Here you are from LMFAO! PARTY ROCK ANTHEM!
You only have an hour and a half to download!
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
iTunes freebie today only: Kelly Clarkson
Missed yesterday's freebie, which was a TV show download anyway, so - didn't miss much.
Here is today's freebie iTunes download:
Kelly Clarkson
I am not overly fond of her myself, but hey....worth a listen.......
Free offer ends at Midnite ET tonite.
Christmas Whine.....
A couple weeks ago, my husband's employer hosted a Christmas dinner outing at a local restaurant. The employer was footing the bill for the food - but not the alcohol - which, to me was quite a reasonable and responsible thing to do.| Minus the mug. The chocolate was a tiny little square, which of course, I cant eat anyway - gives me mouth ulcers... |
Who wants to sit and eat with a bunch of drunks who are trying to max out on the free drinks - then possibly have them drive home?
Liability issues.
The meals averaged anywhere from $20 to $40 per plate. Most everyone ordered the most expensive. I ordered salmon, which came in at $20 - the lower end of the scale. Everyone also ordered dessert.
The guy sitting across from me was the husband of the gal that works at the front desk at the office. He was complaining that the boss (not attending) was demanding that the *actual* bill was sent to headquarters, as opposed to a scan or fax. It wouldn't even be her own stamp or envelope that she uses to send it!
Personally, I didn't quite get all the complaining going on. After all, he was getting a FREE MEAL.
Having run several of my own "businesses"....and also now our rentals - I can understand why one would want the *actual* billing. It makes good business sense, especially if you are going to be audited.
And - why would they whine and complain about that anyway? It could be that they felt it was a matter of trust, but still.........
I suppose I wasn't very popular when I spoke up and pointed out that it was well within the employer's rights to want the original receipt and said - "I wouldn't care what type of paperwork he wanted - when I am getting my meal paid for!!!"
Uncomfortable silence ensued.
I made a point of telling my husband the following week to let his fellow employees know that all I got from my employer was one tiny piece of wrapped chocolate and a cranberry teabag tucked inside a Christmas card.
I suppose now, I'm the one that appears to be whining......
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
And Just Because....
After Nursing for 35 years this coming year, forgive me if I like animals way better than people sometimes.....
Watch this dog's reaction when His Owner plays the guitar...
Watch this dog's reaction when His Owner plays the guitar...
Monday, December 26, 2011
12 Days Of Christmas: FREE MUSIC -- Coldplay
Our local newspaper is offering free downloads from iTunes store - today is the first day. Catch is - you have to download it before midnight tonite....ET.
Tomorrow is another artist...but the freebies will continue for the next 11 days (December 26 to January 6th)
Here is where you can find the invite - oh - and here
Not sure which ones are coming up next......
Tomorrow is another artist...but the freebies will continue for the next 11 days (December 26 to January 6th)
Here is where you can find the invite - oh - and here
Not sure which ones are coming up next......
Saturday, December 24, 2011
It's All Wrong!!!
 |
| looking down my cousin's street |
I want SNOW for Christmas!!!
Is it too much to ask????
********************
I have flowers blooming for pete's sake! I want SNOW!!!!
I blame it on the expensive snowblower that my husband bought last year in anticipation of the horrible snowfall they were predicting we would get......that never did materialize.......
Sure-fire way to prevent snow - buy a snowblower!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Electronics for Christmas: Beware!
Ok, when you are cheating when playing a game on your iPhone......using an animal......
Expect the animal to not understand.......and get even........!
Expect the animal to not understand.......and get even........!
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
A Christmas Present: HIV Vaccine
An announcement was made that the HIV Vaccine got the OK to proceed to human trials.
This vaccine has been 20 years in the making.
This work is being done at London, Ontario's own Western University here in Canada.
Here is the announcement:
What a great Christmas Present!!
This vaccine has been 20 years in the making.
This work is being done at London, Ontario's own Western University here in Canada.
Here is the announcement:
What a great Christmas Present!!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Kindergarten Nativity.....The Christmas Star
My girlfriend's granddaughter is the little "Star" in this rendition of the Nativity Story.
She is only 2 years old.
The whole production is so cute:
the Christmas Star from the Stirring on Vimeo.
She is only 2 years old.
The whole production is so cute:
the Christmas Star from the Stirring on Vimeo.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Public Service Announcement from the CDC
Pay attention.
There will be a quiz.
And by the way, if you fast forward to 2:30 - you will get the entire song in a nice, compact 30 seconds......
There will be a quiz.
And by the way, if you fast forward to 2:30 - you will get the entire song in a nice, compact 30 seconds......
Thursday, December 15, 2011
A Year in Review: Zeitgeist!
Once again!
Only 301 views....see the total grow as it gets passed around the globe!
Only 301 views....see the total grow as it gets passed around the globe!
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
What do You with the Lousy Xmas Gifts?????
Think twice about your gift- giving!!
Consumer Reports has a good article on what *actually* happens to those Christmas gifts you give that the recipient doesn't care for.....
Sad............ but true.
So - what do you do?
Personally, I think that Christmas is so overdone, so commercialized.......why can't we go back to just homemade gifts.....or just - doing the simple things? Such as.....telling each person what we wish for them or how we appreciate them in a poem? Or doing a good deed? Or paying it forward to a stranger?
The thought of even considering that a gift is "lousy" is repulsive to me.
I swear, I didn't have much as a child, yet I was just as happy with what little I had. We were lucky to get one gift.
We didn't have the fancy electronics or the latest fad gifts. My dad was too busy trying to put food on the table....gifts weren't a priority. I don't think I ever got a doll as a gift - not one that had a full set of limbs anyway!
Things were so much simpler. It was a magical time.....hiking around in the snowdrifts....tobogganing with friends and family......hot chocolate fireside by the frozen lake after skating.....the snow floating down softly from the black sky....so quiet your ears hurt.........hauling home the Christmas tree from the next valley over.......
It didn't matter that there weren't stacks and stacks of gifts under the tree......
I truly believe the satisfaction level and happiness was at a far greater level than what is experienced today.
The Spirit of Christmas has somehow been lost in the last few decades.
***************************
And in light of the current subject, here is something for you to watch:
Consumer Reports has a good article on what *actually* happens to those Christmas gifts you give that the recipient doesn't care for.....
 |
| Thanks to Consumer Reports website |
So - what do you do?
Personally, I think that Christmas is so overdone, so commercialized.......why can't we go back to just homemade gifts.....or just - doing the simple things? Such as.....telling each person what we wish for them or how we appreciate them in a poem? Or doing a good deed? Or paying it forward to a stranger?
The thought of even considering that a gift is "lousy" is repulsive to me.
I swear, I didn't have much as a child, yet I was just as happy with what little I had. We were lucky to get one gift.
We didn't have the fancy electronics or the latest fad gifts. My dad was too busy trying to put food on the table....gifts weren't a priority. I don't think I ever got a doll as a gift - not one that had a full set of limbs anyway!
Things were so much simpler. It was a magical time.....hiking around in the snowdrifts....tobogganing with friends and family......hot chocolate fireside by the frozen lake after skating.....the snow floating down softly from the black sky....so quiet your ears hurt.........hauling home the Christmas tree from the next valley over.......
It didn't matter that there weren't stacks and stacks of gifts under the tree......
I truly believe the satisfaction level and happiness was at a far greater level than what is experienced today.
The Spirit of Christmas has somehow been lost in the last few decades.
***************************
And in light of the current subject, here is something for you to watch:
All I want for Christmas....YOU!
She is only 10 years old.
Her 2 brothers are the backup band - I had featured them last month with one of Adele's songs.
Adorable! And it's Christmas!
Her 2 brothers are the backup band - I had featured them last month with one of Adele's songs.
Adorable! And it's Christmas!
Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Ban on Christmas
Well, well, well.
Common sense prevails for once - in Quebec.
The Quebec Government had banned any Christmas decorations (holly boughs and trees included) because a Muslim complained that it "offended" them.
Now, I am certainly not offended by any type of religion displaying their icons, or prayers, or clothing or having their own celebrations go public with the parades and such.
I am perfectly fine with everything (well, I do take exception of the ceremonial knives if worn on commercial airplanes) and anything that another religion celebrates - even in public. It's a free country.
Please don't take this as an anti-Muslim rant. It isn't.
The nurse that sits next to me at work is Muslim and she was telling me how her family takes part in some of the Christmas celebrations. I even got a Christmas card from another one of my girlfriends who is Muslim last year (and yes it did say "Merry Christmas" - not - "Happy Holidays").
I have attended services at a Jewish synagog and partook in the Hannukka celebrations. I have attended both Protestant and Catholic churches.
Our Santa Parade downtown Vancouver includes all local ethnic groups.
Live and let live is my motto.
I don't tell you what you can and can't do - you don't tell me what I can and can't do. Within reason and the confines of criminal and civil law, of course.
Why does the Government bow to only one or two voices of objection out there when there are thousands - no - millions of others out there that are OK with celebrations, or at the very least - even neutral about them?
AND: I still say the Christmas tree is not a "Holiday" tree...........
Common sense prevails for once - in Quebec.
Service Canada...the working end of Canada....has got the OK from the Conservative Government to decorate for Christmas.
The Quebec Government had banned any Christmas decorations (holly boughs and trees included) because a Muslim complained that it "offended" them. I am perfectly fine with everything (well, I do take exception of the ceremonial knives if worn on commercial airplanes) and anything that another religion celebrates - even in public. It's a free country.
Please don't take this as an anti-Muslim rant. It isn't.
I have taken part in other religions' ceremonial celebrations.
I have joined Muslim friends to watch parades celebrating Muslim culture - specifically Ramadan - in the next town over when they publicly celebrated their religious beliefs right down the main street and through the city more than once.
I have joined Muslim friends to watch parades celebrating Muslim culture - specifically Ramadan - in the next town over when they publicly celebrated their religious beliefs right down the main street and through the city more than once.
The nurse that sits next to me at work is Muslim and she was telling me how her family takes part in some of the Christmas celebrations. I even got a Christmas card from another one of my girlfriends who is Muslim last year (and yes it did say "Merry Christmas" - not - "Happy Holidays").
I have attended services at a Jewish synagog and partook in the Hannukka celebrations. I have attended both Protestant and Catholic churches.
Our Santa Parade downtown Vancouver includes all local ethnic groups.
Live and let live is my motto.
I don't tell you what you can and can't do - you don't tell me what I can and can't do. Within reason and the confines of criminal and civil law, of course.
Why does the Government bow to only one or two voices of objection out there when there are thousands - no - millions of others out there that are OK with celebrations, or at the very least - even neutral about them?
To ban Christmas decorations because they offend is just plain stupid. It's a cultural thing, not a religious thing for most people. It's political correctness taken too far.
Shouldn't we be ALL-INCLUSIVE???
That's what this country is all about!
I know that all of my Muslim and Buddhist friends agree. They wouldn't like to see their own celebrations and customs outlawed - so why ban so called "Christian" celebrations?
Certainly the Muslim community as a whole in Canada has no objections, quote:
Shouldn't we be ALL-INCLUSIVE???
That's what this country is all about!
I know that all of my Muslim and Buddhist friends agree. They wouldn't like to see their own celebrations and customs outlawed - so why ban so called "Christian" celebrations?
Certainly the Muslim community as a whole in Canada has no objections, quote:
Religious minorities, meanwhile, lined up against the ban. Salam Elmenyawi, head of the Muslim Council of Montreal, said he enjoys seeing Christmas lights and other decorations.“I guarantee you, for most Muslims this is a non-issue,” he said. “I’m not offended by these decorations at all. They remind us of the spirit of giving.”
I am glad that the Quebec Government has come to it's senses.
Although, I do note that "religious icons" are still not allowed.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
HEAD INJURIES : one stop shopping
I have made comments on head injuries in sports in previous blogposts here and here. I heard recently on the news how even a series of minor head injuries can cause early dementia to those in their 20's.
There is a mishmash of data on the web already, but there was never one place to go for all the information.
Now, a Canadian Sports Medicine doc, Paul Echlin, has created a website - The Sport Concussion Library - that pulls together all the information into a one-stop shopping place for Researchers, MDs, First Responders, Parents, Coaches, Schools and Athletes, where one can get information about sport induced concussions.
It is aimed at educating the public.....but also professionals. He was tired of seeing so many young persons come into his office - poorly diagnosed and treated and with little understanding of the seriousness and the effect it has on the youth's future.
It is a non-profit, no fee resource. It has all the up-to-date research that has been done on concussions.
The site gives access to 1500 studies and articles published in Medical Journals and 60 thesis' and book chapters dealing with concussion. It is linked to many prominent reliable Medical websites.
There are interactive teaching modules.
There is a SCAT2 test - a concussion assessment tool - that can be given by therapists and MDs and PARENTS to screen an athlete for concussion post injuries. Use via the MD's website is FREE OF CHARGE.
As Dr. Echlin states: (as reported on Global News)
Hopefully, there are people out there who read this, and can use it to further educate themselves and prevent further brain injury and protect our younger generation who have others making decisions for them based on the attitude of "buck up and get back out there on the ice".
There is a mishmash of data on the web already, but there was never one place to go for all the information.
Now, a Canadian Sports Medicine doc, Paul Echlin, has created a website - The Sport Concussion Library - that pulls together all the information into a one-stop shopping place for Researchers, MDs, First Responders, Parents, Coaches, Schools and Athletes, where one can get information about sport induced concussions.
 |
| Chart obtained from this website: Science 2.0 Notice that it does not include Ice Hockey! |
It is aimed at educating the public.....but also professionals. He was tired of seeing so many young persons come into his office - poorly diagnosed and treated and with little understanding of the seriousness and the effect it has on the youth's future.
It is a non-profit, no fee resource. It has all the up-to-date research that has been done on concussions.
The site gives access to 1500 studies and articles published in Medical Journals and 60 thesis' and book chapters dealing with concussion. It is linked to many prominent reliable Medical websites.
There are interactive teaching modules.
There is a SCAT2 test - a concussion assessment tool - that can be given by therapists and MDs and PARENTS to screen an athlete for concussion post injuries. Use via the MD's website is FREE OF CHARGE.
As Dr. Echlin states: (as reported on Global News)
"This is a public service ... It's not about commercialized sport. It's about the public health of our children."Parents are key to this. They can be proactive and empowered. Because I think in the past the parents haven't been empowered and they felt at the mercy of sports people, and not even physicians."So it's about them determining what's best for their children."
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Frustration Times Two
Don't you just hate it when Blogger creates an error that wipes out most of a post?
Yes, it just happened to me.
Frustration.
2 hours of time wasted.
So this is all you get:
Photos I took when I visited my folks in November. One day it was fall....the next day it was winter.
Overnight.
The difference a day makes.
The driveway is 700 meters of almost vertical winding road. It's a chore for a vehicle to get up it in the summer, never mind the winter.
My folks (mom - 80, dad - 82) will get out there first thing in the am, before they do anything else and clear the drive - mostly by hand with two snow shovels.
My dad has a heavy duty snowblower that he uses when the snowfall is too deep to shovel by hand, and for someone who has Parkinson's and often almost falls over using his walker in the house......he gets out there and is the first to push it up and down the drive.
THEN he gets the salt and makes another trip up and down the drive. I swear it's the only thing that keeps him healthy because I took the shovel and cleared half of the drive with him that morning and I was out of breath!
I am waiting for a call that they have fallen and broken their hips. They just refuse to call someone for help.
One Christmas we even paid someone to go over there to do it for them, but they still did it on their own.
Frustration.
Yes, it just happened to me.
Frustration.
2 hours of time wasted.
So this is all you get:
Photos I took when I visited my folks in November. One day it was fall....the next day it was winter.
Overnight.
The difference a day makes.
The driveway is 700 meters of almost vertical winding road. It's a chore for a vehicle to get up it in the summer, never mind the winter.
My folks (mom - 80, dad - 82) will get out there first thing in the am, before they do anything else and clear the drive - mostly by hand with two snow shovels.
My dad has a heavy duty snowblower that he uses when the snowfall is too deep to shovel by hand, and for someone who has Parkinson's and often almost falls over using his walker in the house......he gets out there and is the first to push it up and down the drive.
THEN he gets the salt and makes another trip up and down the drive. I swear it's the only thing that keeps him healthy because I took the shovel and cleared half of the drive with him that morning and I was out of breath!
I am waiting for a call that they have fallen and broken their hips. They just refuse to call someone for help.
One Christmas we even paid someone to go over there to do it for them, but they still did it on their own.
Frustration.
Monday, December 5, 2011
FREE Christmas Song Downloads....
Can you believe it?????
Click on the link above to download in your choice of audio format for FREE!
My favorites?
Walking in a Winter WonderlandAngels We Have Heard on High
She Won't Be Home
Silver Bells
White Christmas
Baby It's Cold Outside
Silent Night
What Child is This
Hey. If you can get something for free nowadays.....go for it!
Hey. If you can get something for free nowadays.....go for it!
At the very least, you can listen to Christmas Songs while blogging....!
Sunday, December 4, 2011
I know it's old - but it's still funny......
This is from 2007 but, in the spirit of the start of the winter season, it's one of my favorite cartoons:
And since I can't get enough of Christmas.....
I love this interpretation of "Little Drummer Boy"! My cousin is a teacher at the high school this 17-year-old attends!
I wish we had snow!!!!
I wish we had snow!!!!
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Christmas is coming:
Here is a brand new song out by a brand new 17-year-old Canadian artist, the niece of my girlfriend from Ottawa:
"A Country Boy For Christmas" available now on iTunes.ca as part of the 'CMT – The Gift of Giving' compilation album. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album will go to Canadian food banks through Corus Entertainment's community giving initiative Corus Feeds Kids.
"Gift of Giving" is a one hour performance/documentary program featuring an enchanting Christmas concert performed before a live audience. A blend of traditional and original songs will be brought to life by our diverse case of artists. Documentary-style story elements will weave between the performances telling the story of hunger in Canada and the important role provided by food banks and charities.
Hosted by Canadian country music singer and humanitarian George Canyon, the special will feature performances and interviews with fellow Canadians Chantal Kreviazuk, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Jimmy Rankin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Kira Isabella. Gift of Giving will air throughout December on CMT, YTV, W Network and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada). (Full list of airdates below.)
A companion CD features the show's performers as well as holiday music from Johnny Reid, Rascal Flatts, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford, Darius Rucker, Chad Brownlee (former professional hockey player defenceman turned musician), Luke Bryan and Sugarland. Gift of Giving, the first ever holiday compilation CD from CMT, is now available in-store and on iTunes.
CMT Airdates:
Saturday, December 3 at 9am ET/6PT, 1pm ET/10PT and 10pm ET/7PT
Sunday, December 4 at 7pm ET/4PT
Tuesday, December 6 at 6pm ET/3PT and 11pm ET/8PT
Friday, December 9 at 9pm ET/6PT
Sunday, December 11 at 10pm ET/7PT
Thursday, December 15 at 8pm ET/5PT and 12am ET/9PT
Friday, December 16 at 1am ET/10PT
Saturday, December 17 at 9am ET/6PT
Sunday, December 18 at 10am ET/7PT
Monday, December 19 at 4pm ET/1PT
Thursday, December 22 at 11pm ET/8 PT
Friday, December 23 at 7pm ET/4 PT
Saturday, December 24 at 8pm ET/5PT
Sunday, December 25 at 7pm ET/4PT
OWN Airdates:
Sunday, December 18 at 2pm ET/11PT
Tuesday, December 20 at 9pm ET/6PT
W Network Airdate:
Saturday, December 10 at 1pm ET/10PT
YTV Airdates:
Monday, December 19 at 10pm ET/7PT
Saturday, December 24 at 11pm ET/8PT
"A Country Boy For Christmas" available now on iTunes.ca as part of the 'CMT – The Gift of Giving' compilation album. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this album will go to Canadian food banks through Corus Entertainment's community giving initiative Corus Feeds Kids.
"Gift of Giving" is a one hour performance/documentary program featuring an enchanting Christmas concert performed before a live audience. A blend of traditional and original songs will be brought to life by our diverse case of artists. Documentary-style story elements will weave between the performances telling the story of hunger in Canada and the important role provided by food banks and charities.
Hosted by Canadian country music singer and humanitarian George Canyon, the special will feature performances and interviews with fellow Canadians Chantal Kreviazuk, Barenaked Ladies, Great Big Sea, Jimmy Rankin, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Kira Isabella. Gift of Giving will air throughout December on CMT, YTV, W Network and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada). (Full list of airdates below.)
A companion CD features the show's performers as well as holiday music from Johnny Reid, Rascal Flatts, Dean Brody, Gord Bamford, Darius Rucker, Chad Brownlee (former professional hockey player defenceman turned musician), Luke Bryan and Sugarland. Gift of Giving, the first ever holiday compilation CD from CMT, is now available in-store and on iTunes.
CMT Airdates:
Saturday, December 3 at 9am ET/6PT, 1pm ET/10PT and 10pm ET/7PT
Sunday, December 4 at 7pm ET/4PT
Tuesday, December 6 at 6pm ET/3PT and 11pm ET/8PT
Friday, December 9 at 9pm ET/6PT
Sunday, December 11 at 10pm ET/7PT
Thursday, December 15 at 8pm ET/5PT and 12am ET/9PT
Friday, December 16 at 1am ET/10PT
Saturday, December 17 at 9am ET/6PT
Sunday, December 18 at 10am ET/7PT
Monday, December 19 at 4pm ET/1PT
Thursday, December 22 at 11pm ET/8 PT
Friday, December 23 at 7pm ET/4 PT
Saturday, December 24 at 8pm ET/5PT
Sunday, December 25 at 7pm ET/4PT
OWN Airdates:
Sunday, December 18 at 2pm ET/11PT
Tuesday, December 20 at 9pm ET/6PT
W Network Airdate:
Saturday, December 10 at 1pm ET/10PT
YTV Airdates:
Monday, December 19 at 10pm ET/7PT
Saturday, December 24 at 11pm ET/8PT
Monday, November 28, 2011
Grey Cup Feud
Generally, in Canada, hockey is the violent sport.
Unlike hockey and the Stanley cup celebrations....the Grey cup celebration is very peaceful - with fans of all teams coming together to celebrate in a non-violent manner.
Well, not this year.
What a surprise when 2 honoree's at a pre Grey Cup Alumni Luncheon Fundraiser went at it...
They are 73 years old!!!
The scuffle was the result of an ongoing feud between Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca ( Both Americans who played in the CFL league) stemming from a 1963 Grey Cup football game where one of Joe Kapp's running backs was knocked out by a late hit.
Watch the video! Kapp delivers a punch that knocks Mosca to the floor after Mosca hits Kapp in the face with his cane....
They are very lucky one of the two didn't break a hip!
Honestly, kids.
Play nice.
On a good note - British Columbia's BC Lions won the Grey Cup!
Unlike hockey and the Stanley cup celebrations....the Grey cup celebration is very peaceful - with fans of all teams coming together to celebrate in a non-violent manner.
Well, not this year.
What a surprise when 2 honoree's at a pre Grey Cup Alumni Luncheon Fundraiser went at it...
They are 73 years old!!!
The scuffle was the result of an ongoing feud between Joe Kapp and Angelo Mosca ( Both Americans who played in the CFL league) stemming from a 1963 Grey Cup football game where one of Joe Kapp's running backs was knocked out by a late hit.
Watch the video! Kapp delivers a punch that knocks Mosca to the floor after Mosca hits Kapp in the face with his cane....
They are very lucky one of the two didn't break a hip!
Honestly, kids.
Play nice.
On a good note - British Columbia's BC Lions won the Grey Cup!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Nurse Phobias & The Grey Cup
My niece is just learning the dangers of what happens when you start to learn about diseases. She is training to be an esthetician. They learn some of the same things that we do in nursing.....anatomy and physiology, diseases.......
Here is what she posted on her Facebook wall:
The arrow points to my reply.
I had to laugh because I happen to understand the phobias that develop with that extra knowledge about diseases and germs.
I have even blogged about it. I have also blogged about my opinion about someone else's careless disregard for contagious diseases when they spread it to others around them.
Which leads me to the reason for this post.
Today is the Grey Cup and last week my husband invited a couple over that he interacts with through his work.
Unfortunately, what he didn't know is that last weekend on their way home from vacation, she managed to develop an URI.
When she phoned my husband the day before, I could hear her voice loud and clear over the phone from across the room.
She sounded terrible. I assumed she was phoning to decline the invite today.
So yesterday afternoon, when I was making out the grocery shopping list, my husband mentioned that there were going to be seven of us........
My phobia starts to kick in. "Your sick friend is coming????"
"Of course!" he states.
But......she sounded so sick!!! She can't be coming ....!!!
"Yes..". a little more cautious, seeing my horrified face and sensing my phobia kicking into high gear. "They are..."
"Who goes visiting out in public when they are sick????!!!!" I am starting to get panicky. My husband is too....he sees what is coming....
I tell him he has to find a way to "uninvite" her. After all, she's HIS sick friend....
So, trying to correct the situation, he emails a polite note to her:
"Sorry you aren't feeling well. I can understand if you can't come tomorrow. I can imagine you aren't feeling up to it....you sounded so sick yesterday on the phone. You will need your rest to get better"
To which she emails back, "Oh no! It sounds worse than it is!!! We will be there!!!"
*SIGH*
So much for beating around the bush and hoping someone gets the hint.
Just to let you know - I won't be downstairs watching the game in the enclosed space of the Mancave. Nope. My girlfriend Jan is coming over - and her husband - and she and I will be upstairs watching on the smaller TV in our living room........
The month I was off work sick last winter with an URI is still fresh in my mind and I am NOT going to expose myself to any bugs if I can help it. I was traumatized.
And - thing is - my girlfriend who is also an RN is almost as germophobic as I am. I am wondering if I should warn her in advance. It isn't as though she would want to be downstairs watching on the 110 inch theater screen anyway. In fact, I suspect she will bring her iPad so she can play Angry Birds.
As for the food.....I won't be touching anything downstairs. I have bought chips in small portion bags so there aren't bowls of shared food. I will keep a stash of food upstairs so I don't have to go downstairs to get anything.
Why do people insist on going out when they are coughing and hacking and sound like crap?
Sometimes I curse nursing, and wish I were oblivious to those invisible germs out there and then I could be one of those stupid people who goes out and spreads those bugs to everyone in the community with no thought whatsoever.....
*SIGH*
Well, at least I could still laugh about someone else's developing phobia......
I'll let you know if I get sick.
I've already told my husband that if he gets sick.....I won't be his nurse.....
Here is what she posted on her Facebook wall:
The arrow points to my reply.
I had to laugh because I happen to understand the phobias that develop with that extra knowledge about diseases and germs.
I have even blogged about it. I have also blogged about my opinion about someone else's careless disregard for contagious diseases when they spread it to others around them.
Which leads me to the reason for this post.
Today is the Grey Cup and last week my husband invited a couple over that he interacts with through his work.
Unfortunately, what he didn't know is that last weekend on their way home from vacation, she managed to develop an URI.
When she phoned my husband the day before, I could hear her voice loud and clear over the phone from across the room.
She sounded terrible. I assumed she was phoning to decline the invite today.
So yesterday afternoon, when I was making out the grocery shopping list, my husband mentioned that there were going to be seven of us........
My phobia starts to kick in. "Your sick friend is coming????"
"Of course!" he states.
But......she sounded so sick!!! She can't be coming ....!!!
"Yes..". a little more cautious, seeing my horrified face and sensing my phobia kicking into high gear. "They are..."
"Who goes visiting out in public when they are sick????!!!!" I am starting to get panicky. My husband is too....he sees what is coming....
I tell him he has to find a way to "uninvite" her. After all, she's HIS sick friend....
So, trying to correct the situation, he emails a polite note to her:
"Sorry you aren't feeling well. I can understand if you can't come tomorrow. I can imagine you aren't feeling up to it....you sounded so sick yesterday on the phone. You will need your rest to get better"
To which she emails back, "Oh no! It sounds worse than it is!!! We will be there!!!"
*SIGH*
So much for beating around the bush and hoping someone gets the hint.
Just to let you know - I won't be downstairs watching the game in the enclosed space of the Mancave. Nope. My girlfriend Jan is coming over - and her husband - and she and I will be upstairs watching on the smaller TV in our living room........
The month I was off work sick last winter with an URI is still fresh in my mind and I am NOT going to expose myself to any bugs if I can help it. I was traumatized.
And - thing is - my girlfriend who is also an RN is almost as germophobic as I am. I am wondering if I should warn her in advance. It isn't as though she would want to be downstairs watching on the 110 inch theater screen anyway. In fact, I suspect she will bring her iPad so she can play Angry Birds.
As for the food.....I won't be touching anything downstairs. I have bought chips in small portion bags so there aren't bowls of shared food. I will keep a stash of food upstairs so I don't have to go downstairs to get anything.
Why do people insist on going out when they are coughing and hacking and sound like crap?
Sometimes I curse nursing, and wish I were oblivious to those invisible germs out there and then I could be one of those stupid people who goes out and spreads those bugs to everyone in the community with no thought whatsoever.....
*SIGH*
Well, at least I could still laugh about someone else's developing phobia......
I'll let you know if I get sick.
I've already told my husband that if he gets sick.....I won't be his nurse.....
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Kids can get into a lot of trouble....
...when left to their own devices.
Mom was in the bathroom for a prolonged period of time and while preoccupied with getting sick.....her little boys, aged 1 and 3 - managed to get themselves into a whole lot of trouble.
I can't imagine what this would be like to clean up.
I think I will stick to the difficulties real snow brings.....
Mom was in the bathroom for a prolonged period of time and while preoccupied with getting sick.....her little boys, aged 1 and 3 - managed to get themselves into a whole lot of trouble.
I can't imagine what this would be like to clean up.
I think I will stick to the difficulties real snow brings.....
I need this!
This company is coming out in early 2012 with this revolutionary product that I could actually use! Right now!
Go to their website and take a look at their videos - the applications for this product is incredible.
And no, it's not a joke or a spoof. It's real.
Go to their website and take a look at their videos - the applications for this product is incredible.
And no, it's not a joke or a spoof. It's real.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Young Talent
Ages 10 to 13, this brother/sister group - Angie,Gustavo and Abelardo Vazquez singing Adele's "Rolling in the Deep"
Talent plus!
She is only 10!
Talent plus!
She is only 10!
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Hockey vs Football
Just because it's that time of the year.
Our football season is wrapping up in Canada.
Today is the semi-final game between Edmonton and our team : the BC Lions.
OUR TEAM IS IN THE FINALS.
You would *think* that the brand-new stadium would be sold out, here in Vancouver, since it is the SEMI-FINAL (Western Final) in the Grey Cup challenge?
This is a significant game.
The stadium is super deluxe, holds up to 50K fans and last word has it that only 38K tickets ( costing anywhere from $35 to $85) have been sold.**
Why?
Because tonight at 6 pm ( the football game is at 1:30) the Vancouver Canucks hockey team is playing, and no one wants to miss a game, even though the Canucks aren't doing very well and by comparison it's only the start of the hockey season.
Despite the Lions probability of WINNING the Grey Cup next weekend - being played in right in Vancouver - there is a lackluster reaction here in BC.
Hockey trumps Football every time, in Canada........
And this, my friends, is why you will never see the same enthusiastic crowds for football at colleges* and high schools......as you see south of the border.
************************************
* The Vanier Cup Challenge is being held this Friday (our version of the College/University games) in Vancouver - and you can buy a ticket for as low as $17. Lots for sale still! The same ticket for an American College final is over ONE THOUSAND dollars for the cheapest seat!!! The most expensive is over $4K!!
** The Grey Cup final game - East vs West - is sold out - although Showtime states you can still buy. (cost of Grey Cup tickets? $279 for the cheapest, sideline tickets are $695-$1200 and club sideline seats - $2400 In comparison, the American equivalent - Superbowl - tickets in the cheapseats start at $2300 - sideline tickets are $5100 and up, and club seats are $8000 to $20,000!!!! And, by the way, the $20K seats are sold out already - you are out of luck if you had intentions...... )
Our football season is wrapping up in Canada.
Today is the semi-final game between Edmonton and our team : the BC Lions.
OUR TEAM IS IN THE FINALS.
You would *think* that the brand-new stadium would be sold out, here in Vancouver, since it is the SEMI-FINAL (Western Final) in the Grey Cup challenge?
This is a significant game.
The stadium is super deluxe, holds up to 50K fans and last word has it that only 38K tickets ( costing anywhere from $35 to $85) have been sold.**
Why?
Despite the Lions probability of WINNING the Grey Cup next weekend - being played in right in Vancouver - there is a lackluster reaction here in BC.
Hockey trumps Football every time, in Canada........
And this, my friends, is why you will never see the same enthusiastic crowds for football at colleges* and high schools......as you see south of the border.
 |
| Grey Cup and a couple Mounties |
* The Vanier Cup Challenge is being held this Friday (our version of the College/University games) in Vancouver - and you can buy a ticket for as low as $17. Lots for sale still! The same ticket for an American College final is over ONE THOUSAND dollars for the cheapest seat!!! The most expensive is over $4K!!
** The Grey Cup final game - East vs West - is sold out - although Showtime states you can still buy. (cost of Grey Cup tickets? $279 for the cheapest, sideline tickets are $695-$1200 and club sideline seats - $2400 In comparison, the American equivalent - Superbowl - tickets in the cheapseats start at $2300 - sideline tickets are $5100 and up, and club seats are $8000 to $20,000!!!! And, by the way, the $20K seats are sold out already - you are out of luck if you had intentions...... )
Saturday, November 19, 2011
More Snow!
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| A friend of mine thought this photo I took would make a great Christmas card! I have to say, I love what he did with it!  He just likes to go out in the snow and play, and this is something he does.... Gathering the snow in a mound - a kitty snowman! |
Friday, November 18, 2011
Snow! Snow! Snow!
The first snowfall in the Vancouver area always garners a lot of attention.
For those who love skiing......get ready, because the mountains will be opening up before the end of the month!
Here are some snow scenes from all over our province!
For those who love skiing......get ready, because the mountains will be opening up before the end of the month!
Here are some snow scenes from all over our province!
Monday, November 14, 2011
What it takes to get on Ellen Degeneres' Show...
What happens when you win a lottery and you work at the TV station that announces it? This aired live a couple weeks ago at our Local TV station here in British Columbia:
The story is quite heartwarming. Barry and his family live in a rental in a suburb of Vancouver, where it takes him at least an hour to drive to work.
His daughter went through 2 years of chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 4. Since then Barry has supported the BC Children's hospital Fundraisers.....and this is the rest of the story:
Everyone is happy for him - it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
$2 Million or a $2.5 Million house....tax free (all lotteries/winnings in Canada are tax free).
I like what he says at the end of the first video above "wow...now I just made 20% of what Roberto Luongo (goalie for the Vancouver Canucks Hockey team) makes..."
Typical of a Sportscaster.... to bring the favorite Canadian Game into it..!
Today he appears on the Ellen Degeneres show with his boss - the quirky Squire Barnes.....
The story is quite heartwarming. Barry and his family live in a rental in a suburb of Vancouver, where it takes him at least an hour to drive to work.
His daughter went through 2 years of chemotherapy when she was diagnosed with Leukemia at age 4. Since then Barry has supported the BC Children's hospital Fundraisers.....and this is the rest of the story:
Everyone is happy for him - it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy!
$2 Million or a $2.5 Million house....tax free (all lotteries/winnings in Canada are tax free).
I like what he says at the end of the first video above "wow...now I just made 20% of what Roberto Luongo (goalie for the Vancouver Canucks Hockey team) makes..."
Typical of a Sportscaster.... to bring the favorite Canadian Game into it..!
Today he appears on the Ellen Degeneres show with his boss - the quirky Squire Barnes.....
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Grandma's Nursing Pin from 1922
Here is my post on How Grandma Decided to be an R.N.
My cousin came to visit from Texas and brought along a HUGE surprise for me!
My Grandma-the-Nurse's nursing pins!!!!
My cousin came to visit from Texas and brought along a HUGE surprise for me!
My Grandma-the-Nurse's nursing pins!!!!
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| "ver: tot CHR: verzorging van krankzinnigen" or "Christian care for the insane"(per my aunt) Grandma worked at a psychiatric hospital |
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| She graduated in June 1922 after 4 years of training |
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| This is the Hospital at which she trained |
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| This is the Star of David, given to the nurses who worked at the Jewish Hospital |
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| The back of the pin. Notice the initial lettering on the back of one of the points |
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| Close-up of the initials: "G.B." No one is really sure of what those initials stand for.... |
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| my Grandmother's Nursing Graduation photo: She is in the back row, 2nd from Left |
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Forgotton Nurse Heroine : Remembrance Day
As you already know, if you have been following my blog, that my grandmother was a Registered Nurse - trained in the Netherlands.
My cousin recently was visiting Paris, and on her trip she visited Ypres and brought me a Poppy from the famed museum there - "In Flanders Fields".
When you enter the museum, you are given a card which you insert in various places throughout the museum, which allows you to follow the life of a person who happened to live around the area - and what happened to them during the Great War.
Roosje Vecht (Rosie Fight), or "Sleeping Beauty" as her friends called her, was one of these.
Roosje was born July 18, 1881 in Elberg, Netherlands into a very wealthy and strict orthodox Jewish family. She was the oldest of 6.
Rosje was viewed as the "Black Sheep" of her family and as a young woman, she fell in love with a non-Jewish man. She was forbidden to marry due to her father's strict faith.
Unhappy, she turned her back on an easy life to one of nursing. Unsatisfied at a job as a private nurse she quit and was hired to work with the Red Cross in 1914 at the time when Germany invaded Belgium.
The Netherlands was a neutral country at that time.
She chose to work at the "Iron Front" in a Belgian field hospital set up by a British contingent in Antwerp. When Antwerp fell and was taken over by the Germans - she was forbidden to return to work in the field hospital.
Determined, in the round-about way, she went to England - and thus returned to her work in the Belgium field hospital which had now been moved to an unoccupied portion of Belgium close to the Front where war was being waged.
The hospital was established in an Episcopal college in the city of Veurne, a town which was under constant barrage by German artillery fire. As one can imagine, this was making the function of a hospital next to impossible and the decision was made to move it once again to Hoogstade.
During this move, Rosje was wounded by shrapnel from a bomb dropped from an airplane. Her upper leg was crushed. Two ambulances were hit and two EMTs were killed.
Rosje was taken to another hospital where they amputated her leg. She lamented to the doctors with whom she worked - "Now my poor soldiers - I can no longer nurse them!"
Sadly, she died 24 hours later on January 24th 1915 - at age 33 - from loss of blood.
Five years later, she was reburied with Military honors in the Dutch-Isrealite cemetery in Muiderberg, Netherlands. She was one of only a couple of Dutch civialians that was a casualty of the war*.
Her gravemarker still can be found there (The grave is located in area D, row P grave number 165).
Three years after Rosje died, my grandmother started her nursing training. I wonder if my grandmother heard about Rosje and her sacrifice, and if this inspired her to become an RN.
Today, I am thankful, not only for Our Canadian Troops, but anyone in the free world that sacrificed their lives and time for our Collective World Freedom.
************************************
*Interestingly enough, most of her remaining family were killed during WW2, some at Auschwitz ... only one brother - Aaron - survived. He donated the lion statues from his house's gate to his home town in Goor.
My cousin recently was visiting Paris, and on her trip she visited Ypres and brought me a Poppy from the famed museum there - "In Flanders Fields".
When you enter the museum, you are given a card which you insert in various places throughout the museum, which allows you to follow the life of a person who happened to live around the area - and what happened to them during the Great War.
Roosje Vecht (Rosie Fight), or "Sleeping Beauty" as her friends called her, was one of these.
 |
| Thanks to Sjoel Elburg website |
Rosje was viewed as the "Black Sheep" of her family and as a young woman, she fell in love with a non-Jewish man. She was forbidden to marry due to her father's strict faith.
Unhappy, she turned her back on an easy life to one of nursing. Unsatisfied at a job as a private nurse she quit and was hired to work with the Red Cross in 1914 at the time when Germany invaded Belgium.
The Netherlands was a neutral country at that time.
She chose to work at the "Iron Front" in a Belgian field hospital set up by a British contingent in Antwerp. When Antwerp fell and was taken over by the Germans - she was forbidden to return to work in the field hospital.
Determined, in the round-about way, she went to England - and thus returned to her work in the Belgium field hospital which had now been moved to an unoccupied portion of Belgium close to the Front where war was being waged.
The hospital was established in an Episcopal college in the city of Veurne, a town which was under constant barrage by German artillery fire. As one can imagine, this was making the function of a hospital next to impossible and the decision was made to move it once again to Hoogstade.
During this move, Rosje was wounded by shrapnel from a bomb dropped from an airplane. Her upper leg was crushed. Two ambulances were hit and two EMTs were killed.
Rosje was taken to another hospital where they amputated her leg. She lamented to the doctors with whom she worked - "Now my poor soldiers - I can no longer nurse them!"
Sadly, she died 24 hours later on January 24th 1915 - at age 33 - from loss of blood.
Five years later, she was reburied with Military honors in the Dutch-Isrealite cemetery in Muiderberg, Netherlands. She was one of only a couple of Dutch civialians that was a casualty of the war*.
Her gravemarker still can be found there (The grave is located in area D, row P grave number 165).
Three years after Rosje died, my grandmother started her nursing training. I wonder if my grandmother heard about Rosje and her sacrifice, and if this inspired her to become an RN.
Today, I am thankful, not only for Our Canadian Troops, but anyone in the free world that sacrificed their lives and time for our Collective World Freedom.
************************************
*Interestingly enough, most of her remaining family were killed during WW2, some at Auschwitz ... only one brother - Aaron - survived. He donated the lion statues from his house's gate to his home town in Goor.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
Food, Glorious Food!
One thing that I have found at this particular hotel, it isn't like other all-inclusives.
No buffets or hordes of people.
It's quiet and the waiters will serve you where ever you happen to be... poolside, restaurant, or in the room.
Room service 24/7.
Here is a sampling of some of the dishes we have been served:
No buffets or hordes of people.
It's quiet and the waiters will serve you where ever you happen to be... poolside, restaurant, or in the room.
Room service 24/7.
Here is a sampling of some of the dishes we have been served:
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| seeing the ocean through the glasses on the bar |
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| fish and chips for lunch |
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| Cilantro and Roasted corn soup! I had to try it and compare with my own cilantro cold soup I should give them my recipe. While their soup was good, in hot weather, my soup is much better.... |
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| this one is exceptional! Shrimp/avocado/mango salad |
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| this one was so good I had it half eaten before i realized i hadn't taken a photo! Spinach/walnut/apple/goat cheese salad with raspberry dressing |
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| assorted fresh fruit for breakfast |
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| Chicken taco, supposedly. They were delish! |
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| my husband loves his desserts! Fruit crepe with coconut icecream |
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| I am in love with Flan and I order it whenever I can.... |
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| Filet mignon with vegetables el dente |
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| Caesar drink - made just perfect! |
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| Last nights appetizer - cheese quesadilla with salsa and guacamole and a couple taquitos These might look huge, but they aren't - they are mini servings.... |
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| this was left on our pillows at night, with turndown service |
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| ....unwrapped it to find a coconut sweet inside! Flavor! |
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| a wonderful tastey delish glass of chilean merlot shared with my husband |
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Our little place
Quite comfortable.
When I first spotted this place on the internet, I thought it looked nice.
In person - it is fabulous!
While we didn't need a kitchen, it certainly is nice to have the fridge and occasionally the toaster when we order up food or need to freeze the waterbottles.
Check it out!
The view from the balcony is to die for:
And there you have it! This is where we are!
Well, technically speaking, mostly my husband is on the golf courses, since the whole package included unlimited golf on the local PGA golf courses.
And now, time to go for that 90 minute massage!
When I first spotted this place on the internet, I thought it looked nice.
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| This is what the hotel looks like from the beach |
In person - it is fabulous!
While we didn't need a kitchen, it certainly is nice to have the fridge and occasionally the toaster when we order up food or need to freeze the waterbottles.
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| it's as nice as any kitchen i have ever seen - you can see the #2 bathroom through the doorway to the left |
Check it out!
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| The kitchen area and the eating area in front |
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| The living room area as seen in the 7 foot tall mirror beside the flat screen tv The master bedroom is through the door on the right |
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| the #2 bathroom with shower |
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| Master bathroom with Jacuzzi tub, two sinks and a shower and private separate toilet and shower areaboth with glazed glass doors |
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| They provide robes and slippers |
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| Crabtree & Evelyn products |
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| Master Bedroom with Kingsize bed, flatscreen tv and turndown service |
The view from the balcony is to die for:
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| Large balcony with table and chairs and 2 loungers If you wanted, you could nude sunbathe with no one seeing you! (and no, we didn't!) |
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| 3 jacuzzi pools and one infinity pool, one adult pool Great poolside service! |
And there you have it! This is where we are!
Well, technically speaking, mostly my husband is on the golf courses, since the whole package included unlimited golf on the local PGA golf courses.
And now, time to go for that 90 minute massage!
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