Today in history: November 21

1783: The first untethered human flight takes off when scientist Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent, Marquis d’Arlandes, float over Paris in a hot air balloon. They rose to a height of about 1,000 metres and drifted over the city for 25 minutes. 1902: Hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt is born in Toronto. Hewitt did the play-by-play for Hockey Night in Canada, and coined the phrase "He shoots, he scores." 1959: Alan Freed, at the time the top disc jockey in the U.S., is fired by New York station WABC after he refused to sign an affidavit that he had taken money or gifts for playing records on air. Freed was the prime target in the payola investigations launched by the U.S. Congress. 1981: Tens of thousands of people gather on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to protest high interest rates. The demonstration, initiated by Canadian Labour Congress president Dennis McDermott, was in reaction to mortgage rates that were running at 18 per cent at time.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 Self card--Gratitude Journaling

Time and time again, a gratitude practice was linked to better mental health and higher levels of happiness, as well asTime and time again, a gratitude practice was linked to better mental health and higher levels of happiness, as well as named of the best self-care activities to dramatically boost our overall wellbeing. Gratitude journaling focuses on positive memories and experiences and builds up our internal positive reference bank, as well as creates a sense of fulfillment and appreciation of what we already have. As a result, gratitude creates a positive outlook on life, boosts wellbeing, improves relationships, and builds resiliency named of the best self-care activities to dramatically boost our overall wellbeing. 

 

Today in history: November 13

1775: American revolutionary forces led by General Richard Montgomery capture Montreal from the British without a fight. Gen. Guy Carleton, the governor of Quebec, retreats to Quebec City. 1956: The U.S. Supreme Court rules that racial segregation on public buses is illegal. 1989: Champion swimmer Victor Davis dies of head and spine injuries two days after he was hit by a car outside a suburban Montreal nightclub. He was 25. 1997: Colorado Rockies outfielder Larry Walker wins the National League MVP award, becoming the first Canadian in Major League Baseball to win an MVP honour. From Maple Ridge, B.C., Walker led the N.L. that year with 49 home runs while batting .366 and driving in 130 runs.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Re

 

Today in history: November 8

1873: Winnipeg is incorporated as a city. At the time, it had about 3,500 residents.  1960: John F. Kennedy narrowly defeats Richard Nixon for the presidency of the United States. 1974: William Eustace, a signal worker helping build the CN Tower, leaps off the top of the structure with a smuggled parachute. Shortly after he landed, he was fired from his job.  2001: Canada 3000, the country's second-largest airline, is granted creditor protection by the courts. The airline ceased operations and cancelled its flights, leaving travellers stranded. It went bankrupt three days later.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 

Today in history: November 7

1867: Marie Curie is born Marie Sklodowska in Warsaw, Poland. She shared the Nobel prize for physics in 1903 with her French husband, Pierre, and another French researcher for their work in radioactivity. She won a second Nobel prize, this one in chemistry, in 1911 for her discovery of polonium and radium. 1873: The Liberals form their first federal government under Alexander Mackenzie. John A. Macdonald's Conservatives had resigned two days before due to a bribery scandal. 1885: The last spike is driven at Craigellachie in B.C.'s Eagle Pass, completing the Canadian Pacific Railway's transcontinental line. Donald Smith, a principal CPR shareholder, did the honours. 1983: The world's first successful single-lung transplant is performed in Toronto. Tom Hall, a 58-year-old hardware executive, lived for another six years after receiving the lung of a 13-year-old car accident victim.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 

Today in history: November 6

1861: The inventor of basketball, Dr. James Naismith, is born in Almonte, Ont. 1867: The first session of the Dominion of Canada's first Parliament opens in Ottawa. James Cockburn, MP for the Ontario riding of Northumberland West, is unanimously elected as the first Speaker. 1879: Thanksgiving Day is first observed as a national holiday in Canada. On Jan. 31, 1957, Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving as a holiday on the second Monday in October. 1984: Colin Thatcher, a former Saskatchewan cabinet minister, is found guilty in Saskatoon of murdering his ex-wife. He was sentenced to life in prison. He was granted full parole on Nov. 30, 2006.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadia

 Today's Sale Care Tip:

Time and time again, a gratitude practice was linked to better mental health and higher levels of happiness, as well as named of the best self-care activities to dramatically boost our overall wellbeing. Gratitude journaling focuses on positive memories and experiences and builds up our internal positive reference bank, as well as creates a sense of fulfillment and appreciation of what we already have. As a result, gratitude creates a positive outlook on life, boosts wellbeing, improves relationships, and builds resiliency.

 

Today in history: November 3

1873: During the Pacific Scandal, Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald defends himself against corruption charges in a five-hour speech to Parliament. He resigned two days later. 1957: The Soviet Union launches Sputnik 2, the first artificial satellite to carry a dog (Laika) into space. 1978: Wayne Gretzky scores his first goal for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in the World Hockey Association. The 17-year-old had been sold to the Oilers by the Indianapolis Racers the previous day. 1999: Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin is appointed as the first female Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

 

Today in history: October 31

1902: The first Pacific telegraph line from Canada to Australia is completed. 

1956: A U.S. Navy transport plane becomes the first aircraft to land at the South Pole.

1977: The James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, the first modern Indigenous land claim agreement and treaty in Canada, becomes law. 

2002: The Supreme Court of Canada rules 5-4 to grant penitentiary inmates the right to vote in federal elections.

(With files from CBC News, The Canadian Press, The Associated Press and Reuters)

Death

 Tori’s mother Ruth passed peacefully away today.

Leaves

 May playing with the leaves.

 Sunday’s Self Care:

11. Reflexology

This modality is based on the idea that specific points on the feet and hands correspond with organs and tissues throughout the body. With fingers and thumbs, the practitioner applies pressure to these points to treat a wide range of stress-related illnesses, producing numerous positive health effects.

 While Wolf and I were moving cupboards into my workshop, May decided to work on the childproof lock on my lower cabinets and help herself to a package of dry egg noodles.  She had the package open and half eaten before before I noticed.  I hope that she does not get a upset tummy.

 Sunday’s Self Help Care Tip

9. Turn off your cell phone

Turning off your phone is one of the best self-care ideas to calm nerve centers in your brain. Turning off your phone stops the bombardment of messages, emails, social media notifications, people, and apps vowing for your attention, and not allowing you space to concentrate on tasks on hand or just taking sweet old time to relax, de-stress, and just be in the present. Turning the off button immediately lowers stress and increases physical and mental health as well as energy levels 

May’s first hoof trimming.

 My little girl getting her first hoof trimming.  Wolf had to help hold her down.  When they are having their hooves trimmed they scream like a banshee.  The minute she was placed on her feet May stopped being a diva.  I went to the two neighbours who were home to explain that they would hear her screaming and think that we were slaughtering May.

Harvesting Soy

A large combine harvesting the soy plants across the road from us.

Tai Chi Originally developed for self-defense, Tai Chi has evolved into a graceful form of exercise that’s now used for stress reduction and a variety of other health conditions. Often described as meditation in motion, Tai Chi is the best self-care idea to promote serenity through gentle movements.

I would like to thank Tina Kvrgic, Northern Stamper and Jackie Vandersar-Boot , The Pampered Stamper for all their hard work and dedication in making this first fall retreat such a great crafting success. The retreat was held at the Hilton in St. Jacobs The hotel provided a free breakfast for its guest, so we took advantage of it Saturday and Sunday. It was a five minute walk to St Jacob’s market so that is where we headed for an hour after breakfast on Saturday. The array of fruits and vegetables was amazing. Our classes started at 10:00 am to 9:00pm with a break for lunch and supper. There were display boards set up around the room showing cards that We were able to take photos so that we could recreate them at home. The organizers showed us different card making techniques and a few 3D creations. The rest of the day we worked on our cards and projects. Tea, coffee, water and cookies were available for us all day. Sunday after breakfast there were more technique demonstration and we finished up our projects. The retreat ended at 3:00, but a lot of the ladies left sooner because they did not want to drive in heavy traffic. The Fall Craft Retreat in St Jacob's is already booked for the last weekend of September 2024. Guess who signed up all ready.

KISSING Here is one of the best self-care ideas and activities that most of us quite enjoy-yes, I’m talking about kissing! By activating the pleasure regions of the brain, kissing induces your brain to release a mix of hormones such as oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin, which are responsible for feelings of happiness, pleasure, affection, and connection. It also reduces the stress hormone cortisol. So… kiss away!

I am looking forward to a great weekend. Tomorrow afternoon I am taking a pottery class and Friday afternoon Wolf is driving me to St Jacob’s for a a 3 day Fall Craft Retreat.

Sunday's Self Care Acupuncture Acupuncture is one of the best self-care ideas and treatments for various body ailments. Fine fneedles are inserted at specific points to stimulate, disperse, and regulate the flow of vital energy, and restore a healthy energy balance. The goal is to relieve a health condition or symptom, such as pain. This practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine and various scientific studies have confirmed its effectiveness.

What are some issues of poor self care? Increased headaches, stomach aches, and other physical symptoms of stress. Difficulty falling and staying asleep. Challenges in choosing healthy food and urges to eat “comfort” foods. Worsening mental health symptoms like depression or anxiety

This Jeep was in the parking lot at the Marina when we went to see Theodore Tugboat on Thursday. Tori so much wanted to take the parking pass sign and Wolf put a ducky under the windshield wiper. It is a Jeep thing.

We went to Port Colbourne yesterday to see Theodore Tugboat. we were allowed to wander around the main deck.

 Lables that Wolf created for me to include with my swaps.

 The first  Christmas card that I made this year.

 Sundays Self Care

Massages are the best self-care idea to can help you release any physical strain you may be carrying and are really great in taking care of your body especially if there is a lot of stress in your life. The relaxation produced by a good massage can release the stress hormones and greatly improve our physical and mental health.

7. Acupuncture

Sundays Self Care tip

5. Progressive muscle relaxation

Progressive muscle relaxation is one of best self-care activities which involves a two-step process in which a person systematically tenses and relaxes different muscle groups in the body. Helps us to spot and counteract the first signs of the muscular tension that accompanies stress and beat it before it grabs hold. Also, an excellent tool to falling asleep fast.

 My first visitor to my new craft room/workshop that Wolf is finishing for me.  I will be asking him to leave later in the day.

Snails

 I put the skins of my watermelons outside for the snails to enjoy.

 Sunday Self Care Tip

Move Your Body

Any activity will do, bonus points if you actually enjoy it and can fit in your schedule! Think solo dancing in your living room, walking up and down your stairs, Zumba class, Yoga with Adrienne Youtube channel,  pedaling a stationary bike for 15 minutes after lunch, doing jumping jacks in your office, or walking an extra loop at the mall. In other words, moving your body does not mean an hour-long advanced cycling class at 5 am (unless that’s your thing of course) but any realistic activity for your lifestyle, routine, and personal preference.

Seeing deer in the neighbours field is a daily occurrence.  Sometime there is a whole herd with their little spotted fawns.  The field is across from a Provincial Park, which is their home.

 Sunday self care tip

3. Nutritious Meals

Healthy eating starts with learning what our body needs to feel nourished and how we can fulfill these needs with nutritious foods we like and enjoy. The next step is learning the nutritional basics about the foods we consume and what fuel the human body needs to be healthy and strong. I really like the free Fooducate app for learning the nutritional values and benefits of different foods, and it also tracks your activity levels. Based on all this information we can make a solid, educated, sustainable, and very easy-to-follow meal plan for ourselves, which will give us a much higher chance of integrating this new healthy 

May and her sticks

 May is in her cycle and is gathering sticks to bring into the house for her bed

 Two cards that I created called fractured front cards.  Watched this technique on Stamping on the back porch.

Canal Days, August 6th 2023

Wolf took me to Canal Days in Port Colbourne yesterday.  I was a little disappointed.  There was a lot of food booths and the food looked and smelled delicious.  There was no place to sit except on the ground behind the booths or walking around holding the food and trying not to bump into anyone.  The vendor booths had nothing new to show.  We did see the large cruise ship that is travelling through the Welland Canal.  The most of stores were very gracious in offering water for Loco (our dog) everyone wanted to pet him.  Loco is a service dog but one store asked us to leave because there was not enough room in the store for the people who where just looking.  One gentleman bought a bottle of water and poured some into his hand for Loco to have a drink.  I did buy another cute piggy

2. Learn to Self-Soothe

We will always have stress in our lives. That’s just life, it comes with its ups and downs. As a result, we will have both positive and negative emotions. The trick is to discover ways to self-soothe and cope with those negative emotions when they come (because they will) in a positive, productive, and sustainable manner. Both negative and positive feelings have an equally important part in our human development and growth, and learning how to effectively manage difficult emotions strengthens our emotional wellbeing.  Some of the best self-care for self-soothing examples: journaling, meditation, mindful walking, exercising, coloring, taking a cold or hot shower, and saying positive coping statements to 

Sunday Self Care Tip

Your Sunday Self Care Tip.

Sleep deficiency has several detrimental effects on our mental and physical health, including cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and impaired cognitive performance. Optimizing and prioritizing our sleep habits improves mood, mental and physical performance, metabolism, and energy levels.  Getting on a consistent sleep schedule, monitoring caffeine intake, eliminating screens at least 30 minutes before bedtime, creating a before-bed relaxation routine- all can make a huge difference in the quality of our physical and mental health.

Christmas shaker card

 Christmas Shaker card made by me,