The hush after the storm.......

I don't like to think of my girls visits as a whirl wind storm....but sometimes it is. They are very rambunctious, full of life...and well the activity around here never seems to stop.

My girls and their friend went home today. There is an eerie hush in my house....Bert is wondering around wondering were everyone went. The only reminder that they were here is the mountain of laundry left behind.

Yes....all the bed linens, and towels that need to be washed. Funny thing is, I just did 4 loads of laundry yesterday. I forgot how much laundry needs to be done when you have a houseful of people. I remember the days when the girls were little....I would do a couple of loads of laundry every day....now I am lucky(or unlucky however you want to look at it) if I do one every other day.....Then there are the dishes....I don't think my dishwasher has had so much use since their last visit Oh and then there are the showers and baths.....I can only imagine my hydro bill next month. Ah, but it is all worth it in the end.

It's been enough.....enough Christmas, enough celebrations....I need to rest. I have overdone it....my girls were very helpful...but they don't know where everything is, or where things should go...you know what I mean....you see things in your house that others don't. Anyhow, there has been a lot of activity around here.

Yesterday brought more snow....the girls were to go home....but that didn't happen. So the girls and hubby decided they were going to go out on the quad and have some fun. First they hooked up a tube with a long rope and got dragged by the quad....then if that wasn't enough they decided they wanted to try and ski behind the quad....yup you got it.....Quad skiing....who knows maybe it will become a winter Olympic sport. Middle daughter took footage of hubby and their friend trying their hand at this sport...it was hilarious. The skis would get stuck in the ruts in the road...and well lets say there were some interesting landings.....the not so graceful kind. Eldest daughter has a few choice bruises to show for her efforts. The flying into snow banks did not seem to deter any of them. After a few hours of this they all came in with rosy cheeks and sore bodies but still laughing.

It will be a quite New Years Eve for hubby and I.....and I am ok with that. Eldest daughter thought that she might come back for New Years...but I suggested she stay on the mainland with her friends for a couple of days and then come back. I think she is going to take me up on that suggestion. I think she is a little home sick for her friends. New Years day I am hoping I will be strong enough to do the Polar Bear swim....not sure about that...but I will let you all know if I do.

A year in review Meme......

I was tagged for this meme by Peppylady it's called "The first sentence Meme" I like to call it a year in review. You see you take the first sentence from the first post you made for each month over the past year. It was kind of fun. I didn't realize all the different things I had done over this past year....from a Polar bear swim, shoulder injury, to weddings, travelling to the interior to see friends,getting a new job, boating, many visits from family and friends, to having surgery....yes it has been a very full year and then some. I'm not going to tag anyone...but if you would like to play please do....but let me know if you do so I can come on over to read about your year in review.

January 2008 1st sentence of first post......."Well here we are January 1st 2008 the beginning of a new year and my 2nd Polar Bear swim."

February 2008 1st sentence of first post for that month........"Is anyone else having problems with Blogger? I can't seem to get my spell check or the uploading of pictures to work either yesterday or this morning......Urgh!"

I actually liked the other parts of that post when I was talking about pictures mysteriously falling....

March 2008 1 st sentence(albeit a run on sentence)of first post for the month......"This weeks theme is PARTY....oh my goodness I feel like I should be putting up banners...maybe I might...who doesn't like a good Party......growing up in a family of 12 children there was always a party, birthday parties, Halloween parties, Christmas parties, valentines parties, St. Paddy's day parties...you get the idea......we celebrated everything....oh the parties we use to have...and still do....... so when I started looking through old photos I noticed a theme..it would appear that I certainly liked parties from an early stage....I certainly liked to wear Party hats.....yes party hats....so here is my take on the theme of Party......

April 2008 1 st sentence of the first post for the month........"Well I haven't been around for a couple of days...not much to post about.."
.
May 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month......"Another week has begun....my gosh how time flies...

June 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month...."We made our way home from Kamloops via the Coquihalla Highway,the scenery is very different from the Fraser Canyon route"

July 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month..."I'm am sure we have all heard remakes of songs.

August 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month...."I finished at my old job on Saturday morning and I started a week of holidays!

September 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month......"This past weekend hubby and I had the pleasure of traveling to the mainland to participate in my nieces’
wedding."

October 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month....."Life is funny sometimes isn't it?"

November 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month....."Do you remember the Andy Griffith Show.....with Gomer, Opey and the gang?"

December 2008 1st sentence of the first post for the month....."Well here we are only two weeks away from Christmas"

Baby Update........

Baby finally arrived at 0037 this morning. It's a boy! 8lbs. 2 oz. 20 inches long......he was delivered into a tub of warm water and I am told mom and baby are doing swimmingly.....Looking forward to getting some pictures of the new little guy. I was saying to my hubby that the male gene seems to be predominant in his family. Out of the 9 grandchildren 6 of them are male and the two great grandchildren are both male.......anyhow hopefully there will be pictures to follow soon. So I did finally get to eat the chocolate. Congratulations to the new mom and dad.....and welcome to the newest addition to our family.

Bit of this and that......

We got the call this morning.....my hubby's niece has gone into labour, contractions are 5 mins. apart.

About a month ago at my niece's baby shower they gave everyone a little package consisting of a candle and a chocolate. The idea was that everyone would be notified when she went into labour and that we were all to light our candle. Once baby is born, the chocolate can be eaten in celebration. We got our call from soon to be great grandma at 0830 this morning. We haven't heard anything since.

My niece is planning on delivering her baby at home. Her mother (my sister in law) has delivered many babies and is planning on delivering her 1st grandchild. I am told they do have a midwife on standby. By delivering baby at home it will be natural childbirth....so in order to ease the discomfort she plans on delivering baby in the bath......I am sending them all good vibes their way...and pray for a safe delivery and for a healthy baby.

Yesterday we all gathered at the in laws for more Christmas celebration. Originally we were to gather on Boxing day but it was snowing and brother in law and family couldn't make it...so it was postponed until yesterday.

Brother in law was planning on cooking a turkey....he was planning on deep frying it...I don't know about you, but I only heard recently about this deep frying a turkey.....and I have actually seen funny commercials about cooking a turkey that way but the house blew up. So I wasn't sure what we were in for. It turned out to be a very pleasant surprise....it was one of the best turkey's I have ever eaten.....very moist..... After a fantastic dinner, we all gathered in the living room. My hubby's family are all very musical. Brother in law brought his guitar and we started with singing Christmas songs which then led into some Cape Brenton songs and finally just whatever he could think of. Father in law plays a mean harmonica....it truly was a lovely time....again lots of laughs.

It was very nice to see my husband's niece and her little boy. He is 4 1/2 months, just a darling little boy who is very active and animated.

Today has been a rather relaxing day.....reading my book....doing some laundry. The girls have been playing games and watching TV.....just a chilling kinda of day. The girls are planning on going home tomorrow. It has been so much fun having them here. Eldest is going to go back to the mainland with her sisters and stay there for a couple of days and then come back to the Island to help me out again.

In the big scheme of things I am doing very well. I was actually able to do 23 mins on level three on my stepper yesterday! I am optimistic that I will be able to do the Polar bear swim on New Years day....that is one of my goals I think this will be my third year doing the swim so I really want to do it. I might not be able to go in as far as I have in the past....but I will give it the ol college try.Grandpa aka father in law in the kitchen...it's was the men's turn to cook the dinner

Nephew playing with his new guitar he got from his mom and dad.

Great nephew....just taking in all the feastivities.

Some of the men singing their rendition of a particular Christmas song......

Oh grandpa do I really have to wear this silly hat and Christmas booties......

And of course here are my girls.......

Here's wishing you all good health!

Our take on Christmas.....

Phew.....well they made it....hearing about all the winter storms and people getting stranded at airports desperately trying to make it home for Christmas I was fearful that my girls weren't going to be able to make it.

When I was speaking with their father on Christmas Eve it was snowing and he wasn't even sure if they would make it out for the Christmas Eve festivities. You see the area in which they live didn't budget for snow removal equipment this year, so the residence have had to fend for themselves in order to get out of their complexes. Well with a little determination on all parts they were able to get the vehicle out and participate in the Christmas Eve events.

Christmas morning we were on the phone.....well are they going to make? Are they going to be able to get to the 1230 ferry. Oh the telephone calls back and forth trying to coordinate rides, drop offs and pick ups, but in the end they made it....yes in deed! Eldest daughter and father in law went to meet my other two daughters and a friend who was coming to stay as well.

They arrived at the ferry terminal in plenty of time. Eldest was very excited to see her two baby sisters walking down the the aisle....she was jumping up and down...and there wasn't a dry eye amongst them.....lots of hugs and kisses, and I anxiously awaited their arrival home.

They finally made it.....I greeted them at the door with open arms...ah there is knowing like giving your children welcome home hugs.

We quickly settled in as the girls were anxious to exchange gifts....the gift exchange went wonderfully spoilt all around......it was now time to set the Christmas table....put the finishing touches on the dinner. The in laws arrived shortly there after....father in law with turkey in hand....this year it was a combined effort.....WE all gathered around the table father in law gave the blessing and then it was time to dig in. I must say father in law makes a mean turkey....it was very moist....and the turkey stuffing (made from scratch of course) was to die for. My compliments to the chefs all around.

The girls were on dish duty....once the table was cleared it was time to set up for the desserts.....coffee was on we moved into the living room, the fireplace was warm and inviting...we sat and chatted for awhile....had our coffee....but then it was time for charades. My daughters friend had never played charades....oh was he in for a treat. The girls decided that it would be the younger ones' against hubby, I and the in laws. There were some very funny moments, like eldest daughters trying to act out "Recipe for the Bees" I must say she does a great bee inpersonation....LOL. After many giggles and belly laughs it turns out the seniors won!!! How does that saying go.....Seniors rule Kids drool.....lol.....again a good time was had by all.

If that wasn't enough fun.....I had asked youngest daughter how her dance performance for the Thanksgiving day assembly at her school went, when eldest daughter piped up and asked youngest daughter to show us the dance....she didn't want to...but after much encouragement from eldest sister...youngest agree only if eldest would perform with her. So off to another room they went...youngest trying to teach eldest the dance steps.....you could hear the giggles and laughter into the livingroom. A little bit later they came back ready to perform....and perform they did.....hubby video taped it....we teased them saying we were going to put in on Facebook or uTube....it was just priceless.....there wasn't a dry eye in the house from laughing so much.....it was suppose to be serious, but eldest was being such a clown and shall we say providing us with her interpretation of the dance......oh what fun.

It was getting late....I was getting tired as was mother in law....it was time for us to bid everyone good night.....mother and father in law made their way home, I prepared and went to bed...the younger ones stayed up playing a variety of games.....funny they are still sleeping as I make this post.

I hope all my blogger friends had a wonderful Christmas....and Happy Boxing day to you as well!

Christmas Poetry......

Wonder

There is faint music in the night,
And pale wings fanned by silver flight;
A frosty hill with tender glow
Of countless stars that shine on snow.
A shelter from the winter storm,
A straw-lined manger, safe and warm,
And Mary crooning lullabies,
To hush her Baby's sleepy sighs.
Her eyes are rapt upon His Face,
Unheeded here is time and space;
Her heart filled with blinding joy,
For God's own Son--her little Boy!

~ Author Unknown~

Christmas Long Ago
A Christmas Poem by Jo Geis

Frosty days and ice-still nights,
Fir trees trimmed with tiny lights,
Sound of sleigh bells in the snow,
That was Christmas long ago.

Tykes on sleds and shouts of glee,
Icy-window filigree,
Sugarplums and candle glow,
Part of Christmas long ago.

Footsteps stealthy on the stair,
Sweet-voiced carols in the air,
Stocking hanging in a row,
Tell of Christmas long ago.

Starry nights so still and blue,
Good friends calling out to you,
Life, so fact, will always slow...
For dreams of Christmas long ago.


Candles Are a Gift of Light

Candles are a gift of light,
A tiny sun, a bit of star.
No other dancer in the night
Dances with such sheer delight,
Little souls serene and bright,
Each a glimpse of what we are
Shining innocent and pure
~ Author Unkown~

Winter is certainly upon us.....

Christmas is in 3 days....Yesterday I was starting to panic as there were some things I still needed to get to at the stores but with this weather I wondered if I would be able to make it out. We do have four wheel drive vehicles but the weather conditions have just been miserable.

I have been home a week now from my surgery and the weather has been frightful. Snowing and freezing temperatures and it doesn't look like it is going to ease up anytime soon. I am not allowed to drive for 6 weeks post surgery so I call upon my father in law yesterday to see if he would be willing to make the 45 min. trek to town where I could do some finishing touches on my Christmas shopping.

Bless his heart he agreed. Other members of the family are starting to feel a little cooped up so they also decided to come along for the trip. Looking at the road conditions they said snow covered road with good visibility....the snow was only falling lightly....so off we went. Once we unburied my truck got it turned around we met up with the in laws at the top of the drive and all settled in for the drive. It wasn't bad at all.

One thing about shopping during a winter storm, the stores are not as crazy as they normally would be...can you imagine there were actually open cashiers when I went to pay for my purchases...that is so unheard of this time of year. We shopped for a couple of hours, and I was beginning to feel weary...we decided it was time to head home. As my daughter, mother in law and I got ourselves into the truck we all decided that we were hungry and it was time for some lunch. We wanted something more than McDonald's.....so I suggested the pub down the road which was on our way home.

Good choice....the food was good and reasonably priced, the atomosphere was casual and it almost made you forget there was a storm outside. The big screen flat LCD TV was showing Sunday football which the men were enjoying,l we could have stayed there for a little while, but the reality of the weather reminded us that we should start our trek back home.

During our drive we only came upon one vehicle that had jack knifed in a ditch...and that was a fuel truck...it was stuck pretty good and they were waiting for a crane to come lift it out. We took the more peaceful route home....following the shoreline....even still the tree branches hung low over the roads due to all of the snow. It was actually very picturesque...but of course I forgot my camera on my desk at home. Father in law got us all home safe and sound....the only little hiccup I will call it was when we drove down their drive to let them off closer to their door....the drive is relatively steep at places and snow covered...normally we leave the vehicles at the top of our drives during this weather in order to avoid getting stuck in the drive...but yesterday with parcels in hand we thought it best to drive down the drive...I won't say we got stuck....just kind of slid a bit....but we managed....daughter was a tad nervous and closed her eyes...the only time I got a little nervous was when we came within inches of losing my side view mirror to the hydro pole...but we didn't hit anything...my hubby got us turned around and the in laws made it safely into the house.

We made it down our drive....hubby has to still help me get in and out of the truck these days....last thing I need is to slip....while he was getting me settled in the house daughter gathered the parcels and brought them in....the fire was stoked....kettle put on for tea....I had my book and I settled myself in for a nice read on the couch...occasionally looking out the window to see what winter continued to bring us.

My eldest daughter who has been my godsend during this past week is planning on going back to her fathers for Christmas Eve to spend the day and evening with her sisters and dad. All of my girls will return to me on Christmas day weather permitting.

Wishing you all the very best for a wonderful day.....stay safe out there~~

Looking up my driveway.....

This is a view from my front door

Some Ramblings.......

Here it is December 20th, there is about 3 feet of snow on the ground and it is a cool and crisp -15 Celsius outside. We've had cold temperatures and snow for over a week now....it's been a long time since we have had weather like this. I have been watching the news and I see that most of Canada has been blanketed with the white stuff as well as the mid to eastern states. I think this is going to be one of those winters that we won't forget. Mind you it isn't even officially winter yet...not until tomorrow....never understood why they don't consider it winter until the 21st of December, I know it has something to do with the winter solstice...personally I think that once the 1st of December rolls around we should call it winter....generally by that time most eastern provinces and states have had some form of winter weather.

Yesterday when my daughter and I were out for our walk we met up with one of the neighbours out walking her dog. I was surprised to see this 70 year old lady out in the frigid weather and snow covered roads walking her dog. My daughter and I met up with her while we were half way into our walk....we chatted for a bit and then I told her I needed to get on with my walk...she asked how far I was going and I told her...she asked if she could come along that it would not only be good for her but company for her dog as I had our dog Bert out as well.

Off we went down the next road turned the corner and continued on for another block. The destination was not bad....it's the coming home....most of it is a gradual incline. It's good for me to help build up my stamina but I worried about her....she held her own. Got a little winded at times but she held her own. My daughter marched ahead with the dogs....the neighbour and I talked, she asked about my health which lead us to discussing about health in general and lifestyles. She is definitely a person that I would categorize as someone who is very "earthy". At 70 she doesn't take any medications what so ever. She said she used to take thyroid medication but gave that up and substituted seaweed and aloe vera liquid instead and she says she hasn't felt better. She doesn't have a doctor....and states she feels better than she ever has.

As a nurse I am always amazed when I hear of elderly people who are not on any medications, or who haven't seen a doctor in years or who have never been in a hospital. I say good on you! Whatever they are doing they are doing it right.

I know after my surgery my heart rate was a little high as was my blood pressure. The doctor thought about putting me on medications. I refused. I told her that my heart rate and blood pressure would settle down once I got out of the hospital and my pain was under control. Today my heart rate is 54 my blood pressure is 110/73 perfect! I am very familiar with the medications they wanted to put me on and I also know of the side effects...and personally I would rather do something to help control both than to take a pill. Sometimes I find that the medical field is to quick to push a pill rather than suggest alternate ways to control heart rate and blood pressure.

I don't know about you but when I watch those commercials on TV about medications they want us to take and then they go into all the side effects.....I can't help but think who would want to take those medications when you run the risk of kidney failure, glaucoma, cancer, COPD and they list goes on. Not me thank you very much. I would far rather walk the extra block, take the stairs instead of the elelvator, eat less fatty foods and at this time of year that means trying to watch not to eat to many sweets.....hard I know....but I try.

Anyhow, my walk yesterday with this dear lady inspired me to keep on trucking....although I feel weak at times I know this to shall pass and I will be back to my usual self in no time....without any medications!

Stay healthy and have a fantastic day!

Gingerbread houses..................

In my past couple of posts I have written about Christmas memories from my childhood. Today I would like to share a more recent memory of when my girls were little.

It would be just about this time of year just after the girls would got out of school for winter break. My sister who had two boys similar in age as two of my girls would host a gingerbread house day.

My dear sister would invite my three girls, and another sisters with her two girls and of course her two boys. My sister would bake from scratch gingerbread shapes for houses for all of the children. When we would arrive. She would a place set at the kitchen table for each child. Each place setting there would be the frame to build the gingerbread house. My sister would go to the trouble to make the icing and supply all of the treats the children wanted to put on their ginger bread house. Of course such a task required assistance from mom or dad. When we first started doing this my youngest would have been about 2 or 3....so the children present ranged from 2 -10. They all just loved it. It was their own creation....they were allowed to use what ever was on the table....oh what fun....it kept them occupied for a few hours.....it was wonderful to watch. It also provided an opportunity for the adults to enjoy some time together. It was a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the stores.

After a long afternoon of gingerbread house making...we would order in pizza watch a movie and then head on home. My girls still talk about those years when we use to go to Aunty Eileen's and make the houses.

Ah Christmas full of memories......

Life is a gift......

It snowed most of yesterday but that didn't stop my daughter and I from going for our walk. At the hospital they told me that I should walk as much as possible. Hubby of course is supportive of this but was very nervous about me making the trek out in the snow(which was almost knee high) so he got out the ATV and flattened the driveway so a least I could make it up the drive and back.

I am a goal orientated kind of person. I decided that each day I would set a walking goal. Since my surgery I have walked every day. Some days I might have walked a little farther than I should, but that is me. Since I got home I have wanted to make it to the end of the road and back, and yesterday I achieved that. Not only did I achieve it but I did it in less time that I did the day before when I only walked half the distance. So giving myself the high five on that one.

You don't realize how fragile life can be until it hits you in the face. Kinda of like a huge wake up call. We all know we should eat right, don't smoke, get regular exercises, minimize our alcohol consumption and so on. Most of us try to follow those rules, some days are better than others. But even when we follow those rules there are things in our lives that are out of our control that affect our health.

For me that would be my heart. I have always been active....as most of you know I love to run....I enjoy yoga and recently started belly dancing. I have tried to live a healthy life style and yet I have been plagued with a ticker that sometimes just misbehaves. I told you all about my surgery in my previous post, and I have received some wonderful emails of support. One of the things they mention as part of the rehabilitation process after open heart is they say the person might go through episodes of depression. I am not sure that I have experienced episodes of depression as much as I get hit sometimes with the reality that my situation could have gone either way. It sounds so trite to say but I truly am fortunate to be here today.

I was speaking to my sister in law on the phone yesterday(she is also a RN)and she was telling me that she had a friend who is an OR nurse at the hospital where I had my surgery. My sister in law was telling her about my case, her friend told her that she was in the OR right next door to mine....she told her that it got rather cahotic once they a had nicked my aorta, rushing around getting extra equipment and such....yes the surgery that was to be 2 hrs ended up being 5 hrs.. After talking with my sister in law...one who understands the complexity of the situation and the way in which she explained what she had heard gave me shivers. Almost immediately after getting of the phone with her I went over to the couch and snuggled in the best I could to my hubby and just asked him to hold me....and told him how happy and fortunate I am to be here right now.

I have said this before, but now more than ever I realize that everyday is a gift....live it to it's fullest....take nothing for granted.....and hug those you love.....

It looks like it might be a snow day......

Do you remember those days when you were a kid? I loved snow days. My mum didn't, at this time of year she needed as much time without children underfoot as possible so she could prepare for Christmas.

Today would be one of those days. Mum wouldn't be able to get out shopping because the roads would be covered as would our very long driveway. I am sure we must have driven her crazy. So what to do with a house full of children? Send them out doors. Well no problem there mum, we loved to be outdoors.

Of course the first thing we always had to do was shovel the sidewalk and the driveway....now that was a chore and a half. Not only was the driveway long but it was on a hill. It often seemed that by the time you got halfway down the drive the part you had shovelled was already covered in snow. We didn't have a snow blower...no sirree we had good old man power or girl power who ever turn it was that time. My sisters and I worked well as a team.....we did try the some start at the bottom and others start at the top and meet in the middle.....but then it came the "you aren't shovelling fast enough" or "you don't shovel enough". Yet somehow we managed to get it done.

Once the chores were done and we still had the energy we would build snow forts......oh how I loved snow forts....hours upon hours we would spend trying to create the most perfect fort. And of course no front yard is complete without it's very own Frosty. I never figured out we ever managed to get the third huge ball of snow on top....I think sometimes that is why Frosty looked like maybe he had one or two to many....lol.

The only thing that brought us in from the snow was the rumbling tummies or the socks that we used for mittens were absolutely soaked. I know mum bought many many mittens and knitted her share of mittens as well....but it always seemed that when the snow came we couldn't find our mittens(no mittens you naughty little kittens). So into the "odd sock box"(that's a story in itself) we would go. Put on as many socks as we thought we needed and out we'd go. You know I never thought anything of it then....but I guess now looking back some might have considered us poor. But never ever did I feel poor.

After filling our tummies with soup and crackers and maybe some baking we would put on some new socks both on our hands and feet and make the trek outdoors again. This time we would venture down to the park. That would be about two long blocks from the house. We would take a sled if we had one....or a garbage bag. Down at the park there was the greatest hill. Everyone in the neighbourhood would go there. Some who had skis would try their hand at skiing, but most of us just had sleds, or magic carpets or garbage bags. Oh what fun we would have. We would stay there until almost dark or until our poor little hands were to frozen. Making the trek back home always seemed such a chore.

Ah yes, snow days......I used to just love them!

Where I've been....and tis the season to be thankful....

People have asked me where I have been. In simple terms, I have been to physical hell and back!

On December 4th I went to Vancouver to have what is considered a risky surgery yet becoming a more common surgical procedure. You see, I have a pacemaker. I have had one for almost 25 years. Through those years I have had 4 pacemaker replacements and one lead replacement. I won't get technical about pacemakers et al here, but if you would like to know more you can send me a private email.

Anyhow, some time ago I started having increased discomfort at my pacemaker site. I spoke with the surgeon. Already having done some research I asked him about pacemaker lead extraction. He said of course it was tricky and that he didn't do it, and suggested I get a second opinion from a surgeon in Vancouver. I saw that surgeon at the end of September. He gave his suggestion of what could be causing the problem and suggested what should be done. I followed his suggestion, I opted to have the surgery to have the pacemaker and the leads extracted and a whole new unit put in. I did lots of research.....the more research I did the more anxious I got. I checked out a Pacemaker website where people who have had pacemakers or ICD's(implantable cardiac defibrillators)and read about their experiences. This site is an American site so there are a lot of variables....but the heart is the heart and hence the common ground.

The surgeon who performed this procedure is the only surgeon I am told in Western Canada that does this procedure and he only does one a month. So I was his December date.

My hubby and girls accompanied me the morning of the surgery, how they did it I don't know. We had to be at the hospital by 0615 in the morning. We arrived with bells on. The one thing I can say about this hospital is that everyone was so efficient,polite and generally helpful. By 0630 I was changed into my hospital gown, I had already briefly been seen by a nurse. By 0645 I was called again by another nurse who went over my documentation, ensured I had removed all of my jewelry, identified me and my list of allergies. That was it....I was to get settled into a bed and prepare to be taken to the OR. I kissed and hugged my hubby and daughters gave them all bright smiles and off I went.

The surgeons assistant came in to see me along with half a dozen other people....I had been well prepared for all the invasive lines that would be inserted into my body...of which again I won't share here....but if you would like to know you can email me. Anyhow, I enter the OR suite there are about 16 people in this room....a group of them are responsible for the open heart equipment if that should be needed.....of course never in a million years did I think they would be needed but it was a precaution that had to be in place. My procedure was scheduled to take 2 hours. The last thing I remember was the anesthetist inserting an IV in my arm, the OR nurse putting a warming blanket on me(me commenting on how nice it felt) and then the mask.....It was lights out time.

Next thing I remember I had a tube being pulled out of my mouth. I looked at the clock.....I could have sworn it said 11 am.....I looked again.....it was 1500 hrs (3pm)! What happened? Almost as I said that I felt my chest....the pain. Yes my 2 hour surgery turned into 5 hours and I was the recipient of open heart surgery. The worst case scenario reared it's ugly head. Apparently whilst they were trying to laser a lead it nicked a heart vessels and I bled, necessitating them to crack open my sternum and do the repair.

Once I was extubated from the ventilator I looked over and saw my husband and daughters.....I made some kind of motion pointing to my chest...and I pouted....hubby nodded....we all knew what that meant. The next 18 hours were the most painful hours of my life. I would honestly have to put it right up there with childbirth. Actually at least after the birth the pain is gone and you have this wonderful baby to hold. Not so in this case.

My nurse, I will call her my angel worked so hard at trying to keep me comfortable, she bathed me, provided mouth care, gave me medications as needed(which seemed to me to be all the time). She was quick to give me ice chips and whatever else she could do. By 0630 the next morning still being attached to all kinds of machines and equipment she had me standing......vomiting of course....but I did stand. By 1100 I was out of the CSICU(Cardiac short stay intensive care)and up on the cardiac step down unit. That is where I spent the next 4 days. I was discharged on the Monday.

I spent the next couple of days convalescing at my sisters before I made the 3 hour journey home. Here I am just a week post op, up and writing a post about my experience. If you had asked me then...I would have said hell no. But every day I get stronger.....every day I can walk farther.....I can manage walking up and down my stairs with minimal assistance, and although uncomfortable at times I am surviving on extra strength Tylenol.

I am not allowed to lift anything greater than ten pounds, here in Canada that would be like lifting the Toronto telephone book. I am not allowed to lift my arms above my head, and I am not allowed to drive a vehicle for 6 weeks. My chest looks like a very bad painting. My eldest daughter has come to stay with me for a couple of months and for that I am truly thankful.

My husband has been my life support. He has bathed and dressed me, fed me when needed positioned and repositioned me to help me find my comfortable spot, he has just been amazing.

I have been surrounded by so much love and support....and I truly believe it is all the well wishes that have been sent my way that has helped me through this first week.

I was thankful that I did so much Christmas preparation before the surgery. I had decorated the inside of the house, put up the lights, done some baking and left things relatively presentable for our arrival home. Funny, prior to surgery hubby and I had been working on our bathroom we have painted and repainted and have now decided we don't like the current colour...I told him that I would paint when I got home from hospital.......guess that isn't going to happen....ah well best laid plans.

So there you have it, my story about where I have been. Every day is a gift...and I am thankful for the gift of today!

Cheers all!

Christmas memories.............

Well here we are only two weeks away from Christmas . So much to do and yet so little time.

When I reminisce of Christmas from the past, all I recall are fond memories, with Christmas Eve being my favourite of all the Christmas season. Yes. Christmas Eve was and still is my favourite day of the year. Generally by this time the Christmas shopping is done, you are putting final touches on Christmas gifts and the start of the Christmas celebration begins.

When I was growing up Christmas was always a very hectic time in our household. Can you imagine having to buy Christmas gifts for 12 children and then wrapping them....or what about doing the grocery shopping for the next few days. When I was a child the stores closed at 6pm on Christmas Eve and didn't open up again until Boxing day. Which then that would generally only be the electronic stores or such.

Anyhow, I can remember mom coming home from grocery shopping absolutely exhausted....we all had to pitch in to bring the groceries in from the car and put them away. My elder sisters would be busy helping to start to prepare Christmas Eve dinner, which consisted of calamari, oven roasted potatoes with onion, garlic and lemon and salads. We always had huge ante pasta dishes going throughout the day. The younger children(that would include me) would be relegated to ensuring our chores were done ie. our rooms were clean, our clothes were ready for midnight mass. We would sit downstairs and one of the all time favourite Christmas movies would come on. Can you think of what it could be? Well for me it was Alistair Cook's 1938 Scrooge. It use to scare the heck out of me when the third ghost arrived....or when Bob Marely came walking up the stairs shacking his ball and chain. Ah yes what fond memories. Generally once that was over it was time for us younger ones to go for naps so we wouldn't be so tired when it came time to go to midnight mass. It turns out that was also the time mom and my elder sisters did the power Christmas wrapping.

I loved midnight mass. My father loved it as well. He would almost single handily decorate the church alter with Christmas trees and lights and of course the nativity scene and the advent wreath would be prominent. Yes it was a very special time. Most of us younger sibs were in the school choir so we did have to be there early. It was always such a crazy rush for my parents, but year after year they did it.

After mass and wishing friends a Merry Christmas we would go home. Dad would light a fire, put on Christmas music and we would all have a late night snack....the anticipation of Christmas was still in the air....trying to get us to bed so mum and my sisters could finish off the final details was always a bit of a chore.

I will leave you with these thoughts......I was raised with many traditions, which I will endeavour to share with you over the next couple of weeks. What memories do you recall during the preparation of Christmas? Was it the shopping? The baking? The services you would attend? Or did you Christmas entail preparations for a special vacation? I would love to hear about your Christmas memories. If you have a Christmas story you would like to share please just leave a link and I will be certain to check it out.

The Eagle has landed......

Yesterday while hubby was out in the yard the sound of eagles drew his attention to the sky....he looked up and saw two eagles soaring overhead....he rushed into the house to get the camera....this bird just perched itself right on a tree on our property.......simply amazing and majestic birds....

The birds have been bountiful at the feeders...nothing exotic...just the quail, stellar and a couple of other variety of birds....I just love watching them and their antics.....hubby was telling me that the other day when he drove by the estuary that he saw about 40 eagles in the trees...it really is a sight to behold........

So I will leave you with a thought for the day.....this one has to do with Responsibility:

Take your life in your own hands, and what happens? A terrible thing; no one to blame.

~Erica Jong~

Have a great week!

What do you think?.....

So what did Humphrey Bogart....

James Dean...... and The Rat Pack............

all have in common?

Give up.....it was a Zippo lighter... Yes they all used a Zippo lighter in their movies and in their personal lives.Do you remember Zippo lighters? These movie idols somehow romanticize the art of smoking a cigarette...Humphrey Bogart as he pulls out his Zippo from his long trench coat pocket....offering to light Lauren Bacall's cigarette. Oh yes it was all so sultry and romantic wasn't it. It was common place in those days to not only smoke on the movie set but in the movies. You certainly don't see much of that anymore.

These lighters are still very popular and are quite a collectors item. Apparently you are considered cool and in vogue if you have a Zippo.

So where am I going with this. Well my hubby and I found out the other day that his boys step dad bought both of the boys ages 13 and 15 Zippo lighters. Now these are not your Bic $1.49 lighters....I'm talking lighters that start in the $20 -30 range and up....So my question is why, why would he buy the boys these? I mean what are lighters used for.....lighting a fire, lighting a candle, lighting cigarettes or recreational drugs. So being teenagers I'm thinking what would the need be for one of these? I don't support them smoking cigarettes or recreational drugs.....I am certain that I wouldn't want them starting any fires unless we were having a campfire...and if that were the case I certainly would have an alternate lighter for that...and again as for lighting candles...well I am pretty darn sure they wouldn't be out there lighting candles....so I ask the question again....why would they need one of these lighters?

I am upset about this.....hubby thinks I am silly. He said he had one when he was their age....and I said yeah...that was because you were smoking...is that what you want and besides...you bought it yourself......their step father bought these for them.....that is just wrong. Again, my hubby thinks I am making to much out of it. Maybe I am...but my gut tells me not.

These two young lads like to play with fire...they like to see things melt...they like to light fires....as far as I am concerned they are a tad over zealous about fires.....my antennas go up.....but hey....I am just the step mom....their overly protective mother obviously doesn't think there is anything wrong....the father and step father don't seem to think there is anything wrong...guess it's just me...I must be the nut ball in this situation....One of my brothers had an interest in lighters and fires when he was little...you know what happend....he ended up burning down the family home....my parents lost everything....my mom ended up running out of the house dragging four children.....my other brother ended up burning down the stairwell in another, all because of his infatuation with fire and lighters. I would hate to see this happen to my step sons. The only reason we found out about these lighters was because while youngest son was taking to my hubby on the phone his youngest son was yelling at his brother about lighting and flashing his Zippo lighter at him. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.......

I guess this is another one of the Venus and Mars things. You see I never raised boys....I had three girls....they weren't into Zippo's or lighting fires. My eldest and middle daughter are no angels they do smoke and I believe my middle daughter did own a Zippo at one time until it got stolen...but she was 19 and bought it herself. Lesson learnt. My sixteen year old doesn't smoke and has never tried to smoke...it's not her thing. So the question again...why?

As an adult and if your were a collector or something like that fine...but 13 and 15 years old....hmmmm. I just shake my head....and write a post about it...because this is one battle I will not win, nor will I attempt to put on the table....I write about this more so for me to vent frustration because I don't understand...and like me I always want to know what others would say or do.....

So readers.....what are your views....

All in a day.......and then some

Goodness sakes...here we are the close of another day....dang where does time go?

Well I know exactly where time goes....yesterday I started work at 1600 hrs..that would be 4pm...my scheduled shift was until midnight..but then I was on call until 0600 in the morning.....as it would turn out...I ended up staying at work until 0600 this morning....yup ...pulled a 14 hour shift...with a hour drive either way on top....very long night....I was saying to my hubby....I knew my eyes were open when I was driving as I could see the semi in front of me...but gosh it was like I was in limbo land whilst I was driving.....he said I could have been sleeping....but my eyes were open I said....his father confirmed that I could have been sleeping and proceeded to regale me with a story of hubby doing the exact same thing last year. After contemplating this I thought it might have been possible...as I remember looking down at my speedometer and I was only doing 90Km in a 110km zone...and I felt like I was swerving ....hmmmmm.....glad I was close to home. Windows open, music playing loudly...but finally my turn off approached and I was only 600 meters from home....

I arrived home exhausted....funny...I can't remember the last time I worked a night shift that I ever felt that exhausted....then it dawned on me.....normally on night shift we get a rest period...not so last evening...you see...we kept hoping that we would be able to send the patient to the ward...that wasn't going to be the case...the patient when not in pain...didn't want to breath....breath damn you ..... breath I say!.......but no...it wasn't meant to be...so we did a bedside vigil.....between counting respiration's and giving analgesic there wasn't much time for having a little nap.

So needless to say I arrived home tired and hungry and exhausted. I had a quick bite to eat....while I was sitting on the couch...I could feel my eyelids getting heavier....and before I knew it I was gone....yes gone off to la la land.......I do remember hubby putting a blanket around me.....3 hours later I awoke...still in my clothes.....I made my way up to my bedroom....undressed and made my clumsy way into my bed. Next thing I remember it was 1230 and hubby had come into the room to get ready to go out.....WOW it's 1230 already.....how did that happen?

I got up shortly there after.....he told me he was making a trip to Victoria with his father today and reminded me that it was his parents wedding anniversary. Ah the anniversary....in my daze state...yes yes I remember I said.

I got myself up and out of bed....managed the stairs without tripping and made it to the kitchen were the coffee was on....pour myself a cup of java....and proceeded to the couch....Hubby had left by this time.....I started thinking...it's his parents anniversary...we have to do something....what can we do...ah....dinner.....I can cook them dinner make a nice dessert and get them a card....yes that is what I shall do.

Energy....that is what I need....find the energy to get ones butt up off of the couch and get a move on.....slowly....yes....one butt cheek then another...yes yes that's it....I've managed to get my butt up off of the couch....it's all good....progress will be made....back to the kitchen I go.....I head towards the drawer where I keep all my recipe books......with mother in law being a diabetic and trying to watch her intake I think what can I make....father in law is not fond of cheese so the dessert can not consit of cheese....sorry honey no cherry cheese cake tonight. I scourer my way through the recipe books. I come upon my "Company's Coming " cookbook....this cook book is Low fat recipes....great I think....low fat...and I could watch the sugar....I search the pages.....I thinking comfort food. I find a great recipe for Corn Chowder....now that's comfort food...then I think what could I add...well a nice loaf of organic baked bread...warmed and cut in large pieces and served with low cal margarine...yes.....then veggies.....I decide I am going to make a salad....fresh greens with arugula lettuce, mandarin orange slices, roasted pecans, and red peppers....after mixing these I toss them with a mandarin sesame seed dressing...very light and oh so tasty.....Dessert....yes I searched the Low Fat recipe book for a dessert...what do I come up with is a Lemon Poppy seed Bundt cake with a Lemon glaze.

Ok now I am armed with my recipes...I check my cupboards to see if I have all the ingredients....most I do...but some I realize I will have to venture out to the store....but not until I get my house chores done.....did I mention I am doing this after working a 14 hour shift....ok then. So I get the house chores done...and off to town I go.....shop away. Like most even though I have come prepared to the store with my list.....I find I purchase more than what is on my list....how does that happen? Regardless, I have my ingredients of torture....no really, I was looking forward to preparing this meal. I pay for my groceries and make my way home. I call mother in law to make sure she is up to coming over for dinner. She happily accepts the invitation. I set a time. I am now on a mission.

It's after four pm by this time....I plan out my course of action. Make the cake...get that in the oven...while that is baking I can be preparing the chowder and the salad....mission accomplished. Cake is baked...out of the oven it comes. I make a lemon glaze.....but while the cake it cooling I prepare the table.....set semi formal....comfortable...yet enough to show that some effort was put into preparing things....nothing over the top.

Hubby and father in law arrive home sooner than I expected...but being who I am...I was prepared.....dinner was almost on the readyto serve. Father in law went home to get mother in law...they arrive and we sit down to our meal.

So here's to two of the most important people in our lives......M & R aka Mom and Dad...aka Papa and Nana....here's wishing the both of you a wonderful day....Happy 54th Wedding Anniversary to you both...you have brought so much joy to so many....Thank you!

This picture is of my inlaws...my hubby is the little one sitting on his mommy's lap....with his sister and brothers' next and then Daddy"O! Circa 1965

Lest We Forget.................

November 11th is the day dedicated to remember those who lost their lives to provide us with freedom and peace. Last year I mentioned that while I was doing the Flu Clinic I met a great great niece of Lt. John McCrae the author of In Flanders Fields. Lt. McCrae was a young Canadian doctor, born in Quelph Ontario.

On August 4, 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Canada, as a member of the British Empire, was automatically at war, and its citizens from all across the land responded quickly. Within three weeks, 45,000 Canadians had rushed to join up. John McCrae was among them. He was appointed brigade-surgeon to the First Brigade of the Canadian Forces Artillery with the rank of Major and second-in-command.

Just before his departure, he wrote to a friend:

It is a terrible state of affairs, and I am going because I think every bachelor, especially if he has experience of war, ought to go. I am really rather afraid, but more afraid to stay at home with my conscience. (Prescott. In Flanders Fields: The Story of John McCrae, p. 77)

He took with him a horse named Bonfire, a gift from a friend. Later, John McCrae sent his young nieces and nephews letters supposedly written by Bonfire and signed with a hoof print.

In April 1915, John McCrae was in the trenches near Ypres, Belgium, in the area traditionally called Flanders. Some of the heaviest fighting of the First World War took place there during that was known as the Second Battle of Ypres.

In the trenches, John McCrae tended hundreds of wounded soldiers every day. He was surrounded by the dead and the dying. In a letter to his mother, he wrote of the Battle of Ypres.

The day before he wrote his famous poem, one of McCrae's closest friends was killed in the fighting and buried in a makeshift grave with a simple wooden cross. Wild poppies were already beginning to bloom between the crosses marking the many graves. Unable to help his friend or any of the others who had died, John McCrae gave them a voice through his poem. It was the second last poem he was to write.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders Fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John McCrae

A little Barbershop anyone......

Yesterday hubby and I had the most enjoyable afternoon with his parents. His parents are big fans of Barbershop music. Every year they attend a performance held by a local group....well local meaning the members for the group come form all over the Island. Anyhow, this year father in law asked if we would like to join them and then go out for dinner afterwards. Well my goodness how could one turn down such an offer.

A couple of years ago father in law and hubby had hired a quartet from this group to come and serenade mother in law and I for Valentines day. It was a surprise to say the least....we had been at a gathering and the group sang to us but the others present got to enjoy the performance as well.....

Valentine's 2007 This group is called "First Dibs"

So yesterday as I said was the "Tidesmen Barbershop Chorus" annual performance. This years theme was titled Bootleg Barbershop. The whole first half opens with an introduction to the era...1930's the crash on Wall Street and the great depression. The scene is set as a Cabaret Club struggling to make ends meet....the gangsters....the first song..."Cabaret".

The first half progresses with songs from the whole chorus and then songs sung by individual barbershop groups. It was really delightful...the first half ends with them singing "I'll Be a Song and Dance Man Again."

The second half starts off with the Tidesmen version of Barbershop Quartet Idol. They had five quartets supposedly competing for the top honours... with sudo judges and all. The judges of course were a take off' from American Idol....the names had just been changed a tad.....There were some great songs.....After that they had the 2005 International Quartet Champions "Realtime". They were fabulous, kind of reminded me of the Nylons when I saw them live back in the 80's....very professional.

What I found amazing about the Tidesmen Chorus was the age range....there were performers as young as 16 and as old as....well I really don't know...but the one old gentlemen on the end did give me a scare...I thought once or twice he might topple over....maybe he was a spry 80 something.....I think what was so enjoyable about the afternoon was that the performers all seemed to really enjoy what they were doing. It was nice to see.

A big thank you goes out to my wonderful inlaws for providing hubby and I a very enjoyable afternoon.

Today was a very busy day. I find now that I only get two days off that I certainly try and cram alot into one day. I was up early and finally finished sewing the shower curtain I was making for our bathroom....I will take pictures and post once the bathroom is completed...it's coming along great though....

Seeing as the rain had subsided for awhile, I thought I should take advantage and get outside and clean up my garden and get the tulip bulbs in the ground. Success I got it done...the dead brush all cleared away...the soil turned...the hedge trimmed....the porch swept...yippee....

After that I decided I wanted to bake these squares I had seen on Pea's blog. She had this recipe for Toffee Almond Squares....oh my goodness they are fantastic....I baked them for hubby but of course I had to try one....he ate the whole plate I put out....ooops....great recipe Pea thanks!

While I had the base for the squares in the oven I decided I needed to get onto my stepper....so half hour later I was done and so was the base for the square.....I made the topping and popped it into the fridge so it would be ready for dessert. By this time it was getting ready for dinner....so create I did.....I am a bit of a multi tasker....while dinner was in the oven I decided I needed to get some laundry done and vaccum the laundry room.....hmmmm....bit compulsive I think...lol

Anyhow, dinner is done, the dishes are clean..hubby is sound asleep on the couch....I am making this post...then I will go work on my knitting and just chill till bed time.

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.......stay happy and healthy all....

I'd like to leave you with this thought.....

"Hope, is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul.....And sings the tune without words And never stops......at all"

~Emily Dickinson~

Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt

Once again I haven't posted on the hunt for awhile....but this weeks theme is "Together". The first thing that comes to mind of together is being together with family and friends....and then I thought I needed to be a bit more creative than that....so here is my interpretation of "Together"......

These are some onions I pickled they are close "together" in that jar........

My hubby's foot and an oyster, they are close "together"....I think he was trying to show how big that oyster was..his foot is a size 13....

Or these flowers on the stem...they are close "together"

As you can see there are lots of things that can be "together".....if you would like to join in on the fun please go to tnchick for all of the instructions.

Happy Hunting all!

It's that time again......

So it's Flu season again. Today I did the first flu clinic of the season for the doctor's office. It was a busy day as always.

I couldn't believe that I have been doing the flu clinic for three years.

I really get great enjoyment out of doing the clinics. I get to see these people when they are generally healthy and happy. It's really a great time. Living in a seniors community going out to the flu clinic is a social event for them. Funny how that happens. Who would of thought that going to the doctors to get a shot in the arm would be considered a social outing, but for many that is exactly what it is.

Today I gave over 150 injections. I tell you.... if I don't know how to give a shot by the end of a day like that..I don't think I ever will. Actually, by the time I have finished doing the clinics I would have given close to 600 injections. That's a lot of people, but wonderful people.

I feel really fortunate to be able to enter into their lives if only for that brief moment. For some this is their first visit to the doctor's office since I gave them their shot last years. Now that I find amazing...how some people can go a whole year without having to visit a doctor. Good for them I say....they are doing something right. Maybe they can teach me a thing or two.

Anyhow, here is my public announcement....if you haven't t had your flu shot yet..please do, especially if you live with or have close proximity to a senior or someone who is immunocompromised....consider it your good deed for the day and year!

Stay healthy all!

Thought for the day......

~FAITH~

I believe in the ever lasting magic of life. I follow hope, guided by inspiration and faith - knowing that I am lead to what is good and true.

~author unknow~

The kindness of others.....

Do you remember the Andy Griffith Show.....with Gomer, Opey and the gang? When I think of that show it makes me think about my smalltown. My town where most people know each other by name or a least to say hello. There is always a welcoming hello at the grocer or at the one pump gas station. A community that bans together when someone is in need. Yesterday I experienced this kindness from our letter carrier.

We don't get home delivery, we have those super boxes that the letter carrier comes and deposits the mail for the folks in the area. As part of this mail box delivery we have a mailbox attached. The other day I had put a thank you card into the mail for my colleagues who I had lunch with last week. Unfortunately in my haste I forgot to put a stamp on the envelope. You know what my letter carrier did. She went and paid for my postage...she took my card to the post office, and paid for my stamp. Yesterday in my slot was a receipt for the stamp...which is totally ok with me.....I just thought it was so kind and thoughtful of her to actually take the card in the first place.

I am not sure that had I lived in the bigger city if the letter carrier would have done that. I guess that is just another one of the small perks to living in a Smalltown.

Well here's hoping you all have a great weekend and some kindess is sent your way...or better yet...you spread some kindess......cheers all!

What to do what to do......

The American Presidential election is on Tuesday. Many Canadians have been watching closely the debates and the election campaign over the past year.

Some of my very dear Canadian blogging friends have been watching the campaign very closely and are starting to voice their opinions and opening up their blogs for debate. One such blogger is my dear friend Leslie. For the past two days now Leslie had been posting her opinions on the candidates and which one she is favouring. It has been a great debate. I love reading learning about both sides, and how one individual can interpret the same thing so differently. Fascinating.

Today over at Leslie's blog the discussion continues about the candidates. Being who I am I just couldn't sit silent. I had to make a comment and a long comment it was....Sorry Leslie....here is what I had to say.....

".....After reading your post the first two things that came to my mind were senility and pompous.....

I have to be honest....I don't like either candidate...and I am sorry that is all they have to vote for.

I have said time and again, that I was and still am astounded at the multi millions of dollars that have been spent on this campaign. I look at how long we had to put up with the Hilary and Obama road shows...to me it was and is absolute silliness....monies that could have and should have been put back into programs or creating jobs....it's shameful.

Pompous...that is how I see Obama...I really don't like the oh poor me card nor do I like how (and I know I might get in trouble for this)... he plays the Black American act and hopes to get votes based on his race...that's just wrong....show me what you can do....show me how you are going to change things....get those jobs back....get the economy moving again...and then maybe just maybe I might have some faith in what you say.

Senility "senility , deterioration of body and mind associated with old age"...."The mental changes associated with senility include impairment of judgment, loss of memory, and sometimes childish behavior." Sorry but that is how I see McCain. Not for the life of me could I see this man running a country....again in my humble opinion he doesn't have what it takes...he would be far to dependent on his staff to "help" direct him....and although I can appreciate that this has been the case for all presidents...it's just that I don't see this man being able to make a decision on his own nor with the direction by his staff I also feel he could be to easily swayed by his staff....I have watched him in action....I wouldn't trust him to walk across the room with a glass of water without spilling it....never mind trying to run a country.

There is to much at risk to even entertain him as president. But again...what are their choices....

Jobs need to brought back to the American people and stop selling them off to foreign lands....health care programs need to be established so people don't lose their homes because they have had the misfortune of having a chronic disease....the children of the future need to be given a chance. They need and deserve a good education, with appropriate class sizes and resources given to the teachers to help make our children flourish.

Like you Leslie, I went back to school after my second daughter was born to become an RN...I paid my own way through school...I didn't get any government support....and like you I worked during school down time. No trips to Florida or sunny get a ways.....however with that being said...I did put monies aside in RESP's for my girls....just to help them get started...it is then up to them to make their choices.....and they know that....

However with that being said...sometimes people just need a little help to get started...a little financial support to get their foot in the door...I don't think there is anything wrong with that....everyone wins in programs like that...we help Susie or Johnny get their education...they then get employment in their field and they start paying into the system...and so the cycle goes.

I am not sure why it has to be every man or woman for themselves...is there no room for a collective we? Don't we all benefit when we have a healthy economy? There are many components that make up healthy communities and with the fall out of a healthy community you have a healthy economy.

In healthcare we call that Prevention. If we put money into prevention...we save dollars in the long run. How you might ask...diabetes for example...if we put money in to education on diabetes the millions of dollars that are saved on hospital visits and surgeries is amazing...teaching a diabetic the right foods to eat helps keep their blood sugars under control...no hypo or hyperglycemia...hence no emergency room visits and hence dollars saved.

That is just one of many many examples of where as a society if we put money into prevention...whether it be healthcare, education, social programs, environment,job market...we create a healthier environment.

So back to Obama and McCain...pompous or senile....hmmmm

I'm glad I don't have to vote in this one...but I will be watching."

I would encourage any of you who are interested or concerned about this very important election that you get informed.....check out

Leslie's blog and join in on the debate.