Remembrance Day

Today is Remembrance Day in Canada; a day to honour those who have served and sacrificed for our peace and freedom. Many of us are enjoying the liberties we enjoy because of these individuals and I think we should be grateful to them every day.

WE REMEMBER

It�s been quite an emotional and stressful week for my American friends. Actually, the whole year has been thorny. But the last few days have been particularly difficult. I�m sorry that you have dealt with this conflict and continue to do so. My wish for all of you is that you come together as a country and work toward healing and harmony. There are people out there who are continuing to fuel anger and division. Why not be someone who promotes peace and unity?

Speaking of anger and division, I am really close to ending a friendship with a woman I�ve known since we were twelve. I thought I knew her. Turns out I really don�t. We are on opposite sides of the spectrum on many issues and that�s okay. What�s not okay is the bashing that I see on her Facebook page toward people with opposing political and social views and opinions. One of her distastes (or rather, revulsions) is liberals. I don�t care if she likes or doesn�t like the liberal mindset. What I do care about is the name calling. Things like: �progressive puppets�, �stupid liberals�, �dimwit liberals� and so on. Well, I am a liberal. And so are my daughters and many others I know. When she tosses those insults around in such a harsh manner, she also targets us in a harsh manner. There is no need for it. My circle consists of liberals, conservatives and everything in-between. And we get along - and will continue to get along - just fine, even while debating an issue, as long as we don�t resort to that kind of behaviour. Why can�t she state her opinion without all the name-calling? And how can we possibly remain friends when she feels this way?

Anyhow, I just finished my second cup of coffee, my slow cooker is plugged in, the sun is shining and the weekend is here. Life is good. I�m going to end this blogging week with yet another song that I hope I haven�t already shared. It�s �Stand by you� by Rachel Platten. Enjoy and have a wonderful weekend!

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Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, everyone, and happy Halloween! I hope you all had a lovely weekend. We sort of hibernated the past couple of days, because sometimes you need a little of that, but we did manage to go out for coffee and be part of civilization. Now that my battery is more or less fully charged, I will once again pick up the pace.

Lots of sunshine here today but a little cold. Thankfully there's no rain in the forecast, so the little witches and pirates and princesses and vampires can get out tonight and enjoy the holiday. They may have to bundle up but at least they won't have to carry umbrellas around. Or miss out completely. Some parents do not take the kids out if the weather is really bad.

Anyhow, here's some Halloween(y) humour for you.

Have a great day, everyone.

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So Much To Be Thankful For

It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada. I have so much to be thankful for that I don't know where to begin. At the top of the list are the people I love most in this world: my daughters, my husband, my mom and brother. I couldn't ask for a more amazing bunch.

Then there are the usual suspects like living in one of the most beautiful place in the world, not to mention one of the safest, and having a roof over my head, clean water to drink and plenty to eat.

And in addition to all these blessings, I end up coming home with a gift basket like this earlier this week that made my day:

It was given to me by the wife of my hospice client. He is an elderly man that I look after each Wednesday while his family is away. I've been volunteering with the local hospice organization for the past 18 months or so, and for over a year I've been assigned to this wonderful family. The wife is the sweetest, kindest lady on the planet and she is always trying to give me something as a gesture of gratitude. In the beginning, she tried giving me things like gas cards and money, which I promptly refused. I explained to her that we are not permitted to accept anything that didn't fall into the organization's motto, which goes something like this: "If you can't drink it, eat it or grow it, you can't accept it". I explained to her that if I broke this rule, I would be dismissed and couldn't help her family anymore. She understood but because she's the type of person that needs to show appreciation, she decided to work with that motto. Since then, I've been sent home, now and again, with things like jugs of milk, butter, cookies, bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream, fruit juices, fruits, chocolates, candy and so on. When her son takes her shopping, she sometimes picks up something for me. One week, papayas were on sale and she got one for me. I swear. I've told her many times that all this is not necessary and to please stop because I don't want her spending money. She waves this away, bags whatever she has for me and sends me on my way. She is adorable.

This week she stunned me with the fruit basket that is filled with all these edible and drinkable goodies. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. It felt like my heart was being hugged when she handed it to me and said "just a little something to show you how much we appreciate all you do for us." I'm tearing up just writing about this.

Yes, I have so much to be thankful for. I am truly blessed. Especially because of the incredible people that I cross paths with in life. Including all of you!

Have a lovely weekend, everyone. And Happy Thanksgiving to all my fellow Canucks!

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Canada, Eh?

Culturally diverse
Wonderfully progressive
And stunningly beautiful
This is Canada

Happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canucks! And happy weekend to everyone.

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To All Moms

Wishing you all a beautiful day.

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Animals of YouTube Sing Up On The Housetop

Here is a fun video to kick start the day with that will make you all smile!



One more sleep until Christmas!

I have one more post scheduled for later today, so check back again!

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Accidents Will Happen

This time it wasn�t Santa that took the wrong turn, although I hope he wasn�t hitting the �nog before he got on that sleigh.

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Chuckles and Chortles

Happy last Monday before Christmas day, everyone! How was the weekend? Good, I hope. Mine included a change in hairstyle. Can you believe I hadn�t cut my hair since March? It�s true. So I finally got to that on Saturday, and decided to be bold and adventurous. I cut my neglected hair short. Very short. The most amazing man in the world says it makes me look sassy. Like he needed more of that. *snort* Anyhow, I�ll try to post a photo before it all grows back.

And hey, I completely forgot to tell you about the first Christmas gift I received early last week from my 17-year-old daughter. She saw it when she was out shopping and just �had to buy it� for me. Check it out:

Don�t I have the best kids?

Grumpy cat is now part of our Christmas traditions. Hmm...I�m not sure what that says about us.

Anyhow, enough blabbing. Let�s get to the funny stuff!

A beautiful day to all of you! We�re almost there...

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A Cat�s Guide On How To Catch Santa

You�re doing it wrong, kitty!

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What Ponies Ask Santa For Christmas

Well, what did you expect?

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(Holiday) Sunny Side Up

Below is a video that I have to share with my bloggy pals. In it, some dogs and a cat sit down for a holiday feast. You heard right: a cat, as in singular. Because guess who's got to be at the head of the table?

Even the cat is amused.

If this isn't the funniest thing you see today, it'll surely be the most unique.

Don�t I take good care of you all?



Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Last weekend before Christmas! *squee*

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When Christmas Treats Go Wrong

What would the holidays be without baking fails? It wouldn�t be as much fun, that�s for sure. And like many people, I�ve had my fair share. Everything looks so darn easy in the recipe. In reality, it�s a whole different ball game.

Here are some hilariously tragic Christmas treat outcomes...

If you make these in the spring, it'll explain the meltdown.

The cookies below look like they were prepared by a professional baker. How the heck is an ordinary person going to do that?

This has actually happened to me!

You can't go wrong with snowmen and strawberries. Or can you?

Well, as long as they taste good.

What about a Christmas tree cake?

This donut hole Christmas tree didn't quite make it to the finishing line.

Another attempt at beautiful cookies gone wrong...

The snowman with the marshmallow eyes is hilarious!
So is the one with the marshmallow boobs!

As for gingerbread houses, they can be salvaged because...

And that makes all the difference!

Have a great day, everyone.
(Oh my gosh...only one week until Christmas!)

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(Holiday) Question Of The Day

Where does one begin with such a question? I like so many that it�s almost impossible to pick one.

But.

There is one that rises to the top because it takes me back to my early childhood and brings to mind so many wonderful memories. I first discovered this song in a Christmas television special that was produced in 1968 and continues to be aired so many years later. The song, which is also the title of this television classic, is �The Little Drummer Boy�

�The Little Drummer Boy� has been performed by many very talented individuals over the years but my all-time favourite version is by Bob Seger. Here�s a video of him singing with scenes from the beloved television special.



I fell completely in love with this tune the first time I heard it, and it continues to be a top choice.

What�s your favourite Christmas song?

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Hometown Memories: Christmas Caroling

One of the most nerve-racking interesting things I�ve ever done as a child is go door-to-door Christmas caroling. And of course, my brother, Steve, went right along with me because we were completely inseparable as children and did everything together.

Performing for others wasn�t the easiest thing in the world for me to do because not only was I an introverted child that avoided the spotlight, I was also a painfully shy one, too. But my brother wasn�t bashful by any means, and he was quite the ham, so that made it easier. All I had to do was follow his lead.

Many, many Christmases ago. Steve is all the way to the left and I'm all the way to the right.
My brother may not be with us anymore but I have a lifetime of wonderful memories of him.

We only visited families that we knew, which certainly put me more at ease, and I must admit that it got easier as we went from one home to another.

One of the buildings we dropped in to sing Christmas carols to some family friends.

In fact, I was disappointed when we ran out of homes to visit; I wanted to keep going. Not that being tipped after each visit and amassing a small fortune by the end of that day had anything to do with it. Not at all.

Honest.
(fingers crossed behind back)

Have you ever gone caroling?

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Chuckles and Chortles

Happy Monday, folks. How are you all doing after the weekend? And how goes all the Christmas stuff? I hope to be done with all my shopping this week. It�s pretty late for me. When my kids were very young, I used to prepare all year long, but I guess that makes sense since I had to shop for over 20 kids back then. Now it�s down to just some family.

I hope you�ve been enjoying all the holiday posts that I�ve been bombarding you with. Ready for more? As if you have a choice! 'Tis the season, you know. The season for Christmas madness!

Here�s another round of holiday humour for you. Whether you like it or not...

Wishing you all a great day ahead!

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