxiety (still experiencing heart palpitations). I took my first dose last night and my second this morning. I will need to take a dose as close to the surgery time as possible and then as close to regaining consciousness as well. Don has taken today off to be with me, so he will make sure I get my remedies. As well my sister Frannie is coming to keep Don company while he waits during my 2 hour surgery and 2 hour recovery. I imagine it will be a long afternoon for both of them.

I have to be at the hospital at 12:00 to check in, so I'm going to get back to making sure I have everything packed that I will need for the next week while I am in the hospital.

I will update upon my return home.

B

B - babies, I love babies, any shape, size, colour, puppies, kittens, any baby at all ... I love babies.

B - Bubbles, I love bubble baths ... with lavender of course. In fact, as today is my surgery day, I am going to finish this entry and have a lovely, relaxing, lavender bubble bath before I go.

B - breasts, my mothers which nurtured me, mine which nurtured my babies, and then Sebrina's as I watched her nurture her babies. The breast that my dear sister Fran lost to cancer 10 years ago, a small price to pay for her life.

B - broccoli in any way, shape or form, with a dip, in a salad, steamed with a little butter & sea salt, yuuuuuum!

The Encyclopedia of Me - A

I have been enjoying reading my daughter Sebrina's blog entries titled "Encyclopedia of Me".

So come along, play along ... if you enjoy these entries, leave me a comment, I'd love to see what you are writing about yourself.

A - Adoption, which for very selfish reasons gave me Gabriella.
A - Apples ... I love apples, Cortland, Gala, Honeycrisp Golden Delicious, Fuji, homemade apple pie with a slice of cheddar cheese, apple crisp with a dollop of vanilla ice cream, apples with my oatmeal, slice apples with Parmesan cheese if you please, apple cake ... here's a great apple cake recipe, thanks to a friend who got this recipe from Lang's Pioneer Village.

Apple Cake
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 cups flour (we used 1 cup light spelt and 1 cup whole spelt)
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup butter milk (we used 1 Tbsp vinegar and 1 cup rice milk)
1 egg

Cream butter & sugar. Add egg. Mix flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add buttermilk. Add 2 cups finely cut apple (or rhubarb). Pour into greased and floured 8" pan and bake until firm in the centre.

Optional Topping:
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Mix well and sprinkle on top of cake before baking.
Oven is at 375 degrees and bake for approximately 40 - 45 minutes.

Almost One

Here is Princess Gabriella with her birthday crown on and of course with her Poppa, who can't seems to keep his hands off this girl!

Happy almost 1st Birthday Gabriella!

Did Gabbi enjoy the noise the paper made when she crinkled it in her hands.

Then the cake .... before Sebrina could take the cake away from in front of her, Gabbi grabbed a handful of it and put as much of it in her mouth as she could.

Fun was had by all, Gabriella got lots of lovely birthday presents.

Happy Birthday my angel.

Quote for Today

Always do what you want, and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

Dr. Suess


The simple dandelion, enemy of well-kept lawns, is an exceptionally nutritious food. Its leaves and root contain substantial levels of vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon as well as bitter taraxacins (eudesmanolides), sitosterol, stigmasterol, alpha- and beta-carotene, caffeic acid, mucilage, and an unusually high potassium content.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the roots of various species of dandelions are also used as "herbs that cool the blood." Dandelions are thought to correct the physiological reactions triggered by intense emotions that cause eyestrain or red, swollen, and painful eyes. They are used in teas and poultices for abscesses and sores, especially on the breast. The promote lactation and clear painful urinary dysfunction.

Dandelion leaf is a mild chloretic, that is, an agent for stimulating the release of bile from the liver into the gallbladder. The herb is used to support treatment of a variety of liver and gallbladder disorders, especially the incomplete digestion of fats. The release of bile is laxative, and accelerates the breakdown of various steroid hormones, causing an indirect, favorable effect on eczema and other skin conditions. Dandelion leaf, like dandelion root, also is one of the best herbal diuretics. It stimulates urination but also replaces the potassium lost to the increased volume of urine.

A note of warning: use with caution if you have gallstones.

Dandelion greens are simply wonderful added to a salad. Their slightly bitter, tangy taste really gives a salad some zip.

The best way, I have found through research to gain the best overall benefit from any herb/weed is to infuse them. I'll discuss infusions in another entry as well as the infusions I have used for a couple of years.


Now, you don't really want to pluck these little beauties who pack such a nutritious punch out of your garden do you?

Don't Sweat The Small Stuff

My sister sent me this except from Erma Bombeck's book this morning. As we just lost our brother in law this past Monday from a massive heart attack, this came at an appropriate time to remind me what's really important in life.............

"I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I were not there for the day.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have talked less & listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room & worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have sat on the lawn! With my grass stains.

I would have cried & laughed less while watching television & more while watching life.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away 9 months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment & realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" & "I'm sorry's."

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute ... look at it and really see it! Live it & never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF ! !

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what - Instead; let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us."

Tag - I'm It

I have been tagged by my daughter to answer the following questions. I need to give 4 answers to each question and then tag 4 bloggers.. here we go.

Jobs I've had:
1) Switchboard Operator
2) Avon Lady
3) Bus Driver
4) Network Support Analyst

Places I've lived:
1) Oshawa
2) Toronto
3) Ajax
4) Cape Coral, Florida

Food I love:
1) Sushi!!!!!!!
2) Indian anything
3) Chicken breast thinly sliced, tomatoes, cucumbers on multgrain with asiago cheese spread
4) Soup any kind. I love soup!!

Places I would rather be:
1) Right here - I love my home
2) Having a coffee with my best friend (don't see her as much as we'd like due to her very hectic life with job, 3 very busy daughters, etc..)
3) At Sebrina's enjoying a great coffee, her and my grandkids
4) Would really love to go back to Ethiopia

Movies I love:
1) I Dreamed of Africa - makes me cry every time I watch it
2) Seven Years in Tibet
3) Love Story
4) Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
5) Shawshank Redemption
6) Driving Miss Daisy
7) Blood Diamond
Wow, I could keep going, there are so many marvelous movies out there.

TV shows I watch:
1) 24
2) Dancing With The Stars
3) NCIS
4)Two & A Half Men

Books I Love:
1) East of Eden
2) Forever Amber
3) Any book by David Baldacci, Dan Brown, James Patterson, Tom Clancy, Robbert Ludlum
4) Winnie The Pooh & The Velveteen Rabbit

Bloggers I am tagging
This is tough because the only blog I really follow religiously is my daughter Sebrina's.

Thanksgiving & Losses

Yesterday was a day to be thankful....

Where do I start on what I am thankful for.

Four generations of woman in my family ... my mother - Shirley, me - Barb, my daughter -Sebrina, and my new granddaughter - Gabriella.

The opportunity to enjoy a wonderful turkey dinner with my daughter and her husband Mike and our four grandchildren. Great dinner Seb!

A little time with the boys, although they are starting to enjoy being outside with their friends a bit more than boring old mammy & Poppa. Although I miss their snuggles and hugs, their health and growth is something else to be thankful for. We still get snuggles and hugs - just not quite as much.

A sister I adore. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry, we enjoy having a big "Bloody Caesar" with a liberal dash of "medicine", she listens to my complaints, she listens to my brags, she's always there. And she always shares "pasta night" each Monday with Don & me. I love you Frannie!!!

My husband Don ... I am very thankful for the life he has given me, our beautiful home, our friendship.

I am thankful for my many friends, who I don't see often enough or tell them how important their friendship is to me and how much I love them.

Then a loss ....... we were only home from our feast for a couple of hours when we were called to the home of my brother-in-law John Weiss, who had just suffered a massive heart attack. He was only 65. John was gone within minutes, although much resuscitation efforts were expended by Durham EMS.

Many thanks to the Durham Police Force and Durham EMS for their efforts and the kindness they showed to Marilyn and the rest of us for this loss.

John was married for over 10 years to my sister Gina who passed away in 2005 after a lengthy battle with AML. As they lived very close to us, we maintained a close relationship with John. I also worked with him occasionally providing administrative support for his home based business.

John was one of the most gentle men I have ever known. He had a gusto for life that most of us can only dream of. He loved nothing better than going to the track to enjoy the horse races.

And dream ... oh how John loved to dream ... dreaming of winning the "big one", catching the "big one", finding that elusive supplement that would magically take off the weight he needed and wanted to lose or how to get rid of his diabetes. There was always some new business venture that he was trying which was the one that would make him his millions.

And, his food .... oh how John loved his food, he dreamed of publishing a cookbook and had been creating and collecting recipes for this book for years. He once told me he aspired to be a chef as a young man, but never realized that dream. John loved to have people over and just be in the kitchen cooking up a marvelous meal. His beef roulade, butter chicken, pork tenderloin, etc... were exquisite.

Recently John met Marilyn (see above with John) and they were planning on marrying this December 15th. Marilyn brought happiness back into John's life, he had a twinkle in his eye again and a sparkle in his step for the first time since going through almost 2 years of a terminal illness with my sister which lead to her eventual death.

So even though this is a devastating loss for us all, there is still thankfulness for the years that I had John in my life and the relationship that we shared. We spent many, many hours together when Gina was hospitalized working side by side, sharing a coffee, a chuckle here and there and lots of great conversation.

John was a collector of art and I feel privileged to have a few pieces hanging in my home as a constant reminder of John and our friendship.

John .... I will miss you deeply.

Jayden's Six

Last night we went to Mike & Sebrina's to celebrate Jayden's Sixth birthday. (Our second grandson).

There was much excitement from the moment we came through the door:

"What's in that bag Mammy?" asks Jayden.
"Is it my birthday present?"
"Can I carry it upstairs?"
"Can I open it now? ... pleeeeeeeease"

So off Jayden trots carrying the bag which by now has gone by the wayside, so he can actually see, feel & shake the gift itself. (The bow on Jayden's head in the picture was actually on the package).

Now we get to have hugs and kisses from Zander and Ryan. The fun of coming to see these beautiful children never wears off. When we finally get up all the stairs to the main level, there is darling Gabriella sitting on the floor flashing me her "mammy smile".

Sebrina already has my "medicine" ready (that is a Bloody Caesar) which, because it works very well thank you for my knee pain has been nicknamed "medicine" by my son-in-law Mike.

Soon we sit down at the table to have yummy pizza and a homemade caesar salad.

Of course all this time, poor Jayden is having the hardest time waiting to open his gift. Daddy says he must wait until we are all finished dinner. He does manage to do this, but not without fidgeting & jumping up and down and asking about a million times "Can I pleeeease open it now?"

Well, the moment has finally arrived and Jayden rips through the wrapping. It is a Game Boy Advance along with a Pokemon game. He is so excited .... "This is exactly what I wanted" ... he runs over to me and plants a big wet kiss on my lips and a bear hug to say thank you, then he runs over to Poppa with some more of the same treatment. Nothing better than after-dinner kisses to share a little left-overs.

Then after the excitement Sebrina brews some delicious coffee and we have the birthday cupcakes ... OMG they are to die for. Devils food chocolate cake with butter cream icing and a surprise inside (a Lindt white chocolate truffle). I'll have two please, one for each hip!

The bow on Jayden's head gets passed around and ends up on my left ear leaving me looking like a ........ well, I'll leave that to your imagination. Ryan turns around and sees the bow on my ear and proclaims, "You look gorgeous Mammy, can I marry you?" I think that this child is going to make some woman very happy someday - he certainly knows how to make his mammy's heart sing.

The Measure of a Man

I have just finished reading "The Measure of A Man - A Spiritual Autobiography", Sidney Poitier's latest book, a truly joyful read.

Born into abject poverty, Sidney rose above his humble beginnings to become one of Hollywood’s most influential, fascinating actors.

Sidney Poitier shares the story of his life and of life in general. Passionate, honest and inspiring, The Measure of a Man: A Spiritual Autobiography discusses the need for simplicity, strong parenting and values like artistic integrity, faith and courage.

Poitier encourages searching for true joy, which comes not from destructive amusements, but from being genuine, living by your convictions and taking risks. Poitier always carried a sense of self-worth, simple ethics and family values. He would become a pioneer in 20th-century cinema, playing memorable characters in meaningful films.

He broke through as a star in acclaimed performances in American films and plays, which, by consciously defying racial stereotyping, gave a new dramatic credibility for black actors to mainstream film audiences in the Western world.

In 1963, he became the first black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor - for his role in Lilies of The Field. The significance of this achievement was later compounded in 1967 when he starred in three very well received films - To Sir With Love, In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (my personal favourite) ... making him the top box office star of that year.

38 years after receiving the Best Actor Award, Poitier was chosen by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive the Honorary Award in recognition of his "extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the industry with dignity, style and intelligence.

He was appointed a Knight Commander of the British Empire in 1974, which entitles him to use the title "Sir," though he chooses not to do so. He has also served as non-resident Bahamian ambassador to Japan and to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

One of his favourite quotes ... "If you apply reason and logic to this career of mine, you're not going to get very far... The journey has been incredible from its beginning. So much of life, it seems to me, is determined by pure randomness."

He was careful to nurture his career by refusing to accept roles that detracted from his dignity as a human being, choosing his spots carefully, but taking advantage of the opportunities that arose beginning in the 1950s.

A truly inspiring book by an inspiring man who lead an inspiring life.

On Turning One

Our darling Gabriella is turning one!!!

Sebrina took this picture of her in her sweet new birthday outfit.

She is having Gabriella's birthday party one week early to accommodate me and my knee surgery. As my surgery is on the 16th of October and Gabriella's birthday is on the 21st of October, my girl is doing this for me so I may come to her birthday party.

Thanks Seb.

How amazing it is to me to think that only one year ago, we were still waiting anxiously for a referral on a child. It seems that Gabriella has always been part of our lives. There is no doubt in my heart that this particular child was meant for our family for a reason.

"Gabriella ... you make Mammy's heart sing my beautiful girl."

When you look at me with those beautiful eyes, you reach deep into my soul and touch an intimate part of me, when I walk in the room and you give me my "mammy smile", it almost brings tears to my eyes. You had my adoration from the moment I held you in my arms on March 1st, 2006 in Ethiopia.

Enjoy this family you have been given and devour every bit of their love and devotion.

Reach for the stars my darling ... they are yours for the taking. There is nothing you cannot do, if you set your mind to it.

Grow in grace as each year brings you closer to becoming the strong, proud woman I know you are destined to become.

So much love is here in my heart for you."

Fasting

The picture above has absolutely nothing to do with fasting, but I can't resist sharing my beautiful grandchildren.

Have you ever fasted? If not, you should try it. It is wonderfully cleansing experience.

With my upcoming surgery, I have decided to go on a 2-3 day fast either next week or the week after to cleanse my system, before the onslaught of all the medication that I must have following this surgery. I will be on a blood thinner for a few months to prevent blood clots & antibiotics to prevent infection ... two of the most serious & possible side effects of this surgery. As well, there will be narcotics for the pain. So I will fast to start out with as clean a system as possible so my body can handle all of these chemicals efficiently and dispose of them in a timely manner when they are no longer required.

I don't want to have to use all of these chemicals, but realize that they are necessary following this surgery. Hopefully with the addition of homeopathy, pro-biotics and my cleanse prior to the surgery, my body will be able to handle this attack on my immune system.

Here are some of the reasons why fasting is so good for your body!

During the absence of food, the body will systematically cleanse itself of everything except vital tissue. Although protein is being used by the body during the fast, a person fasting even 40 days on water will not suffer a deficiency of protein, vitamins, minerals or fatty acids. In the breakdown of unhealthy cells, all essential substances are used and conserved in a most extraordinary manner. There is an unwarranted fear of fasting that strength diminishes from the catabolism of proteins from muscle fibers.

Rest is understood to be a big factor in enhancing recovery, as it is when the body is at rest that it is able to direct the most energy towards the various chemical and mechanical processes of detoxification. When fasting, a person experiences recovery at a rate that is swifter than normal. You are is ridding your body of toxins and excesses; allowing your body to use its own wisdom to healthfully reorganize itself from the atomic level. As the toxic load is reduced, the functioning of every cell is enhanced. In the same way that vital nerve energy is accumulated during a night's sleep, the faster builds nerve energy through rest, sleep, and detoxification.

The human body has many ordinary modes of achieving elimination: the liver, lungs, kidneys, colon, etc. When these are overloaded, the body will resort to "extra ordinary" methods of elimination: boils, mucous and other discharges, sweats, vomiting, diarrhea, and many others. Should elimination be impossible or uneconomical of body energy, the toxic overload will go into storage forms in the joints, vessels, muscles, organs; almost any tissue in the body. While fasting, the body is highly conservative of its energy and resources. During this deep and profound rest, toxin intake and production are reduced to a minimum while autolysins and elimination proceed unchecked. Anabolic processes such as tissue and bone healing also proceed at a maximal rate during the fast.

Nearly everyone who fasts, discovers the same thing, that when they fast they actually have no hunger and more energy than they normally have. It is indeed liberating to find out that if we let go and trust that we will be taken care of. Fasting is the simplest, easiest and most effective way to find out that we do indeed have the power and freedom to heal and take control of our bodies.

Why Fast?

Probably the most important reason is that the body uses quite a bit of energy to digest food, and when fasting this energy becomes available for other uses. In the fasting state, the body will scour for dead cells, damaged tissues, fatty deposits, tumors, abscesses, all of which are burned for fuel or expelled as waste. The elimination of these obstructions restores the immune system functionality and metabolic process to an optimum state. Fasting restores good digestion and elimination, and peristaltic action is quickened. Fasting allows a deep, physiological rest of the digestive organs, and the energy saved goes into self-healing and self-repairing. By eliminating obstructions, by cleansing, detoxification, and purifying the intestines, the blood, and the cells, we can overcome many of our physical ills or handicaps as well as getting a boost in energy.

Fasting not only removes obstructions and helps the body to heal itself, it is also rejuvenating and life-extending. These resulting benefits can have lasting affects in your mental and emotional health.

The other very important aspect is that your self-awareness will be elevated. If you are sick and depressed, then this might be the most important thing you can try in your healing program, because it gives you immediately an energy boost and increased awareness which might allow that you see things more clearly, allowing you the first step out of your sickness and onto the path of recovery. While fasting you become more aware of your body process, your life and with everything you are doing. It becomes a period where you can evaluate all that you're doing more objectively, and you naturally have more time for contemplation because you aren't using time amassing, preparing, eating, eliminating and cleaning up all which is used to prepare food. You become more aware of what your body likes and doesn't like when you start to eat again. You gain self-confidence in your ability to control your life process, to set a goal and carry out an intention.

I try to fast once every couple of months. It is truly an invigorating experience, you will feel increased energy, increased awareness & at the end of the fast a renewed zest for life.

The ABC's of Autumn

I LOVE AUTUMN!!!

Autumn, apples, apple pie ...
Birds flying south, blankets, baked potatoes, a hot bath, burberry ...
Colourful trees, corn, chili, corn bread, warm cognac, cranberry sauce, cold, crisp air, crocheting, cable-knit sweaters, cozy, cashmere, cider ...
Down comforters, delicious - everything ...
Eating comfort food ...
Fires, flame red leaves, furnace, family, faux fur ...
Gravy (turkey), gloves ...
Hot tubbing, hiking, housecoats, hugs from my grandkids, hot fresh ground, fresh brewed coffee, hats ...
I love autumn!!!!! ...
Jam (homemade) & toast, jeans, jumbalaya ...
Kicking up the leaves after Poppa rakes them up, knitting, kilts ...
Leaves, red, gold, yellow, orange, leotards ...
Mums, mums and more mums (one of my favourite flowers), garlicky mashed potatoes, magazines, movies, maple syrup, muffs, mittens ...
No snow - yet ...
Outside, overcoat ...
Pumpkin pie, plaid jackets & skirts ...
Quiet walks in the ravine with my dog, quilts ...
Rutabaga
Stuffing, slippers, sweaters, scarves, squash, stew, socks, sheepskin ...
Turkey dinner, thanksgiving, tea & a good book, tweeds ...
Uggs, under the blankets ...
Vegetables ...
Whipped cream (unsweetened of course), wool ...
Xtra whipped cream (unsweetened of course) on a small, delicious demitasse of expresso ...
Yams - yum!! ...
Zebra floor cloth (my project for this fall)

Well, there you have some of my favourite ABC's of Autumn ... didn't think I'd come up with one for Q & Z did you?


Autumn

With what a glory comes and goes the year!
The buds of spring, those beautiful harbingers
Of sunny skies and cloudless times, enjoy
Life's newness, and earth's garniture spread out;
And when the silver habit of the clouds
Comes down upon the autumn sun, and with
A sober gladness the old year takes up
His bright inheritance of golden fruits,
A pomp and pageant fill the splendid scene.

There is a beautiful spirit breathing now
Its mellow richness on the clustered trees,
And, from a beaker full of richest dyes,
Pouring new glory on the autumn woods,
And dipping in warm light the pillared clouds.
Morn on the mountain, like a summer bird,
Lifts up her purple wing, and in the vales
The gentle wind, a sweet and passionate wooer,
Kisses the blushing leaf, and stirs up life
Within the solemn woods of ash deep-crimsoned,
And silver beech, and maple yellow-leaved,
Where Autumn, like a faint old man, sits down
By the wayside a-weary. Through the trees
The golden robin moves. The purple finch,
That on wild cherry and red cedar feeds,
A winter bird, comes with its plaintive whistle,
And pecks by the witch-hazel, whilst aloud
From cottage roofs the warbling blue-bird sings,
And merrily, with oft-repeated stroke,
Sounds from the threshing-floor the busy flail.

O what a glory doth this world put on
For him who, with a fervent heart, goes forth
Under the bright and glorious sky, and looks
On duties well performed, and days well spent!
For him the wind, ay, and the yellow leaves,
Shall have a voice, and give him eloquent teachings.
He shall so hear the solemn hymn that Death
Has lifted up for all, that he shall go
To his long resting-place without a tear.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Surgery & Homeopathy

Well, October 16th the date for my total knee replacement is drawing nearer.

After much thought and speaking with my homeopathic doctor, I've made a decision to use homeopathic remedies right up to and shortly after my surgery to stimulate my immune system & healing resources in an effort to accelerate my recovery.

Why, you might ask am I choosing to use homeopathy???

First, let me explain what homeopathy is and why is works so well. (I have had great success with homeopathy).

Homeopathy is based on the "Principle of Similars". Another way to view "like cures like" is that symptoms are part of the body's attempt to heal itself ... for example, a fever can develop as a result of an immune response to an infection, and a cough may help to eliminate mucus ... and medication may be given to support this self-healing response.

Key concepts of homeopathy include:

Homeopathy seeks to stimulate the body's defense mechanisms and processes to prevent or treat illness.

Treatment involves giving very small doses of substances called remedies that, according to homeopathy, would produce the same or similar symptoms of illness in healthy people if they were given in larger doses. Remedies are available in cestesimal potencies, that is, successively diluted by a factor 100. For example a common potency is 30c which means that the actual remedy is diluted 30 times by a factor of 100.

At the deepest level, these remedies nudge the immune system ... not only the white cell populations, but also the mental and emotional states that keep those populations healthy into greater responsiveness and readiness so that disease is kept away or prevented from recurring. Unlike conventional medicines which suppress the immune system, homeopathy works in harmony with your immune system.

Homeopathic treatment is individualized or tailored to the patient. Practitioners select remedies according to a total picture of the patient, including not only symptoms but lifestyle, emotional and mental states, as well as other factors.

Homeopathy is completely safe. Even babies and pregnant women can use it without the danger of side effects. Homeopathic remedies can also be taken alongside other medication without side effects.

Homeopathic remedies are not addictive - once relief is felt, you stop taking them. If no relief is felt, you are probably taking the wrong homeopathic remedy.

So as I draw closer to my knee surgery, here is what my homeopath has suggested:

Arnica for the bleeding, bruising and pain post-surgery.

Ferrum Phosphoricum for post-surgical infection risk.

Bach's Rescue Remedy for pre-surgery anxiety.

I'm feeling less anxious as this date draws nearer. My knee pain continues to increase, so the surgery is a means to an end for this constant pain.

Using homeopathy is encouraging to me to view this surgery as a positive step in my health & pain management. I feel much more positive about the outcome of this surgery, now that I have made this decision.

Conventional, mainstream medication has its' place, but I do prefer natural methods and now, knowing that I am integrating homeopathic with mainstream ... my concerns and anxiety have lessened considerably.

My Daughter - My Treasure

Throughout our lifetime we acquire many friends and acquaintances.

But none can compare to the bond I have with my daughter.

I come from a very fractured family, highly competitive & jealous siblings, parents who didn't teach the value of family. My father had six children, three of whom were with my mother. These were always two very separate families, so it took me until I was nearly 50 to develop a relationship with a half sister. I am thankful every day for her and the unconditional love that we share.

When I became a mother at the very tender age of 20, I turned to my mother and my family doctor for advice. I tried to breastfeed both of my babies, managed approximately 6 weeks, but had trouble with the latch. Between my mother and my doctor, the advice was ... just bind your breasts and dry up ... the babies will get just as much nourishment from formula. What about the all important skin-to-skin bonding between mother and child when they are latched onto the breast??? What about the immunities that passes from mother to child through breastmilk??? When my 6-8 month old babies wouldn't sleep through the night ... the doctor said, just give them water in their bottle ... they'll soon grow tired of waking up for no food. Did the doctor ever stop to think that maybe they were actually hungry??? As soon as they were born, I was told feed them every 4 hours ... you must get them on a schedule, change their diaper and back in the crib ... crying won't hurt them a bit, it will strengthen their lungs. What about the importance of holding a crying baby so they know they are not alone??? After all they just spent 9 months listening to mom's heartbeat, her every movement and the whisper of the amniotic fluid as it held them gently in their cocoon. Why does mainstream parenting think that forcefully ripping a baby from the mother's body and then putting that baby in a crib away from mother is the right way??? We are one of the only countries in the world that don't carry our babies on our bodies for a few months after birth. Think of the animal kingdom ... the kangaroo, leaves the mothers womb and moves into the sack for somewhere between 7-10 months.

I quote and share with you The Eight Principles of Attachment Parenting taking from the International Attachment Parenting website http://www.attachmentparenting.com/index.html

Prepare for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting
Become emotionally and physically prepared for pregnancy and birth.
Feed with Love and Respect
Breastfeeding is the optimal way to satisfy an infant's nutritional and emotional needs.
Respond with Sensitivity
Build the foundation of trust and empathy beginning in infancy. Tune in to what your child is communicating to you, and then respond consistently and appropriately. Babies cannot be expected to self-soothe, they need calm, loving, and empathetic parents to help them learn to regulate their emotions. Respond sensitively to a child who is hurting or expressing strong emotion, and share.
Use Nurturing Touch
Touch meets a baby's needs for physical contact, affection, security, stimulation, and movement. Skin-to-skin contact is especially effective, such as during breastfeeding, bathing, or massage. Carrying or baby wearing also meets this need while on the go. Hugs, snuggling, back rubs, massage, and physical play help meet this need in older children.
Engage in Night time Parenting
Babies and children have needs at night just as they do during the day; from hunger, loneliness, and fear, to feeling too hot or too cold. They rely on parents to soothe them and help them regulate their intense emotions. Sleep training techniques can have detrimental physiological and psychological effects. Safe bed sharing or near-sleeping has benefits to both babies and parents.
Provide Consistent and Loving Care
Babies and young children have an intense need for the physical presence of a consistent, loving, responsive parent.
Practice Positive Discipline
Positive discipline helps a child develop a conscience guided by his own internal discipline and compassion for others. Discipline that is empathetic, loving, and respectful strengthens the connection between parent and child. Rather than reacting to behaviour, discover the needs leading to the behaviour.
Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life
It is easier to be emotionally responsive when you feel in balance. Create a support network, set realistic goals, put people before things, and don't be afraid to say "no". Recognize individual needs within the family and meet them to the greatest extent possible without compromising your physical and emotional health. Be creative, have fun with parenting, and take time to care for yourself.

I have gone a little off track here, but after watching my daughter parent her children, I have learned a lot about the values quoted above.

Well, despite all of my mistakes as a parent, there was one thing that never wavered ... my love for my children. They were and always will be two of my greatest accomplishments.

My daughter, Sebrina and I have been through many, many trials as mother and daughter and yes there were times, especially in the teen years when I could have given her away (LOL). But then suddenly, I turned around and here was this beautiful young woman standing before a minister saying her marriage vows. Then I blinked again and we were watching as she bore down and delivered our beautiful grandson, Ryan. What an incredible moment that she invited Don and me to share with her and Mike. Then in short succession we were privileged to be part of Jayden & Zanders' beautiful home births. And then just earlier this year she and I shared a very emotional trip to Ethiopia where we met our beautiful granddaughter - Gabriella.

I watch her now as a parent and take pride that I was instrumental in her development. She and I share many happy times together with her children. When I have something to share, she is always the first person I think of calling. It would seem to be the same for her too. There are many days that I get numerous phone calls with tidbits of news, something cute one of the kids did or just a short chat. My day doesn't feel complete without my morning check in from Sebrina.

A couple of weeks ago, I tore the ligaments in my right foot and with my left knee as painful as it has been, I found it difficult to get around easily. Sebrina called and wanted to come over to visit with the children, BUT she said "we will bring dinner".

I am thankful every day for the love and closeness that Sebrina and I share. She is always there for me to listen, to share a chuckle, to share a coffee or just share.

Before Gabriella's arrival, I held a blessingway for Sebrina. This is the letter that I wrote to her then.

I thought that the blessingway for Zander’s birth would be the last one, but here we are celebrating another child, not one of your womb but of your heart. It would seem that you always have room in your heart for just one more.

Just how big is your heart???

Now as we wait (not too patiently) for the little girl that you have dreamed of for many years, I ponder the many joys that motherhood brings to each of us as women.

The joy of becoming a woman and knowing what that privilege bestows upon us.
The deep connection we create & cultivate with another woman when we slowly explore that world of sisterhood & friendship.
The thrill of a new love, exploring that feeling & each other, then settling into the beautiful harmony that comes from joining with another soul
The anticipation we feel in the arrival of a new life. What other experience in the world compares to motherhood!
The pain of losses - physical, emotional & spiritual, which serve to strengthen our character and many times open the door on something even more wonderful.
The intense heart pain we feel for our children during times of pain or sorrow.
The bottomless well of love we feel for our children, the sacrifices we will make for them, even going to the ends of the earth to enlarge your family circle with a very special little girl.

As you and I embark on this momentous journey to the other side of the world to retrieve this beautiful child, I feel in my heart the stirrings of anticipation that I felt with the birth of each of my beautiful boys that you so graciously allowed me to share with you.

I close my eyes and see Gabriella lying in her crib waiting for you – her mother, I see the moment when your gaze falls upon her for the first time and I feel the raw emotions of that moment when she is placed in your arms for the first time.

Thank you for allowing me to be the one to share this incredible experience with you.

The world can sometimes be an ugly place. Look for the beauty that we oft times just don't take the time to notice. To walk barefoot through dew covered grass. To play follow-the-leader with a butterfly as it dances from flower to flower. Enjoy the differences in all humankind. Whether black or white, short or tall, big or small, all of these are children of God, and thus, your brothers and sisters. Find the goodness in them. Extend your arms to them, encircling them in love and kindness. Learn to truly love them by serving them. It is through service that your heart will fully open to those who you might otherwise despise.
Show gratitude, for there is much in life to be thankful for. If we fail to give thanks, then we become apathetic. On the other hand, when we show gratitude we begin to see just how blessed our lives truly are. Always continue learning. It is through learning that the world continues to better itself. Lack of education lends a hand to poverty, to crime, hate, and violence; all things ugly are a form of ignorance. Likewise, all that is beautiful can only is appreciated when one knows how to appreciate it. Love yourself. You are a daughter of God, and that makes your spirit one of nobility. Always remember who you are. You are of great worth. You, my daughter, have a work to do on this earth, a work that only you can accomplish. Through knowing who you are you can learn to love yourself. Then you will never want to do anything that would keep you from your potential. Seek out your talents and gifts and then use these to better the lives of yourself, your family, and your community. By using our talents we will continue to develop them more fully and increase the joy in our lives.
Extend virtuous attributes. Honesty, integrity, diligence, these are virtues that are not always easy to obtain, but they help us to keep a clear conscience. Above all, seek for truth. Search with not only your mind, but also your heart and when truth is found hold onto it. Never let go. My greatest hope is that you will have peace and joy in your life. I don't know what lies ahead for us. I do know, however, that as a mother I have and will continue to make mistakes and that as a daughter you will sometimes be angry with me. You will be hurt by the things of the world and I will not always be able to ease that pain. Sometimes, I may feel as if I have failed you. I suppose this is all part of motherhood. Yet, if I can help make your path through this world more joyful, then I will know that I have been successful as a mother.

My daughter - my treasure ....

Our Shame

While visiting the blog of an adoptive mom I met in Ethiopia, I watched this video she had posted.

After watching it, I felt shame for the human race as a whole.

How can we treat one another like this???

How can our legal systems show such obvious discrimination???

With the world it seems, going mad, how do we raise our children to be well-adjusted individuals who don't see others by the colour of their skin, who don't even notice that difference ... is this possible????

When will this insanity end .... when will we see ourselves as world citizens, not black, white, yellow or red, Catholic or Protestant, Buddhist or Muslim...

I am reminded of the beautiful lyrics of John Lennon's Imagine.

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one......

October 16, 2007

This is my big day .... I just spoke with the surgeon and I am scheduled for my total knee replacement that day.

I have so many mixed feelings ... nervousness, excitement, impatience, etc...

I know that this surgery is going to be tough and very painful, but the pain I have suffered for almost two years constantly reminds me that it will be worth a few weeks of intense pain to get my life back.

So, I will employ positive thoughts, use "The Secret" to get me through this upcoming event speedily and with as little pain as possible and no complications.

Adanu

This darling little girl is named Adanu Tofic.

I recently became the proud sponsor of this child. After waiting for nearly 2 months, I finally received her file on Friday.

She is 6 years old, has 2 sisters and 1 brother. Her mother is the sole provider for this family as her father recently passed away from lung problems. Her mother does not have steady income, but cuts grass occasionally with a machete or sometimes sweeps the streets.

Adanu was fortunate enough to get into a sponsorship program and has been accepted into the Kid's Hope Centre run by "Canadian Humanitarian Organization for International Relief" in a semi-rural part of Addis Ababa. She will be starting school (kindergarten) this fall and will have schooling provided for her until she is 16.

Sponsoring a child seems such a small thing in our land of plenty, but what it gives a child and their family in a country such as Ethiopia is enormous.

Here is a link to the organization I am sponsoring Adanu through. http://www.canadianhumanitarian.com/

What If?

Africa breaks my heart --- that’s the simplest and most persistent emotion that bursts out of such recent films as “Hotel Rwanda,” “The Constant Gardener,” “The Last King of Scotland,” and, now, “Blood Diamond,” the best and most enjoyable of these movies set against the background of civil wars, ethnic conflict, and Western meddling and exploitation.

Blood Diamond takes place in civil war-torn Sierra Leone in the 1990s, its story centered on a fisherman whose life is uprooted when his village is invaded by the the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and his wife and children are taken from him. Solomon (the fisherman) is captured and turned into a slave trolling for gems in the river. He finds a rare and priceless huge pink diamond and buries it nearby, but not before being spotted by the amiably vicious leader of the R.U.F.

Solomon Vandy played by Djimon Hounsou who has tremendous presence and depth, gives a powerful performance and keeps the movie’s moral sense firmly in place. Danny Archer played by Leonardo DiCaprio plays his finest role yet in an impressive career. He plays a white Rhodesian (Zimbabwe) by birth and a former mercenary in Angola ... and he wants the diamond. In the capital city of Freetown, Maddy Bowen played by Jennifer Connelly, a magazine reporter, cozies up to Archer trying to get the story of how the smuggling racket works. Solomon, Danny, and Maddy all want something, and they take turns using, helping, and half trusting one another to get it, stumbling in and out of war zones as young killers (whose ranks eventually include Solomon's son Dia) rampage through the towns firing AK-47s from the backs of pickup trucks. The story's full horror comes through when Solomon's 12-year-old son Dia played by Caruso Kuypers is kidnapped by them and brainwashed into being a child soldier. This bright boy and good son changes into a zombie, and his transformation stands in for all the horrors that war is.

Every time a valuable natural resource has been discovered in Africa—whether it’s ivory, gold, or diamonds—white Europeans have hired surrogates to plunder the goods, and the Africans have suffered terribly.

Though the scenes of flying bullets and widespread carnage are shattering (especially at the hands of children), the violence - in the course of a real-life war - is organic and necessary. The varied African landscape is depicted with breathtaking beauty.

Add to this the African Children's Choir, http://www.africanchildrenschoir.com/ a strong presence whose mission we all need to be in support of. Made up of the most precious of faces and the most delicate of voices, the choir is comprised of young African children aged between 7 and 11. Many of them have lost a parent or two to famine and disease, some are HIV positive orphans. They speak different languages and are from various countries around the continent, but they have united in one voice to represent and raise awareness to the issues concerning AIDS orphans from all over Africa.

A moving piece of music ..."Nangirira" is sung by this choir in the final moments of the film. They also did a few other sounds and music throughout the film and during some noticeable moments at the beginning.

New Furniture

Don & I decided to treat ourselves to some new furniture for our 20 anniversary.

After researching quite a few stores, I found Bassett Furniture. They have beautiful, quality furniture. Although they are on the expensive side, the furniture will last .... I'm sure it will outlive me.

We kept our dining room set, but added on 6 new chairs. My chairs were very loose and no amount of glue could tighten them up and as well one of the seats had actually cracked in half ... was being held together by the fabric & padding on the seat. The table style leans toward Sheraton, so I chose the Louise Phillippe chairs - see above. They have fairly straight lines with a little embellishment by way of carvings on the top edges of the back of the chair. I think they will blend quite nicely.

As well, we have not had a coffee table in the living that was ours but have been using an interesting over scale Rice Bowl (chawan) that belongs to Don's younger brother, so I finally took the plunge and purchased our own.

All in all I'm quite happy with my choices, I sure hope that they look as great in my home as they did in the showroom.

I had the dining chairs upholstered in a custom fabric, so I have to wait for one month for the arrival of my new furniture and patience is not my strong suit. Will update when it's here.