I'm not a big fan of what Christmas has become - getting the latest fad to make the kids happy. I am NOT a religious person, but Santa has replaced baby Jesus as the main symbol a LONG time ago.
Christmas for me is a time to relax, reflect, and spend time with loved ones and friends. Not spending time at the Avalon mall looking for stocking stuffers and fighting for parking spaces.
On Friday some of my students gave me gifts. It was sweet. I had bought them book coupons, pens, and candy canes. But I told them to reward the music teacher (who also teaches them 1/2 time) instead of me, because she had spent hours practicing for the Christmas concert (which went great). Instead, they bought presents for both of us. I reminded them before they left to enjoy their time with family and remember that the season is not only about getting presents. Hopefully it will sink in.
I had the intention this year to take the $$ I would have spent on gifts and buy grub for a food bank. But considering the sadness my wife was going through with the recent passing of her father, I decided getting her trinkets and presents would put a smile on her face.
Tomorrow may be a bittersweet day here in Red Cliffe, but seeing my wife go through her stocking anf gifts is better than telling her I spent 300 bucks on Kraft Dinner for local food banks!
Monday, December 24
Friday, December 14
Losing a Loved One
On December 2nd my father-in-law Carl Bowen passed away after battling cancer for more than a year. Even though I only knew him for 5 years, and I didn't feel that we had that much in common, I can honestly say he is the best man I have ever met.
When you hear the phrase "a good fellow" or "would do anything for anybody" it related to him. He was also low-key, but full of humour and wisdom to his wife, daughter, family and friends. During his wake and funeral, the tiny church in the community of Red Cliffe was full of people whose lives he had touched across the province.
I can only hope to be as good as husband, father, and friend as Carl. And love my profession as much as he did. Keep on truckin' Carl. We'll certainly miss your desserts!
Here are a few pictures to honour his memory:
As a child growing up in Red Cliffe:
As a father to Corinne:
As a friend:
R.I.P Carl
When you hear the phrase "a good fellow" or "would do anything for anybody" it related to him. He was also low-key, but full of humour and wisdom to his wife, daughter, family and friends. During his wake and funeral, the tiny church in the community of Red Cliffe was full of people whose lives he had touched across the province.
I can only hope to be as good as husband, father, and friend as Carl. And love my profession as much as he did. Keep on truckin' Carl. We'll certainly miss your desserts!
Here are a few pictures to honour his memory:
As a child growing up in Red Cliffe:
As a father to Corinne:
As a friend:
R.I.P Carl
Monday, December 10
Happy Birthday Chantel
Today my 'baby' sister turned 25. I took her out for nachos and wings at Don Cherry's. Yup, the big $$$! ha
I still remember the moment my uncle Cliff told me I had another sister. I already had one, I wanted a brother. So I did what any upset 9 year old would do - I fell to the carpet and started bawling and hitting the floor.
I think I'm over it.
When Chantel was really young, she was the sister I got along with better. With Charlene only being 3 years younger than me, we fought. A lot.
Chantel still tells people I use to body slam her on the bed and bar her in my room, forcing her to listen to G'n'R's Appetite for Destruction. Wasn't that the duty of all big brothers? :)
As for her teenage years...we weren't so close (:( But now that she is more sensible, we can tolerate each other! haha
Whenever people say we look 'just like each other' (and we do) she is in complete denial. Face it sis, ya look just like your (handsome) big brother!
At least I made her a U2 fan!
Here is our latest family pic, sans wife, taken in August.
Sunday, November 25
The Word is Out
In Saturday's edition of The Telegram, there was a write-up in the 'NL Life' section about my wife's childhood community, Red Cliff.
In Open Hall there are some cabins being built with an excellent view of the bay. Smart move on the business owners I say, because since 2002 I have noticed more and more old buildings being refurbished, or even new cottages being built.
Usually it is the Trinity side of the Bonavista Peninsula that gets all the press. As a result, land gets bought up and money is spent in the surrounding communities. Of course, as I see land and older houses being 'snapped up' by townies or CFAers, I sit on the fence - is this a good thing?
Economically it is, because it keeps the little shops going. With good word of mouth, more people will come.
But as the 'foreigners' integrate the little communities, prices of land and houses may go up. A 'local' may feel pressured to sell sections of land because his/her children are in Fort Mac, not planning to come home. But when informed of the idea, the children feel slighted.
"Dad, I can't believe you're selling pop's land. I thought us kids were going to have that, and we could build a cabin on it for the times I come home."
Home. It is where your heart is. Not where your feet land.
In Open Hall there are some cabins being built with an excellent view of the bay. Smart move on the business owners I say, because since 2002 I have noticed more and more old buildings being refurbished, or even new cottages being built.
Usually it is the Trinity side of the Bonavista Peninsula that gets all the press. As a result, land gets bought up and money is spent in the surrounding communities. Of course, as I see land and older houses being 'snapped up' by townies or CFAers, I sit on the fence - is this a good thing?
Economically it is, because it keeps the little shops going. With good word of mouth, more people will come.
But as the 'foreigners' integrate the little communities, prices of land and houses may go up. A 'local' may feel pressured to sell sections of land because his/her children are in Fort Mac, not planning to come home. But when informed of the idea, the children feel slighted.
"Dad, I can't believe you're selling pop's land. I thought us kids were going to have that, and we could build a cabin on it for the times I come home."
Home. It is where your heart is. Not where your feet land.
Friday, November 23
Running on Empty
It is report card time. And end of semester time. I have not been getting much sleep lately. With my Masters courses over next week, it will certainly give me more time to spend with wife............and dog!
I have been ignoring my blog. Each day I hear something on the radio or see something on the telly that I want to put my '2 cents worth.' So I have a list:
1) Should Parents Pay for Damages Their Kids Create?
Yes and no. In some instances the parents may be trying the best that they can, and the kid will not listen. Bill the kid, and when she/he begins to work (hopefully) in the future, they will look at their pay stub and say, "Oh yeah, that money comes out for the time I broke into the corner store."
If some parents got a bill from their kids vandalism, a bit of a 'beat down' may happen. So then child abuse is a problem. I am not going to get into the 'poor can't afford it and don't care anyway' debate. Cause I just don't believe it.
2) Smoking in Cars.
In Wolfville, NS, the local government has passed a law, stating that it is now illegal to smoke in YOUR OWN car if a child under 18 is aboard. This one is getting a lot of press. Great idea, more headache for cops and court. Coming from a non-smoker's POV, I think this a good law. I wonder what is the co-relation to people who speed, don't wear seat belts, AND smoke? Rebels, I say!
3) Should Canadian Olympic Athletes get paid for winning a medal?
Why not? Other countries have been doing this for years, and many of our athletes need to work part time as they train. This is like the carrot dangling in front of the donkey. It will get them to run faster. Hopefully their cleats won't tangle up in any hurdles as they run through China's smog!
Now, I must try to finish report card comments!
I have been ignoring my blog. Each day I hear something on the radio or see something on the telly that I want to put my '2 cents worth.' So I have a list:
1) Should Parents Pay for Damages Their Kids Create?
Yes and no. In some instances the parents may be trying the best that they can, and the kid will not listen. Bill the kid, and when she/he begins to work (hopefully) in the future, they will look at their pay stub and say, "Oh yeah, that money comes out for the time I broke into the corner store."
If some parents got a bill from their kids vandalism, a bit of a 'beat down' may happen. So then child abuse is a problem. I am not going to get into the 'poor can't afford it and don't care anyway' debate. Cause I just don't believe it.
2) Smoking in Cars.
In Wolfville, NS, the local government has passed a law, stating that it is now illegal to smoke in YOUR OWN car if a child under 18 is aboard. This one is getting a lot of press. Great idea, more headache for cops and court. Coming from a non-smoker's POV, I think this a good law. I wonder what is the co-relation to people who speed, don't wear seat belts, AND smoke? Rebels, I say!
3) Should Canadian Olympic Athletes get paid for winning a medal?
Why not? Other countries have been doing this for years, and many of our athletes need to work part time as they train. This is like the carrot dangling in front of the donkey. It will get them to run faster. Hopefully their cleats won't tangle up in any hurdles as they run through China's smog!
Now, I must try to finish report card comments!
Saturday, November 17
Mom's Day
Happy birthday mom! I hope it doesn't rain too much in Berens River on your special day! Hopefully dad brought you something special from the Northern! haha
Here is a picture from my days living with cousin Dave in the late 90's:
At my sister's LPN graduation in Gander in the early 00's.
And the token baby picture:
Everyone tells me that I am 'just like my father' but I think I got mom's looks!
Here is a picture from my days living with cousin Dave in the late 90's:
At my sister's LPN graduation in Gander in the early 00's.
And the token baby picture:
Everyone tells me that I am 'just like my father' but I think I got mom's looks!
Tuesday, November 13
A Special Day
Today is my beautiful wife's birthday!
I miss her terribly because I am in the city and she is out around the bay.
Here is the latest 'snap' of both of us:
I miss her terribly because I am in the city and she is out around the bay.
Here is the latest 'snap' of both of us:
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