NOVEMBER ENDING-BRACE YOURSELF FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

With lots of Christmas preparations done, the real festive season begins. The lighting of famous trees in town squares- like the Rockefeller tree in New York. Eaton Centre in Toronto has a big tree for photo ops. So get out and see the colours. Reach out to others. Phone, Write. Get in the mood. Support your local churches with attendance, going to their fund raising events or just remember the reason for the season. The sweet new children's film The Star is worth attending. For me to finish the decorating of the house. Not putting everything out as trying to reduce my workload! But the house is festive enough.
#Christmas#moviethestar#festiveseason#December#church#fundraising#newyork#eatoncentre#Toronto#Canada

A BIRTHDAY AMIDST THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

My daughter celebrates her birthday today. It was always my norm not to decorate the house until it was celebrated. I never wanted to undermine her birthday. Although she has been out of the home for years now, I still like to honour her special event.
So in your life, do you try not to overshadow someone else's good time or celebration. Have you been excited about something and someone needs to one up you with their event or story!
Letting each person shine and give them their 15 minutes of fame is important. It is how friendships are made.
So to my daughter it is your day. For the Mom always a special memory. I gave birth to you. Every Mom remembering their birthing experiences.
#birthday#christmas#birthexperience#celebration#specialday#friendships#seasonalfun#birthdaycake

CYBER MONDAY, BLACK FRIDAY, EARLY SALES-WOW CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Shopping for Christmas has become the meaning of the season. But is it really. Buying gifts for loved ones, friends and colleagues does not have to be a tedious bore. With online shopping and delivery to your door. Early openings of stores to get in and out quickly. Gift cards galore sold everywhere are always easy gifts.
For those of us that like to get people, especially the little kids something they like then more thought can be given.
For me I like to get shopping out of the way so the real meaning of the season can be enjoyed. The music- especially the Carols, the movies, time spent with family and friends. Fitting in time to support the local churches and their Christmas bazaars too is important.
My cards are written and being sent today. I know it is early but someone has to be the one to have the cards arrive early. My two large packages and one little one will be sent from the Post Office today.

There will time to try to visit some Christmas events and places. Even the store windows are so beautifully decorated and need to be appreciated. Meanwhile, finish that Christmas shopping.
#Christmasshopping#Blackfoot#cybermonday#presents#friends#meaningofChristmas#gifts#events#storewindows#Christmascards#music#churches#bazaars

4 WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS

The 25th of November. In another month the big 25th will be here. So the outside lights are done. My artificial tree is up in the family room. Yes to save a layer of work for me I succumbed to an artificial one. Easy- 3 pieces put together and connecting the white lights. Put in some strings of coloured ones. A little skinny but I will become accustomed to it.
Big cash in day at Shoppers Drug Mart. $170.-00 worth of free stuff so all the little gifts for colleagues, service people and misc are done. My girls and families are the beneficiary of some items too.
So the Santa's workshop in my bedroom is becoming more presentable for me. Lots of presents wrapped.
I will mail off the cards and packages ready now for 2 weeks.
Less social events this year so will focus on what I can do for me.
One outing with my blogger daughter planned to the Distillery District in December. Other than Christmas dinner no parties or get togethers at my house. So lots of Christmas music and movies will be in the works. Maybe some grandchildren sleepovers will be in the works.
Little by little the season is pulling together. After my oldest daughter's little birthday celebration the other decorations will be pulled out for the season.
Christmas is fun but lots of work too. Maybe I am getting too old for this stuff.
#Christmas#Christmasshopping#ShoppersDrugMart#presents#artificialChristmastree#presents#SantaClaus#parties#socialevents#DistilleryDistrict#Christmasdinner##family

AND THE GILLER PRIZE WINNER IS....

The Canadian book writers, the publishers and the reading public. Being on the shortlist is huge for all the authors. As a  Canadian reader, I have bought the short wait list books for the last several years. Honestly I try to read them all throughout the year. Sometimes they become my summer reading. Buying and promoting Canadian books one purchase at a time is good for the authors and the country.
Oh yeah, the winner this year is Michael Redhill- Bellevue Square. Try to check it out and the other books.
#gillerprize#mindsofwinter#intransit#IamaTruck#shortlist#reading#Canadian#Bellevuesquare#sonofatrickster#publishers

5 WEEKS OR LESS TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS

Lights dragged up and ready to string outside. Wrapped some of the misc Christmas presents. The out of town parcels are almost finished. One or two little things to add. Waiting for the lists from my girls for the grandkids. But some items were bought a long time ago and part of the 150 celebrations for Canada. Plugging away at Christmas preparations slowly. Some big items are out but waiting until the end of November to do home decorating. This year probably just the big items. Little hands like to rearrange everything so things they can touch.
Social events are minimal this year. Not going to the company dinner/dance. A local club is not having a Christmas event. One outing planned with one of the daughters.
I was able to watch the Toronto Santa Claus parade on TV Sunday November 19 with the grandchildren. A Toronto tradition. Bright and colourful. They liked the floats and some of the marching bands coming from many other locations. The Western Marching Band was a reminder their parents went to Western.
I am glad I go about the preparations slowly. The energy level for running around is just not there anymore. How are your preparations going?
#Chirstmaspreparations#TorontoSantaClausParade#gifts#decorations#daughters#grandchildren#energylevel#gifts

6 WEEEKS OR LESS TO CHRISTMAS- A COUNTDOWN

Okay. I am a Christmas groupie. I like to start early. Make a list in August. Buy little sale items year round. I learnt from my mother who had to buy for lots of people.
My List is smaller. Mostly big stuff for kids and grandkids. Little items for others like work colleagues, thank yous to service people. Of course my husband says don't buy him anything. Not happening. Already purchased a ugly Christmas sweatshirt for him.
So everyone has their own system. I like to get the cards, packages ready to be mailed end of November. So they are done and waiting for the date to be sent.
Due to reducing my work load, I actually bought an artificial tree this year. Hard on me to do it alone to buying a fresh tree and bring home and put it up. I bought a nice planter with real branches for outside. If I need the smell of evergreen trees I can cut some branches from my own trees throughout my property.
So week 6 or actually 5 1/2 is coming along nicely. Lots of little things bought. The girls are coming up with their lists for their families.
My outdoor lights will go up within the next week. I like to wait until after Remembrance Day to do that one. However with some babysitting, the lights are delayed a little. Besides. get real. My display is quite simple- little Christmas trees by the door, some strings flung along branches and some candy can lights hanging. Voila! No awards or neighbours stopping to gawk at my display.
I will decorate with only big items in the house. Little grandchildren like to touch everything. So no breakables and touchable items. If I want them to enjoy my home, I must make it enjoyable!

How are your Christmas plans going?
#Christmas#countdown#shopping#artificialtree#outdoorplanter#outdoorlights#family#Christmascards

NANA SAYS HOW TO SUPPORT FRIENDS WITH A SICK CHILD

Every parent's worse nightmare is to have a critical diagnosis for his or her child. Doctors, appointments and in the GTA- Hospital for Sick Children.
If other children, the disruption in normal family life. So what can you do as a friend.
Be a listening ear. If older children have lessons or sports, be available with car pooling if possible. have those children for a play date or even a sleepover. Of course, giving a meal. I know there is takeout, order online etc. But sometimes just a ready made hot or cold meal good to go works too. Or an invite to your home for a night of companionship.
Also take a check of your feelings. Sometimes wanting to avoid those parents, can be part of the picture. Too close to home. It is not catching.
Also if you have information then share it.
For parents of critically ill children, Employment Insurance has the PCIC- Parents of Critical Ill Child benefit. It is normal EI but does give some income if parents need to be away from work.
Compassionate Care Benefit for up to 26 weeks for family members could be used as well. The same EI but some income.
Know the laws around absence from work and guarantee of the job for parents.
Any family member being ill takes a toll on everyone but children are too close to our hearts. As a trained and experienced Social Worker if you have private questions or want to share information please do. Parents need lots of support. This is a huge topic so I will revisit as more concerns come my way.
#children#illness#hosptitalforsickchildren#helping#sharing#familylife#compassionatecarebenefits#pcicbenefit#parents

5 REASONS TO HAVE A SENSE OF HUMOUR

1. Life dishes us lots of stuff so finding humour everywhere helps to get us through the day.

2. Sick and dying people can use a good joke or story with some levity.

3. Laughing brings out the tension in the body and helps with chemical release of toxins. So laugh.

4. Humour lets us stop from hurting others. For example, little kids can make messes and do things that drive us crazy. But taking a step back and seeing the joy in the moment with the ability to laugh is good for all. Some of the things kids do are really funny!

5. People that have a sense of humour, not negative sarcasm however, are a lot easier to be around. Humour can help keep us happy. Find happy moments. Even laugh at ourselves.

So it's okay to horse around! Get going! Have some fun!
#fun#senseofhumour#jokes#funnystories#stayingsane#children#happiness

OH THAT EXPRESSION- GET STUFFED

The English language can be very flat or very colourful. Without the use of swear words, one can tell someone to leave them alone. Go away. Or just get stuffed!
The question is- stuffed with what. We Canadians love our stuffed turkey. We love some pastries stuffed with cream. A good donut for example. A Boston Cream. Although, Boston is an American city! Or a cream puff!
I guess stuffing keeps one's mouth shut. So not wanting to hear what someone is pontificating, the expression keeps them away.
So do you have your own way of telling someone to stop talking?
#getstuffed#expressions#Englishlanguage#Canadian

REMEMBERING THE CANADIANS AT THE BATTLE OF PASSCHENDAELE

November 10 1917 saw a tremendous battle in Belgium during the First World War. Canadain at Passchendaele. Paul Gross produced a movie about this significant event in Canadian history. 12000 war dead are buried nearby. It is close to the location where McCrae wrote the poem- In Flanders Field. Today in Belgium dignitaries, citizens and many Canadian citizens and Veterans are attending services there. Remembering all that has been done for us brings home today's realities. The descendants of the brave men who fought can take pride in knowing their family history.
#worldwarone#Passchendaele#soldiers#Canada#Belgium#Flandersfield#bravery#wardead#cemeteries#people

NANA SAYS HOW TO DEAL WITH NEGATIVE PRETEEN AND TEEN ATTITUDE

Doing your best as a parent and greeted with grunts, negative facial expressions and "I hate you" wears thin for the best of parents.
It is bad enough to have sibling fighting in the home.
With busy work schedules and demands on families it is important to try to find some quality time amongst all the angst.
I remember the teen years- horrible. So much wasted time with so much negativity. So is it just a rite of passage.
One technique that works is creative ignoring. If you greet your child every day with a Good Morning and get a grunt or nothing. Then stop. Ignore the child.
Write out the rules. Write out the chores. If the child starts to argue point to the written.
Trust me eventually the child will need to talk.
The gadgets. Yes it is okay to have limits on the use. Not in bed. Not after a certain hour at night. Yes as the parent you can put controls.
Let your children know you love them. And yes you are the parent. It is your job to set limits, rules, keep your children safe, feed them, clothe them and you do love them.
When my children questioned my rules, I simply said. When I was a child, I had to put up with my parents' rules. Now I am the parent so it is my turn to make the rules. One day you will be the parent and it will be your turn.
Catch them being good and praise. Hugs, Kisses. Smiles- even when you want to grit your teeth.
If your children are out of control, rein them in. Set clear consistent boundaries. You are a parent, not your child's best friend. If it is done with love, need for safety, peace in the family, you can not go wrong. As a surviving parent of preteens and teenagers, they come back to you. Love prevails.

WAR CEMETERIES- REFLECTIONS OF A VISIT TO CASSINO ITALY

Visiting a war cemetery can be very poignant. Starting in Sicily in September 1943, the Allied Forces began their campaign to liberate Italy. Some of the most aggressive major battles occurred in the Cassino area to try to take Monte Cassino. The spring of 1944 and especially May was significant. My husband comes from this area. His mother often told stories of this time and how scary it was. The town of Cassino was completely demolished, needing to be rebuilt after the war. So it was important to visit this very large cemetery in the region.

Near the town is the British Commonwealth Cemetery. Called the English cemetery as there are Polish and German ones in the area.

There are many graves and also names of those without graves.

For me that visit in August 1991 brought home the realization of the sacrifice of life.

More than 40% are Canadian. So going up and down the rows to honour my fallen Canadians was a memorable event in my life.

All areas of Canada represented.

Notice the Maple Leaves.

Each grave beautifully kept by the local community.

Monte Cassino Monastery visible in the background.

The name Parks. No relation to us.

Young men.

Significant writing on the entrance.

A place to stop and reflect and honour.

Another view.
By visiting a war cemetery, it reminds all of us to remember. For those with people in the Polish or German cemetery, I do have some pictures I could scan and send you.
Email me at abdm@rogers.com.
Photos- copyright 2017- by Barbara.
#Cassino#Italy#Canadian#BritishCommonwealthCemetery#Italiancampaign#MonteCassino#WorldWarTwo#graves#Canada#AlliedForces#reflections#remembrance#1944#May1944#Remembrance's

FIVE REASONS TO WEAR YOUR POPPY

Leading up to Remembrance Day, the red poppies come out. So why wear one.

1. A reminder of the  John McCrae poem- in Flanders Fields the poppies blow. A Canadian serving in World War One, he wrote it May 3, 1915. He died in the war but his poem has lived in the hearts of this country.

2. The red poppy can be seen from a distance. Look at a crowd wearing them. Red matches all colours.

3. A simple way to stop and reflect on past, present and the future military campaigns.

4. The money raised supports the Legions and Veterans.

5. We honour our own family members that served. We honour others who served. We honour those that are serving our country now.

Remembering military and peacekeeping missions does not mean that anyone condones conflicts. But in order to have a peaceful nation it is important to remember, honour and work towards solutions for a peaceful world.

So wear the poppy for whatever reason that has meaning to you!
#johnmcrae#redpoppy#remembranceday#november11th#canadians#canada#legions#reflection#familymembers#peacekeepingmissions#flandersfields

REMEBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES

November 11th falls on a Saturday. In our town there is always a Remembrance Day celebration the Sunday before the real day. So November 5, a little early will be the day we will honour our past and currently serving Armed Forces. I have been going to the local one for many years now. Rain, cold and nice days. Does not matter I am there. So are you going to your local ceremonies for our troops?

Will you have your special wreath for a family member or local group? The wreaths make such a lovely display.

NOVEMBER-THE MONTH TO ORGANIZE FOR THE FESTIVE SEASON

Planning. Organizing. Doing. November marks the beginning or the ongoing process of Christmas readiness. When are the local parades? What people to shop for presents? Many women do this year round. Finding sales and good buys. Market trips may find some fun items for family and friends. Regular themes- like Olympic Mitts, new books, special entertainment outings- those tickets for the New Year.
So what has this Senior done. Written my letters to the troops and printed them. Written my family Christmas newsletter. My Christmas duo tang folder has been organized since August!
In all fairness, this has been  my routine for the last several decades.
When my children were little and I missed getting them that special Christmas gift because I left it too late it was a wake up call to start early. Instead of Strawberry Shortcake I had to settle for Blueberry Muffin doll. So I learned to get their ideas early. Now it is not a problem because I am just Nana so not responsible for the important gifts.
However, I enjoy the connection with family and friends far and wide.
I will be posting my organizational tips and projects completed for this year's season.
Hope you will enjoy them and share your ideas with me too!

If lucky a little Elf to help!
#organization#festiveseason#planning#regularthemes#parades#familyfun#correspondence#Christmas#Christmasgifts#SantaClaus#Senior#lists#organizationalbinder

NOVEMBER BRINGS CHANGE AND REMEMBRANCE

The time changes back! The days are shorter! In some parts of the country snow has arrived. It is the busy month before the festive season. Organizing and getting stuff done let's Christmas be more enjoyable.
It is also the month of Remembrance. Wear your poppy with hope and gratitude for all this country offers!
Planting those spring bulbs! Never too late to finish the garden cleanup! 5 more Mondays of yard waste collection.
Those Santa Claus parades start to happen in many communities.
In our family, birthdays make it joyous. A daughter, a grandchild and a brother! Lots of time for celebrations.

Soon all the trees will be bare. So the brown on brown is not too appealing. Oh November! A short month but a fun one.
#november#christmaspreparations#birthdays#familybirthdays#festiveseason#santaclausparades#Remembrance#RemembranceDay#gratitude#fun#organization#gardencleanup