Last Christmas my mom and dad gave me a book called "Fantastic After 40!" At the time I was not interested, so I tucked the book away and forgot I even had it. About a month ago my sister started talking about this fabulous book that she had gotten for Christmas from our parents and that she was going to start a ladies study group called "Seasoned Sisters" based on the book " Fantastic After 40" By Pam Farrel! She was so excited about it. The book talks about being a smart, sophisticated, and savvy woman after 40! At first I said to myself, " ya right". But then I went searching for the book that I was reminded that I had received as a gift so many months ago! I started reading it( only on the first chapter). And so far I am inspired! I can totally relate as the author approaches the delicate subject of aging with humor and truth.
Here are a few fantastic facts about being over 40:

-I can forget peoples names and just call everyone "sweetie" and get away with it.

-At 40 I learned I could use my "blondness" as an excuse for my forgetfulness and slide right into "menopause" as the reason I can't remember where I parked my car!

-I can recognize when my teen is trying to manipulate me with the " mom, you are so beautiful... can I have the car keys? line .

Mostly I have learned to laugh more. I have recently picked up a birthday card for a friend turning 50, which read;
Do the boobs sorta droop and buns sorta sag? Has the chin multiplied and the eyes kinda bagged?
Do your legs kinda ripple as you run toward the fridge?
Have your maiden tresses turned into drab frizz? Let's face it, you're labeled, and there ain't no cure, But for diplomacy's sake, let's just say you're ...... Mature!

The above is from the book "Fantastic After 40" By Pam Farrel.
I'm excited about joining the study and relating to other seasoned sisters who are going through what I am going through. If intrigued go to info@seasonedsisters.com or www.seasonedsisters.com

I know it's been over a month since I have posted anything. I just have not had anything to share. But now I do. I'm such a proud grandma.My little 3 year granddaughter called me tonight and said" grandma I learned how to read new words"! Then she rattled them off to me. " Cat, mat, sat, bat, pat,.." She's 3 yrs. old and brilliant as far as I'm concerned. Then she put her almost 1 year old sister on the phone and said " Josie can talk too." I heard " ma, ba , ga, ah" At least I think that's what she said. She is also brilliant. She has just cut about 5 teeth in the last little while ( a huge accomplishment, I must say). And both are just soooo cute don't you think! I know. I am a proud grandma. Love those girls very much!

Well things at work are still in a big mess. The flood clean up crew has now finally left, and the rebuild crew has been set in place. New sheet rock is being installed. The electrical has been restored, and very soon the sanding and painting will begin. Then I guess it will be time for putting things back to dorms. Making beds, cleaning the washroom that have been neglected and dust, dust dusting. Everyone knows that where there is sheet rock (Gyproc) there is so much dust. Not looking forward to that. But we are finally starting to make a few tiny steps forward. It is going to take many more weeks/ months before we are back to normal again. We are slowly making progress. Ironically, the cadets that caused the major flood graduated today. Hopefully they will not cause water damage in their new homes. My advice: DO NOT PLAY soccer in the house!

Talk about a busy few weeks at work. Let me start with a warning! DO NOT PLAY SOCCER IN THE HOUSE!!
Why the warning ? Well, a week ago I show up for work on a Monday morning. Not me or my co- workers were prepared for what had transpired over the weekend. It all started with a cadet, a soccer ball and a good swift kick to the sprinkler system. That kick resulted in the breaking of the sprinkler head, that broke a pipe, that flooded the building from 3rd floor down. It took 45 minutes to shut the water off. In the end it was about 7500 gallons of water, or more flowing from the 3rd floor to the 2nd, and 1st floor causing damage to computers, sparks and all, elevators, electrical, walls, ........ and the list goes on. In the end a professional flood crew was called in to rip out walls and wiring... and the like. Every day I go in to work there are more walls gone ! The building is pretty much being gutted. The estimated damage is up to 3 quarters of a mil to 1 million dollars in damage. All I can say is WOW! So I say again. DO NOT PLAY SOCCER IN THE HOUSE! These are adults here. We should not have to post a sign saying " NO " outdoor sports indoors. Yeash!

My vacation has nearly come to an end. I am kinda sad. My time off has been wonderful. I have sat on my balcony every evening ( too hot during the day) and enjoyed the cool evening breeze and nice scent of my planted flowers. I have 2 days left of my holiday and I intend to enjoy it to the fullest. I will be going out to my mom and dads tomorrow for a steak dinner and then on Monday I plan on just sitting back and relaxing before I have to go back to work on Tuesday! I'm feeling sad but yet refreshed on going back to work. Sad because .....well it's obvious....... and refreshed because I have had a very nice time off just relaxing and enjoying my time off.

Happy Canada day to all my fellow Canadians. I am reminded of a Canada day 26 years ago when I was in the hospital giving birth to my baby boy. He was one day old. Of course I was not able to go celebrate Canada's birthday because I was in hospital snuggling and getting to know my one day old son ( he was born on June 30) Happy birthday son! I say who needs fire works when you have a new born baby to love. No comparison right! I was looking after my granddaughters tonight so that Jordan and Jen could go out and celebrate his 26th birthday. As I'm reading his 3 year old a bedtime story, I am also thinking back on what I was doing on this day when her daddy was born. I still can't believe that my baby has babies of his own. I am so filled with pride and thankful to God for all his blessings. I am blessed because I have a wonderful family and I live in a free country. Happy CANADA DAY! For more updates and photos of my grandbabies check out Jen's blog

Wow, I can't believe it's been over a month since I have posted anything on this blog. A lot has taken place in my life over the last couple of months. It started with my parents moving in with me at the begining of April. They spent the winter in Texas and, after coming back to Canada this spring we found that mutually it would be good for them and me if they spent the summer living with me. I have had a difficult time of things lately and it has been good to have the support, and encouragement of mom and daddy. Great support but an adjustment at the same time. I am so used to living alone . I must say that for the most part I have enjoyed the company. I think it has been okay for them too since they can get away from their fifth wheel trailer and have a little more space to roam around in. I hope that is the case. So what have I been doing since I posted last? Well I have been focusing on getting myself feeling better and enjoying time with my gorgeous granddaughters. They are the joy and light of my life. Abby is so smart and fun at her 3 year young age. Her imagination is so endearing to me. Every time we are together, we have a lovely time of make believe. Josie is so adorably cute at 8 months. She always has smiles a plenty when ever I see her. To get updates on my beautiful girls check out Jen's
postings. They are cute if I do say so my self. Next I want to wish a great big happy fathers day to my daddy who is the best daddy in the whole world. He truly is terrific. Happy fathers day to my son Jordan . I am so proud of the daddy that he has turned out to be. I always knew that he would be a great daddy. I wish a huge happy fathers day to all the fathers every where. I hope that the day is all that they deserve and more!

Happy mothers day to all you mommas out there. I have been thinking that no matter how frustrated and upset you may become with your mom, the fact is that she is still your mom and she has done the very best that she knows how in raising you. I hope my kids realize this about me. They may be frustrated and upset at me and even roll their eyes at me sometimes, I hope they know that I love them so much, and absolutely adore them beyond words. I am so blessed to be the mother of my kids. I hope they know that. I am also giving a shout out to my mother whom I love very much. I always pray that God will truly bless my mom for all that she has done for me over the years. Love you momma.

Home again, home again, jigiddy jig . Mom and dad are back in town, after a long winter away. They were down in the south of Texas. They came back tanned and with a bag of grapefruit in hand. The grapefruit were from where they were staying. All the grapefruit free on their side of the fence. They were so excited to tell of the happy stories from way down south. I could tell they had a great time by the expressions on their faces. They seemed to looked different, happy even. I am so glad that they were able to get away and travel like they did. We all missed them so much here in Canada.

Spring has truly sprung! Boing boing! It is so nice here lately. We do not have the flowers that some of my blogger friends have , but we are on our way. We have had the typical April showers that bring May flowers. On Monday it was plus 28 degrees. A total tease I must say. We all wanted to turn on the A.C. for sure. The next day it was cloudy, rainy and cool. Weather we would expect for April. Aside from that I do notice that things are starting to bud. I know that we are many weeks behind many others, according to photos posted on my friend Wanda's blog. She has many beautiful photos of blooming things. She also is way more south than I am here in the North. Any way, I am pleased to report that it is looking more like spring everyday. I adore spring! I not only adore it but I'm in love with it! I love to see things bloom right before my very eyes. It's one of my favorite seasons of all. I enjoy every day that spring has to offer , rain or shine. So I want to wish all my fellow friends in the north, "Happy Spring"! Don't you just love it?

Okay ladies and Gents. This photo was sent to me from a cousin of mine . Apparently it was taken just out side of a town I grew up in. The place is north of the town of Ft. St. John B.C. Do you believe what you see. In all my life I have never seen an albino moose. Regular ,brown fur, long horn moose, yes. Moose that my daddy as a butcher would make into sausage, roast, and steak. I never was a fan of that type of meat. I think I take after my momma. She was never a fan of wild game of any type. I say me neither. Any way, what an incredible sight this albino moose is, don't you think?

Okay I spoke too soon. It is still snowing in our neck of the woods. However it does melt by afternoon. It is March 29 and we should be over the snow bit. At least that is what most of us think. My theory is, the more we complain about the bad weather, the longer we will get it. What is the saying " march comes in like a lion and out like a lamb or visa versa..... Well it seems that march did indeed come in like a lion so it would only make sense that it should go out like a lamb. Right? I know ... God is in control of the weather. Soon enough it will be blooming every where. That reminds me, a co-worker of mine just came back from a weekend in Victoria B.C. She said it was blooming every where. Fruit trees, and daffodils, and crocus.....I knew it would be. I myself (having lived there) have experienced the lovely blooming things in Febuary and March. How I miss it. Okay so aside from the snowy weather we are having here, my happy sunny day is when I can spend time with my grand babies. It does not matter what the weather is outside, it is always sunny in Abbyville. She is my sunshine and so is her 6 month old sister. They truly bring joy to my other wise gloomy day. I got to spend time with them this afternoon and it was delightful as usual. Abby was feeling a little bit sick with a cold as was I, so it was just nice to snuggle on the couch and watch some kiddie shows while baby sister had a nap. I am so thankful for my little grand daughters. They are a happy part of my life.

GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT! WHY ARE WE SO IMPATIENT? IT LOOKS LIKE SPRING HAS FINALLY COME TO THE PRAIRIES. THE SNOW IS SLOWLY MELTING AND THE GRASS IS A NICE SHADE OF BROWN. SOON IT WILL BE GREEN. THERE ARE NO FLOWERS OR BUDS ON THE TREES YET BUT IF THE WARMER TEMPS KEEP UP, WE'RE SURE TO HAVE COLOR IN NO TIME. DAYS LIKE TODAY MAKE ME WANT TO THROW OPEN THE DOORS AND WINDOWS AND SING. WELL MAYBE NOT SING, BUT IT DOES MAKE A PERSON FEEL IN A BETTER MOOD THAT'S FOR SURE. I THINK I MAY EVEN GO DO SOME HOUSE WORK. OR MAYBE NOT. I'M FEELING KINDA TIRED FROM A LONG DAY AT WORK. PERHAPS TOMORROW. HAPPY SPRING:)

IS IT SPRING YET????

Meet me at the net... cafe!

I was watching an interesting episode of Dr. Phil the other day. It was about a woman who was engaged to a man that she met on the Internet and for 3 years had a relationship with him. They even became engaged. The thing is this couple had never met in person. The woman was lured into a deceptive web, even to the point of her giving this man 5ooo dollars. She sent him a check! When I heard this I was almost yelling at the T.V. It turns out that this woman was lied to. With the help of Dr. Phil and his team of investigators the man was exposed as a fraud and even had a significant other. His name , age, occupation and photo were false. The photo he used was of a not so known actor from many years ago. For 3 years he led this woman to believe that he was a pilot for the US air force and was stationed in Iraq. Of course this man did not want to go on the Dr. Phil show to try to explain himself. He was caught. What made me astonished even more was this woman tried to defend him saying that she did not want to destroy the connection because she was hoping to get her 5ooo dollars back. Dr. Phil told her that she would probably never see that money again and that she should move on. While I shake my head at this crazy scenario, I have to say that I know of 3 people in my life who have gone the route of the Internet dating thing and so far have been successful. These 3 couples are happily together. Kinda funny don't you think. I guess that it's okay to take a chance as long as you are smart about it. Like maybe meet the person a few times. Get to know them before sending them money. One of the couples I know did meet someone else online and when it came to her actually meeting the guy she knew right away that he was only after one thing and one thing alone. Her money. She quickly ended the relationship before it could even get any where. Good thing she did because she met a wonderful guy who has now become a part of our family. She met him on the Internet too. She lived in the States and he in Canada. But after several months of chatting and such they met. And the rest is history. So I have witnessed first hand that a net romance can work. But I also know that a person must be cautious. What do you think about the whole Internet dating?

Scattergories This game brought to you by Wanda


Not me but the other Wanda(see link)........Answer the questions begining with the first letter of your name.

What is your name...........................Wanda (Wandi)
4 Letter word....................................Wand
Vehicle................................................Wheelbarrow
City......................................................Wolsely Saskatchewan
Boy Name...........................................William
Girl Name...........................................Willamena
Alcoholic Drink...................................Wiskey
Occupation..........................................Washer
Something you wear..........................Watch
Celebrity..............................................Winona Ryder
Food......................................................Wasabi
Something found in a bathroom........Wash cloths
Reason for being late...........................Weekend off
Cartoon Character...............................Wanda the witch.
Something you shout...........................What the heck?????
Animal....................................................Wombat
Body part...............................................Waist
Word to describe you............................Wacky

Lately I have been faced with stuff in life. I have had to ask myself some very difficult questions. Those questions are as follows......

If I had a chance to do it all over again, would I????
My answer to that is a resounding yes, yes, and by all means yes!!!!!! I seem to have so many regrets in my stage of life right now. As I think of the long list , many things stick out to me.

1) I would yell way less! ( Except if it is into a pillow or out on the lone prairie where I know I am alone. My poor kids! I do realize that a person can't keep it all inside and not bust. I am famous for stuffing things under the rug. A dangerous thing I know!

2) I would trust more! Or at least I would would try my very best. Trust is very huge thing for me and I have been betrayed many times in my life!

3) Love deeper! Although I do not know how to love my children, grandchildren, and daughter, son, inlaw more than I already do. I love them so much that it hurts. I would give my life for them!


4) I would take more risks! This too is so huge as I am a very cautious person.

5) Exercise more and eat less! Need I say more?

6) Exercise more and indulge less! Need I say more?

7) Take the risk of making friends (even though they always leave). I now realize that friends can be long term or for just a season. I seem to have friends that I get so close to and then leave. It is so painful.

8) I would be more patient! I have had a hard time being patient in the past. I want it now.!!!!!!!

9) Trust God more! After all I do realize that God does know best!

10) Even though I know God knows what's best for my life , I always take back control. What the heck is wrong with me??

11) I would matter!!!! I do matter!!!! I think I matter?????? I feel I don't matter. These are all lies....... In actual fact I do matter...... RIGHT!

I dream of somewhere warm and sandy. A place to sit and reflect and drink a cocktail of choice.

My what weird weather we're having! Yesterday was only -2 and today it has been minus 30 . All I can say is, What the ????????? I do know we are lucky here in our neck of the woods though. I am hearing about the tornados in the States. How awful. It makes me feel ashamed when I complain about cold temps, when peoples homes are destroyed and lives are lost . I am so thankful that even though it is cold outside, it is warm in our homes. Then I think about the folks that are homeless, even in our own city. I do pray they are okay. I hope they can find shelter somewhere. Lord forgive me when I whine about it being cold when I have a warm home to live in and I work in a warm building. We are a bunch of whiners though. Really we are. Not just me. Everyday when I go to work I hear other co-workers complain too. So I want to end on a positive note and say that I truly am thankful that I have a warm home to sleep in and an equally warm building to work in. I also secretly, positivley, wish that I can be somewhere warm so I can sit outside and enjoy a nice cocktail while dipping my toes in the sand and surf. I have been told that it is okay to dream.

With the Superbowl coming up this weekend I thought why not post this. This is dedicated to all you die hard football fans.

SuperBowl Seat!

A man had 50 yard line tickets for the Super Bowl. As he sits down, a man comes down and asked the man if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him. "No", he said, "the seat is empty". "This is incredible", said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Super Bowl , the biggest sport event in the world, and not use it ?" Somberly, the man says, "Well... the seat actually belongs to me. I was supposed to come here with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Super Bowl we have not been together since we got married in 1967." "Oh I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else , a friend or relative or even a neighbor to take the seat?" The man shakes his head, "No. They're all at the funeral." Ha! Ha!Hee! That's one super, diehard, superbowl fan. Enjoy the game everyone.

Photo courtesy of shagya-blog.blogspot.com

A blizzard is a heavy snowstorm with very cold temperatures, sustained winds of at least 35mph, and visibility of less than 0.25 miles. When a mass of polar air and warm air meet, the polar air pushes the warm air up and settles in the atmosphere where the water vapor forms snow clouds. Then winds and low temperatures combine with the snow to create a blizzard. Ya ya ya ya. That was a scientific expalination. In my own words, it is stormy and minus freakin cold. and you can't see very far cuz of the blowing snow and cold. We had a blizzard here in our city on monday that lasted for about 36 hours. Every time I looked out the window , I could not even see accross the street at times. Eventually the snow stopped falling and the temperature dropped to minus 38 with a wind chill of minus 52. So for 2 days now our city has been in what you call a deep freeze. I only remember a winter chill like this once since moving to this province. It was the first winter we were here actually. The kids and I moved here from the mild climates of B.C. just after my husband left. I did not have a car that first winter and when I needed to get groceries or go to appointments it was the bus. Sometimes my sister was available to drive us where we needed to go. One night much like tonight my son was invited to go to a birthday party at a school mates home. I called to asked my sister if she could possibly drive Jordan to the birthday party? The answer I got was " no I don't think so." I was somewhat miffed at that answer. Only because I'm the type of person that does not ask for help unless I trully need it. So when I was turned down flat I was feeling dejected and disappointed. We were new to the community and for my son to be invited to a class mates birthday was a big thing. My son was determinded to go. The only other option was to walk. I was not about to let him go out at 12 years old all by himself in the dark , in minus 38 winter weather( -50 wind chill). So we bundled up as best we could(it was dark at 6 oclock) and started off walking to his school mates home . We only walked 2 blocks and we were freezing. We stepped up the pace and made it to the party house. In all it was about 7 blocks away. I left my son at the door and I had to face the long walk home. By the time I arrived home I was frozen and in pain. Every where the skin was exposed was numb. My feet and legs were hurting so bad. As I began to unthaw it hurt so much. I sat and cried. I think that was the coldest I have ever felt in my life. I had never experienced the Saskatchewan winter deep freeze before. I had a warm bath, a cup of tea and wondered how my son was feeling at the party. I'm glad he did not have to walk both ways with me. Luckily my son got a ride home after the party. When he came through the door he was all smiles and happy. He had a great time. We survied that frigid time and I know that we can survive this frigid time as well. I have a vehicle now and am not expected to walk in these freezing temps. I wonder if Jordan remembers that time. I'll have to ask him. Maybe he remembers things about that night in a totally different way. Or maybe he doesn't remember it at all.