Some cities pushing back against drive thrus

Woke up with a headache which improved throughout the day, luckily. We did some shopping while L was at tennis. K wants yet another expensive remote control type of car for Christmas, so we had a look at it in ToysRus. This one apparently can drive over the snow. Their video game prices are quite competitive and they have a great selection. After that we met some friends at 'Baton Rouge' restaurant where we exchanged gifts. It was our first time at Baton Rouge, it's sort of like a 'Keg' restaurant, maybe more expensive. It was pretty busy. I wouldn't go there again, by the way.

Well, I missed 'Amazing Race' although we taped it. Hopefully I can watch it soon, it seems to be bedtime. I find it really hard to catch up on video tapes, it's easier to catch it 'live'.

News

Breakfast Television holiday CD almost sold out - I think this is the number one morning TV show in Toronto
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17489.aspx

Wife of missing canoeist arrested
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071209/missing_canoeist_071209/20071209?hub=TopStories

Some cities pushing back against drive thrus
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071209/drive_thrus_071209/20071209?hub=TopStories

Amazing dog rescue

I walked to church today despite having a headache. Must be that time of the month. It's a nice evening. There was an all girl choir today including the pianist and the conductor, where are all the boys? Got our collection envelopes for 2008. It's Advent now, the season preceding Christmas. The priest wears dark purple and an advent wreath is on display with four candles representing the 4 Sundays before Christmas (of which 2 were lit today).

I made a delicious sweet potato and kidney bean chili today from Longo supermarket's magazine. We had it with rice. M and K went to get Swiss Chalet chicken and fries for dinner.

News

Missing canoeist facing 2 charges
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071208/darwin_case_071208/20071208?hub=World

Woman dies after clothing catches fire in kitchen
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17494.aspx

Amazing dog rescue 3 weeks in the making
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17488.aspx

Scientists cure mice with sickle cell

Went for a walk today, I've missed it. These days you don't see many pleasure walkers, mostly people with their dogs that have to be out.

L is still sick with her virus, but seems to be improving. Hopefully we don't all get it. I just treated K for a tiny wart on his finger, he is prone to them, but it's been years since he had one. These new wart compounds freeze the spot in 20 seconds and hopefully one treatment will be enough. He's very brave with this sort of stuff, spunky kid.

My favourite ice cream is Baskin-Robbins 'Maui brownie madness'. I usually have a kid size scoop on a sugar cone and even better, it's yogurt ice cream (less fat). I had one yesterday and I wish I could have another one right now! Well, M is supposed to bring us back some See's candy tonight, so that is something to look forward to.

A friend of ours is planning a surprise birthday party for her husband. It's funny, she opened a new email id in her maiden name to co-ordinate the replies and maintain anonymity. Hope I'm not the one to inadvertently let the cat out of the bag.

News

Studies show how fruits and veggies reduce cancer
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071207/sc_nm/cancer_food_dc_2

Online coupons can save but beware of scammers
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17424.aspx

Widow leaves Chinese restaurant owners 21M
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071207/widow_restaurant_071207/20071207?hub=TopStories

Scientists cure mice with sickle cell
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071207/sickle_cell_071207/20071207?hub=Health

Canoeist sons shun their parents
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17467.aspx

The do's and don'ts of re-gifting

News

The do's and don'ts of re-gifting
http://news.yahoo.com/s/fool/20071206/bs_fool_fool/119695626106

Health reports affect Canadians' lifestyles
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071206/health_news_071206/20071206?hub=TopStories

Wife admits she was in Panama with 'dead' husband - since I seem to be following this story
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071205/uk_canoeist_071206/20071206?hub=World

Automated computer calls get couch potatoes moving
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071206/computer_calls_071206/20071206?hub=Health

IBM says breakthrough heralds supercomputer on chip
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071206/tc_nm/ibm_chip_supercomputing_dc_2

Researchers use new stem cell method to treat mice
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071206/sc_nm/stemcells_mice_dc_1

Sooo cold today

It's sooo cold today. My aerobics instructor says someone gave her these rice krispie squares that they baked with lots of mars bars and tons of butter. Hope I never find the recipe. L is home sick today with some kind of virus.

I didn't mention I saw the movie 'Enchanted' on the weekend and loved it, classic Disney, nothing to do with reality. K and another little boy didn't like it, L and her friends thought it was 'nice', 'ok'.

I was pumping air into my tires yesterday and realized you can get free air just by asking the attendant. The last time I put 50 cents into the machine. My car tells me when it needs air. I think most people don't realize their car tires need air pretty regularly. Our neighbour's tire looked almost flat the other day, we had to mention it to her.

News

Moonstruck flock to Arizona light collector
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071205/sc_nm/moonbeams_dc_2

Fitness, not low body fat key to a long life
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071204/fitness_071204/20071205?hub=Health

Toxic toys guide released ahead of the holidays
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071205/toxic_toys_071205/20071205?hub=TopStories

Police arrest canoeist missing for 5 years
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17381.aspx

Another snow day today

Kids are home on another snow day today. L's school is closed so we're keeping K home as well. I just don't think it's worth going out when they say things might freeze up and ice over. The ice is the worst thing, there's not much you can do if your car is trapped on ice except slide. Slushy snow is not a problem if you just take your time.

Yesterday's shovelling was quite a workout, it took M and me at least an hour. But I was glad for the exercise. We have a snow blower, but hardly use it. K made himself a little hill in a snow bank so he could slide down it.

News

Try honey to calm children's coughs
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071203/honey_study_07123/20071203?hub=Health

Mummified dinosaur reveals surprises
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071203/sc_nm/dinosaur_mummy_dc_1

Scientists use DNA 'decoy' to fight superbugs
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071203/sc_nm/superbugs_genes_dc_1

Cancer cells softer than healthy cells
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071202/sc_nm/cancer_cells_dc_1

Young chimp beats college student in memory tasks
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20071203/smart_chimps_07123/20071203?hub=TopStories

Wedding ring deflects bullet
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17315.aspx

Man shows up 5 years after canoe smashed, presumed drowned
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_17320.aspx