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

First, I must give credit where credit is due. My dear blog friend Skittles has this wonderful blog..I think most of the people who visit my blog either came to mine via hers or know of her. Anyhow, for those of you who don't. Skittle has all kinds of things going on at her blog. One of the things I like are her...."Just a Quickie" and if she doesn't mind I would like to be able to do that with my blog. Here is http://skittles0366.blogspot.com/ site. Please go pay her a visit.

So here it is:

Grocery shopping....paper or plastic?

Tis the season

Christmas. A time of year that is full of love, giving, caring and a time for forgiveness. A time where we can reflect on Christmas's past. Remembering our children's first Christmas the look on their faces as they see the Christmas tree for the the first time and under it, gifts wrapped in bright paper, and the stockings bursting with little surprises inside. It is a wonder to watch. Fond memories right?

Sadly to say for all this is not the case. For some Christmas brings backs horrible memories. It is not all sugar plum fairies, and dancing snowmen and jolly ole Saint Nick. It is hungry bellies, homelessness, loneliness, bruises and scars both mental and physical. For many it is a time for morning the loss of loved ones deceased and those that through disagreement separates them.

Families, who through no fault of their own find themselves at the shelters for Christmas or having their names put on the list hoping that some company, group or organization will adopt their family for Christmas to help them provide the basics for a simple Christmas for their loved ones.

Christmas. As we hustle and bustle trying to get prepared for the coming festivities. We grumble at the lack of parking spaces at the mall, the line ups at the cashier, the lack of preparedness of the stores for not having exactly what WE are looking for.






Is that what Christmas is all about? Have we lost the meaning of it? Is there a meaning to it? Or have we allowed the media, marketing and the likes dictate to us what Christmas should be?

I saw the most disturbing display of what Christmas is NOT about the other day on a TV clip. It showed people displaying their displeasure with what they got for Christmas. The actual temper tantrums, the kicking and screaming and crying saying, that is not what they wanted. I was appalled. Is that what Christmas has come down to? I truly hope not.

Every year at work our unit sponsors a family for Christmas. This Christmas we sponsored a family of five. Mom, dad and their three children. I volunteered to purchase gifts for the 16 yr old girl. Having daughters myself that are around the same age, I just thought of this as buying for one of my own. It was so much fun and gave me such great pleasure. This girls will never know who provided her with these gifts and I am glad for that. I just want her to know that someone out there cares.

If we all just did one simple thing for a stranger, could you imagine the ripple effect it could have. What a Christmas that would be! One less tear, one more hug!

Merry Christmas to all.....

Hark the Herald Angels sing...

Here we are preparing for another Christmas season. Along with those preparations comes moments of reflection which brings back both good and not so good memories for many of us. This post I would like to focus on some of the fond memories. In a previous post I shared with you, my Santa collection and told you the significance they held for me. Well, as I was doing my daily house chores today I realized that I also have a little collections of Angels. I am not sure how this collection got started but it has. I would like to share them with you. Each angel has a story behind it....I will share the memory of a few of them with you.

The two angels and baby Jesus were gifts. The angel on the left is the angel of "Remembrance" this was given to me by my ex mother in law at the passing of my mom. The one on the right is the angel of "Healing" my dear girlfriend gave that to me when I was sick. The little baby Jesus was made by my daughter. I treasure these all very much.

The Angel on the left belonged to the girls great grandmother. It now is a family heirloom.

This Angel was one of my sisters. She collected angels. When she passed away her husband gave all of us one of her angels on Christmas eve. The ornament beside it is one I gave to my mother. It just seemed appropriate to have them close to each other. There is a story about Eileen's Angels but I will save that for another post.

These two lovely angels are actually candles. They hold little tea lights and when the are lit up the stain glass glows so beautifully. My hubby bought these for me on our first Valentines together.

Again these were all gifts. The ones on the left and right are made of granite, Douglas's boys gave them to him for Christmas, the little one in the middle was given to me by one of my sisters as part of my Christmas gift one year and the one in the back was also given to me by another sister. I am a lucky woman to be surrounded by so much love.

I did it!!!

Well I told you earlier that hubby and I were going to go skating, something I haven't done in years. Oh my goodness. First off the skates aren't the old rickety ones we use to get. No these skates looked more like snow board boats...well sort of. Anyhow, I get them on, I manage how to lace them up and then the moment of truth arrives. I walk out to the ice holding the edge of the gate for dear life. Where are those metal bars we use to be able to use. Of course there are none to be found. Passe I am informed.

I make it out onto the ice....slowly, slowly....inching along, when this little tike, I swear he only came up to my knee if that. There he was with his helmet on skating like it was the most natural thing to do and playing hockey to boot. Oh my!

So here I am making my feeble attempt at skating......look mom see what I can do!!!

This one makes me laugh....notice the sign in the back...."Physiotherapy" something maybe I might need after all of this!!

Actually, it was all good fun. Douglas and I had some good giggles. He did a lovely swan dive into the boards....I wasn't sure at first if it was for real or he was just joking.....I laughed, he smiled. We skated on.

Well I survived and now I must get ready for work. Wishing you all well.

Oh the weather outside is frightful.......

So I was tagged by Flower to tell you 5 of my favorite Chirstmas songs.....that is a hard one...

1) Oh Holy Night - Jewel or Nana Muskouri

2) So this is Christmas - John Lennon

3) Winter Wonderland - Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton

4) Chestnust roasting on an open fire - Nat King Cole

5) Christmas in the trenches - John McDermmot

The I was tagged by Martie (Grandmocha) to tell you 6 weird things about me. Are there six weird things about me...wait let me check with hubby....hubby says that is a loaded question and won't answer....hmmmm

1) I vacuum twice a day

2) I hate for my car to be messy

3) My step son says I have a weird vocabulary(not sure what that means)

4) I have a certain way I like my counters to be cleaned(no streaks)

5) If I had the space I would colour code my closet and have a spot of winter and summer clothes

6) When I have the chance I would rather drive around the block than make a left hand turn

Now I am suppose to tag people for this....but I know most of you have been tagged for one thing or another....so if this interests you post it on your blog....have fun with it....I did.

Now it is Saturday, and it is my swing day. That is I have all day off and I go onto nights tonight. So dear hubby has plans. It seems the weatherman was wrong and we didn't get the rain he predicted so the snow has not melted as he said it would, which means there is some shovelling which needs to be done.

Hubby bless his heart, spent 2 1/2 hours the other night digging my car out of the snow, so I would be able to drive to work the following morning. That was quite the job. Thank you sweetie!! But there is still lots left, so I think I will have to get out there and do my bit.

After that my love of my life has suggested we go ice skating. Yes you heard me ice skating. I use to be an avid ice skater. I would go every Sunday and loved it. I think the last time I went my girls were little and it was for a birthday party. This should be very interesting....wish me luck!!

So I guess I should get on with my day. I am wondering how many of you are starting your Christmas preparations today. I know some of my friends will be putting up their Christmas lights this weekend. Anyhow, whatever it is you do today, I wish you fun, joy and happiness. So on that note I bid you all a "Good Night!"

I am Humbled

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wishing you all a fabulous day!!!

Gonna take a break for a while....

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It Works!!!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers!

Just a quickie

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

Still struggling with this transfer stuff to beta!!!

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

Just call me computer loser!!!!

Have a grand day all!

I've changed to Beta

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

It's Friday!!!

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

Well I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

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

Cheers!!!

What a storm!!!

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

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

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

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

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