Hang Onto Your Hats...Literally

It is now day 9 of crazy winds here where I live.  We are known for our chinook winds and we have very many days of wind of throughout the year. Strong winds.  I mean, this is one of the "symbols" of our city, a tongue in cheek joke about our winds as this doesn't really move but local humor looks at it like this:

"When ball hangs at 22 degrees we consider it 'Calm' 
When ball hangs at 45 degrees we consider it 'Fairly Calm' 
When ball hangs at 90 degrees we consider it 'Little Windy' 
When chain stretches we considers it 'Kind of Brisk' 
When chain breaks we consider it 'Sure is Windy'"

That "wind gauge" is huge.  The top of the ball is almost the my height.  And on Sunday I would think if the ball really was a real wind gauge we would have been past the "Sure is Windy" point!

 Some of us are well acquainted with headaches that come with these winds.  I am now on a week long headache.  Thank God it's controlled with IB.  I feel sorry for those who get full blown migraines from the air pressure these winds bring.  But Sunday reached new heights of what windy is, even for us wind hardy Southern Albertans. We experienced a wind storm the likes of which I don't think I ever remember happening. I don't even know where to begin to tell you what an insane day Sunday was in Southern Alberta.    On the highways the wind flipped semi-trucks over like they were lego. In certain sections the wind gusts got up to 144 km/hr (89 km/hr).  That is category 1 hurricane force!  I live inland!   In Calgary, they closed the downtown core because windows were breaking out of high rises and falling on the sidewalks below and pieces of buildings were coming off.  I wouldn't have wanted to be the pilot trying to land this plane.  Or one of the passengers now that I think about it:





 There were several grass fires burning out of control in southern Alberta.  In my city there was such a crazy grass fire that had started on the prairies, jumped the river and within minutes rushed toward the west side of our city that they had to evacuate neighborhoods.  Highways were closed down due to no visibility from the smoke.  It was intense to say the least.

I have to tell you, I'm ready for the snow that's predicted tomorrow if for nothing else but to say good bye to the wind!

Friday's Fave Five #167

Hi Everyone!  It's Friday's Fave Five time.  As I post this we've had days of whopping chinook windy days.  As a result I've got a major headache that's making my eyes ache as I read.  So I'm gonna let you get started and join in as soon as some advil's can cut this thing.  See you in a bit.

Book Review ~ Softly & Tenderly

"Softly & Tenderly" by Sara Evans with Rachel Hauck


Publisher's Summary:  
Maybe out there in the country she could catch her breath, learn to breathe again.

Happily married and owner of two successful boutiques, Jade longs to begin a family with her husband, Max. But when she discovers that Max has an illegitimate son—who he wants her to help raise—Jade’s life is turned upside down.

She flees to her childhood home, a rambling Iowa farmhouse, with enough room to breathe. There—while her mother’s health grows fragile, and the tug of her first love grows stronger—Jade begins to question everything she thought she knew about family, love, and motherhood. In the wide-open landscape, Jade begins to see a future that doesn’t rest on the power of her past but in the goodness of God's tender mercies.

My Thoughts:
Softly and Tenderly is a multi-layered story that just drew me in right from the beginning.  In the words of the main character, she married into a Southern soap opera.  And the book is definitely filled with lots of drama.  But believable drama.  It's the story of a family's life of secrets.  And what happens when one convinces themselves that keeping a secret is for the good but then the secrets start to rise to the surface.  It's a story of loss and reconcilliation and of God providing in ways that we would never have imagined.  It begged me to ask the question would I be willing to find the blessing in the way God chooses to provide rather than in the way I would imagine.  I found it well written and was surprised to find after reading it that it's actually a second in a series.  The book can stand well on it's own and I was never lost or confused.  The characters are all so relatable in their reactions and emotions.  The only thing that was a negative for me and it's just a small oversight in my opinion, was that the character who throughout the whole book who was refered to in the story as June all of a sudden started to be refered to as Mom in the later chapters.  Which sort of threw me and I had to think who they were talking about.   But I definitely enjoyed the story and would love to get ahold of the 1st in the series and look forward to the 3rd coming next year.

Thanks to BookSneeze for providing the book free for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own.

To purchase go here.

Friday's Fave Five #166

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  It's time to look back and reflect over the week and find things that have blessed us, whether big or small, and share 5 of them.  If you're new, please read the guidelines here and then just join right in.

1.  Long Weekend getaway.  It was only a day trip but it was just what we needed. A beautiful drive there filled with sunshine.  Stopping for our traditional snacks and coffee fill-up in a small town on the way.   A fun family day at a big mall, shopping great sales.  Dinner at a favorite restaurant.  And then heading home.

2.  A new cell phone screen protector.   I knew I needed one.  Mine still had the shipping seal on it because I didn't want to fork out the money they wanted where I bought my phone along with a  fee for them to put it on.  At the mall during our getaway there was a small kiosk with a lineup of people waiting their turn to get this stuff called Ghost Armor.  For less than the price for just a screen protector at the place where I bought my phone, I got the Ghost Armor plus the installation was free.  And this stuff is fantastic.

3.  Watching my 16 yr. old's sense of humor come out.  She had me and a couple of the dayhome kids in stitches.  It was wonderful.


4.  Having the yard clean up done.  Before the snow falls.  So glad that that chore is completely finished for once.  I personally find leaves rotting in what should be pristine white snow not appealing.  And having to clean the flower beds in the spring before I can even dig them up is not good times in my book.  I don't know how but this year I was on top of it.

5.  Having someone else do the dishes.  A small but huge thing.  So nice to have those dishes done after working all day and then cooking supper.  Thank you to my two kids still at home for loading and unloading the dishwasher and to hubby, the official pot scrubber.

What have your favorites been from the week?  Share in a post and then link that specific post in the Mr. Linky.  Then go and have a wonderful weekend which maybe includes visiting the other participants and a nice cup of your favorite hot drink.

Book Tour ~ Hope Underground

Hope Underground - The 34 Chilean Miners: A Story of Faith and Miracles
by Carlos Parra Diaz


Publisher's Summary:  
For several suspenseful hours on October 13, 2010, the attention of the entire world lay centered on a solitary spot in the Chilean desert. It was there that 33 trapped miners emerged to fresh air and freedom and the eager embrace of jubilant family and friends, after having spent ten weeks entombed one-half mile underground. Their emergence brought an end to the greatest mine rescue of all time.
As told to writers Mario Veloso and Jeanette Windle, Hope Underground: The 34 Chilean Miners—A Story of Faith and Miracles (Imago Dei Books) records the personal journey and spiritual involvement of a local, unassuming minister with the miners and their families. In a series of circumstances that would change his life forever, Pastor Carlos Parra Diaz rose to prominence as he became the influential chaplain of Camp Hope—a makeshift tent community established not far from the site of the mine collapse.

Yet Hope Underground is clearly more than just Pastor Parra’s story. Rather, it is the story of all who came together at Camp Hope focused on asking God to do a mighty work on behalf of the miners and the overwhelming evidence of His response that followed. Told simply and from the heart, Pastor Parra describes not only his own involvement with the families at Camp Hope but also introduces the reader to those miners, family members and officials who extracted nuggets of hope from the situation and then used them to instill faith in others.

For most people, this spectacular rescue is already yesterday’s news. However, for the millions who prayed for a miracle, this event has become a spiritual heritage for the whole world, a stirring reminder that God listens to the pleas of His children.  Readers are introduced to women like Maria Segovia, the “mayor” of Camp Hope, whose quiet strength and steadfast faith daily encouraged others. We meet the miner whose wife gave birth to their first child during the ten-week ordeal—a daughter they named Esperanza (which means Hope). And no reader will soon forget the youngest miner who boldly insisted there were 34 in the mine instead of 33 because, as he explained, “God never abandoned us.”

Though on its own, the story of his involvement would provide fascinating reading, what Pastor Parra gives us in Hope Underground is so much more. With humility and reverence, he leads us through the story of Camp Hope to a new realization that God remains a never failing presence to everyone willing to call upon His name.

My Thoughts:
Who does not remember the Chilean mining disaster from the year 2010?  It was all over the news and who doesn't remember the joy and celebration of when those miner's ascended and came out of the Phoenix capsule, every one of them having their lives spared and everyone of them proclaiming the goodness of God? It was an amazing story.  This is the story written from the unique perspective of the chaplain of "Camp Hope",  one of 15 who ministered to the families and loved ones camped around the mine entrance for 10 weeks while the rescue operation was in progress.  He shares the hopes and prayers of the those waiting in the desert, the efforts of the government and rescue team and how they never gave up and the joy of communications with the miners.  As news came that all the miners were alive and the news of their faith that was holding them together 700 metres below the earth started to trickle upwards through notes being sent back and forth, the world waited with bated breath to see if the miners would actually make it out alive.  And make it out they did, with testimonies of the "34th" miner, of a God who preserved them and who manifested Himself to them in their entrapment.  Chaplain Carlos recounts an amazing story of how people stood together in faith and then watched God work a miracle through those who wouldn't give up.  An excellent read and one that will help you view trials and hardship through a perspective of hope.



Thanks to B&B Media Group for a free copy for my review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

To purchase "Hope Underground" you can go here and here.

Friday's Fave Five #165

How interesting, today is the 11th day of the 11 month of the 11th year of the 2000's.  That will never happen again in history.  Welcome once again to Friday's Fave Five.  It's always a pleasure having everyone join in on this little meme started to help me be more aware of the blessings in my life.

1.  Remembering all those who have given their lives or have fought for our freedoms.  Today is Remembrance Day in Canada and I am very grateful for all the veterans and those currently serving.  Thank you seems such a small thing to say in light of what you have fought for.

2.  The wind is howling outside tonight, apparently blowing in some snow.  And when the wind blows the simple pleasure of my warm, comfy throws makes me very happy.  Nothing like curling up with one on the couch when it's blustery outside.

3.  Hubby's company when I had to run some errands this week.  So much nicer doing running around stuff with his company.

4.  A great deal.  My heart sings when I come across a big unexpected deal.  I walked into a store on the weekend and right by the doors they were clearing out some summer items.  As soon as I laid eyes on one of the things I knew it was the perfect Christmas gift for my sis and her hubby.   I didn't set out to go Christmas shopping but when I find a great gift at a great price I'm in Christmas shopping mood!

5.  Forgiving friends.  Yikes, I was supposed to meet a friend at a local stores opening night of their Christmas extravaganza only I thought it was next week.  Well it was this week.  She waited and waited and finally had to leave.  She did try to text but I was charging my phone and had it turned off.  But she was very gracious and laughed it off and we have a another fun night set for next week.

What were your moments of happiness, or meaning, or smiles from the past week?  Share with us in a post and link on up!  Have a great long weekend.  Hopefully we won't be digging out from too much snow.

Now this guy has the right idea as they are predicting snow here tomorrow.

Moments in Time 11/11

The weeks have been going by in a blur.  I can't believe it's already moving on into the middle of November.  The days tick by one by one and before I know it, it's the middle of the week and I haven't posted.  It's not that nothing is going on and I have nothing to say.  It's more like by the time I have a moment to post, I'm so tired I don't even want to sit down at the computer.  But life is like that.  There are seasons just like with the weather.  And I'm in a season of busy.  So please bear with me if my posting is sporadic and random.  It's just the way it has to be right now.

And speaking of seasons:

Did I ever mention fall is my favorite?

There was time to get autographs and pose for a pic with the lead singer of Starfield

I've got tons of review books that I need to finish.  Reviews to come.  And that is not even my Fall Into Reading list!

Been busy organizing and making announcements at church for these special boxes.  The kids and I have yet to get to the store to fill them.  On my to do list this weekend.

My responsibilities with being the door prize co-ordinator for our Ladies Christmas Tea is taking up mega time.  Lots of letters and follow up phone calls and picking up of the gifts.  Lots of work but fun too.

And I bought my first Christmas present on the weekend.  It's a Christmas ornament from Pier I.  A "Li Bien" ornament to be specific.  It's mouth blown glass.  They hand paint each ornament on the INSIDE!  They put a tiny brush inside a tiny hole and paint the image in reverse.  Amazing.  As a result no two are exactly alike.  One of my fave gifts to give and this one was only $9.99 meeting my lady's study group max of ten dollars.  And it comes in that beautiful lined velvet box which can be used again.  Score.

So the season begins.

Whew.  I think I need a cup of lemon meringue tea! 

Friday's Fave Five #164

After a gorgeous fall day today, we are preparing ourselves here in Southern Alberta for the first snowfall of the year coming, apparently tomorrow.  So today's Fave Five is brought to you by a nice, cozy blanket and a steaming cup of lemon meringue tea.

1.  Dinner out with friends makes my list this week.  Saturday night we went for a spur of the moment chinese dinner.  The conversation was good and inspiring, the company great, the food delicious.  I always enjoy doing something with another couple.

2.  Attending a powerful worship concert with Starfield.  My daughter asked me to go with her and I'm so glad I did.  Even though I was super tired and secretly was wishing I could stay home, I'm so glad I fought that urge and went with her.  It was an absolutely powerful wonderful night of worship.  I first saw these guys when they were just starting out and backing up "Jake".  My girl was only in grade 2 or 3 when we went and now she's in grade 12 and again we went. We had a great time.  It was amazing seeing all the youth at the front standing and singing and raising their hands in worship through most of the concert.   If you have never attended a Starfield concert and can get to to one, GO!



The video is not from the concert here but you'll get the idea.


3.  This rotten cold finally starting to disappear.  I am so thankful this thing is finally hitting the road.  It's been over 2 weeks.  It feels good to be half decently feeling good again.

4.  Lemon Meringue tea.  One of my favorites anyway but it went down so good while that cold hung on.  Lemony with a hint of vanilla and smooth tasting.  It really does taste like lemon meringue.  Sorry don't know who puts it out.  I but it at a coffee shop and it's a loose tea with the big pieces of everything in it.  But it's worth every penny.  Yummy.

5.  It's Friday and the "fall back" weekend of daylight savings time.  I'm so glad it's the end of the week with a weekend free and open with no major commitments.  I can clean the house at leisure, get some groceries, read, whatever.  And the bonus of an extra hour of sleep come Sunday morning suits me just fine right about now!

What were your favorite things from your week?  Please join us in looking for blessings in our days no matter how the week is going.  You'll be surprised at how uplifting looking for and  sharing your blessings is. No matter the size of them, if they made you happy, or encouraged you they are worth taking note of.

Have a great weekend everyone!