Scenes from the Mall

Christmas is just over a month away. And a visit to the mall confirmed it! Special deals, Christmas glitter and the festive music of the season assault the senses the minute you step through the entrance. But for now it's all new and I am not yet season-weary, so I happily soaked it all in. Like most, Christmas is a special time of year, laden with rich memories.

In the US I think Thanksgiving kicks off the Christmas season ... but for me, I start gearing up after my eldest daughter's birthday. That birthday is tomorrow. Another reason to celebrate; another reason for a famjam; and another blessing to count.

Couldn't help but smile at the display of retro products - had to snap a shot to share.

A Gift For Me

Last year around this time, I made a commitment to myself and my blogging; I gave myself the challenge and the luxury of writing every day -- to seek the gifts and the "take aways" from each day lived. Ever since I was a child I kept a journal, but my entries were sporadic and although writing was always my creative outlet, it was the first thing that got pushed aside when I got busy or distracted.

I wanted to see what would be revealed if I made myself available for writing each and every day. A year later, I feel satisfied with my efforts, the joy that has been expressed, and the fulfillment I have experienced. This is a gift I gave myself.

I recently gave myself another gift ... a return to reading. And I am loving it. Last Christmas I was given a stack of favourite reads and months had gone by without me making so much as a dent in them. Next to writing, reading is one of my favourite things to do ... and I realized that unless I built it into my daily routine, it wasn't going to happen. Simple as that!

So after finishing A Thousand Splendid Suns (simply wonderful), I delved right into Say You're One of Them. I am only half way through the book, but I am enjoying it so much that I don't think I want it to end.

I am learning how to give myself the luxury of guilt free time to do things that are important to me.
Gift in aging: free to be! Life is good.

Day of Remembrance

My office shuts down on Remembrance Day, so I used my time off the way it was intended ... I went to the  ceremonies at the town square where the cenotaph stands. As I looked for a parking spot, I could hear the faint strains of bagpipe music. I fell into line with the masses who seem to be coming out of nowhere -- all heading for the square. I could feel my throat tightening and emotion starting to well with every step that took me closer. The first sighting of the wizened, craggy face of a veteran, standing slightly hunched - proudlly at attention, white gloved hand on the staff of the standard he bore ... tears released. It's the faces. They are faces of survivors, men and women who have born witness to unspeakable horrors, and suffered great losses.

The parade of military, Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and local police, firemen and Scottish Regiments that solemnly marched behind the piper painted a colourful canvas that completely overwhelmed me. People dabbed their eyes with tissue as they passed. Collective reverance and respect -- and gratitude. It doesn't happen often enough. But today we stood still and silent as a community and refllected. I thought of the men and women who spent years in trenches, water up to their knees, who faced their "enemy" in hand to hand combat. I reflected on the waste and pain of war -- and how soldiers are called into service in our country to keep peace and help rebuild nations. I thought of wars being fought at this very second around the planet and of people who cannot lay their heads down at night without fear.

I bowed my head in silent prayer and respect. No matter how we may feel about war and the politics that go with it, we have to remember that it is our brothers and sisters (and their families) who carry the torch and bear the burden of service.

And today, my beloved maple leaf flew at half mast, her brilliant crimson cutting the gray of the day -- and she was as glorious as ever.

Je me souviens.

Sacrifices Remembered

we remember

View from the Cube

We thought we could smell something burning - wires or something - and when I called reception to see if anyone else was complaining, I was told that a house near our office was on fire. I pulled my blinds open - I usually keep them down to block the view of the alley and parking garage (and the visitors that go along with it). I had a prime view of the burning roof right from my cube. It was fascinating to watch the firefighters in action. Good news was no one was hurt.

Some days, the view from the cube is more interesting than others - and today the view was interesting ...

Booty Boost

First there was the Bump-it to boost flat hair. And of course there is the push up bra to collect any bits of flesh on our front and redirect it to our chest in the  offchance that we want cleavage. Now there is the booty-pop to plump and enhance our backside. For the record - I am not in need of any of the above ... (almost wish I was). We had a giggle over the latest craze in my office and my colleagure graciously offered to model the Pepto Bismol pink panties.

Honestly, if there is any value in these gadgets, it's the laugh factor. We split a gut over these things. Can you believe that someone would actually buy them? I suggested to my petite little friend (shown in these photos) that perhaps the boot-pop would come in handy in her roller derby practices. Good way to cushion a fall.

A few months back I wrote a post on the Bump-it hair accessory ... a whimsical little ditty on a trivial little product. It is my most viewed post ever. Go figure.

Bump it up! Boost your Booty! It sounds like a rally cheer. I'm not sure if your hair will be fuller or if your booty will look boosted. But I guarantee that they will make you smile. And we can always use a smile.

Sunny Sunday

Today was an absolute gift! The sky was deep sea blue - perfectly clear and sunny and it was so warm that we didn't need a jacket. Fritz wanted to rack up steps on the pedometer so he convinced me to take him for an extra long walk. The neighbours were all outside raking their leaves and pushing them to the curb for pick up by the vaccuum trucks that drive by and suck them up with oversized hoses. Our town is very progressive on the environmental front with green bins, pesticide bans, and no bagging bylaws for grass and leaves. The result is huge mounds of dried leaves lining the streets.

It seemed everyone wanted to be in the warm autumn air; to take advantage of this brief reprieve from the onset of winter - possibly the last blast of warmth and sun. Fritz and I loved the sunny Sunday delivered to us. Like I said - it was a gift - one that was appreciated fully. Thank you!