Happy February to one and all, 

I hope you have got over the January blues; it's an anti-climax after all the glitter and hype of Christmas.

We were really busy leading up to Christmas, so Christmas day was wonderful! Going around to the family, we were out from 9am to 9pm. While out visiting we were able to play with the grandchildren and admire the new gifts. We were fed like kings and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. That night we went to bed feeling very grateful for our lives. When I got up on Boxing Day I had started with the flu. It is like Murphy's Law, all these happy contented feelings flew out of the window. As we were sick we missed all the parties, special days, and even my birthday!!!!

Sooooo now February is going to be, live every day as if it was my last day and make up for time missed at Christmas. On Valentines Day we are going to use a gift Certificate we received for Christmas at a very nice Restaurant to have a romantic meal, well as romantic as you can be after 44 years married. The 18^th is Colin's birthday and I am planning a big party at home. My mother-in-law's birthday is next. She is going to be 24! No, this is not a typo. She is a leap year baby, so that's another party.

Did you know that the average person has 1500 dreams in a year? I am sure I have more than that. My mother used to say what you dreamt had to do with what you ate before going to bed. I am wondering if it has something to do with what you smell before you go to sleep. Recently I had freshened my carpets with baking soda and salts, with a blend of Rosemary and Lavender.  Oh boy, did I have some wild dreams that night! Not bad, just crazy. One of the dreams was about a top of the line motor home that drove itself. I did not seem to have a choice where to go it just took me. I wonder if the relationship between smells and dreams has been studied at all?

We are just back from a vacation in Puerto Vallarta. I went out in a daze still under the after effects of the flu, tired, spaced out and quite grouchy if I was pushed. I slept for most of the first 3 days, then gradually the sun soaked into my stiff frozen body and I became aware of the colours of all the beautiful plants and flowers, and of the friendliness of the Mexican people. We met some wonderful, interesting people from all sorts of backgrounds.

We enjoyed watching the birds; the pelicans on the beach and the scavenger birds that hang around the open restaurants. These birds would pick up any leftovers but particularly enjoyed sugar. They would dive in and grab any unguarded packet of sugar from the table. They would then shake it to open it and sit there dipping in their beaks looking quite ecstatic. I wonder if they get high from it like my grandchildren.

All the best,

Barb