Shawl Pin by Ingo Jewelry

Ingo Jewelry is having a  Shawl Pin!  This one is my very favaourite :)
Go to her website and checkout all her great jewelry.  I have many Ingo jewelry pieces and love them <3

Knook Beginner Set Giveaway

All Free Knitting is giving away a Knook Beginner Set to one lucky winner.  This special giveaway includes three Knook hooks, three Knook cords and four pattern books to help get you started.  What is The Knook exactly?  Here's how it works: The Knook is a specialized crochet hook that has a cord threaded through a hole in the non-hook end. The cord holds the stitches while you work, allowing you to create a knitted fabric.  That's right; you'll be able to knit using a crochet hook!  Pretty cool, huh?


I am going to enter!  Are you?

Canadian Aid vs. Canadian Trade Policies - An Oxymoron

Canadian Trade Policies damage any aid that goes from Canada to countries like Guatemala:
An eye opener of an article by Paul Webster helped me understand that Guatemalan peasant farmers will never eat the nutritious produce they help farm:

"The valleys contain the best land, but they are mostly used for export crops, not for growing food for Guatemalans."

"Rural families, most of whom survive via subsistence farming, suffer hunger and malnutrition because international agribusiness takes the best soil."

"Developed countries such as Canada built their agricultural might using protectionist measures such as subsidies, tariffs, and trade barriers in place to support Canadian farmers. Meanwhile, poor countries such as Guatemala have been forced to abandon such measures - often at the urging of the developed countries"

So what can I personally do about this? I'm not sure. I would like to say that I will make the time to do some research and find a way to help...I think this is not highly possible as I have a job, and family, and responsibilities that take of my time. However, I am going to try to find fair trade companies whom I can purchase products from:

UPAVIM CRAFTS

COLORES DEL PUEBLO

MAYAN HANDS

LAS MUJURES DE PANABAJ

LUCIA'S IMPORTS

GIFTS WITH HUMANITY

There are many more Fair trade on-line shops form Guatemala and other countries - you can do a search for the country you are interested. Just be sure that the site has a Fair Trade Federation tag.

Sad Loss for Canadians

This morning I tuned into CBC on the television while I waited for my coffee to be ready. I was shocked to find out that Jack Layton has passed away. I knew he was extremely ill, but had the best hopes for his recovery. I think that this is a great loss for all Canadians as well as for his family and his loved ones. I offer them my condolences.

I wish Jack relief in heaven.

Sick and Surfing

So, I took the day off because I have been fighting a cold for almost 3 months - well not the same cold, but it feels like it. You see, I'll catch a cold, have it for 2 to 3 weeks, finally start feeling better for a few days and, wham, get hit with another cold. My co-workers are even telling me I should take antibiotics. However, every time I visit the clinic the doctor tells me to let the cold just run its course...
Anyway, I thought I'd let my body rest a bit. I tidied the kitchen some, and did a couple of loads of laundry and then lay in bed surfing the net.
I found some inspiring craft ideas and wanted to share http://thelongthread.com because it's a cool site and because she is having a give away. Click on the link for details on that!

Conflicting Emotions

Watching the news coverage about Japan has me feeling extremely sad for all the hurt and anguish the earthquakes and tsunami have brought upon the people of Japan.

The fighting for democracy in Libya, Yemen, and other countries causes me to feel proud for the people who are wanting a change in their lives. However, their being crushed by the politicians causes great sadness in me. Why do people have to die?

All the events that are going on in the world brings one's own life into perspective: Where as the other day I was frustrated because I have to get up early in order to get a ride to school/work, I now give thanks that I have that ride to work because it saves me the hassle of having to commute by bus...

My life is good! I have a husband I can be myself with, one that appreciates my sense of humour and doesn't mind my unwinding by silliness. I have a wonderful and caring mother, one who has always wanted the best for me and who strived to help me when I needed it. I had a good father, with faults as we all have, who loved his children very much. I have a brother and a sister who, although not as close as my mom would like us to be, do talk to one another fairly often and have not distanced ourselves from one another. We are always there for each other when in times of stress...
I have a job I truly enjoy. I enjoy researching topics and spending time finding new resources for the subjects I teach. I love walking into the classrooms knowing that the majority of the children look forward to having me in their classroom and, even better, knowing that most of them enjoy what I am teaching them. The good working relationships I have with fellow teachers is something that is also very important in my being content.

I wish the happiness I have to all - to my colleagues, my friends, my family, the yayas, as well as to I do not know. May you all find some happiness in your lives...

Polka Dot Posh

I found a website that I really like! It's called Polka Dot Posh there are free crochet patterns on it! Check it out!

Dia de los Muertos

Mostly known as a Mexican tradition. I have often heard my mother speak of the Day of the Dead. In Guatemala specific foods like FIAMBRE are made for and taken to the graves of loved ones who have passed away.

I have done a little research of the Mexican Day of the Dead and like that the loved one's favourite food is made and that small altars are made in one's home. I like that idea. Perhaps I shall make one for dad...

Sonia Varaschin

When I first heard the news that Sonia was missing I felt sad and concerned for her. When it was reported that human remains had been found but not identified my first reaction was "God, I hope it isn't Sonia." But then i realized that if it wasn't her, then it would be another human being and their family who would be suffering. Either way, there is much pain and sadness...If only our species had evolved morally as well as intellectually.

I will be offering my prayers to God tonight for Sonia and her family, as well for the families of any others who have lost a loved one by means of murder.

Staying Possitive

Back to School!

So, tomorrow I go back to work! I am looking forward to having an absolutely great year with all the students I will be teaching, monitoring during nutrition breaks and recess times, during the craft club as well as any that I will meet in the halls and stairwells while "commuting" to the various classrooms I will be in. I am also looking forward to a wonderful year with the staff :)


Guatemala - Landslides:

How can one be positive when hearing of the many deaths that the landslides in Guatemala are causing - while others may say that the human death toll is not much compared to what has happened in other regions of the world, they are still human lives: fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, children to other people. I pray for those who have lost loved ones - may God help give them comfort and help them to continue to live life always remembering the happy moments of the lives of those they have lost.

Hope

My heart goes out for the trapped Chilean miners and their families. I do hope and pray that they can all be rescued alive and well.

I still also am hoping and praying for a miracle for a Ya-Ya friend named Sharon...May she live a healthy comfortable life and be able to see her child grow up to adulthood.

I have to admit that in my personal life I have so very much to be thankful for - especially the relationships with my mother, sister, brother, husband, friends and co-workers. I shall always try to keep these relationships happy and healthy. I have the power to do so!

I also believe that, if not today, or next week, or next month, then sometime in the near future, that I will succeed in creating and and selling crafty items!

Crisis in Pakistan

I am not rich, I do not have "extra" money hanging around. However, to know that the floods have affected so very many people and to hear that there is no safe drinking water which means that there will be much in the way of water borne diseases breaks my heart. So I have donated a little (to Oxfam)and hope you will too.

Our Canadian government has finally decided that they will match dollar for dollar the donations made by the people of Canada.

Please donate what you can...

Thanks.

Good Friends

I shall be meeting up with a wonderful friend that I've known for a long time.

I met her at Canada's Wonderland. We worked there some time ago and became fast friends. Tracy is a very optimistic and fun loving gal who would do anything to help a person in need - friend, acquaintance, or stranger...

We have keep in touch on-line and with a few phone calls, but it has been 4 years since I have seen her face to face. On Tuesday of this past week we made plans to meet up and catch up today! I am really looking forward to our "date"!

I must sign off now, as I've yet to get ready!

May you all be able to share your day with a friend :)

Cancer and Hope

A Ya-Ya friend has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. She is only 34 years old, in a happy marriage, and the mother of a very young child. It seems unfair for someone so young with a fairly new family to have this disease. I can only hope that the prayers and positive visualization of the very many people who are supporting her (near and far away) can help to shrink the tumor and allow her to see her child grow into an adult...

This situation hits close to home, though in my case, the person afflicted with the tumor is in her late 50's, and she has been able to see her child grow up into a young woman. Prayers are being said for her as well.

Giving Thanks

This past Monday was the Ontario Civic holiday and the last day of Kempenfest. Mom and I decided to spend the day together and went to see The Martels concert there. The music was great, although a bit nostalgic for mom and I - seeing all the older couples dancing together that is, and wishing that dad were still with us.

Then, during the intermission Jan Arden's song Good Mother was playing. It is a song I have always loved and made me realize that I had a good close to 40 years with my father, and that some people don't have their fathers that long, and that I was blessed to have him with me for so long. It also makes me feel grateful for all the things in life I have - especially MY good mother

:)

Family

My mother, sister, brother in law, and nephew come home today! they have been in Morocco visiting with the in-law's family.

I am glad they are coming home. They have not been gone long, however, I do wish to give my young nephew a huge hug!

Canadian Mining in Central America

Goldcorp Inc. is a Canadian based mining company - it extracts silver and gold in "developing counties" including Honduras, and Guatemala. In these developing countries, Goldcorp Inc. uses cyanide to separate the metals - Cyanide has been banned for use in these extractions in Canada and the US. Cyanide, lead, mercury, and arsenic are allowed to seep into the ground water causing numerous unexplained illnesses in animals and in human beings living in areas around the mines.

Although Goldcorp Inc. has provided jobs, and funded the building of schools in the communities they are affecting, they should be forced to use "1st world" methods of extracting the metals. They should also clean up and better manage their mines.

Unfortunately the Ontario Teacher's Pension Plan buys shares in Goldcorp Inc.

This means that I am directly a part of the problem. So I plan on writing to the Government of Canada, the government of Guatemala, and to the OTPP letting them know that I do not support their actions and asking that they clean up their act.

P90X Progress - Starting Week Two

Yesterday was my "day off" in my exercise program: I thought I'd have much time to do some crafting. I was wrong, I went into major cleaning mode - scrubbing, sweeping, mopping, etc. It took up quite a lot of my time! But my house looks clean and tidy and that makes me happy :)

As for the exercise program itself - boy is it a tough one. I have been having trouble with certain moves so I try to change it to accommodate for what I can do. I really find the Legs and Back routine tough. So much that it makes me very nauseous. Not a good feeling :(

As I have mentioned before, I do not like how quickly the program goes from getting your heart rate to it's max and very quickly goes into a very brief cool down. So, I had been adding a 15-20 minute walk on the treadmill. Today, I decided to do a full hour of interval training on it instead. It felt great. I may have to continue to do this!

Farewell

This past Friday my uncle had a family dinner in honour of my cousin/god daughter. She resides in Guatemala (as does most of my extended family) and was in Canada as a visitor for 5 months. During this time she and the family in Canada were able to spend time together and learn more about one another. I am glad I got to know her better and wish her and her mother, my aunt Lucy, the best that life can bring them. May God bless them and allow them to live long and happy lives.


Sadness

The news channels continue to report on the death of children who have drowned this summer. It saddens me to know that these little children, who have their whole lives ahead of them, have died due to drowning. I don't know the background stories to what has happened in each of these cases. However, I beg for all parents and guardians to be sure that a sober and capable adult monitor children while they are in the water.

Will I have what it takes? I must give it my best shot!

I have read through all of the P90X Fitness Guide...When I was reading the first few paragraphs, and even the first few pages, I was thinking to myself, "OMG, what have I gotten myself into?" There were many warnings about how if you've not done Power 90 or 10 Minute Work Out (or something similar) than you are not ready for P90X...

However, though for the past couple of years I have been somewhat lazy when it comes to exercise, I have done some light weight training and interval training (cardio) on occasion.

I continued reading, and, I did the fitness test. Now, try as I might, I have never been able to do a chin up. However, most weight-lifting movements can be replicated with exercise tubing. I will be using the tubing to replace the chin up bar. Other than that, and the Heart Rate Maximizer (which requires one to do jumping jacks for 2 minutes and then completely stop so that you can then measure your heart rate immediately, after 2 minutes, etc.) it seems that I am ready for P90X.

I decided that I would not do the Heart Rate Maximizer because I do not like the idea of coming to a full stop after getting your heart rate so high. I always have been educated to include a cool down so that the heart can gradually go back to it's normal rate. I jumped for 1 minute, jogged for 1 minute, marched for 1 minute and then I walked for 1 minute and just left it at that.

I've also read some of the Nutrition Guide. Much of it reminds me of Tosca Reno's views on eating clean:


http://www.eatcleandiet.com/

Unfortunately, I have not been very motivated to exercise - I'd much rather read or craft. However, I think I will actually start with the program tomorrow - wish me luck!