More update from up north

I have walked alot while up here. I know I walked alot in my home town but the diference is described in one or two words. Hills and bugs... need I say more. Muskoka bugs are as big as the trees. I still love to walk... I walk the same road and see something different each time. In the woods I run - if you keep moving the bugs don't bite you as much.

I've faced some fears while up here. Like snakes and frogs and deer and unfortunately road kill.

I've seen my first Humming bird up close. To my nose... they come in so many colours. It was blue with a black ring around his neck.

I went to a friendly and cute church. All grey hair crowd. I was the youngest adult. My sister enjoyed herself. One of their 3 teens sang a hymn. It was a nice message, nice people, nice coffee. All in one hour. I'm hoping to go on the canoe outing.

The stars are awesome and the sky is amazing every night. I intend to paint them each.

Come and see for yourself the coffee and the kettle are on waiting for you. Does this sound like an ad?
Oh well see you soon.

Update from up north

Hello, it has been 7 days since I left Kitchener. First night I went to a very big BBQ. They roasted half a cow on a spit. Tables and more tables of side dishes were laid out under awnings. This area has had alot of rain. More tables of desserts laid out in rows. People sprawled across the lawns facing the putting green and fields. Their 10 year old grandson was giving golf cart rides around the property through the woods and back. Garry and Chris sell remote control monster trucks and brought some. They had a country music duo playing on the wrap around porch of their newly renovated house. dance floor included. Oh what a night. On top of all the fun they put a display of their church reno's needs with a donation box and silent auction table.

The following Monday we went to visit Kelly an old school friend. (Highschool) I have not seen her in 12 years. Lots to catch up. She was in Magnetawan at her parents cottage. Nice swiming there only did not like seeing a water snake. Yuck! I ran out of the water but I did get back in.

During the week we continued to de clutter my sister house. Today is garage sale day if you're in the area. I went for regular walks in the woods and a baby dear comes often to her yard. I did a 9k in to downtown Huntsville and saw road kill YUCK! and full grown dear. Lost 5pounds since arriving. I've hauled some logs outside and cleaned the front gardens etc...

Monday I start at Deerhurst Inn. Finally!

I'm looking forward to it.
I do miss everyone alot. Sunday is not the same or tuesday night or Wednesday either. I miss sympossium and people. I miss grandchildren and soccer.

Bye for now

A tale of terror two year old

It is Shasher's tale of her two year old that sparked this blog. My son Bradley was born November 12/79 weighing in at 10 lbs even. It was a short labour and peaceful delivery - no drugs, dim lights just Dad and doctor. Oh your usual pain and stitches. You don't forget even after 27 years. Anyway, he was a good baby, ate (all the time) and slept well. Walked late, talked late which brings me to this two year old tale. Communicating anything was hard for Bradley as he could not talk well. He mostly pointed and screamed or just screamed. Patience was non existent in most situations. New people were very frightening and he liked to stay home. Some of you may know this already but I do not stay home often.

(I was 20 years old and had a 2 and 3 year old and in my first year of college)

So, on this particular Saturday we had stayed downtown Toronto at my friends house.(we were out late at whatever club was hot then... We were up early and went shopping for a birthday gift for my friends one year old boy. The party, also downtown, was that afternoon. If you can guess I was tired and the kids were a little wound up. After further stress driving in downtown traffic, we finally make it to her building. (my hangover setting in full force by now)

We exit the elevator greeted by my very enthusiastic friend, meeting my kids for the first time. She bends down (before I can think to say anything) and cups Bradley's adorable face in her palms.(nice gesture) Bradley takes both hands, reaches forward towards her neck and face and claws her like a bear cub attacking. Of course, it followed with a blood curdling scream of terror and runs to the other end of the hall. He did not venture in to the party for about one hour.

Recently, My friend, Marrise was over for a BBQ. She vividly remembers this incident and Bradley commented that it was one of his most frightening memories because his memory was that she was trying to steal him as we got off the elevator.

I should have put an approach with caution sign around his neck.

He does not need it now. He is a Dad that likes to teach, cuddle, wrestle, play and support and most of all LOVE his son. I am pleased with him.

To the park

All saturday I was too hot (lazy) to venture out of my room which was so cool and nice. Brad (my son) and Evan (grandson) were out all morning, playing. When they came home Evan began to chant "lets go to Victoria Park" then his Dad began to chant "hey Nana come to Victoria Park with us" Well that was a good wake up call. By time I took a shower and dressed Brad was asleep on the couch. Evan was still chanting about the park.


Oh well too bad for Brad, we left without him. Evan and I head out on foot to the Coffee Time donuts because Nana needs an Ice Cap and Evan needs a donut before we catch the bus. This is when I have the best conversations and hear about his point of view.

Evan lives half the week with Dad and me and the other half with his Mom. This all began a few months ago.

Here it is... Evan was looking for a favourite pair of shoes and realized they were at Mom's house. As he was relating his disappointment he had this revelation ... Mom and Dad should live in the same house so all his shoes are in one place. If only life were that simple.

For us the destination is not always as interesting as the journey. I found the park boring. I did not get to run in the water park or slide or climb or jump around. It was nice to watch Evan's goofy antics with the sprinklers. Next time I wont be sitting with the grown ups - Im going to jump around and play till they send the man with the white jacket.

Olivia Lives

once at my old house thomas and me were playing horsey thomas was in the driveway. I was in
the backyard. Then thomas shut the door on me I got hurt in the head I had to the hospital to get
my head glued I was crying my head off it really hurt.

Thanks for sharing this experience. Hope you return to my blog and share more of your life experience.

I know that God has an awesome purpose for your life.

Changes in Lattitude 2

Christmas of my childhood>
When I was a child christmas was mysterious anticipation surrounding Santa Claus bringing gifts.(marking the Eaton's catalogue) We watched the christmas specials on TV. They seemed more special because they were not available all year. Mid night mass with my Aunty Joan and cousins we squirmed in excitement in the pew. We baked cookies with my mom and decorated the house. My mother started a tradition of making a marzipan ring tree after her friend in Germany passed on the recipe. She also made traditional Trinidad & Tobago christmas black cake.(soaked in rum before and after it was cooked) We dressed up for many parties at home and visiting family friends. We always went to company children's parties. Once a magician poured milk out of my sister elbow. We always went to the Rotary Club children's party. We dressed up for Christmas dinner and were allowed to eat in the dining room at the big table, the special plates, a glass of wine.(feeling very grown up) Christmas morning we had a light breakfast and then went to church(before opening gifts) After we had a really big breakfast - Sausages Back bacon,eggs, fruit, bread or pancakes. Then we opened gifts.
Christmas with my Young children>
The fun of visiting the mall Santa, sitting on his knee, tell that one special gift that is at the top of their list. We enjoyed going to breakfast with Santa at the community centers where I worked. I treasure the time I organized a christmas nativity play. (Cheryl was Mary) The chaos behind the scene makes me LOL today. I loved the school christmas concerts they were in. We had big informal Trinidadian family parties, with many turkeys and a few hams.(must have pineapple and cherries on top) A few christmas black cakes. (not all soaked in rum) Someone would make soursop, macaroni pie and another would make punch a crema - eggnog with rum of course!
The cousins would run all over and all night long the older ones taking care of the younger ones. Then the holiday movies are put on and the little ones would fall asleep with their blankies. The older ones played nintendo all night. That's nintendo original. I always enjoyed making gifts and ornaments with my children. Our christmas dinner at home was made by each of us taking responsibility for a dish, even when they were very young. A fun time was choosing a name for our turkey and choosing one of the children to give the turkey a special bath and then rubbed down with an assortment of seasonings.
Christmas eve we spent at home and would invite neighbours to drop in. (I needed to stay home and finish wrapping or putting some toy together) The kids would put out a snack(left overs) for Santa and a cup of eggnog or ginger beer. (Santa did not like cookies and milk by time he came to our house) we sent them to bed early hoping they would sleep. In the morning they woke up squeeling - allowed to open their stocking only - so we could stay in bed longer. Did not really work all the time. We would open gifts then eat our enormous breakfast together and then start to cook christmas dinner together and then...While stuffed the children would play and the parents would nap.
Christmas with my grandchildren>
Christmas with grandchildren has only begun to develop. I have a new generation of gift makers. Last year the two older ones made paintings, that included their foot prints. We have trips together to visit great grandma. We still each make a part of the meal. I think we have forgotten to name the turkey and give it a bath. A few years in a row we have played Settlera of Catan.(all night too) I'm now enjoying christmas shows at church with Evan and Arrianna and keshaun too. This year was the first school christmas concert and it was nice to see. I enjoyed Arrianna's ballet open house too. Making special memories together sharing agape style- that's what it's all about!
Christmas this year with my cousins,their families my family and their families > reconecting, catching up, making memories!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT

Changes in Lattitude

It has been a blogless month for me. So, this one may be quite long - I appologize in advance.

I have been on a fast moving train of change. I believe that God is directing trafic but it seems that others are driving.
At work I know there is momentum forward but I don't know how I fit into it. TRUST GOD HAVE FAITH!!! I scream it to myself daily to block out any small doubt creeping in.
In previous post I mentioned moving. Well thanks to some great friends the move went well. What a diference living in the burbs. Not bad or good just diferent. I like being closer to my friends. I like my really big kitchen with many cupboards and pantry and big sliding doors. I like my big room and bright windows. Somehow I still miss my little apartment and fixing it up and walking home after work or to work. By summer I'll be over that when I'm not sweating buckets in it. When I soak in the tub I wont miss the shower. So it is all good change. Thank God for direction everyday.

I'm frustrated with the phone people. The phone is still not working. The world is tangled with lines and wireless is just invisible lines. I still have my cell phone.

I'm really glad for the varriety of communication devices we have in our lives. It eases the transitions of life. I think of how fortunate people who move far from family and friends are to be able to continue to share their lives on a daily basis. Long ago if you moved from your home to another city you might never see your family for years. Only able to catch up by a letter that would take weeks to arrive. You would think that our high tech communication would improve relationships and bring families together. Does it ? maybe the state of family life would be even worse without it. For me and mine it is a blessing.

I was almost (for a short time) an empty nester. Tanya by some not so great choices she made last summer found herself in a load of trouble which resulted in her being re located to her fathers care, in another city. She has since been on a straighter path and resolved and accepted responsibility for much of her troubles. I suddenly, for the first time in 29 years, was living alone. It was a shock for a week or so. Then it was okay. Then it was great sometimes and not so great sometimes. I'm not home that much. The whole experience lasted about 2 months. Then my son by some sudden changes in his life asked me to live with him so, after some thought and discussion, we made this huge move. No more empty nest!
It is not that great an experience when you don't have someone to share it. I have faith that God will resolve that issue too.

The theme of change continues. I was born in Quebec - I'm a Canadian! for now I can still say that I am Canadian. Will Quebec give me dual citizenship? if they choose separation from Canada. Mon dieu je prier!