Happy Tuesday Everyone

So here it is Tuesday morning and I am getting ready for work. Is there anything new going on? Not really....except I have discovered Ioffer.com! I have purchased tons of books for next to nothing!!! If you like shopping for deals and like the idea of bartering by making offers this is the site for you!!

OK I am off to work. Check out Ioffer if you get a chance. Let me know if you like it.

Thanks for stopping by for a short chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to think about as Remembrance Day approaches

I love Rick Mercer, he say's what I think and does it in such a way that we can't deny the truths in his rants.

I happen to have been brought up with a parent in the Canadian military. My grandfather served in the war and lost a leg. My mother's father was a war correspondent. We (My brother and I) were brought up to respect the military and the sacrifices being made by the men and women in the military. Who, for the 35 years before 9/11 were strongly unsung hero's. The wars had ended and for the most part Canadians sat back secure that our country was safe. The threat was gone and all was well in the world.

Sadly, our countries military has never been at rest. There has never been a time that our military men and women have been able to sit back and relax. We {the Canadian Military} have been involved in one way or another in every major conflict around the world since the end of the Second World War, but we did it quietly. We did it, like all Canadians function, with humility and decorum. I am not saying that our men and women are perfect or that they didn't step out of line now and then...but then again...they are men and women and as a result they are subject to "free will".

My father was in the military forever! But, under the old rules, he was not considered a Veteran. He served his country for more than 30 years but he was not a veteran. If he were alive today, he would be a veteran. How times have changed.

My big brother, who served in Kandahar/Afghanistan is a veteran...but was a veteran before he served "in theater". Have I ever mentioned how proud I am of my big brother? {{I am}} My hubby is a serving member of the Canadian Air Force and my brother is a reservist now that he has retired from full time service.

I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE & SISTER...but presently I am not that proud of the political parties in Canada and their decisions in regard to our wounded Canadian Veterans..in fact I am ashamed. Ashamed that these men and women can serve our country at personal risk and injury. They have returned to their country wounded...physically and mentally only to find out they are going to be punished financially by the very government they served to protect and laid down their very lives for...shame, shame on you - Canadian political leaders who approved the changes to the Veteran's Affairs Act! Shame on you Mr. Prime Minister for firing the one man you appointment to watch out for our great Canadian hero's!!

Please watch this rant by Rick Mercer...he states it best...now what do we do as Canadians sitting comfortably in our living rooms while our friends, family, neigbours fight for us? Think of them, talk about this. Open a dialogue with each other...don't let this issue fall to the wayside...write a letter to the editor, change your vote, talk to your MP, call your MLA. BE HEARD!!


At the risk of repeating myself...I am a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN MILITARY WIFE...are you a DAMN PROUD CANADIAN??

We support our fallen like no other country...now lets support our fallen that are trying to get back up!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat...rant...bi*&$c session...all for the good of others {did you read yesterday's post?}

Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Hump Day ~ Wednesday~ Mid-Week....

No matter how you slice it Wednesday is smack dab in the middle of the week. Is it a good day? Does it inspire you to push through for two more days until Friday? Do you think.."YES! Almost there!" or do you let the mid - week marker slide along hardly noticed as it slides into Thursday?

Does this all come down to being a "glass half full or glass half empty" kinda person? I'm typically a glass half-full kinda gal. I choose to see the good at all times. Now...don't get me wrong...I have bad days just like anyone else...but I think they are fewer than most people have. Why is that? Why do I find it easier to smile and laugh than frown and growl?

Not to go into too much family drama; but... I made the decision to look at the positive a very long time ago. I remember very well making that decision because it was a decision that changed my outlook on life and the stuff life throws at me.

Did you ever notice that one person in a group in a poor mood has the ability to suck the life out of the group? and unfortunately its just too easy to let that poor mood guide the attitude of the entire group. Kind of the road of least resistance. There is a reason for the saying, "The shortest distance between two people is a smile."

Laugh! Laugh loud! Laugh often!!

The next time someone points out that it's Hump Day, point out that it's also a beautiful day! Point out something positive about the day...like it's chilli day or family game night! Choose another reason...make up a reason...fake it 'til you make it! Be happy that's it a great day to have lunch with a friend. It's a great day to take a walk in the sunshine or splash in the puddles. there is good and happiness to be found everywhere...sometimes it just takes a little more work to find it.

So, I will laugh loudly...and if you indeed know me...I laugh loudly! I belly laugh! I laugh like there are no boundaries! I can proudly state that I can be recognized by my laugh! How awesome is that?!

• Be happy everyone. Take time to smell the flowers..heck take time to buy some flowers for yourself or someone you know that would least expect it. Spread some happiness.
• Send a cake to a friend with "Just Because" on top.
• Send your friends postcards from your province with the simple message "Weathers nice, wish you were here."
• Fill your friends car with balloons while they're at work.
• Pop over to a friends house the morning after it snowed and shovel for them.
• Find out where your friend gets her hair cut and pay for her next trim.
• Invite your friends over for a game night / PJ party
• Arrange for a maid/or yourself to clean your friends house before the weekend to give them a free weekend.

What can you think of to bring some happiness to one of your friends?

Have you done something for your friends that has made their day? Leave a comment and tell me about it. I'd love some new idea's. Thanks again for stopping by for a chat.

Hugz,

Sunshine :~D (There is a reason they call me Sunshine ya' know!)

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian Friends and Family

IT'S TURKEY WEEKEND!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!

Well, another Thanksgiving dinner has come and gone. We had our big dinner early this year. We decided to have our big dinner on Saturday so we could have two un-interrupted consecutive days to enjoy our long weekend.

We had a great meal and lots of laughs. We all had a round of "What are you thankful for this year?" suggested by my big brother, DW. The overwhelming consensus was that we're all thankful for family and friends.

Our wonderful niece was thankful for her new bed and not so thankful for the family cat, Charlie!

Charlie has a habit of waking her up around 3AM with purrs, making bread kneading on the bed covers, sharpening his claws on the carpet thingy by the top of the stairs.
The culprit! Code name: "Charlie"..."Carpet Cougar"..."Charles"..."King of the Hill"..."The Purrnator"..."Mr. Bower"..or as Emmy calls him..."Stooopid Cat!" LOL

Poor girl...she was so po'd by Charlie she scared the bejeezus out of my brother in the early morning hours when he got up for a drink and she was carrying Charlie down to put in her parents bedroom and shut the door!! Wish I could have seen that little encounter!! LOL!! My brother isn't a jumpy guy so that must have been funny!!!

OK...I don't know about any of you but I don't look like this when I am finished making a big dinner, like today. I look like something that should be thrown in a bubble bath with a glass of wine and told to "chill"...dang it! Just once I wanna look like this when I'm heading for the table!! Is that too much to ask??
I was also thankful for my family. I am grateful for my kids; that I know they are all safe; that I have a job; that I have the best friends a gal could ever ask for and that I have the love of my life by my side.

I watched the coolest video on FB today posted by a gal I went to High School with. Guess what she did today?? She jumped out of a freakin' plane!! How cool is that??!!! I was soo impressed by her courage.

I am terrified of heights and always thought that jumping out of a plane might be a great way to get over it...what do you think? Maybe I will jump out of an airplane to celebrate my 50th birthday...that would starting my second decade with a splash huh??!! Wonder how many of my friends I can talk into it??

How did you all spend your Thanksgiving? I wish all of my friends and family a beautiful, family filled Thanksgiving.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Enjoy your holiday. Don't eat too much turkey....you need room for the pumpkin pie...or that extra stuffing.....mmmmm....stuffing! I love stuffing....drool...stuffing....ummmm...what was I saying....side tracked by stuffing....Gosh I'm so easily side tracked!!

Once again thanks for stopping by. Have a great weekend.

Hugz,

Sunshine:^D

Here is a great recipe for a no bake pumpkin pie. I cheated this year and bought my pie...it was ok...but nothing is as good as home made is it? I am suggesting this recipe for all that left over pumpkin you are bound to have.

No-Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub (8 oz.) Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed, divided
1 Graham Pie Crust (6 oz.)

Beat cream cheese, pumpkin, sugar and pumpkin pie spice with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in 2-1/2 cups of the whipped topping. Cover and refrigerate remaining whipped topping for later use.

Spoon cream cheese mixture into crust.

Refrigerate 3 hours or overnight. Serve topped with remaining whipped topping. Store leftover cheesecake in refrigerator.

Thanks to That's My Home for the recipe. It's the same one I use..so I copied and pasted from her site instead of typing up my own recipe...kind of lazy huh? If you have the time check out the site. Its a good one.

Hugz again.

Sunshine:^D

My Stephanie Plum Obsession

Janet Evanovich

I have to admit I am totally hooked on Janet Evanovich books, novels, scribbles, blogs..hell if she wrote her grocery list on a napkin I'd read it!! Seriously, she makes me laugh out loud in an empty room. If you haven't read her books before; now is the time to start.

She has a great series of novels featuring Stephanie Plum as a bounty hunter with a lingerie buyer background...no really I'm not making this up!! The chemistry between Stephanie, her gramma, parents and the two men in her life is priceless.

DO NOT eat while reading these books...you WILL choke, spit, sputter and gulp trying not to laugh too loudly. I have been known to lay beside my sleeping husband and laugh so hard but trying to be quiet about it. I failed because I ended up shaking the bed with my mirth!! LOL!!

I am soooo excited!!! They are making a movie of the first Plum novel - "One For the Money" and they have casted Katherine Heigel as Stephanie Plum.



I agree 100%!! Katherine is cute and quirky enough to do the character justice. Her two love interests have been decided on now too! Hold on to your seats gals...grab a napkin...drool alert!!

Joe Morelli is going to be played by: Jason O’Mara (Life on Mars)

Ranger is going to be played by: Daniel Sunjata (Rescue Me)....ummm....drool!!! ***Wipes Chin***

It's time to start re-reading my Plum Mystery novels! Head on out to your local book store, go to your favourite on-line merchant..buy these novels and find a comfy seat and settle in for the best read you've had a long time!! I promise you there will be no regrets...unless you worry about all of the money you are going to spend once you get hooked on Stephanie and her hyjinks! These books are like McDonald french fries, Lays potato chips and Mike & Ikes...you can't eat just one!!

Thanks for stopping by for a chat folks. On a personal note...work went well today. I am working with a great group of gals. So far so good.

Hugz

Sunshine :~D

What a Difference a Week Can Make

Hello All:

I am very happy to report to one and all that I am now employed. Three weeks of unemployment isn't too long. I guess I survived. Not unscathed but definitely the wiser.

My new employer is a great lady named Susan. She has a school called Presidio Learning Centre in downtown Winnipeg and it's run by a great group of gals. This is going to be fun.

I am going to be an instructor and doing general administration. This work harkens back to work I have done in the past, so it's returning to my roots; as it were.

I have my first class tomorrow...well...it's a one - on - one so that will be much easier. Working right along with the student. Get my feet wet again.

I want to thank you for your support during this trying time. I am still thrown by the way I was laid off from my last position and I am going into this new venture "cautiously optimistic" because I was burned so badly the last time....but my radar is telling me this is the right thing to do and that this is a good group of people to work for.

If you are in the Winnipeg area and are interested in taking day classes check us out at:

PRESIDIO LEARNING CENTRE

The prices are the most reasonable I have ever seen for one day courses. So pop on over and check out the website and see the list of courses offered. You will be surprised at the diversity and options available.

Thanks for stopping by for a chat. I will keep you posted on how things are going.

Cheers,

Sunshine :^D

It's Saturday....

So a day has gone by and I am still working on letting it go. My stomach is no longer wrapped in a knot so I guess I am getting there. The overwhelming consensus is that I am better off out of that position and away from people that are so completely untrustworthy...and I agree. **Blessings***

My brother and sister-in-law are very supportive and my hubby is amazing!! I am one lucky lady I can tell you that. Of course my friends are there for me too. I have the most wonderful circle of family, friends and even acquaintances. They are there for me at all times; as I am for them. I could be poor in finances but I am the wealthiest gal in the world when it comes to my peeps.

**Grateful for all Blessings***

I have a job interview on Monday. It comes as the result of a friend mentioning my name. For that I am grateful. I am so fortunate. It is my hope that those of you reading this post understand the security and strength having a wonderful support system like I have. No matter the circumstance, you are never truly alone and you are not handling it on your own.
When I posted on FB my status saying:

Christina Bower is really PO'd! and is going to bed. Just found out I was lied to and don't like it at all...I can't remember when I have been this angry...it's not good folks...need to go to bed and try to calm down. Nite all. On a positive note will be calling a great gal about a job tomorrow. Looking on the bright side. G'night.

I not only got some comments on my status and wall posts but I also got e-mails and phone calls from friends and family across the country. I'd say I am one lucky gal and I thank my peeps for being there when I need them and when I don't....you know what I mean. Or at least I hope you do. That's it for me tonight. Hope I wasn't too gushy. I just wanted to express my gratitude to my peeps for being there through thick and thin. Thanks for stopping by for a chat. Have a great weekend everyone. Hugz,

Sunshine :^D

Something to ponder

So, it's been a couple of days since my last post. I have been busy applying for jobs since I was laid off from my last job. There are plenty of positions out there but they all seem to want you to have a ton of experience, education and talent...but want to pay you peanuts for it. What's up with that?

Let me ask you this...have you ever been lied to? I mean a big lie. Not what I call a "white lie".

Hmmm lets look at the difference.

White Lie - a lie of omission, exaggeration or embellishment.

You know what I mean here right?

For example: You went to an event and you exaggerated how many people and how much fun you had. You neglected to mention that you went home and vomited half the night because you drank just a "little" too much; but tell your friends it was the 'best night ever'!

No one gets hurt by your "white lie".

Big Lie - intentionally leading someone astray to cover your ass or to ensure you get what you want at the other person's expense.

For example: Your boss brings you in the office to let you know that while it is very difficult and they hate to do it; the money just isn't there right now and they have to trim their expenses and that means they have to let you go. If there was any other way to cut costs they would; but there just isn't and they are going to have to get by without your help. They will assist you in any way they can as an reference and if things change they will definitely give you a call. That you will be missed.

Now...that sounds as gentle of a "let go" as it gets doesn't it?

But here is the truth as you know it.

You were barely out the door when they brought in someone else who will work for less than you will and your chair wasn't even cold when they showed the new gal around her new work space!

Integrity is a wonderful thing isn't it? When you meet someone you automatically credit them with loads of integrity. It's an automatic thing and it's kind of just one of those 'assumed' things in life. Time goes on and without a doubt there are some little chinks gouged into the shield of that person's integrity. Either by action or word they show little bits of questionable behavior. Is this acceptable? I guess it all depends on who you are and what you find acceptable.

I am too trusting. I admit that. I want to see the good in everyone. I made a choice a very long time ago to see the good in all situations. The bad is just to damn easy to latch onto and suck you down into an abbis of negativity. So I see the good or the humour in almost all situations and I will give the benefit of a doubt until such a time I cannot. The surest way to lose the benefit of a doubt with me is to blatantly lie to me. I will look at you sideways after that.

I don't like confrontation but if need be I will confront anyone who lies to me at my expense...and that is where I find myself right now.

Scenario number two is what just has happened to me. I just found out last night that I was lied to when I was let go. The quandary is this... what to do about it....this is the person I am reliant upon for a reference to get another position...and yet their word means nothing to me at this point in time. The other side of the coin is that this person, while being my boss had one level of respect and on the other side as a person I liked her. It's so disappointing the realize that my entire perception of this person was SO wrong.

So here I am arranging for job interviews, reliant upon a person, who in my opinion, has no integrity at all and wondering if my perception of people is that "off" that at the ripe old age of 46 I can't trust my perception to tell me who is completely lacking in integrity?

So here I sit on a bright and sunny Friday morning replaying conversations and reviewing this person's actions over the last 9 months in my mind and questioning my ability to read people...something up until last evening I misguidedly thought I was very good at.

Thanks for stopping by to hear me rant everyone. I hope you have a great weekend. I am going to work on throwing this out into the universe for resolution. I know I don't have the ability to change this person's actions. So I need to change my way of thinking. After all, I am the only person I have control of in this world, right?

Hugz to one and all,

Sunshine :~D