Winter Blahs - they seem to become more intense as we age and it is no wonder people head for the southern climes for a much needed winter break. I was given a nice diamond anniversary ring to brighten up my life - a lady just cannot have too much bling you know. It is sort of a Valentine, Anniversary, Birthday, Memorial Day, 1st July, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, etc gift so I will not have to be on "good behaviour" for a while at least until Christmas!!!!
This picture is so cute:
dogbaby.jpeg
Thursday, January 20, 2005
Waiting Rooms!! Yesterday at the doctor's office I noticed an elderly man who was bent over and could barely walk with a cane coming out of the examining room and shuffle over to a chair where a lady was seated - he bent down and held onto the armrest and she looked at me with a puzzled expression. The man said "don't worry my lady I am not getting fresh with you I am simply looking for my boots under your seat - don't even think I can remember how to get fresh anymore and if I did I would not know what to do next (with a deep laugh)". The whole waiting room had a good laugh and it started me thinking about how great it is that he still had a good sense of humour. I often wonder why people are so quiet and serious in waiting rooms and sit with their noses in magazines that are well outdated so reluctant to speak to one another. Reminds me of a time when David was a little lad (3 or 4) and was not backward about coming forward with questions especially in waiting rooms like "do mothers have to be married to have babies?" - you can just guess the reaction from the crowded waiting room peeking over their magazines anticipating an answer to that one - if I remember correctly I distracted him with something good much to the disappointment of those around us.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
How insane is this health care system of ours - 91 M dollars for severence packages. McGuinty during his campaign promised 8,000 more permanent nursing positions and now he is cutting 1200 positions across Ontario. What are these cuts going to do for us - we will no doubt feel the impact especially on our overtaxed patient services? In fact our taxes (the average person is now paying about $1,000 more in taxes to improve the health care system) are now going not to improve the system but to cut staff while waiting lists continue to be deplorable and because of the insanity good doctors are fleeing the country. The strange thing is they are claiming that these positions will be eliminated over time through attrition and early retirement, etc - so where does the 91M in severance come in - isn't severence only paid on positions that are cut?? Perhaps Ralph Klien is thinking in the right direction in suggesting that we look at other alternatives (European system) but as usual nobody is listening.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Two young people were arrested for spraying graffiti at the Park and Ride in Orleans and as is the norm both were released with a "slap on the wrist" ie. banned from transit stations for one year - like who will monitor them?? This really irks me as a taxpayer who will contribute to the several thousand dollars to repair the damage. Come on folks, 17 and 19 year olds who are "supposedly" responsible enough to drive a car, vote, marry, etc. - how will they ever learn to have respect for people and their property and indeed for the law. Why are they not required to clean up their mess - a good incentive to others to not repeat this destruction? What ever happened to the resolution by the powers that be to make parents responsible for any damages incurred by their dependents? There are those who will say graffiti is simply an artistic expression and that may be so in some cases depending on what the message implies but why not express themselves on their own property - I am sure their parents who obviously have failed to teach them respect or indeed take responsibility for their actions will just be thrilled - don't you think??
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Kevin's episode of buying a coat for Elaine prompted me to relate a similar shopping experience. Now women are really not difficult to buy for (difficult in other ways maybe but not when it comes to gifts) - show me a woman who could not provide a significant list within a minute or two of what she would like (not always what she needs but would "like" to have). On my list was perfume and in order to make it easy I clipped out a picture of the exact item - told him where to go and how to get there - weeeell guess what, a lovely saleslady easily talked him into purchasing their Christmas box containing lotions and potions that most people cannot or do not use. Women know better not to be taken in by these so called specials so men are their prime targets. I spent some time on Christmas Eve sitting on a bench at the mall just watching the hoards of men doing their last minute shopping and there was hardly a woman to be seen - now that would make a good reality show!!
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Article in the paper today reflects my point of view in regard to "post trauma counseling" for children in schools. Are we turning the need to re-assure our children into an experience that only professionals can handle? There is a most definite need for such programs in countries devastated by the tsunami as people and children are living the "real pain" but children in this country although they may see and hear about the destruction and death if they take time away from their "toys-r-us world" should be encouraged by their parents (even though they do not have a degree in psychology) to accept the fact that bad things happen over which we have no control and the need to get over it - children are very resilient and as long as they feel safe and secure they will learn to deal with what life has to offer. I grew up during a time when our parents gave us guidance and re-assurance - when things happened we grieved and helped however we could but when the sun rose the next day as it always did we put it behind us and got on with our lives.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TODAY TO ELAINE
AND FOR TOMORROW TO DONALD.
HOPE ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Received an MP3 player for Christmas - OK, I know I am still behind the times but it is a step up from a walkman and I really do not need something that plays thousands of songs (don't even know thousands of songs) although I must admit it did not take me long to use up a lot of memory. With my limited knowledge of anything that has more than an on/off switch I was hesitant but observing that little kids knew how to work these recorders I figured "how difficult could it be" - Well!!! I wonder if the directions in all the other many languages is more helpful than the English one. One must remember that as a child I only had to learn how to wind up the gramaphone and place an LP on the turntable (you do remember LPs?) - I was not programmed for a world of sophisticated technology!!
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY TO GRANDDAUGHTER ALLYSON TODAY
HOPE ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Hope everyone had a nice holiday - hard to believe we are into another year already. My resolution is not to make any resolutions and with the terrible disaster in Asia I am ever mindfull of all my blessings.
Thanks to Kevin, Elaine, Emmett and Maddie for their gifts and a delicious Christmas dinner - thanks to Donald, Andrea, Devin and Allyson for being there to celebrate with the family.
