I say yes, you say no, OR People are Strange

Options
1…8283858788…1828

Comments

  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    I thought so too, Rosemary. Just wanted you to know that 99.9% of Americans love our northern neighbors!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited February 2011

    I love Canada too. I haven't been the since the new documents were required but am planning to get an enhanced drivers license this year so I can go back there.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    Don't know why Shok wrote that .. I think she was kidding around.

    Morning Rosemary and Barbara!

    Hope everyone is  having a good day.

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IronJawedBCAngel
    IronJawedBCAngel Member Posts: 470
    edited February 2011

    My ex-husband was a geologist with Amoca and complained constantly that the environmental restrictions in Canada were much stricter than in the US.  We left Alberta almost 20 years ago, maybe things have changed, but they were very environmentally conscious, they would not need Al Gore to promote anything. I don't need Al Gore or any Canadian to convince me that we need to reduce our dependence on oil and other fossil fuels.

    Oh Canada!  We stand on guard for thee!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    Morning, Bren! Just got back from the ICU where my brother was admitted early this AM. (This is the one with diabetes). He has pneumonia and when they did a CAT scan last night they found a huge area of sepsis infection in this neck. The surgeon is not sure they got is all but they have 4 drains in. He is sedated and on a ventilator. Getting the rosary out and dusting it off. I hope He forgives my long absence.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    Barbara .. I am so sorry to hear about your brother.  I'm sure he forgives you for any absence and is just glad you're nearby right now.

    Sending you a big hug,

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bluedahlia
    bluedahlia Member Posts: 6,944
    edited February 2011

    Sending you hugs Barbara.  I hope your brother gets well quickly.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    Thanks Bren and Blue. Headed back to see him a little later this afternoon.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited February 2011

    Will be thinking of you, Barbara.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • River_Rat
    River_Rat Member Posts: 1,724
    edited February 2011

    Good afternoon all!  I seem to have picked up a virus and I'm trying to catch up but this thread moves quickly. 

    Barbara, I'm sending positive thoughts to you and your brother. 

    Anne, great pic!  You and your DH look lovely and happy by Medigal's mountain. 

    Bluedahlia, what a gorgeous daughter you have!  I'm sure your other kids are also beautiful.  It's probably genetic.  I thought the game itself was good last night but I didn't think the commercials were up to the usual Super Bowl commercials.  And the audio for the half-time show was really horrible or maybe it was just my TV or me.

    I took what Shokk said about Canada as very tongue-in-cheek, hope it was meant that way.  I am definitely in the camp that loves Canada.   

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited February 2011

    blue--your daughter is lovely.  good luck with her career.  barbara so sorry about your brother.  i hope he is okay.

    I agree that foreign travel is not for everyone but still as a parent, I will do my best to make sure that foreign travel is something that my monsters are exposed to.  We are a one income family [mine] so if we want to travel, we have to cut elsewhere.  We do not own a house and have a single paid-for car.  DH and I don't go to movies or buy tons of books/DVDs--our local library gets lots of use.  No one objects to wearing 2dhand clothing--whether from co-workers' children or the goodwill.  We don't eat processed food or have lots of snacks in the house or buy pop--raw ingrediants really are cheaper than processed.  When we are out, we don't indulge in fancy coffees except at Christmas.  We give the family the gift of a trip in lieu of lots of gifts--so this year, the monsters got less under the tree because we are going to Paris--they know it and are okay with it.  When we travel, we never stay in American chains but find something local and often rent apartments.  Sometimes we house swap.  It can be done.  I do think it is curious that so many people I have met seem to think a trip abroad is impossibly expensive and yet, they are willing to do a week at Disneyland/world. different strokes, I guess.

    But I realize we are fortunate because my job comes with pretty darned good healthcare.  If I had to pay some of the premiums and the like that others have to deal with, we would not be so lucky. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rosemary-b
    rosemary-b Member Posts: 2,006
    edited February 2011

    You all are right. Shokk was probably kidding.

    Oh Barbara I am sorry about your brother. My prayers are with you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IronJawedBCAngel
    IronJawedBCAngel Member Posts: 470
    edited February 2011

    Barbara, prayers being said for your brother's swift recovery!  I may be a lapsed Catholic, but I believe He is always willing to hear our prayers.  Hugs to you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    3Mons .. it sounds like you have a wonderful trip planned.  I know your family will really enjoy it.  I didn't travel abroad while my son was growing up, but we did do lots of trips to HI and Mexico, camping, Disney and lots of other fun stuff.  We lived near the beach and had so much fun surfing, fishing and boogeyboarding.  I was so sad when he turned 16 and got his license.  He was pretty much on his own after that!

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    Barbara .. I forgot to mention that I will be keeping you and your brother in my thoughts this afternoon.  I hope he is okay and gets well soon.

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    Thanks everyone. Off to see him shortly.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited February 2011

    Barbara:  Sorry to hear about your brother.  I don't think most people realize what a horrible illness diabetes can be especially if one gets other illnesses with it.  It's in my family but DP and I don't have it.  However, trying to live with those you love fighting it can be a tremendous battle.  My best to your brother.  Take care.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 3monstmama
    3monstmama Member Posts: 1,447
    edited February 2011

    there is no diabetes in our family but I am very well aware of it and the horrible SEs because of the rise in diabetes with Asian Americans [my monsters are Asian Americans].  I think I have done a pretty good job of impressing on them [as well as one can with ages 9, 11 & 13] how bad diabetes can really be.  So at an early age, they are already watching what they eat and making good habits.

    I confess I am very excited about our upcoming trip. We have not been to Europe since '07 [though we've been to China 2x which was a blast] But my youngest likes to cook and he and I will be taking full advantage of the apartment's kitchen and all those lovely Parisian markets full of yummy things to eat. We have already decided on bunny for the first meal.  My only problem is to make sure that I "pack" all the recipes I might want while we are there.....

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ellie1959
    Ellie1959 Member Posts: 316
    edited February 2011
    I'm going to quit fired if you girls don't quit being so interesting! I try to just read a litte in between calls every now and then. I'm on both sides of the fence on the travel issue. My folks traveled extensively - all around the world and in our teens my brother and I got to go too. He loves it and has the bug - and I'm a homebody most of the time. I too was a single Mom - 2 boys and no trips for them other than to a waterpark once a year 2 hours a way. We truly couldn't afford it either. They went to publc schools and paid for their own college  and I'm one for one - one is doing well and seems to be thriving and one is really struggling. I really do love all the metaphor's about the mountain though - and God love anyone who gets there! Innocent
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited February 2011

    Hi Ellie:  My mountain was not a metaphor.  It was a real mountain which I searched over 40 years for and it ended up being in Switzerland!  However, you are right that mountain can be a very good metaphor for something we are trying to achieve which seems out of our reach.  My adventure taught me that almost nothing in life is out of reach if one does what it takes to find it or do it.  I think we all have mountains we want to find or climb but sometimes our lives make it impossible for us to take on the journey or task.  I am so grateful I was able to figure out how to find mine. 

    BTW, one of my pet peeves is that when I have always been asked what am I and I say "a mother and homemaker" I usually always get this look like "poor thing, never did anything with her life".  Being a "homebody" or "homemaker" gave me the chance to research and study things and do amazing things with my life that I could not have done if I had had to work outside my home.  I have great respect for the women of earlier years who were fortunate to be able to be "stay at home" moms.  Unfortunately, with our economy, few moms can do this.  I remember how happy my DD used to be as a child when she could come home from school and have me waiting there to hug her.   But we all make sacrifices for whatever we end up doing with our lives whether having a career or being a homebody.  Sounds like you did real good with your sons.  

    Also, before any one misunderstands my post, I also have just as much respect for all the hard working women who have to struggle with two jobs.  Having careers and being moms and wives.  They truly have the hardest road to travel, imo.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Ellie1959
    Ellie1959 Member Posts: 316
    edited February 2011

    I knew your mountain was real - but the analogy of this BC thing being like a mountain to climb appealed to me. I don't know if I could have been a stay at home Mom - I kind of did both - while my boys were young I was able to work part-time and be there with them. By the time they were in 2nd - 3rd grade - I worked full time - that worked too but things would have been much better if I had been there to hug them after school. From then until supper time was their "wild time" and at a certain point no babysitter would go near those wild boys! I love them both to pieces - I wish I could go back and enjoy it more and be more patient, I'm not sure if I was a good mom or not - I was dealing with a lot of hard issues when they were young.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited February 2011

    Medigal, I'm curious: Didn't you ever search through atlases and travel books to find the mountain - was it really not until you saw it that you knew what it was? Or did you not have a clear idea that it was what you were looking for until you saw it? I am just having a hard time placing myself in your shoes, because I am such a research bum....but I know everyone is different. I love the spontaneity of your search, but you are lucky it wasn't K2 in that picture - lol!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Bren-2007
    Bren-2007 Member Posts: 6,241
    edited February 2011

    Ellie . I was fortunate too that I was able to stay home with my son until he was 9 months old.  Then I worked part time until he was 1 1/2.  One good thing about working was that his sitter pottie trained him! 

    I think we all look back at times and wonder what we could have done differently, or better.  I know I sure do.  I struggled with this for a long time .. and after my last visit home with my son in October, I have finally been able to let it go.  It's about time I did let it go too, as he'll be 35 this month!  arghh .. I can't believe I'm 55 already!

    hugs to all,

    Bren

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited February 2011

    Athena:  Yes I looked for photos of mountains but you have to realize I was only about 4 years old when I first saw that photo and it was the way it made me "feel" that was so mystical for a child. 
    When I decided to travel I looked at so many mountain photos they all seemed to look alike to me so I knew I had the find the one that brought back that "feeling" to me.  When we went to Pikes Peak it was awesome but all I could say was "It's not "My" mountain.  It would take pages to list all the places with mountains I dragged DP to.  Some made me feel like I was so close to God it was so mystical but I just knew it wasn't the right one.  You see when I was a child I had a thing about "milk" and I thought the white stuff was really "milk".  As an adult, I knew it was snow but I wanted to relive that fantastic mystical feeling that one mountain gave me as a child.  It really changed who I became spiritually if you can understand that. 

    When I found it over 40 years later and looked up at it, it changed me as a human being.  I had done something most people would have thought impossible for someone of our meager earnings b ut it gave me a power I could never have gotten any other way.  My DP has been amazed at the things I have been able to do that even he can't understand.  I was meant to search for that mountain to see if I would do it.  Once I saw it, my life was never the same and it had nothing to do with what mountain it really was.  I had to find that particular one!  I may have seen photos of it it books before finding it but it was that "feeling" I was searching for and I couldn't get it from just a photo.  I hope you don't think I am a nutcase.  We all have particular missions on this earth and that was just preparing me for more important ones to come.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 1Athena1
    1Athena1 Member Posts: 6,696
    edited February 2011

    Nutcase? Actually, you are quite sane.

    So you needed the epiphany. That I understand perfectly now.....like a child's fantasy returning, mingled with an adult's spiritual awareness. It must have been true nirvana. I can see how it must have come as a surprise. It is not something you look for, but something you find.

    I keep thinking I will find my "mountain" inside the Nogrongoro crater of Tanzania if I ever go. But I think I may have found it as a child, under the tree-lined country roads of England.

    God, speaking like this makes my office park, where I am now, seem extra homely and depressing!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited February 2011

    Barbara -- I hope your brother gets well soon.  Hugs,

    Elizabeth

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BarbaraA
    BarbaraA Member Posts: 7,378
    edited February 2011

    Thanks everyone. I just returned from seeing him. They fear the infection is necrotizing fasciitis (AKA Flesh-eating bacteria). Man oh man. And he has diabetes so that complicates things.

    Medigal - this may be my mountain moment in a very different way. I hope everyone has inspiring mountain moments.

    Off to the Cathedral of St Jude shortly.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • konakat
    konakat Member Posts: 6,085
    edited February 2011

    Oh dear -- I hope they can get that under control quickly.  More hugs coming your way.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Medigal
    Medigal Member Posts: 1,412
    edited February 2011

    1Athena:   Thank you so much for understanding.   It was like the little child within me was pushing me on so that I could find that epiphany or spiritual awareness which gives us the power to understand what we are doing here in the first place.  It allowed my mine and spirit to be able to function in an entire new way and it was like I was being rewarded for accepting the mission and accomplishing it.  We are all unique individuals.  Wherever your mountain lies, you will know it when you find it and I assure you, it can change who you think you are today.  One warning, the years I spent accomplishing my mission was nothing compared to the other missions I have had to accomplish since then and survive.    Nirvana does not come without a cost!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • molly52
    molly52 Member Posts: 389
    edited February 2011

    Oh Barbara - I am so sorry too.  I hope he has a good recovery.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories