Blue Winter

I just completed this painting today and thought I'd share :)

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 6

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today....I am grateful for all that I have. This time of year we hear of all those families that depend on food from the Food Banks or Salvation Army. We hear of families living in our very towns, cities and Country that do not have a warm home, food on the table, enough clothes, no where and no how to celebrate Christmas.
I am grateful that I have all of those things and am able to share from my blessings to help just a few others have a little more than they would have had.

Analyzed

Over at my Sister, Rachel's Blog I found this GenderAnalyzer. It's just cool how it looks at your Blog and tells you what gender writes it. I'm thinking the word "Gramma" was a bit of a give away :)My sisters wasn't as lucky...LOL

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 5

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today....I am grateful for being a Gramma. Three precious children have been given to our family and each one is special!! Being a Gramma has added a whole new experience to my life, one that I did not expect would be so wonderful. Now every time I go shopping I see things that one of them would love. I watch for sales on kid's clothes and stock up on them for Birthdays and Christmas. I buy movies that I know they'd love...and guess what??!!....I love watching them with the kids...yup, even the animated ones....we laugh a lot together. I have their bathroom stocked with Princess & Spiderman bubble bath, shampoo, toothbrushes and toothpaste. The Kleenex box has that theme going on too, and although it is the guest bathroom as well, the decor is in fresh, fun colors. A little overboard???...maybe, but my grandchildren are worth it all and more!!! :)

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 4

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today....I am thankful for my warm, cozy home. I love to curl up on the couch, with the fireplace burning, to read or watch TV or a movie. I love to work at the diningroom table on my laptop or scrapbooking. I love to work in the bright & sunny spare room, painting. I love looking out of my livingroom window, watching the birds gather at the bird-feeder eating or diving from the roof tops to gather with their feathered friends. I thank God for my home!

Happy T-Day....

first to my to my Sister and her family and next to all my American friends.....
HAPPY THANKSGIVING...wishing you all a Blessed day filled with family, friends, good food and THANKFUL hearts.

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 3

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today....I am grateful for all my family and friends. I'm filling out Christmas cards to send off and that has shown me that I have many wonderful people in my life. I'm SO grateful for each and everyone's support the past couple of years....I could not have made it without you...Thanks!!

And the Mirror Ball goes to....

"After ten weeks of competition, the winners and new champions of Dancing with the Stars are..." [big pause} "BROOKE AND DEREK!"

I have to say, that I was hoping either Brooke OR Warren was going to win this Season's "Dancing With the Stars'" Mirror Ball!! I love this show with the challenges the Stars face with learning the dance routines, grinding thru the pain, long hours and a steep learning curve. I love Ballroom dance, although I confess, I have no idea how to dance Ballroom myself.

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 2

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today....I am grateful for the opportunity to join in The Chronic Illness Program and having a super team of professionals working for me for three months. This morning I started the exercise program with a personal trainer. It's hard work, but I am grateful for the opportunity to improve on my health.

Tagged

I've been tagged by Lael at Those Weird Homeschoolers

Here's what you do:
1. Link to the person who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and
link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged
and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

6 Random Things About Me:
1)I just started an exercise program with the Chronic Illness program in the hospital. I qualify because of the obvious, I have Diabetes and Fibromyalgia, and I need to lose major weight...duh!!!

2)I just came from the lovely craft store we have near by and spent far too much....that's what I get for having toom many hobbies!!

3)Christmas is my favorite holiday by far...I love the tastes, smells, music, glitter...all things festive.

4)I have started filling out my Christmas cards and plan to finish off addressing the envelopes to mail them off by Dec.1st.

5)I love dogs! I am not a cat person! Why don't I have a dog?? Well, right now it would be too inconvenient, since I like the freedom of traveling and not worrying about my sweet doggie in a kennel :(

6)I am a social person and need to have friends or I get terribly lonely....but I also like my own space.

The 6 Privileged Ones I Tag:
Rach
Hippo Chick
Rhoda
Cheryl
Tam
# 6 is for anyone wanting to do this....let me know and I'll check yours out!! :)

A Week of Gratitude ~ Day 1

"I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." ~ G.K. Chesterton

Since this is the week that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day, I'd like to take this opportunity to start the week off with Gratitude.

Today...I am grateful for the wonderful man I married. I pray he is rewarded today for providing so unselfishly for our home.

Light a Candle

“You can curse the darkness or light a candle”

Such a small but very profound statement. With the Christmas Holiday just ahead of us, just about every home lights up with candles, Christmas trees, outdoor lights, etc. It's a tradition that speaks volumes in it's analogy of life. I think we all are drawn to light and it lifts our spirits on short winter days.
I just came home from my Great-Nephew's Birthday party and saw how his sweet little face lit up when he saw the candle flame. He tried his darnedest to grab the flame in his pudgy hand. I think our fascination with light doesn't dim when we grow up.

My Top 10 List....

My friend over at Those Weird Homeschoolers did a Top Ten Christmas Gifts list, so I thought I'd make one too....so here it goes:

10) Diamonds...always a Girl's best friend :)
9) an Aromatherapy Air Purifier (far better than a Glade plug-in any day)
8) books (I love reading!)
7) a Vacation trip to somewhere warm and sunny
6) Painting supplies
5) a microwave that fits over the stove (to free up counter space)
4) more warm pants to wear in this frigid climate
3) a rock lamp (they let off healing minerals into the air)
2) Christmas day filled with my grandchildren's laughter
1) Happiness, prosperity and health for those I love

I realize that not all my Top 10 are tangible gifts, but are important to me. I suppose I could have wished for no more war, all the world's hungry to be fed, or something equal to it, but realistically, those things just aren't going to happen on a wish. So, go ahead and "steal" this idea and let me know if you are going to make your own Top 10 list and I'll make sure to check it out :)

Happy Birthday....

To my great-nephew, Reagan, who turns 1 year-old today!!! What a sweetie-pie! Going to the big Birthday Bash this aft :)

TGIF!!

It's not been a bad week, just a very full week. (and that's what my hair looked like this morning, but I'm going in for a haircut, so no worries...haha)

The Mother Letter Project

While browsing through my Bog Roll, I came across this very interesting post on Rocks in my Dryer It SO intrigued me that I had to follow through and see what all this was about. Please read an excerpt of the Post below and then follow your own heart...you may be surprised by the journey :)

"Let me tell you a little story.

Danny (not his real name, and you'll understand why in a minute) is a husband and father who wanted to do something special for his wife this Christmas. They were both fed up with the materialistic emptiness the holidays often brought: "typical American Christmas—gizmos, gadgets, whatnots, and an oversized helping of turkey," as he calls it.

This was spurred, in part, by a trip to Africa in 2008. When he saw the great need there, he knew he had to do something better with his money this Christmas.

He and his wife agreed that they would spend no money on each other this year, instead sending as much as they could to the humanitarian efforts underway in the village Danny visited. In place of material gifts to each other, they would make gifts for each other, gifts that didn't cost money--only effort and creativity.

He hatched a brilliant idea.

His wife is the mother of small children, a season of life often fraught with discouragement and exhaustion. He began asking some mothers he knew in real life to submit letters of encouragement to her, sharing their best bits of motherhood wisdom. He planned to collect the letters to give to her Christmas morning.

Danny's idea was well-received by friends, but he began to realize his "mother network" was fairly small. He wanted to broaden the scope of his idea and find a way for more women to encourage his wife.

The Mother Letter Project was born.

This is a simple blog that tells his family's story, and it invites women--strangers, friends, from all walks of life--to write a letter to his wife, encouraging her in her mothering journey."

See??? What did I tell you...you are just as intrigued as I was, right?? So, join in and write a letter. Go to "Danny's" Blog and read more.

The First Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast which is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. This harvest meal has become a symbol of cooperation and interaction between English colonists and Native Americans. Although this feast is considered by many to the very first Thanksgiving celebration, it was actually in keeping with a long tradition of celebrating the harvest and giving thanks for a successful bounty of crops. Native American groups throughout the Americas, including the Pueblo, Cherokee, Creek and many others organized harvest festivals, ceremonial dances, and other celebrations of thanks for centuries before the arrival of Europeans in North America.
Source: http://www.history.com/minisites/thanksgiving Thanksgiving History, Videos, Facts

The First Thanksgiving
The first American Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, to commemorate the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony after a harsh winter. In that year Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving. The colonists celebrated it as a traditional English harvest feast, to which they invited the local Wampanoag Indians. Days of thanksgiving were celebrated throughout the colonies after fall harvests. All thirteen colonies did not, however, celebrate Thanksgiving at the same time until October 1777. George Washington was the first president to declare the holiday, in 1789.
A New National Holiday
By the mid–1800s, many states observed a Thanksgiving holiday. Meanwhile, the poet and editor Sarah J. Hale had begun lobbying for a national Thanksgiving holiday. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln, looking for ways to unite the nation, discussed the subject with Hale. In 1863 he gave his Thanksgiving Proclamation, declaring the last Thursday in November a day of thanksgiving. In 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt, seeking to lengthen the Christmas shopping season, proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November. Controversy followed, and Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941 decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains.

Source: http://www.infoplease.com/spot/tgturkey1.html First Thanksgiving Day History and New National Holiday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving Thanksgiving Day in Canada, Grenada, and the United States

http://www.thanksgivinghistory.net/ Thanksgiving History

As you can see there are several explanations about the First Thanksgiving. If you want more resources on Thankgsiving, please check out http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/thanksgiving.htm . See the Native American theme resources at http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/nativeamericans.htm .
To learn about the Pilgrims go to http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/pilgrims.htm .
Have a great Thanksgiving Day!

The Next Step Towards.....

CHRISTMAS of course :)
Since it's snowy and cold, it was time to replace the Autumn leaves with a more festive template.

Happy 150th Birthday British Columbia

The Day a Colony was Born
November 19, 1858
Our Province of British Columbia started out at the Hudson's Bay Co. Trading Post that kept watch over the coffee-colored Simon Fraser's River for more than 30 years. The steady downpour dimpling the surface where it gurgled past steep, loamy banks leading up to the Square, enclosed by the timber Palisades of Fort Langley. The ceremony at Fort Langley was to

"formalize what had already been done on the Pacific slope by James Douglas, the former Hudson's Bay Co. factor from Fort Victoria and now governor of the colony of Vancouver Island, when he unilaterally exerted administrative authority over the mainland north of the 49th."

The Vancouver Sun Published their article today with a detailed story of our history.

"Now, by royal proclamation, a new colony was to be created and Douglas was to be its governor, too. Since there were already two New Caledonias on the map, Queen Victoria had decided the colony would be named British Columbia, combining the emerging notion of a British North America with the name of the Columbia district for which Fort Victoria was the administrative centre."

54 Years and Counting....

November 19, 1954 my Parents declared to love each other :"to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health to love and to cherish, from this day forward until death do us part."
And 54 years later, they would say the same words over again...they are a living definition of the word "VOW"

The Power of Documentation

Keeping a record of your day with personal observations and opinions will be helpful in many ways. If a parent has questions about past events in your classroom or an administrator’s recollection of a conversation with you is not what you recall, you can refer back to your journal. Your journal can be a real lifesaver.

In court cases, a physician's notes are a key part of evidence. The same thing holds true when the defendant (or plaintiff) is a teacher.

*Keep a notebook in your desk drawer. Red is a good color for a cover.

*When anything unusual happens, write it down.

*Just the facts: Date, Time, Place, Those Involved, What Happened, What Was Said

*Who, What, Where, When--Not Why--Not How

*You may use First Person (I saw...) or Third Person (Mrs. Hopkins saw...)

*Keep emotions out of the documentation.

*Look for patterns over time.

*Do not overwrite--documentation should take 30 seconds to 2 minutes per day, not a half hour.

*Date and file all correspondence from parents. Keep every piece of paper from the school or central office. You don’t need an elaborate filing system. Just keep one folder for each category per year.

Most importantly, keep documenting! You plus your notes outweighs an accuser (or defendant) without documentation.

Source: TSTA Beginning Teacher E-newsletter, November 19, 2008

Sources for more teacher tips and ideas:

http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/

http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/teachertipsideas.htm

http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/classmanagementideas.htm

This Tickled my Funny Bone...

I'm sorry, but this article that I found at Explore North made me laugh....not that it's not all true, but that it paints this picture of Northern BC to Alaska as some kind of Pioneering Adventure...The Last Frontier...sheesh!

How to Drive to Alaska in the Winter
If the thought of making a trip to "The Last Frontier" scares you, the thought of driving there in the winter will terrify you. Here's how to make it a safe, fun adventure.

Difficulty Level: average Time Required: varies

Here's How:

1. Assess your skills honestly. If you have little winter driving experience and need to be in Alaska quickly, please only drive as far as your airport.
2. If this is a holiday trip, decide whether driving a car, camper truck or motorhome are most appropriate to your plans. Flying north and then renting a vehicle is a good option for some people.
3. When planning your itinerary, allow as much extra time as possible for new opportunities that arise along the way (or for the possibility of problems). Remember that the days get very short.
4. Use the Alaska Highway, not Highway 37. It is the highway of choice in the winter, and offers more services and safety as a result.
5. Prepare your vehicle well - tune-up, oil change and a full safety check. Ensure that you have winter or all-season radial tires that are in excellent condition. "Studded" tires are not necessary.
6. Carry some spare parts. Depending on your vehicle, that may be as little as a fan belt, thermostat and headlight, or a more elaborate kit if your vehicle is not common.
7. Prepare for deep cold. Carry a sheet of corrugated cardboard large enough to cover your radiator if it gets so cold that your heater starts to lose it's effectiveness. Window ice-scrapers are mandatory equipment.
8. Carry at least a good map, preferably a detailed highway guide. "The Milepost" is the undisputed king of Alaska-Yukon highway guides, but many listed facilities are closed in the winter.
9. Be prepared to spend the night in your vehicle. It isn't likely, but vehicle problems or weather can change your plans quickly. That means carrying an Arctic sleeping bag or lots of extra heavy clothes, and some food and water.
10. Everywhere you stop, ask about conditions ahead, both road and weather. Plan accordingly - don't leave a warm coffee shop and head into conditions you may not be able to handle. "Macho" has no place in such circumstances.
11. Snow conditions can vary dramatically in a very short distance. A good road may turn into a sheet of ice with no visible signs except to the highly experienced. You should usually be driving well under the speed limit.
12. Whenever you stop, clear the snow and ice from all your windows, and from your tail lights - they are often neglected. Bringing a hot coffee back into your car can ice up all your windows instantly!
13. If the temperature is below about minus 15 C., never shut your vehicle off unless you're at a lodge or other facility where assistance is available if needed.
14. Driving when it's snowing can be hypnotizing - be aware of the effects, and stop for a break occasionally if needed.
15. When meeting another vehicle, be aware of the possible "snow dust" that can drop your visibility to zero for a lengthy distance. I always ensure that nobody is behind me so I can slow or even stop when that happens - if luck isn't with you, the conditions seen in the photo at the top can go on for hours and hundreds of miles.
16. Now that we have all the cautions written down, think about how amazingly beautiful the North is in the winter. You will be one of the few who get the privilege of seeing it, so savour every mile of it.

Tips:

1. Think border-crossing - do not bring a gun! If you must have one for some reason, you need to buy a permit at the border crossing for $50. You can speed things up by having the forms filled out - but don't sign them until you're with the Customs officer. The forms can be found here and full details here.
2. Don't take the calendar too seriously - winter can visit 9 months of the year in some of the passes.
3. Take your time!

New Wheels

Dad & Mom arrived at my house yesterday in these new set of wheels....a Jeep Compass!! They did need a vehicle more suited to driving a half hour up the Alaska Highway, where they live. They make at least one trip a week to town and the Highway can be treacherous in the winter. We tend to worry more now that Dad cannot drive anymore, so it's left up to Mom. It's a beautiful vehicle!

2008 Mom-preneur Shop-a-Thon

12 giveaway winners
Everyday for 12 days
Sponsored by the Women
in the Shop-a-thon!!


To help promote & feature some of the amazing women who have joined the Mom-prenuer Shop-a-thon, Tip Junkie set up the 12 Days of Junkie where there will be two winners every day!
Tip Junkie has hit the 5th day already, so go check it out and make sure you enter to be a winner :)

World Diabetes Day

Today is World Diabetes Day. This year we're going blue....in every which way we can. Please take some time today to learn more about this Disease. I have been Diabetic for 20 years. Diabetes is a huge Generational Disease in my family....3 out of 4 grandparents, both parents, 5 out of us 9 siblings and numerous Aunts, uncles and Cousins have Diabetes. Here are a couple of great sites to learn more about this Chronic Illness.
Diabetes Corner and Tu Diabetes

Relationships

Relationships...complex, fulfilling, deep commitment, nurturing,maintaining...
the list goes on and on.
All of us are in a relationship, to differing levels our whole life. We are born a son or daughter, we are friends, we are siblings (if we're lucky)we have a teacher, a pastor, a boy/girlfriend,a husband/wife, a child(ren), a boss, are a co-worker, business owner...and serve in many more relational rolls in our lifetime.

I direct you now to an article my Hubby wrote : Relational Irritants in which he states "Here is a notion: relationships do not get complicated if we keep it simple. Simple only works if simplicity is the course of action right from the beginning.
You see, relationships, like your physical health, do not tangle up into a complicated mess if the daily bite size maintenance is done. The operative words here are “daily” and “bite size”."

It's a thought provoking article and one worth the read. You will also find a book recommended titled "Relationships : A Mess Worth Making"
We were created to be in Relationships...the most important one being with our God who created us this way.
Enjoy your weekend.

Fresh Cold Air

This morning I woke up to a bit more fallen snow. The temps weren't bad, so going out the clear the snow off the porch, steps and walk way was pleasant. I shoveled the entire driveway again as well, since it was melting a bit and that gave it a chance to maybe melt all the snow away....no such luck. Instead it's become crunchy and icy. I needed to go out, so I bought a couple bags of this new de-icer. It's environmentally safe and contains fertilizer to feed the lawns, instead of kill it....bonus. A couple of years ago all the grass along the sidewalk died and what melted snow made it's way to a bit of a dip in the front lawn died too...it looked terrible and one spot I had to make into a spot for some rocks and a planter.
So, now back to the Christmas theme...we used to have a live C-mas tree when the boys were growing up. When we moved up here and now live in a brand new home, I didn't want the mess of a live tree, so I talked hubby into a fiber-optic fake tree. As it turns out, it was really too big and took up so much space that it was hard to fit guests and family all in the living-room. So, today I decided to buy a smaller one, similar to, but a bit bigger(4')than the one above. Again, with the boys all grown up with families of their own, they enjoy their own early morning rise to open stockings and gifts, so by the time we arrive at my oldest son's home with arm loads of gifts, for a big breakfast,we open more gifts :) So, there is no point in crowding our living-room. The tree comes with lights, pine cones and holy berries already on it....all I have to do is decorate with our memorable ornaments.
So, now that I'm home and have had my fresh air and exercise, I'm ready for supper :)

American Education Week, Nov. 16-22, 2008

Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our ResponsibilityNEA's 87th annual American Education Week, Nov. 16-22, spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education, and the need for everyone to do his or her part. American Education Week presents all Americans with a wonderful opportunity to celebrate public education and honor individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education. The weeklong celebration features a special observance each day of the week.The week’s suggested events include:
Monday, Nov. 17 is Open House Day. From national commemorations to local community events such as AEW house parties, millions of Americans will celebrate public education nationwide.
Tuesday, Nov. 18 is Parents Day. Schools will invite parents into the classroom for a hands-on experience of what the day is like for their child.
Wednesday, Nov. 19 is Education Support Professionals Day. Individuals who provide invaluable services to schools are recognized for their outstanding work.
Thursday, Nov. 20 is Educator for a Day. Community leaders will be invited to serve as educators to get a glimpse at a day in the life of a school employee.
Friday, Nov. 21 is Substitute Educators Day. This day honors the educators who are called upon to replace regularly employed teachers.

Sources: http://www.nea.org:80/aew/toolkit.html and TSTA_MemberMatters- TSTA_MemberMatters.UM.A.2922.620@news.nea.org
Other Source for Resources: http://www.geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/teacheappreciationowl.htm and http://geocities.com/mrsjacksonsclass/

Moving Right Along....

into the Christmas Spirit. Oh, I know....WHAT??!! Is she crazy??!! Yup :)
I love Christmas....it's my favorite time of year and this is when I start putting together gifts(actually I managed to start even earlier than last year), since last year I started a new tradition...homemade gifts. I have to think about and start out early enough not to feel stressed about how many days left. I do go out and do a bit of shopping for gifts as well, but keep it very low key and the gifts practical. The request of my sons for our grandkids is to please, please NOT give toys....they have more than enough and by us buying clothes or bedding sets or PJs or snow wear or such things it helps their budget.I have decided that I'm not going to brave the busy malls or stores this year but order on line and have the gifts sent already gift wrapped.
I don't do near the baking and cooking I've done in past years anymore either. I DO like to have lots of quick snacks, treats and meals on hand though, so I usually bake and make dishes ahead - seafood lasagna, Pork/apple Tourtiere,sausage rolls, cabbage rolls - for the days we're not eating turkey.
BUT....for now, it's just listening to Christmas tunes and working away at the gifts :) I made the above LO on Canvas for my Sister.

We Remember....

November 11, 2008




**The photographer is from Toronto. A young lady by the name of Sylvia Picato.