Camping in the USA

One thing I noticed in this campground just across the border in the Lynden Washington area.....is that there are a LOT of Canadian license plates - probably only one or two American plates in the whole place. 

If there weren't the Canadians visiting here - this campground would be EMPTY.

I suppose, being a Holiday - Queen Victoria's Birthday, it would make sense.

All the "celebrations" are geared to the holiday - "Queen's  Ball Dance", Birthday cake, dress-up in royal outfits for the kids - etc......I guess they don't realize most Canadians don't really "celebrate the birthday"....it's just regarded as another day off work.

It's funny that we have to come to the USA to experience the "British Experience".  Right now they have "Royal-type" marching music on their speakers by the office.  Ugggghhh!

This is where we are:

Wifi is sketchy so we aren't on the computer as much - but that's ok.   It's gorgeous here, and even though it isn't really very dry.....it is still nice.

It's not that we have to worry about the rain - because we have the trailer....a 30 foot with a super slide. It's almost like being at home....just a little smaller.

Funny thing though, passing through town.   The cemetery has a big billboard up. 

Very strange place for it, I would say:

What do YOU think?

Tropical Paradise

Apparently, this video was shot just 2 days ago.

Not sure I will be putting N.D. on my top ten "Places to Visit" list at this time.

Going on a little Vacation!

We will be leaving for Palm Desert for a little Birthday Celebratory Vacation soon.

What the hey. My husband gets a little Mercedes convertible for his birthday, so I should get a trip, right? Only, the place we are going is rife with Golf Courses, so - I ask - who's Birthday is it anyway?

Oh well.

So - I see some cheap flights advertised online and quickly book them.

Now, if you have ever purchased flights online nowadays - you know how not cheap those "cheap flights" are at checkout....

I had to laugh when I saw this on YouTube:




Yeah. Those Cheap flights.

Who are they fooling???

Hah! Not me!

They don't call it VD for nothing.....

This is not the kind of Valentine's Day gift you would want to give.

So, as a public service announcement, please, take precautions.  Yes there are diseases you can get that will always stay with you.






There is no point in crying about it after the fact.

And while we are on the topic.....if you are travelling -
Make sure you get all of your shots.....Hep A and B would be a great start.....

But don't depend on any sort of immunization to keep you VD free if you choose to carry on with risky behaviors.....











This has been your Public Service Announcement.

Thank you.

Live, Love, Laugh.... Letting go of the past..

A message to my blog friends! Thank you for reading!
My life is definitely filled with Sunshine!

I Wish the Same for you, too!

You Are Not Alone - even though it's Valentine's

With the advent of Valentine's Day comes the inevitable feelings of loneliness that comes with not being "paired up" or embraced in a loving relationship.

I stumbled upon this while on a friend's FB page - looking at wedding videos by Tyler Faires Productions.    I thought I would share this video because it says something important:

The Self-Worth Project from Tyler Faires Productions on Vimeo.

The "Self-Worth Project". 

In their own words:

"The Self-Worth project is an ongoing photo documentation of people embracing their deepest and most vulnerable insecurities.Through this project and our insecurities, we hope to bring people together by showing you that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

We are all human, we all have insecurities, and through those we can start to form an understanding of one another, despite our race, gender, orientations, backgrounds and affiliations.

It is NOT meant to be political, religious or related to any race or orientation. It is a positive outlet for EVERYONE, because everyone should be included in sharing how they feel.

Unity is power, and through that power, we can change lives.

When all else has failed, choose love.
                                It will pull you through. "



I wish someone had said or shown me something like this to me when I was younger, going through life, stumbling from one thing to another.

A Pessimistic Valentine's Day coming up!

Bob Hope

credit

I can remember 30 plus years ago,  flying into the Palm Springs airport.....to meet with the rest of our family for Christmas. Mom and Dad had rented out several condos - one each for themselves and the two of us that were now couples -plus their children -  and one more for the "singles".

 It would be a nice respite between writing my Diploma Nursing exams and our CNATS (Canadian NCLEX equivalent).

My older sister and husband were flying in from Indiana with their new baby that we had yet to meet***


We were all excited to get together and spend the whole week at the resort - and were at the Palm Springs Airport to pick up the last of our family - our big sis.

My youngest sister spots my oldest sister and family.  She started jumping up and down, screaming and waving excitedly in her direction - all crazy like - along with the rest of us.

Wouldn't you know it - but guess who else was coming through the door - just in front of my oldest sister?

Bob Hope.

He waved at our group, and smiled -   thinking the commotion was about him.

Was he ever surprised when the whole works of us ran past him without a glance and crowded around my sister and her new baby........

I didn't even notice him, and was unaware of the incident until later on when my brother mentioned it.

I was just reminded of this while watching the Bob Hope Classic.

Ya - Golf.  My husband is a fanatic.

"If you watch a game, it's fun.
 If you play it, it's recreation.
 If you work at it, it's GOLF"
..........Bob Hope



*** the "baby" is now a professor at a prominent Eastern University - finishing off her PhD...! That's how long ago it was!!!

Birth Story: Another Nurse's Baby story

I suppose it's still close enough to Christmas to post a link to this story.

I haven't read her book but if you like a "feel-good" story....you would probably like it.

I am still on Christmas season hiatus.

Little Kids can be SO Adorable.... Oh my!!

<< I am still sick >>

So I will continue on and let these little kids tell the Christmas story from their point of view.  If you have little kids you will definitely enjoy this and might even relate!

Christmas isn't Christmas until you have gone to a Concert put on by little kids.  I did that one week ago today and enjoyed every second of it!!! So if you haven't attended one....this will put a smile on your face!

"Based on a True Story"......

Talk about a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e!!!

The Most Amazing Birth Ever (this time for real!)

I am too sick to think, so here it goes. 

I am depending on Youtube.  Again.   So - do me in now - it will at least stop my suffering.



Put together for an electronics company in Portugal, it is both entertaining and thought-provoking in a light -hearted way.  

Although the "Times Change......Feelings remain the same"


Addendum:
I googled the story behind the  Digital Nativity  and was amused at the comments below the story..... :)
Some people sure take things seriously.

Sick.........

Unfortunately, the other day when I was at work, the gal I happened to be working beside had a horrible cold. Sneezing, snorting, shedding all over.

 I don't know why she decided to come to work.  We have great sick benefits and no one complains if you call in "absent due to illness".  Management encourages us to take sick days if we aren't feeling well.

I am meticulous to the point of being anal when it comes to wiping down everything in my vicinity, not touching things like doorknobs and using paper towels to open the bathroom door, washing my hands frequently, keeping my hands away from my face.  I shouldn't have gotten sick.  I guess all it takes is one rogue virus.

So now I have an early Christmas Gift, thanks to her and I am feeling miserable.  Sore throat, no voice....no appetite, snuffly, coughing.  I think I will veg for a while.

Murphy's Law:  One is the sickest on one's days off.

I am just hoping I feel good enough to go to my cousin's for Christmas.......

Stars fall from Heaven sometimes........

Picture the late 1970s.

I was a brand new nurse, sending out approximately 250 Christmas cards every year.  Through the years my Christmas Card List grew expotentially - cousins that move out and start their own family, new friends and acquaintances with each move made -  and it was starting to get out of hand.

I would spend enormous amounts on cards and stamps - and hours of time to write more than just a signature on each card.   I figured -  if you were going to send a card, one might as well personalize it with a newsy note at the very least.   As well, the post office didn't give any breaks on stamps, so I thought - might as well send a short letter.

Nowadays my Christmas card list is very small. I only send a paper card to those who don't have email.  To the rest - my account with Blue Mountain dot com does just fine and covers all bases for less than $12 per year.....never mind being more green.

Most card messages are fairly standard - the usual "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" - and perhaps a simple little verse.  Very forgettable. 

Back in the 1970s, the choices were a fraction of what we have today. I spent hours trying to find the perfect card....

Then - I found that card that made a lasting impression on me.  I copied out the verse into my Bible and for years I would send out my Holiday cards, handwriting this same quote in each, along with my usual note.

The verse?

Hold fast to stars,

Hold fast to the Elusive, the Intangible,

The never-to-be-had.

For stars fall from heaven sometimes,

And kings are born in barns,

And Miracles rise out of the Little Things.

Today, you can find it online by googling, but none give reference to the author and they are all in very recent publications.  I speculate at how each of those people found that same verse.  Was it passed along from my own cards? Or - did someone else do the same as I  -  copy the verse from their own card because it meant so much to them?  In my original Christmas card from the 1970s, there were no credits.  It was just a verse someone had composed for the card company, I would venture to guess. (let me know if any one of you out there finds otherwise!)

The excerpt meant a lot to me back then -  realizing that my dreams, and the seemingly impossible, was possible. 

That there was Someone out there who cared for me and was taking care of every little thing in my life, even when I made bad choices or when bad things found me.

That sometimes,  when you wish and hope - that those things we wish and hope for are nowhere near the splendor and greatness we actually are eventually handed.

Every Christmas, when I dragged out that verse, it was a reminder - to me - of the Hope we have in this world.  A reminder to reach farther and higher.

After all, greatness is only achieved when you strive for that which seems beyond our grasp.

Christmas Centerpiece at my cousin's house - cranberries and white roses

Irish Hockey and Christmas: Nollaig shona dhuit !!

OK...so I am relying heavily on Youtube these days.

 It's been a rough work week. Travelling one hour both ways to and from work after an exhausting 12 hours doesn't leave much time, and I do need my sleep.  Never mind there is no access to social sites (blog land included) at work (on my break)......so not able to get it together.....

I don't know how people manage to work all week and then find the time to blog and have a life.  Apparently they do it quite well, too - from what I am reading online.

Anyway - What's Christmas in Canada without showing some Hockey? The Irish side of me really liked the fact that these guys were from the land of my ancestors (father's side) and that they weren't embarrassed in the least to do some karaoke .....

The Belfast Giants Hockey Team  in Ireland were trying to persuade people to buy tickets to their games during the Christmas Season - maybe even have them given as gifts - but they wanted their fans to know - THE TEAM WANTED THEM!

Check it out:
Oh, and by the way - there are 2 B.C. Canadian boys on this team!



How can you not cheer for them??

Review of the Year 2010: Where did it go???

When I was in my 20s, I would have never believed how fast time could go - if someone would have told me.   I had no clue. Time seemed to go on forever.

Life really is like a roll of toilet paper... slow to unravel at the beginning and faster at the end.  It's almost dizzying..... 

Gingerbread Houses and Christmas Concerts

My sis in quilted me the gorgeous square.... talented!

Our renter brought over the sweetest gingerbread house that she made from scratch.....

Not a kit.  Scratch!

I couldn't help it....I took a nibble of the porch.....
I absolutely love it!!

Yesterday I drove to my cousin's and attended a School Christmas Concert that her son (Grade 5) was in.  I couldn't believe the talented soloists!

I wish I could post some of it on here....but the files are way too big. Anyway, sooo cute!

Of course my Nephew (as I call him, since I was blessed to attend his birth!) was one of the soloists and I was so proud of him, as if I had given birth.

All in all, I think I am finally getting into the Christmas spirit!

Reindeer Games and MRSA



...notice the antlers....(inside joke for those who have been reading
my blog all the way along....)

 I had to laugh the other day.  My niece posted this on her Facebook:

"The only reason the other reindeer loved Rudolph was because he drove Santa's sleigh. No wonder we have so many self-esteem issues in our society. Would someone please write a song where the reindeer decide to be kind and love Rudolph after getting to know who he is really is as a reindeer?"

And then I read this: Rudolph Had Low Self-esteem Issues.  I have read stories of how traumatized he was and that his co-dependent behavior was cause for concern.  Here are some scenarios as to how it all might have played out.

***********

In real life though, I had a patient once that had the hugest MRSA infection on his nose.  It was just around Christmas time and he was wondering what to do about it.  He said all his friends at work were laughing at him and calling him names....specifically "Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer" and the like.

Telling all kinds of Reindeer and Santa jokes - ad nauseum. 

It wasn't very funny, really.  His nose was painful, red, swollen and shiny....  and it was going to take a powerful antibiotic to clear it up.

Meanwhile, I am thinking his co-workers could lay off the jokes already.  MRSA is a serious infection and can develop to the life threatening stage if not treated properly and promptly.

Borrowed from the www. It's the best
I could do.....

Come on! After all - It's Christmas for pete's sake!!!

Christmas Menagerie

Not that the posting of the Hallelujah Chorus the other day inspired this,  of course,  but since animals were all involved in the first Christmas in some way or other -  or so says the song - "The Friendly Beasts" -  that I learned in elementary school  -

I Just Couldn't Resist posting This :

Christmas Tree

When I was in my 20's - up until my 40's - I would have a "Christmas Tree Decorating Party" where I would invite friends over to celebrate the obvious.

Sometimes it meant a few people, sometimes a huge roomful.

But, it always meant fun and laughter and stories and secrets shared over a glass of mulled wine - or eggnog.

Every ornament placed on the tree had a meaning, or a story behind it.  The memories - along with the ornaments -  would be dusted off and reflected upon.

I could hardly wait until I could drag out the 5 or 6 totes full of decorations every year.....and take my time and ponder on Christmases past. 

That same feeling comes back when I see my trees - set up and glowing in the night.  There is nothing more calming and more satisfying than walking into the quiet dark room in the middle of the night,  the ethereal glow of the focal lighting reflecting off the golden apples and the wooden carved deer family gathered around the creche.


One of my most favorite Christmas tree photos is one of my Dad with 2 of his brothers, sitting in front of their Christmas tree.  Take a look.    And yes, just in case you are wondering - those are real candles on that tree.

We wear our Poppies

One of my favorite songs for Remembrance Day was written by a man, Terry Kelly, who wrote it after an experience in a drug store when over the intercom shoppers were asked to observe 2 minutes of silence in memory of our fallen soldiers - on the 11th month at the 11th hour on the 11th day - and the one man who didn't.  Here it is in French.
It is at this time Canadians pause to remember - where ever they happen to be - for 2 minutes....remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

Then there is a band "The Trewes" who wrote this song when one of their friends from Nova Scotia died in 2006 in Afghanistan.

In Ontario, when a Canadian soldier dies for his country in Afghanistan they touch Canadian soil at Canadian Forces Base Trenton in Ontario. From there, a funeral procession leaves the base and heads to Toronto, taking our departed heroes to the Centre for Forensic Sciences.

 Along the 172km path of Highway 401 -  people spontaneously line the overpasses to show their support, waving Canadian flags and signs or standing at attention,  paying their respect to the fallen and their families.

This portion of Highway is now called the "Highway of Heroes".

All proceeds from this song goes to a fund that awards scholarships for the children of the fallen soldiers: