# 7 Who's George?

George is someone you need to meet!  Seriously!

If you're looking for a "no nonsense, I gotta do something about this problem" kind of cream, this is it.  A very rich moisturizing cream, it's perfect for dry, cold climates.  It lasts longer than other creams I've tried and handles (pun intended!) frequent handwashing, if you're in that kind of job.  In addition, there are no additives and it's fragrance free!  

Created by George Doherty, a Calgary pharmacist, this cream is  available across Canada. There is also a lighter version called George's Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Check their website for locations: www.georgescream.com

#6 100 Days... Why?

Good question.   Hmmmm......

self-discipline

noun

the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.

“Ironically, ‘making it look easy’ comes down to learning discipline. You have to make yourself follow the path of an organized writer until it becomes second nature, until you can’t imagine writing any other way.”

                - Write Faster, Write Better  by David A. Fryxell

I figure, if I write daily for 100 days, I can make a no-guilt, "gave it a fair try" decision.  Write or move on.  We'll see : )

#5 Oatmeal Muffins

Here's a great recipe I've modified and tried multiple times.  

1       cup oatmeal

1/2   cup all-purpose flour

1/2   cup whole wheat flour

1/4   cup white sugar

1/4   cup brown sugar

1/2   tsp. salt

1/2   tsp. baking soda

1/2   tsp. cinnamon

2      eggs

1/2   cup oil

3/4  cup buttermilk (add 1 tablespoon vinegar to regular milk)

1      cup of berries or raisins or chocolate chips or...

Mix dry ingredients.  Stir in liquid ingredients.  Add berries.

Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes.  Cool in pan for 10 minutes.  Makes 12.

September 7th Update: 

I'm passing around a plate of these muffins at THE COUNTRY COOK'S weekend potluck.  Lots of tasty recipes to try this week!

#4 Movie Night? Look for Intouchables ...

Planning to see a movie this weekend?  You might want to check out Intouchables.  This is an extremely successful French film with subtitles (released November, 2011). Based on a true story,  You Changed My Life by Abdel Sellou, Intouchables is a heart-warming, uplifting, "warm fuzzy" kind of a movie that has received good reviews here in North America.

The story is about a wealthy, but depressed, French paraplegic who, on a whim, hires a young, unemployed Sudanese man as his caretaker.  They develop a strong bond and despite social and economic differences, each helps the other find ultimate happiness.

Click here to view the trailer for Intouchables.

#3 Shredding. UGH!!

Sifting, sorting, shredding copies of old report card comments, mark sheets and day plans.  Saving a forest?  Maybe, but NOT fun.  I figure it's a right of passage as I shed/shred a career and enter retirement. One gem surfaced - a poem written for a fellow teacher six years ago.  Last spring, I objected to the word "retirement".  "Transition" was a better word, I thought. Maybe retirement's not so bad after all.

RETIREMENT

Relax!  Reflect!  

Embrace change.

Try new things...

Indulge your creative side.

Remember old friends.

Enjoy the moment.

Make it happen!

Engage your senses.

Nurture relationships.

Toast LIFE!

#2 Shhh! Don't wake the princess!

Today, as Queen Mother, I'm in charge of the castle. As my little princess goes down for a nap, I'm reminded of life a generation ago when my days were totally centred around another's most basic needs of food, sleep, a clean diaper, protection and love.  It grounds you in a way no other experience can.  If everyone started life with that feeling of someone else's unconditional love and protection and then had that chance to "pass it on", our world would be a better place.  Putting others ahead of yourself - as Martha Stewart would say, "It's a good thing!" 

#1 "This is the practice school of writing...

...Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Some days you don’t want to run and you resist every step of the three miles, but you do it anyway. You practice whether you want to or not. You don’t wait around for inspiration and a deep desire to run … That’s how writing is too … One of the main aims in writing practice is to learn to trust your own mind and body..."

 Writing Down the Bones  by Natalie Goldberg

100 days... 100 words...  by 1:00 p.m.

Don't dream.  Do.

Natalie Goldberg