I Am...

Hey, I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader...

I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber, or own a dogsled...

And I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, 

although I'm certain they're really really nice.

I have a Prime Minister, not a President.

I speak English and French, not American.

And I pronounce it "about" not "a boot".

I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack.

I believe in peace keeping, not policing,

diversity, not assimilation,

and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal.

A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch,

and it is pronounced "zed", not "zee", "zed"!!!

Canada is the second largest land mass!

The first nation of hockey!

And the best part of North America!

My name is cdncowgirl!*

And I AM CANADIAN!!!

*for those of you that don't know, this was a very popular ad campaign and the proper second last line is "My name is Joe"*

 

Over 10 years later and I still love that rant.  In a funny way it signaled the start of Canadians becoming more loud about being proud to be Canadian.  Especially funny as its a beer commercial... way to hold up another Canadian stereotype ;)

For a long time people have thought that we Canadians aren't very patriotic.  Truth is we are, we just haven't been very "in your face" about it.  But that's changing, and its a nice thing to see.

For anyone that would like to see The Rant click here

I post The Rant today in honor of Canada Day -- 

Happy Birthday Canada!

PS I've prempted my Sunday Stills in honour of Canada Day.  I will post my pics tomorrow (hopefully)

A Very Special St Patrick's Day!

It's not JUST St Patrick's Day today, 

it's Mikey & Wade's wedding day!

This will be the blogger wedding of the year, and of course in true M&W style it's going to be a horseback wedding in the desert.  Mikey generously invited everyone, seriously check it out, and if I coulda been there I woulda been there:)  

Instead of my usual St Paddy ramblings I'm dedicating today to Mikey & Wade, so raise a glass with me and toast them

"May you be poor in misfortunes

and rich in blessings.

May you know nothing but happiness

from this day forward.

May good luck be your friend

in whatever you do,

And may trouble be always

a stranger to you."

Here's to a lifetime together of happiness, health and love! 

* feel free to leave a toast to Mikey & Wade in the comments *

Proud!

 

I'm proud to be Canadian. 

and today we celebrate

Canada Day!

Happy 144th birthday Canada!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Ah, St. Paddy's.  The day most people associate with parades and drinking green beer...

 How many of you know there's more to it than that?  Well c'mon, after all it's SAINT Patrick's Day!  In fact until the 1970's Irish law mandated that all pubs be closed on St Patrick's Day.  For those that celebrate the intended meaning of the day it is a day of spiritual renewal and offering prayer for missionaries.
The story of St Patrick ridding Ireland of snakes is just that, a story.  And like many a religious story it has to do with Christianity and paganism.  It is believed that the snakes in this legend were the pagans and that as St Patrick spread the seeds of Christianity in Ireland he thus ridded it of the pagan religions, or snakes.
*Interesting side note, quite a few pagan rituals and customs were incorporated into religious ceremonies, rituals and customs to ease the conversion of the pagans to Christianity.*
As for how clovers became associated with St Patrick's Day, St Patrick used the clover to illustrate the Holy Trinity.

 And now a toast, whether you're having green beer or not:

May your blessings outnumber

the shamrocks that grow

and may trouble avoid you wherever you go

Slainte!! 

*Pictures found with Google Images*

Erin Go Bragh!!

Here's to the land of the shamrock so green,

Here's to each lad and his darlin' colleen,

Here's to the ones we love dearest and most.

May God bless old Ireland, that's this Irishman's toast!

Slainte!

Happy St Patrick's Day everyone!

Happy New Year!!

2010 is not only a new year but also a new decade...
There are many people who are looking forward to this new start with hope for something better. Whether its due to financial/employment problems or personal problems. Let's all raise our glass and toast to a fresh start!

I wish all my blog friends the very best - health and happiness.

*image is not mine, found by searching New Year's + fireworks*

Merry Christmas

Wishing you all the very best this year -

Health & Happiness!

Have a wonderful Christmas!

*image is not mine, it was found on Google Images*

Happy Halloween!

Two men were walking home after a Halloween party and decided to take a shortcut through the cemetery just for laughs...

Right in the middle of the cemetery they were startled by a tap-tap-tapping noise coming from the misty shadows.

Trembling with fear, they found an old man with a hammer and chisel, chipping away at one of the headstones.

"Holy cow Mister," one of them said after catching his breath, "You scared us half to death -- we thought you were a ghost! What are you doing working here so late at night?"

"Those fools!" the old man grumbled. "They misspelled my name!"

*image is not my own, found with Google Images*

142

Happy Canada Day!

Today its the 142 anniversary of confederation... Happy Birthday Canada

Hoppy Easter!

Easter... for some its all about

chocolate eggs and bunnies

peeps and other treats.

For some it has a deeper meaning...

and some of us celebrate with chocolate

while also remembering

the reason behind the holiday

Whichever way you celebrate,

I hope you have a very 'hoppy' Easter!

*images are not made by me, they were found using Google Images*

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Ahhh... St Patty's day. The day we all celebrate being Irish, even if we aren't! lol So here's an Irish toast to share with y'all:

May you be in Heaven a half an hour before the Devil knows your dead!

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

Until we meet again

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

May God grant you always...

A sunbeam to warm you,

A moonbeam to charm you,

A sheltering angel, so nothing can harm you.

*images found with Google Images*

Happy New Year!

*fireworks photo found with Google Images*

Wrapping things up

Hopefully most of you have had a great Christmas (*I said most because I've heard a few people had a bit of a bummer of a Christmas - hope you feel better soon Lisa!! Too bad those llamas can't come visit inside!*)

Mine was pretty darn good. We closed the restaurant for 3 whole days! :o So there was lots of family time.

Christmas Eve Pie and I spent most of the day to ourselves. We went to visit Kimfer's Aunt J & Uncle B and drop off a little gift for them. (they are like family to me, and are also the ones we went team sorting with this summer). Kimfer's parents showed up there so we gave them their little gift too (again, like family plus they own the place where we board).

After that we went to see the ponies and give them some Christmas treats. This was big for me because between boarding and it being a busy season I don't normally get to see my horses at Christmas. We're usually at my family's or Pie's.

For supper we went to Pie's parents house and had a nice little visit. Then Pie, his brother G and his wife C plus their 2 kids and myself piled into G's van and went to the SIGA Enchanted Forest. (my pics didn't turn out so please click on the link for a tour, the display is gorgeous!)
SIGA is the main sponsor every year and it is held at the Forestry Farm (kinda a zoo). It takes about 10-15 minutes to drive through. It may not seem so in the pics but the light displays are HUGE. I can't imagine how long it takes to assemble and put up all those lights.

Christmas Day we spent at Pie's parents. It was really nice for the whole family to be together. This is especially rare with both boys and their dad running the restaurant. My father-in-law is very much the type of businessman that wants at least one of the owners at the restaurant at all times. So we're only all together when its closed.
There was movie watching and game playing, probably one of the highlights was when the wives (me & C) took on the husbands (Pie & G) to play electronic Battleship. For the record, we won 2 out of 3. :)
Another "highlight" was Pie calling me a lesbian at the dinner (or lunch??) table. lol We were all gathered after eating, looking at the new Greek Orthodox calender from the church. This one is so nice because it has info like what type of fasting and when, special days (ie Greek Easter follows the old calender and doesn't always happen the same time as "regular" Easter) and it also has when the name days are. (for a brief explanation click the link).
C is also my godmother, I had to be baptized Greek Orthodox to be married in the church which was Pie's dream wedding. "Lisa" isn't a Greek name so we had to find another name for my baptism. Elizabeth was the closest name to Lisa so we chose that. In Greek that is pronounced more like Ella-sava. Someone at the table asked what my name was (after all its not like I actually get called by Elasava! lol) and Pie, soooo helpfully, said something like "uhh... les..bianna..??" Which was very kindly pointed out that he called me a lesbian. That got a good laugh.
C & I, at the same time, went "No! Elasava!!". I followed it up by mentioning that if I were a lesbian he would be out of 'luck'. That got more laughs.

Boxing Day Pie and I spent mostly together, we also got to see the ponies (2 out of 3 Christmas days, wow!) and spent the late afternoon and evening at my brother's house with him, his wife and baby, where we had supper and played games and watched a movie.

Saturday we worked and then Sunday we went to my mom's. She had spent Christmas in Edmonton with my sister and her family. D and baby Lucas came back with mom and B (her husband). D is still on mat leave but her hubby had to go back to work so he couldn't come (we missed you P!)
Sunday was awesome, there was my family (except P) and B's daughter T and her family (hubby D, oldest daughter Dani, son Tyson and youngest daughter Tianna).
Tianna's 3 and I haven't seen her in the last year and half - 2 years so she was a bit shy at first. Some quality time with the puppies and the ice was broken! Tyson also brought his Wii so I played Guitar Hero (for the first time - I know I'm so behind!) and Mario Kart with the kids. Grampa B rocked out too.

So now its all wrapped up and back to "real life"... too bad its still so cold. I have a barrel jackpot in 2 weeks and I really need to put some miles on that fat little horse!

To all my blog friends:

Merry Christmas!

Have a safe and happy holiday

*ornament picture found on Google Images*

A Christmas Story

Instead of boring you all with a weather report (let's just sum it up as freaking cold) I thought I'd share a little Christmas story with you.
Its a true story, it happened when I was about 4 (maybe 5), and while funny now it wasn't at the time. Basically, I ruined Christmas. (its okay, like I said its funny now)
Before I start I should mention that this story is partially my own memories and partially stuff that's been filled in by my parents over the years. At the time I was either an only child (mom would have been preggers with my sis) or my sister was just a teeny baby.
Like a lot of little girls I was horse crazy. Unlike a lot of little girls it never wore off... but you all know that! I wouldn't be surprised if "horse" or "pony" was one of my first words.
So that year, like many many MANY more to come, the main thing on my list to Santa was a pony! (or horse, really to my 4 or 5 year old mind they were pretty much interchangeable).
I didn't care what kind or what colour... I just wanted a pony of my own!
I am originally from New Brunswick. There my parents wouldn't have been able to tell me "No. Where would it live?" Because Grampie had a farm and of course it would live there! But now we were living in Saskatchewan. In a city. So my parents always had that excuse ready.
Of course to my toddler mind our back yard was H-U-G-E. The pony could live there!
"What would it eat?" my parents would always ask.
Well, duh, grass. But then I was reminded of the snow and wintertime. But I had an answer ready!
The pony could eat these:

To my little eyes Shredded Wheat were big. And almost like miniature bales of hay. Surely Daddy would let me give his breakfast cereal to the pony!

But no. That plan was always rejected... dang it.

That never stopped me from asking. So yes here we were... Christmas.

I'd asked for my pony.

I'd tried soooo hard to be good.

I made sure Santa, mom, dad, well everybody, knew that what I wanted more than anything was a pony.

Christmas morning my mom and dad came to wake me up... all excited.

(okay this part makes me feel guilty to this day. How excited could they have been that they got the *perfect* gift for their little girl? I mean really, they were up before me and came to get ME up!)

I remember very clearly my dad telling me "Come see what Santa brought you! He brought you a horse!"

I also remember running out to the Christmas tree.

Bursting into tears and running back to my room.

I threw myself on my bed and sobbed hysterically.

They were NOT happy tears.

Why? Well because...

...as I choked out to my parents... THAT wasn't a horse. THAT was a TOY!

My poor folks. They thought they had got me the next best thing to a horse, they had gotten me a rocking horse (the spring style, although not quite the one in the picture it was very similar)

Okay so my dad's choice of words may not have been quite right, but I still feel a bit guilty when I think of that Christmas.

For the record, after I calmed down that DID become one of my favorite toys EVER.

*I did not take/create any of the above images*

Never Forget

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep,

Though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

Major John McCrae wrote that poem after a close friend (Lieutenant Alexis Helmer) was killed during the Second Battle of Ypres.

It is now very well known across Canada. This poem, along with poppy pins such as this:

are two of the most well known symbols of today's National Holiday, Remembrance Day.

Today is the day our government has designated as a time to remember and honour those who have served our country to protect our rights and freedoms, especially those who gave their lives to do so.
Many people think it is to remember those who died during the First and Second World Wars. I personally think we should remember all the soldiers who have put their lives on the line to serve our country. Both in times of peace and in times of war.

That is why I proudly have this sticker on my vehicle:



Whether or not you agree with war (a particular one or the idea in general) it is my personal opinion that you should show respect to those who serve.

We should all appreciate our rights and freedoms and never forget those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for those same rights and freedoms.

Today is Remembrance Day. Wear your poppy with pride.

"Lest we forget"

*images found online*

Happy Canada Day! :)

Today is the 141st anniversary of Confederation, Happy Birthday Canada!

And an absolutely beautiful day it was, warm but not too hot, nice breeze. *sigh*
So how did I spend my Canada Day (so far)? I went barrel racing :)
We had a double header, with poles and a lunch break between jackpots. Originally I entered the poles but after Applejackass reared his ugly head I scratched. Raincloud didn't actually rear, he did however buck the entire pattern except for the run home... but only because I made him walk home from third.
I kinda knew it was going to happen. He warmed up really nicely but got an attitude before our turn to run. I tried to work through it but ran out of time before my turn. Oh well, cowgirl up right?
Mr Tim asked me if I wanted him to ride Raincloud and see if there might be an actual "real" problem. (the jackpot was at Tim & Jackie's AND we had bought Raincloud from Tim) I said sure thing and after the poles he rode him in the arena, even doing a barrel run - now that was funny!
Mr Tim agreed with my theory, the little bugger was just being a snotball and needed to be ridden.
After lunch we had another nice warm up and I kept him walking/trotting before our turn. It helped that the jackpot got under way more quickly as well. Our second run was niiice. He ran flat and didn't get all humpy and round. Woo-hoo!!! I was happy just with that :)
After the jackpots and payouts were done Kimfer and I headed over to collect the money and papers (I'm our districts secretary/treasurer). I joked that I leave EVERY jackpot with a lot of money, unfortunately its all the SBRA's!! ;) But what do you know, I did have money! We placed 3rd in the 3D. Sweet! I was happy enough with his performance, taking home some pocket money was just a bonus.
(don't get too excited, there weren't as many entries in the 2nd jackpot so it really was "pocket money" lol)
Now for the really surprising part... my father-in-law decided we were not going to open the restaurant today! *gasp* (this is truly a major deal, we usually are only closed the Monday of the August Long Weekend and Christmas Day, and some years on Boxing Day and/or Christmas Eve). Oh, AND we are all going out for supper!! :o
And on that note, I must go dry my hair and get ready for the fam!

*photo found online*