Freezing Friday - But it was sunny

It was a very sunny day and the roads are clear.  What can we do today?  I don't know why I suggested to go on the road and check out the famous Silver Star Mountain Resort.  Everyone has been telling us to check it out since we arrived in Vernon.  Of course we couldn't find the time because we were very busy during the first three months here.  Now that the dust has settled (as they saying goes), we thought it was a perfect day to do it.  And it was, there was no traffic, the roads were clear to and from, and the sun was out all the time we were there.  The resort was so colorful since the different buildings (hotels/condo) were painted in bright colors.  It was busy that day but not so busy that you could not find a parking.  As we get out of the car, a skier was coming down the hill, actually Jeff says she came from the place she was staying and she takes a short cut down the hill to begin her route.  There were a few restaurants that were open and after walking in the cold temperature, we decided to stop in at one of the cafe/bistro.  The name "Bugaboos" bakery and cafe.  We ordered our lunch, I had the hungarian goulash soup and Jeff had the Mexican corn soup, plus we split and Italian panini.  In addition to that, we order our coffee to keep us warm and I couldn't resist ordering the Almond Croissant.  Cost $35.00 - what did you expect, it is a resort.  There was still time to check more stores before we head home.  After two stores, we knew we were not going to buy anything because, the prices were too high for my liking.  All in all it was a good trip.  Jeff will eventually try to get back to snowboarding.  One good information, they have shuttle bus from downtown Vernon to take you up there and back.  Although the schedule only runs during the weekend and some holidays.  Here's a few photo we took. The other photos are on the road going to the resort. Maybe someday you will get a chance to visit it too. 

Wishing Wednesday - Bringing good tidings

It's almost time to start singing the 12 days of Christmas.  But instead I am taking my guitar tuned and start practicing playing Christmas songs.  Our neighborhood has invited us to join them singing Christmas carols around our street.  The organizer has sent a list of songs that we will attempt to sing.  I am actually excited but not sure how my fingers will survive as I have not played the guitar for a long time.  One good part is that some of the chords are coming back and I could remember how to play. LOL.  I seem to recall, a very long time ago, probably almost 50 years ago when our class would go caroling two nights in a row.  Of course the weather is much different back in the Philippines.  Not even sure if the guitar will stay tuned with the cold weather of the Okanagan.  What is nice is that we get to sing jolly carols for the neighborhood.  I can't remember if we are suppose to sing a couple of songs and have a drink for each home, or have a couple of drinks and sing one songs.  By the way, I forgot to mention that we live on a bit of a steep hill.  So we are starting uphill and cross the street at our home and then head down the road.  As this is our first year, we really don't know how many homes we can cover before we get overly cold.  Here's the lists of all the songs we will be singing.

• Jingle Bells
• Frosty the snowman
• Silent Night
• Deck the halls
• Winter wonderland
• Silver bells
• We wish you a merry Christmas
• Away in a manger
• Here comes Santa Claus
• Mommy's kissing Santa Claus

Actually there are four more songs that I am not familiar and/or cannot play in the guitar.  So I am sticking to the above songs.

Merry Monday - Just because

Last week we decided to just get a fake tree because we cannot decide between real tree or fake tree.  We went out and bought one with lights already attached to the tree.  I wanted to have our home decorated since we can only have it for a month. Aside from the polar bear blow-up, I could not resist getting a Kevin blow up as well to keep the bear company.  By the end of the day, the decorations were complete.  Now the home is merry and bright. I almost forgot, I had to make a new skirt for the tree, some Christmas place mats and a couple of hand warmers for those cold nights. Enough writing, just check out the pictures. 

As you can see, only one Christmas card so far.

Made from scraps of quilted fabrics, I filled it with rice.  It's microwaveable.

Sickly Sunday - It's not the flu

At least I am hoping it is not the flu. WHY? Because I got the flu shot a month ago.  Normally, I would get the flu a week or two after receiving the flu shot.  Except last year,  I was stubborn and tempted faith by not getting the shot.  Well, in February I got the FLU and to top it off, I got the A strain, worst kind ever.  If I recall, I was sick for almost 3 weeks.  Then I had to take some kind of prescription that I feel like I am hallucinating, so I stopped.  Way too strong for me so I just tough it out.  After recovery from that bout of flu, I promised myself that I will get it this year because even if I did get one, it would not be as bad as last year.  So far, it's been OK until yesterday when I started feeling sluggish and no appetite.  I slept most of the day in the hopes that I will get recharged.  It helped a little, but today I am still feeling under the weather.  Maybe I just did too much the past week and drained myself or maybe it's something else.  Just in case, I am drinking lots of fluids, eating lightly as well as eating fresh oranges and cantaloupe.  I also decided just to take it easy for the next couple of days just to make sure I can boost my immune system.  It's time for my nap, until the next post, remember CLEANS (citrus,liquids,eat,avoid,nap,sanitize).

Forever Friday - She's all grown up

Today, she's another year older.  Today, I am not going to be with her.  All I can do is  feature her on today's post.  As I look back, there are many birthdays that I have missed.  For most of her childhood, I was there.  For part of her teens, I was there.  As an adult, maybe I have missed maybe 10 in total.  I am sure my daughter is not counting how many times I was not around for her birthday because I always send her a card and most of the years, I do send gifts.  In fact last year was the most gifts I sent.  I spent as much time wrapping each and every one of the gifts.  From the beginning of the year, I started shopping for the gifts that I think were special.  It took a while to complete, but I was able to get the right number of gifts three months before her birthday.  When she was little, I use to make her a new dress for her birthday.  I remember trying hard to copy the "Annie" red dress.  Believe it or not, I did make it and she loved wearing it.  There was also another time when we couldn't find a nice dress for her first communion,  so I made her one that was very special.  Another very special item I made was her very own northern Parka, I believe she was two.  I still think about it sometimes and wish I had not given it away.  Wait, I got side tracked.  Going down memory lane just got me thinking of other stuff.  My daughter has become an amazing woman who loves Steph Curry, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and her husband.  She is caring and thoughtful but may need work on patience.  She is fun-loving, independent but not demanding.  She is kind, generous but not fickle.  She is organized, creative but not messy.  She is punctual, respectful but not pretentious.  I could go on but honestly, she is a wonderful daughter and now she's all grown up.  Happy birthday Alysia! May you continue to grow, enjoy life to the fullest and make lasting memories.  Love, Mom.

Will Wednesday - Will and Living Trust

Do you have one?  Are you planning to get one done before the year end? Maybe this is one of your new year's resolution is to get organized and have something in place.  As we get older it seems like we think about this type of things.  I am sure most people have existing will and/or living trust and maybe a power of attorney.  So when is the best time to get one of this.  For families with young children I believe this is a must.  With all the updated information online on this topic, it is possible that by now, most would have current will, living trust, living will, etc.  Probate - that's a scary word specially for the people you are leaving behind or that special person you assigned as your executor.

Are you wondering why this topic today?  First, I needed a word that begins with W.  Second, we have been procrastinating to update ours for the last 7 years.  Third, there is no third. It's about time.  RIGHT.  The good news is that we found a lawyer and will eventually get an appointment in the new year.  Now we can sleep tight and not have to worry, wonder or wish.