New Year's Eve

 

THE YEAR IS COMING TO AN END AND IT'S TIME TO REMEMBER THAT... Barely the day started and... it's already six in the evening. Barely arrived on Monday and it's already Friday. ... and the month is already over. ... and the year is almost over. ... and already 40, 50 or 60 years of our lives have passed. ... and we realize that we lost our parents, friends. and we realize it's too late to go back... So... Let's try, despite everything, to enjoy the remaining time... Let's keep looking for activities that we like... Let's put some color in our grey... Let's smile at the little things in life that put balm in our hearts. And despite everything, we must continue to enjoy with serenity this time we have left. Let's try to eliminate the afters... I'm doing it after... I'll say after... I'll think about it after... We leave everything for later like ′′ after ′′ is ours. Because what we don't understand is that: Afterwards, the coffee gets cold... afterwards, priorities change... Afterwards, the charm is broken... afterwards, health passes... Afterwards, the kids grow up... Afterwards, parents get old... Afterwards, promises are forgotten... afterwards, the day becomes the night... afterwards, life ends... And then it's often too late.... So... Let's leave nothing for later... Because still waiting to see you later, we can lose the best moments, the best experiences, best friends, the best family... The day is today... The moment is now... We are no longer at the age where we can afford to postpone what needs to be done right away.

Seasonal Humour

 

Ice and snow

When I got up this morning it was -13.8C/5F.  We have snow and the sidewalks and the side roads appear to be icy.  I thought I would post some nice winter pictures.  They are from all over the world, but the first picture is close to where I live.  I love the White Rock pier, but I won't be walking it today.  More snow is forecast for tonight.

What bored Canadians do in winter

We've just had record cold weather. I saw these pictures and wanted to share them.  The first one could be my husband because yes he does use the snow blower in shorts but it's just too cold now so he put on sweat pants yesterday!

 

Desmond Tutu

Desmond Tutu passed away on December 26, 2021 in Cape Town, South Africa.  He was the first black African to become an Archbishop of both Johannesburg and Cape Town.  He told the world about apartheid in South Africa.  An uncompromising foe of apartheid, South Africa's brutal regime of oppression against the black majority he worked tirelessly, though non-violently for it's downfall.  In 1984 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

He had a remarkable life and lived his faith.  Rest in peace Desmond Tutu.

Christmas Day 2021

 

We followed all the COVID rules.  Only six for dinner, very close family.  I cooked the turkey, cranberry sauce and vegetables.  Cheryl made the potatoes, stuffing and pumpkin cheesecake!  It makes it so much easier when you get help.

Every year we celebrate German Christmas with Lexie as we did with Cheryl when she got a little older.  I decided this year with the snow forecast German Christmas wasn't going to happen as I don't like driving in the snow and they are coming over Christmas Day.  I decided to play a game with Lexie and I must say she really enjoyed it!

Lexie ran all over the house picking up her eight gifts and unwrapping them in the living room.  It was fun to watch and she loved all her gifts.  After dinner there was a crib tournament and Cec and Richard beat Cheryl and Lexie three games straight.  Then Lexie played Grandpa and Lexie won!  

A nice quiet COVID Christmas!

Merry Christmas

 From our house to your house, Happy Second COVID Christmas

Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge played the piano on a program broadcast on ITV last night.  I've never seen a royal perform before.  I thought this was a wonderful song and it's so nice to see Kate play the piano.  She's one class act.  

ITV Christmas Show

Holiday Eating Tips

1.   Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.   

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly, it's rare. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!   

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.   

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission. 

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?   

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.   

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.   

8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert, Labor Day?   

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.   

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by:   

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming " WOO HOO   what a ride!"   MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Car Maintenance

In the 1960's my dad said when your car has 50,000 miles (80,000 KM), get rid of it.  I went by that advice until I stopped buying American vehicles and bought Japanese cars.  We have a 2013 Honda Pilot that's now got 147,000 KM on it.  When we bought it used it had 32,000 KM.   We always use the same sales guy, Gregory, and he let us know he knew the owner of the Honda Pilot and it was traded in for a brand new Honda Pilot.  All the maintenance was done at the dealership.  

When I sold my Honda Civic privately, I gave the new owner all the maintenance records.  She knew I took good care of my car and what was done to it.  Her Honda Civic had over 300,000 KM on it and it was time to get another car.

Donna, my former neighbour and Santa letter volunteer has a 2011 Honda Pilot with 200,000 KM on it.  They are looking for a new vehicle and will purchase another Honda.  To date, they've had no major mechanical issues with their 2011.

We've got a few thousand KM's before we trade in.  I'm glad they make vehicles you can rely on for many KM's.

Beautiful Photography

Today the days start getting longer.  We have spring and summer to look forward too!  Here are some lovely pictures to cheer you up as the news lately hasn't been too good.  

#1. Every Year This Mama Duck Brings Her Babies To My House and I Help Her Take Care of Them. This Morning I Opened My Door To 13 New Peeping Fluff Balls   #2 A Beautiful Hummingbird's Nest With A Leaf Roof #3 A Friend Nursed An Injured Crow Back To Health After It Got Trapped In Her French Quarter Courtyard. These Are Some Of The Things The Crow Has Been Bringing Her As Apparent Gifts #4 This Little Dude And I Have Had Breakfast/Lunch Together Every Day For The Last 4 Weeks I Always Bring Him Something To Eat And He Just Sits Next To Me For My Entire Break At Work #5 Nice Old Next-Door Lady Left This Note At My Parents Front Door  #6 Quokkas Are The Face Of Happiness  #7 Cheeeese! # 8 Winter, when the trees are bear #9 Here’s Looking at You #11 Here’s My Favorite Picture Of Me With A Snuggly Capybara #12 The Look On That Seal's Face   #13 Let’s Take A Moment To Appreciate This Lovely Cow  #14 Auto Synchronization #15 Norwegian Police  #16 The Reason Water Wasn’t Coming Out  #17 I Post This Old Christmas Photo Because I Just Noticed My Pocket Hankie Is My Sister’s Hamster #18 I Was Photobombed By An Iguana While In Puerto Rico #20 Look, It’s Me  #21 The Way My Chameleon Hides On My Military Backpack  #22 A Very Polite Lioness. I Imagine Her Saying, "Why, Thank You For The Compliment!"   #23 Looks Like This Pigeon Has A Pretty Intense Phone Call #24 That’s A Weird Looking Bird  #25 My Sister Accidentally Caught This Pikes Peak Proposal On Camera #26 Fluffiest Cow  #27 She's Wearing Her Crown #29 They Got Photobombed By Raccoons On Their Wedding Photo Shoot