Just moments ago I got a press release from Shoelessmommy who sent this to my inbox.  Apparently an earthquake struck Toronto!  The Natural Resource Homepage shows it was a 5.0 and felt by Ottawa as well.

STATEMENT

City of Toronto Earthquake

In our initial assessment, there has been no major damage to City infrastructure. Further investigations are taking place to confirm. The Toronto Transit Commission and Transportation Services have reported that there has been no damage to their infrastructure or interruptions to service.

The City's Emergency Operations Centre is up and running in preparation for the G20 so the City is uniquely prepared to respond to the event. We will continue to monitor the situation and will report as necessary.

Residents should follow the instructions of their building management.

The City has received no calls concerning bridge, building or other infrastructure problems.

While not applicable to this event, in future, should there be a major or more serious earthquake:

Residents should stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls. DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

If outdoors - stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.

Hubby and I were going to watch 2012 tonight but I think I will put it off.  I'm wayyyyyyyyyyy too neurotic and superstitious and really can't handle the emotions that go along with devastations like this, losing my family and my kids.  I just can't think about it.

What do you think about hearing this?

All you die hard Twi-fans get ready to take time off work, tell your friends you can't see them, throw on your Team Edward or Team Jacob shirts and head to Cineplex Odeon June 29th for a special one night only occasional of not one, not two but yes all three Twilight movies.

This is a great opportunity for anyone who hasn't the seen the vamp love saga and wants to catch up with the times.  I promise nobody will question where you have been so long as you choose which hunky creature you love the most (Eddie boy) played by Robert Pattison or (wolf boy) played by Taylor Lautner.

You can expect the anticipation and ticket sales to be soaring as you can head to one of the 24 theaters across Canada hosting this one of kind event.  You can settle in and watch the first movie Twilight at (7pm) then grab a snack or two and kick back for New Moon starting at (9:30pm) until finally the moment you've all been waiting for... Eclipse which will shine on the screen at exactly 12:01 which officially will be June 30th and a fitting time don't you think to start the show?

Here is a listing for you to see if your local theater or one nearby is showing this for you.

BRITISH COLUMBIA

ALBERTA

Calgary: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook, 6455 Macleod Trail SW 
Edmonton: Cineplex Odeon South Edmonton Cinemas, 1525-99th Street NW 
Edmonton: Scotiabank Theatre Edmonton, 8882-170 Street

MANITOBA

Winnipeg: SilverCity Polo Park Cinemas, 817 St. James Street

SASKATCHEWAN

Saskatoon: Galaxy Cinemas Saskatoon, 347 2nd Avenue

ONTARIO

Ancaster: SilverCity Ancaster Cinemas, 771 Golf Links Road 
Gloucester: SilverCity Gloucester Cinemas, 2385 City Park Drive 
London: SilverCity London Cinemas, 1680 Richmond Street 
Mississauga: Coliseum Mississauga Cinemas, 309 Rathburn Road W 
Scarborough: Coliseum Scarborough Cinemas, 300 Borough Drive 
Toronto: Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 259 Richmond Street W 
Waterloo: Galaxy Cinemas Waterloo, 550 King Street N 
Woodbridge: Colossus Vaughan Cinemas, 3555 Highway 7 W

QUEBEC

Brossard: Cineplex Odeon Brossard Cinemas, 9350 boul. Leduc 
Kirkland: Coliseum Kirkland Cinemas, 3200 rue Jean Yves 
Laval: Colossus Laval Cinemas, 2800 rue Cosmodôme 
Montreal: Scotiabank Theatre Montreal, 977 rue Ste-Catherine O 
Ste.Foy: Cineplex Odeon Ste. Foy Cinemas, 1200 boul. Duplessis



it's what you've been waiting for...


And just what is this little fantasy escape going to cost you?  $19.99 which is a great deal considering most movies cost around $10.00 each so you are getting one free with this fantastic deal!  Order your tickets today!

I'll see you at the MOVIES!

Welcome to Follow Me, I'm Canadian!  The Great Canadian link exchange, a blog hop for all Canadians to network with one another on Wednesdays.

HOSTED BY: Tanya of Little Village Naturals and Kat of Kat's Confessions creators of Canadian Moms-An online community for Canadian Moms and We Are Canadian- An online community for creative Canadians.


RULES:

1. Follow only those that you would like to. Please Do Not leave comments asking for others to follow you back. Let that be the choice of the individual you followed.

2. Please indicate what the link is associated with. (example: Kat's Confessions-Blog, KatsConfessions-Twitter etc.)
You may leave the links for all of your sites, and profiles.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add your link to the Mcklinky. Don't forget to tell us what the link is for.

2. Follow those you would like to follow. (Don't forget the Follow Me, I'm Canadian blog!) :)

3. If you would like to post about the hop feel free to grab a button for your post or sidebar. You may also copy and paste this post for your blog and grab the code for the list of links.

4. Have a fantastic time meeting fellow Canadians!
We are very excited that you have joined us today and look forward to seeing you Wednesdays for Follow Me, I'm Canadian!


Thanks for joining in on the fun,
Tanya and Kat

Wow!  That's all I can say about this.  Wow!  We trust this big burger franchise, McDonald's.  I mean the Golden Arches is like the first symbol our kids pledge allegiance to.  You wouldn't expect this company to sell over 12 million themed glasses to children that are unsafe.  But that's exactly what they've done.

McDonald's has recalled over 12 million Shrek glasses from the promotional campaign for Shrek Forever that just came out less than two months ago.  Each glass is hand painted depicting characters from the movie and it's that paint that's the culprit in this recall.

Cadmium was tested at higher than allowed levels in the paint used to decorate these fun colored glasses used by children worldwide.  McDonald's is cooperating in the recall, despite the fact that here in Canada they have stated the levels are not beyond consumer safety.  They are still following suit with the United States and going ahead with the recall anyhow.

Consumers are urged to stop the using the glasses. 

Cadmium with long term exposure can cause liver failure, bone softening, kidney trouble, respiratory illness and varying other degrees of health and safety issues.

Children are at risk because they hold the glass in their hands and the cadmium gets on their fingers and kids as we all know put their fingers in their mouths.

McDonald's has stated more recall information and how to get a refund for your purchased tainted glasses will be released next week.  Check this article for more information.  

It's sad nothing is safe anymore.  Not what we eat.  Toys we give our children.  Baby products like cribs.  Cars we drive.  It's like we should live in a bubble and just hope for the best.

So far nobody has become ill.  I have used these glasses and my youngest has as well.  But I've since thrown them out.  I don't care about getting my money back.  My children's welfare is worth more than four bucks.

I was recently invited to a round table dinner event taking place on May 19th in Vancouver for several influential mom bloggers here in Canada to have an opportunity to talk with Maple Leaf Foods about their latest safety standards following the tragic deaths of 22 individuals caused by Listeriosis linked to Maple Leaf Food products back in August 2008.

Of course I am going.

I'm not going just because I was one of the chosen bloggers to attend, but because as a mother and consumer of Maple Leaf food products for like forever, I mean Maple Leaf bologna was all we ate at home growing up as a kid.  It's what I took for lunch almost everyday, that and their ham which I loveeeeeeee.

I'm going because what happened in August of 2008 was horrible not just because people died but when you lose confidence in a product you buy for your family, feed to your children daily and others you love.  There should never be a thought that you could possibly cause them harm by making them ill or possibly kill them because that product you are giving them is contaminated, and I would like to ensure that they (Maple Leaf) are indeed keeping their PROMISE to consumers.

I am looking forward to this event and to sharing it with all of you what I learn about Maple Leaf's new safety standards they have implemented as a follow up to the August 2008 outbreak.  And since I cannot take all of you with me, I want to know...

If you are a Maple Leaf product buyer what would you like to ask them concerning their safety standards?  Do you have any questions or comments you'd like me to relay?  What would you like to see the company do to ensure another horrible tragedy like this doesn't happen again and so you can feel safe as a consumer buying their products.

So give it up guys.

Send me your comments and I will be your voice for you.

You can view some of the new standard procedures and safety precautions Maple has taken by watching this video or visiting their blog HERE.

The Olympics are over.  The guests have left.  The clean up has begun and as I flip through the channels searching for something to watch, I cannot help but feel a tad bit sad to see them go.

It was a great 17 days.  Yes we started off on a bad note, someone dying is never a great way to start anything.  Yes our cauldron with the Olympic flame burning brightly resembled joints stuck together begging for someone to smoke them.

Yes the malfunction is something we could and did make fun of, the closing ceremonies with the clown made me laugh my ass off.  Dang!  We just didn't plug it in -- that's why it didn't work -- silly us.

And our totum poles during the opening ceremonies looked like giant vibrators with penis shaped heads - sorry guys but they just did.  Not that I own anything phallic shaped (ahem) but I have seen pictures lol.

The games were great!

Our Canadian athletes did amazing.

The world was there to party with us and we enjoyed it.

But what did I love the most about the games?

The feeling of them.  That's what I loved.

Each time I heard the Canadian anthem sung, I cried.

When our men won Gold against the Americans in hockey in a game that led my nails to bleed due to biting them non-stop, waiting for them to stick that damn puck in the net, I cried.

The Tim Horton's commercial with the African American man who buys parka's for his family coming in and meets them at the airport, kissing his wife, handing her a coffee, welcoming her to Canada, welcoming her home.  Yep, I cried.

The Olympic games gave everyone a sense of pride that we have felt forever being Canadians and a place to shine and share that feeling.  Watching my boys wave their flags, tattoos on their faces, cheering for us in curling, speed-skating, skiing, snow-boarding, hockey and luge.  It was awesome to see.

Being Canadian is a good feeling and I'm proud of Canada for being the hosts I knew we could be, for showing the world who we really are, a bunch of laid back, easy going, friendly, always smiling people who basically love EVERYONE and welcome you to our home anytime to come back and visit or party with us.

There is nothing better than that. 

Okay maybe breaking the world record for the most Gold ever won in Olympic history, but whose counting?

If you participate in Random Tuesday then head over to the UNmom and give Keely a visit at her blog and post your link there.  Keely rocks and she's totally random.  So link up today! 

Olympic hockey fever has taken our country by storm and FD (forgetful dad) and I are no different than any other proud Canadian and we hosted an Olympic Hockey Fever Event on Facebook for our friends to come over and cheer team Canada on against the United States on Sunday.

We lost! :( Yeah I know bummer.

It was a good game but hard to watch.

Canada had 44 shots on net and Brodure should not have been in net in my mind, Luongo should have but I am bias because I loveeeeeeeee him as he plays for Vancouver. Still Brodure should have stopped a couple that went in.

Our boys didn't play horrible but they didn't play great either. I think I screamed shoot! about 100 times during the game until my voice hurt. That was better than Fordy who kept standing up and calling them WHORES! LMAO.

God he was funny as the boys kept dicking around with the puck and for some reason thought it would be fun to NOT get it out of our zone and give the Americans chance after chance to score on us.

All of our friends seemed to have a great time. We made chili and Fordy brought chips. Jada and Mike brought wings and some pop which was totally great and Shoeless Mommy totally helped me decorate our home Canada style.


We handed out flags, tattoos and buttons when everyone walked in and most ppl wore red, ahem Irish Mommy and miss Laura you are forgiven, although Laura you did have red in your hair lol.

FD (Forgetful Dad Canada Rocks!



We decided to Lynch Draimen half way through the game because he started rooting for the US, and T shared her red blanky with me. Thank you, as I was cold.


Aunty T and Zander snoozing during the second period lmao



The kids played outside and had fun together. We are doing it again on Sunday (hopefully) if the Canadians go for gold!


All in all it was a great evening with good friends, hockey and the spirit of being Canadian.

We went to the Olympic Relay on Sunday. I posted a few pics of the boys on my last blog post.  The boys had a blast.  They were also lucky enough to get one of 250,000 coke light up bottles being given out at the torch relay's which they loved, along with being able to make their own torch, get their faces painted and being front and center to see Gordon Campbell yuck!  They are kids and don't better shhhhhhhhhhhhh lol.

I have to say I wasn't all that into it at first, the torch relay.  Heck even the Olympics themselves.   Not that I don't like the Olympics, hellooooooooooo hockey rocks thank you and being Canadian means loving hockey. Except for you T, which is forgivable because you have other outstanding qualities hehehe.

But once we were there at the Rotary and we saw the performance and heard the crowd. The kids all waiving their Canadian Flags. The electricity of the place errupted and you couldn't help but feel patriotic and even get emotional as the flame was brought down toward us. It was pretty incredible.

I am looking forward now to the opening ceremonies in Vancouver, only four days away. CTV released the official theme song for the Olympics which I don't care who you are; if you listen to the words it's pretty powerful and I love it. Here is a clip for everyone to see if you haven't already.

Okay I have not posted on my blog about the earthquake that struck the small and impoverish island nation of Haiti because things like this always strike me emotionally and I have hard time watching or even discussing issues with such extreme human factors involved.

That being said however I'm posting this information piece on how Canadians can help with relief efforts which include: financial donations, food, clothing, water, blankets and supplies to aid the survivors facing the aftermath of the 7.0 earthquake that struck January 12, 2010

Every time you turn on the news you see pictures of the mass implosion that hit Haiti. Thousands are dead. Many have not even been found yet. Children have weeks without food which strikes a heart chord with me, and like with Katrina leaves me wondering how can I help?

Even if you have no money there are things you can do to help out with Haiti relief. Many churches in the Abbotsford and Fraser Valley surrounding areas need volunteers to box food and supplies.

You can donate food or clothing, tooth brushes, water and more through your local church, Salvation Army, Abbotsford and surrounding food banks and so forth.

But if you aren't sure where to go but wish to jump in and lend a hand. Here are a few links for you as our Canadian soldiers are being deployed daily to help with relief and peace keeping efforts in Haiti.

· Action Against Hunger Canada
· Adventist Development and Relief Agency
· B'nai Brith Canada
· Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and
  Peace
· Canadian Red Cross
· Chalice
· Christian Children's Fund of Canada
· Health Partners International of Canada
· Médecins Sans Frontières Canada
  (Doctors Without Borders)
· Mennonite Central Committee
· Oxfam Canada
· Plan Canada
· Salvation Army in Canada
· UNICEF Canada
· United Jewish Appeal-Federation of Greater Toronto
· United Nations World Food Programme
· World Vision

You can text donations to these numbers below for those wishing to donate money to the cause:

Text Haiti to 45678 to donate $5 to the Salvation Army in Canada (Bell/Rogers).

Text Haiti to 85944 to donate $5 to Rescue Union Mission and MedCorp International.

Text Haiti to 25383 to donate $5 to the International Rescue Committee.

Text Haiti to 30333 to donate $5 to Plan Canada.

Text World to 45678 to donate $5 to World Vision.

One person can make a difference.  Many people can change the outlook of something like this not just in the way relief is provided but in lifting the human spirit and helping others hang onto hope during times of crisis...

It's finally here. It's also about time. Do I have a cell phone? Yes I do. So does DH. Do we use them while driving? Absolutely not! And it's one of my biggest pet peeves to see someone on their phone while driving their vehicle.

Driving is difficult enough without adding further distractions.  It's always apparently clear -- do not eat while driving -- do not put on your make-up while driving -- do not read the newspaper (this one kills me) while driving.  So what -- on God's green earth makes ppl think texting, dialing and talking on cell phones or other pda devices would be safe when you should be concentrating on the road before you?

January 1st the new (no hand held cell phone) law came into effect.  Abbotsford police are going to spend the first month (the grace period) educating people instead of enforcing the law, to give others the warning that driving and talking on your phone or use of other hand held devices while operating your vehicle carries a hefty fine.

So what is the fine?

Well it's not high enough if you ask me.  Not when you consider that many accidents this past year in BC were with young drivers ages (16-24) while talking on the phone.

It's not high enough when you consider that 117 deaths and 1400 hospitalizations occurred in 2009 due to drivers using their phones when they should have been paying attention to the road!

The fine starting February 1st (if caught) using any form of hand held device (ipod touch, nanos, game systems and cell phones) will be $167 and three points on your license -- (OUCH!)

There has been a flock of people rushing out to buy hands free devices (like blue-tooth) head seats and car adapters so they won't get caught while still needing their phones.  Many people say they will abide by the new law, while others state they will continue to text and talk while driving, according to the Abbey News.

This new legislation concerns ICBC toward those buying hands free devices as they want drivers to be more cautious and pay attention to the road, instead of talking while driving.  The legislation was passed to raise awareness to the increase in accidents due to cell phone usage.

New drivers under the graduating drivers programs are forbidden to use any devices while driving whether they are hands or not.  I'm all for this law and like I said the fine should be higher.  We almost got hit by a driving instructor's student because she was talking on the phone while supposedly teaching a young man to drive.  Stupid idiot!

So be safe.  Don't talk and drive will be the new campaign, along with the common sense factors like drinking or driving under the influence.  To date no fines have been handed out yet.  The grace period ends January 30th, 2010 so drivers BEWARE!

Global Live had it's unveiling today in launching themselves as a new cell phone carrier going up against Bell, Rogers and Telus. Winning their appeal they immediately launched an outlet to get phones into consumers hands.

What does that mean?

It means consumers will have more choice, less cost where cell phones are concerned. But how less?

Well according to the news it means you will have to pay for your phones, including Blackberry up front but your plan will be less. Wind offers no contracts. They offer no 911 fee, no monthly service charge like Rogers for 6.95 per month and lower more competitive rates such as a $35 per month contract allowing unlimited text messages and nation wide talking unlimited.

So consumers have to decide to they want a phone for cheaper on a contract, pay more money monthly (like I do) with my i-phone or do they want no contract, buy their phone up front and pay less without all the extra surcharges?

Only time will time as Wind begins opening outlets with each passing day. I'm going to keep my eyes peeled on this as it unfolds and see what happens to the big boy cell stores (Rogers, Telus and Bell) and how this affect them and their business.

Wind's motto: Discover how Wind gets Wireless done in Canada! Visit their website at Wind Mobile

It's every parents worst fear, worst nightmare. Your child goes missing and you can't find them. It's cold outside and they don't have a jacket on. People are searching, over 100 people out in the freezing cold as a storm settles in and you don't find him, not on the first day.

The second day brings you hope. The family dog your child ran after returns home and rescue ground crew follow the dog and discover the body of your child with a weak pulse. Hope is alive.

This is the story of James Delorey, a seven year old autistic child who went missing in Nova Scotia after chasing the family pet out into the woods right before a winter storm hit the region.

With great sadness, Halifax Children's Hospital made the announcement today that James Delorey has passed away. His parents wish to thank everyone who participated in the search for them and I can only imagine the pain and suffering they must feel. Nobody's fault. Children wander sometimes and can disappear in a split second.

But what made James's situation worse was the boy's condition. James was unable to call for help which left him completely at the mercy of his surroundings without protection.

Halifax Children's Hospital would not make a statement about what measures were taken to resuscitate James, and there have been rare cases of patients with hypothermia surviving but not without severe damage to the organs. Hot fluids and warming blankets are used to warm up a patient suffering from hypothermia. James had a very weak pulse and his small fragile body swept away in the cold most likely could not come back from the damage already done.  The hospital instead is honoring the parents wishes for privacy while they grieve.

My family and I send out our thoughts and prayers to the Delorey's. We as parents know what it must be like to try to survive your worst nightmare the loss of your child. We hope God grants you the strength to carry on without James and pray for your suffering and pain to ease.

The seven year old austic boy who wandered away from his home in Cape Breton Saturday has been found!

James spent over 48 hours in the blistering cold with his dog Chance. James followed Chance which later led to a massive search for the missing boy, not wearing a winter coat or mittens, just his jeans and vest with 100 people helping to find the boy.

James was found with barely a pulse and has been taken the Halifax Children's Hospital. No word yet on his condition improving other than he's suffering with injuries due to the elements.

James was found one kilometer away from a command post that was set up during the search, after his dog Chance finally came home. RCMP followed Chance's footprints which led back to James found lying in the snow bank.

Finding the boy became a grave situation after a snow storm his Nova Scotia hours after the boy went missing and with his debilating austic disorder, James was unable to call out for help.

I am glad he's been found. Our son has aspeger's (not austism) but we are aware of the disease and it's horrible to be trapped inside and not have a way to communicate. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Delorey's and the family has asked the press and public for privacy while their son recovers.

Ahhh to be a young driver. You have your license and it's new. You are driving mommy or daddy's car or suv and you are at school. You decide "hey I can handle anything." and you step on the gas a little harder than you might normal or what you were taught during those driving lessons from friends or family.

I got a call from a neighbor of mine who was laughing her butt off, not because the situation was particularly funny. But because she couldn't believe how stupid some teenagers are today when placed with the responsibility of driving.

She sent me these...

Pictures courtesy of Kit-Sheila Jantzen

I often get things sent to me via my email.  This came in today via AMHA (Abbotsford Minor Hockey Association) to which our ten year old (Gamerboy) is a part of.

I was touched by this email and had to share this story with you:  PLEASE READ!

Here is my proposal:

1.   Match our money raised dollar for dollar, so that we can get Max the best possible laptop; or
2.   Allow us to purchase a laptop at a really good discount; or
3    Allow us to purchase a laptop, capable of doing what is required, at cost

Sept. 2, 2009
This is an email I have been dreading to send to you for the past 12 days...
With Max's cancer's aggressive and swift relapse, and, in light of the treatment that he has already undertaken, our oncologist has told us "that our backs are now against the wall in saving Max's life". We have been advised that if, at any time, we want to cease trying to save Max, we just need to let her know. Of course, we are going to continue the battle...Max is obviously aware that he has cancer again and is more than willing to battle on with more treatment. However, he does not know how dire his situation is, nor does his sister...
Enough of the bad, on to what is good. Max has recently grown quite a bit taller and his hair came in great (although it will be leaving us again!)...Just remember, game-face.

Oct. 18, 2009
...The lump has shrunk from the size of an egg to less than a small pea, but, we need to make sure that it all goes away. We also need to make sure that the spots on his lungs are completely eradicated.
Max's doctor has arranged for a Bone Marrow Transplant. Once he has received all the chemotherapy and radiation he needs, Max will need a transplant of stem cells to reboot his immune system...So, over the next few months, Max will likely be spending a fair bit of time in the hospital. When he gets the transplant, Max will likely spend two months in isolation while his immune system rebuilds.
During his latest series of chemotherapy treatments, Max has required several blood transfusions of platelets and hemoglobin. His immune system has been repeatedly depleted and he has functioned fairly well for someone with no white blood cells...
For now, Max is at home and doing well. He is in good spirits and feeling strong. We are just waiting for his immune system to get strong enough so that he can withstand more treatments. It's a very difficult balance to maintain. The cancer treatments have very dramatic (life-threatening) side effects, but delaying treatments reduces their ability to eradicate the cancer. The doctors are very please with how well Max has been able to withstand the treatments. Most adults would never survive waht he has been through so far...Max is an incredible kid. He has taken all this in stride and never once has he complained...
Life has dealt us enough lemons to go into the wholesale lemonade business, but we're making the best of each and every day.Just like we always do, we will make today the very best it can be.

Nov. 20, 2009
Max is now schedule to be back in the hospital on the 10th of December. He will be there for at least two months Recovery time is several months after that. The good side of this is that it has a good chance of curing his cancer, the down side id that this will be one hell of a tough ride for Max and the odds are against him...The donor is a good match (10 out of 10), so we couldn't ask for any better...Max is very strong (mentally and emotionally) and has a very positive attitude...Max has asked for a new laptop computer for Christmas, which will come in handy.

Our family who deals with special needs and disabilities knows what it is like to struggle and wish for things to make life easier.  This boy needs some help.  He is fighting the fight of his life and all he wants is what we all have, a computer to communicate with friends and family and maybe even blog about his struggles to help others deal with what he himself is going through.

Please take the time to show your support.  I know his family will appreciate it.  Even if you donate two bucks, it's more than nothing.

God Bless!

I often search the web for useful information for my blog.  Well that and I love reading content, especially content that appeals to me where I can learn and share with others.

One of my sponsors is BC info pages and I have to tell you.  If you are looking for great content to share with others this is a must stop for any blogger.

There are articles for every category and I know you will find something bound to catch your eye.  Articles on animals, arts and entertainment, business, cancer, credit and mortgages, health and fitness, holiday toys, kids and teens, movies and tv and so much more.

This site is a helpful resource chalk filled with info.  Plus it's a Canadian site so of course I want you to know about being I'm a proud canuck and all, lol.

So go ahead and take a moment to drop by BC info pages and don't forget to leave me some comment luv!

Have a great day!

Well it was 3 1/2 month ago when I first reported on young Victoria (Tori) Stafford the little girl who went missing from Woodstock, Ontario.

Tori first went missing after school when she was seen leaving with a stranger and there was a small gleam of hope she would be found.

That was until two residents of Woodstock were charged with her murder, including a 19 year old woman.

Yet Tori's body still remained lost.


Sadly a few days ago they found her buried in the woods.

It makes me sick inside! It really does. I hate it, seeing children as the victims to crimes like this carried out by people who don't deserve jail but worse!

Tori's mom put a note on her door saying she would contact the media later and for everyone to just allow the family to get a hold over finding the remains of their daughters body and grieve her final coming home.

I hope the media listens.

I did not know Tori, nor her family but I want them to know there are many Canadians who are grieving for Tori right along with them. It truly is sad this happened, though I am relieved her remains were found and now her family can finally bring her home for a proper burial.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Police confirm Tori Stafford body found (nationalpost.com)

Triggers... triggers... and some high emotions swirled through both GB (gamerboy) and myself yesterday when the news broke that a fire had started in Westbank around 3 in the afternoon and was raging out of control.

Back in 2003 Kelowna had one of the worst fires in British Columbia history. 239 homes were destroyed, thousands evacuated as we watched for over a month the hills burn alive with bright embers that were so brilliantly beautiful to watch, but so scary to think about especially since we'd lived there during the course of this treacherous and emotional event.


GB and I decided to move to Kelowna the month the fire broke. It was strange, too. One of my bff's T whom we lived next door to in Abbey told me not to go. She'd had a dream I was in a fire or near a fire off the apartment I lived in.
But off we went.

I was beginning a new chapter in life as a single mom. I wanted a change of scenery and had never moved far away from my parents and wanted to try it. Plus GB's biological father lived up in Vernon and thought it would benefit my son to be around him (another story for another time).

I remember how enamored with firemen and bright shiny trucks he was back then. We would walk around town with him wearing his fire jacket while he told everyone (who already knew) the town was on fire and how cool it was lol.

Well it wasn't so cool yesterday when we heard the news about Westbank.

The heavy heat and humidity caused the area to be so dry and with winds gusting at almost up to 60km an hour, the fire began and jumped out of control just off of Glenrosa, later hopping the highway to entering neighboring areas causing the evacuation of the first 10,000 people.

My mom immediately called her sister who is just off Glenrosa and she was okay at the time. An hour later we called and no answer, she'd been evacuated as the fire was burning just above her home.

Highway 97 was closed leading into Kelowna and the only route into the city was through back roads and woods. Mmmm not tempting as everyone lay glued to the news on alert as the fire continued.

I called Shoelessmommy she was camping with friends and I wanted to inform her what was going on since I knew she had no television and no data device too hear about this. One of her good friends lived off Glenrosa and I thought she'd be concerned. Her friend had been evacuated as well at around four pm.

My biggest concern though wasn't so much the fire as it was GB. His biological father still lives up in Kelowna and guess where? Yep, Westbank.

We couldn't reach Tom on his cell phone, most likely because he didn't have minutes. I sent him a text message letting him know to call his son as well as two emails.

GB sat in DH's (dear hubby's) arms and cried and cried. He was so worried about Tom and then later that worry turned to anger, for both of us.
What kind of person doesn't call his ten year old son knowing his son most likely saw the news and was worried?

Then I told myself that he was probably taking care of himself and just didn't think about GB. They haven't seen one another in over two years and are just beginning to establish a relationship with one another again, and I told GB (wiping his tears) his dad was probably okay since nobody had been injured from fire, but only evacuated.

Still that didn't make my ten year old son who is emotional and wears his heart on his sleeve like his mum very happy. We ended up snuggling downstairs all night together because he needed that comfort.

My stepson Cole also lives in the region, but in Kelowna where it is safe. Still DH called him since he knew that his grandparents were in Westbank and wanted to make sure his son was emotionally alright. We are supposed to be picking Cole up next week for family vaca for two weeks, but now we have to wait and see if the roads will even be open heading into Kelowna.

Firefighters hope to make a dent in the fire today (Sunday) with the warmer weather calming some, along with the winds slowing down.

100 hectares in Rose Valley have been lost, 10 km north of Genrosa where the fire first broke. Difficult terrain is causing firefighters to have their work cut out for them.

You could see water bombers dropping loads on the news and hear the helicopters and planes in the background with each report that came flooding into the television station from local residents sending in videos, texts and images via cell phones and web cams. It was quite surreal watching.

Cost is not an issue in fighting these fire, the minister told Global news. Everything they have will be put into stopping them. That was seen when another 120 men joined the forces on the front lines Sunday morning.

The firefighters courage has never been an issue though. That was clearly seen back in 2003 as the men worked around the clock, some of them watching own homes burn around them.

Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated now with more on alert in the area. The fire has taken nine homes with no injuries to report as of yet, and more homes are expected to be destroyed, though the men on the front lines have high hopes that today's weather might cut them some slack.

When it first broke it was reported only 15 hectares. By the afternoon it had jumped to 50 hectares. By late evening the fires had totaled up to 500 hectares (300 in the Glenrosa) area alone.
It's just awful!

Residents in Gellatly Bay, Seclusion Bay, Witworth Road and Goat’s Peak were all ordered along with Rose Valley and Glenrosa residents which brought the total to 10,000 people out of their homes with no way into the city and all most likely heading to the emergency shelters set up on the outskirts of town at community centers and halls.

The following areas were placed on evacuation alert as well:
○ Hwy 97 west of Elliot Road
○ South Rubicon Road, south and west of Smith Creek Road
○ Paynter Road
○ Glencoe Road
○ Windt Road
○ Pop Road, Scharf Road
○ Solar Road
○ Delray Road, Shelter Road
○ Broadview/Elliot Road (this is the eastern boundary of alert area)
○ Telcor Place, Twin Pl, Sandberg Rd, Doucette Drive, Summerville Crt
○ Summerville Place, Salish Road, Harold Road, Sugosa Place
○ Rubicon Road, Reece Road west of Elliot Road, Neufield Crescent
○ Rufli Road
○ Butt Road west of Elliot Road, Main Street west of Elliot Road
○ Taneda Road and Lower Glenrosa Road between Delray and Powers Creek


Residents who want information on evacuation procedures or updates are being asked to call 250-469-8490 and if they can't make it to the evacuation center are being asked to call this number 778-797-2269 and register by phone so that loved ones who call in will be told of their safety.

Thank you to roleypoley for providing this video to us via youtube. My prayers go out to all my loved ones (auntie Wannie, Tom, Cole's grandparents and all our friends who live there.) I won't lie I'm glad I moved lol.

We love you be safe!

I don't watch the news very often. Mostly due to stories like these that cause my skin to crawl and jump off my body, worries to creep into my dreams at night as I lay restless thinking about how on earth I can keep my boys safe in such a surrounding mess of violence and hate.

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