My thought for today.....

Let me start by thanking all of you for your wonderful comments on my previous post. You know that was a very cathartic exercise for me. Through that exercise I was able to do some self exploration and really look at why I was feeling the way I was, what was the root of all those emotions. I still have some homework to do, but I am well on my way to completing my assignment. And with that, I would like to talk about a book I have read and now reading again with a new perspective and appreciation for the book.

The book is called "Succulent Wild Woman Dancing with your wonder-full self!" by Sark. I have read this book a couple of times and used excerpts from it to help demonstrate for me how I am feeling about a certain something at the time.

This book although written for women can really be applied to men as well. Anyone who is looking to slow down their lives, to learn to appreciate the moment. To be able to cherish who you are just because you are you. The unique wonderful person you are...for all your idiosyncrasies. In one section she talks about a time when she was walking along a street ....."six women on the street, all wearing plastic Groucho Marx glasses, noses and hats. I stopped to applaud them, and found out they were 4 generations of women, playing together on vacation. I declared them to be Succulent wild women, and the great-grandmother threw her hat in the air and said.... you betcha, honey!" Now doesn't that just sound so wonderful....to not have a care in the world other than being in the moment and loving who you are and who you are with!

Sark encourages women to look at themselves for all the beauty that they are as women. And appreciate what we as woman bring to the table. She challenges us to throw away the notions of "What will the neighbours think?" she says...."they will think that they wish they could have fun too." What a delicious thought, don't you think? She makes so many valid points about how we try to conform to what we believe society thinks we should be, say or do. She talks about such things as what magazines tell us, about food and diets, about letting go of the "I can't do that" ideology.

She has a section on "Nourishment from the inside"......

Let us a women be thankful for hearty appetites! Allow us to feel hunger. I see so much self-imposed starvation among women - myself included. And then we hide away and eat our hearts out....the language of cake: "oh just a tiny slice" "Please - the smallest slice you can cut" "I'm being so bad" Or, a marvelous woman I met, who said: " I eat cake for breakfast. I know I'm going to want it all day anyway, so I just start with it." Don't we deserve to eat?

That is my take on things....eat the cake cause you know you want to...then get on with your life.....

I chose to write about this today, as it is a new week. A chance for me to make changes in my life. In the way I look at things. That is my challenge for myself this week. Try something new.....just because I can!

I wish you all a fabulous week and encourage you to be the "wild succulent person you are!"

Cheers!

A new day begins.....fill it with all you desire!

Family

There was a time in my life when I thought I couldn't live without my family. They meant everything to me.

My parents chose to leave their familiar surroundings of family and friends and make their way to Canada. On July 1st 1953 Canada Day they arrive in Vancouver, with 5 children in tow and $35 in their pocket. My parents started their new life. Through hard work and dedication by both my parents they made a good life for all of us. There were 7 more children born after their arrival to Canada. My parents instilled many values, but none was more important than the commitment to family.

Now having grown up with those value systems so strongly instilled in me, I find myself at a crossroads in my life and faced with a choice.

Almost two years ago I presented my family with a request. For most, my request was seen as unreasonable, and they made it very clear that they were opposed to what I was asking. Emails and telephone calls ensued trying to provide clarification as to why I would ask such a thing. Some of my family members chose to remain silent, those who spoke, spoke against my request. The common thread was that they felt that I was infringing on their rights and taking their choice away.

Here was my question. I had asked my family "now that I was divorced and with a new man, would they consider not inviting my ex husband to all the family functions". I mentioned to them that due to my job and geographical location I would most probably not be in attendance at many of the gatherings and that if they chose to invite my ex husband that was totally ok with me, but in situations like family weddings, anniversaries, graduations and such, would they consider my attendance with my partner (now husband) before asking my ex-husband to attend.

I was not prepared for their response. They were outraged. You would have thought I was asking them to give up their first born. I was shocked and taken aback by their responses as I did not consider my request unreasonable. They felt I was trying to dictate to them who they may invite to functions. They felt that my ex was still a part of the family and if they wanted to invite him they would regardless of how it would make me feel. They felt I should grow up and deal with it. They felt that my new partner (now husband) would have to “earn his stripes” with the family. Their rationale did not sit well with me and heated words were exchanged. I have been unable to understand why they feel so strongly about having my ex attend all the functions when none of my brothers or sisters ex’s are invited? my sister "K's" rationale was that she felt, because of the longevity of my first marriage and the relationship my ex had developed with my family that I demonstrated good judgment in partners (good judgment for whom?) she also said “The problem is, that many of the events you would go to are those that are particularly meaningful for the family. Given that the events (weddings, graduations, 50th birthday parties etc) would be special, it would be particularly difficult not to include…….in the invitation. As well, given our busy lives, it is only at these gatherings that we get to see one another. As it is, our connection to……. in your absence, is already significantly curtailed”

I have difficulties with her rationale.

I have not spoken with this sister in over 18 months. Nor have I spoken to other members of the family. This is unheard of as we use to speak all the time and get together at least once a month if not more. But I just can’t seem to bring myself to accepting their rationale for having my ex-husband at all of these functions. Now, with my sister “A” being diagnosed with breast cancer and her upcoming wedding in July, I am faced with making a choice.

I recognize that life is so very short and can be taken from us in a heart beat, and I shouldn’t waste valuable time by being angry and distancing myself from them. But it is a matter of principle for me.

Why should my ex-husband be invited to all the family functions when none of my other brothers or sister’s ex’s are at these functions? And why do I have to share my family and experiences with my ex-husband when my new husband is in attendance? When does it become a time for my new husband to be welcomed into the family? How can he earn his “stripes” if they don’t even give him a chance? Do I want to subject him to that kind of scrutiny? Who do they think they are passing such judgment on people? My ex-husband and I get along fine we had an amicable divorce, but that doesn’t mean that I want to see him at all of my family functions.

The other day I received an email from my sister “K”. Her email didn’t make me want to pick up the phone and call her…it just made me angry and affirmed to me that she still doesn’t understand why I was upset about what had transpired.

Should I respond to my sister’s email? If I do, what do I say? Do I attend my sister’s wedding, knowing that my ex-husband will be there? Do I attend my sister’s wedding knowing that the rest of my family will be there and that they are all still of the same frame of mind as they were 18 months ago?

My husband says he will support me in whatever choice I make. I am confident that I will go to my sister’s wedding, but I am not sure that I can speak with most of my family. I recognize that my sister “K” put out an olive branch but I don’t feel it was sincere. I am struggling terribly with this one. Do I bite my tongue and let go of my principles and bow to the family? Or do I stand my ground?

As my father would say "Oh Life".

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend!

This and That Wednesday....

Well I am glad to see I was not alone when I talked about the sizing thing....it makes you wonder if there is some kind of conspiracy going on....anyhow I loved everyone's take on the topic...thanks all.

I want to send out a big THANK YOU to Early birdfrom Gentle retreat. Yesterday I received in the mail couple of Breast cancer book marks and a lovely breast cancer pin.

How thoughtful was that. I will be seeing my sister again in a couple of weeks not long after she has her surgery and I will take her the book mark. I have put my book mark and pin to use already. I wore my pin to work on my uniform and I will do that from now on. Again, thank you Early Bird, and thank you, to all of you for your continued kind thoughts.

Now on to something completely different. The other day whilst I was standing at my kitchen sink I observed this wonderful bird outside my window.

"Varied Thrush"

The bird seen here is the male of the species. Varied Thrush are most commonly seen during migration and in winter. These birds generally make their home in deep coniferous forests and migrate vertically, moving up the mountains in the summer and down again in winter. Sometimes, overcome by spring fever, the Varied Thrush forgets its secretive nature and perches on roadsides or in trees. They say at times this bird may be seen in the company of the American Robin hunting for worms on the lawn. And that is exactly what this bird was doing and a robin was in close proximity.

On our trip to the mainland while we were visiting Deer Lake and the pond I was telling you about there was this bird.

I am sure most of you are familiar with the "Mallard duck" I just love their colours. This again is the male of the species. Mallards are the West Coast's most common dabbling duck. The males have the iridescent green head and chestnut breast while the females have a mottled plumage and orange and black bill. The females are generally drab for camouflage on the nest and males colorful for courtship. Mallards are found year-round throughout the area.

Well that's about it for today....hope you all have a fantastic day!

What size am I?

Ok I don't get it....I just don't get it. I was just hanging my laundry on the line when I noticed something that just struck me as being funny in a strange sort of way. Sizing. Have any of you noticed that sizing has changed. Having just hung three pairs of sweat pants on the line I noticed everyone was a difference size and I wore every one of those pants over the past couple of days. The first one is what I would call a sweat pant... a heavier cotton from "Cotton Ginny" the size.....small... I've had these for years. Then there were my stretch cotton pants from Bebe sport.....size medium, just got them a month ago. And last my LuLu Lemon yoga pants.....large... my daughter bought those for me on my birthday last August.

Now I understand that Canadian sizes are different from American and European sizes. But shouldn't a small be a small and a medium be a medium and so on.....I have no idea what size I am anymore. I recognize that the type of material can affect the sizing....but by how much? So is it just me or is sizing changing? Seamstresses out there, what is your answer to this mystery. I find it all so very frustrating. Do men have this problem?

Our weekend on the Mainland......

My weekend on the mainland was fun. The weather was ....shall we say....a little of this and that. We arrived at my sisters by 5:30 and caught my future brother-in-law with a mop and rag in hand, stretching to reach hard to get places and dusting.....bless his heart. My sister was busy in the kitchen putting finishing touches on appies and dinner. My sister and her fiancee love to entertain and they are wonderful hosts. After dinner we sat around and nattered some more, talked about their up coming wedding and how their plans were coming, and of course how she was feeling. She was looking great. She has been given a date for her surgery of May 2nd. She's nervous and understandably so. She is such a trooper. She remains in a bit of denial, but that is bound to be expected. She is finally starting to read some of the literature she was given and trying to understand what she is in for. I think the plan of attack is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Douglas and I awoke early on Saturday morning. The sun was shining and we got up and put on the coffee and just lazed for a little. My sister and her fiancee had an appointment with the caterer that morning, and I was going to show Douglas some of the surrounding areas before we headed off to my daughters recital, which as it turns out wasn't a recital but rather a dance competition.
I decided to take hubby to a place I used to take my girls for picnics. It's called Buntzen Lake, which is actually a reservoir created by a dam which provides hydro electric power to Vancouver. It's is surrounded by the local mountains and as I had recalled use to be a lovely drive. Much to my surprise, urban sprawl has made it's way up the mountain. What use to be a lovely mountainous drive with the odd house here and there is now just an extension of the surrounding community. I was so disappointed.....but once we got into the park and by the lake....it was still very pretty.

Buntzen Lake, Port Moody British Columbia

After leaving Buntzen we headed to Belcarra park. Belcarra park is a lovely setting. When you are on the dock you have a wonderful vantage point of viewing Deep Cove directly across from the dock....to the south you see Burnaby Mountain and Simon Fraser University....looking north you can see up Indian Arm. This is a great place for pleasure crafts to cruise up and down the inlet and drop anchor in some secluded cove. I can remember as a child spending many hours boating with my parents and doing just that....dropping anchor and rowing the dingy ashore or mooring the boat next to a log boom and making our way across the logs to shore. Ah what wonderful memories.

We left Belcarra and headed to my daughters dance. Her competition was at the Michael J. Fox Theater. Most of you I am sure have heard of Michael J Fox. He's the actor who stared in the Back to the Future movies or his sitcom Family ties. But did you know that he grew up in Burnaby. Yup, he grew up in my home town. Anyhow, we weren't allowed to take pictures while they were performing, but hubby got some shots of them on stage awaiting the awards and some of her outside.

On stage and awaiting the judges decision.

Proud mom and her daughter.

After the competition, Roisin had to do a few errands with her dad, so hubby and I went sightseeing again and we met up with Roisin later for dinner and a movie.

Our next stop was Deer Lake, Burnaby Village museum, Shadbolt center for the performing arts and the rhododendron gardens. Now I know this sounds like a lot but they are all within walking distance of each other. We parked the car at the Burnaby art Gallery and made our way down the path to Deer Lake. We walked along the lake path and made our way up to the Village museum. Unfortunately the museum isn't open yet, but we were able to look into the window of the building where they have a carousel that has been restored. It is truly lovely and I have photos of my girls riding the carousel when they were young. We then made our way up through the path towards the Shadbolt center and came across this lovely rhododendron and flowers....

from there we made our way to the rhododendron garden and the Peace pond.....and here is what we saw.....this amazing tree....

We left here and later picked up my daughter and went for a great Greek dinner and a movie. This morning we were up early and got on the 10:30 ferry home. Douglas's dad was making a Birthday dinner for Mother-in-laws birthday. And what a wonderful dinner it was. Mother-in-law was the recipient of one of my homemade cards and a dozen roses. So that was our weekend. Very full, but lots of fun. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend!

Cheers!

Let's do the Friday dance!!!!!

Well here we are heading into another weekend. Is is just me or did this week seem to fly by? Maybe for me it's because of the night shifts and I just seem to loose track of time. That's a picture of Chrome Island hubby took last weekend.

It's starting to look like spring around here. The sun is shining today. I was outside this morning washing and cleaning my car it was glorious. The sun has shone for the past couple of days and I actually have been able to get out into the garden and do some planting. I am really looking towards early summer to see what the garden will look like in bloom. I'm only just learning how to garden, so it's by trial and error. There are so many things to learn about gardening. It really is an art unto it self. I mean, you have to take into consideration the soil conditions, the lighting, the time of year you want things to come into bloom....the height of the plant...the amount of space you need.....oh I get tired just thinking about it. But I have persevered and been buys planting away. Much to my dismay....one of the roses I planted the deer liked as well and managed to eat the leaves off of it. Urgh! Mother nature. Guess that's a small price to pay for having an opportunity to live in the environment to which I do.

This weekend takes hubby and I to the mainland to watch my youngest daughters first dance recital. I am really looking forward to it. She is a little nervous but I am sure she will do fine. Going to the mainland also gives me an opportunity to be with my sister who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of the month. We are going to stay with her, so I am sure we will have lots of time to catch up.

Well this is short must get ready for the weekend.....I'll post some pictures when we get back.

Cheers all and happy weekend!

Saturday's Photo Scavenger Hunt

This weeks theme is "Hobby". I find this so funny as last week I was talking about finding myself a new hobby. After collecting these photos I don't think I need anymore hobbies.

So here are just a few things I like to do. My first attempt making cards.

I love to watch birds....I guess you could call me an amateur birder

I love to ski

Sky diving was fun!

I like to get out on my quad

I like to bake

Go parasailing...

Make costumes

And hangin with my hubby

I didn't realize till I started doing this, that there are a lot of things I have for hobbies, some I haven't shown here, like playing softball, gardening,water skiing, and boating. Gee I don't know if I need anymore hobbies.....well maybe.....who knows. This has been fun.

Happy Hunting all!

Spring is here......for some......

Wow!......I am so impressed with the comments I received yesterday on my post about "Change". Every ones' comments were so insightful and well thought out....it was great.....in reading all of your responses I felt like I was in a room with you all and the mediator was going around asking us about change. Thank you all I really enjoyed your comments!

Now I have been watching the news and reading some of your blogs.....I am sorry to say....I think the "groundhog" was wrong this year. I mean with all the snow in the prairie and eastern provinces and states have been getting it's just crazy. I hate to rub it in, but it has been fairly pleasant here. No not always sunny and warm, but at least I have been able to get outdoors and work in my garden and property.

For us it is a sure sign of spring when the hummingbirds arrive. They have been here for a few weeks now. But I think there is more activity as the female has arrived. You see, the Rufous hummingbird,(which is the most common humming bird on the west coast)makes it's journey from Mexico. The male hummingbird leads the way and a couple of weeks later the female arrives. Then the fun begins. They flitter and flutter all over the place, you can hear their humming in the air, that sound is caused by the speed in which their wings move. Last evening was particularly entertaining. They were very active....they were chasing after each other, and at times flying into my front window. Poor things....but it was amazing to watch. I got the camera out and was able to get a picture of both the female and the male, at our feeder. I am still waiting for the shot when I can get them in flight.

This is the female "Rufous hummingbird" They are distinguished by the spotted neck and the green rufous sides and white chest.

The male. Note his colourful red neck...it is iridescent. These birds fly 3900 miles, are high energy birds...always on the go.

This photo gives you an idea as to their size, which is 9 cm.(3-5 in.)

Hope you all have a great weekend! Happy Friday all!

Changes........

Oh boy did I over do it yesterday......I found parts in my body that hurt that I didn't even know I had.

The weather was perfect....not to hot....not to cold.....kinda like the porridge for the bears. Anyhow, I got out there and chopped, and raked, and hauled, and mowed and planted.....I really felt like I accomplished something....things are coming together slowly. You know your life has changed, when you get excited about a load of dirt being delivered.

It's funny I was thinking about that the other day. How our lives change. Do you remember the song by David Bowie....."Changes......cha cha cha changes time to face the change....." When we are young we get out there...go go go....travel...be daring....meet new people all the time....lots of socializing. Then, if you chose comes marriage and with that often children.....but not necessarily in that order. Then those years of raising you children.....then something happens......the kids are grown....your not rushing around getting them here and there...appointments and the likes. Well, maybe the appointments continue....it's just different kind of appointments. My point being.....our priorities change.....or maybe it's our focus changes. My life has changed dramatically over the past 2 1/2 years. I got divorced, moved, remarried, started a new job and now live somewhere I never ever thought I would live. I am doing things this city girl never thought she would see herself doing. This whole working the land, and using the implements of torture I call them.....but I love it. I am looking at the possibility of starting a cottage industry.....but have to test the waters(no pun intended)first. I feel so fortunate to be living where I do. I have a whole new appreciation for the beauty of nature. It is so bountiful here. I think I have always longed for a life like this but never thought it possible. And now here I am. Although I wish I had my girls with me.....I am close enough that I can be there for them in heart beat if they need me. They are very independent strong girls and have a close relationship with each other and for that I am thankful.

Yes my life has changed. And continues to change. My hubby is revamping his business and thinking of moving his operations onto our property, which of course will cause huge change. But change is good........I find change challenging....and I love a challenge.......you know what they say....."a change is a good as a rest"

Some people say they fear change.......or that change is difficult for them......for me change is inevitable.....what do you think? Do you think change is inevitable.....and how do you cope with change?

It's an outdoor day......what about you?

In reading my post from yesterday and the comments I received, I fear I might have given you all the wrong impression. I admit, I was tired having just finished my set of night shifts. But with that being said, I love nursing. I feel privileged that I have opportunities to enter into someone else's life and help them in the best way I can to get back onto the road to recovery and good health.

The purpose of my post yesterday was to elicit dialogue about choices we make regarding our own health. I stated that there are many things out of our control, but when there are things within our control should there come a time that we must become accountable for our actions?

Anyhow, I want to apologize if I gave the impression of being burnt out. It's another day, I am on days off, I know I will go back to work feeling rejuvenated and deal with whatever is placed before me.

So here we are "Hump Day" the middle of the work week for most. It's a funny day of the week don't you think? You've got two days under your belt but you have three to go. When I worked Monday to Friday I used to say the biggest challenge was getting my head off of the pillow, once I accomplished that I felt like my day was in gear and soon to be over. Funny how we rationalize things in our heads. But whatever works....right? Happy Hump Day!

Today the sun is not quite sure whether it wants to shine or not. It is bright with a briskness in the air. Personally I think it is perfect for an outdoor day. Still lots to do on the property and I just read in our local paper that we can't do anymore outdoor burning after April 15th so I have to get at it. Do you have any plans for today?

I shall leave it at that....get this butt in motion.....wishing you all Happy Wednesday!

Life is choices....or is it?

It's Tuesday.... the end to the Easter long weekend, and for me ...the beginning of days off....and they couldn't come soon enough. The past two night shifts have been challenging for me. I found myself questioning my value system. I first ask myself, are these feelings coming from being tired and worn down? Or are they legitimate? Am I being unreasonable and non empathetic? Are these feelings stemming from the news about my sister? I am not sure...but what I do know is that I was feeling frustrated and almost angry at a few of the patients we had... knowing that it is their lifestyle that brought them to the ICU or was it?

If I accept that life is choices, and we are products of those choices, then that just makes me more angry. If I accept that life is choices influenced by our environment then I seem to be able to rationalize and accept the outcomes better. Nature verses Nurture.

Case in point. Three patients.

Patient 1) is 38yrs old, born with FAS(fetal alcohol syndrome), drug and alcohol addict, with personality disorder,pseudo siezures, hepatitis C positive and homeless.This patient is well known to the ER deparment. On this admission it turns out the patient overdosed on drugs vomited and aspirated which caused pneumonia.

Patient 2) 45 yr.old end stage COPD(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)abuses drugs and continues to smoke, was on the wait list for lung transplant but removed from list as patient wouldn't change lifestyle habits. Came to ER with extreme shortness of breath and required assisted ventilation.

Patient 3) 46 yr. CP/MI(chest pain/myocardial infarction)history of heart attack 2 years ago had angiogram with angioplasty with stents(that is were they open up the artery and put in a stent)patient continues to smoke and is overweight and took self off of blood thinning agents.

Patient 1) was verbally abusive swearing, very aggressive, and confused. There was something that made me just not want to nurse this patient. It challenged my morale fibre. This patient was a harm to themselves and to society. I felt this person should be kept in isolation till the drugs wore off and then seen by psychiatry. This was not going to be the case. We had to nurse this patient....their spitting(putting us at risk due to their Hep.C), swearing, and inappropriate actions made me angry, but I knew they needed our help to get well. What frustrated me the most is that I knew that once they were well enough they would discharge themselves and go back out onto the street use again and end right back in ER. As has been this patients practise.

My question ....is all this really their fault? Their mother abused alcohol while they were in-vetro and as a result this patient was born with FAS. Right from the beginning he was a ward of the system. One foster home to another until such time he was old enough to be on his own. Having no education or social skills this patient has had to find a way to fend for themselves on the street. Should this patient have been certified and made to stay in an institutional environment, based on being a harm to themselves? Or do we let this patient go back out into the community knowing that they can't take care of themselves and just wait for the police or EHS to bring them back into the ER again, or even worse wait till they end up dead? So is this nature verses nurture? Or life choices?

Patient 2) This patient is what we in the health care system call a "frequent flyer". This patient has had many visits to the ER for increased shortness of breath. This patient was born with bad lungs but rather than choose a life where one can limit their exposure to harmful agents, this patient continues to live a life which is detrimental to their health. They come to the hospital when they find they are to short of breath and need to be put on drugs to improve breathing and provide assisted ventilation. My challenge here....this patient willing makes bad choices...why?.... when their condition is exacerbated they come to the ER wanting to be fixed up and then discharges self and repeats the same. Why? In these times of sky rocketing health care costs we continue to spend dollars on extending their life when their actions show the opposite. Should there come a point where we just should not treat? Does there come a point that we should make them pick up part of the cost? Can we change their life style patterns? And is that even our mandate to try to attempt to do that? One would think that being removed from the transplant list would be reason enough to change ones lifestyle?

Patient 3) presented in the ER with chest pain and increased shortness of breath. Turns out the patient has had another heart attack. Patient continue to smoke. Even on admission to the ICU the patient is saying how they would love to have a cigarette. What the.....again I ask myself, what is it that this patient doesn't get that causes them to make bad lifestyle choices. They are educated, they operate their own business. Now I can appreciate that owning your own business can be stressful and can increase a persons risk for heart disease. But when you have a cardiac history and have been told that you need to quit smoking and exercise or this will happen again but you don't.......where is the accountability? Then the thoughts of why should I have to continue to pay for your health care cost when you don't even take care of yourself?

There are so many things in our lives which we can't control. Genetics play a huge role. We can't chose the families we are born into and hence can't pick our gene pool. But if one knows that they are at risk for a particular disease, when does it become their responsibility to be accountable and take care of their health? In this day an age there is no excuse for a person to live a sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle. Even folks with disabilities are able to make positive life choices.

When I was little I was taught that we have a "free will" what we chose to do with that free will is up to us, just like choices. My question is this, does everyone have to suffer because some people chose to make bad choices? Does nature or nurture play a role in life choices?

Happy Tuesday all!!!

Saturday's Photo Scavenger Hunt

This weeks theme is "Clean" Wow now that is a hard one.... should it be the kitchen after I have cleaned it...or laundry just in off of the line, or dishes all washed...a baby just bathed... I guess anyone of those would do....but I kinda of like this......

Fresh "Clean" mountain water....tastes fantastic and makes your hair feel like silk.

Happy Hunting all!

Believe.....

I want to thank you all for your vote of confidence on my attempt at card making and I am glad you all enjoyed the jokes. Like I said I don't get that many jokes that I truly feel like sharing but those two just tickled my fancy.

As for the cards. I had no idea what or when I would use them. But I find my self putting one in the mail today. I received some very disturbing news early yesterday. My eldest sister called. Great, but she called during the day. She never calls during the day unless she is calling to ask me a medical question or a favour or to be the bearer of bad news. Yesterday she was the bearer of bad news. She had just left an appointment with my other sister A. and they were just in the car and called. My sister A. has been diagnosed with breast cancer. I am dumb struck...holy crap .....I really did swear...but I won't here.....I couldn't believe it. I was just talking with my sister A on Wednesday, she never mentioned a thing....she was so upbeat.....she has just become a first time grandma last week and she is planning her own wedding in July. No this can't be, this just can't be happening.

As I write this I am still in shock. This is what I know so far, she has to undergo surgery and then she will receive radiation. The radiologist was not keen on radiation for my sister as she has a pacemaker and suffers from asthma. But after a long discussion with the two doctors it was agreed that they would proceed with the lumpectomy and radiation afterwards. As we know it the surgery will be in 3 weeks....then she has to heal for a month before they can even consider radiation.....and that of course depends on what the outcome of her surgery is. We are all saying prayers and crossing our fingers. She is still planning her wedding and I think that is wonderful and I pray that she will be strong and well enough.

The card I chose to send her is the "Believe" card. I believe she is a strong woman and will fight this will all her might. I believe she has the courage and determination to not let it get the best of her. I believe in her, in her beauty as a woman, a mother , a sister, an aunty, a soon to be wife and now a new grandmother that she will set an example for all of the woman of the family to be bold and brave. Dear God I love her and I pray that he gives her strength....I believe...I must.

A new day dawning, and I must look within myself and find strength and believe that she too will find that each day gives new beginnings and new hopes.

I wish you all a good day.

Humor.....

Some days you get sent emails that are so worthy of sharing....today I was the recipient of not one but two such emails which I would like to share with you.......

HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your PC.

2. Name it "Housework."

3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN

4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN

5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want to delete "Housework" permanently?

6. Calmly answer, "Yes," and press the mouse button firmly......

7. Feel better?

If only it was that easy!

Then there is this one.....if you are feeling old....just wait till you read this one.....

Growing old ~

Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking "Surely I can't look that old" Well....you will love this one!

I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist. I noticed his DDS Diploma, which bore full name , suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome dark haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 40 odd years ago.

Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush on, back then? Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded such thought. This balding, gray-haired man with the deep line face was way too old to have been my classmate. Hmmmm....or could he???

After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High school. "Yes. Yes, I did. I had a mustang" he gleamed with pride.

"When did you graduate?" I asked. He answered, " in 1965, why do you ask?" "you were in my class!" I exclaimed.

He looked at me closely.

Then the ugly, old, wrinkled son-of -a- bitch asked, " what did you teach?"

It's Craft day "101" At a Place I call Home.....

Yesterday I mentioned that I was suffering from sore muscles from working out on the property. I was thankful for the rainy day as I thought it would be a good time for me to try and take up a craft.

Did I mention that I am NOT a crafty person. Oh how I would love to be able to make some of the things I have seen on so many blogs. I sometimes wonder if being left handed makes a difference? Excuse number 99. I like to pretend I can create things, like some eccentric artist... a little this... a little that and voila!

Oh I have fumbled my way through knitting and have made a few things.....sweaters,and scarves. I did make my youngest daughters coming home from the hospital outfit. I felt pretty good about that. I took up cross stitch for awhile.... that was when I quit smoking, I needed something better to do with my hands other than putting food in my mouth. So again I made a few things..... Once I got the no smoking under control bye bye cross stitch. Sewing.... I took sewing lessons in school....I sucked.....my dust cloth looked like a rag....the shirt....the collar never matched....zipper...who needs a zipper anyways ....you'd think I would have given up then.....oh no....when I was pregnant with my first daughter I wanted to make a floor to ceiling canopy and skirt with linens for the bassinet, I don't know what I was thinking, but with my sisters guidance I accomplished it.... Oh I have dabbled in candle making, ornament making, I made Christmas wreaths, and arrangements for the table. But you know I have never found anything that I have really had a passion for. You know I think I take up hobbies because I think that is what is expected.....sounds weird I know.....I try to prove to myself that I can be crafty. I mean really as a woman am I not suppose to know how to do all these things? One of the most pleasurable things I took up was belly dancing .....Yeah out of the blue I decided I wanted to take lessons.....what a hoot. There I was shaking my thing.....Shakira I am not..... I never got into scrap booking or stenciling other than the one time I stenciled the walls in my girls bedrooms. I go to craft stores or fairs and I see all the wonderful things people have made and I say to myself....."self you can do that"..... I would get all motivated and geared up to try it and well...it never seemed to turn out how I visioned it.

Now my MIL bless her heart, got wind that I am interested in stain glass. She had dabbled in it for awhile and I am told she made some pretty neat stuff. Anyhow, she has allowed me to use her stain glass tools so I can try my hand at it. Today she even went to the library and got me out a couple of books. Bless her heart. I think before I even attempt to take that on I need to do some reading and investigating. But I think I am going to give it the old college try but not today.

I went out on the hunt for something new to try. I explored a variety of stores, bought a little of this and a little of that not really knowing what I was going to do with it all, but it all looked so "Crafty"..... at the end of the day...this is what I came up with.....

Well there you have it.....my attempt at making cards. I like the "Believe" one the best.... for a beginner they're ok. I would do a lot of things differently, like add more texture for one......but they are my first attempts so I won't beat myself up about it....it passed some time...and I realized with some more practice I could do this. But I don't think it will be my hobby....After ungluing my fingers and cleaning up all the little bits.......I think I will put up with the sore muscles and stay outdoors.....rubber boots and weed whacker here I come!

Happy Thursday!