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Summer Adventures In My BackYard

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Grand River

With the official kickoff of Summer happening tomorrow June 21st, many of us are busy planning our summer vacations.  What plans do you have this summer?  It is such a short season, and we have had alot of rain and not as warm as usual.

Some of us will be jumping on a plane and travelling to far away distant lands.  For others like myself, we will be staying around locally and discovering the many hidden “adventures in my backyard”.

Sometimes you don’t have to travel far to feel like you are in a far away land.  Often times just travelling around the neighbourhood can feel like a new escape.  It is all a mindset, or perhaps taking a different road on your daily commute.  We are so lucky to have so many beautiful places in this little part of the World.

Elora, Fergus, Elmira, St. Jacobs and Guelph are just a few of the great little Towns and Villages to go exploring this summer.  Pack a picnic, test out the local cuisine, farmers markets, jump in the local Lakes, or take in an event there are hundreds and watch the world go by.

Here are some great links to place in the area to discover, https://www.wellington.ca/en/business/EDVisitWellington.aspx.  Follow us this summer as we go exploring discovering new places and people this season!

Talk soon,

Nancy

Summer Trail Adventures

ADVENTURE AWAITS

This Girl would have been 101 Today!

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grandma

There are some benefits of social media, such as the memories feature on your Facebook.  While sipping my first coffee of the day I checked out my social media.  I am not so sure this is the best use of my time, or if it is the most beneficial way to start the day.  

I hear yoga is a great way to start the day with a little meditation.  It sounds good, but I am privy to my FB and checking out what’s going on in the world of my friends updates, and news updates.  I admit I am forgetful and don’t always know when someone’s Birthday is.  I like FB for that type of reminder.  

This morning this picture showed up of my Grandmother.  It was taken on May 16th, 2014, she had turned 96 that year.  She so wanted to join the 100-year-old club.  Sadly she didn’t make it.  However she did live 96 long years of life and today would have marked her 101 year Birthday!

Grandma I thought of you today and I remember when I snapped this picture of you above.  The silly Birthday hat, and colourful balloon and few little things to make you feel special.    Here are 50 thoughts I have today on your 101 Birthday.

  1. Happy Birthday Grandma
  2. Life is awesome
  3. We Miss You
  4. Love you
  5. Meaghan and Noah are getting so big
  6. The weather is finally getting better
  7. The birds are coming now
  8. I bet your squirrel will be coming soon to see you
  9. Do you want to play scrabble
  10. Did I say we miss you
  11. Your house you lived in for all those years has a young happy family in it now
  12. Miss those Christmas’s at your house
  13. Remember when we went swimming in the summer
  14. I loved your raspberries
  15. You were a great gardener
  16. I love your toastites
  17. Sandy was the best Dog ever
  18. I ll bet you miss going to Midland
  19. How did you have 5 kids, 5 years apart
  20. What was your greatest fear
  21. You never really liked a lot of affection, not kissy feely
  22. You always listened to every word when people spoke
  23. You were the best scrabble player 
  24. You love big
  25. You were so kind
  26. Big hearted person
  27. I remember your funky Nissan van
  28. Thanks for all the great memories with David and I
  29. You took my other Grandma places, she loved it
  30. Thanks for the “special Nancy, David, days”
  31. You would not believe your house now
  32. The Airport sold
  33. You loved a big lunch, it was your meal of the day
  34. How did you have so many kids
  35. You were the same age as me, when you had your last 2 kids
  36. I know I was your favourite oldest Granddaughter
  37. I am writing in the Guelph Today
  38. I bought a house finally
  39. We are so happy now, Meg, Noah and Me.
  40. Matt always talks so fondly of you.
  41. Mom and Dad are good
  42. I wish I could take you out a Rocky’s hotdog
  43. Len was your greatest love
  44. We loved you fiercely
  45. You kept the family together
  46. It is not the same without you
  47. How come you didn’t have more comfortable things
  48. Did you have a party when you went to Heaven
  49. I loved reading to you
  50. Simple Abundance

The Lovely SMILING Crossguard Mary-Ellen!

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cross

I like to watch people from a distance.  Having watched this crossing guard at my children’s school for the past few years at J.D. Hogarth Public School in Fergus.  I have always thought this women must really enjoy her job. 

Mary-Ellen is that kind of person who always has a smile on her face.  You know those kind of people who are always so cheerful no matter what the weather is doing.  I see her standing in the rain or snow in the early morning hours and she is always bright and cheerful despite the weather.  I have watched her and she seems to have that natural ability to chat with others and always has something kind to say when you see her.

I had more of a chance to chat with her recently while waiting in line a the local post office.  While tapping my toes trying to wait patiently for the elderly women in front of me, I turned to the lady behind me who was staring patiently out the window with a smile.

The lady behind me in the line was certainly recognizable with her bright yellow jacket on and her infectious smile.  Like many others to pass time we began to chat about the weather and she mentioned she “had that cold going around”.   She said “she didn’t want to get out of bed that morning, but always feels better when she puts her smile on and gets going!”  

When asked if she wakes up like that she chuckled and said, “she has been asked that question often before.”  Mary-Ellen said,  “No I have to remind myself you can go thru life either smiling or frowning.  She said, “she chooses to smile!”

She said she “loves her job, and loves working outside”.  I told her how much I appreciated her happy disposition and that she just puts a smile on my face every time I see her. 

Well time didn’t permit me that morning to take care of my business in the post office that morning, but I was sure glad I had bumped into “My favorite crossing guard” as she just made my day, as I needed a reminder on how I could choose to smile or not thru-out my day!

I had asked her when she would be dressing up again and she said, “Oh, I am sure I will be getting the bunny ears out for Easter, the kids love them!”  As you can see in the photo, today was the day she wore the bunny ears. 

Thanks for always making my day brighter Mary-Ellen and keeping our kids safe!

Talk soon~

Nancy

Creating

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art

  • Thomas Merton. “Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.”

The colours in this piece of art I created remind me of water.  Maybe it is the Pisces in me?  Whenever I am painting or decorating my house I seem to be drawn to these colours.

I find solace in different types of art forms.  It always amazes me when people create amazing things with their hands.  I don’t consider myself an artist but really enjoy creating things with my hands.  I imagine a builder has that same feeling.  Or a potter, weaver, painter, when they are in the midst of a project.  I simply cannot image what the feeling of someone wanting to purchase your art would be like! 

When I create things with my hands I sometimes have that moment when time seems to stand still.  It seems like all the world stops and you are just in the moment.  That doesn’t happen very often for this girl, my mind always seems to be in thinking mode.  Perhaps you understand that feeling?

Or perhaps you know that feeling of gardening and getting your fingernails dirty and watching your tomatoes grow.  Maybe you’re a writer and you have a story inside you.  Company is coming over and you pull out your recipe book and are inspired to prepare a meal for family.  Creating comes in many forms and it is a gift to cherish when it appears.  

This was one of the best workshops I attended.  It was just me, the instructor Beth and those beautiful colours with an afternoon of creating!

Spring is a great time to start a new project.  What will you create?

Talk soon ~

Nancy

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A Walk in the Park

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One of my favorite things to do is take a walk in the park.  Anytime I am feeling life’s stresses or wanting to just take a few moments to remember what is really important, I love to walk around my favorite park in Guelph.  Riverside Park is my park, it is the Park I grew up in, it is the park I like to watch bridge to-bridge as my father calls it.  

I always love to think of the various conversations that take place on one of the many park benches I walk by.  I love the park in all seasons, with Winter just upon us, I love the stillness and the quietness of the image of this lonely park bench set amongst the river bank. 

When I take time just to spend 30 minutes in nature, I always feel better for doing so.  Why is so hard to get going sometimes, I often spend more time thinking of doing something rather than doing it at times.  This happens often on weekends when my paper arrives at its doorstep, coffee in hand and I plan my day.  My plans always include a little walk or two but often the day floats into night and I am still on the couch serving the internet or changing the channels on the TV.  

Why is so hard to get outside in the Winter weather at times when you know you will feel better after a little stroll around the block.  I put pressure on myself at times when the wind is howling and the snow is blowing to get outside for a little fresh air, as I know I will feel better for even the most basic of steps in the Winter months.  Clearing the car of snow, and oh the drag of shovelling can be overwhelming at times.

I am already counting down the days till Spring but know that we must first endure the quiet and stillness of the Winter.  Maybe just maybe I can be OK with not being so hard on myself this time of year to get outside more.  As it just looks so much prettier from inside.  The snow glistening on the fence, or the kids building a snowman.  

I have some gift cards for the ski hill which I know the kids and I would really have fun at.  I just have to find the courage to get outside and get going on those days when it just seems simpler to stay inside.  I used to ski but have not been in many years, and last year I had promised my Mother I would take the kids downhill skiing this season.  I guess I still have a few more months to accomplish this task.  Or maybe I could make it a fun outing rather than a task.  I guess it is all how you look at things.

Winter I LOVE YOU, I WILL EMBRACE THIS SEASON!

 

“When you change the way you look at things…. the things you look at change.” ~ Wayne Dyer

 

Talk soon~

 

Nancy

2019 Goals

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2019 Goals for the New Year

The New Year is here, it is January 2nd, with just a few days into the year.  I have been silently thinking of some goals for the New Year.  Since I am not one for setting New Years Resolutions I thought it would be a good idea to perhaps jot a few of my plans for the New Year.

1. More Contentment

I want to be more contented with my everyday activities. I want to feel more grateful, and be happy for what I have in my life today, rather than scrambling around trying to fill that emptiness or that void in the soul with more stuff. I am not sure how or what I will do but this is just something I am throwing out there into the universe. I was reminded of this statement when my favorite New Years Eve host Anderson Cooper said he wanted more contentment.

2. Get more Active and Fit

I am turning a certain age this year, and really want to focus on getting more fit and more active. Mmmmm… that late night gobble of that 3 pack of Lindor last night may need to be kept out of sight. Trying to fall asleep last night, tossing and turning I remembered that I had a small red 3 pack of those delicious Lindor chocolates which where in my stocking at Christmas. I slowly devoured all 3, I did my best to melt each one slowly in my mouth to make that feeling of late night chocolate last longer. Mission accomplished I know don’t have any chocolate left in my room, now I have to actually walk downstairs to get a bite. This will allow me to become more active as stairs are a good way to get some cardio in.

3. Read More Books

I really want to read more books. I have a bad case of staring at my phone too much, looking up useless information and causing endless google searches which amount in a whole lot of wasted time. I want to delve into more books which are sitting in my box just waiting for me to take me out of myself and transport me to another world. That is the power of books and I am so grateful when I find a good book as it is such a great escape from reality.

These are my TOP 3 GOALS……….. What are yours for the 2019 Year ahead?

Talk soon,

 

 

Nancy

2019 Goals for the New Year

2019 Goals for the New Year

Be Kind to Each Other The World Needs It!

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pic220181219-christmas-tree-ts-3

The busy holiday season is upon us with just one week before Christmas Day.  Lunch hour came and went however the memory of what made the day still lingers.  Much can be accomplished on a one hour lunch break, thoughts of going for lunch with friends, last minute shopping or a walk around Riverside Park in the sunshine. 

Choosing the latter option was a great chance to stretch the legs and clear the mind with a little time in nature.  A favorite path at Riverside Park which has been referred to the, “Bridge to Bridge walk”.  The walk started from the East side of the Speed River walking trail accessed from the Speedvale Ave. Bridge towards the Woodlawn Bridge.  As the footsteps rounded the pathway just meters from the low lying woods near the Woodlawn Bridge, there it was glittering in the sunlight. 

The beautifully decorated 3.5 ft. small pine tree was easy to spot just to the left of the path. Tiny red bows, a set of battery operated colorful lights, and a few ornaments adorned this tree in the woods. Underneath the tree lay a few presents marked with a Christmas tag which read, “To:  You, From: Secret Santa” A card dangled on the tree in a plastic sleeve marked, “PLEASE READ ME!” 

Looking around to see if anyone else was around besides the birds flying above.  Nostalgic feelings of past Christmas’s were brought up which brought a smile.  The card read, “Season’s Greetings to EVERYONE WHO READS THIS…..”  It spoke about random acts of kindness and Christmas being a time of giving.  “If you receive a gift, please enjoy it and consider doing a little something to pay it forward.  I hope it brings delight to all who notice it.” 

The world can be such a very busy place, Thank you to the kind soul who took the time to leave this very thoughtful message.  “Be as Kind as you can as the world needs it!”  This certainly made the day and helped to restore joy in the holiday season.  Hopefully many will benefit from this beautiful Act of Kindness!

 

Talk soon, 

 

Nancy

First Day Walking to School in the Rain

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Reading the title of this, you may assume these kids in the above photo are junior kindergartens?  Luckily these kids have never had to walk in the rain, or snow yet until today.  Having recently moved to suburbia land, versus the out skirts of the country, things are a little different for this 12 & 8-year-old. 

I mentioned to them as we watched the school buses driving by that they maybe didn’t appreciate all those times they got to ride the bus when it was raining and snowing, huh!  They both nodded as they had to maneuver their little steps to avoid the puddles and the splash of the cars zooming by.

This morning I offered to drive them to school, as I opened the door and saw it was raining.  “Oh no Mom, lets just walk”, said 12-year-old Megs.  I had to agree with her, as this was only the second week back to school, along with just the second week of walking to school.  I myself have many fond and not so fond memories of walking back and forth to school many many moons ago.  I remember those days when it was storming, and having to walk up and down a hill, thru downpours and I am sure if you weren’t country folk riding the yellow bus, growing up you would remember those days as well.

Well the little guy thought it was just the best when a gust of wind caught his umbrella and turned it inside out.  I voiced my concerns to little Noah, “hold on that umbrella or it will break, and that’s not funny!”  Well I guess it would be if you were 8 and walking to school for the first time in the rain, testing the waters and waters it was, the rain was creating these big puddles all around us.  “Don’t walk in those puddles Noah, your feet will be wet all day!”.  

My son refused to wear his socks, as I did today as well, my world is still summer with my sandals firmly on my feet.  However you will find my son not wearing socks in the deep of winter, and oh the thoughts of them walking in the mountains of snow which will be ahead of us sooner than later…. Bahhhhh.  It is still summer right?

Hopefully the kiddlets will navigate their way home from school safely.  I am sure they will, after all we survived didn’t we?

 

Talk soon, 

 

Nancy

Wandering Wellington County on Family Day 2018

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Promotional portrait of the cast of the television show, 'Leave It To Beaver,' circa 1959. Clockwise (from top): American actors Tony Dow, Hugh Beaumont, Barbara Billingsley and Jerry Mathers. (Photo by R. Gates/Courtesy of Getty Images)

“FAMILY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT THING, IT IS EVERYTHING.” ~ Michael J. Fox

Good Morning, Happy Family Day to you all!  It is the official 2018 Family Day here in Ontario.  I remember when this newish Statuary Holiday was first introduced.  I thought to myself, “What a Holiday for Family!”  Now a few years older, and a few kids later I am very thankful for a day to celebrate FAMILY. 

I am very grateful for my family today, and for me family isn’t just the blood I share with others, but many of the bonds and friendships I share, I truly consider part of my family too.  I must say I haven’t always felt this way, in my youth I wasn’t so excited when my (family), father and brother would drop me off in front of the high school in the old Oldsmobile leaving with a 100 waves out the window along with loud honks trailing their cloud of smoke.  I remember I would slither out of the car and escape into the students trying to be as cool as I could, whispering,  “I don’t know who those crazy people are?”

Yeah….. finally the weather is starting to look a little like Spring in Wellington County, the sun is shining, and there is rain in the forecast.  Hopefully clear out a lot of this snow.  But we must remember it is still February and I am sure old man winter is not done with us yet.

My plan for Family Day is to take the kiddlets public skating today,  I believe it is free, and you can’t go wrong with Free.  I think they may even have hot chocolate and snacks, and maybe a little lunch.    Later in the afternoon we are going to drop by my parents in Guelph, and enjoy the day hanging out with them. My son said “well, what are we going to do there today?”, I said, “Well Just hang out, because we are one big happy family!” 

Perhaps we are not always happy, like the iconic “Leave it to Beaver” family, but I know we all love each other, and no matter what goes on in life, I know my family has always been and will always be my rock.  For that I am eternally grateful, yes grateful even on those days we don’t like each other, or agree with each other.  Yep we all have those days.

I know there is lots of fun things going on today in Wellington County, maybe drop by the Wellington County Museum they have a whole day of fun activities planned, and its free admission today, with donations greatly appreciated.  Here is the link for this event, https://calendar.wellington.ca/museum/Detail/2018-02-19-1300-Family-Day

Maybe I’ll see you skating today? I hope you all have a wonderful Family Day, even if all you do is stay home in your PJs’ and just enjoy each others company.  That’s what it is all about, right?

 

Talk soon ~

 

Nancy