Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

2010 Contract


After serious & cautious consideration... your contract of friendship has been renewed for the New Year 2010!

It was a very hard decision to make... So don't screw it up!!!

My Wish for You in 2010

May peace break into your home and may thieves come to steal your debts.
May the pockets of your jeans become a magnet for $100 bills.
May love stick to your face like Vaseline and may laughter assault your lips!
May happiness slap you across the face and may your tears be that of joy
May the problems you had, forget your home address!
In simple words ............
May 2010 be the best year

of your life!!!

Merry Christmas

&

Happy New Year!!

How to Pack a Shoe Box

How to Pack a Shoe Box

Follow these simple steps...

Select a shoe box

Use a regular-sized shoe box or pliable plastic box. If wrapping your shoe box, please wrap the lid separately.

Boy or Girl?

Determine whether your gift will be for a boy or a girl, and the child’s age category: 2-4, 5-9, or 10-14.

Fill your shoe box

Fill your shoe box with a well-balanced variety of items from the following categories:

• School Supplies - Items such as pencils, pens, pencil crayons, note pads, and picture books
• Toys & Other Gifts - Items such as stuffed animals, small musical instruments, hair clips, toy jewelry, t-shirts, socks, and candy (loose, individually wrapped hard candy in a sealable bag)
• Hygiene Items - Please place soap in a sealable bag
• Personal Note - Include a personal note and/or a photo in your shoe box (not inside the donation envelope)

DO NOT INCLUDE:

• Toothpaste (due to customs regulations)
• Food and any chewy, crumbly, or soft candy: Including gum (due to customs regulations)
• Used items (due to customs regulations)
• Playing cards
• Liquids or items that could leak, melt, freeze, or break – Shampoo, creams, lip balm, bath gels, mirrors, or glass, etc. (these can damage other items in the shoe box).
• Items that can scare or harm a child – War-related toys, knives, and toy guns, etc.

Make your Donation

Please donate a minimum of $7 for each shoe box you prepare to help cover project costs, including shipping. Simply make your donation online or place a cheque or cash donation in an envelope inside your shoe box.

Drop off your shoe box(es)

There are hundreds of drop-off locations across Canada. You can use our drop-off location locator tool to find the drop-off location nearest to you.

Lauren's snow / winter suit

Tita Trish holding Lauren's snow suit so I could take a photo to MMS to Paul.

Hoping she will like and get use to it quickly.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

At Grace's 50th Birthday Party

Surprise! Ging-Ging's siblings surprised her with a birthday lunch at Casa Grecque in Lasalle.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

New Faithbook T-Shirt

Thanks Paul, Laine, & Lauren for your present.

I will remember to wear it the next time I lead Worship. ;-)

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Reading with, to Lauren Joy

Ready with Lauren Joy is always interactive.

Fw: CRL900 has departed LFPO for CYUL

Tracking Len's flight.

------Original Message------
From: FlightAware Alerts
To: Lito & Nil Espinosa
Subject: CRL900 has departed LFPO for CYUL
Sent: Sep 18, 2009 10:51 AM

CRL900 has departed LFPO (Paris Orly) enroute to CYUL (Montreal-Trudeau) for an estimated arrival at 05:10PM EDT

For more information visit http://flightaware.com/live/flight/CRL900

FlightAware Flight Plan (http://flightaware.com/flightplan/) -- Save time & money with FlightAware's free flight planner.

To edit or disable these alerts please visit http://flightaware.com/account/manage/alerts/

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Tita Nil's Veggie Centerpiece

Always creative, Tita Nil came up with this using veggies from her garden and a few from a friend's garden.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Look is sound asleep

Enjoying a restful nap. Beautiful Lauren Joy. ;-)

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

From today's recovery bike ride

------Original Message------
From: email@addthis.com
To: Lito & Nil Espinosa
ReplyTo: Pilo Espinosa
Subject: Link shared by filfsee@gmail.com
Sent: Sep 7, 2009 6:51 PM

lost the 15km from old port to close to Thelma. didn't restart Garmin.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/12831241

[Message sent by filfsee@gmail.com via AddThis.com.]

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Aboard the Oka to Hudson Ferry

Beautiful day for a bike ride.
Pilo & I riding the Two Ferries route - in progress.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Bike Ride With Freddie

We only hope that this ride of Freddie with Pilo and I will be the first of many to come.

We hope his interest in cycling will grow.

What a great way to see much of Montreal and the surrounding area and at the same get a good exercise.

Mom and Dad rewarded us with a Steak lunch upon our return. There was a sale at IGA- between $3 - $4 a slice of steak. Thank you Mom and Dad!

Mid Summer Night Bike Ride, 60km

Today's Daily Bread

September 3, 2009

Journeys

ODB RADIO: Listen Now | Download
READ: Philippians 1:8-18

I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel. —Philippians 1:12

On a map in the back of my Bible, each of Paul’s missionary journeys is shown by a colored line with arrows indicating his direction of travel. On the first three, the arrows lead away from his place of departure and back to a point of return. On the fourth journey, however, Paul was traveling as a prisoner, bound for trial before Caesar, and the arrows point only one direction, ending in Rome.

We might be tempted to call this an unfortunate time in Paul’s life, if it were not for his view that God was leading and using him just as much on this journey as He did on the previous three.

He wrote: “I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the Word without fear” (Phil. 1:12-14).

Even when our journey in life is marked by confinement and limitations, we can be sure that the Lord will encourage others through us as we speak His Word and trust in Him. — David C. McCasland

The journeys that we take in life,
Though unexpected they may be,
If we commit to follow Christ,
His work through us the world will see. —Sper

For the Christian, what looks like a detour may actually be a new road to blessing.

General didn't want to walk on water

What the heck?

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

At Casa Grecque

Attending Ashley's 26th birthday party at Casa Grecque in Pierrefonds.

It is almost10pm now and we are just about to have our dessert.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Lolo misses Lauren Joy

Looking forward to seeing Lauren with Mom & Dad when they return from LA this Monday.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Rewarding ourselves

After a good hour of tennis- frozen yogurt, yummy!

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Brunch at Eggspectation

Originally we were going to eat at Chez Cora's but we sat for awhile without being served.

We unanimously agreed to move to Eggspectation where service speed & quality is always consistent.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Lunch at Mommy Fish & Chips

Enjoying a quiet lunch with Tita Nil here at Mommy Fish & Chips.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Create in me a clean heart oh God

And renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence oh Lord & take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation. And renew a right spirit within me.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Canadian Passports

Our new Canadian Passports have arrived sooner than we were expecting them.

We were told when we submitted the forms that they would be mailed out on August 26.

Received mine yesterday & Nil's this morning.

Plattsburgh, NY - Burlington, VT here we come.

Woot!
Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

At Bois de Liesse

After doing some stuff at the church this morning (preparing the song selection for this Sunday's worship service) I decided to go for an extended bike ride.

I chose to head over the Bois de Liesse trail in spite of my slick tires on my road bike. I do not recommend riding through there on 22 or 23 tires. Too risky for slipping and sliding and scraping your skin off. Not worth the trouble.

Use a mountain bike or hybrid instead.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Taking the Metro from Place Bonaventure to Cote Vertu

Rode from Pierrefonds to the Old Port of Montreal and planned to return via the commuter rail service. Unfortunately those with bikes could only board at the Canora Station in TMR.

Took the Metro from Bonaventure to Cote Vertu and rode from there all the way back home to Pierrefonds.

Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.

Facebook Me: http://www.facebook.com/p/Lito_Espinosa/500934655
Skype: lito.espinosa
"If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it"

Contador’s Coup In Switzerland

Alberto Contador was expected to make an impression on the race on the first day of climbing in the Alps and that’s exactly what he did. He bolted ahead of all his rivals at the base of the final ascent and into the yellow jersey with an impressive display of climbing. Carlos Sastre and a host of other favorites would lose contact early but fight to limit their losses but they all appear to be racing for second place in the 2009 Tour as Contador was outstanding. He claimed the victory in the stage ahead of an impressive Andy Schleck and now leads the general classification from his team-mate, the seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.

The Progress Report

The Tour returned to the mountains with the 15th stage from Pontarlier to Verbier in Switzerland. On the menu were six categorized climbs, three cat-three – the cote du Rafour (8km), cote des Etroits (18.5km), cote de la Carrière (54km) and the cote de Prévonloup (74km), the cat-2 col des Mosses (135.5km) and the final ascent, a cat-1 climb to Verbier. There are now just two intermediate sprints for the non-time trial stages; points for the green jersey can be acquired in Thierrens (56.5km) and Martigny (181km).


[ more ]

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Contador’s Coup In Switzerland

Alberto Contador was expected to make an impression on the race on the first day of climbing in the Alps and that’s exactly what he did. He bolted ahead of all his rivals at the base of the final ascent and into the yellow jersey with an impressive display of climbing. Carlos Sastre and a host of other favorites would lose contact early but fight to limit their losses but they all appear to be racing for second place in the 2009 Tour as Contador was outstanding. He claimed the victory in the stage ahead of an impressive Andy Schleck and now leads the general classification from his team-mate, the seven-time champion Lance Armstrong.

The Progress Report

The Tour returned to the mountains with the 15th stage from Pontarlier to Verbier in Switzerland. On the menu were six categorized climbs, three cat-three – the cote du Rafour (8km), cote des Etroits (18.5km), cote de la Carrière (54km) and the cote de Prévonloup (74km), the cat-2 col des Mosses (135.5km) and the final ascent, a cat-1 climb to Verbier. There are now just two intermediate sprints for the non-time trial stages; points for the green jersey can be acquired in Thierrens (56.5km) and Martigny (181km).


[ more ]

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Burlington, Vermont Weekend

Desserts

Can't eat pork,

Swine flu...

Can't eat chicken,

Bird flu.

Can't eat Beef,

Mad cow.....

Can't eat eggs,

Salmonella..

Can't eat fish,

heavy metal poisons in their waters.

Can't eat fruits and veggies,

insecticides and herbicides.

Hmmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

M

I believe that leaves Chocolate and ice cream!!!!!!!!

Remember - - - 'STRESSED'

spelled backwards! is

'DESSERTS'

Update on Lance's Injury, Response to Drug Testing Allegations

Update on Lance's Injury, Response to Drug Testing Allegations -- powered by http://www.livestrong.com

Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life

By JUDIT KAWAGUCHI

At the age of 97 years and 4 months, Shigeaki Hinohara is one of the world's longest-serving physicians and educators. Hinohara's magic touch is legendary: Since 1941 he has been healing patients at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo and teaching at St. Luke's College of Nursing. After World War II, he envisioned a world-class hospital and college springing from the ruins of Tokyo; thanks to his pioneering spirit and business savvy, the doctor turned these institutions into the nation's top medical facility and nursing school. Today he serves as chairman of the board of trustees at both organizations. Always willing to try new things, he has published around 150 books since his 75th birthday, including one "Living Long, Living Good" that has sold more than 1.2 million copies. As the founder of the New Elderly Movement, Hinohara encourages others to live a long and happy life, a quest in which no role model is better than the doctor himself.

Doctor Shigeaki Hinohara JUDIT KAWAGUCHI PHOTO

Energy comes from feeling good, not from eating well or sleeping a lot. We all remember how as children, when we were having fun, we often forgot to eat or sleep. I believe that we can keep that attitude as adults, too. It's best not to tire the body with too many rules such as lunchtime and bedtime.

All people who live long — regardless of nationality, race or gender — share one thing in common: None are overweight. For breakfast I drink coffee, a glass of milk and some orange juice with a tablespoon of olive oil in it. Olive oil is great for the arteries and keeps my skin healthy. Lunch is milk and a few cookies, or nothing when I am too busy to eat. I never get hungry because I focus on my work. Dinner is veggies, a bit of fish and rice, and, twice a week, 100 grams of lean meat.

[ the rest of the article ]

Even at the age of 94, Shigeaki Hinohara's mind and memory are so clear as to put some of his medical students to shame

SHIGEAKI HINOHARA

Doctor of reforms

By TOMOKO OTAKE

Staff writer

Even at the age of 94, Shigeaki Hinohara's mind and memory are so clear as to put some of his medical students to shame. And even despite being Japan's best-known and most highly acclaimed physician -- and chairman of the board of trustees of prestigious St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo -- Hinohara shows no sign at all of tiring in his pursuit of reform of the country's hidebound medical laws and systems. On the contrary, Hinohara confides, with a twinkle in his eye, that he is becoming "more and more radical" in his drive to raise standards -- declaring boldly that "laws must be broken or they will never change."

However, this charismatic physician, who still treats patients, was not drawn to medicine initially. Born into the family of a Methodist minister in Yamaguchi City in western Japan, may well have followed in his father's footsteps until being deeply moved by the kindness and professionalism of the local doctor who long tended his ailing mother.

Then, while studying medicine at Kyoto University, he himself contracted tuberculosis, which at that time was often a fatal disease. Due to his illness, he was not only exempted from military service, but he says that his experience of being bedridden for months has made it easier for him to understand his patients' feelings.

During this recent interview with The Japan Times, the father of three sons and grandfather of six, who has now been married for 64 years, expounded on his undiminished passion for medical reform and his view of Japan's war-renouncing Constitution. He also confided what it was he whispered to the education minister at an Imperial Palace ceremony in November when he received the Order of Culture, one of the nation's top honors and one that is only bestowed on five of Japan's most distinguished cultural and academic achievers each year.

[ rest of the article ]

About time

Well, yes, it is about time to activate this blog once more.

I am still nursing a couple of injured wrists as a result of a basketball freak accident.

The first article to grace this blog after a long silence or inactivity is this first from the cycling world.

"Carbon Clavicle Implanted in Lance Armstrong"


X-Ray of Lance Armstrong's (Team Astana) fractured clavicle and the INFORM carbon clavicle implant after his recent surgery.

Lance Armstrong and Bontrager today released more details regarding Armstrong’s recent collarbone surgery. While it was previously reported that Armstrong’s right clavicle was screwed and plated back together after his March 23rd crash at the Castilla y Leon stage race in Spain, Armstrong and equipment sponsor Bontrager, jointly announced that he was the world’s first recipient of an inForm® CarbonClavicle™ Upgrade.

Originally slated to be released at the AAOS (American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeon) Convention May 18-24th in Las Vegas, Bontrager moved up the launch date of the inForm CarbonClavicle to aid the return of Armstrong to the peloton.

[ the rest of the story at roadcycling.com ]