Tis The Season

The snow arrived just in time to give me that last push to complete my Christmas shopping.  I'm not sure if it's going to last until Wednesday but right now it's a pretty, winter wonderland outside.
Inside, the house is toasty warm with the woodstove going and looks so cozy and festive with the decorations and lights.  Charlie loves the woodstove time of year.  Beside the stove is a stack of kindling and a container with newspapers and cardboard boxes that he loves to carry around the house and shred!!

Only a few more days until Santa arrives and the suspense will be over for Britni and Billy who wonder what he's going to bring them.

I want to wish everyone a Christmas filled with the love and laughter of family and friends and a New Year of happiness and good health. 

Lucky Bug

So here it is the middle of November already.  I apologize for neglecting to post in October but it was a very busy yet amazing month.  Three birthdays, Thanksgiving, Halloween and a trip to Ontario all squeezed into 31 days was quite a feat.
Paul and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of my family and many friends.  I feel so blessed to have Melanie and Rob Graham as friends that opened their home to us for the week and for family that went out of their way to share time and meals with us as well.

Now, onto the Lucky Bug topic. 
Since moving to New Brunswick 5 years ago I have been afforded much leisure time for pondering my seemingly blessed life.  Of course there have been times when I wondered how I would survive when times were tough but we all have those moments.  However, when looking at the big picture, a span of over 50 years, those points in time can sometimes feel insignificant when in actuality they were forks in the road.  Every fork a new beginning, a chance to move forward down a new path, a time for learning and for allowing myself to be open to new ideas.  I sometimes wonder how the negative things that have happened didn't devastate me as I've seen it done to some people.  Things like the end of long term relationships, loss of jobs, problems with my children, health issues, the deaths of family and friends, being the target of bullies and rumours, financial ruin....so many reasons to just fall apart, give up or at the very least to give in to the negativity and become a pessimist. 
Until recently I didn't have an answer to that question.  It was the night I was rearranging furniture in the house and in order to move the hope chest downstairs I had to empty it first.  Brooke and I had fun going through all the things I have saved over the years like my grade 8 report card and all kinds of school work and projects each of my children had proudly presented me with when they were young, even the braces off my teeth from when I was a teenager!!  Then I saw it and I knew...the small brown plastic ring box and the treasure inside.  I flashed back to the day I bought it when I was 14 years old at the fall fair at Hagersville Secondary School.  Fourteen is a difficult age and a point when I was enduring the  cruelty of bullies, hating school and just figuring out my parents knew nothing and only wanted to torture me. (of course the parent part wasn't true but it seemed that way in my mind at that time).  Then I saw this lady selling Lucky Bugs, simple hand painted stones of which I picked a golden one.  Now I don't remember why I bought it, what I hoped this little stone would do for me but whatever the reason, I made the purchase and have held onto it to this day.

Do I believe that every good thing that has happened in my life is because of this lucky bug?  Of course not.  That stone had a one in a billion chance of being picked up and painted and the odds were just as great that I would purchase it and save it for thirty eight years.  What I realized is that I AM THE LUCKY BUG!!!  Lucky in so many ways that it's hard to fathom.  Lucky that I have parents that believe in me even when I make the wrong choices, lucky to have friends and family that lift me up and carry me through the difficult times, lucky to have children that are both loving and forgiving, lucky that somehow I have received so much positive influence in my life that it flows over into every aspect of my being, lucky that I have been provided the opportunity to give others what I have received. Lucky that I have realized that on every path I have taken there have been some jagged stones but when I turn those stones over there has always been a smooth side to it.
So I guess the lesson my Lucky Bug has taught me is that it's not the stone you save that can change your life but it just might be all the ones that you didn't leave unturned.

Luck and Love to all that read this :)

Tick, Tick, Tick...

What a great month September has been.  Summer bowling ended for Britni and Billy and rather than join Special Olympic bowling we agreed to try out swimming for the winter.  No more night time driving in the winter and they actually enjoy it so much we are going twice a week!!  

Paul had to work in PEI for a weekend and asked me to join him with Britni and Billy so we managed to have a mini vacation...Billy's first time to the Island and we all had a great time.  Brit and Billy both had the opportunity to drive the golf cart which was pretty awesome and they were beaming!

I ordered some wood for the winter but am having a heat pump system put in the house so I will no longer need the wood/oil furnace...hooray!!!  I still like to have a fire once in a while in the woodstove so only 3 cords of wood should be needed.  The heat pump should be installed by the end of October after I return from my trip to Ontario.

In another week, Paul and I will be flying out of Saint John to Toronto for a week back home.  He is looking forward to the holiday from work and the chance to meet my family and friends.  We will be there from the 5th to the 12th so if you happen to read this and want to meet up just send me a message on facebook!!

Britni's birthday is October 1st, mine is on the 12th and Billy's the 28th.  Throw in Thanksgiving and Halloween to complete the recipe for another busy month.

Time continues to tick along and I will see you back here in October...Happy Fall my friends!

Yikes!!

It appears I missed the whole month of July...might have to sneak in two posts for August to make up for it.  July was a really busy month for me. 

First of all Paul and I enjoyed a weekend in PEI at the Cavendish Country Music Festival.  There were 40,000 people there the night Kenny Chesney played but we enjoyed all the concerts....Emerson Drive, Dixie Chicks, Dwight Yokham (he was kind of boring), Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Michelle Wright and many more.  I can now say I've been there and it would have to be a very special lineup for me to want to return.

One weekend we went to St. Martin's for the town wide yard sale.  While there I finally had the opportunity to stop in and meet Faye Henry, a very creative and inspiring lady whose blog I follow.  We have also been getting in some golfing and when we don't go to the course we like to practice chipping in the back yard.  Every Thursday night we are in Saint John for Country Star contest which is now down to the top 10.  There is lots of amazing talent around this area and I hope I don't jinx him but I am cheering for a young man from here in St. George, Tyler Deveaux.

Amongst all the fun things I've been doing I did find the time to have my downstairs bathroom gutted and redone.  It's so much nicer now with the opening changed from the kitchen to the hallway and I love my new bowl sink and old fashioned pump faucet.

Brooke is moving into her own place with a friend.  A new adventure for her and I'm sure many new life lessons will be learned.

So there you have it, July at a glance and now onto August!

Ontario or Bust!!!!

Last chance to sneak in a post before the start of a new month.  Hard to believe July is upon us tomorrow.  June was very exciting for everyone in the house.  Brooke and I got to go to Ontario to visit our family and friends; Britni and Billy got to visit Ontario for the first time and made all kinds of new friends while experiencing lots of adventures.

We left on June 6th, drove through the States and arrived in Falls, Ontario on June 7th at 4:30 in the afternoon.  It was a very easy and inexpensive drive, spent only $98 on gas!!  While visiting we took in Niagara Falls, Wonderland, Port Dover and St. Jacobs Amish community and farmer's market. 

 

I had the opportunity to visit with both my grandson's; Kingston and Jaxx.  What adorable little boys.  Very proud of Brad and Brittany, such great and loving parents! 

After lots of visiting, eating and sightseeing our vacation was soon over.  There is never enough time to visit everyone you want to but we always try our best.

I am planning on a return trip, either by myself or with Paul in October if all goes well.

Until then, onward into July we go!!

Paul and I are both excited to be going to the Cavendish Music Festival in PEI next weekend, lots of great entertainment and time to unwind!

See you back here with the July update and maybe even some more pictures :)

Lovin' Life!!

I hope everyone had a good Mother's Day.  Mine was fabulous, productive and surprising.  It started with a delicious breakfast prepared by Brooke.  Then Billy and Brooke helped me fill the flowerbeds with 25 bags of topsoil and stack rocks around them for a nice border.  Can't wait to fill the front of the house with impatiens, a colourful carpet of blooms that will last all summer.   Since it then started to rain, my mother's day continued with watching a movie with Brooke, Silver Lining Play Book, a nice cozy way to spend the afternoon.  Brooke then prepared one of my favorite meals for supper...Fettuccine Alfredo, Caesar salad and garlic bread.  YUM!!!  On top of all this Brooke and Rene gave me a beautiful Lilac Orchid and Rene painted my mud room!!  Awesome Mother's Day!!

What a perfect Spring we've been having.  Nice long evenings for sunset drives and the first campfire of the year.  The crickets were chirping and the frogs croaking along to the music of the crackling fire while overhead a full moon drifted above the tree tops...quite the sight!!  Paul's place back in amongst the forest is like a little piece of heaven on earth...very serene and beautiful.

We have had lots of great weather for drives and this is a picture of the sun setting over the water on our Harding Point drive to Gondola Point.

So that's some of what's been happening here in New Brunswick in the past month.  I'm now planning our trip to Ontario.  We are leaving here on June 7th, driving through the states and will be staying at the Days Inn in Brantford from the 9th - 14th.  This will be Billy and Britni's first visit to Ontario so we are all pretty excited to see the sites and meet up with lots of friends and family. 

See you all soon!  Love and laughter til then....

Just a Swingin'

There really has been a lot going on these past two months, not sure where to start.  I suppose the most happy news is that I am still seeing Paul who I mentioned last month.  Turns out he is such a great guy!!  I thought that my standards were set too high but Paul met everything I had on my check list, own home, own car, own income and possibly most important...own teeth...LOL!!!  He's smart, funny and very sociable.  What a treat it is to have a manly man around that enjoys family time, yard work and Dexter!!  He loves and appreciates my cooking and will do almost anything for an ice cream cone.  Fate seems to have smiled on me again and for that I am truly grateful.

My bedroom is complete and I am now able to enjoy some peace and privacy.  Next reno on the list is the downstairs bathroom.  The old tap broke and now the entire sink and plumbing will have to be overhauled.  I'm thinking since the sink and toilet match I will have to replace the toilet too so it will be aesthetically appealing.  There's always something to do in an older home!! 

Paul says between him and Billy they can cut the grass instead of paying the outrageous price of a lawn care company so we are going lawnmower shopping this week.  Also have to pick up a new gazebo since my old one got demolished by a windstorm last year. 

I'm still working on plans for our trip to Ontario...hoping for sometime in June but if that doesn't pan out will have to wait until September.  Flight costs are ridiculous in July and August!! 

Brooke is enjoying her job at the Universal Studios call center here is town.  Billy and Britni are doing great and over all life couldn't get much better.  Spring is finally here, the sun is beating down on my deck as I sit here on my swing typing....I think it would be rude to ask for more. 

That's it for April...love and laughter to all who read this.

March Update

It's rare that I blog more than once a month but there's been things going on that I thought I should include in my month of March.

Last week I decided to renovate my entryway room and give myself a new bedroom.  This is a large room that used to be a garage, and until now has been everything from an entryway room to a computer room and even my main living quarters for two years.  Since Brooke moved back in October I have been using it as my bedroom and as you can imagine, a bedroom in the main entryway offers no privacy.  I have had a wall built to provide a new small entryway/mudroom with a door now leading into my bedroom.  I can't believe how excited I am, the painter was in today to prime and tomorrow the new wood flooring goes in the bedroom and linoleum in the entryway.  Should be complete by Thursday when I will go shopping to furnish it.  I am trying not to feel guilty about this, it's been awhile since I've done anything just for me.  Everyone else in the house is well looked after and all their needs are met so having a little oasis for myself isn't over the top I suppose.

Charlie is really getting big...not much of a puppy anymore but still cute as a button.  He loves to ride on Brooke's shoulder in the van...not too comfortable for Brooke but he's a spoiled dog..what can I say?  Hahaha!!

That cool guy I met a few weeks ago is still in my life.  His name is Paul and we've been out a few times...such a nice man and has the approval of everyone in my house.  Those are some pretty high standards to meet!!  We were out for a drive on Saturday and these are a few of the pics from our adventure.  Such a great weekend with lots of laughter!!

 

Love and giggles to all :)

Farewell to Canadian Icon

Stompin' Tom Connors passed away today at the age of 77.

Tillsonburg....my back still aches when I hear that word.

Thanks for the memories Tom...R.I.P.

Welcome the Ides of March

Four more days until the clocks go ahead...and nine more til the Ides of March.  I didn't know that the Ides of March was the 15th of the month and there is actually an Ides of every month.  Ides just means the middle of the month so some months the Ides is on the 13th.  The Ides of March just sticks in my head as something to be feared...makes me think of evil Leprechauns but I have no idea why...LOL!  Now...putting the history lesson aside I want to welcome the Ides of March because it means longer days and that we are closer to Spring. 

I can't really say my life has changed too much over this winter which is a good thing I suppose since I have such a great life!!  However, I have been getting out quite a bit more than previous years meeting some really great people and having some good times with lots of laughter.  I made a very good friend that I went out with to play some pool...he taught me how to play 9 ball and I asked him if the cone shaped chalk on the wall was a salt lick...didn't want him to think I was uppity...  ..hahaha!  He then introduced me to a pub in St. John called Fish and Brews where we enjoyed a night of great live music, a few beverages and even some dancing...I now believe in miracles!!!  Just a great night overall spent with a really cool guy...fun times!!

Brooke has a new friend that is visiting for awhile.  Also she is enjoying her new job here in St. George.  Billy and Brit are anxiously awaiting the trip to Ontario..still no definite date yet but thinking it might be the end of June at the earliest. 

I guess I have a bit of Spring Fever because I had my living room and dining room painted and am now planning on building a bedroom downstairs so I can regain my privacy.  Hope to have that done by the end of the month if I can nail down a contractor!!

I think that's all the news in my little world.

See you back here in April :) 

I Forgot....

I see that I didn't post anything for December. I had a great Christmas this year with Brooke, Billy and Britni. Since this was the first time I put up a tree or decorated in over 4 years I thought I would post a couple pics.

Christmas Greetings from our cozy house to yours!

 

 

 

The tree before the presents :)

 

Brit with the tree...what a sweetie :)

Charlie got caught snooping the the stockings...looks so innocent! 

And The Wind Blew!!!

So here it is the middle of February already!  It's been a pretty uneventful winter weatherwise this year and that's ok by me.  So far we have only had two major snowfalls and some pretty cold days but this is Canada and to be expected.  From the sounds of it and pictures I've seen, it appears my old stomping grounds in Ontario got more snow than we did here in St. George with this last storm.  Sorry friends, but I love it when that happens...hahahaha!!! 

A few weeks ago we had some pretty strong winds.  Strong enough to blow my deck door open even with a desk and large tv in front of it, the tv did not survive the fall but it was an older model so not a big loss.  The chimney however is a different story.  The pipe on the top of the house came unlocked and blew off, it came tumbling down with a loud rumbling and vibrated the whole house.  When I went out to check it I tried to lift it, however it was heavier than it appeared.  I rolled it over to the porch and stood it up where it remains today.  Maritime heating came to take a look at it and just called to tell me some bad news.  The type of chimney I have is no longer being made so finding a new pipe to match the style that will lock into the existing chimney is not possible, going to have to replace the entire pipe from roof to basement.  I have made a new friend online that does this for a living and is advising me what to do.  It's nice to have someone looking out for me that has my best interest in mind and not dollar signs.  However it turns out, the work must be done if I am going to burn wood again next year.  I also want to look into this heat pump system that is out there, not having to deal with wood sounds good to me but I know this type of system will be very expensive.  Lots of research to do before anything gets done in the spring.  I'm just glad I have the woodstove and electric fireplaces for back up :)
So, do you want to hear about my love life?  Hahaha!!! I thought so!  Well, I don't have one..heehee.  I have met some really interesting people online, had coffee with some, just chat with others but am in no hurry to have my heart broke again anytime soon so am treading lightly into the dating scene with both eyes wide open.
My trip home in the spring may be put on hold due to the maintenance issues but I hope not.  Brit and Billy are looking as forward to the trip as I am so hopefully will be able to swing both things.
Won't be long now and Spring will be here...am looking forward to the time moving ahead and longer days.
That's my news for February, if anything earth shattering happens, I'll be back :)  Take care my friends, hugs to all!

A New Chance

Happy 2013 everyone.  I always get excited to start a new year...the wonder of new possibilities and new chances to improve and grow!  As usual I also like to reflect on the year gone by and I find it amazing to have overcome so many adversities yet here I stand...stronger than ever and just happy being me!

2012 went out in style dumping a foot of snow on our doorstep.  What a marvel it was to wake up and look outside to find the world pure and white...it reminded me of that first big snow when I was a child and how I couldn't wait to get outside to build forts, go tobaganning and make a snowman.  I have to admit as soon as that thought entered my head, it left and I thought about how was I going to get shovelled out!!  hahaha!  Luckily a kind neighbour came along with a snow blower and removed the bulk from the end of the driveway and my other neighbour, Sandy, helped Billy shovel what was left.

The wood stove is crackling and I am warm and happy with life...a great start to a new year.  I don't make resolutions but I do have some specific goals set for myself in 2013.  A trip home to Ontario in the spring, lots of road trips and since Billy has never been outside of New Brunswick other than into Maine I want to take him to PEI and Nova Scotia as well. 

May this year bring you happiness, love and good health.
Cheers!!