Christmas Light Controversy

  I'm a fairly rational person. I try to see both sides of the issue. I attempt to research an issue if the people around me feel very strongly about something. But sometimes I just can't see the fuss. I just can't. Like this whole Christmas lights up before Remembrance Day argument.

  The past few years I have had people tell me how disrespectful I was being by putting up my Christmas tree before November 11.  Funny my veteran husband had no issue with it....except to say it was waaaaaay too early. Not disrespectful. Just early. Hmmmm interesting. 

  It would seem to me that if you have been to war your opinion on this means more than the guy from Dragon's Den does. My father-in-law, also a veteran, thinks it's too early but not disrespectful to him in any way. In fact when it comes to putting up the outdoor decorations he would say it was a smart idea. Before the snow and cold. Smart. Again interesting.

  Want to do something respectful for the veterans? Go to a veterans hospital. Show up at a cenotaph. Wear a poppy. Take your kids or grand kids to the legion afterwards and shake the hands of these men and women. Say thank you for your service. Ask about their medals...remember military medals are on the left, legion medals are on the right and don't necessarily mean military service.

  Write, email or call your MP. Demand change to the Veteran's Charter. Shovel the driveway of a veteran this winter. Say hi and chat for a moment. Call your father, grandfather, mother or whomever you know that has served and ask if you can do anything for them. Do something that will actually make a difference in their lives. Put the time and energy that you are wasting on the "Christmas light controversy" into helping a real live person who will appreciate your effort.

  Wednesday is a day of remembrance. For those who never came home and those who came home victorious but changed. They fought, and died, so you and I could put up our Christmas lights whenever we choose. Early or not.

  Ang

  
  

The Good Book

  Homework has always been an issue in our house. Both kids. Waiting til the last possible second has been the norm. Late Sunday evening, pencils flying across the page, getting that "forgotten" math page finished. But oh the times they are a-changing.

  Organization. Organization. Organization. I have been drilling that into the brain of my 12 year old since he first started kindergarten. It never sank in. His tutor has used that word so often Alex rolls his eyes when he knows it's coming. It never sank in. But let one high school teacher say it and boom it's in. And not just kicking around in there but actually being put to use. Eureka!

  How can I be so sure it sunk in? The proof is right in front of my eyes. A book report....not due for two weeks...is almost done. The first draft anyway. Spelling has been checked. Grammar has been looked at repeatedly, with corrections made. I'm speechless.

  This is such a huge deal. Huge. With three more due in January, I have hope that this entire process won't involve yelling, screaming and crying...on my end anyway. In fact...and I'm bragging a little here....he's already started reading the next book! You cannot imagine how amazing this is for Alex. 

  So while Alex writes a report on Katniss and Peeta. his brain is becoming filled with tales of Ponyboy, Sodapop and Johnny. This from a boy who has never read just for enjoyment. Again the joy is over whelming. Fingers crossed he continues.

  I'm writing this quickly today. I don't want to tie up the laptop in case he feels the urge to work on his report. That's a problem I never thought I would have.

  Ang

I wanted to add two quick things....Ponyboy, Soda and Johnny are from the Outsiders in case you were wondering. And two...a big shout out to the readers in Russia! Yes Russia. I'm glad you keep coming back. Feel free to comment so I know who you are :)
  

Women

 Look at Canada go! Did you see our new Cabinet? The diversity? Women. Lots of women. Lots and lots of women. I had goose bumps.

  I was tired, very tired, of the old boys club that seemed to rule our country. Middle aged, white men were the norm in Ottawa. But not any more. There are refugees, an astronaut, a visually impaired woman, a war hero and a Paralympic  athlete. How great is that?! Talk about diversity. Not to mention that every province and one territory are in the mix. Excellent.

  Ok ok I know what you are thinking. The press and social media are all talking about what these new ministers qualifications are. To tell you the truth, this time I don't really care. I really don't. I'm not sure anyone who gets into politics is "prepared" for the reality of it. But I do think some new faces can't hurt. Besides they can be removed quickly if they are unfit or incapable.

   Politics aside, when our new Prime Minister was asked, by a female reporter no less, "why gender equality was important in his cabinet" his answer made me very proud. Not because I'm a huge supporter of his . Not because I'm a strong liberal. But because I am a woman. His answer..."because it's 2015".

   Nothing more needs to be said.

  Ang

  

My Secret No More

  Hi my name is Angela and I am an addict. The proper response for you here, I believe is, "Hello Angela". Accepting you have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery. Well I'm taking it here and now. I feel freer...is that even a word?... already.

  What is my addiction? It's not illegal. Not drugs, alcohol or playing the ponies. There is no twelve step program to help me recover. In fact I don't want to recover. But I've kept it a secret long enough.

  I'm addicted to British TV shows. There I said it. What a weight off my shoulders. I feel lighter already.

  My evenings are spent happily watching Father Brown, Sherlock or Downton Abbey. Coronation Street has been my go to show for my entire adult life. I've watched Inspector Morse, Broadchurch and The Fall. Don't forget Mr. Selfridge. I loved that one. Soon I'm starting Luther and Call The Midwife. I just can't seem to get enough.

  And I don't limit myself to just tv shows. Not me. I'm an equal opportunity   addict. Bring on the movies. Pride and Prejudice, Imitation Games and even Anna Karenina. Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter go without saying.

  Give me Maggie Smith, Judi Dench and Martin Freeman. Orlando Bloom, Keira Knightly and the fabulous Benedict Cumberbatch.  Have an english accent? I'll watch your movie. 

  Well I feel very relieved sharing this with you. Now I'm off to bed...after just one episode of Father Brown. Oh well not cured yet.

  Ang

Holding My Tongue

  I was going to write about the new Canadian government today. How happy I was to see the new cabinet with so many female faces looking back at me. What joy I felt that finally the entire government wasn't run by middle-aged white men. But then I thought I should wait and see how I felt about this new government in a few months time. So that's what I'm going to do.

  Today instead you are going to hear about....groceries. Or more to the point the insane cost of food. Not lobster or caviar. Filet mignon or duck l'orange are not on the menu. Just the basic meat and potatoes. Can you tell I spent the afternoon at the grocery?

  We don't live by the ocean so I expect seafood to be pricey. And farmers must earn a living too...I get that. Stores have owners and stock holders who have bills to pay. Totally understand that. But that's not how the grocers explained away the huge increases in prices. They laid it fully on the back of transportation costs. Namely the price of gas.

  The question that begs to be asked now is "why hasn't the price of food decreased when the price of gas did"? After constantly hearing in the news that higher prices were directly linked to the high price of gas, are they changing their tune? Were they lying then or lying now? Or both? You decide but remember gas used to be $1.29 a liter in Ottawa. Now it's $0.89.

  All I know for sure is you need to have a healthy food budget to eat healthy food when a bag of apples is $4.99...not organic btw. I guess a benefit of red meat being so expensive is we won't have to spend as much money on cholesterol medication! 

  When you head out to the store the next time, take a closer look at the prices. See if they have increased from last week. I bet I know the answer. Or better yet take last weeks receipt. That could be scary.

  On this happy political day for me...going back to those female faces....I'm just wondering how tomorrow my conservative friends will blame the high price of food on the new Prime Minister.

  Ang

  

  

Impossible

   What do you buy for the person who has everything? Those people who do not want and or need anything. Women and men who do not want to see another knick knack, photo frame or Keep Calm mug. I'm open to all suggestions.

  To make things even more difficult, imagine you have to ship it to them. Keeping in mind that a letter costs almost a dollar within Canada. So the gift must be small and weigh as little as possible.

  I know the obvious answer is gift cards. But imagine they don't like to eat out, go to the movies or for coffee. They aren't fans of the dollar store or Walmart. Trust me if those were options I'd be writing about something different entirely.

  This is my yearly dilemma. It never gets any easier. I spend weeks racking my brain. Then I end up buying the same soaps, creams and socks that I've bought in desperation for the previous ten years. But not this year......

  Christmas 2015 will be different. How you ask? Home made gifts. Gifts that come from the heart and hands of....wait for it....grandchildren. What self respecting grandparent wouldn't ooh and ahh over a crayoned stick figure, drawn and framed by their eight year old grandson? Or a coffee mug that was painted in the 30 seconds we could get the twelve year old away from his video game? Who I ask you? Who?

  Problem solved.....now on to world peace.

  Ang

   

  
  

  

Ho Ho Ho

  Halloween is over! The little ghosts, goblins and minions have eaten enough candy to make them intolerable. Parents have walked the neighborhood and spoken to people they haven't seen since last year. Now it's time to move on to......drum roll please.....Christmas.

  Don't hate me because I love starting the holiday celebrating early. For me the early decorating and shopping means that I get to sit back and enjoy when the actual season rolls around. I'm not running to the mall looking for presents or ribbon. I'm at home with friends and family enjoying both their company and my festive tree. It works very well for us.

  I drink my morning coffee in the glow of my tree while the boys are still sleeping. As we have dinner in the dining room the decorations add to the enjoyment of the meal...for me at least I don't think anyone else really appreciates it. The entire house seems prettier and happier.

  Now I'm not saying the tree is going up tomorrow...but in the next few weeks. I will start tomorrow taking out a few things and finding the perfect spot for them. I will make a list of gifts and find the Christmas cards. Little things everyday til it's done. 

  Maybe, just maybe though, I'll get John to get started on the outside lights...before the snow comes and it gets really cold. That's not crazy, just prudent. But we will leave the wreath inside for now.

  Maybe :)

  Ang