Food for thought.....

It's still hot, but I'm at work today in the air conditioner so I'm feeling much better. Normally I don't enjoy working on Saturdays but today it's a treat because I can only imagine what the inside of my house that gets no breeze feels like.

I just wanted to share with you something that I got from one of my friends through email the other day. I found it interesting and hope you do too....

"Fact: Two horses can pull about 9000 pounds.
Question: How many pounds can four horses pull?

If you are like me, you probably said 18,000 pounds. It sounds reasonable - but you're wrong. The answer is that four horses can pull over 30,000 pounds! How is this possible you ask? It is the power of synergy - people working together can perform significantly better then the sum of their parts. Thus 1+1 does not = 2. Instead (due to synergy) it may be 3, 5, or even 12. When we work together with others we can accomplish so much more then when we try to do things solo.

Sometimes I try to do things on my own. I think things like "it's just easier," "it'll be quicker," and my old favorite "I can do it myself." I'm probably working two or three times as hard as I need to. Working closely with a team of people is almost always a better use of resources. Though tricky sometimes, synergy is always the smartest way to go. So are you a team player or an individual? This affects you in marriage, church, ministry, business - everything. The power of synergy is there, the question is: are you using it?
- Mark Westman"

well back to work this chick who is the master at doing things on her own because it will be quicker, easier and (my favorite) then I can be in control....how sad is that?

Hot hot hot......

So I don't know what it's like where you are but it feels like the hottest day ever here. Usually we get a breeze since we're on a hill. However today we've got nothing. It's so yucky in here and of course I had lots to do today so I couldn't just relax in the basement where it's cold on the sofa. On my to do list today was lots of baking and cooking. Sheesh I'm a moron. Anyways, took some funny pictures of Kitty today (aka the Queen). My cats are allowed to go and lay where ever they want to. So of course they're always on beds, sofas, chairs, etc. Never do I find Kitty laying on the floor. Today however I think the heat was bugging her as well. the show off starts rolling around once she realizes I'm taking pictures of her! Quite impressive for such a chubby cat if I do say so myself :)

The cat with the brains, Alpine went for the shade effect.

So to be a double moron I also decided to go weed my flower garden today. I've got this strange thing growing. I'm not sure if it's a weed or what. Does anyone know? It's kind of big and crazy so it's making me think it is but I don't know. Hope someone can help out this non-gardener!

Hershey (Day 7 and 8)......

The next morning we went to Hershey Pennsylvania. There's a big amusement park there but we decided to just take part in Chocolate World and what it had to offer. First of all here's a picture of Hershey when you're driving in.Yup those are Hershey kisses for street lights. One wrapped and then unwrapped. Here's a closer up picture.

Chocolate World entrance. Here we went on a ride that shows how they make chocolate. They do not give factory tours anymore so they have this ride to show you how it is all done. We then did a trolley tour of Hershey to see the factory and Mr. Hershey's mansion. As well as all the homes and school that he built for boys (and now girls) who come from low income families so that they can have education. It was really great to see all the ways that this man and his wife (who had no kids) really stepped up and helped their community. To this day children are still being looked after by the Hershey fund. Made me feel a little bit better about the non fair trade aspect of the day. However not enough :)

Of course they've got everything you could ever imagine in the store. Lindsay (my sister) and I were shocked. Yup that's a real five pound chocolate bar.

This picture just shows the craziness of all the product. It was so hard to not spend way too much money on a bunch of chocolate!

We left Hershey mid afternoon and drove through my favorite part of the trip. We went through New York city (well not right through downtown but you could see it from the highway). Then into Connecticut, where we stumbled upon an IKEA :) We stayed in Connecticut that night and got up the next morning and drove through Boston. We stopped at old Orchard beach in Maine but unfortunately couldn't find a place to park the motor home. So we continued on through Maine.

This is Penny, my dad's dog. She makes a great travel companion. Lindsay was lying on the floor taking pictures of Penny while she looked at her.

Ah the joys of doing the drive in a motor home. Last dump station so we had to stop to empty all the yumminess.

We spent the last night in Calais and then headed across the border the next morning to home sweet home.

Thanks again for listening to me relive yet another vacation. That should be it for a while!

Amen......

I'm at work (on my lunch of course) so you won't get to see Hershey pictures until next week.... I'm making it sound like you're all on the edge of your seat waiting to see these things :)

Jason stumbled upon this on the internet, he emailed it to me and I remembered reading this at the Holocaust museum feeling the same way he did.

First they came for the Jews

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for the Communists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a Communist.

Then they came for the trade unionists

and I did not speak out

because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for me

and there was no one left

to speak out for me.

- Pastor Martin Niemöller

I think I'll just leave it at that and let it seep in the way that it is meant to in your individual life. The ripple effects of words spoken because of thoughts and actions that are sparked from those words never ceases to amaze me. Oh some day the injustices will stop....some day. Until then I will continue this fight so that there will be voices left to speak out for me!

Washington DC (Day 6)

Got up the next morning and drove into Washington. We went there on a Sunday which was nice because there wasn't a lot of traffic and we were able to drive the motor home right downtown and find a place to park it that was only 6 blocks from the white house. How impressive is that? We did lots of walking and got worn out with the heat. My poor sister wanted to go see more but we were just too tired. Here are some pics: The Pentagon as we drive by. This was not within walking distance from everything else. It's a huge building!

We went here and were very unimpressed with the White House. We were shocked at how much better it seems to look on tv. So we took our picture in front of it and continued on....

....oops what we had thought was the front of the White House was really the back. This looked more like what we thought it would. Couldn't do a tour because you have to sign up for that at least 6 months in advance so they can do all the security checks and such.

Lindsay and I, you can see the capital building in the distance. One of the things that we just couldn't drag ourselves to walk to, although we probably should have because when am I ever going to be in Washington DC again?

Washington monument, again no tour. They only give out a certain amount of tickets each day early in the morning. We didn't get here until noon so we were out of luck.

This is a zoomed in photo of the Lincoln Memorial. Another place that we didn't walk to. It seemed really far from the Washington monument at this point.

So we decided to walk to the Smithsonian museum instead.

Our final stop for the day, the only thing that I so desperately wanted to see while there was the Holocaust Memorial Museum. I loved this sign. It said "THINK- the next time you see injustice ABOUT- the next time you witness hatred WHAT- the next time you hear about genocide YOU SAW" This one one of the hardest things that I've ever walked through in my life. It was huge and there were so many things to see and read. They had things like an actual barrack from Auschwitz (possibly the worst concentration camp). A train car that was no bigger than an average size bedroom and they used to jam in 5000 people for many days. Obviously many wouldn't even make the journey. Oh I could just go on and on. It was almost too much by the end. However it reminds me why I do what I do and fight for what I fight for. To think that this is still occurring in countries like Sudan pulls at my heart in a way I cannot describe. I will THINK ABOUT WHAT I SAW....ALWAYS!!!!

...that evening we drove into Pennsylvania and stayed in Harrisburg, next stop Hershey

Trip continued (Day 3, 4 and 5)....

I feel like I've been really busy this week. Actually I know I've been really busy so far this week. Last week was crazy as well and unfortunately I did not have any refueling time in my weekend. Isn't it impressive that I now recognize I need refueling time? This week is looking a bit better now so we'll see......

Day 3 we went to Epcot in Disney World. I felt so lucky that I got to go to Disneyland and Disney World all within a few months of each other. I was still so excited though that you never would have known that I was just around Mickey and the gang :)

Now for those of you that haven't been to Epcot I'll explain it a little bit. It's usually the least favorite among the parks at Disney World, especially if you're a kid. There are some good rides however a big chunk of Epcot is walking around the world in the pavilions. I remember hating it as a kid. This time though we had fun walking around and eating at the different countries. I got some really great gifts and souvenirs from Japan. Oh and of course had to eat in Morocco (see pic below), may be the closest I ever get to Africa!And here is the oh so sad Canada pavilion. Yup you're not seeing wrong...that's Chateau Frontenac from Quebec City. The other landmarks in the Canada pavilion? Oh you know....totem poles! Makes me wonder if the other countries are just as weird as Canada to people from that country even though I think they're neat. However do people from Mexico or Norway think those pavilions are just as pathetic as I think the Canada one is?
Ah the mandatory Mickey crocs.....I bought them for Jason and then just had to have a pair myself!Anyways, again lots more I could have showed you but I don't want to bombard you with too many pics.

The next day my father had to get some things wrapped up before he headed to Canada so Lindsay and I spent the afternoon at a huge mall. We had fun and didn't spend too much if you can believe that. That evening we left and drove to Daytona Beach. We spent the night there and then got up the next morning the head to the beach before we left Florida.

Now again for those of you that have never been to Daytona Beach the reason it's so popular is because you can drive on the beach! Yup you pay 5 bucks and you take your car and park it right on the sand and go swimming. Not like lugging all your junk for a kilometre at Parlee!

The sand at this beach was amazing. It was hard to get off your feet because it was so fine. It felt like brown sugar!
So we left on our adventure back home around mid morning. That day we travelled through Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and stopped to sleep in Virgina. I have some pictures but not a lot. Our plan was to take pictures of all the "Welcome to...." signs. However that didn't work out so well.

Next stop Washington DC!

Trip time....

On June 19 my sister and I flew to Tampa where we were met by my dad. We stayed in Florida for a few days and then we travelled back up the east coast to home. Here are some pics from our trip for you to enjoy.

We weren't even there for two hours yet and we couldn't wait to get our feet in the warm waters of the Golf of Mexico. It was raining (the only time it rained on our trip) but we didn't care.

Then it was off to the historical Ybor city for supper. We had all eaten at a very yummy Italian restaurant there about 11 years ago and couldn't wait to go back. We all enjoy food very much in my family :)

Day 2....Universal Studios!

Jurassic Park water ride #1

Duddley Doright's water ride #2

Popeye's River Boat Adventures water ride #3

They were not lying. I've never been so wet from water rides in my life and I've been on lots. It was crazy. Probably doesn't help that we went on three in a row!

This is about an hour later after our water adventure and I'm still nice and wet.My sister and I looking hot before our Spiderman adventure. This was a scary picture for us because with those glasses covering our eyes we actually notice how much we do look alike...awwwwwww.

Well I think I'll leave things there for now. The pictures are taking a long time to upload. There are so many more from these two days but I tried to pick my favorites. I loved Universal Studios. They have a new park there (Islands of Adventures) that I had never been to because last time I was in Florida (11 years ago) they were just starting to build it. Can't wait until the day I get to bring Jason to Florida!!!!

Stay tuned for the rest......

Yum, yum, yum

My best friend is a vegetarian and I love it. It's fun to come up with new and interesting things to cook when we get together and plan a meal. Both of us love trying new things, although her husband and mine never seem as excited as we are about the meals. Anyways, this is one of the recipes I found for Curried Meatballs. We made it the other night with veggie meatballs and it was yummy. I've changed it a little bit so that you don't end up with a couple of the challenges we faced (well Greg you said that you liked peas). With the fine tuning you'll love it I'm sure! It would also be good as a chicken or beef curry. Enjoy!

Curried Meatballs

1pkg frozen meatballs (we really like the Superstore Blue Menu Beef ones)

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 lg. onion, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 lemon rind, grated

1 tsp. pepper

1/2 tsp. red pepper

1 tsp. coriander

1/2 tsp. cumin

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. turmeric

1/2 tsp. allspice

1 med. tomato, diced

Salt to taste

2 tbsp. tomato paste

1/2 c. yogurt

1 green pepper, chopped

1 cup frozen peas or beans

1. Microwave meatballs for about 3 minutes to thaw.
2. Heat oil, saute onion and garlic for 3 minutes. Add ginger and lemon rind; cook 3 minutes more. Add fresh tomato and paste and mix until smooth.
3. Add yogurt, green pepper and spices, mix. Add meatballs. Stir gently; cook on low heat 10 minutes. Add water for thinner curry (I added about one cup).
4. Add peas or beans last 5 minutes and serve hot with pita bread or rice.

****We're off on another adventure this weekend to PEI. Maybe some day we'll actually stay in Hillsborough for a weekend. Wouldn't that be crazy?

Live like that.....

Wow I'm really neglecting the blogging aren't I? Sorry about that yet again. I'm just having too much fun this summer I guess :)

My sister is coming over tonight with the pictures from our trip so stay tuned for those.

Last weekend myself and two other friends did a quick trip to Cape Breton in order to support some friends during a difficult time of grief over the death of their grandmother. Although the drive was long, it was beautiful and we of course had some quality and not so quality (hee hee hee) conversations. I was in River Bourgeois and it was beautiful. I hope to go back there some day.

While there I got to hear a lot of stories and learn a lot about a woman that I had never met before. Rita Landry (aka grandmere) was certainly loved in that small community. I was blown away with the hospitality of everyone and the way that the whole community jumped into to support and love the family during the difficult time of Rita's passing. After spending my brief 24 hours there, taking part in Rita's funeral and sitting with the family while they shared stories and such. I feel more whole as a person now. This women has been a blessing even to me. She's encouraged me through the legacy that she's left on her family. It's hard to explain I guess. However her love for God and her family were very obvious to me. I can only hope and pray that I will have that affect on those around me when He calls me home.

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

'Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

In loving memory of Rita Landry November 14, 1920-July 3, 2007.

Summer cooking.....

Had a great time at the concert. It only rained for a few sporadic minutes so we were very thankful for that. We ended up on the hill in the beer garden. It was quite interesting by the end of the night. Lets just say that I think my high from second hand smoke of all sorts is just starting to ware off now. All in all though it was a great concert with great company. If I ever get the pictures from Mandi I'll post some (hint hint Mandi). Next we're off to Aerosmith July 21st. Anyone want to buy my ticket? (just kidding) I wanted to go to Nickleback and Jason wants to go to Aerosmith so it's a good compromise I guess.

I'm just having a good day and I'm really excited about supper so I decided to talk about that. Man I love food :) I really really like summer because there's no pressure to slave away in the kitchen all day making hot and delicious meals. Jason and I are satisfied with cold salads and meat on the BBQ. So tonight I've just made a big pasta salad and potato salad. I've also taken some pork chops out of the freezer for Mr. Constable to throw on the BBQ. Life is good! Had a great session yesterday with my counsellor and get to hang out with my husband tonight...YAY!