Chum City Christmas Wish

We filled toy orders today for the CHUM city Christmas Wish. So for example, you'd get a 'shopping list' for 15 toys for girls aged 9 and 2 toys for girls aged 11. You'd go to the bins and pick out the appropriate toys. Kyle got 3 volunteer hours although he found it boring. We also helped sort one of the huge toy bins. We got a lot of instructions, like if there's a toy avalanche, move out of the way. We saw that they are in need of gifts for teenagers as they always are. They are already booked out for volunteers for the rest of the season, it's a popular activity, especially on Christmas Eve.

L said the Twilight movie is not as good as the book and she did not think the lead actress was a good actress, although physically she fit the role perfectly. So that's her opinion if anyone's interested.

Time to downsize

It's cold, and we're expecting a major snowstorm starting tomorrow night. There goes Monday's plans. I have a Monday morning ultrasound (routine) and K has orthodontist later that the evening. The kids are just hoping for a snow day. So yesterday I waited at home until 12.45pm suspecting I might have an online delivery. Then I said, I must go for my walk. Guess when it came? (signature required). So they'll try again sometime on Monday. Let's hope.

Tomorrow the kids and I are doing some volunteer work for the CP24 CHUM city Christmas Wish. A friend is picking us up. I think we'll be sorting toys but we've never done this before so it will be interesting. It's a popular activity so you have to book well in advance and sign a disclaimer that you don't mind having your picture taken for news media purposes (it's a Radio and TV place).

I called a friend of mine last night and she was saying she and her husband are finding it hard to lift their Christmas tree these days. They are in their early sixties. I suggested she downsize to a smaller tree and make things easier for herself.

Well, I better get on with my day.


News

Research on mice links fast food to Alzheimer's

It's cold

Our home insurance guy came over today to assess the basement renovations and he's going to get back to us about the adjustments. That gives me a certain peace of mind, I believe in insurance.

Gosh, winter is here early. I even shovelled a bit yesterday. Thinking about putting up the Xmas decorations. I never go overboard, and this year I think I'm going to do less. But I'll always put the tree up.

M and K are going to a Raptor's basketball game tonight, L has an evening driving lesson. Tomorrow's schedule is scary in that everyone is doing something different. M is chauffeuring L to a swim test in the morning, tennis lesson in the afternoon and a movie (Twilight) sweet 16 party in the evening. He wants to go the the gym somewhere in there. K and I will be getting his friend over to work on the big Science project for the day. Then we'll be heading over to my mom and sister's place for an Xmas party.

We're also setting up some dates to do some entertaining over the holidays. Last year, I seem to have got away without doing too much and I think it's our turn this year.

Well, have to go for my walk.

News

Reusable bags contain bacteria, mould: study

Shrimp fried rice

Took K to the dentist for a checkup this morning. He gets cleanings every 3 months as he tends to build up tartar. High maintenance kid. As it is, they told him to pay extra attention to gum brushing. He missed a History test, but I guess that means more time to study! I blew my top last night because for some reason he ended up at Science tutorial that evening instead of Math which needs more help.

I stopped by Costco Wholesaler and picked up a few things, including the new Il Divo CD. More of the same, I guess, but easy listening. They have an upcoming concert next May in Toronto, but I decided to pass on tickets, recession and all. I had seen them last year. Costco has a new 'Rib and Fries' combo in their restaurant, I should try that sometime. I just got a Starbucks latte for $1.99 because it's a good deal at Costco.

It's shaping up to be a busy weekend, with everyone doing different things, more on that as it happens. Well, I'm off to make shrimp fried rice and then I AM going to purposefully engage myself in doing Christmas cards.

Here's my shrimp fried rice recipe (very roughly out of my head)

one pack of large frozen shrimp, deveined, shell on, thawed and seasoned with salt, garlic powder and pepper to taste (about 20 of them)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
2 Tbs oyster sauce
2 Tbs soy sauce
3 Tbs canola oil
1 1/2 - 2 cups of uncooked white rice
3 eggs, scrambled with salt and pepper to taste

Cook the white rice (even better with leftover rice). In a large pan, saute the shrimp, shell on for about 7 minutes until pink (cooked). Remove shells and cut shrimp into bite-sized pieces. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oyster sauce, and soy sauce into the cooked rice. Using the same pan with the shrimp flavour, heat canola oil and saute the rice until warmed through. Mix eggs and shrimp in. Remove to a serving bowl. You can sprinkle chopped green onions over top for texture, if you don't have picky kids.

News

Relative Stranger Makes Amazing Sacrifice To Save Baby's Life

Blogs feed information frenzy on Mumbai attacks (Reuters)

Restaurant Owner Uses Facebook To Find Customers Who Stiffed Him

Today's Excitement

Well, today's excitement had to be L calling me from school in the afternoon to say that her backpack containing her valuables had gone missing. So that would be her cell phone, debit card and G1 Driver's permit, textbook and test notes. She had left it in the hall like a lot of kids do, while she ran to be first in line for the lunch specials. (can't blame her for that part!) Normally she doesn't have her valuables in the knapsack but she had needed a nail file from her purse for a broken nail. She enlisted most of the school in a search for a black knapsack, of which there were at least 13 identical ones located. Finally she spotted one under a chair in the library and bingo! She's now at home recovering from the stress.

Meanwhile, I had been efficient and had her debit card cancelled right away. I was about to cancel her cell phone when she called to say everything was ok. This was a good thing, because it is near impossible to get service from our cell phone company (Roger's Wireless). You have to talk to this electronic voice, then finally wade your way through the menu to obtain an actual person, then you're put on hold indefinitely. I didn't notice an emergency number anywhere on the billing statement. It would've been another hassle to get another phone set up.

On the way home, the bank was still open, so they re-instated her card and told me I should activate my new debit card with the chip, so I did. All's well that ends well.

I managed to purchase 2 xmas gift cards after my step class today, so I even accomplished a bit of Christmas 'shopping' before the December rush. I had to drag myself into exercise class today, but was glad after. Then I made a top sirloin roast with rice and a salad, so we're all set for supper. I find top sirloin to be very tender and has much less fat than prime rib, so it's now my preference.

More PAUSE

This week's PAUSE article from Patricia Katz:

'REFLECTION:
I'm a big fan of Marshall Goldsmith and his thinking about human behaviour and leadership. And so it was no surprise that his brief article in the November 2008 Harvard Management Update caught my eye.

The article focuses on a common roadblock to advancing change in our lives.

Goldman refers to it as a fantasy held tightly by good people with great intentions. The fantasy delusion reads something like this: "I'm desperately busy at the moment. My life is out of control. My challenges are unique. The situation is temporary. Once the worst of it is over, THEN I'll get started on X."

Does this script play in your life? I know it makes guest appearances in mine.

Goldman's take on the situation, is that there will always be challenges, busyness, and crazy pressure. This means that the perfect time for diving in is unlikely to be just around the corner - once we're caught up, as things settle down, or when we get to the end of the list. The chances that someone is going to gift us with a couple of free weeks to tackle X are slim to non-existent.

So, the critical question becomes, 'In the midst of the muddle, despite the busyness and distractions, what am I willing to change now?'

ACTION:
Take a look at one of the items on your back burners, lingering there in hopes that this perfect storm will soon subside.

Ask yourself the question: What am I willing to change now?

Act accordingly - one small action - one first step.

Let the storm continue to swirl around your feet as you step forward in a new direction.'
_________________________

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
"Accept the craziness of your life. Do what you can do now. Let go of everything else." - Marshall Goldman
_________________________


>From the e-zine, 'PAUSE '. Copyright 2008 Patricia Katz,
Optimus Consulting. (877) 728-5289 or www.pauseworks.com.


News

Distracted easily? You're getting older

Shoppers May Soon Pay For Plastic Bags At All Major Grocery Chains

Online networks a magnet for job-seekers (Reuters)

So you think you can dance Canada

Yesterday I picked up some maple walnut flavoured yogurt ice cream from the supermarket. It's 30% less fat than regular ice cream and wow, it's amazing, especially if maple walnut is one of your favourite flavours. It's a great dessert idea for those watching their calories, try to stick to half cup portions. I think I did 3/4 cup last night!

Today, I received a new debit card with a chip implanted in it. It's supposed to be more secure.

We don't do a lot of online shopping, but last night M ordered some electrical cables online and it says it will arrive today for an unbelievable price including shipping. We used paypal, and that may be more secure than using your credit card directly. Maybe online shopping is the new way to go, if we get used to it. It would be a real time saver for certain things. Being cautious, we're typically not the first ones to embrace new technology. And online shopping has come a long way.

'So You Think You Can Dance Canada has to be rated one of the most successful shows ever produced in this country. Six weeks into the series, launched on Sept. 11, the show came in as No. 1 of all the new fall programs.' according to the news story below. The dancing really is top notch.

News

Give Thanks by Paying It Forward

'Not an easy job': Germans running out of Santas

Are these baby dolls cute or creepy?

Five foods that perk up your skin

Great TV but it's not all dance