We Made It

  Well we made it through the holidays! Some a few pounds heavier and with a hangover or two. But all in all we made it with only one more major celebration to go. 

  The kids loved their presents and so did John and I. Google Home was by far the family favorite. We highly recommend it. Throw in a video game and a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey jersey and you've got a win. 

  We saw almost all our friends and family by the 26th. A few were missed but there is always time in 2018 to get together. In fact I think we should have Christmas dinner in February since we haven't cooked a meal in a week. Thanks for all the invites folks we really did appreciate them all.

  But now we are gearing up for another celebration. As I type this we are in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania on our way to New York City where we are hopping on the Norwegian Breakaway heading south! I can feel the sunshine already even though it is crazy-ass cold here.

  Our main gift is this cruise and we are all in need of some time away. From home and each other. And for seven wonderful days we will relax, de-stress and and enjoy....our time away and each other.

  It's time to hit the pool and go to bed early. Trying to catch up on all the late nights so we can start all over again.

  To all my family and friends.... may the rest of 2017 be kind to you. Fill the remaining days with happiness, love and peace. Shower a years worth of love and joy into these last few days.

  To the world...I hope 2018 is a year of peace, civility and hope. That we have more joy than pain. More love than hate. More hope than despair. More kindness than fear. 

  🎆🎆HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!🎆🎆

  Ang

Ready

  It's almost 9 in the morning of December 23. I've had coffee and John is gone to the gym. Riley is listening to music and Alex is cleaning his room. All is relaxed and calm. We have no shopping to do. No wrapping. No decorating. No groceries to buy. Just a few gifts to deliver. How did this happen???

  I am always running this time of year. And getting no where. If you had asked me just two short days ago I would have had a list longer than my arm to get done. But somehow my organizational skills, which honestly do not exist, kicked in and everything fell into place. It's a Christmas miracle!!

  Now I can focus on the really important thing happening this time of year....our southern vacation!!! After a week of freezing cold temps I'm ready for some sunshine. And heat. Oooh how I've missed the warmth of the sun. As I fold and pack shorts and tees, I can feel myself shaking off the cold and snow like a snake sheds skin.

  Doing laundry isn't a chore today. It's a privilege. Cleaning isn't filled with swear words about the amount of "stuff" we have but rather humming and the occasional song. All is merry and bright.

  I need to cut this short....gotta go look for sunscreen! 

  Ang

Finger's Crossed

   During this holiday season there are many military members who will not be with their family. They will be far from home watching their children open their gifts over Skype or Face Time. Eating a turkey dinner in a tent or a hotel instead of with Mom & Dad. Keeping you safe. Keeping strangers safe. Being heroes.

  Please remember this today when the announcement from Veteran's Affairs Minister Seamus O'Regan comes out. If the rumors are true, and I really hope they are not, another government is letting them down once they are retired. Just like the last government did. We owe them more than that.

  There are many great programs in place to help veteran's. Especially for those who have catastrophic injuries. I'm not saying there isn't. But life-long payments, without a financial cap, need to be returned. Yes it will cost a lot of money. Absolutely. But it is our responsibility to take care of these brave men and women. For their entire lives. No matter the cost. 

  Soldiers are ready and willing to give their lives to defend us and Canada. Without question. Why aren't we willing to take care of them for the rest of their lives because they didn't?

  Ang

Try

  This is the time of year when we should all be counting our blessings and being at our happiest. The operative word there is "should". Because from what I've seen over the past few days it is not the case. Not even close.

  You've probably been in either a grocery or mall parking lot over the past week. It's a nightmare. Stop signs are being ignored as are people. Cars will run over you to get to a parking spot. And apparently there is an influx of pregnant men in Ottawa since I've seen more of them parked in the "expectant mother's" spot than women. Isn't medical science wonderful?

  Now that you have finally made it into the store alive, the real fun begins. All around you folks are spending money they don't have, buying gifts they don't need, for people who won't appreciate them. And it shows. Their faces can't hide the stress of the season. Their patience is gone and they don't pretend otherwise. Angry glares and rolling eyes are everywhere. Carts become weapons and the first one to the checkout wins the battle. All the while Christmas carols are playing in the background preaching peace and love. Ironic huh?

  Of course it's not everyone. Not even close. But we tend to focus on those that impact our day in a bad way. I'm not sure why but we are all guilty of it. It would be just as easy to focus on the good as the bad. We don't though so I guess that says a lot about us too.

  Try to be patient. Try to see the good in any situation. Try to treat people in the manner you want to be treated. 

  It's hard I know but try.

  Ang

  

  

  

Holiday Blues

  While some of us think this is the most wonderful time of the year, for many it is the loneliest. There are many people who struggle through the holidays alone, without friends or family. Depression seems to go hand in hand with the month of December. But we can all help. And it won't cost us a penny.

  Neighbors, especially the elderly, are the most obvious. Knock on their door. Invite them for a meal or a cup of coffee at your house. Call them when you are decorating your tree or making holiday cookies. Take an hour break from shopping and sit and chat. About nothing at all. You cannot imagine the difference it will make.

  Look at your circle of friends. Chances are one of them has lost a loved one or gotten divorced or separated in the past year. This will be an especially difficult time with it being a "first". Send them a card, write them a note. Pick up the phone. Invite them to things. Drive around looking at Christmas lights with them. Offer to babysit. You don't have to do anything huge just include them. Keep them from feeling isolated and alone. 

  When you know someone is depressed before the holidays try to help take the stress off of them. Show up and get them to take a walk with you. Volunteer to help decorate their home or do a cookie exchange. Something to get them into the spirit without the stress. You won't "fix" their depression but you can help them manage it. Even in a small way.

  Don't forget to take care of your own mental health this holiday season either. It doesn't matter how you decorate, or what gifts you buy or the paper you wrap them in. You won't remember how dry the turkey was or the fact that you ran out of red wine. The kids will live without the expensive gifts and home-made gingerbread houses. Be present. That is the true gift of the holidays. 

  And like I promised, it won't cost you a cent!

  Ang

  

First World Problem

  I woke up this morning stressed. My brain seemed to know instinctively that my Christmas to-do list is longer than my arm and I'm still on item #2. Somehow my sub-conscience knew that time is running out while my physical self said no worries. Well it's time to start listening to that "inner voice"...actually it was time last month but hey nobody's perfect.

  The hardest part of Christmas shopping is the parcels going east. All three grandparents want nothing in the line of gifts. Yet their list of things they don't want is a mile long. No knick-knacks, nothing that must be dusted, no clothes, no kitchen utensils, no jewelry, no.....you get my meaning. Every single thing I've seen that I thought they might like falls under the "don't buy me" category. 

  I thought I would donate a goat from each of them. You buy for a family and they can sell the milk to pay for schooling, clothing and food. It's a great program which can easily change the lives of an entire family. For under $100! What could be easier than that? Except....I want there to be something under the tree that needs to be unwrapped. It would be sad if there was nothing to open December 25. So my dilemma continues, even with a goat.

  Every year it becomes harder and harder. They have downsized and donated/sold/thrown out most of their stuff. And they certainly do not want more stuff to replace it. I can't blame them for that. 

  So my struggle continues. I'm going out into the cold and snow to look yet again for the perfect gift for people who don't want one. 

  This is a first world problem if I ever saw one!

  Ang

  

Harassment ...A Few More Thoughts

  Have you had conversations with your friends or family about these never ending sexual harassment claims? Are you ever shocked by their response? Do you give a "pass" so to speak to those who are very old? Does it make you angry when women are unsympathetic? And defeated when men are?

  I was trying to explain to my husband last night that I am angrier at the women who don't support the accusers than I am at the men who have been the harassers. I say this with 100% belief...men cannot comprehend what women go through on a daily basis. No man can. Yes, yes, yes they can sympathize and have empathy for us but they cannot fully understand it. But other women? We ALL know what's what. The fact that we cannot support each other is maddening.

  Take Pamela Anderson's comments this week. As someone who has earned a living based on her sexuality, one would think she would be the poster child for sympathy. Nope. Instead she went to the old adages....going to a hotel room for an audition, what did you think would happen, why would she ever do that....blah blah blah. The only thing she didn't say was "what was she wearing"?! We've all heard these comments said at rape trials over the years. As if as women we aren't entitled to wear whatever we want, go where ever we want and meet whom ever we want. I couldn't believe what I was reading.

  If women can't support each other in this how are we ever going to get men to behave like respectful human beings? If women can't give each other the benefit of the doubt, how do we get those men in power to change their ways? 

  Women are on the brink of a massive change. For the first time in history, we have joined together from all walks of life and shown the powerful men who feel they can say, or do, anything to us, that there are consequences to their actions. That harassment will not be tolerated. Not by us or by their employers. That the harassment will be dealt with swiftly. That you will lose your job and position and the entire world will be made aware of your actions. What a great ending to 2017!


   Except, of course, if you are #45!

  Ang

  

Promises Promises

  Sometimes promises are hard to keep. Especially those we make to ourselves. While we have the best of intentions when making them, it's living up to our own words that is the challenge. I learn this lesson every year around this time then promptly forget it come December 26th. 

  Every single year I promise myself that the next year will be different. I will not wait til the last second to shop. The entire year will be my Christmas shopping season. Hard to buy for family and friends will be bought, wrapped and shipped before the first snow fall. Every single year I say it. Every single year I prove myself a liar.

  Here I am on December 5th coming to terms with my dishonest self again. There are no purchases. No wrapping done. Not a single box has gone to the post office. It's deflating. And stressful. Let's not forget stressful. 

  Why is it John doesn't feel that same stress? He isn't shopping for gifts. Not even coming up with ideas for presents. He doesn't wrap them. Or take them to the post to be shipped. He doesn't input on the kids gifts or those for his parents. Why does he get off the hook? Hmmmm I need to think about that some more.

  Right now I am going to keep a promise I made myself just a few hour ago....I'm going shopping! Wish me luck.

  Ang