I always like blog posts that include a picture, so above is a picture of what's going on this week ... the de-decorating of our tree and home. It's a bit early for me to take everything down, but I want to have it done before this weekend and, as it takes a long time, I had to get started.
It will look so bare! AGH.
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But I have a question in this post, so you might have to make a comment if it suits your fancy. I know lots of folks read and don't comment, but perhaps today you may have an opinion to share.
The question is: do you make use of the shopping cart wipes when you go shopping?
(Do you live in an area/country that doesn't provide them?)
I am borderline fanatic about winter germs as I dislike being ill ..
(well, frankly, who likes being sick??)
Anyway, I ALWAYS use the wipes provided and I even stopped going to one of the grocery stores in our town because they stopped providing them.
(I spoke to the customer service once about it, she said the "headquarters" told them to stop as they were making a mess! I told her to tell headquarters that I will shop elsewhere because of that - and also to tell "headquarters" that Walmart, Target and our other grocery store provide them... and to be fair, they did appear again for a while in the store, but are not there last I checked)
Back to the subject: I have to admit that I am surprised how many people ignore the opportunity to clean their cart handle. Yes, I know that one can pick up germs from a zillion other sources while out and about; other items in the store, or just chatting with someone that isn't feeling well, but still, it is without a doubt someone else's hands were on that handle before mine. And touching something that someone else has recently touched is one of the prime source of spreading germs. Telephones, hand towels, door knobs, you get the picture.
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While I'm on this discussion (is it a discussion when I'm doing all the talking??), how about using the same pen to sign when checking out? That is SO not me! I bring my own pen (and my own "sylus" if I have to use the electronic signature thingy)... I remember clearly the day that the person checking out prior to me was clearly ill and was even discussing being ill with the cashier. Then I was next. I was supposed to use the designated electronic pen he had just used... and I looked at the dear cashier and said "I can't touch that after that ill man" ... the cashier was astute enough to grab a paper towel and some spray cleanser and cleaned the pen and surrounding area. Very helpful! (I imagine I would be a poor cashier, I would be always backing away from people....)
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My last problem is shaking hands in church. I hate to appear unwilling or unfriendly anyplace, but certainly in church I want to be friendly. But please, is there some other way to smile and greet someone? Does your church say "take a moment and greet the people around you??" - ours does and it is just impossible not to shake hands. (yes, I do carry hand sanitizer).
(Again, to be fair, in the height of last season's flu season they suggested we refrain from hand shaking but we've been back doing it for months)
One day after church I noticed someone cough into their hands and then shortly thereafter I saw the same person shake my hubby's hand. After their brief visit, I went up to hubby and said "don't ask me why right now, but could you go and wash your hands ... right now?" (yes, he did)
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So, do I sound paranoid? As I re-read this, I think I do.
At any rate, if you shop at the same stores I do, you will have a good chance I've cleaned your cart handle!
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Tips: eat right, exercise, get a good night's sleep and avoid stress...
and maybe use the cart wipes..
This is a photograph of a photograph that I took around 1979 while we lived on the farm in Hagen, Saskatchewan. It is of our two sons (number three was not yet born) walking a sweet tree lined path on the farm. My mother loved it and had it enlarged. 
and, if you notice, she added the third son.
And, since I'm featuring the artist genes in my family, my father also took some adult education art classes (he was in his 50's, I suppose, so not all that old!) and this cute winter scene is one I have framed and I hang every Christmas season over the fireplace mantle.
