Sadness, Frustration and Luxury

Dear Friends,

As I sit today by my warm fire watching the Olympics I feel so contented and happy, then a wash of guilt falls over me as I remember the earthquake in Chile last night and those who are trying to prepare for the tsunami. The weather has been so weird this winter, and the consequences has been devastating to so many. My prayers go out to all those affected by this latest tragedy.

I was frustrated after reading this morning's paper. The press has been brutal to our athletes and Vancouver as they host the Olympics Games. They were brutal on the Canadian Women's Hockey Team for the way they celebrated their Gold Medal Win. These reporters just don't get it. It has been a tradition for several years for all hockey teams who win a Gold Medal.......not just this team. Each winning team goes back out on the ice to toast the Games and their team mates....why? Simple.... many of these players will retire and this is the last time they will be together on ice after training/competing four years together. They wait until after they receive their medals and the arena has emptied before they toast each other, the games and their victory. Now I am not saying they are right or wrong, I am just saying this is what they do. Why some reporter who obviously knew about this tradition, had to sneak back in and photograph this team moment is beyond me, I wonder if he feels his 15 minutes of fame was worth it.

These have been an excellent Olympics. With all the diversity and the mild weather the Canadian Olympic Committee has done a fabulous job keeping it all together and getting it done. The death of the Georgian Luger was devastating but they soldiered on so that all those who worked so hard these past four years would have the opportunity to compete. Not only our Canadian athletes but all of the athletes representing their Countries have given us their best performances, I loved all of their beautiful personalities and strong discipline. Now Canadians are not a boastful people and I admire this trait but when I see a spontaneous game of street hockey begin after a hockey win or people breaking into song, automatically singing the Canadian National Anthem.....makes me proud. We don't have the great numbers to choose our athlete's from, yet those who are chosen work so hard, play harder and dream bigger. So as the last couple of days wind down let us all celebrate each other, not only the ways we are alike but even our differences. All of these young athletes deserve our respect and I for one am so happy they shared their excellent skills with us.....they have brought so many of us much entertainment, excitement and joy these past two weeks and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for sharing their shinning personalities and wonderful professionalism with the world. All of you were great, and Canadians are as proud of you as your own Countries. To me all of you deserve a Gold Medal for your efforts.

I want to share with you my new purchases, they are heavenly to a me as I suffer with peripheral neuropathy......so anyone with this same problem I highly recommend these, they are great!




Sheep Lined Slippers.......almost as comfortable as my UGGS!




Sheep Lined Foot Warmer, okay so it is a bit of a luxury and not a necessity oh but it is wonderful......should of bought one of these years ago.

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday, God Bless..........and many, many hugs:-)

To My Blogger Friends

Hello my friends,

It has been just over a year since I began blogging. I backed into it really. One day when opening up Google I saw the word blog and clicked on it just to see what it was about and that was how I began my relationship with all of you. I have grown to love blogging, you all have expanded my world by making me part of your blogging lives.

During this past year we have shared good times and sad times, weddings, death of loved ones, the birth of new babies, purchase of new vehicles, all things that happen in our every day lives. Some of my friends have been very ill and now are feeling better some are still very ill. I prayed and continue to pray for all of you as you have for me.

In the beginning there was a small group of us ladies who came together, supported each other and taught each other how to post pictures, add a link or a signature to our post. We all were new at this and we had fun watching each other grow into our own. We became known as the Village, I do believe it was Terri who named us. Well now I am missing my village friends.......they still have their blogs but don't post as often. They are very loyal though and always comment and support those of us who are still here on a regular basis. I know we all have busy lives, other commitments and are involved in other activities but it doesn't keep me from missing those days of old as we struggled to master the art of blogging.....in fact I'm still not sure I have mastered it but I know I am still enjoying it very much. We all have made new friends and enjoy many other blogs as we found our niche into this arena. Some are drawn to nature, decorating, politics, religion and other interest.......and this is fine as I know the golden thread that has weaved us together is strong and will always keep us bonded in a special way. Somehow I feel we will always be friends and continue to keep in touch. I know I will as all of my blogger friends have become so very important to me. Some I feel very close too and I care for them as I do my family. I am happy to say we keep in touch through Facebook and e-mails, letters, cards even telephone calls.

I find myself checking to see what kind of weather you are having and if one has a doctor's appointment I say a prayer that the roads are good and you will be safe, as I wait to hear the results of your appointments. You have made me laugh so hard at times the tears have rolled down my cheeks and I have spilled my coffee as I read some of your expressions, when you were hurting or worried I found myself holding back tears and not always successful as I prayed all would work out for you. Oh yes you all have become very special to me.....

I want to thank each of you for making my blogging experience a positive one, I thank each of you for your comments, I love them and I love knowing you remember me in your prayers.....believe me I need them.

Blogging has opened a whole new world for me and it has been a wonderful experience. It is because of you that I have grown to love blogging, and I thank all of you for your kindness, honesty and friendship. I feel so blessed to have all of you in my life, my life has been so enriched because each of you has added to it.

God Bless each of you..........and many, many hugs :-)

I'M RIGHT HERE.......

Hello my friends.......I received an e-mail today asking where have I been. I have been home watching the Olympics and loving every moment of it.

I love watching these young people compete. You all know I am Canadian and yes I am cheering for Canadians but I am also cheering for everyone of these competitors. They are all inspirational......to think they have practiced thousands of hours to perfect their skills. Their parents and siblings have sacrificed their time, money and themselves so their talented child could find their true potential. Their discipline and hard work can be wiped out in sixty seconds yet they will risk everything to be the best they can be. I am in awe as I watch them, their hair blowing in the wind and cheeks flushed with excitement. I love them and cheer for them all. Nationality doesn't matter to me, nor does the language they speak. I do not need to know their language to understand everything they are thinking and saying as they perform. It is all on their faces, their actions and re-actions says it all.

I guess you can tell I love the Olympics, always have. I am so thankful that I have the opportunity to watch these games in a warm home with good food and treats as close as my kitchen. For a few hours a day I get to live vicariously through these athletes and live their stories. I so believe in them and wish them their best performances ever. This is their time to excel and my time to enjoy.

Good Night my friends, God Bless........and many, many hugs....:-)

Dear Mom

Dear Mom,

Tomorrow is Valentine's day and also your birthday. I remember how dad would always tease you about being his birthday valentine. I miss you mom.

We had our differences when I was a child, but from the time I was 13 years old I don't think we had a cross word between us, even if I did something wrong you would always help me and oh the things we never told Dad. You always were there for me, and I always knew it. With you I felt safe and loved always. What a blessing you were to me mom. I still have the tape from my answering machine that you left your last message to me on and when I long to hear your voice I play it over and over again. It makes me smile, cry, happy and sad. I am so thankful I have it as your voice is a little piece of heaven to me.

I like to think that you are with Dad, Woody and Scotty. Thinking of you all together lightens the ache in my heart when I miss all of you so very much.

We had so many good times, times when we laughed so hard that you had to sit down to catch your breath. Just silly little things that only a mother and daughter would laugh over. We cried together over our hurts and we held on to each other when we were worried or disappointed. How lucky I was to have had you. We shared the last five years of your life together almost as one.....everyone else had someone, you and I had each other and I thank God every day that he gave me this special time with you.

Mom it still bothers me that on the day I drove you to the hospital I wouldn't let you smoke in my car. If I had known you would never be coming out of the hospital I would of let you smoke the whole package. I honestly didn't realize how sick you were. When you ask me to call Father McKee to anoint you with the last rites and there were just the 3 of us there, I still didn't think I was going to loose you. I guess I was in deep denial as I wanted to think we had many more years together. It was only when your doctor showed me your chart indicating you had heart disease as well as cancer that I knew we were in trouble. You went so fast mom, I thought it was good that you didn't have to suffer but as the years have passed I wish we would of had more time than we did.

You accepted your situation with such courage and grace. You had no fear, you were ready to go home. You had such faith and you were tired. You wanted to see Dad again and I understood.

If I had you back again for only a few minutes there is nothing I could say that I hadn't already told you, except how much I miss you. You knew I loved you and you knew I would make it on my own. You always told me I had the strength to handle whatever came my way and I guess you were right. I have survived and live a life filled with love and happiness. You taught me that whatever happened in my life that God's grace would protect me and see me through and he has. Each night I pray the Rosary you gave me, I love it so much and feel so close to you as I touch each bead. You would love the CD I have with the Rosary and mysteries on it and I know you are smiling as I use to say to you can't we just go to sleep, do we have to say the Rosary......we always said it. When Sylvia would visit we would still say it and we both knew how happy you were that we were together to do so.

Everything has changed since you have gone home mom and although I don't like change very much we know it is inevitable.....again you taught me it is not about what happens but how we react to it. Your favorite saying was you can achieve more with honey than vinegar has always stayed with me. You also told me a smile cost me nothing but could mean so much to someone else. As I grow older I realize how wise you were.....I only had to listen.

I know you are at peace now mom and this brings me great comfort. Kiss my boys for me and I wish you a Happy Birthday in heaven........so love and miss you.

Hope Everyone Is Okay

Hello my friends, I know many of you have been snowed in the past couple of days both in Canada and across the border. My friend called me from Newfoundland yesterday and they were having a blizzard and much of the province was without power and I have seen on the news where many of my American friends live the snow was really coming down. I hope all of you are warm, safe and snuggled up by a warm fire with your love ones close by. Here in Alberta, the sun came out yesterday and oh it was so nice outside. Just to hear the birds chirping and feel the sun on my face was pure bliss. We have had very little sunshine this winter. Today we are back to dark clouds and cold temperatures but I am thankful for yesterday.

It has been a good week. I have started back at Curves and so love the feeling that only exercise can give me. My feet have been a bit of a problem especially at night but have been okay during the day.

I had a Spa day......Facial, manicure and pedicure......delicious. A treat for the body as well as the soul.




I am happy to say if Jackie keeps improving she may be home from the hospital next week. She will be on oxygen from now on but I know she will be much happier being at home with her family. Thank you for all your prayers.

Tomorrow will be another great day, church, a curling final and the Super Bowl. Go Colts......

God Bless and many, many hugs........:-)

I've Been Busy

Hello my friends, I know its Ground hog day but he won't see his shadow here in Alberta for sure.....we haven't seen the sun in weeks. I have been very busy with.... well just with life really.

My friend Jackie is still in hospital, it has been almost a month now and she is growing so weary.....she has been moved from ICU to step down ICU so that is progress in a way. I think I am as anxious for her to come home as she is, I really miss my friend and neighbour.

I received this poem by e-mail and just had to share it with you all.

Cleaning Poem

I asked the Lord to tell me
Why my house is such a mess
He asked if I've been "putering"
I had to answer yes
He told me to get off my butt
And tidy up the house
So I started cleaning up
The smudges off my mouse
I wiped and shined the topside
That really did the trick...
I was admiring my good work
I didn't mean to click
But click I did, and oops - I found
A real absorbing site
That I got so into it
I was into it all night

So nothing's changed except my mouse
It's as shiny as the sun
I guess my house will stay a mess
While I sit here on my bum!

"I love my computer because my friends live in it"

Have a great week everyone and thank you all for your prayers for Lisa. My eyes filled with tears when I visited your sites and saw her button, my village is the best.

Good Night and God Bless......and many, many hugs