Best Present Ever An Ice Storm

Icy weather! The Toronto Ice Storm

Beautiful yet destructive as many lost power and many trees were down but it was the best present ever.

For 50 years, I have celebrated Christmas only this year the power went out on Sunday, December 22 at 3 am and turned back on Wednesday, December 25 at 3 am (funny how that works). Best present ever…power and hot water but there were many jewels for me that I want to share with you – gifts and gratitude.  You are sure to have some of your own and I would love to hear about them.

A power outage disrupts our daily activities, the planned dinners, attachment to technology and more. It can be scary for some that require assistance and my safe wishes went out to them in a time of need and grateful to those that helped out (from here and abroad). Here at home we are healthy and fell into order to help others at a time like this .

“You know it is cold when you pour a glass of water from a water cooler (room temperature) and it is as if you had just taken it out of the freezer!”

Over the 3 days, I realized there is much to do without power, so much to be grateful for and reminders on how I can do things differently so I made a list of things I could do (see below) and realized that if there are warnings for severe weather then get prepared…wash clothes, dishes and most of all ourselves.  I am use to eating fast foods like raw eggs, salads (beet salad with my manual SaladMaster), so food prep was easy for me because I like and use a lot of different raw foods – not as easy for other family members but Pizza Pizza was still operational. But no, we didn’t order in.

“You know it is cold when your hat is your new hairdo.”

We have been told to practice to be grateful and this I did…I appreciated the daylight so I could continue to do my daily reading to my good friend Liz (and so much easier on the eyes than any lights). I also appreciated: the land phone (as some of my neighbours did because they needed to call my husband); snow pants and such; chocolate; duvets; cold outside for food; candles and flashlights; a sane mind and healthy body to endure the cold situation; the many things I could do; and running water and toilets (although some Styrofoam would have been nice).

“You know it is cold when not so pretty fingernails are the fashion for washing your hands just one more time under freezing cold water is not enjoyable.”

Such are the little things that also occurred but worth mentioning.  I have one little scar from the fireplace that is disappearing. The biggest regret, my daughter who just learned to knit didn’t make me a pair of socks.  The fridge and freezer are spotless clean now. Found out about a new way to heat a room with candles!  I plan to practice this one for the next time (what next time! ha ha ha) while we have the internet to learn how.

What’s next?

A new year, a new beginning, but that happens every year! What’s new?

I have a plan do you? I have a dream do you? I am a student for life, are you? Yes. Good!

Taking yet another year in with more experiences and learnings so that I can look forward to continuing my holistic nutrition consultations and have added matters of the mind counselling. Being happy is the goal for many and it is possible for all of us. I will continue educating on and selling the Auum mammalian omega 3s. The good results continue. I have the goal to write a book.

Make it a great life, a great day, a great moment!

***

MY LIST

On the first morning, I started a list of all the things I could do or perhaps making a record for me:

1. play the piano/music
2. brush and floss my teeth (we had running water, thank God!)
3. wrap Christmas presents…a little tape and scissors
4. take the dog for a walk
5. warm-up vehicle and clean off ice
6. go shopping at Loblaws (power on there)
7. make my yummy homemade eggnog in a shaker cup
8. take photos of icy branches
9. play cards and board games
10. eat cheese and crackers
11. make things with hot wax from candles
12. put away clothes
13. watch sunset and sunrise
14. phone people (land phone and cell phone working too!)
15. write a list…any list, this list
16. pick-up emails and texts on phone
17. comb my hair
18. play games on cell phones…could charge my car when driving
19. eat ice from trees
20. play dolls (not me, my daughters)
21. meet new neighbours being outside
22. go for walks and chat with neighbours
23. sing songs
24. watch TV on cell phone (daughter)
25. brush dog’s fur and pat animals
26. go to the toilet (big plus)
27. feed animals, in our case Oscar bird
28. read a book by the window during daylight
29. take a nap (didn’t actually happen but doable)
30. admire a candle or a fireplace flame
31. write poetry
32. meditate
33. joke with my husband (jokes!! yes, good to pass the time)
34. make a protein shake (Isagenix)
35. knit and crochet (teaching my daughter)
36. draw a picture
37. visualize and dream
38. take out the garbage (quite the contrast to #37 but part of life)
39. BBQ (natural gas)
40. have a glass of wine (cork screw or twist top!)
41. water the plants
42. clean your ears
43. dust
44. organize a drawer
45. play dress-up (the kids!)
46. skate on icy sidewalks/rinks
47. put on coat/get dressed…fancy if you wish
48. exercise – climb stairs, push ups, free weights
49. write Christmas cards
50. take my Auum omegas
51. paint fingernails (never did this but possible)
52. eat chocolate and wrapping fake chocolates using chestnuts, playing yet another joke on my sister…and by now I can tell you it worked out fabulously on her husband
53. wash dishes
54. lite candles – essentially play with matches safely
55. write in a journal and record note messages
56. give HUGS
57. breathe and breathing exercises
58. stretch
59. collect firewood
60. pretend smoking (a little crazy but people could still smoke)
61. place freezer food outside in cold storage whether in a cooler or car
62. keep the fire going!!!
63. read stories (over the phone to a friend)
64. dance
65. receive gracious phone calls – offers to bunk there or take a hot shower
66. sunbathing by the window (face only)
67. admire the nature, the ice covered branches, etc.
68. be intimate…use your own imagination
69. wear cool headlight
70. celebrate (Shadow dog’s birthday)
71. endless dog scruffy’s
72. sleepovers (kids)
73. tell someone you love them
74. a cold shower…gotta love how warm the airs feels afterwards
75. feel grateful…feel happy…your feelings do not need electricity!

What would you add?

***

Cheryl Millett
Champion for your better health…

Before the age of 20, it never dawned on me that what I chose to put in my mouth would have such a dramatic effect on my wellbeing.

On my path of discovery, I learned that our eating choices directly affected how much energy we have first thing in the morning or that it would build our immune system strength during flu season.  I came to understand how gentle nutritional cleansing directly helped overcome my health challenges. People keep telling me how beautiful my skin is or how I look younger.

As my studies continued, it became obvious that there is an intrinsic connection between the mind, body and spirit which directly affects our health and happiness.  I learned that Omegas are another critical piece of the wellness puzzle. I became convinced when the Auum omegas alone turned on some switches in my brain in just one day.

I have developed a deep appreciation for the wonderful miracle workers our bodies are in the recovery process.  Our bodies have a natural intelligence.  I am passionate to share the connection between nutrition and wellness in my practice and my presentations.

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