HOW TO CLEAN THE HOUSE

1. Open a new file in your PC
2. Name it "Housework."
3. Send it to the RECYCLE BIN.
4. Empty the RECYCLE BIN.
5. Your PC will ask you, "Are you sure you want To delete Housework permanently?"
6. Calmly answer, "Yes," and press mouse button firmly......
7. Feel better?
Works for me!

7 Years Ago

7 Years ago today I smoked my last cigarette. I was a pretty heavy smoker for a number of years. Quitting smoking was one of THE hardest things I have ever done. I couldn't have done it without the patch which I wore the full 10 weeks. There were times that I would rub the daylights out of it trying to get that little extra out of it.
The first 2 weeks were horrible. I had to keep constantly busy. I have never showered so often in my life. It seemed I always felt itchy. I played my guitar constantly trying to keep my hands busy. I couldn't pick up a phone to call anyone because that always went along with smoking.
There are times that I still miss having a cigarette, but those times are less. I'm very glad that I quit although I've put on a great deal of weight since. Addiction is such a hard disease but a real sense of victory comes when you're able to overcome something. I always said if I can do it, anybody can.

Mornings

I'm not really a morning person...yawn, stretch, groan....but this week I've been working 7:30-3:30 every day. That means I'm up at 6 o'clock EVERY SINGLE MORNING! Yikes!

This weekend I'm looking forward to sleeping in and getting lots of rest and relaxation around the house. Maybe a movie, ordering in pizza. Anything that does NOT require getting out of bed so early.

Peace out.........

Read the Want Ads Lately?

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE seeks male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a very good girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods, riding in your pickup truck, hunting, camping and fishing trips, cozy winter nights lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Call (404) 875-6420 and ask for Daisy, I'll be waiting....

DYSFUNCTIONAL SECTION OF HALLMARK CARDS

1. I always wanted to have someone to hold, someone to love. And now that you've come into my life...
(Inside card) - I've changed my mind.

2. I must admit, you brought religion into my life...
(Inside card) - I never believed in Hell until I met you.

3. As the days go by, I think how lucky I am...
(Inside card) - That you're not here to ruin it for me.

4. Someday I hope to marry...
(Inside card) - Someone other than you.

5. When we were together, you said you'd die for me...
(Inside card) - Now that we've broken up, I think it's time to keep your promise.

6. We've been friends for a very long time...
(Inside card) - What do you say we stop?

7. I'm so miserable without you...
(Inside card) - It's almost like you're still here.

8. Congratulations on your new bundle of joy...
(Inside card) - Did you ever find out who the father was?

9. You are such a good friend. If we were on a sinking ship and there was only one life jacket...
(Inside card) - I'd miss you terribly and think of you often.

I stole this from a blog I often read.........too funny.

10. Looking back over the years we've been together, I can help but wonder...
(Inside card) - What was I thinking?

Big Girls in Holland

This photo is on this computer, I'm not sure why but since it is I thought I'd post it. Here we are in Holland. Yes, this is how they dress. All the time. So we thought we would do as they do. Aren't we cute?

In Other Words....

Last weekend our computer crashed and burned. It wasn't pretty. So, now I have no pictures, nothing to attract anyone to read my blog which, by the way, isn't read by many people anyways.

This week I've been working a lot. A whole lot. A big fat pay check (ca ching ca ching) lot.

Next week? I'm a block head. Yup. In the world of transit that's what I am. Someone who does a block of work. In other words, the same run, the same time, the same bus every day. For a week! Yippee skippee!

I'm living on borrowed computer time with this computer. I took it out of the closet, dusted it off, and hopefully it will work until the new one arrives. It does funny things. Sends emails to people that I didn't send, crashes in the middle of reading other people's blogs, shuts down constantly and keeps telling me my *(&*(
virus blocker isn't updated"

Anyways, until I'm up and running again on a new or improved ' puter, this one will have to do.

.............peace out.

Bad Betty

This is my mom Betty last year when she turned 80. For an old girl she's doing pretty good. She's fit and healthy and apart from losing her eyesight hardly has a reason to see a Dr.
For some unknown reason Chris has always called her Bad Betty. No idea why, I don't even think Chris knows but the name has stuck. Over the years as kids we gave her names..."Big Bucks Betty"...she didn't like that.

A Bad Betty story...my mom goes for power walks every day except when the weather is really bad. She can walk around the lake in 20 minutes that takes an average person 30 minutes. She's fast..I have never been able to keep up with her.

One day as she was zipping by the lake a guy suddenly stepped out of the bushes and opened up his trench coat and with very little imagination "flashed" her. My mom stopped and looked at him in the eye and said "if that's all you've got I wouldn't be showing it off" and continued around the lake. I told you, she's quick.

Another time she was at the mall and she parks a long ways away, you know, just in case another car parks beside her, and when she was loping towards the mall a guy came up to her and asked her if she had any spare change.

Bad Betty says, "No, but I have a peppermint. If you're going to beg from people you should have fresher breath" and gave him a pepper mint. He mumbled something and walked away.
Bad Betty, she's a legend. A crime fighter in the 'hood.

Life Goes On

We have a dog named Maggie. We now have had Maggie for 2 years, we got her from the SPCA, She had been given up 3 times before and so we became her 4th home. She had a lot of issues and needed a lot of tissues then and now. We've had her to a Dog Psychologist, put her in Obedience School and have tried endlessly to work with her. She's made huge improvements in some areas.

One area Maggie still needs to work on is her love for cat food. Now that we have 2 of them who also need feeding on a daily basis, she finds it necessary to eat not only her food but theirs!

The cats are NOT impressed. No wonder they give her "the paw" when she looks at them.

Other than that, it's been just work, work, work around here.

Kit and People in Uniform

I thought I'd tell a little Kit story.........I'm thinkin' my blog's needing a little more material so I'm going to tell a few stories about people. *Some names have been changed to protect the innocent*NOT!!!

Kit loved anyone who wore a uniform. It fascinated him. He held people up in high esteem if they wore a safety vest. He waved at everyone we’d pass on the road and saluted those in uniform. He often found ways of making sure somebody in uniform would come out to the group home where he lived.

One day Kit and I were out in the community and had stopped in one of our favorite coffee places to refresh and Kit spotted a man wearing a vest with his name tag on it. Kit loved to see tags and would point to them gesturing to the person that he wanted to know what it said.

That day it was something like “MAC” and Kit laughed and shook the guy’s hand. “Mac” was intrigued by Kit and asked me where he was from. “Mars” I said, to which Kit laughed uproariously. We would often make up stories to tell people just for fun. Kit had a wonderful sense of humour and trying to fool people was one of his favorite past times. Mac laughed again and shook Kit’s hand pumping it up and down. Then he turned to me and said,

“What a great guy, he makes a great first impression. When you meet him it’s like a whole bad day just gets washed away.” I’ll never forget that.

Kit loved to bring people in uniform to the group home. One time he cut the outside cable wire which provided the feed to the fax machine. Not too serious until the Manager wasn’t able to fax something. It was then discovered the cable had been cut.

Another time he cut the phone line. This time it was a little more serious because the Group Home was out in the country and really quite isolated. These days all staff have cell phones so we did have an alternative in case of emergency but he still got a talking to for that one.

The most memorable uniform story was the night we had to call the Paramedics to remove a violent client from the home. Two Paramedics and an ambulance arrived so Kit showed them into the house. Because of the state of emergency the Police were also called. They parked their cars out front and as staff we weren’t aware of that.

After the client was removed and the crisis was over we thought everyone had left. However, the policemen were still out front sitting in their squad cars making their reports. Just as we thought it was quiet in the home the front door opened and in walked one of the big burly policemen holding hands with Kit. In his other hand he held a long stemmed flower. Kit had followed the policemen to their cars and presented them with flowers as his way of thanking them for helping us deal with the crisis.

I Refuse to Change

I haven't been able to update my blog because I keep getting messages that I need to switch over to Beta Blogger and from what I've read, it's a real pain. Heck no, I won't go!

So for the time being I'm being stubborn and staying over on this side. Until I find a new blog site that works for me, this blog will just have to do because it's allowing me to post this fine morning.

Here's a shout out to all my peeps...............keep the faith!

Fridges

When we were in Hawaii an interesting phenomena would occur daily. We were staying in Waikiki overlooking the canal (for those who know the island). Directly behind us there was a street that ended at the canal. On the corner of the street stood a fridge. All by itself. hmmmm I thought, what on earth? In this land of tourists, surely someone will trip when they walk by? Or bump it in the road causing a head on collision with some poor fella from Okapokie who's just rented a nice shiny car... and then, by the end of the day the fridge was gone. One day there was a washer and dryer combo on the other side of the street. Gone as well. Give it 24 hours and they ascend into appliance heaven or wherever it is good appliances go.

One night we had been out a little later than normal (10 ish) and were walking back to the condo when we saw a fridge coming towards us. On wheels with a little man pushing it from behind. He got it to the curb and then couldn't get the wheels up onto the sidewalk from the road. He started asking innocent bystanders for help.

We got out of there fast. Chris had visions of liability issues dancing in her head when all I could think of was 'what about if I hurt my back' how could I explain that? "Well, you see it was like this, I saw a fridge walking down the road and as a responsible human being trying to do my part on the planet I decided to give it a hand and lift it to the curb where it could socialize with all the other fridges".

Anyways, it was still there when we left. Apparently it was left on the wrong side of the road for fridges.

It's a Good Life

This time last week we were getting ready to leave Hawaii. A flurry of housekeeping, packing of suitcases, last minute checks of tickets, luggage, carry-on do's and don'ts, waiting for shuttle bus, it all happened so fast. Before we knew it we were on a plane heading home.
I always go through a time of adjustment when I leave my beautiful island. Every time I get on the plane going home I ask God, why? Why can't I live here all the time? I love it so much.

I have my life here and it's a good life. I'm very blessed in so many ways. Sure there have been rough times and times I'd rather forget and that really bad time in the 90's when I lost everything and felt my life was over, but these days my life is good.
I'm glad to be home again. It's been a busy week, I've worked every day and then some OT on top of the day but I still have a little part in my heart that will always miss Hawaii until the next visit.

I'm glad that I got to show Chris some of it, my favorite places to eat, places we used to hang out in college days, beaches we suntanned at, it all seems so long ago now. A different life.
So, back to work this week and everyday life. Have a good week everyone and take time to appreciate the ones you love.

Aloha!!!

Well, after a bumpy plane ride home, we're back. Very tired but feeling very thankful for a wonderful vacation. I'll blog more later but just want to post some photos for now.

One of the places we spent a lot of time was the rooftop lanai of Becky's building. It was on the 37th floor and had an awesome view.

One day we took a drive out to the Waianae coast and enjoyed some beach time at a beautiful resort there.

We even got to see one of my fave TV characters, although he was looking a little flat that day, LOL!

We treated ourselves with a night out...a sunset dinner cruise and then the magic of polynesia show. Both were wonderful and well worth the money spent.

From Hawaii...with Aloha

Here we are in Hawaii....the sights, the sounds, the smells, it's all so familiar and yet strange in a way. It's been so many years since I've lived here and called this island home but yet it still feels like home to me. This trip is special because I'm here with Chris and sharing my love of Hawaii with her.

We've done some sightseeing and lots of walking. Today we spent the day with a friend that I met for the first time last year, Dana. She's a great tour guide and gives a great historic tour of the island. We enjoyed a lot of laughs with her.

Not sure what the rest of the week will bring, the time goes by so fast. We don't want to waste a moment but at the same time are here to relax and just take it easy.

Aloha...will post pics when I get home.

Before I Go....I Have One More Post

I saw this on someone else's blog and know it was meant for me! If you've ever seen me in the morning you know it's true. I don't function until after I've had my coffee. I used to smoke too so then it was really bad. I'm even bringing my own little personal coffee maker to Hawaii just because I know my friend only drinks iced tea and won't have one. Of course Timmy's coming along.......how Canadian is that!

Hawaii No Ka Oi

Not sure how much time or availability I will have to blog but we're leaving tomorrow for 10 days in Hawaii. I am praying for a good rest and rejuvenation for both of us as well as sunshine! I'm so looking forward to just getting away, especially from the snow that's lying outside my window right now.

Aloha nui loa

Seniors

I'm getting old. I feel worn out and tired. All the time. Recently I got together with some of my old work buddies and although I'm the youngest of the group I feel as old as they do. One of them sent me this photo. Pretty practical I think.

Bryce

1 year ago today Chris had the difficult decision to put down her beloved cat Bryce. He had been her cat for 9 years and they 'belonged together'. She always called him her rock. He was loyal and faithful and had a big attitude. I had never lived with a cat before and Bryce won me over to his kingdom.


Chris always talked for Bryce, like she knew exactly what he was thinking. His favorite word was 'dammit'. After he died we thought we might name our next cat Dammit. You know, "Dammit, get down right now". "Dammit, you're late again", it goes on and on.

We didn't but we thought about and laughed about it lots, knowing that Bryce would definitely approve.


We've been blessed with 2 little bundles of joy since but today we take a moment and remember Bryce, the handsomest man cat. Here's to you bud, dammit!

I Don't Know This Dog

....not my dog but it could be.

7 More SLeeps

It's been a busy week of driving the DART around town. The thing I really enjoy about the job is meeting different people all the time. Today was one of those days. I met a lady at the Hospital who owned a motel in Surrey. Her and her husband have owned it since 1972. She told me they'll never retire because they enjoy their lives so much. I thought 'what a change - to hear of someone who's happy with their life'. So many people have so many complaints, especially when you're picking them up from medical appointments. Here she was, getting her stitches out from a knee replacement and she was telling me what a great life she had.

At the end of my day I picked up a lady in a scooter who told me she was 53 and had MS. We chatted all the way to her place and she told me about all the good things in her life.

I'm amazed at how different we all are, how God created us all so individually. So often we get defeated by what life has dealt us and yet a day comes along when I'm surrounded by people who are thankful for what they have and it's a pleasure to hear their words and listen to their stories.

One More Week

Stolen From Barb's Blog

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. What does it say?

"Clay has no apparent value of its own in a raw state; yet it can be made into objects of great value."

2. What was the last thing you watched on TV? New Year's Eve in New York

3. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? Chris and the sound of Maggie biting her nails (not Chris's)

4. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? Coming home from visiting my mother.

5.What are you wearing? sweat pants and grey tshirt

6. Did you dream last night? Not that I can remember.

7. When did you last laugh? at my mom's this afternoon.

8. Seen anything weird lately? rash on my body.

9. What was the last film you saw? Dream Girls.

10. If you became a multi-millionaire over night, what is one of the first things you would buy?
A ticket to somewhere warm and tropical.

11. Tell me something about you that I don't know. Sometimes I pick my nose.

12. Imagine your first child is a girl, what would you name her? Amanda or Rebecca

13. Imagine your first child is a boy what would you name him? Richard James.

14. Would you ever consider living abroad? If so, what country would you choose? Absolutely. The Netherlands

15. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates? Good to seeya

Happy New Year!!!

You Know You're In a Small Town When....

On the way up to our cottage in the Caribou lies a small quaint little village called Lone Butte. Not a roaring metropolis by any stretch of the imagination. There's a gas station, a little general store, an arts and crafts place (connected to a tire place) and a pub. The pub is wonderful, it's like a big lodge with snowshoes and canoes hooked up to the ceiling and big screen TV's and great chicken burgers.

We often stop in at the pub on the way home for a good meal to hit the road. This last visit we met our friend Esther there for lunch. At the end of our meal I got up to use the washroom and noticed 2 other women were heading the same direction. No problem I thought, there are 3 stalls. I've used this facility before. I'm "in the know".

I opened the door to the washroom and noticed that all 3 stall doors weren't shut. Hmm, I thought, I'm sure those 2 women were headed this way, they couldn't have gone anywhere else. I pushed one door to open it (the doors swing in) and it was promptly slammed in my face with an "I'm sorry". There was someone inside but she hadn't closed the door! I went to the next stall (the big one) and this lady was too far away from the door and just sat on the toilet and looked at me and said "I'm sorry"! By this time I was afraid to even try the 3rd one!

So I washed my hands as if that's all I came in there to do.

Life's just so different in the city.

2 Weeks From Now...........

Diamond Head

Counting the Days

A Giving Heart

Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years... Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart. -- George Matthew Adams

Home Again

We're home safe and sound from spending Christmas in 100 Mile House. The roads were bare and dry all the way up and a little slushy on the way home. It was a good trip. We took a drive out to our cottage and saw the progress being made on our kitchen. All of the old cupboards have been torn down and it's getting prepped for beautiful shiny new ones to take their place all made by Chris' dad Jim. We visited with our realtor friend Esther over lunch at the pub in Lone Butte. It's nice when a business relationship turns into friendship. Nothing like good grub at the pub.

Tomorrow we're heading out to Abbotsford to spend some time with Paul and Betty.

Christmas is all about spending time with friends and family and this year we've done lots of that. It's been a good one.

Christmas

Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. -- Calvin Coolidge

We're off bright and early tomorrow morning for 100 Mile House. Pray for good travelling weather and safety on the roads.

It's been busy around here celebrating with each other and with friends. Last night we dropped off the boys and had a wonderful Christmas celebration with our good friends. Tonight we drop off Maggie and celebrate with another friend.

I'm truly blessed with many good friends. They come from all different walks of life, some I've met through work, some through church, some through other people and it's amazing to me how God brings people in our lives for reasons.

Years ago I went to Bible College in Hawaii and made lots of friends. Over the years I've lost touch with people as we've moved and not exchanged new addresses and I'm really down to a handful of people that I still correspond with. One of them still lives in Hawaii and I've seen her many times over the years as I've visited. I've invited Becky several times to come to Vancouver and let me show her some Canadian hospitality but she hardly ever leaves the island.

Just last week Chris and I were talking about going on vacation in the Spring. Her boss had told her they were putting on a freeze on vacation time in Feb and March so she asked if she could have days off in January. He said Jan 10 - 22.

Chris came home and starting punching in dates for different places. We talked about Cuba, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Hawaii. Do we go all inclusive, do we go somewhere neither one of us has ever been before? She played around with different web sites looking at hotels and airfares. All of a sudden I heard her say, "wow Hawaii is really cheap for airfare only". The dates were perfect, Jan 11 - 21, it fit right in the days she has off. The deal was too good to pass up and we had to book it the next morning.

I contacted my friend Becky in Hawaii and told her we were coming. Well, guess what? The person who hardly ever leaves 'the rock' is going on vacation to CA almost the exact dates we're going to be there and offered us her place! How cool is that!

It always amazes me how God works out the details for us so effortlessly.

I'm abundantly blessed.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas 2006!!!

This is officially my first Christmas Blog so welcome! We have come so far in this technology of ours. I’m so old I can remember learning to type on a manual typewriter.

Year in Review:

We started off the year on a sad note having to put down Chris’s beloved cat Bryce. She had been his mom for 9 years and it’s always so hard to lose a pet. He had a lot of personality and won me over to ‘cat world’.



Last Christmas my mom asked me if I’d like to go to Hawaii with her this year and we went in February. Unfortunately the weather was the worst I’ve ever experienced in the tropics and for the first time ever I came home without a sun tan. Much to my dismay. However, we did have some good Mother and Daughter bonding time and spent some quality time doing what we do best, shopping and eating. It was a fun week away.

In April John’s kids and my mom and I got together in White Rock to remember John and spend some time together at the beach. It was great to see them again and to see what fine young people they’ve become. Derek wasn’t able to make it but I caught up with him a week later in Vancouver at the café where he was working. Josh is busy at the Ad Co. he works for while freelancing as well. His wife Gina had 2 hip replacements this year and both have been successful. Hopefully she’ll stay healthy now. They’ve sure had their share of trials but have come through amazingly well and strong. Niki is finishing her degree in Tourism and Hospitality and is a great mom to 2 year old Alaia.

My step-father Paul had a stroke at Easter time which left him with a sore shoulder and lots of aches and pains. He’s no longer driving so he’s had a few adjustments to make in his daily routine.

We spent a lot of time at our cottage this summer because of some unexpected time off for both Chris and I. Chris had some medical issues this summer and was on leave for a few months. She’s back to good health now and we’re thankful for that.

I fell down the stairs after finishing my Handy Dart shift the end of July and what started out as a sprained ankle turned into a bad bone chip which took months to heal. Because of that I wore an air cast for 2 months, had 4 weeks of Physiotherapy and another 6 weeks of strengthening and exercising at the Rehab Program. I finally returned to work Nov 12 and happy to be back driving around town. I’ve decided not to go back to the group home for the time being anyways.

In July my mom celebrated her 80th Birthday at a restaurant joined by Paul and his kids, Ralph & Lalani from Kamloops, Niki & Alaia, , Chris and Me. It was a great time and we all enjoyed ourselves. We later enjoyed a train trip to Whistler for the day.

In September we came home with 2 baby boy kittens! What a lot of fun and energy they have. They’re absolutely charming and Maggie has welcomed her little brothers Benson and Bailey with a lot of grace.

I’d like to remember my brother John who passed away December 15, 2004 and my dad on December 12, 1989. I miss them both very much and as December rolls around it’s always a bittersweet time. The years help to heal the hole left behind and I know they’re both with the Lord which is far better.

Who knows what a year will bring except the Lord and I’m glad He’s the One in charge, I sure couldn’t do it. I’m very blessed with good friends and a loving home I share with Chris, Maggie and our bundles of energy Benson and Bailey.


Merry Christmas and God’s richest blessings on you and yours in 2007!

VW John

It's been 2 years since my brother John passed away. He was asleep on his couch and never woke up. He had been ill for years and we always knew he wouldn't live to be old. We're thankful that he was able to live his life to the fullest right to the end.

John was a guy who walked at a different pace from the rest of the world. He always stood out in a crowd. He was tall and blonde and always tanned. He lived his life with passion. He loved God above all else and served Him with devotion.

He loved his family and although his wife left him years ago he never broke his wedding vows and loved her until the end. He was the best dad 3 kids could have. He became a Grandpa 11 months before he died when his daughter Niki had a baby girl named Alaia. He was passionate about his VW’s and was well known in the VW community as VW John. He lived and breathed VW’s. You never knew what he'd be driving next. Over the years he lost count as to just how many he owned.

John and I were never very close as children and in our early adult hood never saw each other very much at all. Sometimes we would go 2 or 3 years not seeing each other although we didn’t live very far apart.
That changed about 10 years ago when out of the blue John called me up and wanted to go out for lunch. That was the beginning of a different relationship for us and one that was very close in the end. We got to know each other as adults and put away the past. He was always there when I needed something, he changed the oil in my car, he did household stuff, he called me lots just to chat and we enjoyed just hanging out.

In 1999 John and I took a vacation together to Hawaii. My mom made it possible for John to go and we had an awesome time. We stayed with my long time friend Meredith at her home. It was John’s one and only trip to Hawaii and he made the most of it even carrying a VW tool kit home in his carry-on luggage.

In 2004 our cousins from Holland planned a cousin get together. Again, my mom made it possible for John to go and this time it was the 4 of us that went. John, Mom, Chris and me. Good times with the cousins. They got to meet John for the first time and we all enjoyed ourselves. Chris and John and I enjoyed a day in Amsterdam shopping and riding the canals on a barge. What a blast.


John left behind his 3 kids: Derek, Josh (Gina) and Niki and his granddaughter Alaia. They’ve grown up to be really nice adults and a pleasure to be around. We got together to remember John’s birthday and share some “John stories”.

I miss John and his loud boisterous voice shouting “hello”. I miss the sound of a VW roaring in my driveway and hearing the door slam as he shouted “Hey, got anything cooking for dinner?” I miss John’s quiet spiritual side as he shared his heart with me. I really miss my phone ringing at 10 pm, that’s when he’d always call to chat.

Here’s to you John. I miss you and I’m glad you were my brother.

Guess Where We're Going in January???

December 12, 2006

17 years ago I was working by myself in a Church office when the phone rang. Since I was the one who primarily answered the phone I naturally picked it up. It was the call nobody ever wants to hear. It was my mom’s Pastor calling to tell me that “there had been an accident, your mom is ok but your dad is dead.” Just like that. I was stunned to say the least. I asked him to repeat it and he said exactly the same words exactly the same way. I will never forget that day or the way that Pastor relayed the news.

The next few hours and days were a blur of people coming over, staying at my mom’s, making funeral arrangements, dealing with unfamiliar things and people, taking care of so many details.

My dad wasn’t in an accident, but he did die while driving his car. He had enough sense to know something was happening and pulled his car over to the side of the road. He put the car in park and he was gone, that quickly. “Changed in the twinkling of an eye” the Bible says. Later on they told us he had suffered a massive heart attack.

My dad was a quiet unassuming man but he went out with a bang. He was on the main street of small town USA and they shut down the street and re-routed traffic. He would’ve gotten a chuckle out of that.

I miss my dad. My mom tells me I’m the most like him out of the 3 of us. He didn’t judge people, he would do anything for anyone, and he loved me more than life itself. I was blessed to have a dad who loved God, who treated his wife with respect, who loved his children and never hesitated to tell us how much.

My dad’s last words to me were “I love you Sweetheart, you’re my only girl”. Such a good reminder to tell the ones we love how much we love them and how much they mean to us.

My dad was 65 years old and had plans to live a lot longer. God had different plans for him and as painful as it was losing him, I’m thankful that he never suffered from a lingering illness like so many others around him. It was his wish that when it was his time to go that God would just take him and God granted him that wish.

I miss you Dad.

From your one and only girl.

Carol Ship Cruise

This last week we went on a Carol Ship Cruise in Vancouver. It was a beautiful night, clear and bright. It was fabulous to see the city skyline and all the lights. We live in such a beautiful place and often don't take advantage of it. We had been talking about going on a cruise for awhile and finally did it.

This cruise was fantastic, in that it was well organized when you got on board, the food was wonderful, first class.


There was carollers on board to help get the singing starting and that was fun. 3 of them walked around singing and we all joined in. Well, not all of us. About half of the crowd didn't speak English. Let's just say Little Drummer Boy was a hit with that crowd because they pulled out all their chopsticks! Too funny.

There was one man who really enjoyed singing and he had a big booming voice especially when it came to any Spanish. Feliz Navidad was a bit hit with him.

When it came time to sing The 12 Days of Christmas somehow we were "8 maids a milking". Not sure how that happened!


It was a wonderful night and a good time was had by all.

And So the Holiday Season Begins

Three men died on Christmas Eve and were met by Saint Peter at the pearly gates.

"In honor of this holy season" Saint Peter said, "You must each possess something that symbolizes Christmas to get into heaven."

The first man fumbled through his pockets and pulled out a lighter. He flicked it on. "It represents a candle", he said.

"You may pass through the pearly gates" Saint Peter said.

The second man reached into his pocket and pulled out a set of keys. He shook them and said, "They're bells."

Saint Peter said "You may pass through the pearly gates".

The third man started searching desperately through his pockets and finally pulled out a pair of women's panties.

St. Peter looked at the man with a raised eyebrow and asked,"And just what do those symbolize?

The man replied," "These are Carols."

And So The Holiday Season Begins....

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay "them!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.

3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.

6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, h obbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9 Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Man of the Year

Stuff that Canadians find funny

Vancouver (Reuters)

Day 2 - Vancouver Blizzard 2006 - Revenge of the Commuters

Chilled Vancouver commuters faced their second day of winter hell today, as an additional ¼ centimetre of the peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the lower mainland to its knees and causing millions of dollars worth of damage to the marijuana crops. Scientists suspect that the substance is some form of frozen water particles and experts from Saskatchewan are being flown in. With temperatures dipping to the almost but not quite near zero mark, Vancouverites were warned to double insulate their lattes before venturing out.

Vancouver police recommended that people stay inside except for emergencies, such as running out of espresso or biscotti to see them through Vancouver's most terrible storm to date. The local Canadian Tire reported that they had completely sold out of fur-lined sandals.

Drivers were cautioned to put their convertible tops up, and several have been shocked to learn that their SUV's actually have four wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it.

Weary commuters faced soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breast implants. Although Dr. John Blatherwick, of the Coastal Health Authority reassured everyone that most breast implants were perfectly safe to 25 below, down-filled bras are flying off the shelves at Mountain Equipment Co-op.

"The government has to do something," snarled an angry Trevor Warburton. "I didn't pay $540,000 for my one bedroom condo so I could sit around and be treated like someone from Toronto."