2013 The year in review - Part one....

How is it that tomorrow is the last day of 2013? It really feels like it wasn't that long ago that I was writing my last year's end of the year post, yet I find myself here again. This post started off to be a summary of the year, but I think that there will be several parts to my year 2013 in review

A year that seems to have moved pretty quickly in the grand scheme of things, yet slowly enough to remember some key points in the year.

Last year at this time we got word that my cousin Josh had just gotten engaged and his wedding would be in 2013 and it would be in Chicago. It was early in January that our whole family booked tickets for the family wedding in the windy city.

Thankfully the winter was broken up by an amazing visit with B in Los Angeles. Could not have asked for a better weekend. Los Angeles is such an amazing city, really one of the great ones, and there is so much to see and do, it is great to have someone who lives there to be able to have different experiences every time you visit.

This visit consisted of going to the J Paul Getty Museum, which is a really amazing place. To sum it up, here is a quote from their website:
"The J. Paul Getty Museum seeks to inspire curiosity about, and enjoyment and understanding of, the visual arts by collecting, conserving, exhibiting, and interpreting works of art of outstanding quality and historical importance."

You take a tram up the hill to this amazing sprawling displays of beautiful

 architecture (you can take tours), gardens, walkways and more. There are galleries with beautiful art exhibits, there are amazing gardens and I would love to go back some day when the garden is in full bloom.

The next day it was off to the California Science Center to see the Space Shuttle Endeavor. One word - WOW! Really, it is an incredible sight to see. You walk through an exhibit of what is in the space shuttle, photos of all the different space missions, etc. Then you watch a time lapse movie on how they brought the shuttle from the airport through the city and to the Science Center. After the movie, you walk to the pavilion where shuttle calls home. You can walk all around it, underneath it, looking at the tiles that you hear about that burn up on re-entry to the earth's atmosphere.

On the last day of my weekend in LA we went to high tea at the Langham hotel in Pasadena. The hotel itself is a luxury oasis not that far outside of Los Angeles. Beautiful views surround the property. The rooms and public areas are classy and elegant.

They offer high tea in their tea room. They offer a special tea called The Tiffin Chocolate Tea. There are chocolate inspired teas like Mayan Truffle tea and Chocolate mint truffle, and all of the sandwiches, pastries, etc have some sort of chocolate component to them. There was a pink chocolate fountain, with handmade marshmallows and more for dipping.

They had a harpist and a pianist playing and when they overheard us at the table talking about my birthday, out came this beautiful plate of chocolate dipped strawberries and truffles. It was really a wonderful birthday celebration with B and his friends.

I was going to make this post about the year in review, but I only made it to February.  Stay tuned for the rest of the year in review. I wish good health and happiness for all of you for the coming year.

Thanks for reading, and always stayed tuned for more, I always have a story to tell.

25 Interesting things - 2009 edition

A few days ago I was looking at a friend's facebook profile page and on the left hand side of the profile I was surprised to see my name. It was in the 'notes' section of this person's profile and found this note I wrote almost five years ago.

As I read through these 25 interesting things about Lisa Silver, I found some of them to be still true today and others not so much. I think the list needs updating. For now, I will update you below on the 25 interesting things about Lisa Silver from almost five years ago, from February 2009.

See the original and update below:

25 Interesting things about Lisa Silver

2 February 2009 at 23:47

PublicFriendsFriends except acquaintancesOnly meCustomClose FriendsBel Air TravelSee all lists...FamilyBel Air TravelNewtonbrook Secondary SchoolLimited ProfileRed Tag VacationsBel Air TravelBBYO Lake Ontario RegionThornhill, Ontario AreaAcquaintancesGo Back

Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. At the end choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

(To do this, go to "Write Notes" under your Profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, type your 25 random things, tag 25 people ( in the right hand corner of app) then click publish.)

1. I love the colour Purple, any shade and combination of the colour.
- This will never change. Favourite colour will always be purple! 
2. I love New York city, movies and shows filmed in New York city, books that take place in Manhattan, anything to do with New York City.
- This two will never change. In 2011 I finally made a dream come true by getting to see the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Magical experience. 
3. My parents are my best friends. We travel together, spend a lot of time together and laugh a lot. Even through the times that make me crazy, I wouldn't want them to be anyone else.
- They just spent 4 days with me in my condo after the ice storm since their house had no heat or electricity. 
4. I am addicted to facebook. I try to have a facebook free day, but it never seems to work.
- Yeah, hard to find facebook free days. I did however have a facebook free week when I was cruising in Alaska this summer. Two reasons....wifi on the ship too expensive and no wifi in Alaska. Small towns, and couldn't even find a starbucks (LOL)
5. I find it truly amazing that I met one of my best friends at a black jack table in Las Vegas.
- Still holds true today. I love sharing that story with people who haven't heard it before. We have been friends for 10 years now. 
6. I love my two nieces more than I thought possible. I can't wait to see them grow up, I don't want to miss a minute of it.
- I have a nephew now as well. He is three and a half and he is awesome. I am three times blessed in being Auntie Lisa and it is the best job in the world.
7. I love the fact that when I ask my niece for a kiss in spanish, she kisses both sides of my cheek like a European and then giggles.
 - One niece doesn't even like to give out kisses anymore, she is almost 9. My 7 year old niece loves to hug and be hugged.
8. I wish I would have taken music more seriously and become a professional clarinetist and played in live theatre on Broadway.
9. I often wonder if my uncle hadn't gotten me a job at a travel agency when I was 19, what I would be doing now?
- I think about this often. I think too long to really discuss in this post. But let's just say there are plenty of things I would tell 20 year old me. 
10. I love James Taylor, and rain or shine (and there was rain last summer), I will always try to get to a concert of his with my JT buddy.
11. I have very high expections of others. At times, it causes disappointment, but sometimes people surprise you.
- I think that I am learning to try to not have such high expectations. In my life today, I think that I assume that everything is "maybe" until you tell me yes. "maybe" usually means no, so if it works out - BONUS!
12. I am a good friend, I give more of myself then I get back from others.
13. I like to entertain. I would much rather have people at my house than go to a noisy over priced restaurant.
- I am proud of my condo. I am very happy to have people at my house. Anytime. 
14. I do not like the beach. I don't like sand in my feet and I don't like the ocean. Give me a pool anyday.
15. I am grateful to have an aunt that is also a friend, who you can talk to like a friend, and trust like family.
16. I went to Paris and the best meal we ate (well I ate) was at the Moulin Rouge...oh yeah, and the lemon tart from the patisiere.
17. I went up the Eifell tower with a friend who is afraid of heights. But he still came with me, on my birthday. Thanks Brad.
18. I remember when my best friend lived in Mexico, I wrote her letters almost every day and sent care packages to her when my clients went to the resort.
19. I love that I have a two little boys in my life that I love like they were my own nephews. I love being their friend.
- These two 'little' boys are becoming young men. They go to a school where they have to wear uniforms and to see them in their blazers and dress pants with their white collared shirts, makes me realize they are not little boys anymore. 
20. I don't like cats. Dogs....well, I am getting better. But don't expect me to get one.
21. I love my condo. It was the right thing at the right time in my life.
22. If I could do anything else other than travel right now, and money didn't matter, I would be chef or a photographer, two of the things I love to do in life.
- a travel writer who is a photographer. That would be my dream job. 
23. I am a self proclaimed tv junkie. Now that I have PVR, it is worse, but before, I would consider not going out if one of my shows was on. At least now I can pvr it and still have a life.
- I now have the Rogers Nextbox 3.0 - which means I can record up to 8 shows at one time and I have 3x the amount of recording space. Just means, I record more shows (that I end up not watching). 
24. I like that I have a travelling companion and I am crossing things off my places to go before I die list....next on the list New Orleans.
- new orleans was amazing. Food, music and culture. If you haven't been, you should add it to your personal travel list. And we have also been to Hawaii and Alaska since this post was first written. 
25. wow...25 random thoughts is hard....I wish I knew another language...spanish or french or where I live, Hebrew or Russian. Just to spice up life...
- JUST posted the other day that something I would have told my 'younger self' is to stick with French class and have a second language. It really would come in handy in potential job opprotunities!

The Dash - By Linda Ellis

The Dash
by Linda Ellis copyright 1996

​I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth
and spoke of the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
that she spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved her
know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.

So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
​the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before. 

If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.

​So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?

Throwback Thursday

A fellow blogger who has committed to 30 posts in 30 days has created Almost wordless Wednesdays, and Meatless Mondays because as you can imagine, it is hard to be creative every day.

Everyone loved over the spring and summer when I shared photos on Facebook on Throwback Thursdays. This social media phenom founds its way into the urban dictionary this year describing it as people posting photos from "a while" ago on their social media sites.

I just returned from a work trip to Cancun. As I was thinking about what to write for the first throwback Thursday post I was reminded of my very first trip that I took with friends - it was a trip to Cancun, right after we finished high school. It was March 1990.

"back in the day" - what happened on vacation really did stay on vacation. There were no cell phone photos, or videos, no digital camera, no computers = there was so social media. There wasn't instant gratification posting from the nearest WiFi area of the hotel. There were film cameras, and if you are lucky, maybe you still have some of those grainy, crappy photos that you would have developed back then. I see you, you are nodding in agreement with my last sentence.

In today's travel world, it is all about the all inclusive resort for most people. Not ALL people, but most people. How many a la carte restaurant options are there? Is there 24 room service? Is there at least one pool bar? These are all the questions I get asked every day.

Jack Tar Villages and Club Med were the first true all inclusive concept resorts. Meals, drinks and entertainment included - all in one price? What a great idea. My first trip to Cancun was not at a Club Med or a Jack Tar Village. If my memory serves (two out of the three girls I went with will read this post) we didn't even have all inclusive at the resort we stayed it. It was called Calinda Beach. I remember we paid for an oceanview room. Sure, it had a view of the ocean - no balcony and the window didn't open. This I remember, and probably for that, really understand and appreciate the beauty of the balcony. I may not like the beach, but I LOVE the sounds of ocean and listening to the waves come in.

I remember that we packed crackers and peanut butter.
I remember that we ordered pizza from Dominos and sat on the floor at ate it.
Again, I see you nodding, because if you ever went to Mexico back in the day, you ordered Dominos as well.
I remember that we went out on night for dinner at a really great Italian restaurant.
I remember we went to the market, and bought silver earrings and I bought a silver ring with my name on it. I think I still have it somewhere. The earrings, long gone, which is too bad, because I really loved them - lost one and even replaced the pair a couple of times on other trips to Mexico. 

I was just looking through someone's Facebook photos (what happens on vacation now ends up on Facebook) and noticed a photo with numerous arm bands from the different clubs in Cancun that they went to while they were away. That is something that has not changed, but again, evolved. There are a lot of clubs that have an entry cost that will include unlimited drinks. Some of the clubs in Cancun (and I know elsewhere) put on shows inside and outside of the club area, so you can drink, watch the show, drink, dance, drink, try to scream any type of conversation to the people you are with. Oh, and did I say drink?

Part of the reason for going on these work trips beyond going and seeing the hotel, tasting the food, and experiencing the resort and destination is to look and observe the people at the resort. Look at the clientele that is there, do they seem to be having a good time, and who out of your personal client base would you think would be a good fit for this hotel/resort/destination.

Cancun was, is and I think will be for a long time, a strong destination, no matter what people say. People are travelling to Mexico, and they are going to Cancun, and they are going to the clubs, markets, shopping, etc. I saw proof of that last week.

1990 - 2013 - that is 23 years between my first trip to Cancun and my most recent trip to Cancun. I have a feeling I will go back to Cancun again soon. I will probably NOT be the one in the Facebook photo of the arm full of wristbands from the clubs, but more like the one sitting with a drink at the hotel lobby bar. That is the different of being 19 vs....well...you can do the math!!

It's my job

I snapped at my dental hygenist tonight.

I didn't mean to, but it just happened. The same way as this post may sound like a bit of a rant, it isn't really. It is just a point to explain how people feel when things are said to them.

Here is how the conversation went down:

Hygenist: "You look nice and tanned, were you away?"
Me: "Yes, I was away for work."
Hygenist: "Where were you?"
Me: "Cancun."
Hygenist: "Work in Cancun, must be nice."
Me: "Whatever, let's move on".

I really didn't want to get into anymore with her. This is not the first time, or the second or third that this has happened to me. It happened a couple of weeks ago in a Facebook chat, with similar questions, and when I replied I was going to Cancun for work, the reply was "must be nice".

My job title is senior travel consultant. Travel agent. Travel Professional. Please note that each of those titles has the word TRAVEL in the title.

The funny thing about is that I compared to some people that I work with, I hardly travel. A co-worker took a three week vacation this past September. I have NEVER taken a three week vacation. I have never taken a TWO week vacation. This summer I took a 10 day vacation. That was the longest "vacation" I have ever taken in my 23 years of working in the travel business.

Yes, I have the opportunity to pay reduced rates for travel to see new hotels, destinations, experiences. It is all to enhance my job description - which is travel sales. If I know more about a hotel, destination, cruise line, theme park, I can sell it better to my customers. If I can make my customers happy, I will make my employer happy. If I can make my employer happy, I get to keep my job. And every two weeks I get a present in my bank account.

That is not any different than anyone that works full time.

I think I will end this here. I think you get the point I am trying to make.

I just read this tonight - "don't compare yourself to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about". 

45 life lessons.....

I have seen this three times on Facebook in the last week, so I thought I would just post it here, and I will come back to some of the points as reference my blog. 

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio .

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.
It is the most requested column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short – enjoy it.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19.. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you need

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

High Density Development

I didn't write a post last night. I wanted to, but it was an exhausting day, and I just didn't have the energy to write when I got home.

Last night I went to a community meeting being chaired by Councilman Alan Sheffman regarding more development in my neighbourhood. I shouldn't have been surprised that it was a "community meeting" and there were less than 15 people there from the entire community. I know that it was posted in our elevators in the condo, but I don't know what other kind of advertising there was about the meeting. More people SHOULD care, but it is the same when we have our AGM meetings or other meetings that require attendance, it is the same 15 - 20 people that always show up at the meetings.

This was to discuss the piece of land that is just north of Centre street at New Westminster. If you are familiar with the area - on the west side of the street you have No Frills, Winners and Homesense. On the East side of the street you have the Constantia Retirement residents and then a large empty parcel of land, well, it doesn't really look like a large parcel of land....until they show you what they want to build.

I knew that this area was going to have a lot of high rise development but I didn't realize how much when I bought my little piece of pie in the sky back in 2004. My complex was supposed to consist of what was supposed to be 7 buildings. They are currently working on buildings 7 - 9 and there are two more to come to end the project. That will be 11 high rise, high density condos.

The next project is this one I attended last night, which is to have two more buildings (not going up at the same time) high density, high rise condos. The are applying to the city to 'ammend their application'. The application they currently have is not for the maximum height allowed for a high rise, which is 22 stories. Their current application is for 18 stories, and they want to have it be the full 22 stories.

If you drive up and down Bathurst Street you are familiar with the green fence that borders the parcel of land from Beverley Glen and Bathurst to the Shoppers Drug Mart. That is purchased land that has been zoned for low rise development. They too have also recently applied to ammend their application to the city. They want to change their zoning from about 400 units to close to 800 units in that small area.

I wrote on the weekend about taking the subway "into the city" and the downtown core, and I realized that I am living in "downtown" Thornhill. In the next 5 - 7 years the landscape of Thornhill around the area that I live in is going to change drastically. There will be more high rises, and the arrival of the Rapid way transit system. They think that people are going to stop driving and get on the transit.....

Could be interesting for investors looking for properties to buy as they release the new buildings.

Time will tell.....but I do wish that this area had one thing that it is lacking....affordable housing. I would love to have a home of my own, in this area, but that is not remotely possible.

Parking

There is the 'great divide' amongst this city (and the city above the city). Those of us who live in the 905 vs those who live in the "GTA" or the 416. I have written before how I was mortified when I had to give up my 416 land line for my 905 one. I actually received this comment a couple of months ago, "why do you still have a land line?" To have or not to have a land line isn't what this story is about....

Anyone who has attempted to drive anywhere in this city is aware of the fact that all the parking lots are gone. They have all been taken up by condos. A few weeks ago I attended an event at the Arcadian Court event venue space. Have you EVER tried to park around there? Well, if you did, you probably ended up at the city hall parking lot.

I am happy to say that I have found the best parking lot in the city. It just happens to be the TTC parking lot at Wilson Heights. I know!! Not even close to the downtown core, however three times in the last three weeks I have been downtown and parked there.

First time: Parking cost: $4
During a recent day off from work, I decided to spend the day downtown doing some good for others. Originally I was going to park at Downsview but that lot was full. I knew that Yorkdale would be full, and for a brief second thought I would drive. I didn't want to drive, not just because the hassle of driving downtown, or the $20 it would have cost to park. It was more about spending the 25 minutes on the subway listening to music and taking a well needed time out. I asked on the intercom where I else there was to park. The unfriendly voice on the other end told me to go to Wilson Heights, there was a big parking lot. Not only that, but the entrance to the subway is right there, not a walk, like Downsview or Finch for that matter.

 A friend has a child at sick kids and I brought her lunch, and we spend a few hours talking, and catching up, as well as visiting her son. I have only ever been in the NICU one other time, and let me tell you, it is quite the place. It also allows us to be grateful that we live in a city with a hospital like Sick Kids, or Princess Margaret - life saving hospitals at our front door.

My second stop was visiting a family member at Mount Sinai, where again, I realized that the time you give to others is so important. What seems like a small gesture to one, is a HUGE gesture to another. I was glad that I was able to do both. While I was on the train on the way home, I felt very good about the day that I spent.

Second time: Parking cost: $2
Two weeks ago I was going with two of my friends to see Josh Groban at the ACC. During the discussion about how to get down there, it was a no brainer...."the better way"...and parking at my new favourite place to park. The two other ladies I was didn't know about the lot, and because it was after work hours, we scored a spot right by the door, and within minutes we were on the train heading to the concert. Of course Union Station is short walk from the ACC....so we were good to go!

Today: Parking cost: FREE
Weekends are free to park....so really a no brainer. I was going to the International Woman's show at the convention centre, where I think onsite parking is $20. I parked for free and my tokens (3) were $8, so I was ahead of the game, and have one left over for future use.

For those of you who know me well, you know that subways were not always my thing. In fact, for a very long time, I avoided them. But now, if it makes sense to use the subway as a mode of transportation, I would choose it. I am NOT saying that I want to become a commuter and work downtown....please do not misunderstand me, I admire those who do that every day, but that is not me. I know...never say never, but for now, the odd time (3 in 3 weeks) is just fine with me.

Thanks for reading, see y'all tomorrow!

Could it really be?

November is National Blog Post Month. 30 posts in 30 days. I was first introduced to this by an extended family member - blogger who's blog I had been reading on a regular basis three years ago. When I saw that she was going to challenge herself to write 30 posts in 30 days I thought I would throw down the gauntlet and try it as well.

The first year, I was able to make it through. It was tough, to find interesting things to talk about every day for a month. Last year, I wasn't able to make it through. A friend of mine sent me a private message that it seemed like it wasn't fun, and why do it if you aren't enjoying it. I stopped around the 15th of the month last year.

It is hard to believe that we are almost at the end of another year. I went to walmart this morning to see if they had any discounted Halloween candy and you can see that the seasonal aisle is already taking shape with shades of red and green taking over from the black and orange of the last few weeks.

The leaves are almost all gone. A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of taking pictures of my friend's family.

It was such a beautiful day at the Mill Pond. The sun was a bit challenging, but the photos turned out amazing, and my friend was very happy with the final product. I drove past this one tree as I was heading to the photo shoot and made a mental note to come back and take picture on the way home. As you can see, I did. What you can't see are all the amazing yellow and orange leaves on the ground underneath the tree. It was on private property (and the ground was wet) or I may have just made a pile and lay down on them. 

 This amazing tree below was actually on my condo property in our back parking lot.

Taken the same day, I had to stop before I went into the underground to admire the beauty of fall.

And now, the beauty has fallen away. We change our clocks tomorrow night and fall is falling away, and winter is arriving.

I hope you will come along with me for my November ride. Until tomorrow....

Cousins - or maybe Paisano's

Last night was one of those rare Friday nights that I wasn't having dinner either at my parents house or at my brother's house. We had some cousin's that were in from Montreal and they wanted to get together and have dinner out, which my parents and I decided to do.

We were ten of us for dinner - my mother, and her two cousins and their spouses, and then myself, my cousin, and her two children. There were three generations of cousins and it was really nice. We went to Paisano's at Sheppard and Willowdale, which I am sure many of you are familiar with. If you are not, and really good Italian food, you should check it out!

My cousin and I were at the "kids" end of the table, with the 'adults' at the other end. Her sons are almost the exact same ages as my nieces, 8 and 6. When they arrived, of course the two boys were quite shy and stuck to mom, but the older one sat beside me, the younger one across from him and then my cousin and I across from each other.

It was very nice, because my cousin and I are the same age, both live in the "neighbourhood" but our paths have not crossed very much. We had a nice time talking and catching up. I had brought my photo books and that lead into travel discussion and about cruising. It was great, because they had been on the Allure and the Freedom of the Seas, which allowed me to ask the boys questions. That was all it took - the younger one was FULL of questions for me.

I loved some of the questions that he asked. It was fun and humourous and really seeing life through the eyes of a 6 year old.

As I said, we are sitting at the "kids" side of the table, which lead into the following interaction:
6 year old: "you are not a kid".
Me: "Well, yes, I am. That lady is my mom, and that man is my dad, so I am their kid."
6 year old: "no, kids are only up to teenager. You are not a kid."
Not going to win this one.

Discussing how we are all cousins.
Upon meeting the cousin from Montreal
6 year old: "She is our cousin, how old is she?"
Mom: "She is the same age as Gramma."
Me: "How old do you think Gramma is?"
6 year old: "86"
cough, cough (Gramma is in early 70's and looks like mid 60's)

I had brought some of my photo books to share with my cousins and the 6 year old really enjoyed looking at the books and asking questions. I loved it. He was really engaging and funny and sweet. It was such an enjoyable meal (maybe not for Mom) but for me, I had a great time.

Final set of questions before we ended the meal:
6 year old: "do you have kids"
Me: no
6 year old: "do you have a husband"
Me: no
6 year old: "so you live by yourself".
Me: yes
6 year old: "so that is why you live in an apartment".


So, back to Paisano's....as we were walking towards the front door, he was walking with me holding my hand (trusting me to walk out ahead of his mom). I told him that Paisano in Italian means Friend. To which he replied, "We are eating at a place that is called Friend". Yes.

I hope that I will get to see my cousin and her boys again soon. It had been way too long, and my mom told her that I love children (as if she couldn't tell by then) and that I love to have kids over, bake, arts and crafts, etc. She looked at me and said "I have your numbers now". I told her that she could use them, anytime.

If you are one of my friends with kids, you know this to be true.

Thanks for reading, happy Saturday everyone!~

These bruises

re·flec·tion

noun \ri-ˈflek-shən\

an image that is seen in a mirror or on a shiny surface
something that shows the effect, existence, or character of something else

something that causes people to disapprove of a person or thing

mental concentration; careful consideration.

thought or an opinion resulting from such consideration.

 

Over the past few weeks we have been celebrating the Jewish New Year and then Yom Kippur - the day of Atonment. For Rosh Hashana we are eating apples and honey, honey cake, raisin challah and all things that are delicious and sweet to celebrate the new year. Then a short week later, we are fasting and asking for forgiveness for our sins that we have committed over the past year and allowing us to be sealed in the book of life for the coming year. 

It is a time for reflection. How we look at ourselves, at others and maybe what we would have done differently if we could have. Maybe there was someone I should have called before Yom Kippur and asked for forgiveness and made mends. Or maybe there was someone you were waiting for the call from, and you didn't get it. 

Several months ago I was watching the show The Talk while they were on location in New Orleans. I taped the episodes, because I loved New Orleans, but also because the house band for the week was Train. Pat Monahan sang a song acoustically that really moved me. The song is called Bruises. The radio/album version features an artist named Ashley Monroe and it is just one of those songs that has hidden meaning, at least to me. 

The chorus is about "these bruises" which are really (from my interpretation) our lives. That everything that happens to us has an everlasting effect on our lives, whether we can see them (bruises) or not. Time and space doesn't take away the bruises.

"These bruises make for better conversation
Loses the vibe that separates
It's good to let you in again
You're not alone in how you've been
Everybody loses, we all got bruises
We all got bruises"

 

This past weekend I had the chance to spend the afternoon with an old friend. And when I say old friend, I really do mean that in the truest sense of the word - we know each other almost 35 years. We don't get the chance to spend as much time as we would like (who does?) but when we do, we make it count. Our lives are very different and we have travelled down many different paths, and have our own 'bruises' to show for our lives, but when we are together, it is fun, happy, enjoyable. Her outlook on life is something more people need to have in their own. I guess I am telling this story because how everyone handles their "bruises" makes you who you are and how you are around others. 

So, there is always more to say, but I think I will end with the video of the song. Not all the words will apply to everyone, but if you listen to the words, maybe you will hear the message I heard and take it for that. 

Have a great day everyone,

Me

Yizkor - Memorial service

I realize that not everyone that reads my blog may know what the Yizkor service is or consists of.

Yizkor are a series of additional prayers in remembrance of loved ones that are said four times a year during significant holidays that are celebrated. Our Synagouge has produced a supplementary booklet with the prayers, and some poetry and words of comfort. There was also an opportunity for fundraising as well, you could pay to have a remembrance message put into the book for the coming year.

The prayers are for the loss of a parent, husband, wife, child or other relative. I remember when I was much younger at our old shule Adath Shalom that when Yizcor was about to be said, all the children would leave the sanctuary since we (thankfully) had not experience the losses that the 'grown ups' were saying prayers for.

It was a time to go downstairs to the childcare area, visit with friends there or outside, and socialize. It was a nice break from the prayers and reading, and standing up and down. I will always remember those times. It is funny, because I still see some of those same 'kids' today, either at shule, or out socially or on facebook. Now those kids have kids, and we are adults.

Being an adult also means that it comes along with the fact that now some of those prayers are relevant to our lives. I have lost grandparents, and even friends. So, the prayer for relatives and 'others' now would apply to me. For many years I have stayed in for the service, and read the prayers that were meant for me.

The book this year included a new prayer. A beautiful new prayer that I had not seen before. It is a prayer for those living with parents. I was sitting beside my mother and she turned the page she pointed it out to me as well. It is a really beautiful prayer and I would like to share it with you now.

Heavenly Father, at this sacred moment when we remember those who have died, I turn to you, O G-d, with profound gratitude that my parents are still with me today. Bless them, I pray, with physical health and spiritual fulfillment and grant them the strength to be with me for many years ahead, the privilege to enjoy the success of their children and blessings of family and home. Grant me the resources to provide for them if they are ever in need and give me the ability to fulfill every aspect of the commandment of filial responsibility. May it be Your will that I come to fully appreciate my duties as a caring child and give me the wherewithal to fulfill those duties with love, with joy, and in happiness. May I remain a source of pride and joy to my parents and my family. Bless all the members of my family with good health, long life, with light and with love. In reverence I turn to You, hopeful to serve You wholeheartedly. 

I love you Mom and Dad.

Amen

A full circle Yom Kippur

About a month ago, I read a post on a friend's facebook profile posting about someone he knows who is in need of a stem cell transplant to survive. There were some questions going back and forth about it, and I chimed in and commented on what I knew about it. I hadn't thought about it at the time, because all I was doing was offering knowledge that I had from my past experiences.

It has been almost four years exactly since Shari found out that she needed to have a bone marrow transplant. Four years since I began to learn about bone marrow donation, stem cell transplants and so much more. 

The man who's life needs saving is Dr. Mark Spiegle. If you read the hyperlink you can read about Mark's story. He has battled cancer before and now has been diagnosed again with mylodysplastic syndrome (MDS). If this sounds familiar it is because this is the same blood cancer that Robin Roberts from Good Morning America had last year. She was able to have a stem cell transplant from her sister Sally. Mark isn't so lucky. He needs to find a match to save his life.

This is where you all come in once again. One Match, which is part of blood services has changed the age requirements for Canadians to be swabbed and added to the bone marrow registry. If you are healthy and between 17 to 35 years of age - WE NEED YOU! 

Right now there are two bone marrow swabbing events booked and confirmed. There will be more to come but here is where will be:

Sunday September 29th - from 10am - 4pm
Holy Blossom Temple - 1950 Bathurst Street (south of Eglinton)

We do want to target the TARGET group so we will be having a drive at the University of Toronto on:
Tuesday October 1st - from 11am - 5pm
If you are a student at Uof T, if you have a child at UofT, or know anyone in the target range that will be downtown on October 1st - WE  NEED YOU!

A facebook page has been created as well - please join, share on your wall and let's get the word out.
https://www.facebook.com/events/1414379965450813/

As we approach the eve of Yom Kippur and our time of reflection and introspection, we should understand that we can all make a difference. If you are over the age range for one match, and you want to volunteer, you can send an email to swabformark@gmail.com and if you have any questions you can call 416-951-3873 for more information.

If I can ask one thing of you all who are reading this, please share this post on your facebook wall, or your twitter feed. You are not just helping Mark hopefully find his match, but there are over 900 Canadians that are waiting for their perfect match.

Have an easy and meaningful fast if you are doing so.

Lisa

myelodysplastic syndrome

myelodysplastic syndrome

myelodysplastic syndrome

My fall tv line up

I have actually been getting inbox facebook messages asking me when I am going to start updating when the shows and the fall lineup are starting. I love that people comment when I post tv (or any) cool status updates.

So, I have been researching the different network websites, watching tv commercials for new and returning shows and here is a list of what I have come up with, and the start dates for all the shows.

You and I may not have the same tv viewing habits, but these are the shows that I watch on a regular basis and new ones that I will check out and see if they will be added to my list. I tape a lot of shows, and sometimes don't get to watch them all, or want to watch them all.

From what I can see Thursdays are going to be a challenge. I would say that the PVR will be set to tape all night on Thursdays. Which is a good thing, since Thursdays used to be the best night on TV, and it looks like that is going to happen again this year.

NBC is working really hard at getting its Thursday night line up back to what it used to be:
Parenthood - NEW night - Thursdays - starting September 26th
New - The Michael J Fox show - starting September 26th - LOVE him, so I will be checking this one out forsure.
New - Sean Saves the World - Sean Hayes formerly from Will and Grace so yes, will be checking this one out as well - starting October 3rd
New - Welcome to the Family - Starting October 3rd
New - The Millers on CBS - not sure....will have to wait and see - Start date October 3rd 

Glee - of course is on Thursdays - and will be starting September 26th
Grey's Anatomy - Thursdays starting  as well September 26th.
from all accounts McDreamy's final season, as well as Yang's. Should be interesting....
Big bang Theory - September 26th start date as well.

Mondays:
How I met your mother - final season - starting September 23rd
New - Hostages - Looks interesting - starting September 23rd on CTV
Dancing with the stars - starting September 16th

Tuesdays:
New - The Goldbergs - looks like it could be like "that 70's show" but it is based in the 80's - totally! - Starting September 24th
New - Trophy Wife - starting September 24th

Wednesdays:
Law and Order SVU - starting September 25th
Modern family - starting September 25th

Sundays:
The Amazing Race - starting September 29th
The Good Wife - starting September 29th

I am sure that I am missing some shows, or haven't touched on the ones that you watch. Feel free to leave me a message on what you thought about any of the shows that we may watching at the same time.

Clear your PVR - looks like a busy fall is ahead!


Modern Family - starting September

Searching for the Pink Door

While I was reading on Facebook about friends and family all heading off to cottages, Blue Mountain and different lodges up north I was getting ready for my own end of summer adventure - to Seattle and then cruising up to Alaska. I had never been to Seattle and was on a cruise to Alaska many years ago so was ready to see it with my amazing travel buddy and friend.

I was looking forward to both parts of the trip, but since I have never been to Seattle I was really looking forward to seeing Pike's Market, the first Starbucks and more. It did not disappoint.

Of course you all know by now that I always enjoy trying new restaurants and foods when I go away, and of course Seattle was no exception. I had received a recommendation from someone who had lived in Seattle about a great place called The Pink Door that was in Pike's Market, and it was really good food, atmosphere, etc. Looked at the menu, made a reservation on opentable.com and away we go - one night dinner booked.

When we were walking through Pike's market we noticed a sign to the restaurant and when we asked where it was exactly, the person said, "just look for a pink door"..... so while we were walking through Post Alley (a bunch of different restaurants, outdoor seating, pubs) we walk past this building, no sign, and the door was open. B says to me, "is that door pink?" I look at the door, it was more of a coral peachy colour, but I said, "this must be it". If you didn't know what you were looking for, you would surely have walked right by.

The restaurant is known for its live music (we were too early for), Cabaret and Burlesque shows (wrong night). We still enjoyed a great atmosphere, good food and their specialty cocktail - The pink madonna. It was vodka and pink lemonade and it was good. Could have had a few of those!

Enjoyed our meal and then had to look at the dessert menu. They have a special dessert that I saw on facebook and I told B that we had to have this dessert. It is known as the "boobie cake".

I should have taken a better photo of it, because it really does look like a 'boob'. If you go on facebook and like the pink door page you will see a side shot and you will know what I mean. Chocolate mousse, on top of an amazing chocolate cookie, covered in chocolate, with caramel ribbon and berries. Yeah...shared but could have easily eaten one all on my own.

When we were leaving the restaurant, I asked where they would recommend for the next night. They both said Palace Kitchen was the new hot spot. Local celeb food network chef  Tom Douglas' new establishment. Off we went on Saturday night to Palace Kitchen. The food there did not disappoint either.

Note for travelling: always ask locals where to go to eat. The same way as you find great spots in your own city that you enjoy and would recommend, they will as well. The staff at the front desk at the hotel you are staying at are great as well. It is always great to put it out there on facebook as well. And if you are short on time, or the restaurant is really popular make sure to go to www.opentable.com and make a reservation in advance! 

There were a lot of great things to try, so I opted for a couple of appetizers over one main course. It seems like everyone enjoyed what they ate there.
 
Stay tuned for more details on Seattle and everything that we were able to see and do in two short days. That is how we like to see a city, we try to jam in as much as we can for the time that we have. I think for Seattle we did just that.

Seattle, I will be back.....

See you, in September....

Today is September 1st....and while on one hand I am thinking, "how can it be September 1st already", I know that this summer, and time in general is moving faster and faster.

I read a blog that I follow the other day and the writer gave a summer synopsis of her summer, all the amazing things she did with her family, personal obstacles she herself had conquered over the summer and all the good times she had. I really enjoyed reading it and gave me thoughts about my own summer.

Overall, the last 2 months have been pretty good. The one thing that I thought I would do more of than I actually did was go to Canada's Wonderland. I did get a pass this year and thought since so many people I knew had passes, that would lead to evening and weekend visits with friends, and their kids, etc. It didn't really happen that way, and that is okay.

The one time that I did get to go was when my niece called early one Saturday morning and asked if I would go with them for a few hours. I jumped out of bed as fast as I could and made it to my brother's house in record time. I loved riding the ghoster coaster and a few other rides with my nieces. If I had to only go one time this season, I am glad it was with my nieces and nephew because that was one of the reasons for buying the pass. Maybe I will get to go with them one last time before the season ends.

One weekend in July when we hadn't planned on going to the Jays game at all in July, ended up going twice in the same weekend, both Saturday and Sunday. We should have actually booked a hotel downtown and had a staycation, but never thought about doing that until it was too late. We attended a game where Carlos Delgado's name was put on the Level of Excellence wall at Skydome. There were a lot of former players there and there was a commemorative baseball that was given out that of course we had to go very early to get.


One of the things I have learned to appreciate is that sometimes it is the little things that happen day to day that sometimes have the most impact. Like having my family over to swim at the pool in the condo. After swimming three adults and two kids managed to sit out on my balcony and eat freezies, snacks and watch the cars and motorcycles go by. Other time they came over and I made lunch and we went swimming again.

Yesterday I spent the day with a teacher friend. She worked at camp all summer and will be starting back at school on Tuesday. We went out for lunch, went back to school/fall clothes shopping and then ended at Starbucks. It was nice to catch up and spend time since the summer didn't allow us to do much of that.

Now I am on my way to an end of summer bbq at friends house. Enjoying the last weekend of "summer" as we move into fall, our Jewish Holiday season and all that has to bring to the table.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and looking forward to the new season and hopefully continuing to see more of my friends, enjoy a meal, movie, coffee or even a walk.

Have a great day, and thanks for reading, I always appreciate it!

as time goes by

About a month ago an old friend of my brother's who lives out of town came for a visit. He surprised my parents and I at their house when we were all getting together for a family dinner. We hadn't seen this friend for many years, and it was great to have him over, and enjoying a meal and his company like we had done so many times growing up.

At the dinner table, it was hectic as usual. The last time he sat at our dinner table we were four. We are now a family of eight, and as he looked around the table at the craziness, he commented that this felt like old times, except now my brother has a wife and three kids.

And that is exactly the way life is....the same yet different. Because here we are again - one year later, nine years later, on the anniversary of Aviva's passing.

If you ask someone of our parents generation where they were when JFK was shot, they could tell you. When you ask someone of our generation where you were on 9/11 - we could all tell you. Life events have a way of staying with you. You will remember birthdays, wedding anniversaries, and of course loss. I think that when someone you love passes, family or friend, old or young, you will always remember the details.

I wrote about it last year and many times before.

This year I am remembering 'time' by looking at my family. When my brother's friend said that our dinner table felt the same, but the fact that my brother had three kids, it really made me think. Aviva didn't get to meet any of the kids.

I look at my oldest niece, and her dynamic personality and think of Aviva. She has a great laugh, and that was one of the amazing character traits that V had - her laugh was infectious. She had a larger than life personality and she would have loved my oldest niece.

And my middle niece - the softer, sensitive one. She would have probably had lots of fun with V as well. Creative and artsy, and a serious thinker. I could imagine that they would have lots to talk about.

And my nephew. She would have just looked at him and thought, a son for my brother. How great will that be now and moving forward. She would be right. The sparkle in his eyes always lights up the room, and she would have loved that.

Last week when I starting thinking about today, I 'googled' the name Aviva Barth and several links showed in the results.

There are community outreach projects in her name.
There are blogs written by people that knew her.
There are flyers and documents from the Underwater council of Ontario on boater and water safety. 

I am sure if you knew V, you are nodding your head right now in remembrance. And you are hopefully smiling at the good times you shared, and her laughter and her smile. They will never be forgotten.

I will never forget you V,

Lisa

Transforming and growing

I wish I could write every day. I think about writing every day, but life, work, facebook all get in the way of expressing all the things I would love to talk about.

I also find myself talking about different anniversaries of things often. I don't know if it is normal or not to remember the things I remember in as much detail as I remember them, but I do. I remember dates, places, the people I was with and especially the music that is connected to the event or memory. If you are a friend of mine on facebook you know that music keeps me going. It is my heartbeat.

Well, one year ago, I was dancing at Decks, beginning my amazing JWRP journey of TAG - transform and grow trip to Israel. I remember standing with one of the girls from the trip and crying. After we looked at each other crying we just laughed. It has been a crazy amazing journey from that point and the twelve months that have followed.

As I have talked about before, one of "grow" parts of the transform and grow mission was to continue learning by attending classes when we came back home. It really has been an amazing year. Every six weeks we embark on a new topic that is our baseline for the next six weeks. They have ranged from Judaism 101, really understanding the who, what, where when and whys of our customs, holidays, traditions and stories. Our group all come from diverse Jewish backgrounds, some with more knowledge than others and some who just need more explanation on who we are, and why we do what we do.

Most recently the class topic has been why do bad things happen to good people? We have been working through this for almost six weeks now, and even though we have covered so much, I know that we have barely scratched the surface. Sometimes after the classes I am left with more questions than answers. But I suppose that is normal.

"everything happens for a reason" and that everything has a purpose and a meaning is another underlying theme that plays out in almost every discussion we have. Even getting to go to Israel on this particular trip would fall into the category of everything happens for a reason.

As I think you know by now, I applied to go on this trip before in the summer of 2011 and didn't get on that trip. I am so happy that I didn't get on that trip. That trip wasn't for me. I was meant to go last year. Meant to meet a specific person who has helped me with my spiritual guidance. There is a master plan working in our lives at all times. Getting back to why bad things happen - we aren't supposed to know that at that time. We will understand it when all the cards in the deck are dealt and the hand is clear. For the most part it isn't clear for a long time, and maybe for some things, never will be clear.

I am so grateful for the gifts I have been given.

"I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason.
Bringing something we must learn. 
And we are led to those who help us most to grow, if we let them.
And we help them in return.
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but I know I'm who I am today because I knew you..."
- From Wicked

A year in life

Whenever I seem to write reflective pieces I seems to always start out with the Seasons of Love from Rent. It always seems fitting because the words are really true. What happens in 525,600 minutes (a year in the life)is too much to write about sometimes.

However, yesterday I was driving home from dinner and realized that a year ago I was on a plane, heading across North America and then over the Pacific Ocean to my amazing vacation in Hawaii. It wasn't until I got home from dinner that I realized that there was another anniversary that our community and so many people in my facebook community were thinking about as well.

It was the passing of Sy Benlolo (Sy Sylver).

Let me rewind briefly. I jumped on the smartphone bandwagon quite late in the game, and while everyone was already upgrading to Iphones, I was still (and still am) new to blackberry. I knew I was going to Israel after Hawaii and I had my phone 'unlocked' thinking I could use a US sim card and use my phone in Hawaii. When I arrived in Chicago for my first connection to Hawaii, I went to the electronic store and asked if I could buy a SIM card. She said, "sure". Great. Next question, "what about data?". Answer - it doesn't come with data. I didn't know that I had to buy a data package before leaving home! DOH! So much for using the phone in Hawaii.

Met up with B in LAX, waiting for our flight to Honalulu. He was busy showing me things on his Iphone and my Ipod and then we boarded to fly off to paradise for 9 days.

The first couple of days in Waikiki were busy and there really wasn't time to use wifi (not that I really knew how to use it on my blackberry) so I did not. No emails, Facebook, chat....which was fine by me (surprisingly). Busy spending time with B, going to the North Shore, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbour and more....

Once we arrived on the big Island, Hawaii, the Sheraton resort fee included 15 minutes of free internet daily. While walking around the hotel, I 'wandered' into the business centre and logged on. Opened up Facebook and saw in private message from a friend. The message was very short - "did you hear about Sy". WHAT? what about Sy? No one was on line and I didn't know what was going on. I sent a message back to this friend and a few others to try to find out what was going on. My 15 minutes was up and we were leaving to go to Maui later that day.

Once we arrived on Maui, the Westin has wifi all over the property and is included in the resort fee. The light bulb finally went off and I started to use my Ipod with the wifi at the Westin.

We were busy in Maui as well, but took some time to finally relax by the pool, B went to the spa and it was a great time to sit back and enjoy the view of paradise.

By that time, I had heard the news about Sy, and what was going on back home. It was a very strange feeling, as I haven't seen him in person in many years, but always followed his life, his successes and his global travels and adventures. It was a very strange time for me, being in paradise but feeling homesick. If that makes any sense.

So, fast forward to today. I am seeing posts and photos and messages to Sy and that one year has past. I know what these very dear family and friends are thinking about today. I think about it every year when the anniversary of Aviva happens. The first year was the hardest, and every year you remember, because you will never forget. We never forget the people that have touched our lives. Which is one of the reasons why you should make sure that the ones that mean something to you know it all the time, because once they are gone, they are gone.

Today's musical interlude is not going to be Seasons of Love, but I just called to say I love you.

Have a memorable day!

I confess

When I write for my travel blog, I know that I am sharing personal stories about the places I have been and what I have seen and been able to do in my life.

When I write in this blog, it is personal and sometimes feels like confession. Now, I am Jewish so I have no idea what going to confession is really like, but I have watched my share of tv shows and movies so I have some idea.

Why blog? Why share personal details about yourself, your life and the way it makes you feel. Well, I think firstly there are probably a lot of you out there, that I may have more in common with on the inside than what appears on the outside. It is a way to connect without haven't to put anything out there. Many people have told me, "wow, I feel the same way about what you wrote about", or "that happens to me too".

So, here goes the confession part of this post.

By now you probably know that I live in a condo. A beautiful, but small condo. Perfect size for one person, you would think. But what happens when you have pretty much outgrown the space you live in? Well, again, one would say, "you need to get rid of some of your 'stuff'". There in lies the problem and what has brought me here today.

When I lived at my parents house I used to collect 'things'. There were always incentives at work - at one point, there was an incentive for gift cards at...wait for it...Consumers Distributing (you all remember that store). I would go to the store, and buy dishes, and pots and pans, and all kinds of 'stuff' that I was keeping until I had my own place.


Little did I know that when it finally came time to pack up and move to my own place, I HATED everything that I had collected over the years. Well, that isn't totally true...

I heard that UNopened Disney movies were (are) worth something. So, I would buy TWO, yes, two movies (VHS) one to keep sealed and one to watch. And every movie had a corresponding mug. I should say that I do use the mugs and they sit happily in the cupboard and are used for tea/coffee all the time.

Fast forward to moving to the condo. After going through what was coming with me and what was not, boxes were labeled and away we went to the condo.

For a while things were great...oh, I should rewind....what about all the visits to the annual Mikasa sale? What about you ask? Well, again, I was living in my parents house, but that didn't stop me from buying beautiful serving platter, glassware, candle sticks (oh let's not get to talking about candles).

WAIT...there was the William Ashley sale that came through town every November. It still does, but I no longer go to the sale.

Now you are starting to see the potential problems arising in my beautiful condo.

And now we come to the home office....seems to be the biggest thorn in my side.

I worked from home for almost four years that ended almost a year ago. During that time I have gotten rid of the 'work from home' elements - brochures, extra filing cabinets. But what about all my arts and crafts, my scrapbooking supplies, magazines...I could go on.

But I really don't want to go on. I want to throw away the food and drink magazines, but then I look at them and think about the pretty cover, the recipes, and more....really? When was the last time I looked at the magazine?

I want to fix my home office. I have someone who can customize this for me. I have someone else who has already shared her vision and drawn it out for me. I have a vision.

But I can't make the vision come true until I tackle my 'stuff'.

Have I mentioned I have lived here for six and a half years. I would have to say that most of this 'stuff' did not come with me when I moved here. How did all of this get in here and how can I make it go away?

That is the question I am faced with even as I sit here typing this post - I look to my left and see a magazine rack filled with magazines, and I look to my right and see CDs, movies and more.

and then of course I think there is my adult ADD....because I start to look at something while I am trying to type this post.

The internal battle continues...I am off again this weekend. Maybe this will be the weekend that I really get a handle on this. That is what I said last weekend, and the weekend before and probably the weekend before that.

Yours truly,

collector of stuff

Forty thoughts

I think I am going to have to save my money and invest in a laptop. I constantly have thoughts running through my brain and it just never seems to work out that I have a place to write them down or put thought to keyboard when I want to. So, that is thought number one on day number one of my new year!

A couple of years ago, before I was about to turn forty I was having a conversation with the sister of an old friend of mine. She was telling me that things change in your forties. She really didn't elaborate but basically said it is different for different people. That you start to figure things out for yourself, come into your own and really become "yourself". Of course I wasn't there yet, so I really didn't get it. I am now "in my forties" and starting to really get it.



Late last year the Judd Apatow movie "This is 40" came out. I saw it after several of my friends and actually went to the movie alone. Which is probably something that someone does in their 40's that maybe they wouldn't have done when then were younger. I laughed out loud, because I could relate. When I commented on facebook that I enjoyed the movie, one of my friends commented something like "really, I heard it wasn't that good". Maybe it's a "40" thing (this person wasn't quite there yet).

Several people I know are turning 40 this year. There has been a lot of chatter about this number and I remember how I was feeling before I had turned "that number". Everyone says, it is just a number, and maybe I would agree with that, but as I am moving through the last couple of years I am thinking that maybe there is more to that.

As I said, I have a lot of different thoughts in my head right now, and rather than try to summarize them in one post - perhaps I will explore the possibilities of forty thoughts on 40.

I will leave you with this one thought this morning - the word Journey.

The first definition that came up for the word Journey was this:

• an act of travelling from one place to another

Which of course is the definition of Journey but not in the context that I am using the word. I went on further to the Oxford dictionary and it says the same thing, but below that it also says: 

•  a long and often difficult process of personal change and development

That makes more sense to me....
 
Stay tuned on my continued forty thoughts on 40. 

News feed

There are a lot of people that aren't on facebook, or don't like facebook, or think that people put too much out there on facebook. In the last few days (especially in the last few hours) all those people who have negative things to say about facebook should keep it to themselves.

Let's start off with Sarah Watkin. She is a beautiful five year old girl fighting for her life. She has AML and needs a bone marrow donor to survive. This of course hits close to home for me since this is what Shari had to go through three years ago. I was very involved in the bone marrow drives and keeping my facebook profile active with all the details about drives, and information.

People all over facebook (myself included) have been sharing the details of Sarah's need for a bone marrow donor, drives going on, and basic information on how to get on the bone marrow registry.

Several people have commented that they were already on the bone marrow registry because of the drives for Shari. That made me feel good that so many people were made aware a few years ago and took the time to register.

If you are not already on the registry, there is a bone marrow drive for Sarah on February 12th and a facebook page has been set up as well. Click here to get to the page. 

Let's hope that Sarah gets her match soon and another life saved.

And now tonight, where through the eyes of social media we find out that someone in our community is missing a child. How could this be on a such a cold, wintery night like tonight? Who knows why? how? but there is a family out there searching for their child.

Within minutes and hours one person's status update is shared with the community. Some might say "how does sharing a status update help?" But it does. It helps the family know that they are loved and that the community cares and is hugging them. No one wants to hear/read/see a story about child who is sick, a missing child. It is scary.

Tonight it is cold, snowy and we all want to be inside staying warm and comfortable.

My thoughts and prayers are going to the Watkin Family, and the Zimmermann and Bender families for their children.

Make sure you say I love you to the people in your life. Life is precious and we should never forget that. 

Only one thing left to say - I just called to say I love you.