Reflections of 2015

  Two days ago was my birthday. I don't moan about getting older....we all know what the alternative is. But I do take a few minutes each year to think about my life and all the things that have happened in the past year. Both good and bad.

  Since I'm very slow at writing this holiday season and it's New Years Eve, I thought I'd combine the two and share my list of happenings for 2015. In no particular order here we go......

  We were so lucky this year with some new additions. Chelsea joined our family and we were able to see her and Daniel tie the knot in the most personal wedding I've ever been to. Although we may never make that drive, 8056 kms round trip, again! 

  Lincoln, our first great-nephew, made his debut as well. Too cute for words and now walking. Boy how time flies. My cousin Max became a grandma. And one of my favorite people, Janet, announced she is going to be a grandma. Two strong, beautiful ladies passing on their wisdom to the next generation. Those babies are/will be in good hands. And spoiled rotten I'm sure.

   That incredibly crazy drive did let me see one of my favorite people in the world for three whole days. Tom you were the highlight of my year. Boy I wish we lived closer.

  Alex "graduated" from grade six and moved on to new challenges at high school. He is changing so fast and I really can see the man he is going to become. And I can pretty much guarantee, writer is not going to be his chosen profession.

  Riley has become obsessed with singing. That's not new though. The karaoke machine Santa brought is getting a lot of use. He's becoming more independent. Fingers crossed that's an on-going trend.

  John got a new job. While it hasn't started yet, I think he's anxious to move on now that the decision is made. Same hours though so that alarm will still go off at 5:00 am. Ugh.

  This year has just sort of sailed easily for me. I hope I'm not testing fate by saying that. I have surrounded myself with great people. My family is healthy and happy. We have enough. Enough money, food and security. 

  And I have this. What started as a dare has become the perfect forum for me to express my thoughts and ideas on life in general. Life as I see it. What matters to me at any given moment. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I do. So I guess I learned something about myself this year too.

  It is December 31,2015. I hope you take a moment today to reflect on your year. To take stock of what you have experienced. Think of the fun times. Put the bad times to bed. A new year means new opportunities. A chance to reinvent yourself and your life.

  Me, I'm sticking with what I've got. It's a wonderful life.

  Happy 2016 my friends!!!

  Ang

  
  
  

Vacation

  Now that the turkey has been devoured, the presents unwrapped, the wine drank and the family fight out of the way, I can tell you all about my vacation. I know no one really wants to hear about other people's vacation but it's my blog so I will ;)

  This time we took off on a ten day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean with stops in Tortola, St. Martin, St. Thomas and Puerto Rico. Let me start by saying ten days sharing a 265 square foot room with three others is a challenge. Especially once the beds come out. Teeny tiny. Luckily we had amazing weather and the amount of time spent inside was minimal.

  We have traveled a lot and cruising seems like the best value for our dollar. With almost everything included you pay up front and sit back and enjoy. And we did.

  The shows were great. John and Riley saw almost all. Alex and I opted out of a few. There was a few musical reviews, a magic show and of course the big farewell with the entire crew. My personal favorite was the kids club extravaganza on the main stage where Riley got to be part of the show! He glowed with excitement. I really believe he was meant for the stage.

  Food is always the main draw for many people. Not so much for me. Anytime I don't have to cook I'm happy. You can feed me anything and never hear a complaint. We did some "sit and be served" dinners and a few breakfasts. The buffet was huge with lots of choices. There was a salad section where someone would make your perfect salad. Loved it. And of course the desserts are always a hit. The kids assured me the chocolate cookies were to die for.

  December can be a crap shoot for weather but we hit the jackpot. Right out of New York harbor the weather was warm. Like just a lightweight sweater warm. When we woke up the next morning we could go in the pool. And it was unheated! 

  Over all it was a great trip. We rested. Swam. Had a cocktail or two. Sang and danced. A few hiccups occurred but hey that's life and part of travelling. While I liked the ship we went on last year better, I really have no major complaints. I'm sure we will do it again.

  I did learn a few things. Some I had forgotten about.

  First off we pack way too many clothes. Way too many. Also people are rude most of the time. I'm sorry to say especially the elderly. And parents remember you must still actually parent your child while on vacation. It's true you do.

  But the most important thing I have never forgotten....everyone needs a vacation so make the best of the one you have.

  Ang

Merry Christmas!

     
  Merry Christmas!!!! Happy holidays!!!!

  I hope Santa found your house. He certainly found ours. The karaoke machine he left Riley has been going strong all day. I've heard the song from the Peanut's Movie a lot and it's only 2:30! The look of pure joy on his face makes up for the repetitiveness of the Cup Song.

  Santa left Alex some new headphones for gaming. As much as I yell at him to get them out of his ears on a daily basis that doesn't quite make sense. But the microphone means I no longer have to listen to him scream at the laptop while playing with his friends on-line. Checks and balances I guess.

  John and I don't exchange gifts. Haven't for years. We prefer a before or after Christmas vacation instead. Since we've just gotten home I'd say we both got great gifts. We did have some unwrapping to do though and the boys are always excited to see what we got.

  As I type, the turkey is in the oven and the house has that yummy smell beginning. The fire is crackling. Our tree has a pretty look in the window. The kids aren't fighting and John is still awake in the recliner...not for long I bet. It's a happy, peaceful Christmas in our home. I hope it's the same at yours.

  Just as a little footnote...did you know the "new traditional" Christmas dinner in China is KFC? Yes you read that right. Kentucky Fried Chicken. Colonel Sanders at his best. It's so popular that people pre-order it up to a month in advance to make sure they get some!

  Who would have believed it??

  Ang

HoHoHo

  HoHoHo it's Christmas Eve! Can you believe it? Finally. After the weeks of decorating, shopping, planning and organizing it's here. My kids are beyond excited and so are we!

  We got home yesterday from vacation....more about that at a later date...and are now in full Christmas mode. Not much to do but enough to make the next twelve hours eventful.

  One thing I'm not looking forward to is the trip to the grocery. It's not in my top 100 things to begin with but this time of year brings more crowds than ever. But it's a necessary "after vacation" evil that this year just happens to fall on one of the busiest days of the year. I'll survive I'm sure.

  Our tree, while missing the usual ribbon, looks beautiful with the lights glowing in the window. The presents are wrapped so pretty it's almost a shame to open them. The house has a special festive feel to it. It makes me smile. 

  But it is 2:20 in the morning and while everyone else is sound asleep with visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads, I'm up. That's changing right now.

  What is a sugarplum anyway?

  Ang

It's Finally Here!!!

   Ahhhhhh it's finally here. Friday. Not just any Friday. Start of vacation Friday. Let's begin the fun and relaxation Friday. I can feel the sunshine in my bones Friday.

  I still have a few things to do. Like packing. Cleaning. Laundry. You know a few small things. Everything will get done. Well I hope so. 

  My plan was to be finished a few days ago. Like most of my plans it didn't work out very well. This is a busy time of year to start with but when I added in fifty more things I seem to have dropped the ball. Oh well the ball didn't break. Just a few dents here and there.

  Entries will be scarce over the next two weeks. I'm sure I will find some wifi along the way to upload a thought or two but cruise ship usage is pricey. 

  So have fun preparing for the holidays. See your friends, family and anyone you love spending time with. Wrap presents, eat Turtles and watch The Grinch. Decorate your tree, drink eggnog and sing Christmas carols. Be happy.

  I'll have a blue drink with a little umbrella in it for you....all of you :)

  Ang

  

  

Cash or Credit?

  Have you gone over your gift buying budget? Did you have one in the first place? Will you be singing the Christmas blues when that credit card bill comes in January? You won't be alone if you do.

  Most people don't plan or budget for the holidays. And we really should. We all buy more food, alcohol and "extras" than we ought to. With company in and out, the fridge door never seems to stay closed. And while we wouldn't have it any other way, every time it opens you can hear a cha-ching....I know that's not spelled right but you get my drift.

  I have a cash only rule. Whatever I buy for someone else must not be on a credit card. That doesn't always come true but I can honestly say this year it is. Would you really want that sweater or jewelry from me if it meant the kids wouldn't have cereal next month? Of course not. 

  We all need to be a little Grinch-like. Your kids don't "need" the most expensive toys or clothes. Every friend and family member doesn't "have" to be shown how much you care with a pricey sentiment of your love. Hopefully, because you know how some families are, they want nothing from you but your company and happiness. Fingers crossed.

  While you are out fighting the crowds this weekend, looking for the perfect gift for the person who has everything, remember these wise words...

  It's not the cost of the gift that counts...it's how pretty it's wrapped. 

  Ang

Early Morning Thoughts

  Just some observations this morning. It's too early to make things weave together. I can barely lift the coffee cup!

  1. No matter how early we get up, we are always running for the school bus. It's a fact of life I need to acccept. For the next nine years anyway.

  2. You can eat the same breakfast every day and not grow tired of it. Riley asks for boxed waffles every day. I force him to eat something else.

  3. For kids with no clothes, they have too many clothes. 

  4. Canada Post charges too much to mail a Christmas card. And the slot it must fit through got smaller...I'm not sure that's true but it sure seems like it.

  5. If I was more organized, life would be so much simpler. Yet organized people annoy me. A lot.

  6. Why don't they put the same ink in printers as they do in pens? My pens never dry out.

  7. My kids can't seem to figure out how to rinse the toothpaste out of the sink. I can't seem to make them get it. Is this considered a learning disability?

  8. One of the first things I was going to do when we moved into this house was change the dining room curtains. Six years later I'm still looking at those same ugly curtains. I guess they aren't that bad.

  9. Riley and Alex playing the piano makes me smile. Every single time.

 10. Why doesn't my coffee cup miraculously refill itself?

  Ang

Holiday Movies

  Do you say Merry Christmas? Happy Hanukkah? Happy Holidays? Happy...fill in the blank? Does it matter? Really?

  This morning again I saw several things on social media and a few emails talking about keeping Christ in Christmas. One actually said "I'm saying Merry Christmas and if you don't like that you can kiss my ass and go back to where you came from!" Can you imagine?! No one, no one, would say that to a persons face. But on-line they will share the crap out of it.

  But that's not what I wanted to talk about today. It just irritates me.

  I did want to talk about the slew of classic holiday movies on tv right now. Yup I said holiday. On purpose too. On the weekend we watched It's A Wonderful Life. Fantastic movie that never gets old...even though it's in black and white. Both of my kids watched it with us, as they do every year. And yes when they hear a bell ring they do say "an angel gets it's wings".

  We've seen a Charlie Brown Christmas, which is 50 years old! It's older than I am and it just wouldn't be Christmas without watching it at least once. Do you think Charles Schultz had any idea we would be watching it our entire lives? I hope so.

  My personal favorites are any, and all, A Christmas Carol. I love them all. I watch the black and white version with Alistair Simms. The one with the Muppets. Mickey Mouse's version. Bill Murray as Scrooge. You name it I watch it. In fact for the last 25 years or so I've watched it late Christmas Eve. A great tradition.

  In recent years we've gotten Prep and Landing. Followed by Naughty vs. Nice. Lanny and Wayne are super cute. Not only for kids but us big kids too. Thrasher is becoming the coolest reindeer ever thanks to these two shows.

  Sometime this week, stop and out your feet up. Gather your family on the sofa. Throw on a blanket. Turn on a Christmas movie. Sit quietly with your family for thirty minutes or an hour. I guarantee it will be remembered long after that gift has been opened and the toy broken.

  Make "family time" the most important part of whatever holiday you celebrate. Me....I'm going to celebrate them all.

  Ang

Bye Bye Lights

   I try very hard not to be too critical, let it go people, let it go. But I try not to brag up my hubby too much either. Most of my friends are a little jealous because really there isn't much to complain about. He cooks, cleans and does laundry. He doesn't baby-sit. He parents. He's fairly easy going and has a lot of common sense.

  Don't get me wrong he irritates the crap out of me on a regular basis but over all I can't complain.

  However.....he has messed with my Christmas tree and that means war! I love colored lights on my tree.  I find they give a softer glow than the white lights do. They make me happy. And now they have disappeared.

  Putting a timer on our tree was supposed to make it easier. It has not. What it has done is keep me from enjoying the tree all day. John had to rewire the tree, to bypass the switch, which changes the color of the lights. So now the lights are stuck in the white position. That makes me sad.

  My happy glow has become a bright light. I know, I know it's really not a problem. I should just be glad I have a tree and the money to pay for the electricity it uses. There are gifts under the tree and food in the fridge so yes I am aware how minuscule this is. However.....

  I miss my colored lights. 

  Ang

I Should Be

  I should be out shopping. I should be cleaning the bathroom. I should be folding laundry and taking suitcases out of the closet. I should be at the post office with the last packages that need to go. I should be. But I'm not.

  And I'm not going to be. The "happiest time of the year" is also the most tiring. I'm moving slowly and while things are getting done there is definitely no running involved.

  But today, just today, I'm doing what I want to do. Not what I have to do. Or what I should be doing. I want to stay in my pajamas today so that takes everything outside the house right off the table.

  It hasn't slipped my attention that the list I've made is still quite long. Or that the living room has Christmas boxes still in the way. I am aware that the dining room table is covered in Christmas cards, bows, ribbons and a puzzle we were supposed to make a week ago. I have eyes.

  So far I would call the day a success though. Dinner is in the slow cooker. Dishes are washing as I type. A load of laundry is dry and just waiting to be folded. And the final teacher gift is wrapped. That seems like a good start and it's not even noon.

  No matter what I should be doing I'm going to go vacuum, with LOTR on in the background. I wonder how that escaped the list?

  Ang

261

  In case I haven't told you...we are going on a cruise in a weeks time!!! I can't wait. Sunshine. Warmth. Ocean breezes. Sand between my toes. Unlimited drinks. Sounds heavenly doesn't it? There is only one draw back. And it's a big one. Actually it's a small one and a big one.

  Our stateroom is...I can't believe I'm saying this...261 square feet. Remember there are four of us. Two of which cannot seem to manage being in our 2000 sq. foot house without fighting lately. Do you have any idea how small that is? I do. Small.

  I'm not sure why but the boys are going through another "I can't stand having you around" phase. It's frustrating, irritating and blood-pressure raising. And now we are going to put them in a tiny room together for ten days?? Are we nuts?? Apparently so.

  Both my fingers and toes are crossed that once we leave home behind we will also leave the hatred. We went away twice this summer and both times they were happy to be around each other. Except for the crazy-ass drive to Calgary and back. And who could blame them there?

  Every time they loose it on each other, John threatens that if they behave this way on the cruise he will buy plane tickets and take them home. I'm sure it won't come to that. Well I hope it doesn't. Or do I?

  Can you imagine the peaceful vacation I would have? I can. Mommy and wife of the year awards just went out the window.... again.

  Ang

Be Careful Out There

   Christmas mania has begun! The malls are full. People are out in droves trying to find the perfect gift for the person who has everything. They will look in every store, at every item. Pick it up. Turn it around. Put it down then back up again. Look look look. The only place they aren't looking is in the parking lot.

  Talk about taking your life in your hands! It's dangerous out there. Once you walk out of that door you are fair game. I'm not sure what happens to folks. Maybe their eyes are sore from all that shopping. Must be.

  You must keep your eyes peeled for any movement. Cars want the closest possible parking space and  will drive faster than Mario Andretti to get it. You happen to be in the way? That's your problem. Move it or lose it.

  We made three stops and three times my feet were almost a casualty of Christmas. A lady almost ran into my son and she stopped for nothing and no one to get into that last handicap spot. Apparently you can park almost sideways in those spots. Well she did anyway.

  Remember Hill Street Blues? Before the cops would go out for their tour the Captain would give them their assignments and say "Be careful out there.". That's my advice to you.

  Just out of curiosity doesn't anyone shop on line in this city? Or just me?

  Ang

Perks

  There are many perks to being a stay-at-home parent. As soon as I get out of bed I'm dressed for work. Pajamas are perfect work attire. I don't battle traffic and end up being late unless the school parking lot is exceptionally full. Coffee breaks are whenever and for how ever long I choose them to be.

  My co-workers are not annoying. In fact I barely hear a word they say. They never gossip about me either. And no one has ever stolen my food out of the work fridge or complained about my tuna sandwich with onions. I never complain about them to anyone.

  There are no deadlines to be met at my place of work. No pressure to have something, other than dinner, finished by a certain time. I can leave work whenever I want and run errands. No boss is breathing down my throat asking me where I've been or how long my break is supposed to be. And I can put lunch with a friend on the company credit card without an expense claim.

  Personal phone calls are allowed as are emails, texts and the occasional drop in. I can check my Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as often as I like with no backlash. If I decide I need a vacation I'll while away the afternoon searching for flights. No one minds.

  I get paid every day instead of every two weeks. If I'm not satisfied with my days wages then I ask for more and am never denied. And I'm always getting bonuses. When you are paid in hugs and kisses your salary is very high.

  These are only some of the perks. There are many, many more. Don't you wish your job had this many?

  And I didn't even mention naps!

  Ang

  

Again

    Another day another mass shooting in the US. Another call for prayers for the victims and their families. Another round of press conferences, tweets and sound bites saying this needs to stop. Another city living in terror, grief and fear.

  Enough. 

  Do something. Get rid of the guns. Change something. Get rid of the guns. Change your constitution. Get rid of the guns. 

  Enough.

  No one, no one, NEEDS assault rifles or semi automatic handguns to defend themselves. No one. No one NEEDS to fire fifty bullets at an intruder in their home. No one. 

  Enough.

  According to the Mass Shooting Tracker group....yes it's real...a mass shooting is when four or more people are shot in one incident. That makes yesterday's tragedy number 352 in the US. THIS YEAR. Three hundred and fifty two.

  Enough. 

  Ang

  

Charity is Hard

  

  Another day another problem trying to help someone out. It shouldn't be this hard to give something away. Especially a big ticket item.

  John has sleep apnea. Which means he stops breathing when he sleeps. This is a very common condition and while it has many health ramifications there is a very simple treatment. But not cheap.

  A CPAP machine, don't ask me what that stands for, programmed just for you will let you get a full, well rested nights sleep. And of course you will continue to breathe. But the machine is expensive. This new one was almost $1300.00! Yes you read that right. One thousand three hundred dollars.

  We have insurance so whatever wasn't covered by the province was paid for by our company. In total, I think we might have paid fifty dollars. Which would be a deductible I guess. But without private insurance you are looking at a lot of money. Ontario pays a portion but not every province does.

  In the spring John qualified for a new machine. Even though there was nothing wrong with the old one. Truthfully he wanted a smaller version that is easier for travel. But now we have two machines.

  It's been sitting in the closet now for about six months collecting dust. So today I decided to find a new owner. All it needs is a new mask and hose and the computer card reprogrammed with your own particular information. The programming would be free from the Sleep Clinic but the hose and mask would cost around $150.  Not bad if you got the machine for free.

  But giving it away is becoming a challenge. I went to a nursing home. They said no thank you based on sanitary conditions. Doesn't make sense to me because if you disinfected the outside and used a new mask its perfectly sanitized. But I guess they have their rules. Funny enough though, Ontario provincial health care doesn't cover any of the cost for this machine and neither does the nursing home.

  I tried the Community Resource Center. They had no clue who could take it. Or even what it was at first. Surely there must be a family of lesser means out there with sleep apnea. This isn't a rich persons disease.

  My last hope was the church. People share their troubles at church. They will get back to me once they ask around. I'm hoping they can find someone. I really don't want to through it out.

  I can't imagine putting something that expensive in the recycling bin. No way.

  Ang

  

Pick up Blues

  I've been wasting the morning waiting for the pick up service to arrive. Why is it when you are waiting you absolutely want to be somewhere else? If you had asked me yesterday morning, before pick up was arranged, what I was planning on doing today, my reply would have been simple. Nothing. Not leaving the house. Today, since I have to be here, it's a totally different story.

  What have I done instead though? Well I've made mini-meatloaves. And a pot of soup for dinner. I've tidied a bit upstairs. Caught up on Coronation Street. But mostly I've been surfing. 

  Today is World Aids Day. 78,511 cases of HIV have been reported in Canada since reporting began in 1985....these stats are from December 2014. Staggering. On a positive note the treatments available now are allowing people to lead full, healthy lives. It's a major step forward but still this is one of many diseases we need to eradicate.

  In the Newfoundland election yesterday the Liberals won a majority and will form the next government. This means not one province or territory in Canada has a conservative leader in power. Interesting.

  Musician Bob Geldof "half expected" his daughter's death from drugs. Peaches died last year you might remember. Sad to hear a parent say that then admit there was nothing he could do about it. But he's right. Sometimes you can't.

  Kobe Bryant is retiring. Bette Midler turned 70 today. Two brothers saved a bald eagle and took the ultimate selfie. And someone stole 150 baled Christmas trees from a farmer in PEI. That will get you on Santa's naughty list for sure.

  And the biggest news by far....A Charlie Brown Christmas is 50 years young! I know I've watched it every year I can remember. Before and after children. It's one of the best things to do over the holidays.

  Another hour has passed and still no pick up. Oh well I can always find something to do. Wrap a present or two maybe. Empty the dishwasher. Clean the bath. Always something.

  Or a nap. That sounds perfect.

  Ang