Busy, Busy, Busy

The middle of July already!!  So far the summer has been great, a nice amount of rain to keep the grass green and lots of warm, sunny days for traveling and being lazy :)  My friend Michelle helped me stain the deck, a lot of work and it got pretty hot out there before we were finished but the results were worth it in my opinion!

 I also painted my doors purple and got the flower beds landscaped so it was a pretty busy time leading up to our trip to Cape Breton!!

Our trip to Cape Breton with Britni was great.  We stayed at the Fieldstone Garden Guest house on the Cabot trail which was very comfy.  At the front of the property was a leather shop where I was able to purchase leather strap door handles for my soon to be updated kitchen cupboards and drawers.  Britni, as usual made lots of new friends and Paul was impressed with how high up we were overlooking the ocean, so a successful trip for everyone.

Billy had another great week at camp this year and is now looking forward to his next vacation at the tree houses in Miramichi with Mike Evans.

I finally got up the nerve to display my paintings at the town farmer's market last week.  I was so surprised by the number of paintings I sold and all the positive feedback on my work.  What a great incentive to keep going.

Paul even managed to come for a look around, he had hernia surgery on the Thursday before and was at my house recuperating.  Billy loaned him a walking stick he had made and he slowly made his way around the market, happy to be out of the house.  Now he is back at his home well on his way to full recovery and anxious to get back to work.

Last night while out for our drive we stopped at the old Pocologan School which has been turned into a home.  They were selling all the contents and the property so I had to have a little look see :).  What a wonderful couple that own it. I was over the moon happy to find a farmhouse style sink...BRAND NEW...for sale.  This is exactly what I was hoping to have in my newly renovated kitchen.  Now all I have to find is the counter-top, and of course someone to install it :).  The kitchen cupboards are being refinished, (painted) the week I am away.  Going from pine wood grain to an antique cream.  I am hoping this will brighten up the kitchen!

August 12th we leave for Ontario.  My friend Elsie and her husband Donny are coming with me this summer.  My main objectives for the trip are of course to visit mom and dad in their new rooms at Leisure Living and to stop at St. Jabocb's market on our last day to get my cucumbers, peaches and tomatoes for canning. In between I hope to see a few friends and relax as much as possible.

So that's the update for July, see you back here after my trip to Ontario and once the canning is all done!

Summertime....

And the livin' is easy....This song comes to mind when I think of summer.  The season I think most of us look forward to all year, the season that comes and goes so fast and the season we pack so many enjoyable activities into.  This summer is shaping up to be chock full of visitors, vacations, day trips and of course all the great food to go along with it.

So far June has started out kind of slow with the cooler temperatures and rain.  With a bit of help I have got the inside of the house whipped into shape for my upcoming visitors from Ontario.  Billy and I have managed to keep the lawn work done in between rain showers and soon the flower beds will be getting their face lift. Paul built me the cutest little flower box that sits under the window in front of my van full of pretty blooms and draping greenery.  The front veranda is adorned with two huge hanging baskets of purple petunias that stand out nicely against the yellow siding.  I am hoping to have all my outside doors painted deep purple this summer too...love me a little splash of colour!!

I spend a couple days a week relaxing at Paul's house.  It's nice to take my paints and just spend some time painting with no distractions. This is my most recent painting which I really like.  I want to do a few more of them with different types of flowers on each.

We still enjoy our evening drives.  Last night we ventured down to St. Andrews for a delicious supper at Old Time Pizza and a cruise along the water.  This little deer was out for her evening walk and stopped to pose for a picture.

Tomorrow is officially the first day of summer and overall I would say I'm ready!!  Bring on the visitors, vacations, add a little bit of crazy just to keep things interesting and happy summer to all!!!!!

Setting things Straight

Spring has arrived, the snow is gone now for another year and April slipped right past me.  I guess nothing too exciting happened last month to write home about.  So now it is May and I can feel the excitement of trips and guests arriving starting to build.

Brooke left for Ontario to visit friends on April 29th so Melody and George have been camping out with us for the week.  We have been having a great time with lots of laughs, bonding in the kitchen, and of course enjoying our drives when all the good talks happen.  I thought I would wrap up the week with a trip to Miramichi for a couple nights.  We leave tomorrow (Friday) and will be back sometime Sunday evening.  Monday Brooke will be back and our visitors will return home and life as I know it will return to normal.

Something interesting did come to my attention this week.  Rumor has it that someone in town heard that Billy helps out around the house and yard.  Their opinion is that because Billy pays rent he shouldn't be doing work around the place.  I will admit that my first instinct was to be pissed off that someone who knows nothing about us had the gall to judge.  Then I thought about it and my opinion is that they are just another negative Nancy with nothing positive going on in their own life so they sit around Tim Horton's exercising their loose tongue.  I asked Billy if he had ever been told this by anyone and this was his reply: "No, but if someone did say that to me I would set them straight.  I would tell them Peggy does nice stuff for me so why shouldn't I do nice stuff for her?"  This is one of the things I love about Billy.  He doesn't have a problem telling it like it is!  This is called a reciprocating relationship, a concept many adult children don't understand.  Billy gets it! When you do nice things, nice things happen even if that nice thing is only the good feeling you have for doing something nice.  Billy takes great pride in every little job he does around here and also the jobs he does for the town and anyone else that asks him for help.  He has so much energy that if he doesn't burn it off in a productive way it can build up and wreak havoc on his nerves.

I will tell you my thinking behind Billy helping out.  If I had an adult son living in my home I would expect him to pay rent to cover the costs of living.  I would certainly also expect him to help out with day to day tasks around the place.  This is a home and we think of ourselves as a family, not a special care home, not a group home, a family.  I  think people living in group homes and special care homes miss out on so much if they are not allowed to help out to the best of their ability.  They miss out on the pride that comes from a job well done and the feeling of gratitude they get from the recipient of that help.  They become totally dependent on someone else for every little thing and can also become expectant of having everything in life handed to them.  So many people I know have gone from living a life with purpose and skills into a home where they have lost those skills and become dependent with not much reason to get out of bed in the morning.Could this also be the reason behind so many people with disabilities suffering from depression?  Hmmmm??  

 I do believe in some circumstances a person with a disability can be exploited, made to do work and not receive their just rewards.  This is the reason sheltered workshops are becoming a thing of the past.  All people hired to do a job should be paid nothing less than minimum wage, period.  However, when being a part of this family we know that if we do the work together we have more time and money to do things we love to do.  The time and money we save allows us to travel to visit family and friends, explore new places, meet new people.  There is never a day where we are staring out the window watching the rest of the world go by wondering where they are headed or wishing one of those cars full of people would stop in and visit us.  No sir, we are far to busy for that!

The greatest compliment I have gotten was from Dr. Lister.  He grew up with Billy and has been his family Dr. Billy's entire adult life. He said to me "I have never seen Billy so happy, keep up the good work and keep doing whatever it is you're doing."  That was the best payment for what I do!

So there is my rant for today.  If you have an opinion, please feel free to comment below.  Now it's time to finish laundry and pack our bags for tomorrows adventure. A group of people, living together, helping each other along the way, heading off on that ribbon of highway, reaping the rewards of our hard work and dedication to our family!

Have a nice day and enjoy your Timmies :)

A Break in March

Tired of winter I decided a trip to Ontario was in order.  I packed up the van on March 17th, picked Brit and Billy up from their day program then surprised them with the news that we were heading to Ontario!!  We had a nice relaxing drive up, despite the snow we ran into around Edmunston to Riviere Du Loupe, Que. where we stayed for the night.  Friday morning when we left Riviere Du Loup the ground was covered but the sun was shining and the roads were clear.  With stops in Brockville and Napanee  we made it to Mount Hope around 8pm Ontario time where we stayed for the night.

It has been a relaxing week, enjoyed spending time visiting with my grandbabies Jaxx and Scarlett, Kristie, mom and dad, all my siblings and my friends Christy and Pat.  I am so grateful to have such good friends as Debra and Randy Vinzce who opened their home to me and my gang.

We finally made our way to downtown Toronto for a visit to the Ripley's Aquarium.  It was just amazing having sharks, stingrays and all sorts of other fish swimming over top of us and all around! Brit and Billy both enjoyed it as well as seeing the CN Tower up close.  

After a long week of studying for exams, Debra and Josh needed a relaxing evening so I introduced them to the Art Sherpa and they each painted a Bohemian Elephant.  We had a lot of laughs and a wonderful evening. Even though the paintings aren't quite finished yet they are amazing!!!

March 19th was dad's 87th birthday and Pat threw a party for all us kids to spend time with mom and dad.  Mom wasn't feeling quite up to snuff but it was a great time being all together again.  Thanks Pat for hosting the party and all you do for our parents!!

Tomorrow we have been invited to Easter dinner at Pat and Dan's, Andrea is going to paint a picture with me!  Thanks for the invite Pat!!! 

So, after a few trips to Dover, parties and visiting it will soon be time to head down the road again back to our life in St. George, NB.  

What the.....!!!!!!

Well I don't know where January went, sorry for the delay in posting.  It has been such a great winter, nothing exciting happening but weather-wise it's been a real treat. Today is February 5th 2016 and we are getting a nice amount of snow.  Its been snowing all day and once again everything is covered in a blanket of white.  We have had other days like this and then afterwards a few warm days and it just disappears.

If you follow me on Facebook you will see that Brooke and I have taken up acrylic painting, such a fun bonding time with some pretty impressive results.  We watch and follow along with Youtube videos provided by The Art Sherpa, Cinnamon Cooney.  These are such great tutorials for beginner painters and even those with more experience.  Next week I am planning a painting class at the program Brit and Billy attend to get them started following the Sherpa.  We are going to paint Birches in Snow which Brooke and I painted last week.

I spent a couple nights in Saint John for my get away this month.  It was so relaxing just not hearing my name being called for two days...LOL!!!  Tomorrow George and Melody are coming to stay over night so Brooke and Brandon can have their break as well.  It's nice that Brooke and I can switch off like this for respite, very convenient and can be last minute planning.

Other than painting up a storm, nothing is really happening in my happy little world which is always a good thing.  When too much starts happening we somehow manage to go off the rails with behaviors and that is never a good thing.  I am hoping, if the weather permits and my friends Debra and Randy are up for some visitors, to squeeze in a road trip to Ontario for a week in March just to break up the winter and perhaps celebrate Dad's birthday with him.

Here's a few of my latest paintings so we can compare in March to see if I improve.

See you back here next month, take care my friends :)

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!

Well here we are nearing Christmas once again. What a rollercoaster of a year it has been.  So many of my friends and family have lost loved ones, my parents have battled through illness all while moving forward with the new changes in their lives.  I, myself have been dealing with personal issues I wish could be different yet still, here we are. Even though there may be dark clouds over part of my year I still have so many great memories that help sustain me.  Lots of trips to visit with family and friends, meeting new people and making new friends.  Having the opportunity and privilege to care for such appreciative folks and helping them reach their goals!  I have people that love me near and far that give me support and encouragement, that laugh with me and cry with me, and when the crying is over, laugh with me again.

So onward full steam ahead I go into the Christmas season. Now that my shopping is done I can focus on baking, mailing off some special packages and watching the Christmas specials.

It looks like we are going to have a green Christmas this year, the temperature today, December 13th, is 12 degrees, sweater weather here in St. George, NB!!  So many of my childhood Christmas memories are covered in snow, like building forts, snowmobiling, tobogganing and skating over the holidays.  Thankfully my mom and dad created other traditions that required no snow.  Having Christmas parties, lots of Christmas music playing, attending the Christmas Eve service at Church, bundling up 5 kids and going to Grandmas for Christmas (even though we wanted to stay home and play with our new toys), decorating the house and of course lots of baking.  Even though pinterest gives me every recipe under the sun, I still count on mom's old recipes to make Christmas feel just right to me.  Snowballs which are peanut butter balls dipped in glaze and rolled in coconut, jam tarts and sugar cookies always make the list.

I had a great day baking with Paul's sisters Denise and Claudette.  Together we learned the secret to melt in your mouth shortbread cookies.  So delicious!!!  I am so glad we started up this new tradition and it always brings up memories of past Christmases baking with my kids.  Another tradition we had when the kids were young was  trip to Simcoe to see the lights.  Now I have found a few places out here that have lights to music that we go see.  I am happy that my parents started traditions with me to pass down.

Brooke and I have set up a workshop in her basement and made a few Christmas gifts.  It's nice to have a place to work and not have to clean up and put everything away when we are finished working for the day.  Dad gave me a few tools before they moved so I am learning as I go how to use the power tools and so far I still have all my fingers attached.  We also have an area for painting which inspired me to dig out an old cast iron frying pan I found at Paul's house.  He used it years ago when he took his kids camping.  Now he can hang it by his wood stove as a reminder of good times :)

Brooke found this quote for her boyfriend's mom who recently lost her mother.  We made the sign from scraps of wainscoting and she painted it, I think it turned out very nice.

These are what I call my "Little Scrappers" because they are made from the scraps leftover when we did some renovations at Brooke's house.  The round snowmen sitting on the ends are not attached. They are just some little decorations I made with old cd's and battery operated tea lights for the nose.

Now you know what I've been up to the past couple of months.  Soon the big day will be here and gone and we will move forward into a bright and shiny new year.   I hope this Christmas season you and your families are enjoying traditions old and new.

Merry Christmas from our house to yours, see you in the New Year!!!

Summer Wrap Up

The leaves are turning and summer is ending.  What a fantastic summer I have had!!  So many awesome trips and fun visiting with family and friends, making some new friends along the way.

September brought me back to Ontario for the auction sale of mom and dad's household items.  The sale went well and the house was emptied.  After many trips in and out of the house over the past month, my sister has been working hard to ready it for auction on October 31st.  I was able to bring back a van full of treasures and memories, all of which have been placed throughout my house as loving reminders of my parents and grandparents.

My good friend Elsie came along for the trip providing lots of laughs and great company.

We hope to make this a yearly trip so we can load up on the fresh fruits and vegetables at St. Jacobs.  I bought a half bushel of baby cuc's for half the price I would pay here in New Brunswick.  If I had more room and more time once returning home, I would have bought more things but the dill pickles and pickled pumpkin we made will make a nice addition to our Thanksgiving and Christmas buffets.

I learned that Melody (she lives with Brooke) loves canning and was a great help.

 After the trip to Ontario it was time for Britni's vacation.  We ventured off to Nova Scotia, travelling the coast down to Digby then around to Lunenburg stopping at lots of roadside stands, gift and craft shops and antique stores.  Britni made lots of new friends and got to have lunch at The Salt Shaker restaurant where John Catucci from You Gotta Eat Here (one of her favorite tv shows) filmed.

Home again but not for long.  A beautiful Saturday beckoned us out into the sunshine to pick some apples.  We loaded everyone into the van and headed up to Gagetown, Charlotte's orchard to get some nice Courtland and Mac's to make pies, apple dumplings and applesauce with.  With many hands to help it didn't take long to pick a bushel plus another 20 lbs!

Brooke and I volunteered to make apple dumplings with homemade caramel sauce for the Community Living Center Thanksgiving lunch with some of our bounty.  Always nice to give back when we can :)

Brit celebrated her 30th birthday on the first of October, next is Thanksgiving, my birthday, Billy's brithday (big 55) on the 28th and then wrap up the month with Halloween.  Never a dull moment, we are so lucky!!

My mom is going in for her reversal surgery tomorrow.  We will be praying all goes smoothly for her this time and before she knows it she will be healed up and once again moving forward with her life. 

Cheers everyone and Happy Fall!!!!!! 

Loving Life

So here it is, August already.  What a wonderful summer this has been so far.  We enjoyed a successful trip to Ontario in June for my mom's 80th birthday with Paul, Billy, Melody, Brooke and Brandon.  By the time we fly in and fly out, we really only have 5 days to try our very best to see who we can.  It's always a challenge to try and squeeze into peoples busy schedules.  My goal is always to visit mom and dad of course and they are always accommodating.  It's not quite as easy to catch up with the kids and grandchildren as understandably their lives are busier but I always cherish anytime they have for us.

Mom and dad are still waiting for their two bedroom suite to be completed at Leisure Living and in the meantime, Mom remains at Pat and Dave's.  I learned so much during this visit, one thing in particular is the crazy high cost of living in a retirement home.  My dad worked hard his entire life to support his wife and children and now all of us want the best for both him and mom, as I'm sure any children would.  I am happy for them that through the sale of their home, they will have security to stay together and live in the comfort they so deserve.  I think the hardest part for my parents right now, is going through all their possessions and deciding what to do with everything.  So many treasures collected over the years and having lived through tough times they appreciate every little thing so much.  In the end though, material things are just that, things.  I think I will try to keep my house uncluttered as much as possible so if the day should ever come, my kids won't have too much trouble helping me move on into my next phase of life.

Now as for the rest of June and July.  Billy, Melody and George enjoyed a week at bible camp.  George and I had a great trip to Newfoundland, for me it was the last province I had yet to visit so that is now checked off my bucket list.  I couldn't have had a better travelling partner for this trip as I got to meet and visit with the locals and hear all kinds of stories.  Newfoundland is a beautiful province and the people are fantastic, so friendly and helpful. We actually traveled the  entire coast from Port aux Basque to the tip of the North Peninsula to St. Anthony's during our week visit.

This is the lighthouse at Lobster Head Cove.
Upon returning home from Newfoundland, I was blessed with a visit from Christy and Taylor Patterson.  It was so great to be able to spend a few days with them laughing and travelling around.

While I was away Brittany, Brody, Scarlett and Brittany's mom Gillian were in New Brunswick doing some sightseeing.  They picked up Kristie and moved her back to Ontario where she is making another start there.  I wish Kristie the best of luck, lots of happiness and success in whatever path life takes her on.

So now for August.  My lifelong friend Pat Pettitt and her daughter Andrea will be arriving around the 10th.  This will be their first trip down and I can't wait to show them around our beautiful Charlotte County.  More friends, Debra and Randy are coming around the 19th to camp at New River Beach so lots more time for quality visiting.

September brings yet another and my final trip back to Ontario this year.  I am returning only to pick up a few things from mom and dad's house that they want me to have and then quickly drive back home to take Britni on her vacation.

As you can see, life is busy but mostly with doing amazing things with amazing people.  I feel blessed in so many ways for all the wonderful family and friends I have!!!

Let The Summer Fun Begin!!!

So April and May were a couple of difficult months this year.  Mom and dad had their world turned upside down but have both managed to come out smiling.  Yesterday mom was finally released from the nursing home where she had been recovering from her surgery in April.  She is now temporarily living with my sister Pat and her husband Dave until a double room is available at Leisure Living.  Dad has settled into his new home there but is still anxiously waiting for mom to join him.  Everyone will be together for the celebration of mom's 80th birthday on June 20th. Our cousin Rob is even flying in from BC to join us, can't wait to see him too!

Back here in New Brunswick it has also been a busy couple of months. Billy was recognized by the Town of St. George for all his hard work and dedication to keeping the town clean. He received a nice certificate which he is very proud of.   Both Brit and Billy finished up another year of Special Olympic bowling and are now planning their summer vacations.  We have numerous visitors coming this summer during the months of July and August which is always so much fun and the highlight of my summer.  Also stuffed into our summer is a trip to Newfoundland for George and I, a week of camp for Billy, Melody and George, a weekend stay in the treehouses in Miramichi for Billy and a vacation for Britni, destination still undetermined.

Kristie and Brooke are both doing well here and I'm so thankful to have them close.  We have so many laughs together.  Brooke has registered for school in April 2016 for makeup and nails so I'm sure Kristie and I will get to be her guinea pigs.

Now it's time to get my bags packed.  Paul and I will be arriving in Hagersville June 19th and then heading back here on the 26th.  Brooke and her friend Brandon are driving up and bringing Billy and Melody with them.  I expect it will be a fun filled week spending time visiting Brad, Brittany and all my grandbabies, family and friends. So shine up the marble board dad....see you soon!!!

You Just Never Know

April 9th mom was rushed into emergency surgery with a perforated bowel.  After a 3 hour surgery she spent time in the Simcoe General Hospital recovering.  So far it has been a long, hard recovery process for her.  She was finally able to leave the hospital and go into Cedarland Garden nursing home where she is currently receiving excellent care.  She is still battling some infections, bad reactions to some of her medication and now gall stones.  This woman just can't seem to catch a break!!!

Meanwhile back on the Martin homestead my dad was left on his own.  At 86 years old he is still very sharp in many ways but does have bouts of forgetfulness which didn't leave him the option of living at the house on his own.  I spent a couple of weeks with him discussing mom's situation and the prospect of him moving to Leisure Living where he has lots of friends.  Of course this decision didn't come easily for dad, he didn't know what would happen to the house or what mom's long term prognosis would be.  After the better part of the two weeks, lots of talking and a visit to Leisure Living he decided it would be best for him to move.

I can't imagine the loneliness and worry both mom and dad have at this point.  After being married for 60 years to now be separated, living in different towns must weigh heavy on their hearts.  I know dad wishes mom was living with him to take care of him and I'm sure mom wishes she was well enough to do that but as we have discovered, life happens and your life can change in an instant.  You just never know.

So once again I have lessons to learn from my parents.  I watched them struggle while I was there and now that I am home I continue to call them every other day or so to check in.  Even though their worlds have been turned upside down both of them still have their senses of humor and never fail to ask how everyone else is doing.  They really are selfless when it comes to their family.

I must also give them credit for the family they have raised.  My oldest sister is basically on her own taking care of both mom and dad, making sure their medical and financial needs are met.  She has a loving family of her own that have her back and us four brothers and sisters that appreciate her dedication and we help out when whenever possible.

I am looking forward to returning to Ontario on June 19th to celebrate mom's 80th birthday on the 20th.  I hope and pray that she will have regained some strength by then but we will meet her wherever she is to help her ring in this milestone.

In closing I will just say, kids...be good to your parents, visit them, call them and show them you care.  You just never know....

Just Before We Spring Ahead

Here's hoping the worst of winter is now over and we are on the other side heading into Spring.  Snow is still piled high here in St. George, NB, but the temperature is on the upswing and soon the fog rolling in off the salty sea will start melting it away.

Billy, Britni and I had a fabulous trip to Ontario for my parents 60th wedding anniversary.  We had clear roads with no traffic snags all the way there and back.  As always it was so nice to see family and friends.  We all enjoyed our stay at Debra and Randy Vincze's home as well as our few nights at the Days Inn in Brantford and a couple nights camping out in mom and dad's basement.  Devine's restaurant in Jarvis was host to the Anniversary dinner and I'm sure all the locals will agree with me saying it was a top notch meal.  I was thrilled to be asked to drive the Maid of Honor and after 64 years still the best friend to the bride along with her husband to the festivities.  Just spending time with Dorothy and Oakie brought back so many great memories of visiting their home for vacations when I was a kid.  Lucky for me their daughter Kim came to their house before I got there to pick them up so I had the chance to visit with her as well.  Kim and I had so many fun times together growing up.  I would spend a week in the summer at their home in the city and then she would spend a week with me on our farm.  A real life Country Mouse City Mouse story!!  Even though life has led us down different paths over the years it was so good to fall back into that easy laughter and friendship.


Brit's favorite part of the trip was line dancing at the Army Navy Club in Brantford.  She made lots of new friends, especially one named Mark and danced her butt off.  She had a blast!!

Billy enjoyed shovelling some snow for everyone, the big meal at the Burger Barn and spending some time with his little buddy (my grandson) Jaxx. (That was my favorite time too!!)

So there are a few of the highlights of our first winter vacation together. 


See you next month!!!

Brrrrrr.....

Happy belated New Year everyone!!  What a winter we have been having so far.  Wasn't it weird to have no snow and such warm temperatures in December?  I believe it was 12 or 13 degrees on Christmas day.  Too bad it had to end in January, we have seen temps of -35 on more than a few days so far.  Today it's mild though and what little snow we have is melting away again.

So how was your Christmas??  Mine was absolutely great.  It was so much fun to have Brooke, Brandon, Paul, Billy, George and Melody here Christmas morning for breakfast and to open presents. Everyone bought for each other so there were a ton of gifts under the tree but it didn't take long for everyone to dive in to see what "Santa" brought them.

Kristie left us to return to Ontario just before Christmas, we all wish her well but I am selfishly sad because I'm going to miss her.  My daughter in law Brittany called days later to say she and my grandbaby Jaxx are coming for a visit in January so that cheered me up...can't wait to see them both!!

Wow!!!!  Sorry but time seems to have gotten away from me!  Where did January and now half of February go???  This has been one crazy winter.  The mild temperatures in December sure spoiled us for what we have now received.  We have had more snow this month alone than this area has seen in years and the temperature has held between minus 20 to minus 35 all month so none of the snow has had a chance to melt.  Saint John declared a state of emergency and well over 9000 dump trucks of snow had to be removed from the downtown.

My heat pump went on the fritz and we are running low on wood for the woodstove so we had to hunker down at Brooke's house for a week until I could remedy the issues in order to keep everyone warm and safe.  We called it our "Staycation" and everyone had a great time together.  Just as we were gearing up to come back to our house I received a phone call from our social worker.  She had received an email from a someone (she couldn't say who it was from, although it wasn't hard to figure out...lol) saying there was a concern that Brooke and I had moved in together with all 4 people we support and were running an illegal Special Care home!!!  We both had a laugh over that when I explained the situation and I understood she was just doing her job following up on the email.  It made me a little sad to think that some people always want to think the worst of others even when they are looking out for the best interests of the people they care for.  I believe that this person in particular has screwed the system so many times that she is always trying to shine a bad light on others to take the eyes of herself.  Oh well, I will carry on as usual and have peace knowing that what goes around always comes around.

Now, if the snow ever stops I am heading back to Ontario this Thursday for my parents 60th wedding anniversary.  I have been looking forward to and planning for this since the fall, I hope the weather doesn't interfere with our plans.  My good friend Christy Patterson is flying out tomorrow to drive back with me, Billy and Britni.  I can't wait to see her and have some girl visiting time. She is also driving back out with me when we return for a little vacation.  Once in Ontario we will be staying with other good friends Debra and Randy Vince.  Here's hoping the weather is good so we can get around to visit people and also have the chance to take in the Ripley's Aquarium in Toronto.  That may have to wait until summer though.

Paul was down for Valentine's Day.  He took me out for a beautiful supper at the Mediterranean Restaurant in Saint John and spoiled me with flowers and a teddy bear,  What a sweet man he is!!

So that is what's happening in my happy little world.  Stay warm and safe everyone!!! Cheers til next time.

Preparing for Christmas

Here we are at the end of November already and Christmas is speeding towards us.  We had our first real snow on Wednesday, November 26th, the night Kristie and Brooke headed out driving to Ontario.  So anxious were they to get there, they couldn't wait until Thursday when the storm would stop and and the roads would be cleared.  Luckily they made it to their destination without incident.  In their absence I have the pleasure of George and Melody's company along with their dog's Zeus and Charlie.  Should be an interesting 10 days!!

This month Paul and I attended the Christmas Craft show in Saint John at Harbour Station.  The place was packed with vendors selling a wide variety of crafts, food, furniture, clothing and so much more.  As usual I look at the crafts and think, "I could make that!" and for once came home and actually did.  I picked up a couple pair of old skates at Value Village and filled them with Christmas decorations, sparkly foliage, baubles and finished them off with red and gold bows.  I'm very happy with the results and love how they look hanging by the wood stove...very nostalgic.

This week to help break up the monotony and to keep all the folks busy, we will be starting some Christmas baking.  Peanut butter balls for the freezer and some sugar cookies are on the agenda.  The second Saturday of December Paul's sisters, Denise and Claudette are coming over to bake and I have a very ambitious list of recipes to accomplish in one day but we will try to get through it.

The majority of my Christmas shopping is complete and I'm hoping by the end of this week it will be all done and ready to wrap.  The house is decorated and looking very festive, snow on the ground and my first fire of the year really help set the mood to get things done.

Time to make breakfast for the troops now.  Enjoy your day and see you back here in December!

Short and Sweet

It appears that October got away from me, such a busy month celebrating all three of our birthdays, Thanksgiving and Halloween!
I had a great birthday with Kristie, Brooke, and all the folks we care for.  After a great supper we headed down to Oven Head beach to take a few pics and then home for cake.  Thanks Kristie and Brooke for the awesome, red Kitchen Aid mixer.  Christmas baking will be a breeze once again!!

What wonderful summer and fall seasons we have enjoyed, lots of new adventures, shopping trips, laughs and overall good times spent together.

Now what is the best thing about Halloween being over with?  Christmas is just around the corner so decorating and baking can commence.  I love this house the most during this time of year, decorated and so cozy feeling with all the evergreen garland draping the stairs and soft candles burning, the warmth of the wood stove and the smells of cinnamon wafting through the rooms.

Today, November 2, we are getting our first taste of the winter to come with a dreary day of freezing rain and a dusting of snow on the ground.  Hopefully the weather is all clear by the end of the month when Kristie and Brooke are planning to drive back to Ontario for a visit and early Christmas celebrations with family and friends.

Take care and I'll see you back here in December :)

Remember The Summer

August is over, today the kids head back to school and the Christmas Wish Book is sitting on my coffee table...all sure signs that summer is coming to an end.  It'a a dreary day so a good one for savoring some homemade cabbage soup and looking back over an amazing summer season.

 The first part of August brought my brother Terry, his girlfriend Fran and their son Martin to visit.  What was supposed to be only a couple days of visiting turned out to be the better part of a week filled with excursions to Deer Island, New River Beach, St. Andrews along with many picnics, barbecues and loads of laughs.

The second week was our girls vacation.  Kristie, Brooke, Britni, Melody and myself headed to The Gentle Island, (PEI) for three fun filled days.  Brooke and I went deep sea fishing catching a ton of Mackerel and a few Cod.  Not being the best fishermen, we were more taken with the sights of seagulls chasing the boat, Gannets dive bombing the water beside the boat to get scraps being thrown overboard and a breathtaking sunset.

The next day Kristie and I took Brit and Melody on a trail ride through the woods and along a beach, very peaceful and picturesque. One of Brit's favorite tv shows is "You Gotta Eat Here" which featured a Charlottetown restaurant called Famous Peppers that Britni wanted to visit.  We had a delicious lunch of Pizza and for added entertainment we were witnesses to a thief running into the restaurant and stealing the tip jar.  Luckily the police were nearby and with the help of the restaurant chef and a few other bystanders the criminal was caught (without the tip jar) and taken into custody.

Once returning home Kristie made the decision to stay here in New Brunswick and so the fun has continued on throughout the remainder of the month.  More day trips, long walks, ferry rides and just good times visiting and laughing here at the house.  It's great having both the girls here, my cup of happiness overflows!

So there it is, August 2014.  Now onward into September and more NB antics.

Love and laughter to all.

Special Days

Wow this summer is flying by! What a great summer it's been so far though with perfect weather and great times spent with friends and family.
I got my trip to Montreal over with. That was an experience I won't be needing to repeat anytime soon. The company was fun and the drive there and back was great but Montreal itself was a mess of construction. Thanks to Debra Vincze for telling me about the WAZE app for a GPS so I was able to find my way in and out of there!
I also snuck in a day trip to visit my friend Pat in PEI while she was on vacation there. We didn't stay long as it was so hot there. It was good to return to the cooler temps  of the Fundy coast!
I spent a day out biking the trails with friends and need to do that again soon. Such a great time!!

 Was so glad to have this bandanna...it was a dusty ride!!

Crazy summer hair but Frankie loves me anyway :) 

Next week we head out to Ontario for a week. Can't wait to hug my grandbabies, see my kids, parents, family and friends.  We will be bringing the lawn chairs for evening parking lot parties, always a good time😎! My plan is also to bring back lots of tomatoes, corn and peaches to put up for the winter.
September will bring my sister and brother in law to the area so I also have that to look forward to.
Not much else has been happening. Still loving the good life and trying to stay out of trouble. Some days it's easier than others  hahaha!
See you next month💖

June has been such an exciting month!!  Our trip to Ontario was terrific, a whole week at the cottage in Normandale visiting with family and friends.  An awesome barbeque at mom and dad's and almost the whole family, 35 people to visit, reminisce and laugh with!  Then to end the week perfectly, Brad and Brittany's wedding. Paul and I had a great time dancing and laughing (thanks Kristie...heehee) and a good time was had by all.

During the mother - son dance Brad informed me that he and Britt were coming to New Brunswick for their honeymoon!!  PERFECT!!

So, after returning from Ontario I was blessed with the opportunity to spend even more time with all three (now 4) of my kids, having them in my house all together for the first time in more than 6 years.  Like everyone else that visits me here in NB, Brad and Britt fell in love with the area.  Brad has a ball tournament in Fredericton in September so we are all looking forward to being together again in a few months.
Kristie moved down here with us after the wedding as well.  The past few weeks have been so nice having her here with Brooke and I, just like old times.  I couldn't be more proud of her and the woman she has become.

Vacation over and back to the reality of life...spending long days on the beach, enjoying ferry rides and picnics on Deer Island oh woe is me...LOL!!!  Of course there are still the day to day household chores to do but a small price to pay.  So on we go into July and I'm sure there will be many more fun adventures to come. 

What Are You Waiting For?

I think my 50's have turned out to be the best years of my life so far.  I'm not saying that the best things have happened to me in the last couple years but just that I know more about my own inner peace and acceptance, feeling comfortable being me! 


I have realized more lately than ever before how often I have put things off until, well you know the list...I have more money, when I lose weight, the mortgage is paid off, the kids are grown, and worst of all, , when life isn't so busy!  Looking at some seniors I would say life isn't so busy when you are getting up in age and your body doesn't work the way it used to and you spend most of your time sitting in a chair wishing you could go out and do the things you used to.


In the past month I have lost a good friend to cancer and heard of another getting the news she has a brain tumour and two weeks left to live.  Cancer, along with a plethora of other illnesses seems to be swallowing us up one by one.  All of a sudden it seems life has become more a game of Russian Roulette.  Not that it hasn't always been I suppose, I mean we don't know what tomorrow will bring but recently it just seems that a wake up call is being delivered and it's time to take notice.


What would I do if I was given the news that I had only a year left (heaven forbid)...would I try to pick up extra work to pay off the mortgage faster, dust the cobwebs from every corner of my house, start another crazy diet?  Would I spend my last days regretting so many things left undone because I was waiting?  Waiting for what??  I like to think I would spend that time with the ones that love me, just being with them and knowing words are not necessary because I have told them and showed them everyday that they are loved.  I would like the people I have differed with to know that all has been forgiven and that even the rough times taught me to be a better person.  The last day of my life I hope I can spend it looking at a fully crossed off bucket list and at peace, being thankful for every minute of life I have had and for every person and experience that has been a part of it.


I know it is nearly impossible to live a life with no regrets when your time comes but I think living a life without trying to be positive, without helping others whenever possible, without forgiveness in your heart would be a shame.  So before any bad news comes my way I am going to stop waiting, do the things I have put off, say the things that need to be said and if time allows maybe I'll get after those cobwebs.


Now I ask you...What are you waiting for?


Love and hugs to all

Good bye Dear Friend

Tracey (Rose) Sellars
June 11, 1974 - April 18, 2014

I have such a heavy heart as I write this post.  I learned this weekend that my dear friend Tracey (Rose) Sellars passed away after a brief fight with cancer.  It was such a shock to see the obituary with her young and vibrant picture.  How could someone so happy, young, loving and caring be gone from this earth?  It just doesn't seem real.


I met Tracey when working in a group home where we shared many laughs and where I learned she was afraid of mice.  Over the years I got to know her husband Fred and soon after became smitten with her first born, Owen.  What a handsome little baby he was, I'm not often fond of babies but Owen was different.  He looked like a little old man, wise beyond his years, an old soul in a tiny body.  A few years later Emma came along looking so much like her mommy.  Tracey's life was full of love and laughter and contentment with her family, they were her world. 


I moved away a few years after Emma's birth and as life happens Tracey and I lost touch but there were and still are many moments when she would slip into my thoughts and bring a smile to my face as I remember Christmas baking together and wondering how the peanut butter ended up on the ceiling!!


You will be missed my dear friend Tracey.  I am blessed and happy to have known you and even though we were miles apart you and your family have been and will always be in my heart.
Until we meet again.

Marching Forward

“With vision there is no room to be frightened., No reason for intimidation. It's time to march forward! Let's be confident and positive!”

~~Charles R. Swindoll ~~ What an extraordinary month March has turned out to be!  Our new friend George remains in my care for the time being but that is soon to change.  As my home is deemed an Alternate Family Living Arrangement (AFLA), policies say I am allowed no more than two people to live here (not including family).  Since George was placed here under emergency circumstances it was inevitable that his stay would be short, only until a permanent placement could be found.  Unfortunately there are no openings in the St. George area where George's family live and it was being recommended that he take a spot in a St. Stephen home.  Neither George, nor his family wanted to see this happen and they stood firm in their decision that he be placed here in town.  I received a call from Social Development asking if Brooke (my daughter) would be interested in getting her own place and having George live with her, starting up her own AFLA.  This is an important step for Brooke not to mention a huge responsibility so much thought and consideration must be taken before accepting or declining.  Since Brooke has been living here and assisting me for over a year the concept of AFLA is not new to her.  After great deliberation and thoughts of the future she has decided to go on this great new adventure, I am so excited for her!!  We have found a nice house to invest in and hope to have everything in place for the end of April if not before. Now, having said all of this I refer you back to the quote at the beginning of my post.  Since moving here I have worked in 3 different areas of caring for people with some form of disability.  One in particular I witnessed a type of abuse that can be worse than physical abuse because it is the invisible abuse.  Demeaning people, squelching their dreams until they no longer have any, ignoring their rights and forcing them to live in oppressed circumstances.  Being only one person it is difficult to change the lives of everyone but I have realized the fulfilment that comes with changing even the lives of few.  Having a vision has allowed me to let my life spread out before me in a way that working day to day and pay check to pay check never can.  I am not afraid to speak out and go for what I believe in because it's not really about me.  It's for the people that need my help and for that I have to be confident and not be intimidated by policy pressures and political agendas.  Peoples lives and dreams are hanging in the balance so I must March on!!! I am very proud of Brooke as well as my other daughter Kristie, (who also works in the field of Developmental Disabilities) for seeing the value in supporting others to reach their dreams and in doing so I am sure that they will find dreams of their   own will start coming true right along with them.

Quick Update

Here we are in February already.  January brought some warmer than normal temperatures giving me some perfect weather for a quick trip home to visit mom and dad.  Dad had some health concerns and I thought a shot of "Peggy" might cheer him up.  Mission was accomplished and he has turned the corner and is holding his own once again.  It was also great to see my kids and grandbaby Jaxx too.  He changes his looks so much between visits!




With the warmer weather there have been many deer out along the roads, luckily the majority of them behind the deer fencing.  As Ontario has been blasted with lots of snow this winter Charlotte County hasn't received much at all in my opinion.  We have only had to shovel the door yard 3 times so far but having said that a storm is being called for tomorrow and Friday. 
January brought a new visitor to our home.  A great man by the name of George needed a place to stay temporarily and was placed in my care.  He hails from Newfoundland and has lived in NB for a number of years now.  We are so glad he is here, bringing lots of laughs and friendship to everyone.  We are still not sure how long he will be staying but he is already wanting to redecorate his room and get a queen size bed!!  Everyone in the house is hoping he gets to stay, fits in with our special family just great.
As for February, so far the only negative thing that has happened is Britni and I had the flu.  After two days of being down and out we both bounced back into our routines as normal.  Paul and I enjoyed a night in Fredericton taking in the Dean Brody concert...great show and really nice for just the two of us to get away.
Today is crazy hat day at the program that Billy, Brit, and George attend so I'm posting a pic of Brit and Billy (aka Thing 1 and Thing 2) geared up and ready to go.

Things to look forward to - Dinner theater with Paul for Valentine's day this month and maple syrup season starting next month!!  My goodness, Spring will be here before we know it!!!

That's life in my happy home for another month.  Warm wishes and kind thoughts to all who read this.

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.