If you are following my blog you probably noticed that I have been absent for a while. That is because I have been really busy doing this:
Four trips to Toronto in one month = 8 Air Canada flights, lots of time waiting in airports, taxi and bus rides back and forth from the Airport...and 1 security pat down! Yikes...I want to be safe, so can understand the need for this, but still felt violated following the procedure. Sent me in search of a very sugary donut to soothe my nerves.
For me, the pat down is still preferable to the full body scan, because I was exposed to excess radiation as a child. Dr. Oz said that women who are pregnant, children under 12 and seniors should avoid full body scans. Children are still developing sensitive tissues, pregnant women of course goes without saying, and seniors don't regenerate damaged tissue and cells as well as young adults. Nevertheless, every other person in my line chose the bodyscanner. I do worry about the long term affects.
Many nights in hotels. A great excuse for quiet time and pampering, and no excuse not to meditate.
Accelerated Learning presentation. I tied it into a snowflake theme and the quote, "people are like snowflakes, everyone unique and different. Then, when we all stick together we are stronger." - author unknown
Of course, in Toronto, there was lots of shopping, eating and socializing with friends. We went up several flights of escalators to get to Milestones in Toronto.
Window shopping, looking at a window shopper in the Bay Christmas windows. Their windows are so creative and animated. Can't help but be in the Christmas spirit.
Sometimes window shopping turned into real shopping as evident by the spread of Christmas presents on my hotel bed. I had a melt down at the Disney store and some of it was for the child in me!
We had a Christmas party with some of our friends. Above, Iris and I sculpted vegetable Christmas trees. Easy and fun to do and almost too pretty to eat!
This is how the table looked just before everyone arrived. The placemats, runners and bows on the back of the chairs are all cut from plaid fleece. Lasts forever and washes up easily!
A table setting for a party guest. Each guest received a Chinese take out box with goodies and decorated with a felt bird for their Christmas tree. On each glass was a Christmas mouse decoration. We had a great time. There were prizes for the most elegant, the funniest and the most creative Christmas shirts. Our friend Fran went way out this year, dressed as Christmas from head to toe! Great job Fran.
Made 100 Christmas mice...50 for work, and the rest for our tree and our friends.
Made 25 bookmarks for a work presentation.
Played with the grandchildren, went to two Christmas concerts to see Miranda play her violin and sing, went to music class with Kenny, and went to ballet with Stella. She is now in tap! They are all so talented...can't wait to see what Sebastien will be doing...and Lilu...
Now, I am starting to enjoy the winter snow and looking forward to two full weeks of vacation! We all get together on Christmas Eve, so I will be looking forward to that with all of the hustle, bustle and preparation that goes with it.
