2015 COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS - WEEK TWO

Letters to the troops were sent November 10. Each year I write to our troops wherever they are serving. The Christmas lights are up outside. My two prelit Christmas trees by the front door are put on little outdoor tables to give them height. I have an ordinary display with coloured, white and blue strings of lights strung from bush to tree to tree. No awards to be won, just some Christmas colour. When they are spread out they actually give more light and seem bigger. I bought the speciality cards especially the First Christmas for new baby for our little grandson born in September. I continue to organize and shop for Christmas. I will be attending a work function dinner needing to bring a Secret Santa gift which is wrapped and ready to go. I am reorganizing some areas of the dining room and living room in preparation of decorating in a couple of weeks. I resisted the urge today to buy more Christmas decorations as I do have a closet full of Christmas stuff. I will be pulling out the Christmas paper and bags to start to wrap the out of town gifts. They need to be packed into boxes to be ready to post the end of November. Finally the photo books I made for a couple of family members came by mail from Blacks. Their stores closed but there is still a lucarative online business with some good bargains for photos, books and other goods. Organizing, organizing, sorting and continuing to shop are part of the Christmas season. Helping the community too. I attending a church bazaar and a Nursing home bazaar yesterday to give some support to their causes. Deciding which church services to attend and where there might be some beautiful Christmas music to hear over the coming weeks is important too. I will watch the Santa Claus parade from Toronto on TV later today. The parade is taped then put on TV. It actually helps those who are in the parade to see themselves. I love Christmas and have learnt to pace myself so I can enjoy all it has to offer.

129 VICTIMS 129 STORIES

When we hear the number of people who died in Paris, it means little until we put faces to the numbers. With more dying from the injuries sustained, the tragedy becomes surreal. For most of us just going about our average day can bring home the reality that no event can be safe. So deciding to live in honour of those who lost their lives is the best strategy. Each loss represents a story- a family attached to the person. A reason they were where they were Friday night. I was shopping today and thinking that my quiet mall or any one's place of shopping could become a location for tragedy. By learning about the victims they become people. To the people of Paris and France, worldwide support has given hope. Even in Toronto, the Toronto sign has been lit in the colours of the French flag. The CN Tower has the colours of the French flag. Hockey games played the French national anthem. Australia, Britain, Germany,  and many other parts of Canada have done symbolic gestures and vigils. The outpouring of support is heart warming. I saw a picture not seen by me before of Paris after September 11th- the American flag very huge in front of the Eiffel Tower. Very poignant. Countries that believe in democracy, liberty, peace are behind each other. So I will continue to hear the stories of the lives lost. It keeps it real- not just numbers.As with other tragedies like plane crashes- people, not victims lost their lives. Being vigilant but not paranoid keeps us going. In public places being aware of those around us to keep each other safe. I always watch out for little children anyway. So by keeping yourself safe, you help to keep others safe.

FRIDAY THE 13TH

It's just another day or is it. Depends on your point of view! Or suspicions! Do bad things or unusual things happen on the 13th! Quite frankly the fact it is Friday and the end of a work week works for me! I really can not remember it making a difference in my life. One nephew has a birthday  the 13th of June so sometimes it does fall on a Friday. Being a pay week it had some luck. Going to a birthday party today makes it fun for all! So how about you? Any trepidation about it being the 13th?

POSITIVE THINKING FOR A THURSDAY

Sometimes the road seems lonely. But keep going and there could be a solution around the corner!

Look across the water, to the hope of a greater life.

Wait on the bench for a friend to join!

Then burst into a sea of colour and inclusion!

WRITE THE CANADIAN TROOPS 2015

Not only attending Remembrance Day services, it is a time of year to think about our Armed Forces serving in various parts of the world and Canada. My tradition is to write a fun Christmas letter to send to the men and women serving. Since I do not know one personally it must be addressed Any Canadian Armed Forces Member. No parcels- just letters or postcards. So on red or green paper with a little Christmas sticker or two the composed one page letters are printed. Folded and addressed with some tape to keep them closed but allowing for the Belleville post office to have a peak to see it is just a letter. Addressed 17 last night so will be in the mail today. I used to send some small parcels but after September 11th it was not allowed- just notes from non-family. You can find the addresses in the National Defence website or just use the email address to send Morale Mail to the troops. Some years I may get a response from someone. I have a binder with my special letters. Maybe one day I will share some of those poignant responses. I never know if my little letter touches anyone. I hope along with school children and others the various locations fill a wall with such letters, notes and Christmas cards. So like a garden each flower adds to the overall appearance. Letting people know we are thinking of them, especially those serving away from home at Christmas is such an easy, small gesture out of the busy Christmas planning. I have been doing this since 1991!! Supporting our troops is such a Canadian thing to do, eh!

2015 COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS-WEEK ONE

It starts with the list. Usually written early in the fall or late summer. Who, what, where and why. Always looking for sales and purchases that could be used for Christmas presents. Asking for early wish lists from families so if a large purchase is necessary to look for the best buy and of course a sale. Checking out Christmas bazaars and sales at churches to help support their efforts there. What local charities may benefit from some support. Deciding who to support, where to give. Organizing the December social schedule. Well Christmas dinner is easy but the other events. What time with friends and families. Going to outside dinner or lunches or entertainment. Of course prioritizing the out of town people. I still send 3 small parcels so having their stuff bought, organized and wrapped by the end of November is a must. Yes I know a gift card stuffed in a card is easy but receiving a little parcel is fun for the recipients that will get these little gifts. No lights or decorating until after Remembrance Day in honour of our Veterans. So have you got started yet?

REMEMBRANCE SERVICE IN RICHMOND HILL ONTARIO CANADA

Although Remembrance Day is November 11, our local service is always held on the Sunday before the 11th. So I walked up to the cenotaph to participate in the ceremony.

Prayers, hymns, reading of poems and the important laying of the wreaths.

The Veterans from World War Two become fewer and fewer.

Lest we Forget flag part of any ceremony.

Even precious hand crafted by the local brownies, guides, cubs and scouts! A good turnover on a sunny November day. Here's to those currently serving, we remembered you too!