Busy

Busy Busy Busy!!!

Honey: To-Do-List

At this time of the year, there are so many things on Monsieur Bears'
"Honey: To-Do-List" that even I feel a little bit guilty.

Emphasis on a *little bit.*

Safety Concerns

Today, Monsieur Bear and I were out driving in the car and we were shocked at how many pedestrians were trying to cross the roads in the middle of the block or crossing at a corner on a red light.

What was so disheartening was that there was not one specific age group doing this, but people of all ages. We saw teenagers in large groups, young mothers pushing strollers and with toddlers walking beside them and also seniors with canes crossing the streets in an unsafe manner.

Please people use your common sense especially at this time of the year. In winter conditions, cars take longer to come to a safe stop.

Everyone is in a hurry and rushing to get somewhere but please don't ruin your families' holidays.

We drivers also don't want our holidays destroyed by your carelessness.

Use a safe crossing. please.

A Little Penny

Remember this every time you find a little penny in the parking lot.

I always thought that it was for good luck, but I love this version better.

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I found a penny today
Lying on the ground
But it's not just a penny
This little coin I've found
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Found pennies come from heaven
That's what my Grandpa told me
Oh how I loved that story
He said Angels toss them down
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He said when an Angel misses you
They toss a penny down.
Sometimes just to cheer you up
To make a smile out of your frown
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So don't pass by that penny
When you're feeling blue
It may be a penny from heaven
That an Angel's tossed to you



Bear((( )))

Thinking About My Oddities

photo courtesy of Richie from:

An Arkies Musings

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Last week Chesapeake Bay Woman and then yesterday Midlife Slices™ asked me to list 6-7 oddities about myself. I promised them I would think about my oddities and list them here on my blog.

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So in no particular order, here are the things that people will say, "You are odd, Bear!"

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1. I really like Mimes. At one point in my life, I wanted to open a restaurant in Québec City that would have Mimes as waiters. I had even decided what the decor would be (all black and white) and that no one other than the customers would speak. Imagine my chagrin when I found out that I am possibly the only person in the world who actually finds Mimes humourous. Oh well, another one of my brilliant ideas goes bust.

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2. The one and only time I ever paralleled parked was the day many, many years ago when I took my driver's test. I will park three blocks away from where I have to be, to avoid parallel parking.

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3. Keeping with the driving theme, I always try to never turn left unless at a light with an advanced green signal. My children make fun of me--oh well.

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4. I do not turn on a radio--EVER. Not in the car or at home. I prefer silence rather than having a radio blaring in the background. Occasionally, I will listen to some tunes on my CD player but that is maybe 2 to 3 times a year.

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5. I have to read books lying down. I don't know why but I have always done this. Lying in bed or on the couch, that is the way that I read.

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6. I can not fall asleep if the sheets or blankets are tucked in at the foot of the bed. The FIRST thing I do when I go to a hotel is untuck the sheets even before removing the bedspread. Hotel maids hate me but then I tip well, so deal with it, is my theory.

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7. Bonus oddity about myself. I have never owned a dress or a blouse with a patterned fabric. Monochrome only. I do not like patterned fabric for dresses or blouses. This years' fashions are just not my style. I can wait. This patterned fabric craze will soon be over (hopefully.)

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Bear((( )))

20 Things To Do In Your Life

1. Do your best to find something beautiful in at least half of all the people you meet.
2. Tip waitresses as you would like to be tipped. (Would they be waitressing if they didn't need the money?)
3. Smile often, even if not everyone smiles back.
4. Make cookies for your neighbours.
5. Treat yourself to something nice.
6. Give flowers.
7. Donate old clothes to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, rather than throwing them out.
8. Buy a meal for someone you see with a " Will Work For Food" sign.
9. Make a donation to a worthwhile charity, remember, you get what you give.
10. Volunteer to help someone learn to read through a library literacy program.
11. Give some of your time up for a friend who you know could use a day out.
12. When someone is cruel or unfair to you, forgive them. (If you let their cruelty harden your heart, you are no better than they.)
13. Make yourself more available to your loved ones, each of us have limited time here.
14. Even if it doesn't happen to you. CARE.
15. Listen to your kids for 20 minutes, undistracted. (This time is priceless)
16. Look for the humour in your life, it's there!
17. Smile..life's too short to take yourself too seriously.
18. Sing with your children, or someone else's.
19. Don't be afraid to be silly in public, at the end of your life you'll wish you spent more time enjoying life..not impressing strangers.
20. Understand that people are, and will always remain, imperfect. Accept this truth and look for the best in those around you.

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Please remember to practice *Random Acts of Kindness.*

You will be amazed at how good YOU will feel.

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Bear((( )))

Lessons Learned From Geese

It is that time of the year when the geese are flying south for the winter season.

These are lessons we humans can learn from geese.

As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a V formation, the flock adds 71% extra flying range.

People who share a sense of community can help each other get where they are going more easily....because they are traveling on the trust of one another.

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When a goose falls out of formation, it feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It will quickly move back to take advantage of the lifting power of the birds in front.

If we have as much sense as geese, we stay in formation with others headed in the direction we want to go. We are willing to accept their help and offer our help in return.

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When the lead goose tires, it drops back within the formation and another takes the lead position.

It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks. We should recognize, respect and protect each other’s unique arrangement of skills, capabilities, talents, and resources.

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The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

We need to make sure our honking is supportive. In groups where there is encouragement, production is greatly increased. Individual empowerment results from quality honking.

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And finally, when a goose gets sick, two geese drop out of the formation and follow it to help and protect it.

If we have as much sense as geese, we will stand by each other in difficult times, as well as when we are strong.

Bear((( )))

Canada--It Is Time To Vote

Today is ELECTION day here in Canada.

It is time for ALL of us to choose a Prime Minister for Canada.

After 37 days of campaigning, the day has finally arrived where all Canadians have the right and the privilege to vote on who will be the next Prime Minister of Canada.

Let's make today the day that will go down in history as the day that ALL Canadians went to the polls and voted for their choice for Prime Minister of Canada.

I'm voting, are you?



Bear((( )))

Can Dilemma-Update

Thank you everyone for all your helpful and/or humourous ideas on how to throw away our broken trash can.
Gary Plan B won the prize for the funniest idea.
Gary said, " Call the police and report it as an abandoned stripped vehicle and have it towed."

Well I am happy to announce that the can is gone.


The only thing that my husband did was put it at the bottom of the driveway early this morning.
No note--nothing just one poor old empty can.


I had totally forgot about my thieving good neighbours who grab anything that is not physically nailed down here in the 'hood.

This just proves the old saying:
One man's trash is another man's treasure.

So thank you everyone for giving me a great big smile today.
And Chesapeake Bay Woman I'll be calling you if I need to do any late night shopping.



Bear((( )))

Gargantuan Garbage Dilemma

We have a gigantic problem this week with our garbage.
Well not with the garbage itself but with the trash can that we use.
Or should I say USED to use.

What happened was that last week; one of the trash collectors who emptied our plastic garbage can broke the darn thing.
Wheels on the bottom of the can-----gone, handles--—knocked off and the rim-----broken in several spots.
The poor fellow must have had an argument that morning; either with his wife and/or his boss.
Or perhaps he just needs to take a Stress Management course.

So, we purchased a new garbage can this week made from heavyweight galvanized steel with heavy-duty handles and no attached wheels.
The question to all my readers out there:

Just how do you throw away an old broken trash can?
I’m worried that they won’t take it away.
Now I am getting stressed out.



Bear((( )))

Give Peace a Chance

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I want to thank everyone who left such heartfelt and thoughtful comments on yesterday’s ABC Wednesday post.
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How very ironic that yesterday afternoon, the body of our 97th fallen soldier, Sgt. Prescott (Scott) Shipway arrived at CFB Trenton to take that solemn journey down the Highway of Heroes to Toronto, Ontario.
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My opinion on this war will be kept personal; but I wanted everyone to see and know that we Canadians honour and respect our armed forces and we will never forget their bravery.
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On this day, the anniversary of 9/11/01, I thought maybe I would show you why we must HAVE PEACE NOW.
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What better way to say GIVE PEACE A CHANCE than to learn the names and see the pictures of our Canadian HEROES.
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If you have a few minutes, all the names and photos of our brave Canadian HEROES can be seen here.
These 98 photographs are of the 97 Canadian soldiers and the one Canadian diplomat who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the deployment in 2002.
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Bear((( )))

Back to School

Here in Canada summer vacation for students ends the day after Labour day.

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Today is the day that all the children are either going back to school or starting their first days of education in Kindergarten.

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Please everyone be EXTRA cautious when driving today.

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I am sure we can all remember the excitement we felt on that first day back to class and when children are excited and/or nervous, they might forget the safety rules.

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So it is up to all of us to pay attention when driving, especially if you are near a school area.

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Good luck to all the students and a special bear hug to my oldest grandson who will be starting Senior Kindergarten today.

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Bear((( )))

Smashing Age Stereotypes

I received this in an email from a great friend and I wanted to share it with all of you.

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AGE STEREOTYPES

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We have all heard them and if you still haven’t you soon will.
What I am talking about is all the clichés that are out there in society about aging.

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Well I’m ready to smash them, are you?

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Cliché: Over the hill
Stereotype slasher: Yeah, I’m over the hill – because I ran there in my last 10k race.
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Cliché: Past her prime

Stereotype slasher: If that’s true, how is it I’ve got a fantastic career, a great social life and I’m happier with my looks than I've ever been?
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Cliché: Age-appropriate dressing

Stereotype slasher: I prefer “me-appropriate” dressing. Maybe it’s time to dress as we please.
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Cliché: Mature woman

Stereotype slasher: When I’m with my best friends, we don’t act the least bit mature. We giggle like teenagers and have a fantastic time.

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Cliché: Woman of a certain age

Stereotype slasher: Oh, I’m certain all right – certain that I won’t put up with guff from anyone!

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Cliché: Old and lonely

Stereotype slasher: Those words just aren’t in my vocabulary. I am kind, loved, happy, active and valued.

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Cliché: Older faces and bodies aren’t sexy

Stereotype slasher: That’s what you think! Just ask my husband.
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Cliché: 60 is the new 50

Stereotype slasher: Now that’s one cliché that I like!
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This is not about anti-aging. This is about taking a fresh attitude toward aging.
I’m over 60, I embrace life with boundless vitality, I have so much wisdom to share and I’m ready to celebrate all my amazing experiences.

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ARE YOU?

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Bear((( )))

Wish Upon a Star

I was wondering, if you could wake up tomorrow morning and have ONE physical change to yourself, what would it be?

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Would you want a smaller nose, a larger bustline, different teeth or to be taller or shorter?

How about straighter or curlier hair, less of a derriere, smaller ears or feet or maybe abs of steel?

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This is your chance to put in your request and wish upon a falling star.

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As for myself it is a real toss-up.

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Do I want a flatter tummy or to never have thunder thighs with that unattractive cellulite showing?

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Well I have made my decision.

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My choice is to have my eyes changed so that the lids don't droop, the bags are gone and I have 20/20 vision.

But I would keep them the same colour.

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Post your wishes in the comments section and let's see what one thing you would change if it could magically happen overnight.

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Bear((( )))

Mundayz

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Bear((( )))

As We Grow Up

I received this in an email and I thought I would share it with all my blogging friends.
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As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
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You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time.
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You'll break hearts too,
So remember how it felt when yours was broken.
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You'll fight with your best friend.
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You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
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You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love.
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So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.
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Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
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Authour unknown
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Bear((( )))

Metric Conversions

From time to time, small issues arise among our Canadian, European and American Bloggers because of the fact that the USA uses largely Imperial units of measure, while the rest of the world (mostly) is on the metric system.

Some of the following may prove useful for those who are challenged by the conversion process.

Useful Imperial/Metric Conversions:

Ratio of an igloo’s circumference to its diameter - Eskimo Pi

2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University - 1 I.V. League

2,000 pounds of Chinese soup - Won Ton

1 millionth mouthwash - 1 microscope

Speed of a tortoise breaking the sound barrier - Mach turtle

Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour - Knot Furlong

365.25 days of drinking low-calorie beer because it’s less filling - 1 Lite Year

16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone - 1 Rod Serling

Half of a large intestine - 1 semicolon

1,000 aches - 1 megahertz

Weight an evangelist carries with God - 1 billigram

Basic unit of laryngitis - 1 hoarsepower

Shortest distance between two jokes - a straight line

Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement - 1 bananosecond

A half bathroom - 1 demijohn

453.6 graham crackers - 1 pound cake

1 million microphones - 1 megaphone

1 million bicycles - one megacycle

2,000 mockingbirds - two kilomockingbirds

10 cards - 1 decacards

1 kilogram of falling figs - 1 Fig Newton

1,000 milliliters of wet socks - 1 literhosen

1 millionth of a salmon - 1 microfiche

1 trillion pins - 1 terrapin

1 million billion piccolos - 1 gigolo

10 rations - 1 decoration

100 rations - 1 C-ration

10 millipedes - 1 centipede

3 1/3 tridents - 1 decadent

10 monologs - 5 dialogs

2 monograms - 1 diagram

8 nickels - 2 paradigms

2 wharfs - 1 paradox

265 parliamentarians - Not 1 decision

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Bear((( )))

If Teddy Bears Ruled the World

Oh my, what a wonderful place.
Everyone would be happy.
There would be a smile on every face.
We would picnic every Sunday

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At our favorite old oak tree.
We would sing and dance and prance about,
Just playing joyfully.
We would all be nice to each other
And always lend a hand.
Ready with a bear hug,
We would always understand.
We would all be happy when something nice
Happened for one of our friends
And our friendships would last forever.
Nothing would cause them to end.
We would be kind to everyone,
Not just those in our own home,
But to everyone throughout our world,
Wherever we may roam.
Yes, if teddy bears ruled the world,
What a wonderful life this would be.
Our hearts would always be happy
As we danced by the old oak tree.
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Janis Miner
Copyright 1997
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Bear((( )))

Facial Creams and Lotions

A husband and wife are shopping at the market when the man picks up a case of beer and sticks it into their cart.

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“What do you think you're doing?” asks the wife.

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"They're on sale, only $25 for a case,” he says.

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“Put them back. We can't afford it,” says the wife and so they carry on shopping.

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A few aisles later the woman picks up a $50 bottle of facial lotion and places it into the cart.

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“What do you think you're doing?” asks the man.

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“It's my facial lotion. It makes me look beautiful,” she says.
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The man replies, “So do 24 bottles of beer and they’re half the price!”

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If any of you women are like me, you have many jars and bottles of facial creams and lotions sitting on your bathroom counter that you have bought because you believed all the hype that was promoted about them.

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"Purchase *X* brand and your wrinkles will disappear, *Y* brand promises to give you back the youthful skin you used to have" etc. etc. ad nauseum.

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Who to believe and is it all just a marketing ploy?

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Well I have to admit that I am someone who used to believe in all the hype and marketing that the cosmetics industry was targetting to us women of a *certain age*.

And then I read Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me by Paula Begoun .

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This book is an eye-opener and should be considered as a *MUST READ* for every woman who has spent hundreds if not thousands of dollars on any *miracle facial creams or lotions.*

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I can honestly recommend either purchasing this book or borrowing it from your local library before you spend another dollar on the latest *miracle cream or lotion.*

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Bear((( )))

Women's Wishes

for the Five Stages of Their Lives
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First Stage:
The wish to grow up...
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Second Stage:
The wish to fill out...
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Third Stage:
The wish to slim down...
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Fourth Stage:
The wish to hold it in...
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Fifth Stage:
The wish to be accepted for what you are...
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Bear((( )))