Yay, Its Christmas Day

Merry Christmas Everyone. What a great day to be alive. My wish to all is to have a safe and happy holiday and an excellent New Year.

It's Christmas but it doesn't feel like Christmas

Its amazing when you have children that you can't help but feel the excitement of Christmas. But, when they've grown and moved on its a whole different story. As the Missus and I were sharing our morning coffee - (no, we didn't use the same cup), she said to me that it didn't feel like Christmas and I had to agree.

By this time our home is usually festooned with every imaginable decoration she can pull out of storage and there's baking hidden away from my sweet tooth. (I know its in the deep freeze somewhere). There are usually plans in place for at least one grandchild and their parents to arrive and we've laid in or is it layed in, some tasty snacks and refreshing beverages. But none of that is going to happen this year. At least not on Christmas day. We did have an earlier get together two weeks ago with my two daughters and their husbands in Edmonton and we got to play with our three grandsons so it's not like we didn't have anybody around but its just not the same as the hustle and bustle of Christmas day.

In any case we will have Christmas dinner with my Mom and one of my brothers and a couple of sisters and a niece that is bringing her three kiddies so it will still hustle and bustle on the day.

As I'm writing this it occurred to me that this article will seem like I'm feeling bad for myself and that's not why I was writing it. I'm not writing it to depress anyone either I'm writing it to share how life changes and how we miss opportunities to gather with family. If you've missed those opportunities in the past then you should do your utmost to rectify the situation and make plans to get together with people you have been missing.  If you don't have anyone close perhaps helping others to enjoy the season by volunteering to serve dinner with some organization that is putting one on in your community will satisfy. And, if there isn't one, start one of your own. I know the community will support you.  Your efforts will be richly rewarded through new friendships and the feeling that you've helped others to enjoy. 
Merry Christmas from our house to yours.

Our Firefighters are Amazing

Firemen continue to pour water on the building at 10 p.m.

 

The Bonnyville Hotel fire brought out the best in our firefighters from the region and I want to say thanks for keeping this one under control. These volunteers came from Ardmore, Bonnyville, Cold Lake, LaCorey and Iron River to help contain the blaze that would have severely changed the face of main street Bonnyville. As it is, there will be a change as the cost to repair would be more than the hotel could generate. It is hoped that the owner had insurance and that he will stay to rebuild something on the site.

I also feel badly for those who have lost their shelter and individuals who have lost their business due to the blaze. Joy and Lynn will have to relocate and replace equipment, Derek will have to find another place to operate his Tailgate Lounge and those residents will have to find somewhere else to live.

It is also rumored that one tenant may have succumbed to the smoke but at this time there is no confirmation. Officials have not been able to perform a search because of dangerous conditions. It's hoped that this person was just away at the time of the fire. Cause of the blaze is as yet undetermined but is said to have started in a room on the third floor.

In the meantime, citizens of Bonnyville are asked to conserve water and use it sparingly in light of the amount of water that has been poured on the fire and two coincidental water main breaks that took place.

Snow is interesting stuff

The first major snowfall of the season is always an interesting time and it doesn't matter where you are. It changes a lot of dynamics in the lives of those who are affected and makes you wonder if many of these folks even turned their brain on when they got up in the morning.

We were in Edmonton for a little family get together and they have a lot more snow there than we did when we left Bonnyville. Their side streets were covered with about four inches of the white stuff and it was piled high on lawns where it had been shovelled from drives and walks. The main streets weren't much better with the usual ridges between the wheel tracks making lane changing a challenge and intersections were polished to a glassy sheen. Speaking of a sheen, I wonder why people seem to think that the faster they accelerate from the stop light the quicker they'll get off the ice. Can't they figure out they are only making more ice for those that follow. I think its just a macho thing with some of them. They think they are showing us just how much power they have under the hood. Geez smart guy try it on dry pavement out at the drag strip. Just Dumb. Anyway, to continue it wasn't long before the radio stations were loaded with accident reports - mostly at intersections where someone had slid through the light or tried to turn across traffic while spinning their tires (see previous sentences). Or, there are those drivers who believe they are bullet proof and because the speed limit is posted at 60 KPH that they can safely maintain that speed inspite of the slippery, snowy conditions. Just Dumb. As we were leaving the city to return home on Sunday we saw the aftermath of a dandy crunch with pieces of plastic blown all over the road, one car's front end totally destroyed and the other vehicle was up on a hedge and pile of decorative rocks on the right side of the road. It too was smashed up so they both must have been really clipping. The local TV network had a camera man out there shooting coverage for the 6 p.m. news and sure enough it was on there..Time for us to get the heck out of Dodge. (City that is) and head back to Bonnyville. Hmm more snow falling than when we left and we came home to a winter wonderland. Can't hardly wait for the intersections to get polished up here.
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I'm going to put a poll up here because I'm curious about the state of politics in the area. The results of course will be unofficial but I'm curious and want to know. I also want to know how many of you read this blog and if there's any value to it or if there are things you'd like to hear about. You can post your comments at the bottom. The poll will be located on the side bar. Oh, and if you have a community event or some good news, pass it along. I'm trying to keep this blog as light and fun as can be although I might get a little rant on once in a while but I'll try and keep it fun.
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Don't forget, The Fort Kent Seniors will be holding their breakfast on Sunday, December 19th at the Senior's Centre. It's a great deal and It's a great way to catch up on what everybody is up to.  Doors open about 9 a.m. I believe so we'll see you there.
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Duane Steele

Also, country music artist, Juno and CCMA award winner, prolific writer of great songs, Duane Steele is going to be performing at the Players Lounge on the west end of town on Saturday the 18th. Get your tickets from Sarah and tell'em I sent you.
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I know one thing you folks like and that's the jokes cause you've told me in our conversations. So here's this weeks funny.
A man returns home a day early from a business trip. It's after midnight . En route home he asks the cabby if he would be a witness.  The man suspects his wife is having an affair and he wants to catch her in the act. For $100 bucks, the cabby agrees.
Quietly arriving home, the husband and cabby tip toe into the bedroom. The husband switches on the light and yanks back the blankets. Sure enough there's his wife in the arms of another man!
The husband puts a gun to the naked man's head and the wife shouts. "Don't do it! I lied when I said I inherited money.
He paid for the Corvette I gave you.
He paid for our new cabin cruiser.
He paid for your Oiler season tickets
He paid for our house at the lake
He paid for our membership at the country club
He even pays the monthly dues."


Shaking his head from side to side the husband lowers his gun. He looks over at the cabby and says, "What would you do?"

The cabby replies, "I'd cover up his butt with that blanket before he catches a cold!"

Have a great week. Dave

the Spirit of Christmas is in the air

The Festival of Trees has taken over the hub of the Centennial Centre and will run through until December 5th. The trees are all donated by local businesses and then decorated by Doreen Kushnir and her crew. They will be sold off later on and the proceeds is going towards Haying in the 30s a local support society for people with cancer. There's even one special tree that is decorated with a multitude of wines that have been donated by locally owned beverage stores. Thanks to all who contributed. Its a great way to get the Spirit of Christmas running through your mind. Take the kids, take Grandma and Grandpa, take yourself.
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How about the Oilers. They blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs in their own barn. A nice three game sweep in the east on the road. Meanwhile in Calgary folks are jumping off the Flame wagon faster than grasshoppers from a burning hayfield. My how times change.
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I see that the town crews were out the other day hanging the lamp post decorations. Their seems to be a few new items there that are more banners than decorations. They don't have any lights on them but they are colorful. The only trouble is they say, Seasons Greetings and Happy Holidays but I haven't seen one that says Merry Christmas. Are we being too politically correct? Can you imagine singing this song. "We wish you a Seasons Greetings, we wish you a Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year." I think there's supposed to be a Merry Christmas in there somewhere.
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Its also nice to see a number of stores who have painted their windows in celebration of the season.
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If you missed the Society Singers last night at the C2, there's still a chance to catch a the night of Music at the United Church in Bonnyville. Sunday, December 5th is the day. There will even be a lunch afterward.
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The Santa Claus at the shopping mall was very surprised when Emily, ayoung lady aged about 20 years old walked up and sat on his lap.  Now, we all know that Santa doesn't usually take requests from adults, but she smiled very nicely at him, so he asked her, 'What do you want for Christmas?'
'Something for my mother, please,' replied Emily sweetly.
'Something for your mother? Well, that's very loving and thoughtful of you,' smiled Santa. 'What do would you like me to bring her?'
Without turning a hair Emily answered quickly, 'A son-in-law.'
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Have a great day. Dave

Now where did this come from?

Nice. I woke up yesterday with a scratchy, itchy throat and the feeling that I wasn't going to enjoy my morning. I was right. After pawing through the medicine cabinet and using up a couple of cough drops I found in a coat pocket I was getting desperate to find something that would ease that itchy, scratchy, yucky feeling. I didn't want to go out so I got on the internet to see if there were some alternate ideas about using home remedies to at least make me feel half human.

Here's one article I found that has some pretty good ideas that I'm going to try right away. We'll talk again soon. Enjoy.
Dave.
 

Natural cold remedies vary since there are over 200 known strains of the common cold virus. As with many ailments, the best treatment for the common cold is good prevention. Once you have developed a cold, you generally have to let it run its course. In the meantime, your goal should be treating the symptoms to stop them as much as possible.
Congestion and Mucus Treatment
Steam inhalation with natural oils is a great natural cold remedy, especially when battling mucus and congestion symptoms. Use a humidifier and add a few drops of peppermint to loosen thick sticky mucus. Also, adding a few drops of tea tree oil or eucalyptus oil is great for fighting congestion. If you don't have a humidifier handy, take a warm shower to help your congestion. Also, taking a warm bath with about 5 to 10 drops of lavender and about 5 drops of cinnamon oil not only helps with congestion but is good if there are chills.
Diet
One of the best natural cold remedies is to eat the right foods when you feel a cold coming on. Foods high in the necessary vitamins and minerals can sometimes stop the infection all together if taken in the earliest stages of some colds. Eat lots of other fresh fruits and vegetables which are high in Vitamin A, B and C such as bananas, oranges, grapefruit, grapes, strawberries and other natural energy boosters. Also, herbal teas and warm fruit juices will encourage the body to fight colds more effectively. Avoid mucus producing foods especially milk and other dairy products. Also, pastries, cakes and other refined carbohydrates can cause more harm than good during this time. And most importantly, as always stay hydrated with plenty of natural juices such as grapefruit and or orange juice. And don't forget to drink plenty of water.

Super foods
A regular intake of garlic is especially useful in increasing resistance to respiratory infections and colds. Garlic is most useful when eaten raw. To avoid the smell and taste of raw garlic, you can also take the capsules, even though they may not be as powerful as the natural raw product. Cayenne, which has been used for centuries by Native Americans, is another powerful weapon in the battle against colds. Take a quarter teaspoon with a cup of juice to stimulate your blood circulation and build your immune system. To really give your immune system a boost, boil some ginger and add some cinnamon for taste. Drink as a warm tea to fight your cold and symptoms.

You don't always have to go out to buy medicine and drugs to treat cold and flu symptoms. Natural cold remedies can in some cases be just as good. Also, you are boosting your immune system to prevent and fight colds and infection in the future. As always, if your cold becomes worse, it's always best to seek the advice of a physician. But as a first remedy, give these tips a try.

My name is Bruce Chu, I am an avid fan of natural remedies for conditions, ailments and illnesses. If you are searching for natural treatments for ailments such as sciatic nerve pain relief and other problems, stop by my website and give my techniques a try.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Chu