Tis the Season

Well the holiday season is now upon us in all its festive glory. I pretty much have everything done except for a few gifts. This is the first time in years that I can honestly say that. Usually I’m one of the ones that tend to wait until the last minute, but not this year. Many things have changed for me over the last year and the main one being that I have taken stock in the different areas of my life. I have burned bridges, walked away from certain people and things and twice I have had to hold my head up high with as much dignity as I could muster and now with the help of some real friends I have begun to focus on the new and improved me. My one job came to an end since I was just covering for a maternity leave, but another door opened for me and I walked through it. I not only changed my life focus, but I have also changed my work focus as well. I’m entering into a whole different area and with the encouragement of my friends and family I know I will succeed. The only thing I was not too keen on was I had to sign a paper to say that I would consent to having a “family work photo” taken. This business has a staff of 9, but is very family oriented. It’s a huge change from my previous employer, but a very good change too! Anyone who knows me knows I hate my picture being taken and hells bells, this one will appear in one of our local advertising papers. I’m not sure if I am eagerly awaiting this photo to be printed or dreading it, oh well, I guess with new beginnings there are many new things to overcome, but as I always quote “I am woman hear me roar”.

Now, I am one that does not like to have attention focused on me, but low and behold I was given a surprise party for my Birthday, well it was a few days before my birthday but I knew deep down this was going to happen, and even had a few clues that I was not supposed to have, but in the spirit of their hard work I smiled and looked surprised when I entered the house to the dreaded word being yelled out “SURPRISE!!!!” All in all it turned out very well and we had some good laughs, a few tears and lots of memories. I did warn each and every one of the culprits that pay backs are a real b***h and to remember that when they least expect it… I will be standing on the sidelines with an innocent smile as they reap the benefits of my warning… (cue the halo picture).

I am slowly working on my regrets and accomplishments for the year of 2012 and will be posting this soon. I hope everyone is either in the festive season or beginning to be. Until next time my fellow bloggers. Have fun, stay safe and live, laugh, love!

Lest we forget

                                           Remembrance Day

                        The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month

     

In Flanders Fields - a poem by Dr. John McCrae 

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below. 

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields. 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

   My favorite picture; my Uncle holding a picture of my Father 

Happy Halloween

This, that, and a little bit of those kinda days

I hope everyone that has been or will be affected by Hurricane Sandy is safe dry and warm. The rains that have been forecasted for my little corner of the world (Southern Ontario Canada) have certainly arrived full force. The weekend was rainy and cool and today they are forecasting the high winds along with, you guessed it, more rain.

Saturday morning was filled with rain, but that didn’t stop me from climbing into the truck and heading to London to wander around the huge flea-market. I picked up a few odds and ends including some farm fresh produce. I did have to really curb my wants when I came across a vendor who was selling puppies. OMG my heart just about melted when I peeked into a crate and saw the most adorable lemon coloured bassist hound. He was so cute and IF I hadn’t been dragged away from that vendor I’m sure that little fellow would have been tucked securely under my coat as I made my way back to the truck. We then made our way to the Sears Outlet store where I was able to start my Christmas Shopping. I really can’t believe that I have actually got more than half my shopping done! A few more things and I will be done. I’m actually very proud of myself since I have changed from that lost person I was a year ago to knowing what road my life needs to take and beginning to strive towards getting on that road. After the shopping in London was done we made our way to a small restaurant called Shelly’s. The décor was fabulous. It was so warm and inviting and the food was amazing. Of course I had to have a chocolate martini to go with dinner and it was the best I had ever tasted. I’m not sure how the bartender made it, but it was really good.  I arrived back home around 7pm, promptly got into my warm pj’s made a hot chocolate and curled up on the couch to relax.

Sunday was once again filled with rain so it was a good day to stay in and do all the much needed housework. As the sounds of music vibrated through every corner of the house I was able to complete the laundry, the vacuuming AND the dusting. Some things never change with me including my love for music. I can’t sing to save my life and I’m sure even the dust bunnies were running for cover as I became a white version of Tina Turner only much much younger, but hey I looked damn good as I strutted in front of the mirror with my trusty old swiffer in one hand and a can of pledge in the other. I have been on a fairly easy going diet lately and the dancing, sweating and constant dancing of housecleaning helped aid in my lack of using the treadmill lately. Over the course of a month I have lost 4lbs and 2 inches off my body. I used to attend zumba classes until I figured out that I can dance and mambo my way around the house on my own, so I got rid of all my zumba things and decided to once again branch out on my own. It seems to be working for me so that’s a bonus. My Doctor and I set a realistic goal for me and as long as I stay focused I will be able to achieve it. It’s amazing how easier it is to have a goal and have only positive re-enforcements’ backing you up. I feel so much better about myself and no longer worry about negative people constantly demeaning every move I make.

This morning I got a call from a dear friend that lifted my spirits even higher. It’s been eons since I talked with them and to hear that familiar voice reaching out over the miles was wonderful. We caught up on everything that has been happening in our lives and even though things have been tough on both sides we were able to be that shoulder each other needed. I felt like I could conquer anything and as we ended the call my friend read a quote to me (that person knows how much I love quotes)that I will take with pleasure; Make sure to surround yourself with people who think you're special who support your dreams and most importantly who accept you for who you are.

During the afternoon I was able to kick back for a change and just relax. I found a few movies kicking around and decided to scare the bejesus out of myself since its Halloween week. With a big blanket, a cushy pillow and a nice big cup of tea I curled up on the couch and turned on Linda Blair in The Exorcist. This version is the one with scenes that were not in the original and even though I have seen it a few times I was still scared senseless. If I hadn’t been scared enough after I watched the Priest throw his self out the window in the Exorcist, I put in The Entity and watched scrunched cowardly under the blanket as Barbara Hershey was being violated by an unseen entity. Now those are classic horror shows in my eyes. I’d never watch them at night, especially alone so the afternoon hours worked well for me….so I’m a chicken!!

With the winds of Sandy starting to blow I’m going be curling up on the couch with the same blanket, a glass of wine, the dog at my feet and a flashlight handy. The flashlight is for “if” the power goes out I won’t have to stumble around looking for it in the dark! Soooooooo “ bring on the rain!”

A Wonderful way to look at life!

This write-up came off my facebook and I thought I'd share it. A very good lesson on whats important in life from a professor to his class.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, he wordlessly picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full.. The students responded with a unanimous 'yes.'

The professor then produced two Beers from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.. 'Now,' said the professor as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things---your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions---and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else---the small stuff. If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Spend time with your children. Spend time with your parents. Visit with grandparents. Take your spouse out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and mow the lawn. Take care of the golf balls first---the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand. One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the Beer represented. The professor smiled and said, 'I'm glad you asked.' The Beer just shows you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of Beers with a friend.

A true story

I normally don't post this kind of blog, but if it will help even one parent monitor their child's Internet usage it's worth it to me. Please help put an end to bullying of any kind!

what a heart wrenching "true story"



http://youtu.be/KRxfTyNa24A

Just checking in

Have you ever run into someone from your past, looked at them and then think to yourself oh my god, what happened to you. Well this past weekend I did and was floored by their appearance, so much so that I didn’t even recognize them. I was in the Dollar Store and this woman came up to me and said hi. She seemed genuinely happy to see me and went to hug me but I quickly stepped back not knowing who she was. Before me was this older woman who looked pretty haggard. She weighed all of about 90 lbs and I could tell that life had been very rough on her, or she had been very rough on the life that was given to her. My mind isn’t what it used to be but I did try to get the old cog wheels of my brain in motion and put a name to this person, but I just couldn’t. I kept a smile on my face as she asked how the kids were and especially my oldest daughter. She mentioned the name of one of her kids and then it came to me. I was stunned to say the least. My oldest daughter used to babysit her kids. Now I know I’m getting older and I’m trying to carry my age as best as I can, but hell bells, this woman looked older than I am when in all actuality she is more than a few years younger than me. I think back to the days my daughter babysat for her, and just shake my head sadly. Back then this woman had been beautiful. She was classy and filled with life. The woman standing before me was so far from what I remember her to be that I actually began to feel sad for her. I stepped off to the side of the aisle so we didn’t block the way for other shoppers and without skipping a beat she started in on how her car ran out of gas just outside the store and could she get $5.00 off of me so she could at least get to a gas station. I had this strange feeling that there was no car and since the Liquor Store was right next door I figured she was a few dollars short for her drink of choice. I was going to politely refuse when she began talking about all her medical problems. It seems that she was (and still is in my opinion) addicted to drugs. She was telling me about how she needed to go for some medical treatment on her back and I was shocked when she turned around and slipped the back of her pants down to show me where she needed to get injections. Let’s just say that I and a few other shoppers were able to view the top half of her arse. This was not the classy beautiful woman that I remembered. At this point I just wanted to leave and quickly opened my wallet and handed her the money she needed. She hugged me and quickly left the store. I looked around rather embarrassed and one older gentleman smiled and said “life is what you make it” and then went about his shopping. I too continued on with my shopping trying not to think about what had just happened. I have no clue if there was a car or if she was now at the counter of the liquor store. All I can say is that my life hasn’t been easy and I have felt my fair share of pain and heartbreak and have even struggled through a few medical problems, but I can honestly say I weathered my storms a lot better than she was apparently able to weather hers.

As for what I have been doing with my time since my last blog, well it can be summed up easily, working hard and getting the house ready for the upcoming winter months. There are only a few weeks before Canada’s Thanksgiving and once that is over it will be time to start getting the Christmas shopping started. I know I’ve gotten a few groans with the mention of Christmas, but what can I say, I’m a child at heart. J