JUST TWO WEEKS TO GO TO CHRISTMAS

The panic is in the air. If shopping is not started, people are worried how will it be done. Houses decorated, lights up, presents needing wrapping and social functions in full swing make the season busy. Slow down and write a list, prioritize and use modern methods. Gift wrapping for example can be done at the store or at a mall booth where for a nominal fee someone else does it for you. Gift bags and tissue or just decorative gift boxes make it easy and inexpensive. Buy the significant items for the holiday meals- once the turkey, ham or roast is bought- the rest of the meal falls into place. Homemade baking is good but remember there are many bake shops and sections of the supermarkets just waiting for your businsess. Many families share the load with everyone bringing a dish to holiday meals. Who invented gift baskets? They are a treat and a great help to last minute shoppers. A beautiful flower arrangement is a welcome addition to anyone's home. If Christmas is about family, slow down to enjoy the family. Slow down and enjoy your friends and work colleagues. So take your finger off the panic button! It's okay all will be done!

And the mess will be put away in time!

A POSTCARD FROM JAPAN

Another earthquake in Japan made me think of the people there. So I hunted to determine if I had any postcards from there

The postcard was sent to my parents from their friends Mike and Arleen Furgala.
"Oct 29/81- Hi Dear "Parks", There we go "low-flying" to Kyoto & Nara. Japan is beautiful colours and people but oh, so busy. Enjoying the adventure of "Interline tour". Keep well, Love, Mike and Arleen" The postcard features the Bullet Trains at Tokyo Central Railroad.
Mike was a captain with Air Canada like Dad. He and his wife Arleen were dear friends of the family. They travelled more than my folks. Arleen, unlike Mom, liked to fly!
If you want a postcard featured here, email me at abdm@rogers.com so I can send you my address so you can send me a postcard.

LET THE CHRISTMAS PARTIES BEGIN

December is in full swing with the last minute preparations for the festivities. Work dinner/dance tonight and a work pot luck next week are some of the fun things for me and my group of acquaintances. It is fun to belong to social situations. The year I was laid off, it was difficult not to be part of such events. So look around you, are there people that could be added to your functions. Someone who could benefit from a social gathering. If you have a Christmas open house, could you add one more person? Even though many people complain there is too much to do and too many events, there is an undercurrent of real enjoyment and belonging when invited. If taken away, there is an emptiness. Adding people to events, does fill up the room and give some real social time to those people. Quieter family Christmas Eve and Christmas dinners may be your choice too. After the buzz of the season it is comforting to look forward to some quality family time with smaller gatherings. There are so many plays and concerts too that can bring a lonely person to a social gathering. Buy a ticket for one and go join in the fun. Of course, the church doors are open everywhere. We all know that the great bakers will bring their goods to Church socials, dinners and pot lucks. Parties and fun, joining others in celebration are some of the Christian values of reaching out to others! Worship with others could not be more Christian and the real meaning of the season!

NANA SAYS CHILDREN KEEP US YOUNG AT CHRISTMAS

As we age the magic of Christmas fades and becomes a series of tasks to be done. Then little children come along and remind us of the magic. Visiting the Christmas story of Jesus in the manger and providing a creche to act out the story helps with the process. Decorating with items that can be touched and enjoyed give children and grandparents a chance to share some moments together. While babysitting two of my grandsons after work, we were turning on the musical ornaments, playing with the Hallmark snowman items, and building a huge tower with some decorative Christmas boxes while waiting for "Mommy" to pick them up. Letting little children direct their play can be fun. Having some Christmas hats to wear rounded out the play. In the "hustle and bustle" of the season, find moments just to slow down and enjoy the little children in your life. Watching my grandsons running around with the hats- bought at the Dollar store- well for a dollar was enjoyable. Since parents are busy with work, shopping and creating those Santa moments, grandparents can create some good memories for their family members. A reminder that many Christmas decorations that can be broken are left in boxes in the closet to be put out when the grandchildren are older. I love my home to be fun so I have the items that can be touched out on tables. The next visit may include some spontaneous craft moments with the older granddaughter when she comes. There is so much pressure for parents this time of year with the constant reminders for children to be good - Santa is watching! So children and grandparents together can be the relief needed. Besides as grandparents, aren't we all just little children at heart anyway!!

SANTA IS EVERYWHERE!

Santa is very busy this time of year. With parades and pictures with young children along with answering all those letters, no wonder he turns to food to keep sane. Are you a Santa helper? Are you the one in your family that keeps on giving? Do you make sure your loved ones have a good Christmas? Do you take joy in the wonders of the season? Or are you Scrooge with the bah humbug? Watch out because your family Santa is watching and might just bring some cheer into your life! Oh Christmas! The season! Like the real Santa with the big belly, have a chocolate or two to keep going! 

RESILIENCE-CAN YOU BOUNCE BACK?

Life has its twists and turns; its ups and downs; its good time and bad times- the list could go on! Resilience allows us to bounce back and take whatever life can deal us! I have learnt to have a backup plan. I usually ask myself- what is the worst thing that could happen in this situation- what do I do? What is the second worst thing- what do I do? How can I be proactive so the worst does not happen? If it does, can I get through it? As we all age, we have coped and dealt with many misfortunes. Believe it or not the skin has become tougher so there are skills and abilities that help us get to the end of the tunnel! It does not mean there is no pain, no anxiety, no depression and sometimes lots of crying! Even- the why me? Remember life is not fair! Some people honestly do not deal with the same issues as others. Some get all aces while others get all 2s in the deck of life! It is what is done with the cards and how we play them! Resilience! Resilient! Are these words in your consciousness? Can you reflect on your life realizing- yes, I am resilient! I have made it through many tough times!

A POSTCARD FROM CASA LOMA TORONTO ONTARIO CANADA

A visit to Toronto often includes a trip to see Casa Loma.

It sits on a hill close to downtown Toronto. Built in 1911-1914 by Sir Henry Pellat who was an eccentric, wealthy man. He and his wife- Lady Pellat lived there brom 1913 to 1923 but the cost of the place became unbearable for them. The "castle" has a secret staircase and an underground tunnel to the stable  over a block away.

There are 98 rooms, 5 different architectural styles and a view of the city from the 300 foot tower. Top left, the billard room was a popular place after dinner.  Top right- features a view of the stables used for the horses of the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada. My favourite is the bottom right- the Conservatory.You can see the outside from the full view of Casa Loma in the top postcard section. It is that rectangle part that sticks out from the main floor. What a sun room full of plants! Wouldn't any modern huge millionaire's home envy this feature? Bottom right- the Oak room wich was Sir Henry's drawing room. The panels were completed by artisans in England then shipped to Canada.
When Sir Henry and his wife could no longer afford to live there, the City took it over. Now Tourists roam on guided tours through the castle. There are many social events held there such as weddings and other fund raising functions. Once easy to book, it now has its own modern price tag. My first Prom, Grade 11 in 1967, was held there at a minimal cost. I am certain most High Schools today can no longer afford to book such an extravagant place. I visited it several times as a child in Toronto. I have photos of my girls taken on one of those summer day trip jaunts. Of course a photo of them in the Conservatory is included! The grounds are beautiful too. Flowers, bushes and trees abound! With all the modern glass towers, this whimsical site takes us to another time! If you come to Toronto, be sure to put it on your list of places to visit!
If you want a postcard featured here, email at abdm@rogers.com and I will send you my address so you can send me a postcard.