Christmas is coming........

As I sit here sipping on my skinny latte with a sprinkle of cinnamon I realize that there are just 4 short days until Christmas. Are you ready? I'm almost done....I have one project yet to do...hopefully I will get to it today.

Hubby and I were out shopping on the weekend....well I was shopping he was my side kick. He tells me he can't start shopping until at least the 22nd...he needs the pressure he says. Thanks but no thanks. Not for me.....as it was I started my Christmas preparation a little later this year than I normally do...but it's funny, it always seems to comes together in the end. Christmas is kind of like having a baby it comes whether your ready or not!

I was watching the news last night and the weather reports. We have youngest son travelling from Ontario out west today. With all the storms out east I was worried his flight might be cancelled. Hubby informs me that he would not be flying through the area where the major storms are...but you never know with the weather. I was feeling so sorry for those folks all stranded at the airports. One woman was trying to head south for her daughters wedding the next day....I hope she makes it....personally though if my daughter was getting married I wouldn't be travelling the day before her wedding to get there...especially in the winter.

Anyhow, youngest should be here by dinner time....we are so excited. He can't arrive soon enough!

So I should get myself moving...things to do places to be.....but I would like to leave you with this rendition of Silent Night....it's a bit of a rocking version sung by Johnny Reid...a Scottish country singer if you can imagine that....Johnny Reid - Silent Night Enjoy!

Happy Monday to you all!

Camera Critters

There's a community about 45 mins. from me called The Comox Valley. This area is great for the avid outdoor person. There are all kinds of sports and activities to do year round. In the valley there is the community of Courtenay. There in the centre of town is this wonderful bird esturay. What I find amazing about this esturary is surrounded by an airpark, a walking and picnic area and only a few short yards away a residential area. It never ceases to amaze me how nature can adapt to human surroundings.....to bad the same can't be said for the human race.

If you would like to join in the fun please check out Misty Musings for all of the instructions!

Just because......

Christmas is suppose to be a joyful time. For those of religious mind it is a time to remember and to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was raised in a Catholic household and Christmas was a very special time. Unfortunately for some Christmas brings nothing but worry, hardship or a flood of bad memories.

As an adult, I still appreciate Christmas but I certainly don't look at it as a religious celebration anymore, but rather a time and opportunity to slow down in life, to reflect and be appreciative all the gifts we have been given. It's a time of remembering that Christams is a time of giving......and it's not the materialistic giving but rather giving from your heart.

Christmas for me today is a time when I and I hope society tries to remember we need to give back. We need to do our "giving" in a way that helps.

I grew up in a family of 12 children....but you know I never ever felt I went without. My parents did not only provide for their family, but they were volunteers extraordinaire. Even at the busy time of Christmas my father would head up the committee for decorating the church, or organize the community breakfast. My mother somehow found the time to purchase gifts and prepare a food basket out of her own money for one of the more needier families in our community. She would then have myself and another sibling go and deliver the parcel. I remember asking my mom why she did that and her response was simple "because I can...we can". I didn't quite grasp the full meaning of those words until much later in my life.

My parents commitment to helping their community had the ripple effect not just on me but for many of my siblings as well. I see now that ripple has touched my daughter as well....for the past 4 years she goes and helps serve Christmas dinner to the homeless. This year she tells me she is going to the Downtown east side to help out at the shelter. Although she has never said it, I know that is her way of giving ....she tells me it gives her great comfort knowing that she is able to do something for someone..."just because" she could.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all remember to do just one thing nice....to give just once from the heart....."just because". What a wonderful world this would be!

Merry Christmas

Retirement......

I was reading the Yahoo news bulletins today and what should I come across but this article Fewer Canadians Saving for Retirement.. I read this and I wanted to go Duh!!! Kinda like that V8 commercial. I mean really, with the economic times being what they are, people are struggling just to make ends meet....planning for retirement right now is a luxury.

The information provided in this article came from the Royal Bank, again no surprise here. If we don't invest they lose money plain and simple. The cynical side of me says this is just the banks way of trying to get their grubby little hands on my money. They try and use the scare tactic that if you don't save now....blah blah blah....kind of like the Aesop fable about the ant and the grasshopper. Which I guess there is some merit. But times are tough so how do we make this happen?

I certainly don't want to end up having my meals in some soup kitchen. I certainly don't expect my kids to help support me in my aging years.....and I don't want to be put into an over priced and poorly run retirement facility, so what's my plan. I really don't know. I do have a pension plan...but that certainly won't cover my bills. So I must have a plan. I guess the banks have got me. I've never really understood the concept of borrowing money to put into RRSP and then paying off the loan from your tax returns. Do you really get ahead? Ideally that sounds nice....but how many of you actually do that? When that tax return cheque comes, don't you have it ear marked for something else? I know I do. I did that RRSP loan thing one time I am not sure that it put me ahead of the game. I think this year I might look at doing monthly contributions....for example...I recently paid off my truck loan...so I figure I should just continue with that amount and put the money into an RRSP.

What do you do? Do you even think about retirement? Do you have plans? The one thing I know is that I don't want to be eating cat food when I retire.

Head or Tails Tuesday

The theme in this weeks Heads or Tails is "Gone Fishin" Apparently we are encouraged to be as creative as we want with this one. Well needless to say the first thing that came to my mind is all the wonderful fishing trips I have gone on with my hubby. We have seen some spectacular sights. This past summer we came across a school of White sided Dolphins...now that was spectacular. We've also had the great privilege of seeing some of the most glorious sunrises and sunsets. We've had our share of experiencing a queasy tummy or two whilst fishing....and of course we have had the opportunity to tell a fish tale or two. But for this heads or tails I want to share how hubby and I met.

There is a on line dating site called Kettle of Fish.....well isn't that appropriate. We didn't meet on that site....but we did meet online. On line dating is kinda of like fishing....you put yourself out there....post a photo of yourself, and little bio about you....your likes and dislikes.....I will call that the bate. You drop the line.....you get a few nibbles....I'll call that your first chat with someone on line....you meet for coffee....or maybe even a lunch or dinner date. Unfortunately it doesn't turn out...we call that a lost fish.... But then one time....you put down that line, you wait...and maybe wait some more but then when you least expect it you get nibble....I'll call that you start to chat....you decide to meet.....things go well.....we'll call that the reeling in......you let the slack out...you pull it back in....you work the line...and then finally after much work and maneuvering you got it....you reeled in a keeper.....

Yup...I'd say fish'n is just like dating....and I caught my catch...and he's definitely a keeper!!!

If you'd like to join in on the fun please check outSkittle's Place for all of the instructions.

Happy Fishin all!!

Choices.....

"Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get"

That falls true for life being all about choices. Hubby and I experienced this over the past weekend. Our family is a blended family. My husband has two boys from his first marriage and I have 3 girls from my first marriage. Our children do not live with us. My girls live on the mainland, but we are fortunate to see them on a regular basis. My husbands boys unfortunately live 5000km away. His boys are still school age so the only time we get to see them is during vacation times such as Christmas, Spring break and the summer. Along with that we have to share there visits with Christmas and Spring break by alternating every year.

This year is our turn to have his boys here for Christmas, needless to say hubby and I really look forward to their visits. I am sure you can appreciate that it takes some planning to organize dates for visits. We appreciate that their mom would like to have Christmas with them so they celebrate it a few days before Christmas. This year presents us with a dilemma. Eldest son is in love and really wants to spend Christmas with his girlfriend and her family.

He had asked back in November if there would be any possibility of having his girlfriend come out west for Christmas. His father told him we would consider it. Needless to say my hubby spoke with his ex to find out what it was all about. Long and short of it.....girlfriend did not get the ok from her parents(no surprise there)so eldest son has opted not to come. Well actually what he wanted his father to agree to, was to fly him out west for only 4 days and not the extended visit as planned. My hubby said no.....he said he wanted him out here for the full time...as I mentioned we only see the boys during vacation time. That is the unfortunate part of all this. We recognize they are getting older,and have made their lives out east and want to spend vacation time with their friends. It's difficult....but it's choices. Hubby could have enforced his sons visit but what would that have achieved?

Christmas is close and we haven't booked the flights....after many telephone calls and much discussion the decision was made......only youngest son is coming. I think eldest son was thinking his father was going to cave into his wishes......hubby was hoping eldest son would still want to come.

Life is so short....what a shame that eldest son couldn't see beyond his desire to be with his girlfriend and realize he is missing out on spending some valuable time with his father. It's all about choices. I just hope he is mature enough to be able to live with his choice.

Is it a female thing?

Question.......is Christmas just a female thing? Case in point....how many of you out there have male partners who fully participate in the preparation for Christmas?

The other day I was talking with my co-workers and mentioning about all the things there are to do in preparation for Christmas and how I was feeling a tad overwhelmed by it all. I had mentioned that since my hubbies hamstring accident he hasn't been able to help me at all with the decorating. I mean I have put up the indoor and outdoor lights......the decorations throughout the house....I do the shopping the wrapping, the baking, the Christmas cards. So what is it he does. He shops for me.....that's about it.

It was then that my colleague said it was about the same in her house....she laughed when she was telling me about her husband when he thinks he is being helpful and will wrap some gifts but he doesn't put tags on the gifts so when she would go to ask him who the gifts were for he couldn't remember so she ended up unwrapping them and wrapping again.....

This seem to ring true for most of my co-workers. Yes the odd husband put up the Christmas lights or might help with some of the shopping...but generally that was about it.

So I ask you is Christmas just a female thing....do we do this to ourselves? Worry ourselves sick about ensuring everything is done and organized...the presents are wrapped and under the tree, that a little snack has been left for dear ol Saint Nick...that the bedtime stories have been read, that the stockings get stuffed.....the Christmas dinner is prepared and table set. I really wonder sometimes why we think we have to do it all....where are those men....they like Christmas I know they do.....so where are they when it comes to the preparation.....hmmmmm...good question.

A day that is difficult to forget......

Today marks a special day for me. It's a day that presents me with a mix of emotions and for some reason has been on my mind all week.

Year ago today and actually just about the time I am making this post I was been wheeled in to an Operating room to undergo a procedure. This procedure although not uncommon procedure is considered high risk and runs the gamut of possible complications.

Prior to the surgery the surgeon went over the possible complications and had me sign a consent.

So the day for my surgery arrived. I and my hubby and girls were all up early that morning 4:30 as we had to be at the hospital by 0600. My girls and husband were joining me for my trip to the hospital. Upon my arrival I was seen almost immediately. I was directed where to undress and change into the traditional hospital attire. I was then seen by the admitting nurse who reviewed all pertinent information she took my vital signs, and directed me to where I would wait to be taken into the OR. I kissed my hubby and daughters goodbye and told them I would see them in a few hours....that was at 0715 in the morning. Then off to my stretcher I went.

I was seen by one of the surgeons and he marked the spot where I asked to have my new pacemaker installed....next thing I knew I was being wheeled into the room. What an eerie feeling....I wasn't afraid....not at all....but I was curious as to why there were so many people in the OR room. I guess they sensed my surprise and I was informed that the nurses and such over on the other side of the room were preparing the instrumentation just in case it was needed. Oh I said and then I proceeded to climb onto the OR table. There they started to attach me to a variety of machines, but the best thing I remember was the wonderful warming blanket they put on me....then the anesthesiologist arrived and poked my arm and all I could remember was the discomfort of her starting my IV....funny typical nurse....critiquing even at a time like this.

Next thing I recall was waking up, still being on the ventilator....my hubby was at my beside, then what seemed like only moments to me(those drugs are amazing) they extubated me from the ventilator. It was then that I started to feel my pain. My chest hurt more than I had anticipated....I was connected to so many machines.....I looked down at my chest and pointed and then up at my husband and I pouted he nodded he knew what I was trying to say. The unexpected had happened.

Apparently during my surgery, whilst they were attempting to extract one of my pacemaker leads they tore a whole in my aorta which necessitated them having to open up my chest to repair my heart. There was considerable blood loss and I had to have transfusions, I was put on medications called inotropes which helped to keep my blood pressure up. My two hour surgery ended up being over 5 1/2 hours.

Needless to say my family was very worried and wondered what was happening. After the surgery my husband told me the surgeon came looking for him....the surgeon told him he wanted him to come to his office, where he proceeded to tell my husband what happened. When told my hubby started to cry. What we prayed wouldn't happen happened. Just my luck.

The first 48 hours are a bit of a blurr. I just remember the pain, oh and the nurses of course. My night nurse was just amazing. She treated me with such respect and kindness, she was my angel. She got me through my first 24 hours and for that I will be truly thankful.

I was in for a very long journey for recovery. But I wasn't going to be deterred. My surgery was on a Thursday and I was discharged home by 5 pm on the Monday. I remember one of the instructions upon discharge was to keep moving, try to walk every day...and so I did.

We spent the next couple of days on the Mainland at my sisters as I wanted to be close to the hospital just in case. Our day came to take the ferry back to the Island and what a trip that was. Every bump and sway caused pain in my chest. We arrived home and the next day it began to snow....so my walks ended up being an adventure. My first day out for a walk my daughter took me holding my arm for support....I made it up the hill of our driveway and back....and I was exhausted. Each day I would push myself a bit farther. One day I pushed to much and hubby had to come out in his truck to pick me up....I just couldn't make it any further.

Today, a year later, I am back running, working full-time and preparing for Christmas. I still get tearful at the events of that day and how close I was to things turning out completely differently. For that I am thankful for each breath I take, each pain I feel, because at least if I feel the pain, I know I am alive. I try not to take life as serious, I am learning to smell the roses.

My chest, 6 week post Lead extraction and open heart. When looking at the photo the scar on the right is where my new pacemaker is, the scar in the middle well needless to say that is where the opened my chest...the scar on the left was were my old pacemaker use to be.

You know I look at the photo and I think, hey that's not so bad....at the time I thought it looked like a very bad Van Gogh painting. All the sutures and staples that were in there...it was a bit Frankenstein looking. It has healed well and for that I am truly thankful!

A sighting......

I'm so excited!!! I haven't had much of an opportunity these days to get out and do much birding. I try to keep my feeders well stocked for the local birds this time of year, hoping that some unique or obscure bird might visit my feeders or property.

Well wouldn't you know it...that is exactly what happend today. It was around 4:30 this afternoon when I arrived home from work. I was coming down our drive when I spotted this bird on the ground....it had a very distinct tail and flight pattern, oh how I wished I had my camera. Anyhow, later in the evening my hubby tells me to go look at the camera to see what he captured on film. Wouldn't you know it....it was the same bird that I spotted in the driveway. As it turns out this bird had been hanging around for some time pecking at the ground, giving my hubby an opportunity to capture this bird on film.

Clark's Nutcracker

This is a very special sighting as these birds only make their way to the Pacific West about every 15 years!!! And here we are with one right on our property!!! It turns out it's main food is pinyon or whitebark pine nuts. These birds are considered scavengers at campsites, and picnic areas; they eat suet at feeders, but also eat insects, birds eggs and nestlings, and fruit. So although they are a pretty bird to see, I don't think I would want them to take up residence if they are going to mess with our nesting birds and their eggs.

Anyhow, I was so excited to see a new bird in our area that I just thought I would share this with you. If you are interested in birds I have another blog called The Amateur Birder . There I journalize birds I have spotted in my area or on the Island. So I am going over there now to write about my new sighting.

Cheers all!