"SWEET" Friends!

Once again, Carmi over at Written Inc. has come up with a creative theme for the week: "SWEET!"

I had many SWEET moments Wednesday night at two different Christmas Dinners I attended! The first dinner was for Durham Hospice, a wonderful organization where I volunteer. It provides palliative care and bereavement services to individuals and families. I unexpectedly saw an old friend there. We counselled at summer camp together many moons ago! She recently lost her 5 year old son to cancer but is turning this tragedy into something positive: helping to build a hospice in her hometown. A SWEET MOMENT!

(Durham Hospice Christmas Banquet, Whitecliffe Terrace, Courtice, Nov. 26, 2008)

I had to leave the Hospice dinner early to head on over to my "Girl's Night Out" Christmas dinner at Joy Lynn's. My first stop was the candy dish. I confess I have a SWEET tooth. My mouth filled with numerous white and silver cavities tell the whole story!

The only pic I have of Deb B., one of my SWEET friends at the party!

Joy Lynn's SWEET girls fighting sleep. They wanted to stay up with us "big girls" all night partying! You remember don't you when you were their age? Quietly sneaking to the top of the stairs to secretly listen in on the adult conversation taking place downstairs? Trying every trick of the trade to stay up late, desperately hoping your parents would invite you to join the party? Finally giving up hope and climbing back into bed falling asleep in an instant?

Ah SWEET moments of childhood!

SWEET food , of course!

The only pic I have of SWEET Terri. Some of my friends are a wee bit camera shy!

SWEET Jenn

SWEET Deb. S.

Joy Lynn, our SWEET hostess!
A SWEET night out.

Happy American Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TODAY TO MY AMERICAN BLOGGY FRIENDS!

Five things I have observed thus far while working the Salvation Army Christmas Kettles at the LCBO : ( "Liquor Control Board of Ontario." My American bloggy friends, I should explain that here in Canada you can't buy alcohol at the local convenience or grocery store. It is regulated by our government and can only be bought at any LCBO location or Beer Store.)

5. At least once per night, I watch shoplifters walk right out of the store with hundreds of dollars worth of alcohol under their winter jackets,while the security guard is texting his mates AND the other employees are busy doing their jobs. The police department should hire me! One becomes quite observant while trying to pass the time!
4. Great customer service.
3. All cashiers are on deck. Lines are never allowed to get to 5 people in length, with the exception of Christmas hours.
2. The majority of customers are men - of all shapes and sizes!
1. A great place for single gals to meet single men - of all shapes and sizes!

Broken

It snowed today. In fact, it is still snowing as I type this. Our first snowfall. The kind of snow that is perfect for making snowballs. The kind that crunches loudly under your feet as you walk down the sidewalk. It is the snow that somehow has the ability to calm the night air. It stills the hustle and bustle of city life. Peaceful. Stress -Relieving. The kind of snow that beckons one to put on NEW winter outer garments (I just have to share my GREAT find I bought at "Winners" last night...)AND go for a stroll savouring every snowflake that lands on your nose.

After my hectic day and having to miss my yoga class tonight, I knew I needed to follow that beckoning voice and go for a "run-walk" in the calming snow. A while back, I finally decided to heed my friends' encouragement and start running, a sport they enjoy immensely. I am still at the "run- for- one- streetlight- walk -the -next-repeat- stage!" Tonight was actually the first time my body didn't feel heavy as I ran. I wasn't counting the streetlights longing for the sight of home. I felt light under my feet and was surprised when I arrived at my front door - relaxed. The weight of today was lifted. It had to be the magical snow!

I got to thinking as I was running. ( I know that is poor grammar:)) Thinking about Carmi's new theme: "Broken." Thinking about all the broken people in the world. Thinking about all the broken people The Salvation Army helps through their Christmas Kettle Campaign. I am helping again this year and had my first shift last night.

Generous givers. I love hearing the stories of how these givers were once helped as children from the Christmas Kettle Campaign. It made a difference in their broken lives and now they are "paying it forward," helping to mend broken lives.

Most importantly, I was thinking about Jesus, the Healer of these broken lives.

"Jesu! Only -begotten Son and Lamb of God the Father,

Thou didst give the wine-blood of Thy body to buy me from the grave.

My Christ! My Christ! My shield, my encircler,

Each day, each night, each light, each dark;

My Christ! My Christ! My shield, my encircler,

Each day, each night, each light, each dark.

Be near me, uphold me, my treasure, my triumph,

In my lying, in my standing, in my watching, in my sleeping,

Jesu, Son of Mary! My helper, my encircler,

Jesu, Son of David! My strength everlasting;

Jesu, Son of Mary! My helper, my encircler,

Jesu, Son of David! My strength everlasting.

Carmina Gadelica"

" It is the delight of the Father to hold us in his broad arms to embrace our infant understanding and to caress away our fears. We are hedged in by love, and the Father has sent his Son to complete the circle of his embrace. And everywhere we look is Christ; he is before us, behind us, beneath us and above us...To our right he is our shield, to our left, our breastplate. In the valley of the shadow, we have a rod and staff. Our prayers are his weapons, and mighty they are for the pulling down of strongholds."

("Celtic Devotions," by Calvin Miller)

Thematic Photographic - "Rows" and a day in Toronto with my neices and nephew!

Carmi's theme of choice for the week is "Rows," so on my adventure to Toronto with my nieces and nephew, I was on a mission in search of all sorts of "rows."

We began our journey on the Go Train. Without trying to embarrass my family, I took these snaps of our car...

...so many rows of seats for all those commuters....My niece Tasha and I. Can you tell we are related?:)
My nephew James and oldest niece, Emily -thrilled to have their picture taken! James had never been on the Go Train before so he was excited believe it or not!

Another first for James: a ride on the subway (TTC). We were headed to the grand re-opening of the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO). My niece Tasha, the budding artist, was keen on seeing the free exhibit.

Little did we know we would be standing in a LONG "row", in the pouring rain! I was the only one with an umbrella and the only one that didn't complain:)

Almost there....

...amazing structure...

...getting closer...

...at the front of the building now...

...FINALLY, entering...

...amazing architecture...

...the cool staircase my nephew was fascinated with...

...James is at the top....

...a view of the CN Tower, covered in fog...

...."rows" of prints on the wall of the gift shop...

After the AGO tour, we headed on over to the Eaton Centre to do a bit of shopping. Of course, my teenage nieces and nephew wanted to shop at Abercrombie & Fitch, the only store in Ontario, equipped with a live male model as you enter! "Rows" of girls line up just for a sneak peak. I admit I was a gawker-remember here?

I was happy when they wanted to check out Urban Outfitters! I found this great vest on sale: $9.99, regular price was $62.oo! What a find! It is such a cool store! "Rows" and "rows" of unique items!

I love the reversible bags!

We had a great day together. I am exhausted now!

Remembrance Day

Lest We ForgetTomb of the Unknown Soldier, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada




In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Today, we pause and remember the sacrifice of Canadian soldiers in the First and Second World Wars and Korean War,

Celebrating the freedom our great nation of Canada received,

Forever grateful.

Lest we forget.

Lest we forget.

Introducing myself in my first ever video blog!

***Warning: Use at your own risk. Not the best quality video blog:) ****

My faithful bloggy friends, I thought it would be fun to video tape myself so you could hear my voice and see me in action! It is the second time I have used the video option on my camera so I am VERY rusty. The video was taken at the Alanis Morrisette concert back in October. Sit back and enjoy this masterpiece!

Thematic Photographic - Autumn

On this glorious November day, my friend Michelle and I decided to take advantage and go for a ramble. Our exploration of the neighbourhood took us to a "new" cemetary down the road from Michelle's house. Enjoy this montage of photos celebrating autumn - still! For other celebrations, pop on over to Carmi's blog.

Michelle

Looking west at Thornton Cemetary

"Stand-out" colours that caught my eye...

Looking north at Thornton Cemetary

Fallen oak leaves

White Birch Tree