Merry Christmas 2008!!!

Another year is quickly coming to an end and once again I am amazed at just how fast time flies. It’s hard to imagine that 2008 is almost over and we’re quickly approaching 2009. With all of its joys and sorrows, challenges and defeats, life marches on, sometimes at a quicker pace than we want.


News and Reviews:


In January my step-father Paul moved to Victoria to an Extended Care facility there to be closer to his family who are better able to care for him having him close by. It was getting more and more challenging for my mom to look after him and although it was a hard decision for her to make it’s proven to be the right one. We go over to the island to visit him every 6 weeks or so and his face still lights up when my mom walks into the room.




We celebrated milestone birthdays around our house this year with Chris turning 40 and me turning 50 (how did THAT happen!)
We flew to San Diego, had a fabulous time there, although far too short, and then cruised home. The trip was a lot of fun and a great way to celebrate.




I was able to buy my very first brand new car this year which was very exciting for me! I don’t change cars very often – this is only my 5th car in 30+ years of driving.




My mom celebrated her 82nd birthday in July and we had a fabulous brunch with John’s kids who always are delightful to be around. The darling Alaia will soon be 5 and continues to be the sweetheart of the family.






This summer I was able to spend a week in Hawaii by myself and spent most of my week just hanging out on the roof top lanai and swimming pool, visiting good friends and remembering why I love Hawaii.



The 4 legged kids around here are as lively as ever and keep us entertained and loved on a daily basis.






I didn’t get to spend too much time up at the cottage this year but did manage to go up on the tree-cutting weekend and help clean up all the logs and debris. Because of the pine beetle most of our trees have to come down which has been a sad reality for us and it has really changed the look of the place.




I’m enjoying my job as a Handy DART driver and find it quite rewarding. There are new challenges ahead in the new year with new management and union contracts but I look forward to continuing as a driver for people with disabilities and seniors.


Last year I made a renewed commitment to find a church closer to home and a year later am quite happy to have made the change. It’s not the church of my childhood but it is a warm and accepting church and for that I’m thankful.


Friends are always important to me both in real life and blog land. Thank you for your friendship. May God bless each and every one of you with good health, and a whole lot of happiness!

Carol Ship Cruise 2008

As is our custom we enjoyed another carol ship cruise in Vancouver harbour. (That's harbor for you 'mericans)







The food was fabulous, service divine, carollers on key to help with the rest of us,









and the best company in town, family and friends.

In Memory

In memory of my Dad. Dec 12 marks the 19th Anniversary of his homegoing. I still miss him. I see myself so much in him, the good and the bad. Hard to imagine it's been this long since I've heard his voice or seen his smile. Every girl should have a dad like mine.


In memory of my brother John. Dec 15 marks the 4th Anniversary of John going to meet Jesus, the One he loved so much. John lived his life passionately and never gave up on his commitments to his Lord, his family, or his friends.

Christmas Quotes

Instead of being a time of unusual behavior, Christmas is perhaps the only time in the year when people can obey their natural impulses and express their true sentiments without feeling self-conscious and, perhaps, foolish. Christmas, in short, is about the only chance a man has to be himself. ~Francis C. Farley




It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis








For centuries men have kept an appointment with Christmas. Christmas means fellowship, feasting, giving and receiving, a time of good cheer, home. ~W.J. Ronald Tucker






Happy, happy Christmas, that can win us back to the delusions of our childish days; that can recall to the old man the pleasures of his youth; that can transport the sailor and the traveller, thousands of miles away, back to his own fire-side and his quiet home! ~Charles Dickens, The Pickwick Papers, 1836




There has been only one Christmas - the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron

Family

Remember, She's the Smart One

Remember when I told you Chris was going back to school (part-time) to work on her Master's Degree in Theology? She's just completed her first course on the Synoptic Gospels. After much gnashing of teeth, tossing and turning in the night, migraine head aches all around, she turned in the Term Paper of all Term Papers! All 17 pages!

Her professor had previously told the class that just about 40% of his first time students fail the class because of their Term Paper. He doesn't compliment students easily but grades them fairly and objectively - according to him.

Guess what he said to Chris after reading hers through for the first time?

"Excellent piece of work Chris" "Well done!"

Toldja, she's the smart one!

I'm very very proud.

My dear friends,

Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below.

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.
Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers
(this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes:
(1.) Regular,
(2.) Light and
(3.) Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see
the nifty slippers for yourself....
Awaiting your response.
It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.

This is Something My Brothers Would've Done...

A 6 year old and a 4 year old are upstairs in their bedroom.
'You know what?' says the 6 year old. 'I think it's about time we started cussing.

The 4 year old nods his head in approval.

The 6 year old continues, 'When we go downstairs for breakfast, I'm gonna say something with hell and you say something with ass..'

The 4 year old agrees with enthusiasm.

When the mother walks into the kitchen and asks the 6 year old what he wants for breakfast, he replies, 'Aw, hell, Mom, I guess I'll have some Cheerios.'

WHACK! He flies out of his chair, tumbles across the kitchen floor, gets up, and runs upstairs crying his eyes out, with his mother in hot pursuit, slapping his rear with every step. His mom locks him in his room and shouts, 'You can stay there until I let you out!'

She then comes back downstairs, looks at the 4 year old and asks with a stern voice, 'And what do YOU want for breakfast, young man?'

'I don't know,' he blubbers, 'but you can bet your fat ass it won't be Cheerios!'

Family

This is How Mothers Get Grey Hair

Weekend at The Cottage

Last weekend we headed up to our place in the Cariboo for the weekend. Maggie was beyond thrilled as we stopped at her favorite park along the way so she could chase a hundred balls in the mud before climbing back in the truck.

We had been up earlier in the year and taken down a fair amount of trees. Because of the pine beetle most of our trees will have to come down changing the whole look of the place.

Instead of a cottage nestled in the woods with trees lining the perimeter it's now starting to look like a naked piece of land. Hard to imagine what those little critters have done to devastate our land.

I walked around the back of the property and took pics of the outbuildings. Rustic, you think? They will all come down probably next year.

We got a lot of work done, Maggie had a wonderful time chasing balls and getting her back scratched by Grandma. We woke up with sore backs and looked outside to see snow falling. Yikes!

Strength for Today

Happiness keeps you sweet,
Trials keep you strong,
Sorrows keep you human,
Failures keep you humble,
Success keeps you glowing,
But only God keeps you going!

5 Years and I Still Miss Him

I can't believe it's been 5 years. I still miss him. I can't see a flagger with a bright orange vest without thinking of a little man with a big attitude with an even bigger love for God and family and friends.

Kit gave me the courage to 'live life on life's terms' and to be all that God intended for me to be and to never be defeated the words and actions of others.

Here's lookin' at you Kit,

Your bud.

In Remembrance

We're off to the cottage this weekend, I haven't been up there much this year at all so I'm looking forward to seeing 'our place' and closing it up for the winter. We have a lot of work to do cleaning up the yard with all the trees and debris taken down last summer so that should keep us busy for the weekend.

Maggie of course is excited that she's going to her special place where she can run and be free and chase balls until somebody's mother's arms drop off, not mentioning any names here.

There was so much hoopla this week because of the US elections, I'll just say this one little bitty thing...that Obama is something. What a charasmatic speaker. Wow. As exciting as it was to see him get elected it was every bit as disappointing to see Prop 8 voted on in California. Rights and freedoms of Americans stripped from them. Very sad.

So..........off we go. REMEMBER to love the one you're with and never take it for granted. Tell them you love them. Remember the people who died for our country. Remember the people who continue to fight for the rights and freedom of all people.

In Memory of Bernice Gerard

Last night I heard the news that our beloved Bernice had passed away into the arms of Jesus. Bernice was a Pastor/Teacher/Evangelist/Radio Moderator/Television Host/Crusader for the Unborn/Friend of Israel/and a whole host of other titles. She had served on Vancouver city council as well as pastoring a large Pentecostal church at the same time.

I got to know Bernice when I was about 8 years old and even at that age she had a profound influence on my life. I used to line up my stuffed animals on my bed and 'preach' to them using Bernice's method of pacing back and forth and holding up a Bible at the same time. I believe my Scripture came from Romans. I don't know, I'd have to check my notes.

After I graduated from Bible College I went to live in Vancouver and attended the church that Bernice and her co-worker Velma pastored for many many years. I joined the staff a year later and worked alongside them until they resigned the church to focus on their TV and Radio ministries along with their work with children around the world.

Bernice was someone to be reckoned with. She didn't back away from anybody. She was tough, lacking somewhat in social skills but always fighting for the underdog. She had come from a poor foster family and grown up 'in the system' and never looked back. Once she got 'converted in the country' it became her life force to tell the world of the good news of Jesus Christ.

There are many stories to be told about her, many, many lives influenced by her, she was an amazing woman. She was a pioneer in leading women to join the ministry, believing that it is God who ordains those to preach, not man.

Her co-worker Velma Chapman passed away last year at 92 and they had worked together as partners in ministry for over 60 years. Amazing.

Well done Bernice, well done. You're at home now. Safe in the arms of Jesus.

Dear All:

My cousin's cat had kittens and she was able to give away all but 4 of them.

I told her I would help her find homes for the last 4.

We can't take one because we already have 2 cats, but if you could take just one it would be such a help and the kittens could have a nice home.

Since she lives by the Nuclear Power Plant, I'll go pick them up for you.

I've attached pictures of the last 4 kittens.

Will you help?

Thanks