Greetings Everyone
I hope this New Year finds you healthy and Happy. It's been a long time since I've been in touch with friends and family that I was feeling guilty.It's about time you heard what is going on in my world. I feel I live a pretty boring life. But I will start and try to make it sound interesting. I'll go back almost 2 years ago when I owned my own house. It was spring and I was out with a dear friend only to return home to realize that I had been burgled.I was very afraid and shaken up. There was quite a bit of damage to my back door and dining room window. The crooks got away with all my electronics. I had a border living down stairs but he too was away from the house. I called to Brian and Tiffs and they were at my place in 2:00 minutes. I think he broke speeding records.Every thing was taken care of and my insurance covered the cost of replacing my stolen belongings. It was not too long after that I decided to put my house on the market. It sold in 6 days and I made double what I paid. I don't regret the experience of owning my house. I learned that it takes a lot of time,money and effort.Being a single gal it was just too much for me. So In June last year I moved into an adult only building. Most of the tenants are in there late 70's and 80's My son in-law teases me that I've already found my seniors retirement home and need never move again.I love it in my new place.It's bright and large. 1200sq ft. Maybe some day I will be able to buy a condo which would be more suited to me. Until then I am happy where I am. This last year has been a difficult one for me. Iv'e been struggling with an illness and had to be off work for almost 3 months last Jan- april. I'm doing better now though. But some days it still gets tough.On the bright side. Last Dec. 18 an addition to our family. Abigail Olivia Dalsin. Born to Jen and Jordan . She is such a delight to all her family. Everyone says she looks so much like Jordan. I can see it but I also see Jen in her as well. She just turned a year and is walking and talking. The down side is that Jen and jordan moved to SummerlandB.C. only a month ago so I can't watch her grow up. But I am thankful for the internet and the age of instant messaging. I can see her growth progression that way. Jordan is working for an electrical company in Penticton B.C. He will be able to get his journeymen's through them. Jordan and Jen rented a beautiful home in Summerland and Jordan commutes the 15 minutesto Penticton. Jen is able to stay at home and be with Abby full time. She's a fantastic mom. They want to start trying for a brother or sister for Abby, in the near future. Jen has caught the baby bug.
Now on to my dearest girl, Tiffany. Her and Brian are back living in Regina. They came back for Jordan and Jens wedding and stayed. I'm so thankful they did. I missed them so much when they were in Ont. but I know that they needed to be there while Brian's dad was ill. Both Brian's parents have since passed away. I love Brian like my own son. He is so good to Tiffany. They are trying for a baby of their own. Not successful yet. They have also signed up to adopt a baby in Sask. These things take time though. We just wait and see what God has for them. Right now Tiffany has been working at the christian book store here in Regina. She is very good at her job. The customers like Tiffany. What's not to like? She is wonderful in my books!Brian has been working back at the Sears call center. He has a management position. He works all evenings though. Brian's sister Cathy and her husband Tim have moved to Sask. They did not feel the need to stay in Ontario since their mom passed away this summer.It's nice for Brian to have some of his family closer.
Mom and dad are doing well. We are planning a Miller family reunion this summer in Rosebud Alberta where brother John and his wife live. It should be great to see cousins that I have not seen in many years. On Nov.26 my granny Brown on my moms side turned 90. There was a big celebration this past summer in Quesnel B.C. which I was fortunate enough to attend. It was good seeing relatives on that side of the family.So now it is Jan. 30 2005 and here I sit looking forward to a new year. I hope and pray all is well with you and you have a great year. I've learned that it is important to take one day at a time and make the most of it. God bless. Love Wanda

Rejected by the PJ's


I was in the middle of a wonderful sleep in lala land when I kept feeling this irritating scratching trying to wake me from my slumber. I tried to ignore it but it just wouldn't stop. Finally at about 4 a.m. I bolted out of bed and realizded the scratching was my doing. And it was my skni that was being scratched. Oh my! I couldn't stop . I started to scratch all over. My neck, arms , legs, stomach. What is making me itch so bad? Did I eat something out of the ordinary? No. Did I use the wrong kind of lotion? No! I washed my lovely, new jammies before I went to bed and put them on fresh and clean. Hmmmm? I think that might be it. I recently changed my laundry detergent. I have very sensitive skin, and have only been able to use baby laundry soap. When I went shopping last time, Super Store did not have my brand so I picked up "Gain" As I scratch myself raw , I'm thinking this was a huge mistake. Today I tried to work but ended up leaving early to go the Dr. I have red itchy hives all over my body. Except on my face, which leaves me to beleive it is the laundry soap. I'm in misery! I can't stop scratching. The Dr. gave me a perscription and an antihistamine. So far it is not working. I tried to have a nap but no good. My skin is crawling. Help! Needless to say I stripped out of my not so cozy jammies at 4:oo a.m. and tried to get comfy. I was very disappointed in my new cozy flannels. But it is not the fault of the PJ's. I'm right now in the process of re-laundering all my articles of clothing. We shall see if my jammies and I can be reunited once again.

Merry Christmas everyone. I just wanted to share with you one of my best gifts of all. How did santa know that I wanted new jammies? I'm just thrilled with these flannel treasures. When I put them on I feel so warm and cozy. You may think I'm crazy for getting so excited about a pair of PJ's. But it's been many years since I've woken up to a nice pair of jammies on Christmas morning. It was a tradition as a kid. We could always look forward to our new jammies that we would change into before we opened the rest of our gifts. When my kids were growing up I continued the tradition. But it's been years since I've had a new pair. I think it was 3 years ago I went out and bought a pair right after Christmas. It just wasn't the same. So this year when I opened up my stocking I was so thrilled to have a new pair of jammies just for me. And as soon as I got them, I went to change right away before I opened any of my other gifts. Thank-you santa mommy and daddy. You don't know how happy you made your girl.

My sister , continued.


I asked Peggy for a photo so I could post it with the blog about her. I just got this one sent to me. No she doesn't really wear coke bottle glasses. She's always a clown. No matter what we have gone through she always seems to find humor in things. A positive attitude and a goofy sense of humour has gotten her and I through many situations. Thanks for your encouragement, sister.

I was looking through my pics in my computer file and came across a few that were taken a week before Jordan, Jen and Abby moved to B.C. Here is Abby and great grandpa Miller making faces at each other. Jen was right when she said her baby was a ham. She entertained us all afternoon.

My sister, my friend.

You know friends may come and go but sisters remain forever. My sister is my very best friend in the whole world. She is my kindred spirit. I've had close friendships over the years, but they seem to drift or move away. But my dear sister remains my constant in my life. She is always there to cheer me on in what ever I'm going through. She has given me her support, prayers and love since I can remember. Peggy I love you so much and I thank God that you are my sister. Thank-you for all your support over the years. Thanks for sharing with me your family and your love. I think I would have given up many times except for you. I love you sooooo much. Peggy is the one in the back ground with the happy smile delighted with her great niece.

I lied children, snow is bad, very bad. It's cold and yucky! You can't lick poles like you can in summer.
If you do your tongue and lips will freeze to it. Don't try it. You'll be sorry. Stay inside and play video games all winter long. Wait til the snow is all gone, and the flowers bloom. Then you can go play outside. I know it's hard to make snow angels in the grass but who cares. Trevor it's fun to cut grass isn't it? I know you like to play in the snow and shovel, but adjust okay buddy. Auntie hates to shovel her car out of 5 feet of the freezing ice water. Brrrrr. Don't make me do it. I'll cry I promise. Cheers Trevor you snow buddy you. I hope you fall in a snow bank and can't get up. Just joking. I don't really mean it. Kinda.

I changed my mind.


I don't care if kids have snow to play in for Christmas. I was just outside and the weather is dreadful. I had to get something from my car and the whole thing was litterally a block of ice. I'm not joking. It not only had 2 feet of snow on it, it also had an inch of ice all over it. I was shovelling, chipping, scraping and shovelling to get my car opened. It's okay for people who have nice warm garages to park there old Betsies in . But for most of us it's not so nice. I'm telling you it sucks. I'm off to shovel more because there is about 5 feet of snow drifted behind my car. Okay I'm joking about that. It's only 3 feet. Happy shovelling to all my fellow snow buddies.

Will it ever end?


It's still snowing! My balcony is half full. Oh my. What a change from a few days ago when it was plus 5 and all the snow was pretty much melted. Now it's minus 8 (not bad) but all the snow. Will it ever stop? Sure it will. This is Saskatchewan after all. I guess it's nice to have snow for Christmas. I was wishing for a green one though. I know, in my dreams. The snow started last night while I was at the Dr. office and has continued all night and day. It looks very pretty , but you know what this means don't you.
Lot's of shovelling!
And plowing! But kids really love to play. Fun times for children. Christmas break is nearing and it will be so much fun for the kids young and old to get out and play. I just don't like the driving in it and shovelling. I'm sure thankful for a nice warm house to live in though. Cheers all. Stay warm!

Whoops I did it again!


I know I said I would never go back to that awful doctors office again. I know I said the last time , would be the last time. But I did it again. It's so close to my place and I had such a migraine. I thought to myself, this visit will be different. It wasn't! I sat and waited for 1 1/2 hours( I not exagerating) while I listened to the Dr. chit chatting with other patience. Oh my aching head. I don't know if any of you out there suffer from migraines but it's so bad. All I wanted was to be in bed. I never would have gone out in the blizzard, if it weren't for my job needing a Dr. certificate. I missed work today because of this stupid thing. As I sat and tried to think of nothing and block out the light with my jacket, I peeked around the room. I'm sure it's the same room I was in the last visit. It was still just as filthy if not more. I was so ready to jump up, take my health card off my file on the out side of the door and bolt. But what stopped me from going somewhere else was the thought of waiting in another long string of people. Plus I'd have to take the time to drive some where else. I felt it better to just stay put. Finally the Dr. came. Lucky for him he was so kind and sympathetic. He was also very apologetic. As I sat in his office, his computer froze twice. He felt bad. I learned that he didn't have lunch at all because it was so busy. I guess that comes with walk in clinics. Your time is really not your own. I finally got what I went for and wished the Dr. he could have his lunch soon. After all it was 5:30. Poor guy. I promise I will never go back to that office again. It's the last time. I really mean. Ho ho ho happy christmas .

I am so thankful for internet and the world of instant messages. I just got this cutie picture of me Darlin girl Abby. I know it was taken only days ago in Calgary on the trip to Summerland. What did our ancestors do? They had to wait months to hear about loved ones and how things were going. My grandmother waited many months to hear if her dear one was safe over seas serving in the war. Wow, how hard it must have been for her waiting and wondering. It is the times of instant everything. And in cases such as these I'm thankful for it. I get to see my sweet girl Abby progress and grow. How wonderful. Isn't she so cute. What a darling!

Yippee, success! I managed to get my tree up all by myself. Well with a whole lot of help from packing tape. I wrapped the base of that sucker so much I don't think it's going any where. I didn't even need to call Brian or daddy. I feel kinda proud of myself. I guess I was quite tired last night and short on patience. I was ready to throw the whole thing over my balcony and yell Timber. I think it looks quite nice. I'm off to church now. I hope the tree is still standing when I get home. Have a good night all.

Bahumbug!!! I tried putting my tree up, but with no success. Right now I'm so frustrated. The tree stand is not working . I tried several times but the stupid tree kept falling down. So now I give up. I'm going to have to get a man to come over to help me. I don't have tools to make it work. I feel stupid that I can't get it to work. Perhaps dad or son inlaw can help. What a downer. I really was in the mood to decorate. I guess It can wait til tomorrow night. Til then ho ho ho.. I'm going to see if I can find a christmas movie on the tube.

I'm going to put my tree up tonight. To some it may seem early. I know my mom would not think of putting her tree up yet. She says her living room is too small and it makes it look smaller. She usually waits until maybe a week before christmas. Perhaps 2 weeks before. Our Tiffany has her tree up already. Hers has been up for a week already. I was over there last weekend. We had a sleep over. I was feeling very sad. It was the day Jen, Jordan and Abby left. I really didn't want to be alone and Tiff knew it . so I packed up my jammies and tooth brush and off I went. It was grey cup, so we had appetizers and watched the game. Any way back to the christmas tree. It is Dec. 2nd and I feel like putting my tree up. I usually have to go with how I feel. Like when the spirit moves me, then I do. I have to see how much energy I have though. I worked an all night shift. I slepted all day but I know I will run out of gas before long.

All Week I have been very irritable, and grumpy even ! Every thing bothered me. I now realize why. It hit me tonight when Jen and Jordan came for supper. I was feeding Abby while Jen was on the computer checking her e mail. A song was softly playing on the radio. Tears started to fall. I couldn't help it. This is the last weekend that I will be with my kids for a while. They move to B.C. day after tomorrow. Jen came into the room. I said to Abby " grandma is emotional, but I guess that's okay. I can be." I told that to Jordan when he told me they were moving. I said to him that I give them my blessing and am happy for them but I will be sad to see them go. So now I know why I was so irritable all week. Not that I'm grumpy that Jen and Jordan are leaving and have the nerve to take my granddaughter with them. Hee hee. I'm just trying to hide my sad emotion. Why do we do that? We try not to show emotion. Heaven forbid that anyone knows that I'm sad. Well tuff, I am sad. I'm a mom and even though I know it's very normal that my kids spread their wings and leave the nest. I feel very sad. I will miss them.

What a difference a day makes. It was -27 just a couple days ago. Today it is a sunny +6. The snow is melting, and it feels like spring. I had all my windows open to let in the gorgeous fresh air. Isn't it amazing how a nice day can invigorate a person. I slepted in until 10:00 AM. So nice for a saturday. Then I got up and the sun was shining so brightly in my apartment. It made me feel like cleaning. I scrubbed happily along. Washed my floor, vacuumed, dusted, even scrubbed my stove. Wow. It felt like spring so why not do some spring cleaning. Then I went out to get groceries. Tonight I went to my nephew Trevors play at his high school. Now I'm home and just finished stuffing peppers for a meal I'm having here with the family tomorrow. It's 12:30. Late I know, but I still feel like I have energy to spare. It's been a very fantastic saturday. I would love it if this weather stayed until spring. Ya right! Only in Victoria, or perhaps Summerland. One can always dream. Cheers all.

Little Darlin!

Today I looked after my darlin grand daughter. We had so much fun playing. She loves music. I would sing to her and her face would light up in this huge grin. I would sing and clap, and she would clap along with me. I showed her pictures of her and her mom and dad that were posted on the fridge. She immediatley bent towards the photos and kissed them. It was so cute and endearing. What a brilliant baby. She played so happily and she said "okay" all the time. She loves her stuffed puppies so much. I would ask her where the puppies nose was and she found it every time. She also mimicked me. I have a cough and every time I would cough she would give this star performing fake cough. Darlin Abby you are so smart and grandma is going to miss you when you move to B.C. I know you are going to have lots of new friends there though. You will be able to play with Megan and Ben Heigh, and Nathan and Graham Dykstra, as well as the babies that auntie Amanda and uncle Steve will have one day. You're going to have lots of friends darlin Abby. So will your mommy and daddy. I love baby. Thank-you for being so wonderful. You're such a delight!

Would somebody please remove the batteries!


There is a woman that works with me who is 70 years old. My goodness she's a mover and a shaker. I swear sometimes this woman is a robot. At 70 she can move like lightening. I find it hard to keep up with her. So do all the rest of my co-workers. From morning til the end of the day she goes at full speed. I tell her" Edith if you don't slow down I will have to remove your batteries". She just laughs at me. Edith not only works at the RCMP cleaning but she has another job working in a care home. She looks after old folks her age and older. I get a chuckle from this. She works in a care home looking after people her own age. Kind of ironic, don't you think. I admire Edith. She has such a good attitude. I don't think she will ever slow down until she is gone from this world. I hope that's not for a long time yet. She should be enjoying her retirement. She tells me she can't be still. She needs to keep moving. I hope that I'm like that when I get her age. My Grandma Miller was like that. At 80 something she was going on trips by bus to Las Vegas. She said that if she had to slow down it would kill her. My granny Brown is like that too. She is 90 this month. She is another mover and shaker. She walks every where. Although I have noticed she looks a liitle more frail every time I see her. After all she is 90. I think she is doing so well. I hope that I do that well when I get her age. I think her positive attitude has every thing to do with it. Go granny go. Go Edith go. I will try to keep up and follow in your foot steps.

Attitude

By

Charles Swindoll





"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumatances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skills. It will make or break a company a church a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we embrace for that day. We cannot change our past we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certan way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our Attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% of what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you we are in charge of our Attitudes."

I think this is such an amazing quote from Charles Swindoll. Attitude is a choice. I must admit that I don't always choose the right attitude. My response to certain situations are not always what they should be. Sometimes I choose the negative response rather than try to see the positive. I'm ashamed when I do that. For the most part I am a postive person. Even when I was going through my divorce ( and it was very difficult) I still kept thinking things will be okay. Look for the rainbow. God promised us rainbows. Sometimes people get so bogged down with negativity and finding fault with every little thing that they miss the rainbows. That is sad. I don't know about you, but I want to continue to keep my attitude in check and keep spotting those rainbows.

My good friend and co-worker was invloved in a hit and run car accident yesterday. It was a police chase and the suspects hit my friends car. I got to work this morning and found out that It was my freinds car that was hit. The jaws of life had to be used to pull her out of the car. The suspects that hit her ran a stop light and broad sided her on the drivers side. She went through extensive tests all day today. She was in excruciating pain in her hip and back. The Dr. had to make sure she didn't have internal bleeding. All day I prayed for my friend Chantala. (everyone calls her La) She lights up whenever I call her by her full name. Just yesterday we were at work talking about motherhood and how she felt. Even though she is a refugee from Laos come to Canada, and can't speak the language very well, we have much in common. She is a woman, and a mother and she knows what it's like to love her kids and worry about them. We were talking about this at work yesterday. We were also laughing about the guy who left his undrewear on the floor and we had to clean his room. At 4:00 Pm.we said goodbye wishing each other a good night. God knew that on her way home she would be involved an accident. As I watched the news last night I had no idea it was my friend that was involved in the wreck. I'm still waiting to hear how she is. Tomorrow I will go to the hospital to try and get an update. I'll take her a gift. It was such a reality check of how things in life go. Tonight I called to her to see how she was. The latest news is she will be okay. She will be off work for possibly months. Wow. Strange thing is as I was driving to work this morning Cantala was on my mind. I was smiling as I thought about our talks and our joking. When I got to work I thought it strange that La wasn't there yet. She is always early. Then I heard the news. Poor La. I'm praying for you.

Tonight I'm feeling blue. My Jordan , Jen and Abby are moving away. I'm very happy for them! I'm excited for them and jealous too cuz they get to move back to beautiful B.C. I miss the mountains. It will be wonderful for Jen because she has never lived anywhere but Saskatchewan. I give them my blessing. I told Jordie boy the other night that I know God has been preparing my heart for awhile now. I just knew that some day they would move away. Today as I sat thinking, it just hit me. I will miss them so much. I felt this way when Tiff and Brian moved to Ontario. I knew it was Gods will , but I am human and feel such a connection with my kids. It will be sad to see them go. I'm so thankful to Amanda and Steve for taking them in , til they can get a place of their own. I also know that God is taking care of my kids. I pray for them always. I also look forward to when I can go out and visit them in B.C. I don't blame Jordan for wanting to go back to B.C. I love it there. I lived there most of my life. Born and raised. Not in Summerland, but a little more north. Jordan, I just want to let you know how proud I am of you and your family. You turn out to be a great son, husband and dad. I will miss you very much. So even though I think it's a good thing, I also feel sad emotion. So tonight I will allow my self to have a cry and then get on with things. That's okay!

Strange Folk!



Sometimes people can be so strange. I popped out to get some cough medicine for this pesky cough I have. While I was out I decided to drop a few bottles to sarcan , since I was passing by the place, and had bottles in my car since monday. While I was standing in line waiting for my turn, a man in front of me started talking to me. He started to tell me about his house and no flooring because the floor layers haven't been able to finish the job. He tells me about not being able to do laundry cuz the washer and dryer are not hooked up , so his common law wife is about to wash her bra and panties in the tub. He said if it was up to him he would just take a plunger and water in the tub and get his under wear clean. My thought was "excuse me, plunger and clothes does not make clean linen." Talk about freaky deaky. I was quite shocked that a total stranger would be talking to me about his unmentionables. Then he was talking to me about him being on a farm at one time milking chickens and feeding the pigs. I was semi tuned out, trying to read the many signs that sarcan has posted. Rules about bottles with out lids, sort types beore hand, milk cartons, pop bottles, cans. I think I did that when I was prepping my recyclybles before I left my house. Mean while I could hear this mans voice in the back ground going on and on. I am not a pushy person. I just smiled and nodded every so often , pretending I was interested. What kind of a person talks to a total stranger about anything and everything. I couldn't wait to get through the line so this guy would stop talking about his wifes panties. Weird! I just had to shake my head and laugh. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.

I'm so happy it's the weekend. I've had a very busy week. So many dirty little puppies. (cadets)
They are called puppies because they are so new at this cop thing. They have no idea when they start training , how difficult it will be. We have at least 2 per troop that just can't take it. They resign or get kicked out because of broken rules. I guess that is the reason training to be a RCMP is so tuff. They need to know right off who can cut it. I'm really proud of the ones that graduate and are given the title constable. They work hard and deserve the badge. There are a few that graduate and are posted some where in the real world and then realize it's too difficult. Then they quite soon into their career. I guess it's good ,cuz I want the best of the best out there protecting me. Any way back to the dirty lil puppies. I'm exhausted! So now that it's the weekend, I'm happy to relax and burn candles. That is my weekness. Party lite candles. I love love love them. I burn candles all around my house. It's so zen like. I love the nice clean fragrance of those delightful candles. They beat the store bought dollar store candles any day. That's my opinion. I should be a party lite rep. Then I could say, " I'm not just a sales rep , I'm also a client." But I'm too busy and tired to be a party lite rep. So I'll just continue to be a customer. I think that works out just fine.

It's the weekend! Hooooray!




It's the weekend. Yipee! Every bodies working for the weekend. I know we should live one day at a time and enjoy every day. But when you work hard for a living, it's so nice when the weekend comes. It's a time to relax, sleep in , putz around the house, go out with friends and family and just plain kick back. I love the weekend. It goes by way too fast. It seems that the week can drag on so slow, and then when the weekend comes time speeds up. Go figure. I guess it's just a reminder to enjoy each day as it comes. But lately it seems that I work and then come home and then when I get home I go to bed very early. Especially in the winter. It's dark at 6:00 pm. So my body tells me I should be in bed. I suppose I need to listen to my body. Sleep when I'm tired, eat when I'm hungry and party when I have the energy. That's what my dear Jen wrote a few posts ago. She's a smart cookie, that daughter in law of mine. anyway, to all you hard working folk ( 9-5 or 24-7 stay at home people) have a great weekend. I know I will.

Update on the giant.


Got to work today and was just waiting to see if my supervisor was going to tell me that we would have to move our giant again. So far so good. I saw him walking down the hall coming from his room. He didn't say a word. I hope he had a good sleep. I also hope he didn't have nightmares. ;).

When he walked by me he didn't smell like a horses _ _ _! I think we fixed the problem. Lucky for you Mr. giant. I didn't want to see you sleeping on the floor.

Oh my goodness, we have a giant living at depot for the next 2 weeks. He's so tall that he has to duck his head going through many door frames. He checked in on sunday night, and by monday morning he came to us and asked if we possibly had a longer bed. The one we gave him was too short. Apparently he is 6'9" Pretty close to 7'. Wow! When I looked up at him, I almost fell over backwards because my head was so far back. So anyway, our task was to hunt all over base to see if we could find a 7' bed for our new friendly giant. We found one out in the arena. Yes , success! Not. The horse barn is at the back of the arena. This bed and mattress have been stored there for a very long time. Many years. So needless to say it kinda smelled of a barn. We aired it out, sprayed it with febreze, and washed up the mattress cover. We thought we had the problem solved , but according to our lovely new giant it still smelled of horsey. So today a co- worker and I had to go and find a solution to this dilema. What to do, what to do? We have to make our guest as comfortable as possible. We didn't even have sheets to fit a 7 foot long beds. We were using sheets from our double rooms. The width fit ,but the length fell short by several inches. We tried everything short of sewing 2 sheets together. We pinned, and pulled , and cut, and wrapped, 5 sheets around the mattress to try to disguise the barn yard smell. I think it did the trick. We'll see tomorrow after our giant has a sleep on his new bed. I hope he is happy. If not my supervisor said we'll have to give him 2 single mattresses on the floor and he can make his own bed each day. We tried! Believe me we tried ! I don't mind trying to do what it takes to make our guests comfortable, but if they are still not happy and choose to complain then it gets to be discouraging. So sleep well you freindly, grummpy giant. If not you will be sleeping on the floor tomorrow night. Poor guy.

Ouch!


My work offers free flu shots to all it's employees, so I decided to once again get my flu shot. This is my second year that I've gotten it. We sat and filled out a form. One of the questions asked, was have you ever had a reaction to fermaldahide, asbestos... and a couple of other things I can't remember right now. This made me jokingly speak out," does this mean that I'm going to be injected with those things." I got a few chuckles from others around the room, but as I started to think about it, I was a little nervous. Why would they even ask that question? It must be very important. Well it was my turn and I got shot with flu. Isn't that what it is. The medical team injects a strain of some flu or other into your system . What the...... I can't seem to make sense of this. Last year when I got the flu shot I survived. But how do we really know. Last night I was out with the girls from work and we were discussing this issue. My arm was really aching by this time. One of the girls said " I was talking to so and so today, and he said his friend had a flu shot and died a few days later from it." Gulp! Now that's a reaction. Another lady piped up " ya, last time I had a flu shot I walked over to my office and started to get really delerious. My husband had to come pick me up and I didn't know where I was. " Yikes! I started to think about what I had done earlier that day. I started to fell sicker by the minute. You know the mind is a powerful thing. I'm not a hyperchondriac, but I left the party early. When I got home I wasn't feeling too good. ( I'm sure it had nothing to do with the red wine, a margurita and a strong liquor that I consumed during the course of the evening.) I went straight to bed when I got home, convinced that I would be so sick from this flu shot. I slept really good( go figure) ! When I woke up I was fine. It had nothing to do with the flu shot. So far so good. There are so many mixed opinions about this flu shot business. My dad will never have one again cuz last time he had one he was so sick, he thought he might die. Well the rest of the family did any ways. He looked awful. Iv'e never seen daddy so sick. That was about 6 or 7 years ago. Others swear by this flu shot and get it every year. I don't know. What's your feeling on the subject? With me I took a chance and so far so good. ? But maybe the worst is yet to come?? How do you feel about the flu vaccinaton? Yes or no?

I have to write about one of my pet peaves. It's short people. Oh wait I fall under that category. Okay just being short can be a pain in the patootie. You know all the quotes. " Great things come in small packages." Or " Dynamite comes in small packages." Ya ya I've heard it all before. Sometimes it just plain sucks to be short! I had to go out to get a perscription filled today and needed to stop at the bank machine. My bank has this cool new drive through ATM. I thought to myself save time and drive on through. Not. I got up to the window all ready with my car window rolled down and bank card in hand. Well when I stuck my hand out the window I came up extremly short. I couldn't reach the key pad. Wah. It was up so high. At least for me. Must have been a tall person that invented that. I ended up having to go to the ATM inside the bank, which didn't save time at all. There have been other occassions where I've come up short. In the grocery store for instance. I find the one ingredient I'm looking for and it's on the very top shelf, pushed all the way to the back. I'm sure it must be a joke. Are there cameras on me , spying to see how I'm going to get the item down? I try to grab another item to knock what I'm after forward. I only succeed in pushing it farther back. Arrg. I then decide to wait until someone tall comes along. In my dreams it's always tall dark and handsome that comes to my rescue, helping the damsel in distress. In reality, it's usually another woman who got my share of the height genes. One of my favorite sayings is " I'm not overweight, Just under tall." Others just say I'm vertically challenged. It is a lot of fun to fantasize about a gorgeous tall dark handsome stranger comeing to my rescue in the middle of the grocery aisle. We strike up a conversation, find out we have so much in common , then he invites me for coffee and we live happily ever after. Ya in my dreams. Right now I have to just deal with being vertically challenged. That's the way the short ball bounces.

What a great big diverse world.


A song from childhood is going through my mind right now. It's a song I learned in sunday school many years ago. " Red and yellow, black and white, all are precious in his sight."
This world we live in is such a diverse place to be. Take my work place for example. In my department alone there are women from Laos, China, Vietnam, Africa, Chile, Italy, Yugoslavia, Ethiopia, Germany, Phillipines, ..... and some I'm sure I've forgotten. I find it so interesting to listen to these womens stories. A lot of heart ache, and trials. But what they have gone through has made them the strong women that they are today. Many of these women came to Canada as imigrants from refugee camps. Very hard lives filled with starvation, illness, war, torture, and uncertainty. As I sit and listen I'm filled with amazement and awe. I've had heart ache in my life but nothing compared to what most of these women have had to endure. It makes me thankful to be born in a country like Canada. We have food, warm houses, jobs, freedom of speech( sometimes too much freedom of speech) We can voice our opinions without fear of being thrown in jail. We have the freedom of choice. Lots of choice. Many of my co workers had no choice. My chinese friend had to work in her aunts hair salon at 14. She was also responsible for her other younger cousins. She had no choice. Her family couldn't afford to care for her, plus there was war happening around her. She did not have the choice of going to school at the age of 14. Her and her family did end up in a refugee camp. They became seperated. Finally in her twenties she was able to imigrate to Canada. Things still were not easy for her when she got here. She found herself in a strange, freezing country, not speaking the language, no material wealth to speak of and a single mom of a baby son. She had to find a job, take the baby on the bus to a sitter, then head to work. How tuff. I could relate to the bus in the middle of winter but not having to travel on it with a baby and groceries. 20 years later, my friend has survived. her son is grown and working. She is a strong hard working woman. I admire her. I admire all these women that I work with. They are all beautiful to me. Not a beauty on the surface, but a beauty that comes from within. These women have been given a lot in life and have accepted it. Not loving it I'm sure but chosing to rise above it. In spite of what these gorgeous women have had to endure they are still able to find humor in things. I say cheers to all my diverse co- workers. I except you for who you are , I don't judge you, and right now I'm giving you a standing Ovation.

What's in your Doctors Office?

Today I took off work because I have a cold. At my work I'm required to get a Dr. certificate if I'm off sick. It's a pain in the A.. All I want to do is stay home in my jammies with a nice cozy quilt. However I have to trudge off to the Dr. office and wait in a que. Because I wasn't feeling great I decided to go to the closest one to my home. What a mistake! I've been before , but this visit reminds me why I don't go to this office more often. I waited for about 1/2 hr. in the waiting room. Then my name was finally called. The receptionist led me down the long dark hallway to my exam room. I thanked her and settled myself into the uncomfartable chair to wait for the Dr. As I looked around the room I realized that it was absolutely filthy. Dirty splashes of something on the wall. Yuck! The floor and baseboards were caked with dirt. I thought doctors offices were about fighting germs not promoting them. I began to think that maybe it was because I clean for a living that I was being so picky. No I don't think so. As I continued to wait, I could hear the Dr. with his patient in the next room. Hmmm, paper thin walls. Could be embarrassing! I didn't mean to eaves drop, but it was inevitable. I heard the patient complaining about everything. I waited! She had pain in this spot. Symtoms in that spot. I waited! Then she began to argue with the doc. I waited! I started to get a little perturbed. I kepted saying " for heaven sake" under my breath. Then I heard the patient talk to the doc about going to India.( they were both from India) Ahhhhhhh! I waitied. Finally what seemed like an hour later I heard the Dr. bid the patient farwell. Okay my turn at last. All I needed was a Dr. certificate so I could get back to my comfy place on the couch to nurse my cold. Thankfully the doc was kind to me. Other wise I would have given him an ear full. Maybe cough on him or something. My previous experience there was a year ago and I vowed I would never go back. I was so sick! Fever, aching, coughing. All I needed was a perscription for antibiotics. Well the Doc proceeded to tell me how over weight I was and that it could lead to serious stuff. Well Duh! I know all that. Thanks doc, but I just want a perscription for my strep throat. So today when I went to this walk in clinic again I thought I must be stupid to go here again. It's kinda scary putting our trust in Doctors these days. Now I'm back home in my jammies , wrapped in my warm blankie , sipping OJ. hoping I didn't pick up anything else from that scuzzy Doctors office. I will not go back to that one again. I say that now. I hope I'm reminded before I go the next time I'm sick.

Is it Swansons tonight?
Tonight I was sitting thinking about when I was a child. It was this time of year. Around halloween actually. I was allowed to go out on my own tricker treating. I felt real grown up. I had to go with a friend though. We ended up at her house for dinner. I don't even remember the friends name. (must not have been a close friend) I only remember what we had to eat. It was a swanson TV dinner. I had never had one before, and it was very strange to me. My mom only cooked meals homemade from scratch. I kinda felt sorry for this friend that only had meals made in a factory and placed in a foiled package that you pop in the oven for 20 minutes. Her mom wasn't home just her dad, so I guess it was easy for him to feed himself and his child. The meal seemed to be well balanced, with meat, potatoes and green veggie. But I was a kid and wasn't concerned about healthy food. I think there was even dessert. My family always had our meals together at the table. At this girls house we didn't sit around the table, but in front of the TV at TV trays. It was like I was on another planet. Only because it was something I had never experienced before. I wondered if this was the norm. Did this family always eat like this? Fast forward 30 some years. I'm all too familiar with the frozen meals that come in a plastic, cardboard microwavable container. They really are fast, and I know the Swansons family have improved the contents over the years. I even sit in front of the TV and eat my meals all the time. It's only cuz I'm alone. And I'm lazy. I don't always have the TV dinners. It's not too often that I will buy them. But whenever I do, I think of my first experience. Then I think of the times around the dinner table with family and all the conversation and laughter we shared. I wouldn't trade that for the world.

I had a wonderful thanksgiving long weekend. Saturday I was so lazy. I slepted in late and had a real pajama day. I even had a nap in the afternoon. It was lovely! Sunday, I again was a lady of leisure. I slepted late ( missed church) I think God will forgive me? All weekend I felt like I was getting the flu, so I think what I needed was lots of sleep. We'll go with that. I did want to sleep a lot though. My theory is, if I'm tired, sleep! (If I can) Except when I'm at work , or when I'm driving a car! Any other time go for it.
Sunday was fun. The family got together at grandma and grandpa Miller's for turkey. Except for Jen , Jordan, and Abby. We missed you guys, but understand that you were busy, and couldn't join us.
We had great fun just relaxing, playing games, visiting. I enjoyed myself very much. My sister Peggy and I got really silly. We always manage to have a giggle whenever we get together. I have come to realize that my family has a warped sense of humor.

Peggy and I ended up in the kitchen doing dishes. I washed she dried. It was a flash back to when were kids growing up. Only we weren't fighting over a spot on a dish. Instead we were feeling quite goofy. Sister said to me" I don't know where these things go" That's when I got this hair brained idea that we should play hide the dishes. As I would pass her an item to dry, I'd say " here, put this under the pillows." So she'd set off toward mom and dad's bedroom with a pot lid and she'd be tee heeing all the way. Mom was none the wiser as she went about her business of putting leftovers away. By the end of our dish duty, we had spoons in the cheese drawer, juice jug in the linen closet, and cutlery in dad's sock drawer.

At one point mom asked us what we were laughing about. I came up with some lame excuse and mom said it was just great to hear her girls laugh together. Little did she know. We thought we were so clever playing a trick on our parents. They'd be finding misplaced dishes for days. It wasn't til later that our game kinda back fired on us. While we were playing a good game of dice, Peggy's young son Brian said he was hungry and wanted a peanut butter and jelly bun. So Peggy set off to the kitchen to make her darlin boy a snack. It was only seconds of her being gone when I heard giggles coming from the other room. She returned and whispered to me" all the knives are in dad's drawer". Well once again came forth gales of laughter. Not too long after that dad came walking out of his bedroom holding a handful of cutlery, asking " who put these in my sock drawer?" Oh Oh busted. It was lots of fun getting silly and acting like children.

I hope everyone else had a fun and happy thanksgiving.

Rude Awakening!


It was the middle of the night. I'm sleeping so comfortably. Off in the distance I hear sirens, trying to disturb me from my dreams. Usually I can ignore them and stay tucked in my warm bed. These sirens were getting too close to ignore. Way too close. I could see the lights flashing on my ceiling. Of course by this time I have to get up and investigate. Gotta make sure it's not my building the sirens are coming for. I don't smell smoke. I look outside and parked in front of my building are 4 fire trucks, an ambulance and a couple of police cars. Oh no! Do I get out? Do I grab my keys and run? I don't hear the fire alarm going off in my building." Don't panic" I tell myself. I take another look out my window . The fire brigade are not coming to my building. They are heading across the street. I still dont see flames or smoke. Nobody seems to be in too much of a hurry. People are slowly filing out of the apartment building across from me. I continue to monitor the situation. After a few minutes one fire truck leaves, then another. Pretty soon, the ambulance takes off. I can safely assume it was a false alarm. This is where the rude awakening comes in to play. If it was a real emergency it would not be rude at all. It got me thinking. What causes a false alarm like that? Is it someone sleep walking ,dreaming there is a fire, and they pull the fire alarm? Is it someone coming home drunk and they think it would be funny to play a trick? Perhaps it's a malfunction in the electrical? I feel sorry for the men and women on emergency response teams. They have to jump to attention in a flash. Pull all their gear on in a moments notice. And in the middle of the wee hours to boot. Race at high speeds, only to find when they get to their destination, it's nothing. Don't get me wrong. I was very glad that it was nothing. I just don't get this false alarm stuff in the middle of the night. Perhaps fire fighter Paul Payette can shed some light on this subject for me. By the way Mr. Paul Payette my hats off to you. I'm sure you have had your share of false alarms in your career as a fire fighter. But I also appreciate you being on call for the real deal too. I did get back to sleep eventually. It did take awhile though.

I've mentioned that I'm on weight watchers. Last week ( 1st week ) was good. I
lost weight. Today I was feeling pretty terrific about myself. I had energy and
my jeans were feeling loose. Really loose! I started to get excited. Wow! This
diet really works. But surely not so fast as for me to feel like my pants are
falling off. Could that be possible? Maybe. I put the thought of diet and
weight loss out of my mind, and tried to focus on my tasks at hand. I went into
a cadets room to do some cleaning. I like to stand back and inspect my work to
make sure I don't miss anything. As my eyes scanned up over the sink then the
mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself. I let out a horrified gasp. It was then I
came to realize the reason for my drooping drawers. No wonder people were
looking at me strangely as they passed by me. My fly was open, exposing my big,
blue, flowered undies for all the world to see. How embarrassing! In the future, if it
feels like my clothing is loose, you can be sure I'm going to check and see if
I'm properly put together.