Halloween Thoughts

All Saints Day is today. Yesterday was All Hallows Eve (Halloween) - another Christian celebration. I'm curious as to how everyone else celebrates All Saints Day and All Hallows Eve - so feel free to respond and let me know.

Here are some of my thoughts the day after Halloween.

My family doesn't "celebrate" the day like many others in North America. We go out to dinner and then to a friend's house to check out their giant pumpkin and eat their leftover treats.

We don't have many issues about the orgins of All Hallow's Eve - they are mainly Christian - mocking Satan and evil. My main problem has much to do about what it has become. It's all about the big scare; how bloody and gory can you make it.

When my oldest was younger (and to a degree now), she was very shy. In normal situations if someone said Hi (including close relatives) she would hide behind me and scream. So we decided not to tramatize her on Halloween when everything was made to be scary.

Another smaller issue is how expensive it's become - the costumes (while much better than when I was younger), the candy, the decorations (getting to be like Christmas :wink:).

The school my kids go to doesn't celebrate it - mostly because of the focus on scary and violent (they have a zero tolerance in regards to violence) and also because of the varying cultures which are in our neighbourhood. Instead it's orange and black day with wacky hair thrown in. Which is fun to see too. Halloween is talked about at school, some special treats, and stories read, but nothing violent or gory.

All of this to say we don't do Halloween because of today's climate not yesterday's. I just wish people wouldn't stare and give us those sad looks because my kids aren't getting to dress up (we have dress up clothes and they dress up all the time) or going out asking for candy. They get lots of candy and we even buy some after Halloween when it's on sale. They are not missing out on any sugar rushes and we know the candy is safe. (Sorry that sounded a little harsh, but sometimes it just gets annoying.)

I don't have any problems with others going out. Most kids look really cute all dressed up. Thanks for my little rant.


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Halloween, All Saints Day

Photo Friday - Silver

I was surprised when I first looked at this picture. It has a really interesting silver grey look, almost like I took it on a black and white setting. I hope you enjoy!

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Photo Friday, sun, beach

Monday's Top Fives

43things.com Top All-Time Goals for August 28, 2006

1.lose weight - moved from 4th to first.
I'm working towards this - actually I'm always thinking about it, not accomplishing much though.

2. stop procrastinating - new to the top five
Not on my list at present, but maybe I'm just procastinating.

3. write a book - dropped to 3rd from second
have thought about it, but I know I'm not gifted there. I'd make a good editor, just not a writer.

4. Fall in love - dropped from thrird to 4th
- still falling after 17 years (married for almost 14).

5. be happy fell from second to 5th
- I think happiness is fleeting and can change in a moment so I'm just I'm trying to learn to be content instead.

I think it's interesting to see what people want to do in their lives. To see what my goals are just look at the sidebar or click here.

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43things.com, goals, life

No More Planet Pluto

Pluto demoted under new definition of planet

Definition of a planet - "a celestial body that is in orbit around the sun, has sufficient mass for its self-gravity to overcome rigid body forces so that it assumes a … nearly round shape, and has cleared the neighbourhood around its orbit."

The article goes on to say that "Pluto doesn't qualify because its orbit is inclined relative to the rest of the solar system and crosses over the orbit of Neptune."

I'm not really sure how to take this. I think they could leave Pluto in, but anything discovered afterwards that did not fit the definition would not be.

Any thoughts?

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Pluto, planets, Solar System

Blogger Beta

If you're wondering what's happened to the look and layout of my blog. Don't worry. I'm playing with the Blogger Beta version. Once I figure it all out - I'll hopefully have things back to normal - well as normal as I get anyway.

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Dates with Kids

Hubby and I have decided to go on dates with our 2 girls (5 & 7). We have decided to allocate 25$ per child.

On our first set of dates, I took the oldest and we went shopping at the mall – she loved it! Hubby took the youngest and they went to see a movie – a movie she wanted to see.

The next day, we switched kids and the youngest and I went shopping while the oldest and daddy went to an Art Gallery – afterward they bought some canvas, paints, and brushes at the dollar store. My youngest is still saying thank you to me and it’s been 2 weeks.

This was an awesome experience for all of us. We got to spend time alone with each child and they got all our attention. My oldest daughter discovered she likes Slushies and my youngest discovered that her and her dad have more in common. Can’t wait to do it again, next month.

See more progress on: be a better mother

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43things.com, mother, children, family

Monday's Top Fives

43things.com Top Goals for August 14, 2006

1. write a book - have thought about it, but I know I'm not gifted there. I'd make a good editor, just not a writer.

2. be happy - I think happiness is fleeting and can change in a moment so I'm just I'm trying to learn to be content instead.

3. Fall in love - still falling after 17 years.

4. lose weight - I'm working towards this - actually I'm always thinking about it, not accomplishing much though.

5. Kiss in the rain - For sure have done this one many times.

I think it's interesting to see what people want to do in their lives. To see what my goals are just look at the sidebar or click here.

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43things.com, goals, life

My First Avon Order

I got my first Avon delivery the other day - I was just so excited! I didn't think I would be this happy to get it. I checked over everything I received and organized by who ordered what and then started trying the product I got for myself.

I surprised even myself by how much I like the stuff. It really is great quality. One product really stands out for me - the Nailwear nail polish. I put it on Wednesday night and it's barely worn - so unlike what usually happens to me. Usually my nails need a touch up everyday.

There are many other products I want to try. I'll keep you posted as to what stuff works for me.

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Avon, Avon Canada, nail polish

My Avon Web Page

I've recently set up an Avon Canada web page, in which you can send me your orders - anytime, day or night. Then I would place your order and deliver it on the usual schedule. This really only works for people who live in my area or with my family (whom I visit often).

If you live outside my area, you can order your Avon products directly from Avon - there is a 5.95 shipping/delivery charge. Remember this is Avon Canada.

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Avon, Avon Canada

Couple Surfing

"Love me, love my blog," as Netorati couple-surf - Yahoo! Canada News

How interesting! I think hubby and I do this a bit. We IM a lot but nothing racey - just normal "how's work going?"; "could you stop at the grocery store?" and of course talking about the news over lunch.

Boy I must be out of it too - I didn't realize we, internet people, had a name: Netorati. Not sure if I'm keen on it; we'll see if it grows on me.

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couple surfing, Netorati

Just started with Avon

I just started as an Avon Independent Sales Representative. My first order goes in tomorrow. So far I’ve given away 5 brochures – 3 of them I drove 2 and a half hours and hand delivered them (we were going anyway). I’m so glad I did – they are buying stuff!!!

I know for the first bit, I’ll be buying more for myself than selling it – I need to start using the product, so I can recommend it. I hate when people try to sell me something they’ve never tried or use.

My first goal with Avon is to make enough extra cash to get high speed internet. With buying lots for myself that may take longer than I expect but I think I will make it there before 1 year. I’ll let you know when I make it.

See more progress on: sell avon

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Avon

43things.com

Wow - I am so enjoying this new site. 43things.com is about goal setting. Registration is FREE and once you've signed up - you can start adding your goals.

You can word them anyway you'd like and add tags to them too. Once you've added an item, you will see how many other members have the same goal. You can also write comments down about how you will get to your goal or how your progress is going. You can also reply to others and encourage them by giving them a "cheer".

I'm having a lot of fun doing this. Just check out my side bar and see all my goals!

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43things.com, goals, life

Finding a Good Book

For the past couple of years, I’ve been wanting to learn PHP. I’ve taught myself HTML and CSS with some really good books and now it’s time to find a good PHP one – one that I can follow and that is in the right price range.

I’m still playing around with it a bit anyway and understand a few bits and pieces – enough to tweak phpnuke and phpbb but not enough to create my own modules or write my own programming.

I really do enjoy creating webpages/sites and would just like to keep up.

See more progress on: learn PHP

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computers, programming, PHP

Cool Art

I've recently stumbled across some really cool artwork. Daniel is in his late teens, a skateboarder, and an amazing artist. Check out his artwork and let him know what you think. http://www.artmajeur.com/loner/

UPDATE: He has a new site http://danielart.teach-nology.com/index.html


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art, artist, Daniel

Jesus was a Warmonger! huh?

Nota Bene: The Peacemaker and The Warmonger

I think the blogger here was trying to defend President George Bush's decision for going to war. I'm not really interested in commenting on the politics part.

In the piece the blogger, K. Geffert, says that "Jesus never, ever, taught 'peace on earth' apart from His Kingdom." and that "Jesus is the ultimate warmonger!"

This just floored me. I must say that her comments frustrated me, especially with my strong Anabaptist tendencies. I think a big part of my disagreement is that I view the Kingdom differently. It sounds like she believes that the Kingdom is still to come and I believe that Jesus has already started it here and it continues to grow and when He returns it will become perfect.

Jesus never picked up a sword or tried to force his views on anyone. The conflict comes when some people get what Jesus is saying and others don't. We are to love our neighbours (that includes are loving our enemies as ourselves and treating others the way we want to be treated). Not sure how that constitutes warmongering.

Anyway I could go on and on but I also want to know what others think too. What do you think?

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Jesus, peace, Christianity, Kingdom

Super Heroes

I just took a super hero quiz and here's the results:

You scored as Neo, the "One". Neo is the computer hacker-turned-Messiah of the Matrix. He leads a small group of human rebels against the technology that controls them. Neo doubts his ability to lead but doesn't want to disappoint his friends. His goal is for a world where all men know the Truth and are free from the bonds of the Matrix.


Neo, the "One" - 67%


Captain Jack Sparrow - 58%
Batman, the Dark Knight - 54%
James Bond, Agent 007 - 50%
The Terminator - 46%
Maximus - 46%
The Amazing Spider-Man - 33%
William Wallace - 29%
El Zorro - 25%
Lara Croft - 21%
Indiana Jones - 17%
Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

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Super Heroes, Neo

My First Blogaversary

I was reading a couple of my favourite blogs today (lIfE iN EfFecT and (e)mergent Voyageurs) and they are celebrating their 1 year blogaversaries this week. So I thought of checking when my blogaversary was and to my surprize - it's TODAY!!!

Thursday, June 09, 2005
My First Post
Just testing this out to see how it all looks and how it works.

Mind you, I didn't really do anything with it until 4 months later. Partly because I just wasn't sure what I wanted to put on it, but mostly because I wasn't sure how much information I wanted to share (or should share) with the world (literally the whole world). And then that got me thinking - how much would the world want to know about me.

So once I got up the courage - I haven't looked back. Although it would be nice to have more feedback in the form of comments - I'm quite happy with how things are going.

Thanks everyone for sharing in my growing over the past year.

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blog, blogging, anniversary

Reality TV

It's time for most of the reality tv shows to start.

IDOL - Just finished watching American Idol and now Canadian Idol is underway. I like the Canadian show better - 4 judges, varied talent, better critic - uniquely Canadian. I've watched every Canadian Idol season, but with American Idol it's been every other season.

So You Think You Can Dance - It's a great filler on boring nights and the judges are always fun to watch and listen too.

Big Brother - Season 7 will be starting soon. I can't say that I've watched every season fully through, some I didn't even bother to watch at all. I think this season will be interesting; it's All-Star time. CBS is having the audience vote on which former players they want to compete in the house.

Rock Star: Supernova - Well it was such a hit last year with INXS, so now a brand new band is looking for a singer. Tommy Lee (Mötley Crüe), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses), plus the singer we pick will make up the band. Then they will be releasing an original album. I liked it last year, so I'll probably be watching it again. Tommy Lee should make it fun to watch.

What reality tv do you like to watch?

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Reality TV, Canadian Idol, American Idol, Rock Star, Supernova, Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance

Time To Butt Out Ontario

Landmark legislation protects health of Ontarians — Canadian Cancer Society congratulates Ontario government for Smoke-Free Ontario Act

Well, it's finally here - a promise Dalton McGuinty has kept. ;-)

No smoking in any public, enclosed area. I'm happy that smoking is being reduced. I just wish there was a quicker way to ban smoking all together. I know it's been legal so long and it will take a very long time to get everyone to see how bad it really is.

Just wanted to mark the day!

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Ontario, Smoking, Dalton McGuinty

Weakness Christianity

As I was reading Nathan Colquhoun's blog - Based on a True Story, he mentions this essay "Freedom from Quiet Time Guilt: The rare beauty of Weakness Christianity" by Greg Johnson, St. Louis Center for Christian Study.

I must say that I, too, have felt Quiet Time Guilt; almost since my first day of my Christian journey. The past few months, I have given myself the freedom to not do force myself not to do it if I don't want to. And I've been feeling pretty good. I don't think I'm defying God, I actually find myself praying more. Maybe not reading my Bible as much as people might think I should, but I'm definately connecting with God.

Here's a quote from the article that I thought was good:

There are two religions calling themselves evangelical Christianity today: Strength Christianity and Weakness Christianity. Strength Christianity is that religion which places both feet squarely on the Bible and proclaims, “I am strong. I sought the Lord. I’m a believer. I’ve turned away from sin. I read my Bible and pray every single day. I’m for God!” Weakness Christianity, by contrast, places both knees squarely on the Bible and says, “I am weak, but the Lord has sought me. I believe, but help now my unbelief. I fail and am broken by my continued sinfulness. Have mercy on me, Lord, and grant me favor, for apart from you I can do nothing.”

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Christianity, Nathan Colquhoun, Greg Johnson