Face Behind the Blog

Misty_Dawn from Dreams of border collies tagged me for this meme. It's called Face behind the Blog. The idea is, I tell you a little something about myself and show you a picture of me...I then get added to a blog roll......I pick some bloggers to participate there it goes. Please check out Dreams of border collies for more information as to how to play along.

Most of my regular visitors know what I look like and a lot of the things I do.

Skittles from Skittle's Place says I am one of the most daring women she knows, I don't know about that but I do like to have fun and push my limits.

My first skydiving experience.....Going Parasailing.....that's me waving...Quadding with my daughter on the back.....I love to downhill ski....this is me and my youngest daughter... This is my baby....I love to drive fast....I have been known to do 220km/hr in this car.....

I love to do all kinds of sports.....softball, waterskiing, knee boarding, fishing,swimming...you name it....even miniature golf

Me youngest daughter and son.....I try to be crafty....I have started to make cards.....These are my first attempts at making cards......I also like to bake.....That's my pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin bread in the background......I'm a really "theme" gal...if there is a party there has to be a theme....this was for a parade we were in .....can you figure out what the theme would have been?I'm a mom to three wonderful girls....this picture is about 4 years old.....The picture below are the men in my life.....hubby and our boys....I am one of 12 children.....my youngest brother wasn't even born when this picture was taken....can you find me in the picture? This was taken last month....the boys and I had just finished swimming in the river.....oh yeah...I love to ride tubes down fast moving rivers and streams.....I REALLY want to go white water rafting.....that's after I learn how to surf...... So there you have it.....the face behind the blog.....

Cathy's Place
Douglas Qualicum Life
Grandmocha and Janet from Life in Westcliffe

Heads or Tails Tuesday

Today will be the first week for Heads or Tails Tuesdays. My dear blog friend Skittles has come up with this weekly meme. Each week there is a theme and you chose how you want to present it. Check out Skittles Place to get the instructions and the blog roll. I hope you join in on the fun.

This week's theme is "Beginning"

I have chosen to do a pictoral review of when we got our dog "Bert"

This is our dear Bert....the first day we got him from the SPCA, he had been abondoned...we fell in love with him first sight...the floppy ear was a big attraction for both hubby and I...Bert was 9 weeks old in this photo....

We just thought he was so cute...and wanted him to have a chance at a new "Beginning"

Bert at 4 months old.....hubby had just let him outside....I don't think he was to impressed with the snow!

Almost a year later....

Bert at play.....Bert today.....our dear Bert is almost 3 years old....we love him to pieces.

Lifestyle and choices......

I was up before hubby this morning and with coffee in hand I sat in front of my computer and started reading the news headlines on Yahoo. One topic caught my eye. It had to do with "Stress" I found it so apropos as my hubby at Qualicumlife had just done a very similar post. So I copied and pasted what they had to say and sent it to him. I told him he could have written what they said but he didn't have any degrees behind his name. Here's the link to the article
Facing stress I just found it so interesting. I kinda of like the Yahoo news site which then links you to Lifestyles and gives you all kinds of tips. I find it funny though one of the things they mention is running...well I have gotten back into my running routine and as I mentioned in one of my previous posts it is the best thing I ever mentally and physically could have done for myself.

I don't think we give ourselves enough credit. I believe we all know the right things to do when it comes to leading a healthy life style. Basically it is all about finding balance. Balance in your diet....eat lots of fruits and vegetables minimize fats and carbohydrates, exercise and get rest. Minimize alcohol consumption it is a terrible one for disturbing one's sleep.....don't mix prescription drugs with alcohol....Don't have a TV in your room.....your room is your rest haven....meant for sleep and intamcy....truly.....watching TV before you go to sleep makes your brain to active and hence not relaxed especially if you watch the news in bed before you go to sleep. Don't wake up with the TV...if you are awake enough to watch TV...get up....stretch....open the back door stand on the porch and take in the freshness of the day if you don't have a porch just open a window or something the brings you rejuvenation. We all know this. I didn't make it up...the experts are making millions off of all of us, because we want a quick fix.

We didn't get overweight over night.....we didn't become sleep deprived over night.....we didn't create our bad life styles over night. So why on earth would you/we think you could lose weight over night without putting in some effort. Believe it or not...you/we put in effort to get to where we are. We got up off of the couch to go get that bag of chips.....we made the effort to talk ourselves out of going for a walk.....we made the decision(effort) not to remove the TV from our room because it was easier to keep it there. So why don't we put as much energy into talking positive to ourselves and making good decisions as we do making bad choices? I am as guilty as the next person for sometimes choosing a cookie over an apple....but it is moderation. Sure have the cookie...enjoy the cookie....but then step away...don't eat the whole bag. Exercise...make it a part of your daily routine....I'm not talking about running everyday or going to the gym everyday....I'm talking about incorporating active living into your daily routine. Instead of taking the elevator take the stairs....instead of parking right outside of the front doors of the mall...park farther away and walk......there are so many things we can do to improve and live active healthy lives and we don't have to pay anyone anything to do it. Yard work is a great workout. Cutting the lawn...trimming the hedges....there are all kinds of things. We must start now. Not only for ourselves but for our children. If our children see us living an unhealthy life style chances are they will make unhealthy choices. My daughters always saw their farther and I being active, it was part of our life style....my two eldest daughters now are training to become personal trainers. Would they have opted to do that without the influence of their farther and I? Maybe may not....but I am convinced that they know about healthy life choices because of what they were exposed to in the home as they grew up. Yes we ate out on occasion....but McDonald's and pizza and such were not the norm.

I must sound like I am on my soap box about health. But being in the health care industry I see on a daily basis patients who are in the hospital because of lifestyle choices. We scream about the rising costs of health care....well what do you expect. If we don't take care of ourselves now we will pay the price sooner or later. There are many health issues out of ones personal control....but when the health issue is a direct result of lifestyle choices...well need I say more.

I wish you all good health...and an active and productive day!

Cheers!

Saturday Scavenger Photo Hunt

Please look below for my Photo Hunt.....

I am blushing....my dear blog friend TC atpolitics plus awarded me with this...

I don't even know what to say. I have always enjoyed going over to his blog and finding out what is going on in the political arena for the folks south of the boarder. He gives great synopsis of the political debates. Thank you TC for the award. Now, I would like to pass this along.....

Douglas at Qualicumlife he is always very thoughtful and gives me food for thought and his current post is no exception.

Cathy at Cathy's Place where she is doing another 9/11 writing post and her relentless efforts to keep healthcare issues in the fore front.

Leslie a retired teacher who shares with us the joys and sadness of life as she sees it The Pedalogue
Drew who is young and has just moved to California and regales us with adventures and dives into some pretty hot topics in a sensitive and thought provoking ways n1605

Michelle from Rocky mountain Retreat shares with us her joys of fishing and life in the Kootenay's and the beauty that surrounds her. She also shares with her readers what it is like living with epileptic seizures.

So here's to you all thank you for some enjoyable reads!

This week's theme is "row" (something in a row)

These guys seem to always travel in a row.....Quail in my back yard......check out

tnchick for more information on how to join the weekly hunt. Happy Hunting all!

Yesterday was a bit of a strange one for me. I had just got off of nights and was feeling a little out of sorts. After taking some time to try and understand how I was feeling, I realized that yesterday would have been my mother's 81st Bday. It will be two years this September that she pasted away. Growing up I could always remember looking forward to my mom's birthday because once it was mom's bday mine was only 8 days later. I don't think of it that way anymore. I just think, wow it would have been her birthday....my sister's and I had a tradition for mom's bday. We would take mom out for a fun lunch or dinner.....the wine would flow and boy would we have many giggles. I think we subliminally used her as a decoy. You see we would be having so much fun when we were out that it would attract people....men in particular...of course they would ask what we were celebrating, that would lead to them buying my mom or the group a drink or a bottle of wine...and then of course and invitation to sit at our table....oh yes it was fun....she was a great party lady. I think it is she who put the capital "B" in birthday. So here's to you "Mum" I raise a glass and toast you and wish you happiness where ever you are!

Do you think technology has gone to far? I ask myself that question a lot. I was talking with my sister the one who just retired from being an Elementary school Principle. For example, we talked about the use of cell phones and has their use just gotten out of control. I notice now the ads for going back to school and of course there are many about the parents getting their children cell phones as part of their back to school supplies. My how times have changed. Has our world gotten so out of control that we feel our children need to take a cell phone to school? My sister says she banned their use in school...if the student used it, it was confiscated. They could take it out of their backpacks after school and that was it. But even then I wonder,why is that so necessary. I mean I am not that old ok I will be 46 next week, but really, we managed to survive without them. To me they are being used by parents as babysitters. I don't buy into the whole safety thing. Not for being used at school anyhow. Before we would leave for school we always knew the plan for after school. If plans changed we would ask permission from the school secretary to use the phone of save a quarter to call our parents. But how often did that happen? Rarely in my case. My parents always knew when I had a team practise after school or a program. It was also a given that if you participated in any extra curricular activity that you got yourself to and from that activity. Yes there might have been times when I wished my parents had picked me up from practise or from Brownies but they didn't and I survived. So what has changed. We make plans with our children before they leave, we trust that they will follow those plans...if we thought about deviating from those plans you could rest assure that their were consequences for disobeying. So why the need for the cell phone. Who is changing plans. Is it the parents. Are they changing their minds about picking up the kids? Did they get stuck in traffic and want to let their children know. It was just a given that if you made plans with our parents that you stood by them, even if it meant waiting an extra 45 mins at the school because they were stuck. We would just go inside and tell the office we were waiting for our parents and then either help out in the school or get permission to go to the school play ground. I know that opens up another topic all together....liability issues...yes yes...maybe if we weren't so quick to point the finger and try to blame someone else and take responsibility for our actions. So cell phones...why...what are these young children doing with them, besides calling their friends and making plans for Friday night or after school activities.....didn't we do that when we use to get home. Why all of a sudden is there such an urgency to have to make all these calls. Safety....hmmm.....we must teach and teach again our children about safety. Does a cell phone keep them safe? Don't know....not in school it doesn't...that is what the teachers are there for...that is what administration is there for. After school....hmmmm.....as a parent if I have made arrangements with my child....it should be my responsibility to follow through on those plans, if I am asked to work overtime...I let my employer that I can't do it today as I made plans with my children...if they would like me to stay tomorrow I would be more than happy and would arranged with my children. What ever happened to planning? Whatever happened to be accountable to our families? Cell phones are a cheap and easy way for us to relinquish our responsibilities as parents. If we make a commitment to our child we must endeavour to keep that commitment. Cell phones make it to darn easy to break that commitment.

I would love to hear from those parents out there that feel it is imperative that their school aged child needs a cell phone and what is their rationale.

Ok I will get off of my soap box now....have a grand day all!

Is there really Justice out there?

We have all heard of the benefits of exercise. I have taken to getting back into running. I am not a marathoner by any means...maybe one day I might do a half marathon....but for now I am content with being able to run 10km....my goal is to run 4 times a week....generally I am meeting it but not always able to do the 10km. Anyhow, that is not the purpose of this post. One of the benefits I find to running is that it allows me time to think. I think about things I have to do, things I have done, conversations I have had....all kinds of things. But today whilst I was running I was thinking about two conversations I had over the past two days.

After work yesterday I had stopped into the store to get a few things when I ran into a co-worker. I only worked with her briefly, but I always enjoyed our chats. She had recently moved from the Maritime to the Island. While nursing she has been working on her masters. She just finished it shortly after she got here. During her short term working at the hospital she picked up work at the University as an instructor in their nursing program. As part of her masters she was working in a community doctor's office. She was getting her masters in becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Wow I say. Anyhow, she has achieved her goal and she is working out of the clinic. The office she first worked in she had to travel to...it has now moved in town...another bonus. The community have welcomed her and she is very busy. She told me that her and hubby have recently moved into their home they had built, hubby got a promotion and as a graduation present to herself she got her Baby grand piano....again...another WOW! She is an accomplished pianist as well. Dang how does that happen. We had a lovely chat...I am so happy for her....I am sure she and hubby had to make a lot of sacrifices in order for them to get where they are today and I am truly happy for them both.

Conversation number 2. I had sent my sister an ecard just to let her know I was thinking about her and that I hoped her radiation sessions were going ok. She called me. We had a wonderful chat. She has had some ups and downs with the radiation treatments, but next week will be the end of them. She is tired and I think she is trying to do to much. Her mother in law as I mentioned in one of my previous posts was diagnosed with terminal cancer with a prognosis of 3 to 6 months. Yesterday evening she tells me they were over at mother in laws and the Palliative care nurse came to visit to talk about course of treatment and what the palliative care team is all about and how they can help the family. You can only imagine how heart wrenching that must have been for all present. A much needed discussion but difficult all the same. Sister then goes on to tell me that her hubby has just recently been to a specialist who tells him he needs back surgery for a compressed disc. Oh my god I say....this is all to much. My sister is feeling tired and weary with her treatments and trying to be supportive of her husband, her husband is dealing with a wife who is going through radiation a mother who has just been given the news she has 3 - 6 months to live and now he has to have surgery.

This then got me thinking about a conversation I was having with another sister just at the beginning of the week. We talked about justice and is there such a thing. So then as I am running I ask myself the question.....why? Where is the justice in all of this. Why is it that one persons life can appear to be all roses and just moving in positive direction and another persons life be in such cahos.....why? Why do some people have to endure so much, while others seem to coast through life.

Where is the justice in all of that?.....why do bad things happen to good people? I wish someone had the answer to that one. I know we all have to face trials and tribulations through our lives...but more times then not we are given a little breathing space to deal with each issue. Not so in my sister and brother in laws case. Why? I have never been one to believe in the saying...."that god doesn't give us more than we can handle" if that is the case my sister and her hubby must have some mighty broad shoulders. I tend to look at it as "I must have been really bad in my other life" and have some bridges to mend in this life.

It wasn't that long ago that I was faced with emotional challenges. Three years ago one of my sister's died the following year my niece died and 6 months later so did my mom. I thought I was going to crumble....I wanted to desperately run under a rock and hide, and pray that nothing else would happen. Did those experiences make me stronger. Gosh I don't know. Did I learn something, I honestly don't know, maybe.....but what a terrible way to learn one of life's lessons...if that is what it is all about, to learn a lesson.

Justice....nope I don't believe there is such thing. If one kills another...yes maybe they catch the killer and yes maybe the killer gets the death penalty...is that justice? I don't think so. It doesn't bring the loved one back, it doesn't take away the sorrow you feel, the heart wrenching ache you feel every time you look at your loved ones photo.

Justice...where is the justice when someone gets off of a crime because of misfiled document or some minor technicality.....

Justice...I think I agree with my sister....there is no justice....just a lot of questions and whys?

What do you think?

Mixed bag Wednesday.....

Wow it has been such a change around here....so quite. Poor Bert(that's our dog) is moping around wondering where the boys have gone. For me I have busied myself by working overtime. I worked yesterday and I am going to go and do overtime tonight. Then there is always cleaning...when I got home yesterday from work I started cleaning and organizing....and....hold your breath....."IRONING"....yes ironing....there I was ironing my pillow cases and duvet cover....dear god someone help me. Then if that wasn't enough....after cooking dinner and cleaning up....I decided I wanted to start knitting. Yup knitting. I'm not very good at it but I like to give it a try.

I have this pattern that was given to me years ago for a scarf. It's kind of cool..it's one of those that you increase your stitches as you go along...then you knit parts where you have three needles, which end up making a hole for the other part of the scarf to come through...it's kinda of neat....I will show you when I am done. I should have finished it last night...but at 2345hrs. when I was on my 3rd time of taking off a row of stitches, I knew it was time to put the needles down and go to bed. I'll try it again today.

I have been trying to catch up on all of your blogs. Gosh you all have been so busy. Isn't summer fun...all the great outdoor things we get to do. I was reading at Lisa's blog that she was just recently in my neck of the woods....checking out my stomps ....it's great to hear how others see your home town.....sounds like she had a really good time....wish I could have met her for coffee....maybe next time.

Then I was reading at Beckie's about her daughter and the amazing things her young daughter is able to do. This then brought to mind my amazing husband. Ok...I know I talk about him, but just bear with me...just when you think you know everything about your spouse you find something new, and so was the case today. When I was over at Beckie's place leaving a comment I had mentioned about "genius" Well, it appears I live with one. I mean I always knew my hubby was a very bright man. But you know he is one of those guys that you would never think..."wow that guys a genius".....and yet on an almost daily basis in his very casual nonchalant way he demonstrates his intelligence. Here is what I found out about him today. My hubby was a high school drop out. He tells me he found school so boring. I roll my eyes and say...yeah typical teenage attitude. But in his case it might have been true. When he was in grade 7 he was told he had the comprehension of 2nd year university student and a vocabulary of a 1st year university . The board of education had him review books for their curriculum. Hmmmmmmmmmm......and here I am not even able to spell some of the simplest of words. He is my walking and talking dictionary....let me tell you it is very common around here whilst I am typing on my blog to be asking....."hey honey....how do you spell....." and without hesitation he can tell me. Gosh I am so jealous. I have known that he is a very talented man...I have seen him at work on many projects.....intructions...what are those.....this is a man who can take a boat engine apart and rebuild it....this is a man who loves to dismantle computers and rebuild them....his spatial capabilities are amazing. I don't mean to go on about it...but it really just blows my mind some days. It's like taking something for granted.....it's always been....so it will always be...until one day you stop and you think....wow...that or he in this case is one smart cookie.

I am sure you have all met or know of someone like this.....their an interesting breed that is for sure.....and just so I don't make him sound so perfect.....he just was reading this over my shoulder and he told me to mention that it is a rare breed that is not only intelligent but good looking......dear god what have I got myself into......I think this is where I should post a picture of him doing something completely idiotic.......

Have a grand day all!!!

Gone Fishin......

I had mentioned in another post that it was eldest sons Birthday recently. We didn't do a whole lot that day as hubby was still busy attending to last minute things with regards to moving the shop. Eldest son had his friend stay over, got out and did some quadding....hubby bar-b-qued a wonderful dinner and of course there was cake and ice cream. Grandma and Grandpa came over to celebrate with us as well. I think eldest was happy with his day.....

And here's the Birthday boy.....Hope you had a good one "Big Guy"

Well we did manage to get the boys out for their fishing day. The day started out by putting the boat in the water at Deep Bay. From their we ventured out and around Chrome Island(I have shown you pictures of Chrome Island before and on my sidebar) but these pictures are up close.

These are Cormorants. Shoreline birds and common in these areas. There is actually a Search and Resuce helicoper in this area named after it. I apologize for the lack of clarity of some of these pictures but it is a bit difficult when the boat is bobbing up and down. Heading east we came to a little island called Norris Island. Home to many seals, shoreline birds, and eagles. As we approached the seals took to the water. Continuing on east we made our way to Hornby Island and Tribune Bay, which is part of Hornby Island. This is a very popular spot for boaters and vacationers. Years ago you would be able to buy property on this island very cheap.....today not so....a place there can run anywhere from $370K to $million dollars.

I got this map from a site on the internet that was selling their property for $950K. It gives you a aireal view of where we came from. To the northeast of this Island is where we started out. Tribune bay is just below that red property marker. This is what we saw as we entered the bay. Of course we had to drop anchor and go ashore.We didn't stay in Tribune Bay for very long as we had to set out to do what we came to do...and that was go FISHING! We left and not far out we put down the lines and started trolling. It wasn't long before we got something on the line.....This is what he caught. They are small sharks but better known as Dog Fish. They are a catch and release fish...but the boys got a big thrill trying to real them in....Here's youngest son with his catch.....I think we ended up catching 6 of these. Hubby did get three salmon on the line...one we actually got up to the boat but we lost all three of them.....After a long day on the water we started to head home. The next picture is of Mt. Arrowsmith in the distance.

And I close this post with a picture of our boys.....what a grand day we had!

Happy Friday....

Another week is coming to an end...and with that so is our time with the boys. I know I have regaled you all with our daily adventures and I am sure by this time you must be getting bored. We have the boys for such a short period of time and we wanted to make the most of our time together. By making the posts about our adventures I am hoping that if the boys get home sick for the west coast, all they would have to do is look up my blog and remember all the good times we spent together and that that would put a smile on their face. They are a huge part of our lives. I know both their father and I are going to feel such a void when they go. I am not looking forward to Monday when we must say our goodbye's at the airport....it will be heart wrenching seeing them leave and having to let them go. Divorce is difficult, especially when children are involved. We hope that our time spent with them has had a positive impact on them. It is very difficult to be involved in their daily lives and to feel like you are providing them guidance, love and support when they live over 4000km away. I know I shouldn't wish or rush my life away, but Christmas can't come soon enough as it brings with it the best gift of all..... our wonderful boys.

On a cheery note....a dear blogger akelamalu has bestowed upon me the Inspirational Blogger Award.

Now I must pass this along. I always feel so honoured when I receive such awards and hence I take it very seriously when I pass it along. There are way to many blogs out there that have an impact on my life and find it difficult to limit the number....I think all the blogs I visit on a regular basis are inspirational to me in one way or another....so what I want you all to do...is take this award...post it on your blog...and if you feel there is a blogger out there that really provides you with inspiration then go and pass this award on to them. Again thank you to Akelamalu for the award.

I want to close this post with a "Thought for the Day" this one has to do with Parenting.....

If we try to control and hold our children, we lose them. When we let them go, they have the option of returning to us more fully.........~Anne Wilson Schaef