UPS AND DOWNS

    It was a July that brought unusual emotional and physical lows(downs) this summer because my heart was constantly going into a race mode as if my body swung into in a fight mode. Three trips to the ER yielded little except that doctors wished to revisit the past cancer issue thus a colonoscopy and an endoscopy will happen on Tuesday. A cardio work up was also done and the conclusion confirmed that there is an arterial blockage from the aorta to the abdominal area. I have had discomfort around my belly button for a while now and a previous ultrasound gave the same outcome but the docs were not dealing with it except to try to get me on pills for a slight BP elevation and to lower the heart rate due to the episodes of racing. I rejected both. From my past experience with pills I have had a tendency to react to most medicines and it usually causes my heart to race. And since my normal pulse is already 55 to 60 when it isn't racing I figure slowing it down is not really right for me. Docs can make us sicker these days for they do not individualize treatment.They hardly listen when one talks to them and are fast to write a prescription without knowing what's in a pill. I told the cardiologist I react to yellow and red dyes. The pill he prescribed had both. Thanks to the internet I can now protect myself. On a revisit to him I mentioned it and he said these days docs have no time to keep up with stuff like that. So now you have to hope that your pharmacist might help if you don't do it yourself. That is a down side to today's heath care and trust in one's caregivers.
   My BP has never been dangerously high. It was easily lowered to normal with some herbal old remedies people have used for years. It's staying in the normal range. That's an up for me. 
    To deal with the plugged artery thing I have started daily small amounts of pomegranate juice and daily small amounts of D.E. Both claim to help with lowering of cholestrol which appears to be my issue. I find that odd since I eat only tiny amounts of meat less than five times weekly. I love veggies and salads and use very little bread or sweets unless special occasions arise and every July they do.
    The ups of July were our celebrations. July 1st was Canada Day.

Then came my birthday. It was a fun time and we ate some cake.

And that was followed by Buddy's grand day which I spoiled a bit by ending up in the ER just around dinner time. Other friends a family were there to make the rest of his day lots of fun.

His favourite gift was the the night vision goggles and it's easy to see why.

Now we are half way through August and let's hope the downs go away.

CRAFTING

I joined a craft activity at a Senior's centre in June.

I met six awesome ladies who have welcomed me into the group

I was allowed to choose wool and supplies.

I opted to make up my own crochet pattern and got to work.

How glad I am that I finally joined something to take part in.

BEES

   I managed to get up close enough to a pretty blossom in a botanical garden and take some snaps. I was very excited when I could enlarge them and see the bee working away undisturbed by me.

It is so sad tat the bees around the world are struggling to survive.

We have created a hostile environment for them and are failing to really take note that if they die off so will much the life as we know it including our own species because the food change will be terribly altered.

Nature created such a delicate balance of all that's needed for every species to be there to help each other to carry on but we have messed with it.

CHEERS

  On the third of May my younger daughter who had decided I needed a bit of cheering up arrived from UK and did a role reversal. She mothered me by cooking my dinners daily, driving me to eye appointment at the hospital and getting me out to join a Senior's group. I was even joined up for an activity of a fitness nature at the local community centre that she picked for Buddy and me. It was a very cheerful 10 days and it definitely helped to reduce the stress I was feeling about my failing vision. It was the most wonderful Mothers' Day this May too. She brought me so many moments to smile and I loved her smiles.

The weather was warm so we were even able to spend time at friends for a lovely BBQ.

Right after she left I felt a bit lost but luckily this is a month of birthdays in the family and my home became the chosen one for celebrations.

Hubby, older daughter and Buddy are happy to pose for my camera.

My sister is one of the two birthday gals.

Birthdays are always a time for cheers.

Buddy had us cheering. On his right is the other birthday gal.

Hip hip hooray

CHEERS

SELFIES

He hears and sees a lot about using a phone for selfies so while sitting at the beach on April 23 he got the idea that he wanted to take a selfie but he wanted palm tres around himself. It would not work the way he wanted from his lounger so he made a move. in fact he made several.

After some adjusting and repositioning he finally got the pose he was looking for and smiled as he clicked.

And when I saw this final photo on his phone I was impressed. Do you see how well he positioned himself in the forest of different trees to get just the palm he wanted?

Buddy makes me smile and I admire his determination and desire for precision.

PS  We've been twice to Cuba this year to help his skin. The seawater and sunshine seem to help a bit. The April trip was more beneficial than the February one because the sea was calm enough to be in every day.

COLD SNOWY EASTER

After the harsh winter this year it would have been a nicer Easter time had we had a bit of warmth. Instead we created our own family cheer.
It started with a trip to a store where we were surprised by the LINDT bunny and Smart car on Good Friday.

We went indoors and found the Lindt staff had a spinning wheel for a chance to win a bunny so of course we all took turns. I managed to hit a sweet spot and got four minis. Even our Mr. took a turn.

From there we headed to the bigger choco bunnies that were for sale and selected three, one for Buddy, his sister and her partener.

Saturday we went to the dollar store for some reusable Easter stuff and at the grocery store we bought white eggs. In the evening we boiled some eggs and used food colour with a bit of vinegar to make them very beautiful according to Buddy who gave me a "Wow"once we were done.

Then came the finalé as we placed things on our table for Sunday morning.

Easter Sunday we had a lazy morning, took our baths and got ready for the visit of our daughter. It was agreed that all "kids" would have to hunt for a few treats both indoors and out.

Buddy was delighted with his little basket and he loved the addition of the outdoor hunt even those it was cool. Outdoor eggs were plastic stuffed with a bill of eithe $5,$10,$20 and each person was limited to finding a quota of two. Buddy got the bonus seventh egg of chocolate.

Our after noon was spent watching EXODUS and stepping into the kitchen now and then to prepare the dinner. We were blessef with a potato leek soup created by daughter, brown rice, asparagus and brussels sprouts done by me and breaded chicken breast prepared on the stove top by hubby. Around noon I had baked a plain low sugar,low fat cake to serve with strawberries and pineapple bits served with low fat whipped cream. All was delicious.

It was a cosy time together and for that I am thankful.

I do feel bad that I spend less time posting and commenting as days role by. Sadly at this time both Buddy and I are having flare ups with our health issues. I suspect stress is a huge factor. I shall post more about that on my other blog post soon.

But we do think of you for sure!!!

We hope you are well and had a nice time too.

GREENS

   It has been a very cold winter with February being one of the coldest on record. Hubby had his 75th birthday around the middle of the month and we stayed around for a family dinner but the very next day we headed south to find warm sun and some greenery.

Santa Lucia Camaguey was the perfect spot.

And Buddy is very happy that March 17 is for celebrating things green and that spring is just days away.

Valentines

     Happy Valentine's Day to all of you !!!!
We have been remiss in our blog following and have been cocooning in front of our new large screen TV for several weeks now. We seem to be in a bit of a slump emotionally and find the shows very entertaining but as the weather improves I'm sure we'll get back on track. We miss all of you too so we shall work harder at being prompt and more caring about what you are up to. 

START OF 2015, A NEW YEAR

    In only 33 hours a new year in my neighbourhood will commence. It is always fascinating how we all are on the same planet but because of our rotation and our journey around the sun we have developed ways to  create time mathematically and it means there are different time zones. Midnight will repeat at least 24 times until all zones have crossed into the new day and at this time the new year.
A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!!!!
   

   My orchid blooms each year around this time even though it's winter and a bit cold outdoors. It does not follow a clock or a season, just a warm inviting indoor climate that makes it want to bloom. What a pleasure to see this beauty now.
MAY THIS NEW YEAR BE FULL OF GOODNESS DEAR FRIENDS!!!
   Tomorrow we're not going to have the usual party because all our young folks are busy doing their thing. Instead it will be a quiet family dinner at senior in-laws. Buddy is going to be a bit sad but I'm hoping we can enjoy a game or two before the count down. And he can bring some hats and streamers along. It will be fun because we'll make it so.
And how about you??

THE EVE OF FESTIVITIES

May your holiday be filled with love and joy!

Buddy is excited and very happy the tree done in time for tonight. We managed to get it decorated on the eve of the 22nd which is when it was done in my childhood days in Germany using a real fir tree. 

Times have changed. In the past years I usually had it up sooner including the real ones. This year I nearly didn't put one up. I tossing with the idea of just going to my daughter's but she wanted to come here to make us turkey dinnerd. Also Buddy reminded my about the spirit of the season and Santa. His enthusiasm brought back the magic I was loosing. He must have some angel tucked away in his soul. He is so right.

It is a time to be filled with goodness and to share it. That's what gives us real joy.

From Buddy and myself have a very Merry Christmas as we pause from gift wrapping to send this out into the cyber world via blogger dear friends.

CHEERFUL MOMENTS

For weeks Buddy has been telling me we are almost at December and it will be time to decorate for the festive season. He has waited patiently.  We've enjoyed a busy last week of November because my daughter and her hubby flew in from UK to surprise his Ma for her 60th BD and it was a huge family event last Sunday. 
 On Wednesday we had my family over for a German style lunch and the then hubby's brother and family for a curry feast while celebrating our niece's M.A. grad!

                Food was a yummy Thai buffet at Ma's surprise party.

 The luncheon was yeast dumplings with a choice of home made beef mushroom Gulasch or Szegediner Gulasch, a sauerkraut style stew.
In the photo is my older daughter next to my sis and her hubby, Buddy's favourite uncle because they joke around a lot when together.

Youngest daughter is chatting with her aunt to her left and cousins to her right. The eve went too fast but all in all it was a big fun family day. Young daughter even managed to add extra chillies to create a very hot chicken curry which was cooked by many and loved by those who love heat!

By Wednesday our wreaths were on the front door. A lovely winter planter at the foot of the outdoor steps came thanks to our garden gal who arrived at 7:30am to spruce up our gardens for wintertime and our family event that day. Thank goodness for her cheer.

And of course the indoor decore had begun in the kitchen family room area and the living dining room. A new table cloth was bought for this year since daughter's kitten managed to get her claws into our previous one adding some unique fabric clumps.

This lovely plant was a gift from Leif Olsen's widow, Linda who was happy to join in our busy day to see us.

Linda is to the left of my sister.

As I type Buddy is busy creating the December calendar for our family events. He's exceptionally cheerful right now.

So how are the things shaping up out your way?

REMEMBERING

Today we've set aside time to reflect about those who have given their lives to protect us. But let us not forget those who continue to serve us daily. There is a handsome nephew, Buddy's cousin, who is very actively serving our country. 
This is ACE. 

Thank you to all who make the world a safer place.

COLOURS OF FALL

Today Buddy is busy preparing our family"s activity calendar. 
It will be full of events. 
Tonight we head to our local BIL's for dinner.
Not local BIL who visited since September 21 leaves October 2 and we have a visit to the dentist at 2.
October 4 we must attend Leif"s funeral at 1, a very sad occasion.
October 6  my sis and I fly to Europe for 10 days visiting family.
October 13 is the Canadian Thanksgiving.
October 21 Stradford Festival for a King Lear special performance. 
October 23 is sister's birthday.
October 24 Madame Butterfly Opera at the Four Seasons.
October 31 is Justin's birthday and Halloween.
Looks like this month will fly by just like all the rest.

Above are photos that Buddy and I have collected. The first two come from our walks in our neighbourhood. We love to walk and talk when the weather is nice. I liked the way the weeds pooped out at us through a fence. He spotted the maple leaf on the sidewalk. It's contrast to the concrete gave me a nudge. I just had to capture it for him. Finally there is one arrangement Buddy sleeked for our table centre because it has fall colours. He likes to help select floral arrangements with a seasonal look. I just love his taste!

How is your October shaping up?

Spiderman Challenge

There's always something fun happening in city squares.Here's what Buddy and hubby were up to in Trafalgar Square in London, UK on our recent visit.

It was certainly fun for all. Look at the spectators. Buddy and the rest of us went on to watch the movie in a cinema at a big shopping centre the following afternoon.

We were really rather busy in our many travels this year and now we'd like to share some of the rare highlights.

Didn't my two guys do a super job of getting into the moment?

They are my stars at times and this is truly one of those for me.

FUSSBALL

I have become a fan of FIFA. Buddy snapped this picture while we were watching a game back in mid June. We watched many together. It was fun.
After today's match I think my chosen team may become the winner. We'll know on July 13.

Are you a sports fan?