What’s on my mind today?

Back to school!

It’s been a bit of a wait for my courses to begin again, and I’m extremely excited to get started again! Just like a little kid waiting for Santa, yes I’m counting down the sleeps! Only 3 more sleeps!  Excited, for so many reasons! A new beginning, a new career, and taking mega-action to make my world/life what I want and need it to be! I truly can’t wait, and I’m so eager to get this party started! (I may regret saying that in a few weeks time!)

So, I’m madly trying to get the home front organized, as best I can! Because I work full time, this going back to school is going to be a major challenge to manage my time, to get done what needs to get done!  We still need to eat, and have clean clothes, and sleep! My theme this week is as the Brownies/Girl Guides say ‘ Be Prepared’!

So with that, I’m pretty much ‘nesting’ like an expectant momma! So errands, and cleaning laundry, groceries, semi-planning my wardrobe and meals for the next couple of weeks at least. And setting up my own wee ‘homework station’ - that is going to be the ‘no touch zone’ for the kid!

I have my school supplies all in order, complete with new pens, tick! highlighters, tick! notebook, tick! binder, tick! And of course my course manual!  Tick!

And the mandatory – what will I wear the first day of class? :)

Stay tuned! I plan on posting some of my new adventures and surely some  trials and tribulations!

Back to Blogging!

Yep, after a long hiatus, I'm feeling a strong need/desire to put down my thoughts, ideas, post some articles and writings, photographs, knitting and crafting projects, and maybe add some inspiring words.....

While I'm on Facebook, and other social media websites, what I do enjoy about blogging, is I to a certain degree I can make 'it my own'....and for me that is fitting/necessary!

I've always loved writing in all formats; be it a journal, blog or writing an article, fiction- short story, or poetry, it really  truly is at the core of my being! I can't not write!

Life is about to get crazy busy for me, and it seems only natural to yes, add another project to the mix - doesn't it? !!!  ;)  

Today it is another cold morning/afternoon - -24c this am.   To cheer myself up, in the winter months, I search out something that brightens the day.  Today I found this little gem...

Nose Hill Park, taken on Aug 29, 2013  by me.

It just makes me happy!  Do you have a colour or a photo that makes you happy?

Platitudes with Attitude

What is your favourite platitude?

Do you say that's the way the cookie crumbles or perhaps it's "A bit of fresh air will do you good?"

A recent visit with Mom at the hospital drilled home the fact people that are sick and elderly, or heavens any one just needing to be heard reallllly detest hearing platitudes. (myself included!)

It has made me more aware of how I speak and what I may be conveying.

No More:

"It will look brighter in the morning" or "You just need a good nights rest"

By saying these and thousands of others platitudes we are in a way dismissing the person by not really listening to the person and hearing them and most of all understanding them.

So often we really don't know what to say that will provide comfort and show that we do care, so we have a tendency to pacify with a platitude.

I'm going to make more of an effort to stop uttering platitudes because my mother at the age of 85 has once again shown me her wisdom and taught me another valuable life lesson!

Show someone you care by taking the time to reallllllly listen to how they are, even when it may take more time out of your day!

Happy Fathers Day

Today is Fathers Day, and I am reflecting....on the kind-hearted, gentle man with the big heart, the sparkle in his eye, and the quick grin.

Even though you aren't here Dad, I am thinking of the man you were, the affect you've had on my life, and your legacy.

You are not forgotten. Missing you this day and loving you always.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Unexpectedness

I'm quite sure that isn't a word, however it doesn't matter. I've been known to make up words before, and there is no doubt in mind, it will happen again!

I've made some tough decisions of late, and with much thought and agonizing, finally I came to terms with a biggie. I stepped down from a role that brought me joy for a number of years. However, the role was time consuming, and I was on 'duty' or felt like it 24/7! It became time to move on to new uncharted territory!

Within a couple of weeks, I discovered a new focus. A brand new role presented itself, that would allow me such personal growth and professional development, I seized the opportunity!

I'm back to being excited and thrilled with what is going to be yet again a path of new self discovery. Yesterday my boss made an offer that was so unexpected, and has so touched me. A kind generous offer that actually brought a tear to my eye. She sees it, she 'gets it'. She sees who I am, and what inspires me.

I am indeed incredibly fortunate and I am ever so grateful. Grateful for my own ongoing quest for self discovery, the growth that is so part of who I am, and has been my entire life.

People that see what is in me, and are encouraging me, mentoring me to be the very best me I can be.

Balancing Act!

I am struggling to make a decision - that for others it seems it should be a no-brainer. For me it is agonizing, the process that I need to go through to make the decision. And I know this process cannot be rushed - or down the road I'll question myself, did I make the right decision - for me truly?

It boils down to the fact I've taken on too many projects. I am stressed ALL the time, I can't sleep at night, for my thoughts are always turning to the one volunteer tole that has been my 'baby' for nearly three years. And I've loved doing it. This year it seems I've had more work to do for this role than ever before. The email alone it generates, is frankly insane to try to keep on top of on a day to day basis.

This year it seems my life has been taking some major detours, and I'm going down roadways I've never explored before!

I can pro and con the decision till I am blue in the face, it doesn't make the decision any easier!

So, it lurks in my mind, do I step down in a volunteer role I used to love to do, or do I see out one more year of it and hope that it does get better?

What to do, what to do?

The Water and Yarn Challenge!

I thought this would be an incredibly easy challenge for me - ha!

First off, a friend and I made a challenge. We each have to drink 7 glasses of water per day for TWO months! The winner of this challenge buys the other friend $30.00 worth of yarn.

Since we are both avid knitters and we've both been trying to reduce the 'stash' on hand.. it seemed like a GREAT idea! I' had put myself on the ultimate 'yarn diet', and challenged myself to NOT buy any more yarn for 4 months. The day of June 20 I will be at the local yarn store - pronto!!

What was I thinking? The water challenge is much more difficult than the 'yarn diet'! I'm one of those gals that drink on a good day - maybe 2 glasses of water - maybe!

Now the first week was a tough one, I was grouchy, and having to get up in the middle of the night did not add to my mood!

It's been a few weeks now, and it is becoming a habit to chug down the water throughout the day, so that at 9pm, (my bedtime) I'm not in a panic to get a lot of water in me but quick!

I may not have the *dewy* skin, yet, but I'm sure going to try damned hard to win the coveted prize of some gorgeous, beautiful yarn - of my choice! Hmm.. a beautiful amber perhaps, or a cobalt blue?

Ah , stay tuned !