NOVEMBER WAS A BUSY MONTH

How was your November? A birthday dinner, Christmas shopping, Remembrance Day celebrations, putting up the Christmas lights, decorating the house, a parade or two and working on the normal routines at work and home made the month quite busy but productive. The arrival of December brings some relief as the bulk of Christmas preparations are done. The fresh tree will be bought in a week and the decorating will occur while watching a Christmas movie! There are are dinners and parties planned! Thank you November for getting me to a good space of being able to enjoy the festive season! Maybe I can get out and snap some much needed photos to use in my blog!!

DIETS DIETS DIETS EVERYWHERE

Everywhere we turn someone is giving us advice about a diet, a diet plan or how to lose weight. A movie star, a sports figure and even annoying work colleagues are in our face about weight. People apologize for eating a chocolate or cookie. Why? Healthy eating and exercise will work. Watch your snacks and time of day you eat. Smaller meals throughout the day. But  chocolate is a food group and actually can help your mood. For me it is the exercise piece that I want to maintain. Not for weight loss but it just makes me feel good to work my body and muscles. No big trips to the gym or a private trainer- it would be fun to have one- but making sure in my day to walk, go up stairs, do a few weights- which could include picking up the grandchildren- and some stretching. It begs the question. What is our North American obsession with our bodies and having to look young? I think Europeans have a similar obsession too! What is more important looking good or feeling good? Of course, we can try to have both! For me feeling good is the priority. It means not just a physical appearance but inside- mentally and spiritually! No matter what I do I will not look 25 or 35 or even 45 again. Do I have to look younger or can I honestly be proud and happy to reach my age and well feel good about me? To enjoy a big meal with friends  in the holiday season is a must. Watching the calories- yes is important! But honestly- life is too short not to indulge occassionally! How do you feel about you? Are you becoming too obsessed with your weight? Do you want to be a little slimmer? Moderation is the key. Healthy living! But happy living is more important! Let us eat cake!

DO YOU LIVE A FRUITFUL LIFE?

Is your life full of activities that bring meaning to you? Is there variety? Do you muddle through your day or do you have a purpose to it? Do you wake up with joy or is it a drag? Do you go to sleep at night wondering what's it all about? Like the movie- What's it all about Alfie? If you were to arrange a fruit platter showing your life, what would it look like?

NANA SAYS PARENT-TEACHER INTERVIEWS CAN BE POSITIVE

When our little children go to school, there is the anxiety of wondering if the child will be a good student, a well behaved student or the class trouble maker. There is always a relief for most parents that their child is doing okay. Of course there are some parents that are disappointed their children have not been recommended for Harvard or Oxford at age 4. What my little genius is just doing okay? Academics and social development are both important. The solid B student can still grow up to have a fine life. If a child is struggling in a subject, there is an opportunity to work positively on the knowledge needed for that subject at home and school. At the parent-teacher interview there can be a positive diaglogue about your child- strengths and weaknesses- areas to improve. Believe or not your perfect little boy or girl can be normal! Yes and can work on some areas of improvement! Just like the real world! Your first job- a boss will point out your areas for improvement! Creating a good relationship between home and school is vital for the family daily routines. School phobias are not pretty! So a child that likes the teacher, the school, the friends- well is more important than A plusses! A parent's relationship with the teacher goes a long way! If there is a challenge on a matter, for example, approach the teacher with the facts, be positive and respectful. Don't start a dialogue with- "the problem with education today"! Your discussion should focus on your child and the situation that brings you to the table. Remember one half of all education belongs to the home! There need to be opportunities to read, learn math, new skills and exercise as well as having fun! The teacher is your partner- not the one to do the parenting- that is your job! So at your parent-teacher interviews- be a partner!

SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN

Four weeks to Christmas and the local parades are in full swing. Attending the one in Richmond Hill last Sunday saw the big guy arriving to cheers and waves of the crowd.

Mrs. Claus decided to come with him too. He was headed to the local Mall where he will receive the children and any adults that will let him know what they want for Christmas. Yes, 4 weeks to the big day! How are your Christmas plans going? Are you having your own parade in your community? Do you have a local toy drive?

WASN'T THAT A PARTY!

After Black Friday shopping, a local Santa Claus parade and the Argonauts win at Grey Cup, it was a party weekend. People had a good time- no injuries! After the party it is time to get back to the normal daily routines and a Monday morning. An anniversary of any event brings memories and reflections to those involved. So 100 years ago a Toronto team won the Grey Cup and ironically a Toronto team won it again! For me it was not about the winning but people coming from all over Canada to have a party! Celebrating in good spirit with rivalries but respect and all in good fun! Makes us proud to be Canadian that we can respect our differences and love each other anyway!

A POSTCARD FROM THE GREY CUP

If anyone has a postcard from the Grey Cup try to send one to me! I am sure in a history of over 100 years there would be a few postcards of the event occurring in the Canadian Footbal League. Each city from Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Winnipeg, Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa and to Montreal have had a turn at winning the Cup. Have those cities made postcards of their wins?