I am Humbled

I don't know what to say. The wonderful comments left on my blog have almost left me speechless. Such thoughtful and kind words of encouragement. What a wonderful community of bloggers I belong to. Did you notice I said "I belong to". It is true I can't stay away, and to be honest I really haven't. I have been reading most of your blogs and I see our dear friend Cathy was suffering from similar feelings as I was experiencing. Hmmmm......I wonder if it is the time of year? What do you think?

Anyhow my friends, I am back. I have read everything everyone of you said. You are all right. It is my blog, I should say what I feel good bad or indifferent. If people like what they read they will come back, if they don't they won't. I will continue to write from the heart. Whether I am writing about it being a good day or a bad day. I shall write what comes to me and that I feel I want to share. I think that is what I heard all of you saying. Write what you feel!!! Again, thank you all for your encouragement and support!!!

So, winter has arrived on the west coast. It started on Saturday. We had just gotten over those terrible wind and rain storms and then the cold front came in. It's not as cold as Alberta or the northern parts of the province. But it is cold for here. It was -12 Celsius overnight and started snowing again this morning, they are predicting another 6 cm. of snow then freezing rain. Urgh!!!

We started putting up Christmas lights on Saturday. I guess the change in the weather put the Christmas bug in me. I had just gotten off of nightshift that morning. I slept for about 2 hrs and then got up and spent 7 hours decorating. You all know what I am talking about. You go to put something up and you end up taking something down and then you have to clean and one thing leads to another.

I collect Santa's and these are a few of my Santa's in my collection.

The majority of the Santa's I have, have been given to me as gifts. I don't know, there is just something so jolly and peaceful about them. To me they exemplify everything that Christmas is about. The meaning of giving. The bearing of gifts from the heart. The welcoming of people into your home. I think that is why I choose to put them where I did...the entrance to my home. I want people to always feel welcomed when they come to my home.

As I was busying myself inside, the guys were outside working on the lights. We haven't finished yet, but it is a start. These pictures didn't turn out as well as I had hoped. Still learning with that new camera of mine.

I thought hubby was very brave to go up the slippery ladder to mount the star. But bless him he did and I think it looks wonderful!

Well, I have just looked out the window and it is still snowing but it seems to be easying off a bit. Guess I should get my boots on and go shovel and salt.

Wishing you all a fabulous day!!!

Gonna take a break for a while....

Been doing a lot of thinking lately....dangerous I know. Regardless, I have been doing it. Ever since that incident which resulted in me opting to remove one of my posts. Having done that, it has made me really reflect as to why it is I started blogging in the first place.

I started blogging as venue for me to talk about my life. About being a mom, a wife, a sister, an aunty and a RN. When I first started writing I spoke primarily of my life as a RN and issues that I was faced with. Then I started talking about me and my life and I realize that I couldn't separate any of those characters as they are what makes me, me.

I never wanted to offend anyone. That is not my style. I am not quick witted. I write from the heart. I am a passionate person. I write what I feel, to bad I didn't have the courage to speak my mind to those that I should have. I wrote instead. Maybe by writing it would give me the strength to either deal with the matter at hand or to just let it go. Regardless, writing in the blog was therapeutic for me.

I perused the Blog world. I read some of the most wonderfully written and creative blogs imaginable. I visited sites on a regular basis and made some really fine blog friends.

Then things started to change. Was it because of my little incident, I am not sure. Maybe a bit. But there is more to it. I was finding it becoming very competitive. A silly thought I know. I have always been a competitive person. But I am not wanting my blog to be competitive, and yet I am feeling as that is what is happening. Not my site...oh no....my blog is nothing to write home about. But it is me. I compare my blog to others and I think I am not doing a good enough job. I am not creative. I have difficulties figuring things out on the computer side of things and hence limits what I am able to post. That bothers me. And I feel I have lost my perspective on why I blog in the first place.

So I have opted to take a time out. To evaluate myself again to determine if this is even an arena for me to be using.

Thank you to those that have read my blog on a regular basis, you know who you are. Take care all. Who knows maybe our paths shall cross again. Cheers!

Just a Quickie.............

What time of day do you like to excerise and why that time of day?

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving for my friends south of the border, how will you be spending your Thanksgiving?

It Works!!!!

Alright and Ok already.....it is working....thank you Barb and Mike!

So I am going to continue to work with this..it is really much faster as everyone has told me...and I think you are all right it is simpler....once you get the hang of it.

My girls were here this weekend. We had another stormy weekend. Power went out again today but only for about 6 hrs. Douglas got out the generator again so we were able to make coffee and yes I was able to vaccum. I know, I know who really cares about vacuuming when the power is out. But well I guess I do. I have very bad allergies and need to dust and vaccum on a daily basis.

Anyhow, on Friday when the girls arrived, I told them I had purchased "Boggle" It is one of our favorite games. They wanted to get right at it....and well, Candice...the Birthday girl won every time...dang she is good.

Douglas figured it was a good photo op.....

Candice is the one with the toque, my brother, my youngest Roisin and my eldest Siobhan and then me. Still in my uniform after running the flu clinic that day.

On Saturday after taking it easy in the morning, the girls and I decided we wanted to go for a nice walk. I remembered my camera this time.

The eagles were out again, these are not the greatest shots but gives you an idea as to the abundance of eagles that are around here.

This eagle was in a tree just behind someone's house. Amazing birds aren't they?

Well I am back at the flu clinic again tomorrow. I haven't had any one break down into tears yet. As a matter of fact, a lot of them asked me when I was going to give them the shot...they didn't believe me when I told them they had already had it. That made me feel good.

Well that is about it. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend and I will chat at you tomorrow!!

Cheers!

Just a quickie

Hello my blog friends...just a quickie here....Douglas
my hubby from http://www.qualicumlife2.blogspot.com/ Has done a post of things that bring him pleasure. If you have a moment drop by and pay him a visit.

Still struggling with this transfer stuff to beta!!!

I just don't get it. It all looks the same to me. The dashboard looks a little different. And yes it was easy to incorporate "Adsense" to the blog. Go figure on that one eh! The terminology is killing me! Page elements maxwidgets, class, Id and so on and so on...I am overwhelmed to say the least. Maybe I need to sit back and read and reread the instructions over and over again!!! Urgh what have I gotten myself into. There has to be a simpler way.....Isn't there?

Just call me computer loser!!!!

Have a grand day all!

I've changed to Beta

Just a quickie here....I have changed to Beta....now I have to add my links. OMG.....I feel like I have just taken steps much bigger than baby steps. But here goes nothing. Nothing ventured nothing gained...Right?.

It's Friday!!!

It's finally here. Friday, and it couldn't come soon enough. I have had a tough week. I caught this head cold. I think I am on the mend. Actually, I am sure I am on the mend. Not sneezing as much, the nose stopped running like a faucet my husband forgot to fix, and the eyes aren't watering as much as Niagara Falls.

Today, I am running the "Flu clinic" at my doctor's office. I have been given the heads up that there will be little one's at this clinic today. Ouch! I have no problem giving needles to grown ups, but there is something about putting that big needle in such a small little person. I would never have made it as a pediactric nurse. I cringe when a little one gets a needle. You know when the nurse tells you to count to three? Well I think I do that for myself in order to psych myself up for poking the little tyke.

Now don't get me wrong, I don't get pleasure out of giving the needle to adults either, but for some reason I have convinced myself that as adults we can handle it better. Mind you, I did have to give the "teddy bear" to a couple of grown ups last week!


This evening my girls arrive. It is my middle daughter's Birthday on the 25th of this month, but she will be working so we decided this weekend would be it. My brother who is a fabulous cook has volunteered to bake the cake.

Yeah hooray!!! So early happy birthday to my girl!!!!!

The weatherman is saying we are in for some more bad weather! Ouch. The next 5 days are forecasted for rain, rain and more rain.

So if you have your umbrella or are a duck, you'll do just fine.

Well I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

OBTW, I went to a little camera course the other day and learnt some nifty things I can do with my camera. I hope I will be able to get out and practice what I have learnt, so I can share with you all!!

Cheers!!!

What a storm!!!

I can't believe it the weatherman was right! Oh boy was he right. They were predicting all day yesterday that there would be this big storm coming in late in the evening. Winds 60 - 100 km/hr. and the rain fall was predicted to be 100 - 130 mm. That's a lot of wind and a ton of rain. Now I am not complaining about the rain we need it. But oh my gosh.

At 0600 this morning I was awoken by the loudest thunder I have ever heard in my entire life. I swore the roof was caving in. Then came the lightening. It was crazy. Douglas got up early as he wanted to batten down the hatches. He was outside in the torrential down pour, getting out the generator, the lanterns, getting wood for the the fire. He was preparing. He wanted to get extra gas and propane as well so we knew a trip to the gas station would be in order. Well we ran out of time. The winds took out the power. This meant there would be no power at our local gas station.

I am still sick with my head cold and really didn't want to venture out, but I knew I should help however I could. So we loaded up the trunk with the tanks and off we went looking for an open gas station. We had to go all the ways into the other side of Parksville which is about 20 km away. Oh I can't believe I didn't have my camera with me. The ocean was angry. The waves were crazy. The bald eagles were loving it. We had to drive past a bird esturary and what should we see but no less than 30 bald eagles flying around and nesting. One tree we looked at had 10 count'em "10" bald eagles in it. It was amazing!!!
Our drive took us to the waterfront. The waves were crashing in. Big rollers. At one point I just pulled my car over just to watch the power of nature. There is something so exhilarating about watching the power of the waves. I love them!

Then came the flooding. Lots of the roads were getting washed out from the creeks overflowing and the ditches being plugged from leaves. Nature.

Well we made it back home and I looked up on the porch and asked my hubby where the Bar-b-que was. No idea he says. I look a little forward and you know that wind was so strong it had blown our bar-b-que off of our deck and down into this area that leads to our crawl space. Well if that wasn't it enough. The bar-b-que landed on the septic pipes and broke and disconnected the septic system. OMG!!! So there was poor hubby out in the pouring rain trying to repair the septic. He did bless his heart. He and my brother hauled the bar-b-que out of the pit, with a full propane tank and all. Got the bar-b-que going...got the generator going, which gave us enough power so I could use the microwave and light lamp.
We had a lovely dinner of bar-b-que roast pork, garlic and onion roasted potatoes, corn and carrots with red peppers and onions. Yummy!! all done by generator power. The power finally came on just after 9pm. But we are still leary as to whether it will stay on. Seems like there is another front coming in.

You be the judge

The other day I was running on this trail that I love. It is very wooded and there are some old growth trees in there. Anyhow, I am running along with Bert my loyal companion when this bird swooped down in front of me.

This is a Barred owl.

Looks fairly similar to this owl which is also common to this area.

This is a Spotted owl.

Being the amateur birder that I am, I wanted to be able to distinguish between the two. When running it is difficult to get a really good look at what just swooped in front of you. I am leaning towards it being the Barred owl. Their behaviour and I am not lying here, is for them to swoop down on joggers primarily female joggers with ponytails. This sounds funny I know but it's true. They think the ponytail looks similar to a squirrel. Thank god I don't have a ponytail. But really for a bird who is suppose to be so wise, do I really look like a squirrel whilst I am running? I don't think so!!! As for the Spotted Owl, I think the bird actually looked more like the Spotted owl than the Barred, but as I said the antics of the bird were very similar to the Barred. So I am not sure what I should put in my bird book....maybe I will just reference both, and when I go for a run again, I might have the fortune or misfortune of this bird swooping down on me again!!

Anyhow, it made for a very interesting run. Bert my fearless dog didn't seem to be bother by the owl at all.

Come on a drive with me and let's see what we can see!

A little tour of my surroundings. I decided today I was just going to take a little drive up to Fanny Bay. That is just about a 20min. drive from me. From my home to Fanny Bay and back this is what I saw.

A golden eagle. I saw this majestic bird at a place called Nile creek. There are both golden and bald eagles seen here frequently as they feed on the salmon going up stream to spawn.
This is the road leading into Rosewall Creek Provincial Park. This is a favorite swimming hole of my boys, and Douglas and I.
The picnic area in this Park is dedicated to Lieutenant Ian Philip McDonald. It seemed appropriate to photograph and post this today.
This is the log we cross to get to the little beach and picnic area on the other side. We also tend to jump off this log during the summer. I know it doesn't look deep but in the summer it is about 12 feet and in the winter is is about 20 ft. deep and cold. Mountain fed. Douglas and I have been known to go skinny dipping off of that log in April. Brrrrrrr.


There are trails that follow along this creek and it goes for many kilometers. It makes for a good afternoon walk. I took a lot of pictures of Rosewall as I just find it so peaceful and beautiful, as I said it is my favorite swimming hole. Just down the road from Rosewall you come to open water, and here is a glimpse of what I saw.


The mountains in the distance are the Island inland mountain range. We have just had our first snowfall on the mountains this past week.


This is Chrome Island Lighthouse. The last lighthouse where the lighthouse keeper still lives.


This is just a shot to show you how far away I was from Chrome Island...that's it in the middle of the picture. That tiny little island.


This bald eagle was soaring overhead preparing to dive into the water to get dinner.
Just another angle from where I was standing as all this was going on around me. Still lots more shots but maybe I will save those for another day. My next destination was a place called Fanny Bay. This time of year the sea lions arrive and make their home on the log booms.It's a great tourist attraction but for the locals these sealions can get very loud, especially at 1:00 in the morning. Some of these sea lions get to be over 2000lbs.
I just liked the seagull in this picture with the sealions. Fanny Bay and surrounding community are well known for their seafood and one of them being oysters. There are many oyster farms.


The white you see on the ground is not snow. It is crushed oyster shells.


I turned around and started my drive home at this point. I pulled into the community of Fanny Bay and took these last shots.
Inland Island mountain range. On the other side of those mountains is the Pacific Ocean and the Pacific Rim National Park. I will save pictures of that for another day.

Oops this one is out of order. This is a shot at the oyster place in Fanny Bay. I am looking south towards my home.

I hope your enjoyed spending a little time with me and allowing me the opportunity to share some of the wonders of nature that I feel blessed to see every single day!!!

Hope you all are having a good weekend. I am off to work tomorrow so won't be posting for a couple of days.

Remembrance Day

November the 11th. Remembrance Day in Canada and for my friends to the south of me it is Veteran's Day.

In Canada we have a flower that marks this day and it is the poppy.

I remember as a child learning about the poem "In Flander's Field" it was written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) Canadian Army. He was a surgeon attached to the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. He was a new doctor and he wrote about his experience as a field surgeon.
In Flanders Field. I remember reciting this poem every Remembrance Day and as a class we would draw and colour pictures of poppies, and tape them to the class windows. We often would have a visit to the class by a Veteran, who would share stories of the war with us.
The poppy
Today thousands of veterans and families will gather to celebrate their loved ones lost in battle. We will dedicate a moment of silence in their remembrance. Our fellow country men and women who so bravely gave their lives so that we all my live in lands of peace and harmony.

I also think of our loved ones who are on current tour of duty and pray for their safe return home. I especially dedicate this blog today to my dear girlfriend Phoebe Carantes currenty stationed in Kandahar.

"Lest we never forget"

A day out with my bro

It was a busy day. My brother had to do things in town...like get a new Canadian citizen card. What a hassle. His last set was lost and to renew stuff is an absolute nightmare. My brother has been a Canadian citizen since 1953 ....he has a Social's Insurance number, a BC ID number ,a medical number but because it has all been lost he has to apply for Canadian citizenship....yet again....omg!!!! The beurarcy!!! Then again you have to pay for all of this, and the photos..and of course the photos have to be a certain size. It is incredibe what we have to go through....and yet ....for some reason....we still get the terrorist in our country....someone please tell me how does that happen?

After having dealt with all of that my bro and I decided we needed some R &R. So I took my bro to a little pub at a marina close to home. Here is what we saw.

So after
This is my bro...looking out at the marina....do you see the Heron on the right side of him? That is the Heron that I have the close up of in the picture above.
This is a shot of Qualicum just at mid afternoon. The Bro and I were going for a libation.

And goodness here I am just before we go in for our last taste of the day. But we have the treat of looking out to the water....my goodness I feel blessed.

Hope you all had a fabulous day....Cheers!!!!