HomeFlowers Attic

Holy Oil Finally Delivered

2018-02-12T20:30:00.003-05:00

Today I delivered the Holy Oil from the Tomb at the Church of The Sepulchre to the people it was promised to.

Several years ago (in 2011), Ekhlas S accompanied my mother back to Canada and stayed for a short visit. During her time here, we visited several notable places and did some shopping. One of the places we shopped, was a jewelry store called E & C Jewellers at 7201 Tecumseh Road. Ekhlas and I started talking to the owners and the conversation turned to family, ethnicity, religion and general chit-chat. At one point Ekhlas promised the owners some of the Holy Oil.

Later that week, we attended a festival at St. Charbel (?) and once again we saw the owners of the jewelry store and once again the promise was repeated.

Holy (anointing) Oil from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre has miraculous healing properties. More can be read about it on Wikipedia

In 2012, my husband and I went to Israel for a month-long visit. While there, Ekhlas approached a (Coptic ???) priest that she knows and frequently helps, asking if he can give us some of the holy oil because she promised to give it to the owners of the jewellery store. He obliged and it was put in my care for the trip back to Windsor.

While we were away, I had my laptop and continued to work but when we returned, I jumped headlong into strengthening my company and implementing some new ideas I had. Months passed and in 2013 I opened a retail center and café which soaked up all my waking hours and occupied every thought night and day.

It was a hectic few years. We listed our house for sale and lived in a staged house for over a year while I also ran the business 16 hours a day, seven days a week. Finally, the house sold after we severed ties with our agent and listed it on our own. We sold our house and bought another one in a matter of a few months. Technically it was less than 45 days from sale to closing. So we were excited to move into our new very old house that I guesstimated would take two years to renovate and here we are three years later with about 2 more years of renovations ahead of us.

Meanwhile, we started shopping at the Zehrs on Lauzon Parkway and Tecumseh Road, a couple of months ago. It's right beside E & C Jewellers so each time I grocery shopped, I would think about the Holy Oil that was promised to the owners. So on Saturday I stopped by to explain why I hadn't brought the oil yet and promised that I will search for it and bring it to them as soon as possible. When we returned home, I was extremely motivated, searching until I found it.

So first thing this morning, I got myself ready, took care of everything on my calendar and headed to their store to give them the Holy Oil.

It has miraculous healing properties so why didn't I use it to heal our 37 year old son who is intellectually challenged, has an alphabet soup of ailments and likely will never be mentally older than 15, 16, or 17. Or maybe I could have used it for my mother who has dementia and has lost all her memories and history. She can't remember anything of her life, her marriage, her children, how to feed or care for herself. Or I could have used it for myself. To cure my degenerating spine, hips, neck, shoulders; so maybe I can shower and dry my hair without taking all day to do it. Or hearing my back crackle with bone grinding on bone each time I move to do anything. The oil could have healed us. You only need to believe.

In all the years I had the oil tucked safely away, waiting to be delivered to the people it was promised to, I never once thought about it's healing properties in terms of my son, my mom, myself. I believe it could heal us. I also believe it will bring a blessing to the family who now have it.

I guess I'll have to go back to Jerusalem and try to get some for our family.

#HolyOil #Jerusalem #ChurchOfHolySepulchre #MiracleOil

Heartburn In Bed

2018-01-16T11:08:00.000-05:00

I had heartburn so bad last night, it woke me up.

Awful burning in my throat that felt like I was going to vomit but I didn't want to spread that acidic-burn into my mouth. I got up and chewed a couple of Tums then went back to bed with a bigger pillow so I could remain more upright.

Everything about it was unpleasant. Air traveling through my nostrils made my throat burn. I couldn't wait to fall back to sleep because I was sure I would get up feeling better, but that wasn't the case.

Last night I had pound cake with apple-cranberry compote for dessert and later munched on Jalapeno Doritos. That'll teach me!

iPower Continues to Suck

2016-01-20T12:30:00.001-05:00

The terrible service and incompetence of iPower Web Hosting continues .... I've posted the latest screen captures on the Facebook page "iPower Sucks"; the link is below.

Bridal Basics

Windsor Business Networks

A Better Balloon

Mashup kaffe

iPower Sucks

"NFL 2015" — A Bad Lip Reading of The NFL

2015-01-27T09:03:00.002-05:00

Have you ever wondered what the players and coaches were saying on the field?
Wonder no more! Here's some (bad) lip reading of what was(n't) really said

Dog Sitter: Once was more than enough

2015-01-21T11:24:00.002-05:00

Knowing we had a long work day coming up, we hired a sitter for our two dogs so they wouldn't be left alone for an extended period. Her instructions were to feed them, let them out to relieve themselves and give them some running and play time. She didn't need to do anything else.

On our return after a long day at work, the dog sitter gave us a detailed note of the day and then she was taken home.

The note was a detailed account of the day. What time they ate, how long they slept, when they were put outside, etc. It also included behavioural analysis of our puppies and an analysis and recommendation of our plants and trees.

It was this detail that gave me another look into her psyche. Even though I should have known she was a bit of a trouble maker when she babysat for another of her friends and proceeded to build a case against them as bad dog owners among their mutual friends and the neighbours, I still didn't get how methodical and conniving she can be. Apparently in that case, she spoke to the neighbours who all agreed the people were "bad" dog owners. I should have know she was dragging me into her scheme when she insisted that I stop over to meet the animals and then watched as I tried to get the large dog to stop jumping on me.

Back to the double sided note:

10 ish - took walk around back w pups -> a little trouble w 'off'
10 30 - Chevy whined t go outside -> straight to pee -> definitely something up w his bladder | urinary tract
- could not find a second chew bone - Chevy chewed on kennel door -> played w some sm pieces mulch outside
11 - for some reason t pups are tired :)
11 10 - Chevy - pees a lot - & not just to mark territory - for t need t pee
- Chevy - has small scrape on back right paw, 2nd toe on end - maybe keep an eye on it
- paper airplanes - what are we supposed t do w them? asked Cashly
-> Chevy caught on right away - catch, bring back, loose
-> once Cashly caught on, she liked running for it
- I had popcorn - dogs begged, but I ≠ give any
- somebody has poop breath - but I won't hurt his feels.
- Cashly let Chevy have t bone for a while. aw.
- you have a Japanese beatle )beetle?) infestatn
-> tried t get rid of as many as possible.
-> they are (?) in a plastic container on table outside
2 50 pm - both pups -> HUNGRY! okay, okay.
- toilet runny - when I put pressure on t tank seal, it stops - so maybe that's all it is?
- all out of baby powder so used unscented baby powder (corn starch) instead

(flip side of page one)

- somebody misses his human, so he sat in my lap ...
- 8 pm -> they're full of piss & vinegar wt last hooray of t night.
-> after all day of no jumps - they started it up again - um, NO I say 'off'
8 40 - pups at front window, lookig for their humans.
9:45 - Cashy threw up
-> I can't find t rubber gloves or paper towels
-> found oiler paper in garage -> using it to clean up sea of puke.
10 10 - & t puke is all cleaned up & disposed of.
-> can't find any mont oil spray or air freshener or incense to make t smell go away
-> Cashy seems to be fine ->usual self - must have gorged on plants outside?

A Lady Unexpectedly Farted In A Fancy Store. When She Turned Around, This Happened

2014-12-28T12:42:00.000-05:00

A lady walks into Harrods. She looks around, spots a beautiful diamond bracelet and walks over to inspect it. As she bends over to look more closely, she unexpectedly farts.
Very embarrassed, she looks around nervously to see if anyone noticed her little woops and prays that a sales person was not anywhere near.
As she turns around, her worst nightmare materializes in the form of a Salesman standing right behind her – Good looking as well.
Cool as a cucumber, he displays all of the qualities one would expect of a professional in a store like Harrods. He politely greets the lady with, ‘Good day, Madam. How may we help You today? Blushing and uncomfortable, but still hoping that the salesman somehow missed her little ‘incident’, she asks, ‘what is the price of this Lovely bracelet?’
He answers, “Madam – if you farted just looking at it – you’re going to sh*t yourself when I tell you the price!”

The Grinch Cocktail

2014-12-14T19:04:00.001-05:00

The Grinch (great served with Grinch cookie) recipe here

3 oz peach schnapps
3 oz Bacardi® 151 rum
12 oz orange juice
4 oz Sprite® soda
3 oz Blue Curacao liqueur

1. Mix in a large pitcher and serve

Source: Design Loves Detail

http://www.designlovesdetail.com/2012/12/21/a-toast-to-you-holiday-drink-recipes/

Email: Company Holiday Party

2014-12-14T18:05:00.003-05:00

And that's why the company never has parties anymore.

Alluring Lullaby

2014-12-08T07:30:00.002-05:00

Alluring Lullaby

1 oz. (30ml) Viniq Liqueur 1/2 oz. (30ml) Hpnotiq Liqueur 1/2 oz. (15ml) Plum Vodka Cranberry Sprite Purple and White Sugar

Source: Tipsy Bartender https://www.youtube.com/user/TipsyBartender

The best remedies for heartburn

2014-12-08T07:17:00.003-05:00

You don't need to be a doctor to know how to relieve the temporary discomfort of heartburn. Occasional heartburn is manageable and preventable, but persistent attacks offer clues that something else is going on.

There are a number of heartburn triggers including being overweight, overeating, high acid food, stress, and alcohol. Heartburn can even be triggered by some prescription medications. Whether looking into medicine or a lifestyle change, there are many ways to get relief.

I’m in pain – SOS!

Simple solutions and natural remedies you can introduce into your daily routine.
Drink 1 cup of water or alkaline vegetable juice (carrot, cucumber, beetroot and radish).
Chew gum to increase saliva flow and neutralize acid.
Drink plenty of tea. Among some of the most effective herbs and plants are ginger, mint, anise, cinnamon, cardamom and marshmallow root.
Eat a banana to either relieve or prevent symptoms.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, and a few drops of lemon juice in a glass of water; drink it immediately before it fizzes out.
Dilute 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in ¼ cup of water; drink it 30 minutes after your meal to prevent an attack.
Mix 1 oz of aloe gel with 2 oz of water.
Eat oats (oatmeal) for breakfast.
Have a (fat-free) yogurt a day.

What habits I need to change?

Avoid fatty or acidic foods.
Reduce or stop your use of tobacco and alcohol.
Eat lighter meals but more frequently throughout the day.
Lose weight.
Avoid eating at least 3 hours before bedtime.
Stack your pillows, or place a book under the head of your mattress to create an inclination while you sleep.
Lie on your left side to provide stomach support and help eliminate acid.
Replace your table salt (acid) with sea salt (alkaline).
Eat foods rich in glutamine: eggs, milk, fish, and spinach.

Over-the-counter antacid medicine

If natural remedies are not doing the trick, pharmaceuticals (e.g. Maalox, Tums, Rolaids, Gaviscon, Zantac, Pepto, Bismol, etc.) offer temporarily but effective relief. There’s a very wide selection of antacids and acid blockers available on the market, so don’t hesitate to ask your pharmacist for recommendations.

Persistent burning symptoms despite everything

You should be evaluated by a physician if you experience persistent discomfort, especially lasting more than a week. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, vocal inflammation (raspy voice), changes in appetite, difficulty swallowing and weight loss may overlap with chronic heartburn. If you’ve modified your habits, used known remedies but still suffer from stomach irritation, it’s time to make an appointment and get treatment.

Source: http://www.yellowpages.ca/tips/the-best-remedies-for-heartburn/?ypmedium=tdpartner&ypsource=taboola&ypterm=dailymail-row

Hood Translations

2014-12-04T07:51:00.002-05:00

If the gender roles were reversed

2014-10-08T07:08:00.000-04:00

Representations of Gender in Advertising

This culture jam is a school project that was created for a Women and Gender Studies class at the University of Saskatchewan by Sarah Zelinski, Kayla Hatzel and Dylan Lambi-Raine.
We wanted to show how ridiculous media portrays gender roles and stereotypes in advertising through presenting gender roll reversals.

The first citation of OMG

2014-10-04T16:20:00.001-04:00

The first citation of OMG in the Oxford English Dictionary appears in a 1917 letter from the British admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher to Winston Churchill. He writes, “I hear that a new order of Knighthood is on the tapis–O.M.G. (Oh! My God!)–Shower it on the Admiralty!!” The fact that Fisher, who was 76 at the time, defines OMG in his letter suggests that he thought Churchill might be unfamiliar with the term.

Source

Amazing box invention

2014-09-24T15:29:00.002-04:00

Amazing box... doesn't it make you wonder why no one thought of this before!!!???

Global Be(er) Responsible Day

2014-09-21T08:55:00.000-04:00

“Friends Are Waiting” | Budweiser

White Knight, Spaceship 2 Virgin Galactic and Virgin Airlines

2014-09-13T10:01:00.002-04:00

San Francisco's Airline Unveils Beautiful and Sustainable New Terminal 2 Home and Celebrates with a "Fly into the Future" Fare Sale Virgin America's First Arriving Terminal 2 Flight to Fly and Land alongside Virgin Galactic's WhiteKnightTwo and Space.

Parallel landing with White Knight and Spaceship 2

Enthusiastic Run to The Water

2014-09-04T08:51:00.001-04:00

This lab can't wait to get to the water. It's adorable!

Chihuahua vs Great Dane

2014-08-25T10:44:00.000-04:00

Watch what happens when a super tiny chihuahua attacks a great dane.

Cuteness overload!

Chihuahua versus Great Dane in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Adorable Puppy Talking in His Sleep

2014-08-03T17:45:00.001-04:00

Mother & Father Days

2014-06-16T09:30:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was Father's Day and there was a gazzillion posts on social media about how wonderful 'dad' is. Wonderful memories shared with the world - light hearted and cheerful. Those are the kind of memories I don't have. Mine are like, "hey remember the time dad beat me so bad I was taken to the hospital", or "remember how much fun it was for you to be chained to your bed?", "I bet getting thrown out of the house and sleeping on the ground outside our apartment building was like camping eh!!!"

I find it hard to believe people didn't hear the screaming specially when we lived in an apartment building in Toronto. Hard to believe the social workers didn't take us away earlier... years earlier! Harder to believe that people looked down on me like I was diseased because they all stood by, did nothing, watched the abuse and to comfort and live with their hurting conscience, turned the blame on the victim (me!).

So father's day and mother's day to me is memories of being in the bedroom almost all the time, playing quietly and staying away from the parents. Being dressed up and paraded with instructions not to say or do anything to embarrass the mom - everything is beyond good and normal - we're very happy and living the good life (we played your game so well mom).

I wonder how much of these things I carried into my own parenting behaviour with my own kids. Between my own upbringing and a futile attempt for years to fit in and be accepted by the in-laws who hate me, I believe I may have screwed up a lot.

No point asking

Pink Zebra Cake

2014-05-25T12:51:00.002-04:00

Pink Zebra Cake By Jenn from Cookies, Cupcakes and Cardio

For directions, visit the original site directly

Lasagna Roll Ups

2014-05-02T10:52:00.000-04:00

Ingredients

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook pasta according to directions listed on package to al dente.
Drain pasta (DO NOT rinse with water) and align lasagna noodles in a single layer on a large sheet of parchment or wax paper.

For filling, in a large mixing bowl, whisk together ricotta cheese and egg white until well blended. Stir in Parmesan cheese.
Mix in 12 oz. of the Mozzarella cheese and season with black pepper to taste (I wouldn't recommend seasoning with salt just because the cheeses already have plenty of salt).
Place 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture over each lasagna noodle and spread into an even layer, going from one end of the lasagna to the other.
Align 4 thin tomato slices over cheese mixture then sprinkle fresh basil over top.
Snugly roll lasagna noodles to opposite end.
Spread about 1/4 cup pasta sauce in the bottom of an 11 x 7 inch baking dish.
Align lasagna roll ups, seam side down in dish.
Top each roll up with about 2 Tbsp of the pasta sauce (covering edges of pasta so they don't dry out while baking).
Sprinkle top with remaining 2 oz. shredded Mozzarella.
Bake in preheated oven 30 minutes.
Remove from oven, plate pasta and garnish with plenty of basil ribbons.
Serve warm.

Simple Marinara Sauce
Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat.
Add onions to hot oil and saute about 3 minutes until soft, adding garlic during last minute of sautéing.
Pour in crushed tomatoes and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bring mixture just to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and allow sauce to cook for about 25 - 30 minutes (which will allow some of the water in crushed tomatoes to evaporate) while you prepare pasta and lasagna filling (you can freeze or refrigerate left over sauce in a small airtight container for later use, adding fresh basil if desired).

Portobello, Eggplant, and Roasted Red Pepper Panini

2014-04-25T08:18:00.003-04:00

Recipe by emariejon

"Tangy three cheese and Mediterranean vegetable panini."

Ingredients

Original recipe makes 4 sandwiches

2 red bell peppers
4 portobello mushroom caps
1 cup fat-free balsamic vinaigrette
4 slices (1/2 inch thick) eggplant (peeled)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
2 teaspoons grated parmesan cheese
8 slices focaccia bread
1/4 cup fat free ranch dressing
4 thin slices swiss cheese
4 thin slices asiago cheese

Directions

Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack at about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Cut the peppers in half from top to bottom; remove the stem, seeds, and ribs, then place the peppers cut sides down onto the prepared baking sheet.
Cook under the preheated broiler until the skin of the peppers has blackened and blistered, about 5 minutes. Place the blackened peppers into a bowl, and tightly seal with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to steam as they cool, about 20 minutes. Once cool, remove the skins and discard. Refrigerate overnight.
Place the portobello mushroom caps into a resealable plastic bag, and pour in the balsamic vinaigrette. Squeeze out excess air, and seal. Marinate overnight in the refrigerator.
The following day, preheat an electric double sided grill (such as George Foreman® grill) according to manufacturers' directions. Sprinkle the eggplant slices with garlic powder and onion powder.
Remove the portobello mushrooms from the marinade, and discard the remaining marinade. Cook on the preheated grill until tender 4 to 5 minutes. Cook the eggplant slices on the preheated grill until tender 4 to 5 minutes. Remove, set onto a plate, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
To assemble the sandwiches, spread each slice of focaccia with ranch dressing. Place a slice of cheese on each piece of bread. Place the eggplant slices, roasted peppers, and a portobello mushroom onto four of the slices of bread. Top with the remaining bread.
Spray the double sided grill with cooking spray, and cook the sandwiches until the cheese has melted, the sandwiches are hot in the center, and the bread is golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
Source: http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/portobello-eggplant-and-roasted-red-pepper-panini/detail.aspx

Skinny Broccoli Salad

2014-03-06T19:28:00.000-05:00

Ingredients

2 stalk(s) uncooked broccoli, Chopped
1 head(s) (medium) uncooked cauliflower, Chopped
1/2 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), Chopped
1/2 cup(s) green pepper(s), Chopped
1 large fresh tomato(es), chopped
1/2 large uncooked red onion(s), Chopped
1 item(s) (large) large canned ripe black olive(s), 1 cup chopped
1/2 cup(s) low-fat shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cup(s) fat free Ranch dressing (I changed the dressing to Ranch because I liked it better with Ranch.)

Instructions
Blanch the broccoli and cauliflower and then chop.

Place everything in a large bowl, add the dressing and toss.

Refrigerate for 4 hours and serve.

Easy Dessert

2014-03-01T11:33:00.002-05:00

Easy as Pie filling cake: (stole it from my sister)
If you need to make a great dessert in a pinch!

Ingredients:

4 cups mini-marshmallows

1 chocolate cake mix,

1 can cherry pie filling,

1 large container of Cool Whip

Directions:

Pour four cups of mini-marshmallows into a greased 9x13 inch cake pan.

Prepare chocolate cake mix according to directions on package.

Pour over marshmallows.

Spoon cherry pie filling evenly over cake.

Bake at 350 degrees F for about 50 minutes...or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

COOL~ Top with Cool Whip.

Serves 15.

Variations:

peach or strawberry pie filling with vanilla cake mix

apple pie filling with spiced or carrot cake mix.

by Suzen Brimacomb

(https://www.facebook.com/barjong.singer)

HomeFlowers Attic

Holy Oil Finally Delivered

Heartburn In Bed

iPower Continues to Suck

"NFL 2015" — A Bad Lip Reading of The NFL

Dog Sitter: Once was more than enough

A Lady Unexpectedly Farted In A Fancy Store. When She Turned Around, This Happened

The Grinch Cocktail

Email: Company Holiday Party

Alluring Lullaby

The best remedies for heartburn

Hood Translations

If the gender roles were reversed

Representations of Gender in Advertising

The first citation of OMG

Amazing box invention

Global Be(er) Responsible Day

“Friends Are Waiting” | Budweiser

White Knight, Spaceship 2 Virgin Galactic and Virgin Airlines

Enthusiastic Run to The Water

Chihuahua vs Great Dane

Watch what happens when a super tiny chihuahua attacks a great dane.

Adorable Puppy Talking in His Sleep

Mother & Father Days

Pink Zebra Cake

Lasagna Roll Ups

Portobello, Eggplant, and Roasted Red Pepper Panini

Recipe by emariejon "Tangy three cheese and Mediterranean vegetable panini."

Ingredients

Directions

Skinny Broccoli Salad

Easy Dessert

Recipe by emariejon

"Tangy three cheese and Mediterranean vegetable panini."