Mosquitoes seem to be coming out with the warmer, moist air and even though I haven`t been bit yet...I know it is only a matter of time. Although I am very thankful they do not seem to be as bad here as they can be in cottage country back in Ontario.

If summer ever arrives, campers will start to want to enjoy the great outdoors and mosquitoes definitely put a hamper on things. We love to take a stroll through Fort Langley but not being campers ourselves I didn`t realize that Fort Langley had such an issue with mosquitoes. So much so that they have decided to conduct aerial larvicide treatments. I had never heard of this being done before, again I come back to I learn something new eveyday. :)

http://www.langleytimes.com/news/158504655.html

You would have to think there should be some concern when using chemicals of any kind. Dragon flies have been known to help reduce the number of mosquitoes as they are one of the 2 main predators to mosquitoes.

I know I have been with a hockey fan for over 22 years now and still I look forward to the end of hockey season. Especially since moving to BC, because he never misses a Habs game with the majority of the games being on as he gets home from work. Then comes the playoffs, even if his team goes out he is a true hockey fan and will keep track and watch the games....

Kara, Anna and their families are big Canuck fans...but somehow I have just never developed a love for the game, much to my hubby`s disappointment neither have his girls.

So...Congrats to the L.A. Kings...but now I get to enjoy 114 days without hockey. Before the cycle starts all over again. :)

One of my favourite things in life is a HUG!

Growing up my grandmother always gave THE best hugs. They were all consuming, the big bear hug kind. If ever I was feeling down a hug from her alone could cheer me up! I still love my grandmother's hugs but even more a hug from my husband or daughters...there is just nothing better in the world than that. It's no wonder a hug can change my mood, because a hug causes the body to releases endorphins that make you feel good. Hugs truly can make a difference.

Which comes to the reason for today's blog...I came across an article about the Senior public (Middle school) that I went to back in Brampton, Ontario.  Earnscliffe Senior Public School and the mission 2 young girls have taken upon themsleves. The school has a no touching policy that was geared to inappropriate public displays of affection...between boys and girls and even more important Bullying. I cannot imagine anyone disagreeing with that policy...but it seems these girls have been getting in trouble at school for simple hugs. In a world where technology makes many of us so disconnected, it's beautiful to see kids hugging. I'm appalled that they aren't allowed to and wholly support their "hug-in" planned for June 20th, the girls way of protesting against the administration. I look forward to reading all about the hug-in.

To read the article in depth click the following link:

http://www.globalnews.ca/toronto-area+students+protest+alleged+ban+on+hugs/6442654726/story.html

A year ago on Twitter I started to follow Rita Chand, a Victoria woman that made it her mission to hug strangers everywhere she went and then this year in February proclaimed it "The Year of Hugging Fearlessly". She is hugging people all around the world. Click on the following link to read about how she changes lives everyday!

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/02/13/victoria-woman-hugs-fearlessly-madly-deeply/

The young Brampton girls and Rita are such an inspiration!

I wanted to give one of my favourite shops a well deserved plug. I've mentioned the shop many times before, because I truly believe in promoting good businesses. Very proud to hear Sight for Sore Eyes has been awarded the 2011 Now Newspaper Reader’s Choice Award for Best Place for Eyewear in the Peninsula.

http://www.sightforsoreeyesoptical.ca/

If you haven't stopped by Rita's store on Five Corners in White Rock...you really must next time you need or want a new pair of glasses!

I broke 2 streaks this week, the 1st was not blogging everyday... :( (But I have a good excuse...I was fighting off strep throat, yuck!)

Finally I had a day where I felt pretty good and had promised to take my eldest to buy a new pair of soccer cleats. So we made our way across the border and had a pretty good mother/daughter day all in all...

All day I had been watching my speed staying within a couple miles of the speed limit and for whatever reason the one time I sped up....I look in my rear view mirror to see flashing lights. Of course, I change lanes not even thining it was for me. Oh, but it was...and that’s when I broke streak # 2, after almost 22 years of a clean driving record I got my 1st and hopefully my last speeding ticket ever. Of course, that is the time that my husband tries to give us a call, just when the officer is approaching our car. We did not answer his call, but needless to say my daughter...sweetheart that she is could not wait to call her Dad back and wanted to be the 1st to tell him what a bozo her Mom was.

So now I am left to endure not only having to pay a fine, (which should I go the online route, the officer said I could plea online and have it reduced or I can try to fight it in court) but now I will have both my daughter and hubby finding ways to crack jokes all weekend long... :)

If you decide to go across the border this weekend, the state troopers are out in force....drive careful and don’t say I didn’t warn you. :)

Did you know ladybugs aren't just pretty little insects? They actually help get rid of the aphids in your garden. As well as being considered Good Luck! It is thought that if you make a wish on a ladybug and it flies away on it's own the direction in which it flies will be where your good luck comes from. I didn't realize they were viewed as good luck across many different cultures....I truly believe we learn something new everyday! :)

Milner Gardens...one of my favourite places to pick up my spring and summer flowers! They have jars with 250-300 ladybugs for $9.99. If you bring in your used pots, flats and tags they will give you 10% off this Saturday June 2nd only!

http://www.milnergardens.ca/gardencentre-mail/2012_season/ladybugs.pdf

We were edged out of placing in the #CloverdaleRodeo chili cook. Even though Kara's chili was the best! :) But that's ok the three of us had a lot of fun! We were still mentioned...because we had the longest lines.

http://www.cloverdalereporter.com/community/152665725.html

Come out next year, because we will be voted the best!

Premier Christy Clark finally announced that Family Day will become an official holiday starting on the 2nd Monday of February 2013.

With the fast paced busy lifestyles we seem to lead, it's good to see the province getting on board with a day set aside specifically for families.

http://www.vancouversun.com/travel/adds+Family+holiday+second+Monday+February/6690732/story.html

Of course, today is the first day of bike to work week and it is pouring rain out! Such is life in BC....:)

Are you going to bike to work this week? I wish that I could, but unfortunately I don't think clients would appreciate me doubling them on my handle bars as we tour potential homes for them to buy. :)

You can actually register a team and log your mileage for the week...not sure that there is a prze other than knowing you have been a little more active this week and done something good for the environment.

To learn more about bike to work week BC...visit their website:
 http://www.biketowork.ca/