Multi-tasking at its Finest (and Funest)!

Adriana comes back from Mexico tonight a little after midnight! Hurray!
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But eek! What an time to arrive, especially with an hour and a half drive to get home. But, we take what we can get.
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So, being the economical gal that I am, I decided that we simply could not waste a trip to the airport without taking that short detour into Bayer's Lake. And if that just happens to be where Value Village is, well all the better!
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The first stop will be at Chapters Book Store. The book I'm currently reading, "People of the Book" by Geraldine Brooks has been a great read so far. But Thursday night, I got to page 258 when suddenly the next page was 195 - all over again! And this continued up to page 258 again when suddenly the next page was 323. All of those pages were missing! What a disappointment. But Chapters quite readily agreed to replace the book.

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Our next stop will be, of course, Value Village. There's nothing I need (except for a chair for my vanity table). But who knows what treasures are just waiting anxiously for me there! It would be cruel to disappoint them!
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If there's time, I'll do a quick Home Sense trip (making sure my purse is full of napkins to keep from drooling on the floor).
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Then, in spite of the fact that Nadine and I saw Avatar last weekend AND she saw it again last night, we were told by her father that we MUST see it at the IMAX in 3D. (And we all know that a daughter MUST obey her father!) And the closest IMAX to us just happens to be at Bayer's Lake. So, off we eagerly go to see this wonderful movie again.*
We'll still have lots of time after the movie to make the short 1/2 hour drive to the airport where we'll very eagerly wait for Adriana. The weather forecast is good; and with a cup of java, I should be able to stay awake for the drive home ..... and quite possibly for the next 2 nights!!! I have a slight sensitivity to caffine!!
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But what a wonderfully, efficient use of what could have been a boring trip to the airport, huh!
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Ahhh! Sometimes I have a brilliant mind!

(And a soon-to-be slightly overextended monthly budget!)

Are you a magazineaholic as well?

Pat at Gypsy Heart (http://gypsyheartandsoul.blogspot.com/) recently asked that question on her blog. And very quickly, I was able to say "Yes! I am a magazineaholic like you, Pat."
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But then I began thinking about the magazines I have at home. And then I walked around and looked at the magazines I have at home. And then I realized -- I have A LOT of magazines! Have a look:
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This stack has been sorted into types and categories and once lived happily on a bookshelf (waiting for some magazine organizers to be found at Value Village or Frenchies). But the bookshelf got moved; and here they sit in the corner of my bedroom.
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This is my latest stack of magazines; and they sit under my bedside table, ready to be read and sorted (keep, toss, pages or articles torn out, etc).


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This lovely magazine tote contains an assortment of magazines that were gathered from various locations around the house. They've been read through once -- I think!! But they need to be sorted as well.
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And this is the "bathroom" selection (which I'm sure everyone has, right?).*
I don't spend a lot of money on magazines. Other than a subscription to Canadian Gardening, all the others are used -- bought for between 5 cents and $1 at thrift stores and yard sales. That's good, huh?
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And I have wonderful plans for the magazines. And that's good, huh?
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But I feel a little embarassed about ALL those stacks of magazines. Because I didn't have stacks 3 years ago when I moved here. And I haven't done much over the past 3 years to "sort" this motley bunch.
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But that's gonna change, bloggies! It's going on the:

"2010 Doris the Great To-Do List"

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You remember I had one of those lists last summer: the one with 20 or so listed To-Do items; the same one that had 15 or 16 items still "undone"at the end of the summer. You remember that one, don't you?
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But I'm really hopeful for this task. You see, I've already got the prototypes for my action plan. Lookie here!
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These are some of the magazine organization boxes I previously purchased from Value Village and Frenchies. Impressive, huh!*
And you remember those 2 Christmas binders I showed you in November. (And you all raved about them and thought I was all organized and neat and everything! Had you guys fooled!) Well, here are some of my other binders:*
I have a great Health binder full of wonderful tips for health and beauty. Ain't it pretty? And don't it look creative? (This is the not so pretty side of me snivelling and trying to convince you that I'm really not as pathetic as I sound right now!)*
I also have a "Laughter and Fun" binder; and I have an "Encouragement and Inspiration" binder; and I have 4 different recipe binders. Why, I guess you could say that I'm plum "chuck-full-o-binders and idears"!!
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I do believe there's hope for me, bloggies! And if any of you out there share my problem, I believe there's hope for some of you as well! (But I believe that you have to 'fess up first and join me in detention hall! It's only fair ... and misery loves company!)
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So, it's onward and upward for this little gal. Organization will be my middle name from now on! (Well, actually it won't actually be in the middle 'cause I already have one of those! Unless you include my married name along with my maiden name -- then Organization will be my middle name!)
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I'm determined to succeed at this. I will set a good example for my fellow bloggers and my children.................
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Because look what I found in a corner of my daughter Libby's room!

New Year's Reflections

A couple of days ago, I came across a post from Kate at Chronicles of a Country Girl (http://chroniclesofacountrygirl.blogspot.com/).

I liked her post a lot, and I liked the questions she posed and the things they made me think of. So today, I'm going to share my answers to those questions with you:
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1. Because it’s the near year, what’s something that’s better after the newness has worn off?

Flannel sheet or pyjamas. They have that stiff, starchy feeling before they're washed the first time; then they take on a lovely, comfy softness.

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2. What dish do you always go back to get seconds (even when you know you shouldn’t)? Easy one - homemade macarroni and cheese. I seldom make it (because of its dangerous appeal and magical weight gaining qualities!). But I made some at the end of November and I still think about it --- and that's kinda weird and sick and scares me somewhat!

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3. In 2009, who made you laugh the most? My good friend Eva makes me smile a lot. And there were one or two blogs that I always looked forward to reading because they never failed to crack me up:

- http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/

- http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/

- http://www.postcardsfromyomomma.com/

- and Lynn at For Love or Funny is usually great fun and much funny! http://forloveorfunny.blogspot.com/.

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4. What is one healthy food you really, really like? I love salads, especially Greek with black olives and a little feta. And I also love smoothies for breakfast (I make mine with plain yogurt and a touch of maple syrup); and I have them at least twice a week.

But I ADORE swiss chard!!! And it's super healthy for you. (Perhaps not quite so healthy when you add the real butter and splash of white vinegar!) This time of year, it's pretty expensive in Nova Scotia. So, I only buy it when I know I'm going to eat alone. Then I can pig out and eat all of it myself.

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However, WARNING labels should be posted though for those who haven't eaten swiss chard before! Do not be alarmed by the color of what you see in your water closet comode! You are not bleeding! It's really quite natural!

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5. On what date do you think 2010 will no longer feel like the ‘new’ year? I'm not sure when a new year feels old to me: so far this year, 2010 hasn't really felt all that "new". But I've taken down the Xmas decorations, and the house is clean and organized and "back to normal", so to speak; so, I guess I'm going to say January 3rd is when the new year is not new any more!

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Now it's your turn to share with me. What do you have to say about these questions?

PACKAGE FROM GERMANY!

On Dec 1.09, Nadine's Mom sent a Xmas package full of German goodies so that Nadine wouldn't miss out on a couple of her favorite treats.
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It just arrived today!!!
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Getting the package late is really nice in one way! It's nice to receive such a wonderful package after everything else has been spent. (But then, isn't this the time of year where everyone swears off sweets and gets back to healthy eating? Next week, perhaps???) As well, a German care package makes me feel like an explorer -- setting out to conquer and chart unknown (sweetie) territory!!!
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Nadine said that she requested 3 particular treats. But to our great advantage, Nadine's mom can't count!!! Look at these goodies!
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Oodles of caramels as well as lollipops, white chocolate, lovely almonds and mini candy hamburgers

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Cookies, cookies, cookies plus Toblerone and miles and miles of marzipan*

Lovely tree cake, Mars candy, more marzipan, white chocolate with Tirimasiu,and these wonderful little chocolate covered 3 layer cake, jelly & marzipan cookies...... 2 package of them!!*

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a giant liebkuchen and more white chocolate

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That's a whole lot of eating to be accomplished!! Eek! "

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Adriana! Stop swimming in Mexico (while we shovel here in Nova Scotia), and come back soon! We need your help!"

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After dinner, we cut the tree cake.*

Isn't it beautiful! It's called a tree cake because the 10-12 layers of yumminess look like the rings on a tree. (Thankfully though, it tastes nothing like tree. ... & I speak from experience!)*

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Also in the package were 2 marzipan animals. I was given the traditional New Year's "Good Luck Pig"! Isn't he so adorable!!*

However, I'm thinking that it might defeat the whole "good luck" thing if I were to eat him AS WELL AS the tree cake, liebkuchen and those little choco jelly cookies (that call my name incessantly!!).

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Because, correct me if I'm wrong here, but other than living in certain African tribes or possibly Papua New Guinea cultures, when is it ever lucky for a woman to pack on another 10 pounds in a under week?

SNOW, SNOW & MORE SNOW!

What a day it was yesterday! It began snowing lightly Friday night. So, we snugged under the blankies and watched The Fellowship of the Ring. I just l-o-v-e the Lord of the Rings trilogy!! (And I haven't watched for 2 years, so it was a real treat.)
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Then it continued snowing practically all day yesterday with just intermittant breaks. It was very pretty to look at! See -- *
So, I took advantage of being at home and un-decorated the house. At about 4 pm, I dragged the tree outside and sunk up to my thighs in snow on the side of the house. (I get lots of drifting snow on my side of the duplex!) I shovelled a path down to the street, and the snow was almost 2 feet deep! Back inside I went to continue un-decorating and cleaning and watching The Two Towers, DVD 2 of the LOR. Have I mentioned how much I love that trilogy? (And have I mentioned how much Xmas stuff I had to put away and how long it took me? Man! Maybe I'll make one more resolution this year!!)

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There was no chance of me getting to church this morning because the shovelling was too much for just one person (at least, one aging, woman with delicate tendencies! Ahem, ahem .... swoon, sigh!!). So, I continued with my un-decorating and cleaning; and when Nadine got up, we set off outside to deal with the shovelling.
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WHAT SNOW!! Although it's not that noticable in the pictures, the path had accumulated a little more snow, and all around were 2 foot+ snow drifts and a rock-hard wall where the snow plow had come by. You can easily fill in your own caption here as to what Nadine is thinking about the amount of shovelling to be done and how and where to start. *
We began shovelling at 11 am. We had to take many short breaks (and periodically collapse in a snow bank and pray "GOD! Please send someone to dig us out!") We finished shovelling at 12:30 noon.
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Before dragging our aching bodies inside for showers and food, we did stop once to play and pay homage to the softness and beauty of the snow. *
Just as I got "nekked" (delete disturbing imagery please), the guy who plows for us at work came by to plow me out! ("God; Not meaning to be ungrateful, but could you not have sent him 15 minutes earlier?") I watched at he widened the opening at the end of the driveway ----- and ran the 2 ton backhoe over my newly built flower bed resting under that 2 feet of snow (and most probably squished the 3 solar lights surrounding it)!! Oh dear! C'est la vie!
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Just as I ran "nekked" (pardon once more please) from the bath to my bedroom, the doorbell rang and Nadine answered. It was Pastor Steve and Jocelyn! They came to shovel me out. So, Steve widened my pathway and I quickly put tea on. (And yeah; I put some clothes on first! We are a liberal church but there are limits, ya know!)

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See how quickly and wonderfully God answered prayers! And see how important it is to possibly wait on Him for answers to prayers and not rush into things! Duh Sandy!!

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I just finished ALL the un-decorating and cleaning; and Nadine just finished her English project. And we're pooped!

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So, here's what we're going to have now:

It's gonna be dark, rich and sinful -- like my next husband!!

Oh gosh golly-gee!

Did I say that last part out loud?

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And then we're going to watch this:*
This is my favoite one! Did I tell you that I love this trilogy?

My One Resolution!

I use to always make a list of New Year's resolutions. The usual things -- less sugar and fat, more exercise, sticking to my budget, saving more money, etc. All very good, positive things!

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But by mid February, most of my resolutions were gone by the wayside, and life would be "back to normal", so to speak. I'd be disappointed in myself; and sometimes I'd feel guilty for not doing the right thing; and I'd often accuse myself of not having enough will power.

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But then the next Christmas, history would repeat itself. On Dec 31st, I'd make another list, resolving to do better beginning the very next day -- Jan 1st. But the resolutions never stuck. And the same vicious cycle would unfold with the disappointment and guilt and lack of will power. So, I gave up making New Year's resolutions.*

But as I've aged; as youth, vigor and beauty are replaced by humility, acceptance and an even greater capacity to laugh at myself; as I've persevered in raising my wonderful(and sometimes difficult) children; as I've dealt with life's ups (not enough as far as I'm concerned) and downs (more than my fair share, in my opinion); as I've continued in my faith and in learning about the God that I serve, I've come to realize that only ONE resolution is necessary for me:

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To keep following, trusting and seeking Christ.

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I am relatively powerless: and life will continue to happen. There will continue to be ups and downs. My children will continue trying to become independent in the best way they know how at that moment. My body will continue to deteriorate. My love of chocolate and the occasional fast food burger will not (after 55 years) go away. I will continue to purchase sometimes useless items at wonderful thrift stores for fantastic prices. This may or may not be the best my life will ever be! I don't know a lot of stuff about a lot of things.

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But I do know God. I know that He is not powerless; and I know that He has all things in His Hands; and I know that He is good.

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I also know that life is much too short and often quite beautiful.

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*So, I opt to resolve to continue to grow in Him .....

• To accept the changes that happen to me and around me; and when it's really difficult to do that, to hide myself in Him until (in the immortal words of Captain Picard) He can "Make it so!").




• To love myself more and more each day -- each additional grey hair or wrinkle, each new dimple on my at one time pretty little fanny, each ache of my knee joints.


• To pick myself up when I screw up yet again, and to keep tring to see myself as He sees me.


• To not judge myself harshly or beat myself up; because then my head is so full of "Bad, bad Sandy!" that I'm unable to hear the still small voice of God and the gentle life-changing guidance of His words.


• To complain less and smile more.


• To daily seek the wisdom of Christ.



• And while doing all the above, to ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY what He's given me

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Things like:

- My comfy home ... My friends old and new... My beautiful garden... My ungrateful children... My underpaid crappy job!

- My funny, cheerful, supportive, encouraging, lovely blogging friends (You are such a blessing to me!)

- My comfortable mattress (joy oh joy)... My hidden stash of chocolate (a dose of bliss when I need it!)... My jar of loonies and toonies (Google Canadian coinage) which equals the low price of that high cholesterol cheeseburger (with fries and a chocolate shake!!).

- The movement of my limbs as I walk (and a pair of good walking shoes)... Good books (and cheap Dollar Store glasses)... Music, music, music, always and everywhere music!

- A fairly abundant supply of hot water (and just enough lavender bath oil to last me until Mother's Day?)... A cup of hot tea on a quiet childless Saturday morning in front of the big window

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OMG! There is so much to be optimistic about. Are you gagging yet?

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If not,

You've got to ac-cen-tuate the positive

E-lim-inate the negative

And latch on to the affirmative

Don't mess with Mister In-Between

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You've got to spread joy up to the maximum

Bring gloom down to the minimum

Have faith or pandemonium's

Liable to walk upon the scene

(lyrics by Johnny Mercer)

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Thank you Bloggy World for joining me on this journey and sharing yours! And here's hoping that 2010 is absolutely wonderful for you all (and that your attitude to life is equally as great!).

HAPPY NEW YEAR'S 2010

Buffet dinner at the local Chinese was yummy!
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Then home where there was candlelight.....
(cause "the girlfriends" deserve some festive atmosphere);
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and there was Sangria and fizzy wine for midnight ..........
and there were iced brownies and homemade bits and bites and M&M peanuts and truffles and peanut brittle............
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and there was wonderful conversation and laughter before a re-watch of "Hairspray"....
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and a great evening with friends!


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Happy New Year everyone!