Me and Santa

Well ... there you go. It is true! See what my favourite astrologer has to say to me for Dec. 21. I have to say that opinionated is not an adjective I have ever thought of for describing me.

Santa Claus is, of course, an Aquarian. What other sign could he be? Think how opinionated you need to be in order to feel sure that you can find your way down millions of chimneys in one night. Imagine the resourcefulness necessary to receive and honour all those endless wish lists. Consider the courage it takes to ride a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. You have much in common with Santa ... including the way in which you now have so much on your plate. But you have the same generosity too ... and the same inevitable date with a sense of satisfaction. Between now and the end of the week, there's more in store than you realise.

So ... Santa is an Aquarian too. Wahoo!! But now those last couple lines? What could that mean? Does it mean I am going to get lucky with Santa?

There is only one thing I know for sure: Santa can't bring me what I want for Christmas. If he does, it will be a huge shock. A delightful one, but nonetheless, a big shock.

Here is another story for you.

What You Can

When the challenge first comes along, it looks to be overwhelming. And yet, you know you must get past it, so you do what you can.

Day after day, you do what you can, when you can, as well as you know how. And something amazing begins to happen. What you can begins to be more than what you could. You learn, you experience, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, and most of all you grow.

You grow stronger each time you do what you can. At the beginning it doesn't seem like enough, yet with persistence it becomes more. What once seemed difficult, becomes easy. What once seemed awkward and uncomfortable, becomes natural and even graceful.

Taking on a difficult challenge can bring about a great accomplishment, yet it can bring so very much more. In challenge there is strength to be gained, there are lessons to be learned, there is a kind of nourishment that cannot be delivered in any other way.

If the challenge seems a bit too overwhelming, that's the one you want. Take it on and let it pull you up. Do what you can do, again and again, and what you can do will truly amaze you.

— Ralph Marston

Someday has become one of my most hated words. It implies that I must be patient even longer. I found this poem that kind of puts it in perspective. I hope you like it.

Maybe someday

Maybe someday you'll start living every day true to the best that is within you. Maybe someday you'll really start to seriously pursue your most treasured dreams. Maybe someday you'll stop holding back and live the richness of every moment. Maybe someday you'll show the world who you really are.

Maybe someday you'll explore the best of those possibilities that you know in your heart are there. Maybe someday you'll tell them what you really think. Maybe someday you'll see how truly beautiful life can be. Maybe someday you'll understand that nothing can hold you back.

Maybe someday you'll decide that your life cannot wait any longer. Maybe someday you'll wake up, see how useless most of your worries have been, and simply leave them behind.

Maybe someday is coming. Maybe someday will be sooner than you think. Maybe someday you'll decide to start living life for everything it can possibly be, and you'll wonder why you ever waited so long.

Maybe someday is here.

— Ralph Marston

Need Faith?

I do. It is sometimes hard to hold onto faith, especially in times of adversity, times when it feels like your hopes and dreams are dying in front of your eyes. Here are some quotes I like to hang onto to find hope and strength to go on.

With God, nothing is impossible. — Luke 1:37

Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation. — Andrew Murray

God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible; even when the circumstances seem to point to the opposite. — Colin Urquhart

Is anything too hard for the Lord? — Genesis 18:14

When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.

So ... I must believe in miracles and know that nothing that lasts happens quickly. May we always keep the faith that keeps hope alive.

Answer to Riddle

Well? Did you get the answer to the riddle? It is simple really. The answer is nothing.

Nothing is greater than God.
Nothing is more evil than the Devil.
The poor have nothing.
The rich need nothing.
If you eat nothing, you will die.

Simple, huh?

A Riddle

When asked this riddle, 80% of kindergarten kids got the answer, compared to 17% of Stanford University seniors. Do you know the answer to this riddle:

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die?

Stayed tuned for the answer ...

As It Was in the Beginning ...

Today we had an Advent caroling service at church. It consisted of several readings with songs inbetween. A couple things in those readings were signposts for me today. They are as follows:

• God had created the Earth and Adam. God looked down at Adam and said "It is not good that man should be alone." And as history has it, he created a woman for him and called her Eve.My question is "Why can God give Adam someone to keep him company, yet He forgets about me?"
• Then the readings went on to talk about Elizabeth and Zechariah conceiving a child in their old age when she was barren. Then Gabriel announces to Mary that she will carry the son of God a a virgin. The scripture reads "Nothing is impossible for God."
  

So ... miracles are possible. Can I have one, please? How long must I wait? Am I not worthy of such a blessing? Why not me?

I hope the author of the following quote is right.

God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible; even when the circumstances seem to point to the opposite. — Colin Urquhart

Answered Prayers

It's funny how you sometimes pray for a long time for things you really want to happen and then they do. You have gone so long not seeing it happen, you can hardly believe it when it does. Then the reality sets in about what it means. It is a good thing, yes, most definitely. Then follows the thoughts of what is involved in putting it all in order.

This just happened to me. I have been praying since I was sweating my ass off in this place this past summer that I wanted to get out of here. I didn't want to spend another hot summer here. Today I received official word that I am to vacate my rented apartment by the end of June. The reality caused me to reflect for a moment, and scared me at the same time. It is what I want, but my mind rushes into the "what now" mode of thinking. My mind is swimming with what options I will have, when I will actually move, the thoughts of packing, etc. I know it will all take care of itself, but I have to do my part.

The thoughts of packing up again and searching for a new place and arranging for the move, is more than I want to do by myself again, but I will get through it. I seem to keep finding the strength to get through my challenges. I'm sure soon I will become Lady Hercules at this rate.

Advent: Preparation for Christmas

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus. Cool. It means it is viewed appropriate now to begin the decorating and setting the stage for the festivities. We lit the first candle on the Advent wreath today. It is the candle for hope. I liked that. I am constantly looking for hope in my life. I found it timely that we would do that today when I am again in need of hope.

I spent the day decorating the apartment for Christmas. Everything but the tree is in place. Now to address the cards and send them out, do a bit of baking, finish the shopping and wrapping, get trimmings for the turkey dinner, and let the season come.

I love Christmas. I am still waiting for the Christmas I have always dreamed of. Soon ... I hope ... very soon.

Something to Think About

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?



Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?



Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?



What is the speed of darkness?



If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?



If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?



If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?



If someone with a split personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?

Typoglycemia

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

Christmas (A Response)

Well, well, well. We have ourselves a Christmas Grinch. I thought all that grey hair was disguising something. It seems to be green skin and a shrunken heart. I must take a better look next time I see you. Perhaps you have hairy fingers and toes too. What a travesty!!!! A Grinch in our midst at this, the most beautiful season of the year.

OK, I have considered these things you mentioned:

1) Look at the money you waste buying useless gifts that no one wants.
[I take the time to know the person and figure out what the person likes and buy something I know they would like. I don't waste my money giving gifts that they don't want.]

2) Go ahead, make the power company rich with your strings of brightly lit decorations.
[Aren't we supposed to contribute to the local economy? Besides, the lights are pretty.]

3) Kill some trees - put one in your living room.
[I put up an artificial so I didn't kill any. Those real trees that get put up are chipped up and used as mulch or compost later, and new ones are planted every year in their place. No waste there.]

4) Upgrade your stress level worrying what to get Auntie (Insert relative) at the last minute.
[I shop early. No last minute shopping for me. I don't like crowds.]

5) Buy things for inflated prices that will be on sale the week after for half price or less.
[Nope, shop the sales and shop early to get them. Give gift certificates to those who want to get the after Christmas sales.]

Try as you may, you mean old Grinch. I won't let you destroy my Christmas. So there!!! *blows a raspberry* And Merry Christmas to you!!!

Christmas Is Coming

It is getting nearer all the time. I love Christmas. Who says Christmas is only for kids? I love the lights, the gift wrapping, decorating the tree, and the Christmas baking. Then there is that delicious smell of turkey cooking. It is just over a month away now. I hope you are beginning to get ready. I am.

ALF Buses

Our local transit company has invested in new buses over the past year or so. These buses are designed to lower the floor to the curb, release a ramp, and carry wheelchair passengers. Although this concept is admirable and provides for fairness, it doesn't work well for the masses. Let me explain ...

These buses have limited seating with the majority of seats facing each other on the exterior walls. This is to allow for extra space in the aisle for wheelchair accessibility. For that purpose, again, a good concept. However, these are the drawbacks for those of us who are not in wheelchairs:

• Because of the limited seating and no extra buses being sent to pick up the loads during rush hours, half the load are standing and struggling not to fall. The grumbles constantly are running through the crowd. Many are finding alternate ways to get to work to try to avoid this issue, if possible.
  
• The poles to hold onto are staggered alternately from side to side. This makes it impossible to stand and hold poles on both sides of the bus in order to gain stability.
• The majority of women cannot reach the poles at the top, so they risk dislocating an arm when the bus jerks and they can't keep themselves steady.
• If you are lucky enough to be able to stand by a pole, you will find them doubled in thickness with a foam covering. Again this does not work well for females whose hands are much smaller. Because you cannot grip tightly, can only grip from one side of the bus, and can't get steady footing, you run the risk of being thrown around in the bus.
• Because the aisles are wide, people tend to stand two people wide in the aisle. Again a loss of stability.
• There is almost always at least one person entering the bus with a baby or small child in a stroller. I can see one of these days that a standing passenger is going to lose their footing and land on top of that child in the stoller. If that child doesn't get seriously injured, I will be surprised. Look out law suit ...
• It is very hot standing up on the bus this time of year when you are all bundled up and the heat is cranked to keep the seated passengers warm. Don't try to let go long enough to unzip your coat or remove your scarf. You will fall into someone's lap for sure. Pity help you if you should pass out from the heat.
  

These buses have provided me with the most uncomfortable rides I have ever had in the 30 years I have been travelling with the local transit system. Although I can appreciate the concept and reasoning behind the purchase of these vehicles, I don't understand why the money was not better spent in upgrading the "accessibility" bus service already in place for wheelchair passengers. More of those vehicles and better scheduling would make much more sense. They offer door to door service. Who wouldn't prefer that to having to walk (or wheel your chair) in bad weather to the nearest bus stop. I know I would.

What WERE they thinking? Do they think?

Kisses

A kiss is not just a kiss. There are several kinds of kisses.

• A chocolate Hershey's kiss
• A kiss of death
• The dew kisses the grass
• Kiss my a** (not a nice thing to say)
• Kiss off
• A kiss of friendship
• A kiss of welcome, as they do in some countries
• A kiss of the hand (as a gentleman used to do to a lady)

My favourite kind of kiss, though, is that passionate kiss shared with the one you truly love. The kind of kiss that can make your knees weak, your heart beat fast, and take your breath away. The kind that sweeps you away into paradise. Wow!!! What a kiss that is. Mmmm ... mmm ... mmm. Yes!!!

Internet Dating

Many of my friends have suggested that I try Internet dating. Some of them have found successful relationships that way. Some are still trying to find that "Mr./Ms. Right" out there. They claim that it is a wonderful alternative to meeting the right kind of person than going to the bars. The one that most are suggesting to me is Lavalife.

So ... last night I decided I would take a peek and see what all the fuss is about. I was glad to see that I could just check out the "meat market" without ever having to sign-up to get in. There is quite a variety of people there. You get to put in your request as to whether you are looking for a male/female and the age range and location. I found quite a number of men from the metro area listed there. I was actually surprised that there were as many as there were. They seemed to be a quite diverse group. It was interesting that they posted their salary range there. I guess they figure money talks. Some did not want to post their pictures, perhaps because they don't have an electronic one or maybe they want it based on who they are, not what they look like. I know I would not want to put my picture there for the same reason. One man had posted that he would not even e-mail without a picture, so he is looking for someone with looks for sure. Personally, I could see what type he was just from his statement and his picture. Not my type for sure.

By the time I had scrolled through the list of people my search results produced, I had come to a conclusion. First of all, I would not be ready, if ever, to pursue this type of avenue to meet someone. It feels like picking out a book from the library by reading the cover. I also don't trust what some of them say, even in the very small "factual" profile. I need to see into someone's eyes to know if they are telling the truth or not. I like to think I am a pretty good judge of character, and I can detect lies pretty well too in person.

In conclusion ... I don't think this is for me. I would feel desperate meeting someone this way. I trust God to bring about what I am looking for. I just need to be patient, and that is not easy.

Storms of Life

I awake to the sound of thunder
A storm, it fills the air
The weather sets the mood that day
About life, I do not care.

The clouds; they are inside here too
They loom so close above
Threatening to drop their gloom
And dampen thoughts of love.

The winds of life; they change so fast
From north, then south, then west
They blow the clouds around and round
And do not give me rest.

The sun may shine again one day
And burn these clouds away
And love may come and rest once more
And in my heart will stay.

For love, it makes the world go round
It shines its light so bright
It fills my heart and soul with joy
And makes my world seem right.

Nothing in this world compares
To the power that love brings
It heals my wounds, and lifts my loads
And ensures that my heart sings.

Lest We Forget

Today, I am embarrassed to say, is the first time I have ever stood at a cenataph ceremony on Remembrance Day. It, too, was not planned. I had gone to the local gym this morning and came out just in time for the ceremonies to begin. I was going to leave, but something that a vet had said at our church last Sunday kept running through my mind and drawing me in. What he said was this: "There is not one day that goes by that I do not give thanks to the person who drafted me for the wrong country." (He was British.) He continued by saying, "This beautiful country we call Canada is the only country in the world that is not at war. It is the only country that is at peace. God has chosen this country to set an example to the others. We must NEVER forget those who gave up their lives so that we could live in peace."

He is very right. I also saw a wreath of poppies hung on a door in my building that said something to the effect of Don't complain about growing old; there were many who did not have that privilege. Another note that made me stand up and think.

Each time I started to feel cold and wanted to leave, I could only thing of how much more those who died endured for the freedom I now enjoy. Surely I could endure the cold for a short period of time to pay respect to them.

I'm not sure why, but after all these years, Remembrance Day now means something more to me than a day off work and a prayer of thanks for those who gave their lives. The messages I received this year kind of put things into perspective for me.

In Flander's Fields were poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row.

Let us always remember...

True to Ourselves

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou 'canst not then be false to any man. — William Shakespeare

This is a grounding statement for those of us who can get caught up in the needs and feelings of others, while ignoring or neglecting our own.

We need to trust our instincts and feelings to lead us in the direction we need to go. We must honour and respect ourselves enough so that we can be true to those around us, even if it means displeasing someone else in the process.

To thine own self be true. Yes, they are simple words, but they can put us back on track with who we are and what WE want out of life. Let's follow our instincts, our heart, and our dreams. We owe it to ourselves to be true to us. We are so worth it.

Women

The difference between girls ...



What is the difference between girls aged 8, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58,68, and 78?



At 8 - You take her to bed and tell her a story.

At 18 - You tell her a story and take her to bed.

At 28 - You don't need to tell her a story to take her to bed.

At 38 - She tells you a story and takes you to bed.

At 48 - You tell her a story to avoid going to bed.

At 58 - You stay in bed to avoid her story.

At 68 - If you take her to bed, that'll be a story!!

At 78 - What story???? What bed??? Who are you???