A very Special THANK YOU!

I was amazed at my capacity to love when i laid eyes on my first child. It is truly the closest we come to rebirth in this life. I felt in an instant a love that i have never experienced or thought possible. I would gladly give up my life for this innocent being. Having a child has been described as "walking around with your heart outside of your body." This is truth.




My letter.


Keeno:

If we could have summed up my longing when i looked at you in your first minutes of life- it would be to raise a "good man." You are a good man. This is the highest compliment I can give.

It is amazing how I literally had you while I was still a child myself (18) I’m sure there were more things I could have done as a mum bringing you up. Maybe I’m too hard on myself because when I think back to the special young boy you were and the young man that you are now, I feel like SUPER mom lol. How did I do it? I don’t really know. All I can say is God was and is truly with us my son. I’m not going to go into any gussshy details because I know you get all shy and stuff so I will save it. But I wanted to publicly display my love and appreciation for you here on my blog so that world can see just how blessed I am.

Keeno, you have been my rock! You are such an amazing young man and an OLD soul (as many say) I’m proud of how much you have accomplished. I’m proud of your dedication to your brother and how many times you are there for me as his BIG BROTHER lol. Even those days you rather stay in bed all day, you get up and go sleep with your brother in case he wakes up looking for my mommy while mommy is at work. You have barely ever said no. Not because you can’t but because you just want to be there for me.

All I want of you or from is to be a GOOD man. I fear in our culture the understanding of what a good man is has been lost- or worse considered irrelevant or unimportant. When I was a child everyone knew what it meant. A good man is honourable. His word is his bond. Other men respect him. He stays the course. He is protective of the weak, elderly, and vulnerable. He takes care of his family- in every sense. He does not seek a fight- but is willing to fight if necessary. Children and women who have a good man for a father, grandfather, brother or husband are blessed. Without him- the center does not hold. At a man's funeral the highest eulogy one can give is, "He was a good man." It is the greatest legacy you can leave.

There is a saying that one's strength is also one's greatest weakness. Anyone who lives by a code of honour is vulnerable in some ways. The only way I want you to live by is GODS way. Keeno along this path you are guided, protected and never alone. No matter what the storms may bring.

Despite what the media may say or despite the way others live, I offer you what I have learned in the spirit of love and respect. I have made some mistakes; many actually in anger, but my son, take what you can use from my advice and leave the rest. I offer you my words of "wisdom" from the belief that the most meaningful, productive, and rewarding life is achieved through having a happy marriage and family. I believe if a marriage is full of conflict, and unhappiness, and your home and family are not a sanctuary…a safe and loving environment for your children to grow up in- no outside accomplishment can make up for this loss. So everything I share with you is toward helping you achieve this goal.

As a good man you are particularly vulnerable because there are limits on your behaviour. You do not lie, you have a giving and open heart, and you would never abuse a woman in any way. You are protective and you are willing to endure hardship for the ones you love. However, never give up being a good man “just cuz”

On women! Life is a dance. Relationships between men and women are a dance. To make it work you both have to be doing the same dance, and it has to be one you both want to do. Get that right- and the rest is details. ( I think you are safe here)

My son , I love you . Like I said earlier this week, you are MY FIRST LOVE!






Captain:

Son, when you were born and the doctor confirmed "It's a boy", your father and I were filled with joy and awe. He had prayed and hoped for a son and claims he knew I was having a boy. I knew that having a son would heal your father in ways that nothing else would. I knew so much about boys but longed in my heart for a son to complete your father’s life. You would think through having another son, I would better understand the mysteries of men. LOL Captain from the day you were born- you have been our joy.

You have surpassed our wildest dreams and hopes for you. We could not love you more, or be more proud of you. Everyday of your life you have brought us deep joy, love and pride. You are our bridge to the future, our legacy, and our hope.

If you are wondering who came up with the name “Captain” It was daddy. The moment you came out and got placed on the weighing table, dad walked over and said “wow look at the Captain”… and from there on, the nurses, myself, your visitors and family called you Captain. There were a couple who called you “Q” but that did not last.

My baby boy, I love you so much. I am actually sooo in love with you. There is nothing you can do to upset me. Keeno says “Mom your are Captains punk” lol Well than let that be so lol.

Captain, you filled the void I was missing in my life for so many years. You have given me so much to look forward too. You make me smile even when you are sleeping. The way you kiss me even when you are still half asleep or when you cuddle up so close to me that many nights I have fallen off the bed...MY BED which you still sleep in lol. I think I’m the one that won’t let go of you staying in my bed lol…The way you tell me “Mommy you so buutuful…mommy you so cute” while at the same time playing with my hair or gently running your hands on my face. My son, no matter what this world has brought my way, seeing your face, hearing your voice and feeling your precious little hands all over my skin will always sooth that pain. You are the perfect son. You have lightened Keeno’s life in ways you would never imagine. LOL. I’m sitting here typing away with tears of joy rolling down my face because I am picturing the two of you with your craziness..dancing…singing…wrestling and sometimes fusing lol. You are so special and always remember that GOD blessed daddy and I the day you were born.

Captain you are “The Love of My Life” and Keeno is “My First Love”

It is Thanksgiving and I am thankful today for my two boys.

God is truly amazing.







What I Would Do For You

© Jayne Sena

I would do just about anything you'd ask,

For you there's nothing I wouldn't do, there's no such task.

I would walk without my shoes to the end of the Earth,

I would give up anything I had to, to teach you self worth.

I would hold your hand every minute of every day,

But I won't because I know you need to find your own way.

I would surely bear the heartache of your first love that's real,

Even though I can't, I will naturally feel as you feel.

I would sell my soul if it would keep you happy forever,

I would give my right arm to keep us forever together.

I would run a hundred miles up-hill in the rain,

Just to guarantee that you will never feel pain.

I would laugh with you even if I was sad,

I will give you a smile even if I'm mad.

I can only accept your mistakes with a grin on my face,

I will guide you in correcting them, but at your own pace.

I will guide you through life, as this world can get quite wild,

Just don't you ever forget that you will always be my child.




**The bond that a person develops with his mother can never be severed. You grew as an organism inside her for nine months. She carried you and sustained you, sharing her sustenance with you through your umbilical cord. When you are born the cord is severed. It is never severed in her heart. That bond lasts forever. As we grow up we become our own people and may come to forget that woman who nurtured and loved us. But remember this, she will never forget you and never stop loving you.

STOP and SMILE!

When was the last time you noticed the cleaners in your office at the end of the day? Or the janitors in the malls cleaning up the food court? How about the little old lady that sits in the coffee shop alone weekly? Maybe even the student that sits in the back of the class quiet and alone? If you noticed him/her...did you smile? Say hello?

While getting ready to leave the office last week, the cleaning lady came around with her head down (as usual) and did her rounds. When she passed my desk, i noticed she looked a little sad. More than usual. I try my best to acknowledge the ladies when they come by and there is the odd time it's a man instead of a lady. I don't just say hello. I actually engage in conversations with them as well. May not be long ones, but i do.

On this particular day, the woman (don't even know her name) did not say hello. She usually smiles, greets me and sometimes stops for a chat. She is a cute older Spanish lady. Kind of reminds me of my mother. We converse in her language and sometimes even in mine. She speaks both Spanish and Portuguese. As she passed my desk, i said "Ola senora" and she looked up and said "hello" I asked "How is your daughter doing?" She was surprised i asked and answered with a big smile "she is great. She is coming to visit me next month. The papers went through" I was so happy to hear this and answered "Good i told you. God will always make a way when he sees our heart" I could see the joy in her heart and thought i even saw her eyes watering. "I'm so happy you remembered my daughter. You always so nice to me and you so pretty all the time" Her English was poor but i GOT IT! Little did she know i was also having a bad day and her words were like sweet candy to my soul.

Although i may not have said much and they were only a few words, to her, it was more than saying 100 words.

At that very moment when i looked into her eyes i remembered that unlike her, no matter what, i had a great paying job working for the city, amazing co-workers and a COOL boss. My kids were at home waiting for me. My immediate family lives close by....and i do not have to question "when will i see my babies again?" The pain i saw in her eyes brought me back to reality within seconds. I said to my inner self "Liz, it's never that bad. There are people out here in dying pain, homeless, loveless, and hungry"
Moments later, i totally forgot why i was even upset.

I had to remind myself that just because somebody is not smiling, that has nothing to do with me/you. That woman/man may have lost a loved one. They may have have been up all night with a crying baby. Maybe they have unpaid bills. No money. Her husband may have walked out on her. Her child may have passed away. She may be a single mother of four. STOP and SMILE. Ask her/him how she/he is doing? Tell someone they are beautiful. Stop trying to look as mean as they do. This person is probably staring right at you without even seeing you! Just hope that your smile is contagious enough that you may have just blessed her instead of hindering her.

After all we are all facing our own battles. But a smile will lighten up our journey for both you and them.

My grandma use to say "Lizabet (Elizabeth) smile at the world and the world will smile back"

Scientists have said that smiling affects how we speak, to the point that listeners can identify the type of smile based on sound alone.

Remember a SMILE confuses an approaching FROWN ;-)))))

Love you all and make sure when i see you, you are smiling lol.

LONG Scandal

This has been a great time for family and friends to take a few open punches at me. When the "Long" scandal hit the radio and TV stations, my family and friends who are NOT saved decided to express their thoughts openly to me, regarding "church and leaders"

This did not surprise me as i have been hearing their comments for years now ;-) Gotta love them. lol

I was deciding whether or not i wanted to blog about this until today. After reading and watching a few videos on you tube, i decided to express myself just a little. I don't want to say too much but I will say this…

My problem is not so much that "Bishop may be gay or bisexual" (which ever you prefer to use) But more so that the media is focused on the wrong thing. Web blasts and titles appear to emphasize on whom rather than what or how.

In my opinion, sexual encounters among men should not be equal credence to sexual abuse or use of parishioners under the pretence of guidance and mentoring. To make this a "gay" thing only takes away from what this really is.

I'm not here to comment on my personal thoughts of this man. For I will admit, I once highly admired him BEFORE discovering who he really was behind closed doors. Unlike many of you, i have been aware of his "differences" for a long time now.

I watched the video of Long's service at New Birth this past Sunday, and after hearing so many comments on how confused his members left the service that evening due to his humour and cockiness on the pulpit, I concluded that it was not in his control to perform how he usually does. This man was obviously very nervous and therefore acted out in an unfamiliar manner to the thousands who regularly sit in his congregation every Sunday.

People this is NOT a joke. This is real.

It truly breaks my heart as a child of God, to see so many men and women use their influence to force or talk young people into having sex. Using their position of their authority to persuade a young employee/person in various forms of misconduct, is very disturbing.

This man is second-to-none when it comes to mega pastors and is a historical figure.

When God comes down on his children, he does so on His TIME.

Many may be wondering "Why now" or "If this was true why would these guys wait so many years" That is NOT our place to question this, people. There are many reasons why one would wait or be afraid to come forward. Especially young boys! For obvious reasons, of course.

God has a funny way or should i say a "real" way of exposing things. He speaks to us on a constant basis. If, or course, we have a relationship with Him. We know right handed RIGHT from WRONG. However our/their flesh takes over. They sit back and think "But i am enjoying the perks, the gifts, the lavish lifestyle, the position and power too much to stop" So God says "Ok son/daughter than you are on your own"

God assists in bringing us to our highest peek and makes sure we get there if He is apart of the plan. He observes and takes note of all our falls along the way. He helps us get back up each time we do fall. He assists in making us stronger and brings us to a higher light and level. But then we take advantage of Him and start doing our own thing. We no longer pray or read our word. We start living according to our flesh and not spirit. We pretty much slap God in His face. To be blunt. So when we are on cloud 100000 thinking we got it all under control under our sin, God says "Oh yeah, now you went or are going to far and i am going to show you that I AM REAL"

So my people STOP giving the devil so much credit. Saying "oh Satan is after our leaders and churches" YES of course he is, he has always been. But what does that have to do with what God is doing??? Why can't it be God that is doing this?

Yes, there is nothing illegal about sleeping with a 21 year old boy or girl. There is also nothing illegal about being gay and this does not make him a child molester. However people, he is a married spiritual leader with four children. Let's please keep this in mind. Not so much that it was boys and not girls or their young ages but the fact that he is a leader to thousands and has a wife who i am sure is going through hell right now. Please keep in mind that NO CHILD would want to hear this disturbing news about their father. Just imagine what it must be like living in their shoes right now. This is a very sad story.

After this woman witnessed her husband lead a march not too long ago against gay marriage, she would assume her husband has got to be 100% innocent. If this case/scandal is true, i can NOT imagine just how much self hatred a person needs to have to fight against the very thing he represents.

My friends- let us not focus on the fact that "a man had sex with young boys" There is nothing surprising about that. Look around you. It's everywhere. But this man is a bishop. A leader. A legend who is leading thousands to Christ while living a double life. Truly, what is Christ thinking? If the members knew for sure he was gay, would they be following him? Seriously would they?

I have read comments from people saying "Well no man or woman is perfect" (this seems to be a constant excuse in the churches today) Ok, i don't think we are asking for a perfect leader. While, yes i do agree we are not perfect, but if you are clearly battling with such a spirit for so many years, GET help!

Is this apart of Gods program when he assigns His leaders and Sheppard’s? Does God expect us to fall? YES OF COURSE he does. But is this falling? Or is this simply making a mockery of who God truly is. Committing this sin simply because YOU CAN! (so you think)

I know first hand that miracles are REAL and i also know that God is able to heal this man and the many that are living in deep rooted sin such as this. As leaders, we must recognize that somehow a spirit has taken control over our minds and thoughts and has led us to lust and desire ungodly things. These men lay their hands on thousands of people who are battling with demonic and ungodly spirits and if they are not prayed for after they pray for these people then that spirit can easily manifest in them as well. Trust me friends, this is REAL. I'm NOT making excuses for this man. I'm just keeping it all real. I pray that Bishop Eddie Long takes this time out to repent (which will prove that he is sorry) and removes himself from the pulpit to heal and receive the deliverance he needs in order to lead.

We wonder why so many young men who were born and raised in the church are growing up gay? Well come on, do the math. This spirit is poured down from the HEAD. Was Satan not the chief musician? Well look at most of the worship male leaders and gospel singers! This is a curse from HELL. It is a spirit that WILL SPREAD if it not rebuked.

Living a double life while attending church services on a regular basis is not surprising. We are all somehow guilty of this. Whether it is gossiping… lying etc what is disturbing is the many years this has been going on for and if it was not exposed, how much longer would it continue?

For a moment, just think of the families involved.

For another moment think of the young men involved and how they could have easily grown up to be great God fearing men. But truly, what are the chances now? Imagine the extent of counsel these men will need. To be misled in the hands of one of the worlds leading Bishops, where does ONE turn too?

My heart is broken.

Women Food And God

Why are you eating?

After reading this blog i decided to just go ahead "copy and paste"
I was looking for information to assist me in writing my blog on why women obsess over food and weight so much and came across this interview with Oprah and Geneen Roth. Amazing story.

But.... only one thing; why are people so afraid of saying the word GOD?? I mean seriously. I just don't get it. We beat around the bush so much to not step on anyones toes. "Well you can call him a higher power..."I don't know what to call it..but its a higher person...a creator" You will hear it all but many people run from saying the word GOD. There is nothing else to call him BUT GOD! That is who he is; GOD. Our creator. Sustainer. Deliverer. Keeper. Protector. Friend. Father. Healer. He is GOD!
Ok now that i got that off my chest. Here is the story.

If you want to go directly to the page please visit www.oprah.com

Over the years, Oprah has been very open about her struggles with weight. "You all know my story—the highs and lows and ups and downs. My skinny self, my fat self," Oprah says. But after all these years, Oprah says she's finally found the answer. "I have come across something so profound that I think [to everybody] who's ever felt that it's a losing battle, here is an opportunity to win. This has literally broken me open when it comes to my relationship with food, because if you struggle with your weight, what we're about to share with you today might be actually the first time in your life that you begin to understand the real reasons you are fat and allow those reasons to be a miracle for your life."

The discovery in question is author Geneen Roth's new best-selling book, Women, Food, and God. Readers say it's helping to free them from the vicious cycle of yo-yo dieting by getting to the core of why they're overweight.

Geneen says she was a crash dieter herself for many years, gaining and losing more than 1,000 pounds, but after finding herself on the brink of suicide, she had a breakthrough. "First of all, not dieting. Dieting leads to self-hatred and self-loathing, making you feel crazy about yourself," she says. "The other breakthrough is that your relationship with food, rather than being the curse, and rather than being the thing that you want to get rid of, is, itself, the doorway to the life you most want."

Having issues with weight is always about more than the food, Geneen says. "Your beliefs show up in your relationship with food. So if I'm eating when I'm not hungry or bored, I'm basically saying I can't feel these feelings. 'Life is too much for me. There's no goodness in my life except for food right here, right now,'" she says. "You're basically eating because you've given up on something, some part of yourself."

Oprah says she had an aha! moment when reading about how people's relationships with food mirrors their belief systems. "I realized that is what I have done, and so many other people have done, for years. You think that, 'I am so small that the pain is going to overwhelm me,' but really the truth is you've already experienced that pain," she says.

"Yes, you have, and what food does at that point is it doubles your pain, rather than make it go away," Geneen says. "You're still in pain about what you were in pain about before you ate, but now you've added a whole level of more discomfort which is: 'Oh, I can't believe I ate this. What's wrong with me? Am I ever going to get my life together? Is it ever going to get better?' Then you're feeling like a failure on top of the discomfort you were feeling before."

Lots of people understand why women and food are mentioned in the title of Geneen's book, but why God? Geneen says she isn't talking about God in the religious sense. Instead, she's talking about what she calls the source. "We each have this longing—we've had moments of awe and wonder in our lives. A lot of us don't call that God, but we know that something is possible for every one of us besides our daily lives, the daily grind. The way we get caught with errands and emails and taking care of other people. We feel that this possibility exists," Geneen says. "I'm talking about wonder and mystery and possibility ... or the feeling you have in nature. The feeling that everything is possible."

Oprah says that in reading Women, Food, and God, she has learned that a woman's relationship with food is directly related to how close she is to the source. "That's really what this book is about," she says. "The issue isn't really the food. It is about your disconnection from that which is real which we call God."

In Women, Food, and God, Geneen delves into why women turn to food even when they aren't hungry. "Obsession gives you something to do besides have your heart shattered by heart-shattering events," she writes.

The emotional struggle that accompanies overeating is familiar, Geneen says, whereas the "heart-shattering events" are often new and raw. "People are afraid that the pain will destroy them. Or the heartbreak, or the discomfort even. ... We don't actually know that we can feel those feelings without being destroyed by them," she says. "Getting up and living day-to-day and going through the stuff of day-to-day, that's difficult. But somehow we believe that food is cushioning it."

Oprah says even she turns to food when life gets hard. "There's still anxiety when I have to say no to someone," she says. "I still worry, 'What are they going to think' ... [That happened to me recently and] I did not eat a pound of potato chips. I ate a pound of lettuce. But it's the same thing. I've switched the drug from potato chips to lettuce."

In that moment, Oprah says she started questioning her actions. After saying no and standing up for herself, why was she so anxiety-ridden that she had to eat a bowl of lettuce? "I went back to what you had said in the book,” she says. “What I'm really feeling is every time I have ever been beaten by my grandmother. ... What I recognize as I'm stuffing myself with the lettuce is I still have that feeling of if I don't do what pleased the other person, then somehow that person has the power to annihilate me."

Conquering issues with weight starts with learning to love yourself, Geneen says. "People say, 'I hate myself and I hate my thighs and how do I start looking at myself and loving myself?' And sometimes I'll say: 'How would you treat a child who needed your love? Would you just whack them around and just say: 'Wrong! Bad. Look at your thighs, look at your legs'? No. Kindness. Only kindness makes sense. Only kindness ever makes sense."

One common problem women have with weight is the feeling that once they hit a certain number, their entire life will improve. Alexandria says this was her struggle before Geneen helped her conquer her food issues for good. "I lost that notion of dieting and counting calories to really questioning and looking at my believes about my life," she says. "I trust that the hunger that I have, that I can feel my feelings and be with them separately and I can nourish my body with what it wants and trust it."

Today, Alexandria says it feels as if someone turned up the volume on her life. "This work really helped me kind of click some of the pieces of the puzzle into place, and it was about a year ago when I first started doing this work with Geneen—that's when it really accelerated using this as a doorway into my deeper self," she says. “I know I don't have to be finished with this work. I'm not a project to be constantly fixed and worked on. I'm whole right now as I am and everything we have, we need, is right in front of us at this moment. “

To jump-start the change in your life, Geneen says there are seven principles that should guide you. However, Geneen warns against turning these into a diet. "I call them eating guidelines, but I also call them the 'if love speaks' instructions. Because people make them into rules right away, then they have to rebel against them and break them," she says. "So don't make them into a diet."

Over the years, Oprah has been very open about her struggles with weight. But after all these years, she says she's finally found the answer.

Ladies, i don't think there is much i can add to this. Wether you are obsessing over food, smoking...etc you can apply this article to any of the above.

YOU can be the best YOU right NOW!

Girl Talk

Just Imagine and Blake-Miller Counselling & Consulting Present

“Girl Talk”

“Girl Talk” is a forum for women to discuss some of the important issues of life. “Girl Talk” will provide an opportunity to learn something new surrounding the area of discussion for the night. It will also allow women to share some of the resources they might have picked up along the way related to the ‘topic’ for the evening.

The Next ‘Girl Talk’ is scheduled for Friday October 22, 2010 @ 7:00pm
Cost: $5
Location: The Sandman Signature Hotel 55 Reading Road, Toronto, ON

The discussion for the 22nd of October: "The Men Speak"
We have a panel of men, from all walks of life who will be answering questions on love and relationships.

Check out the attached flyer for more details or log onto www.colleenblakemiller.com

Straight? or Wild?

Which do you prefer? What is in? What is out?
(Ok, you can get your mind out of the gutter now lol)

Hair! Curly, straight, short, long, to the left, right?? Which one?
Well it is not about what is in or not or what everyone else is doing. Is it what fits you best.

Many trend-setters today are going for classic hairstyles straight out of the 60's, 70's and 80's. You see shorter bobs and cuts now more then ever!

If you have long hair I'm sure you ask yourself almost every morning "Should i wear it up or down...curly or straight?"
The options are truly endless and in this day and age, pretty much any hairstyle or cut you want can be YOURS!

Of course first impressions count. For me, they are most important for things like; job interviews, business meetings, business events or meeting the in-laws. For many years i was married to my "flat-iron" Actually i would say at least 10 years or more. For the longest time until my 30's i was convinced men preferred women with straight hair (hey i was young lol)
But, i always had the option of changing my visual impression when meeting someone new, si it did not matter much to me what anyone thought.

I had the opportunity the past couple days to do a small survey out of curiosity to question a few men. Co-workers, family members, brothers and friends.
I asked, " Do you prefer women with curly hair or straight?"

The men that answered "curly" were almost all from an ethnic background. Spanish, Portuguese, Indian, black, Mediterranean....love curls! While the Caucasian men said "straight" Well more then half did.

Now, for all the women i surveyed, their answer was "curly" I was shocked! The only women who answered "straight" were women who like myself, had naturally curly hair.
When i asked what their impressions were on both, they answered;

Curly = "Fun, sexy, wild, young, playful...."

Straight = "Sophisticated, classy, older...."

I kind of get the feeling women want to be seen as "fun and younger" Hmmmm

Now, i sure did not straighten my hair daily years ago to seem more "sophisticated" LOL! It just felt "prettier and longer"
Today, i have it cut very short and totally LOVE my "locks" I have come to adore and appreciate my natural clolr and hair.

Although both curly and straight are FAB, truly it is about YOU wearing the hair NOT the hair wearing you!

I do admit however; for some strange reason when I'm getting ready for a business meeting i straighten my hair. But that is now only once in a blue moon. I still do not know exactly why, but i do.

Curls are beautiful and women would kill to have naturally curly hair. So ladies, love and appreciate your curls. Care for them.
I would like to introduce you to the best products in the entire universe:
MOROCCAN PRODUCTS!!!!!!
Ohhh my goodness...they are .....hhhmmm if i could eat it, i would!
I have not used moose or any form of hairspray/gel in a few years and my hair is healthier then it was when i was a teenager!

If you have curls, get to a salon that sells these products ASAP!
Wait don't get me wrong, this product is equally as amazing for women with straight hair!

So ladies, straight, wild...i LOVE it all! Women are beautiful in all forms, shapes, colors.

Luv ya!

Their going OVER BOARD!

COME ON CANADA GET PISSED OFF !!!

The Inheritance Tax
Accounts ReceivableTax
Airline Surcharge Tax
Airline Fuel Tax
Airport Maintenance Tax
Building Permit Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Death Tax
Dog License Tax
Driving Permit Tax
Environmental Tax (Fee)
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment (UI)
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Gasoline Tax (too much per litre
Gross Receipts Tax
Health Tax
Hunting License Tax
Hydro Tax
Inheritance Tax
Interest Tax
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Mortgage Tax
Personal Income Tax
Property Tax
Poverty Tax
Prescription Drug Tax
Provincial Income and Sales Tax
Real Estate Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
Retail Sales Tax
Service Charge Tax
School Tax
Telephone Federal Tax
Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Water Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
--- and in 2010 the HST!!!!!!!!

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago, & our nation was one of the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids..
What in "Hell" happened? Can you spell 'politicians?'

I hope this goes around CANADA at least 100 times. YOU can help it get there.
GO AHEAD - - - be a CANADIAN

My Sidekick = My Distraction!

I'm a bit annoyed at my sidekick. Everytime i want to be left alone, he bugs me and constantly nags. Always making noises, no matter what time of day it is. He is very demanding and will not take "NO" for an answer. The only way to avoid him is to leave him at home...and when i do that, he sits there alone in the house talking to himself. When i get back in, he just goes on and on babbling away. He stores all he has to say to me in his "mental inbox" and just gives it to me almost all at once upon my arrival.

My sidekick has no life of his own. If i leave him sitting to long without plugging him in for some "luvin" he just dies; mentally. Unable to function. He is of no use at that point. He makes me feel bad when i want to shut him out for the night. Playing mind games all night. Sending me signals...makes me feel as if something bad will happen during the night and i won't know because i've cut him off for the night.

He is never hungry, yet, he insists on sitting at the dinner table with me.

He does not know how to drive, yet, he insists on sitting on my lap while im driving.

He hates the water and claims if he gets wet, he will die, yet, he sits by the tub while i'm showering.

He knows how much my prayer time means to me...yet he sits there quietly shaking his body all over the place crying out for attention while im praying or reading my "Word"

I have told him time and time again how the kids feel about him and don't like when he spends to much time with us, yet somehow he finds his way into our "quiet time"

He is a bother, a nag!

To make matters worse, he makes me pay him for his time. Yes, that's right! Can you believe this. Every month he sends me a bill stating the amount of time i have used him and the cost for his services.
You know things are bad when i can't even sun bath without him wanting to lay on my towel with me. I can't even lay there in peace without him singing in my ear.

Oh and when we are not on talking terms, which is OFTEN, he sends me emails and texes ALL DAY!

I have had enough of him! As of this week, these are the rules I'm setting down for him:

Rules!- YOu can NOT eat at the table with me
- You will NOT join me for "family quality time"
- You will stay in the car during church service from now on
- You will remain in the passenger seat or back seat while I'm driving.
- One day a week i will break from you for the day
- You are not welcome to join Captain and i for "reading time"
- I will NOT scream, throw panic attacks or let you get to me NO MORE!

At LAST but not LEAST, you are NOT welcome into my bed. Stay out of my sheets and away from my pillows at night. I'm shutting you out of my life at night starting at 9pm. We are not to communicate with oneanother after that time.

These rules will not be altered or changed for any reason what so ever.

My final words to you are "Look here CELL PHONE get a life of your own!!"

Phhewww...Ok you all, i had to get that off my chest. LOL! I'm sure you all feel the same pain lol. If you do, set down some rules as of today. Enough is enough. This sidekick of mine is a complete bother in my life. I mean he's great for business and all but it comes to a point where him and i go a little over board.

I come from a generation of people who lived off of beepers and home answering machines. I remember a time when i would come home from a full day out and look forward to the red light flashng...because that meant that somebody could not get a hold of me, and missed me so much ...that they left a few messages.

Before texing and cell phone voicemail came out, people still got along just fine without it. They were still successful, families still stayed in touch (if not more) and people still dated. Actually there were probably less headaches in relationships.

Moms, dads, let's let these sidekicks go while we are spending quality time with out little ones. Afterall, in case of an emergency the most important people in your life are with you anyway.
Turning my cell off at night in the past couple days felt so good. I read with Captain (my son) at night, and then he reads to me and then we say our prayers and we are off to sleep. All while the phone was OFF!

We need to bring back some of the old up bringing our parents instilled in us so that our children will be OK. Like no phones at the dinner table, no talking during quiet time; everybody grab a book and read, no yelling and playing while mommy or daddy are on the phone. We all know that times have changed and if these children do not have any sense of value or culture, there is most likely no hope.

I'm sending out my message from now,
"DO NOT DISTURB ME AFTER 9PM OR YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE A MESSAGE WITH MY SIDEKICK"

Laid Off?? Then Take OFF!

I'm at Starbucks writing and just finished a conversation with a friend who lost her job and feels lost. I guess this is what inspired this blog...

You are in shock, angry, sad, lost and no sense of direction. You have been told by your supervisor that the "company is feeling the impact of the economic dive...and effective such and such date you will longer have a position within the company" Or you simply lost your job for other reasons. A thousand different things are runnning through your mind. You feel cheated and possibly used.
Your afraid because as well know when we loose our jobs; we don't loose our bills and responsibilities.

Although i have never been laid off, i've been fired (many years ago) and i do know the feeling. While i was travelling a lot at the time and took total advantage of my job, it never dawned on me that "What if i loose my job?" And so i did not have a plan.

I postponed my job search and spent what ever i had in my savings "quickily"
Months later i landed an "ok" job. The benefits were worth settling.

I was living a care-free life at the time. Meeting with girlfriends for noon patio lunches, going to the gym mid-morning and shopping mid-day. "I will look for a job when im ready" i reasoned.

Fun and recreation seemed more entertaining then looking for a job. I thought.

Well months later after spending all i had, literally; i began my job search and settled.

BUT, there is a big BUT here! I took a job that did not match my interests of skils. I was bored and unhappy. I dragged my self to work ever morning. If i had just taken that time i had off to find myself and my desires and passions in life, i would have had a better idea of what i wanted to do. But here i was sitting at some office job; bored.

To often we go from job to job just to get the pay cheque! Yes this may feel like the quick fix or the "get to pay my bills" fix. But sooner or later you will want more or less money but happy. But in order to get your dream job you have to have the skills required to get through that door. We can sit and dream all day long...but what good is that?

For instance; you have lost your sales position and now you want that "office assistant" job at the "Top Modelling Agency" in your area, but you have ZERO computer skills. Well since your jobless, now is the best time to enroll in some courses.

Take this time off to identify your areas of weakness. You've always had a passion for writing, but you don't have the experience or education to write professionally. Now is the time to volunteer for your local newspaper and register for a part time writing course.

Love the idea of designing your own clothes or belts..maybe hats? Enroll into a sewing class or take an art course.

But just sit there and spent your time and money on things that will never benefit you.

...and if your self-esteem has been shot for whatever reason, now is the time to join a joggers group or learn how to roller-blade. Be active. Work those brain cells. Read. Read, Read! Actor-Will Smith once said, while hosting an awards show, "The 2 key points in living a healthy life is RUNNING and READING" Hhhmmm makes you go hhhmmm!

Balance your list of liabilities by spotlighting your assets.

Ask yourself "What do i enjoy doing and what do i do best?"
For me it went a little something like this:
What do i enjoy?
People, making money, networking, cooking, entertaining friends and family, writing, socializing, children, volunteer work, touching lives, pampering myself and my kids, travelling....list went on.
What do i do best?
Public speaking, organize events, impact lives, write, decor, sales, customer service, image comsulting, public speaking....list went on!

From the two lists i was able to determine what i wanted to do with my life and what i needed to do, to get there. As far back as i can remember, i have been planning events for family & friends. decided i wanted to start my own business in Event Planning. So there i went. I took courses, read many books, attended seminars and workshops and I DID IT!

Now this by the way was not at the same time i got fired lol. This was all in the past two years. All while pregnant with my now two year old, while working part time for the city (as i still do) and caring for my family which consisted of 5 foster kids, my husband, sister in law, my 17 year old and the baby. It was not until i took a year off for my "MAT-LEAVE" that i truly dived into my soul to find and figure out what i truly wanted to do with the next 10 years of my life. The first step i took to bringing my life list to life, was enrolling into a Business Marketing course at Sheridan (which i loved) Then when the baby was only newborn i began writing my first book titled "If You Played In My Playground" and when he was three months old i took a part time writing course at Humber College. All the baby did was sleep the first 6 months so i stayed BUSY! I barely took an hour out for me (maybe i went over board) but i was determined to get to that list! I went to Starbucks to write for 2 hours a day almost every day for about 9 months.By that time i had 15 chapters written.
Working out helped so much. I lost my baby fat (24 pounds) withinn 2 months. I worked out daily. The gym is where i got all my "book" ideas. I carried a pad and pen with me every where i went.

I was NOT laid off, however is it not the same? I mean i was on EI which is what we all do when we get laid off. I had a year to find "ME"

When Captain (my baby) was a year and a few months old, while i was running the business and still working part time for the City, among many other things lol, i decided to follow my heart and start my DREAM job. I enrolled into the Wedding Planning Institute of Canada and shortly after became a certified wedding planner.

I'm slowly going down my list and checking things off. It may take many years before i can accomplish everything on this list, but i will get there!

Find the time. Loosing your job does not mean loosing your mind! Get up and get things done. Stop dreaming. The world is in the palm of your hands. And with God, anything is possible. Pray. Talk to God. He is there. Always listening. Tell him your desires and dreams. He will give you the strength to get things done. Trust ME!

Ladies, there is never a ghood enough excuse NOT to get up and TAKE OFF!!