a cure for winter blues

Whole-wheat and flax strawberry pancakes with blueberry sauce, topped with fresh strawberry slices is the best way to start a winter morning...it reminds me of warm sunshine, and clear blue skies...oh how I miss you.

four days off, into a nine day holiday...

...not the type of holiday I was anticipating. Saturday was to be my first day back to grind after four glorious days off...I guess there were other plans for how I might spend my weekend.

The last two weeks or so I've felt something going on inside my head with pressure headaches, and small earaches here and there. Friday night took me by storm though; head pounding, ears aching, and cookies tossed, I was not a happy camper. A night of little sleep, and still feeling crappy come 4:30am, there wasn't much choice but to call into work. I was, ever so grateful, to get a doctor's appointment (on a Saturday! it's a miracle). The conclusion to my appointment was an infection in each ear, and a sinus infection. The last few days have been spent curled up on the couch, in my bed, or puttering around the house, being sure to drink lots of water and hot tea, taking my antibiotics and decongestants faithfully, and making sure I'm getting all my vitamins and minerals.

Well, that's all for now. I'm heading out for a chot cup of tea, and perhaps a strawberry muffin...they're calling me, so what can I do but endulge?

Welcome 2009!

Welcome to a new year! How's it been so far? Well I worked the first days of the New Year, no surprise there. However, I do have a stretch of four days off now, so that is quite nice.

Christmas was wonderful! The family was together again, at last. There were tons of laughs, love, and hugs to go around...just the way I like it. Although, this surely was our last Christmas, and full family gathering in this house. The sadness of this, however, did not weigh down on our holiday cheer. Especially when we exchanged gifts. Because there are seven adults in the family, we draw names to buy for. This year, my dad decided it would be a grand idea to put a theme for the gifts: toys. This was the most exciting gift exchange yet, and to top it all off, we actually played with our toys. Our toys included, Cranium, remote controlled backhoe, and dump truck, Nerf guns, magnetic light-brights, more games, and more fun! It was so much fun to feel like kids again. We just sat there all night, and played with our games, and toys.

My sister looks adorable pregnant, and pregnant she is....very much so. I felt the baby move for the first time---how magical that was---to know there is this little life inside. What a reward it is to bare a child. Not to mention, Mike has a new glow about him too. The glow of a soon-to-be father! I'm truly happy for them both.

Christmas, is a time of great joy, and sometimes a time of true sadness. Christmas Eve is a hard time to lose a grand-parent, then the aftermath of planning a funeral can easily dampen your holiday spirit. You're a trooper Darryl! May God bless this new year, and a new perspective on life.

2008 ended graciously, and with great family memories, and 2009 has started the same way.

I wish you all the best for the New Year!!