It is time

Time for a change!

Please follow me this is going to be fun!


http://www.mommymatter.com

this is now where I will be.

No really this will be good.

When Elena Desserich was six years old, she was diagnosed with brain cancer. Before her death in 2007, she hid hundreds of little love notes for her parents to find in their house after her death. Elena was given 135 days to live, but lived 255 days before passing in 2007. That’s when Elena’s parents, Brooke and Keith, started finding the notes between books on bookshelves, inside compact disc cases, and in backpacks.

What an incredible gift this was for the Desserichs! Wouldn’t you love to leave a gift like that for the people who you care about? According to the National Safety Council, almost 2,500,000 Americans die every year. Almost 40% of those deaths are unexpected. This means that about 2,600 Americans woke up this morning and felt they had a long time to live, but they are no longer with us. I know, I know, this post seems to be taking an even uglier turn, but stay with me a minute.

There’s nothing that can ease the pain of losing a loved one. But imagine the comfort and the peace that words from you will give them when you are no longer around to let them know how much you care, how much you admire them, or how much you are grateful for something they have done for you. The best part is that your death doesn’t have to be imminent for you to embark on this adventure! See, I told you this would get better.

1. Make a list of all the people you love the most. I would start with family and very close friends, and then get started. You can always add others to your list later.

2. Think of the most important message is that you can give to each one on your list. You know the people on your list, so take the time to really think about them and what their interests are and what motivates them.

3. Decide on your medium. What is the best way that you can convey their special message that you thought about for number 2. Will you write a letter, a handmade card, or get creative and make them a cd with a note inside the case? Scrapbooks and memory books are also great pieces for grandparents, parents, children or dear friends. Treasure hunt notes are perfect for the young or a significant other. And a donation to their favorite charity along with a letter to them is always great too.

4. Write down your ideas as you are progressing, chances are you will think of more projects/notes and more people with whom you would like to share your gratitude, memories and love.

The greatest bonus is seeing the joy on their faces when you share your thoughts, wishes and gifts with them. The next best bonus is that your idea(s) will catch on and your recipients will steal your idea and start leaving notes behind for their families and friends. They might ask for your advise and give you some ideas that you can use in the future, write those down!

Don’t wait for a diagnosis to leave notes behind, start your writing and creating now while you have a chance to reap the joy reward. Elena was only six, but was able to grasp the importance of letting people know what they meant to her. A huge fringe benefit is that you will be practicing your writing while sharing your love.

I found this today when on-line and just wanted to share - very touching sorry!

hugs and kisses

Ignored

You are so right, I have ignored you all, and I am here to try, try, try again.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. Isn't that terrible, but hey better late then never, right!?

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Donkey and I, of course, went to Florida. We had a wonderful time, I mean really wonderful. We did Disney hardcore, awesome, recommend to anyone. But don't take the kids, no I mean it, there is just so much a little person can take and Disney is too much for the little ones. We will wait until the grand babies are older for sure and then we might not be too selfish and take them.

Florida is wonderful and if you ever have the opportunity to go you should. And I strongly recommend doing the drive, so much to see. You can't read a book driving to Florida, you would be wasting the sites.

Christmas was just the two of us and that is how we brought in the New Year too, was great. Had some good times together, and I think we are lucky that way. When I talk to friends and family and they laugh at us for wanting these precious times together and alone, I wonder what is wrong with them that they wouldn't want to spend time alone as a couple. We are best friends by the way and for a reason, at least that is why I married him, because he is my best friend. I know yuck! And that is what he will say too.

So we are getting back to it, and that is yuck. Back to the grind of work and the reality of being over for another year. Nope I am lying, we are already talking about next year and what we want to do and see. Aren't we lucky! Damn straight!!!

This weekend we are planning Christmas dinner with the kids, who I would like to note have not responded about attending. And if any of you are reading this and don't respond to me by Friday, well it is off. I won't be cooking a turkey for you and if you show up you can piss off. I am feeling a little taken advantage of or under appreciated is maybe the word. I am your mother by the way, how about a little respect. Oh how about a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year or here is the really good one, thanks mom for the Christmas gift. I gave you life the last time I looked and life is short, and you will miss me when I am gone! You don't have to like me and I sure as hell don't have to like you or your choices, you are adults after all. But pretty shitty when you can't call, email or send a damn card. No I am not bitter, disappointed would be the emotion I feel the strongest.

Okay I got that off my shoulders, whew!

So yes I am cooking a turkey this weekend with all the fixings and doing a few new recipes, well I hope to anyways. Have them all set out and ready to go, really hope to not screw them up. Thought I would give Donkey the whole turkey cooking ritual off, he gets so stressed. He isn't as organized as I am in the kitchen. He definitely can cook better than me, but once upon a time I did do all the cooking, I want to experience it again and see what I remember. You are duly warned, haha!

As far as my postings go, I really am going to try harder and set aside a bit of time each day to blow off my emotional steam and share my boring life with all those interested in reading about it.

Hugs and kisses everyone and talk to you tomorrow!

Anyone want a cold, really can't seem to shake this one?!

So sorry to hear all of you that have been dumped on recently with so much snow! No I'm not, you keep it! But could live without all this cold, it is snappy out there today!

I am ready for Christmas, cards are sent, gifts are wrapped and I am ready to go. One more week, will be thinking of you all left behind in the snow and cold. Well I haven't packed, will do that this weekend probably, then I have lots of time to unpack and re-pack, that is what I do.

Was able to get Donkeys sound system all set-up finally, didn't realize how much we missed good quality sound when watching television. I think we have been spoiled in the past and just couldn't go any longer, you can't blame us with all the amazing deals going on with electronics this holiday shopping season.

My daughter and I went out to finish Christmas shopping yesterday, busy busy, and people are so grumpy. I think I say this every year regarding how miserable people are during the holidays, they would run you over in a heart beat for a parking spot, crazy. Always joke about the date being changed for Christmas, really people it is the same date every year, plan ahead!
New for us this year is Donkey and I not going out on one day and doing all the shopping together, he has lucked out this year, he won't know what everyone is receiving either this year, where all his hard earned money has gone. That will teach him for playing too much hockey! I am kidding, I don't mind the hockey playing, I get peace and quiet and keep my house tidy.

My daughter's American boyfriend had a terrible winter driving experience yesterday during the storm in Barrie, we told him not to go to the city. Today they are getting snow tires and a winter maintenance done on his poor southern car.
And with the bad driving conditions, my oldest son and his new car were unfortunate and his beautiful new car is in for body repairs, thank goodness he wasn't hurt, but I bet shook-up and pissed off. Why can't other drives share the road and be respectful of each others space, slow down people, you will get there.
I am so glad I am not doing the winter drive this year, I go days without leaving my peaceful little village and don't mind one bit, this is what retirement is meant to be, stay at home warm and cozy and watch the snow fall. Oh and go south at first chance! Did I tell you - one more week!!! Sorry am I rubbing it in? Yes, yes I am!

I have to go and get my little grand daughter today from nursery school, going to be a cold walk, thank goodness it is only up the road. And I would like to add that since Grama Bootcamp, they are doing great, things did stick. Kids were over for dessert last night, and really can see a change, the little cuties.

Sitting here listening to Christmas music and watching the little munch-kin eat her purple sandwich, don't ask.

Should really go and finish some laundry and then settle in with my book and a nice hot chocolate, with that I am off.

Happy a Happy Day

love and hugs

I Have An Excuse

I am sick! Sick with a cold, thanks to whomever gave it to me, hope you are feeling better.

Wow all this snow, okay we don't have much, but some have a whole winters worth already. By the way, keep it! My little village seems to be missing the storms going around us, and that is just fine.

They are all moved! Last of the stuff is out of my house and into theirs, my house is nice and quiet again. Maybe too quiet because we do miss them, but not too far to go and visit now.

Won't be long now and we are off on holidays, please be hot! Taking computer with me, not all of us get time off for good behavior some of us have to work a bit. Not all fun and games in Florida, but if I am a good girl and work hard I am going to see a lot of Disney.

I think I am probably repeating myself lately but too bad, I am sick and my head is full of whatever this nasty stuff is that keeps leaking out of my face. That is gross, sorry, but this is what is happening to me.

Really don't have anything else going on, been in bed for a couple of days, today is first day back to the computer and really hasn't been a very productive day either. Snow is falling and it is very cold. Went and got gas for the snow blower, which I don't use, so Donkey can blow the drive instead of shoveling. I would rather shovel, but with this head cold of mine I would probably freeze my face off, again because of the stuff leaking out.

Going to leave you with that picture, have a Happy Day!

love and hugs

Almost Done!

Well they are moving, I am going to get my house back to normal again. Family is all sleeping in there own place tonight!

Anyone else upset about the amount of snow falling today?! Makes me cold just looking at that nasty white stuff. All of you that love it, please come and get it off my yard!

Was cooking away today in my not too old crock pot, browning some meatballs, because it has the feature that you can use it on a burner or in the oven, pretty awesome, and it exploded across my kitchen. Scared the crap out of me, I actually had thought it was my glass top on the stove exploding. Only just bought it this past year from my old work. Which I called and they are so awesome said no problem to return. But thought I will call the company who makes first, of course it is made in China, shocked not really. And they tell me they will get back to me in 1 to 2 business days, what? I can't just get an answer right now? Nope, they have to get back to me, whatever. So I will just drive it into town and get my money back and purchase a different brand.

So yeah the kids are moving into their own place, so happy for them all, will be good for them to have their own place. Their own cute little bedrooms, really a nice little house for them. And right to Grama and Papa, so we are always there for them, which is really super important to us both to be a part of their upbringing. I love being a Grama, wish I had of done it first. I know that isn't possible but I can dream. My daughter and her boyfriend are doing a good job of getting things all set-up and looking really nice. Lots of work of course to get organized but it is a good opportunity for them all. Can't wait for the little master to come in the mornings to get me for the walk to school.

My Donkey is away all weekend at a hockey tournament up north, he is excited, actually I am too, I have some movie watching I really want to do and some much needed alone time coming to me.

Oh and I almost forgot. So as you know kids are moving next door and we got possession of the house yesterday. And the young couple that lived there we considered great neighbours and were always friendly with. So instead of having to run around and get keys from lawyers we all agreed that they would bring us the keys and save us all the drive, awesome. So he brings me the keys at around 3, okay not too bad, thought you were suppose to at 10 but that is okay. Informs us that his wife and sister are just going to do some cleaning and they will be off. Perfect, great that they are going to clean. Yeah right! So 7:30, they finally are leaving, were suppose to tell us that they were, didn't, and we watch them take out baskets of clothes, what! Yeah they are over there doing laundry, and on my daughter's hydro at this point, rude! Finally in we go to check everything out. They have put junk at the end of the drive for garbage, knowing full well that our garbage people won't take that, leave crap upstairs in the attic, guess they didn't want and didn't inform us they were doing that. Clean, yeah no! Fridge/freezer is filthy, there is a slick of grease down the side of the wall from the stove, disgusting. Kitchen floor is so dirty honestly not sure what colour it is suppose to be. I think this is absolutely terrible of a couple that we thought would never do something like this, thought they were nice people, again I guess we are wrong. So what were these two women doing in the house for 4 hours? I am thinking avoiding the work at the house they are moving into personally because they sure as hell didn't do any cleaning in the one they just left. The fridge door handle is so dirty it is gray not white, oh and the oven, doesn't look like it has ever been cleaned since purchasing, and they cooked in that, yuck!

But on a happy note, they are sleeping in their new place tonight and I get mine back!

And really that is all I have got for today, but that is what twice this week, good for me.

Have a Happy Day everyone!

love and hugs

Are you shocked?

Yes I am here and I am writing. Can you believe that November is ending already and we are full swing into Christmas!?

My daughter and I were out this morning and everywhere you look it is Christmas! How come the seasons seem to be getting closer and closer together. Now I do realize that the Americans just had their big Thanksgiving Day celebration, which I understand is huge in the States, but I feel like one season just quickly slips into the other. I have to rush to get down one set of decorations to get up the next ones. Nope I am kidding, we aren't putting up Christmas decorations this year. With the timing of holidays and our return there really isn't any point of decorating. We did last year and it was a lot of work for us to not actually be at home to enjoy, so why bother. Call me scrooge if you must but I am not doing it.

The grandkids and their mom move on Wednesday! My daughter's boyfriend arrived today to help with the big move, we get the keys on Wednesday and they can begin the process of their new home. And I get mine back to myself, well Donkey will still be here but he follows the routine pretty good. He should after all these years. Fingers crossed things will get back to the way they were around here, I don't know what I was thinking, volunteering for this this time around. Someone kick me please. And if I do it again please just kill me.

Everyone is out for the evening, having a nice quiet time, well until Donkey gets home that is. Have to cook dinner for him I guess. But he really is easy to please in the kitchen as far as food goes and for those that know me that is a good thing, I hate cooking. And I am not very good at it either, that is what take-out is for if you ask me. Would much rather eat out everyday than try and figure out what to make and then clean up and all the nonsense that goes with a meal at home.

Have got a good head start on Christmas shopping this year, which really isn't like us at all. We are those people who go out the last possible minute and do it all at once. Come home wrap it, put it under the tree and that is that. With the way are this year I have been doing a bit here and there, nothing is wrapped, and of course there is no tree to go under, but feel we are ahead of it. Have parcels to ship that are just waiting to go to the post, and this weekend I am getting all the Christmas cards ready to post. Love doing cards! I send and receive cards to friends and family that I haven't seen in almost twenty years. It seems to be the one and only time we catch-up with what is happening in our worlds, and when friends have stopped sending they are sadly missed.

So really not a lot going on here on a Monday afternoon, just waiting on Donkey to get home, have some dinner, he will watch some tv and I will read and then bed. With the days getting shorter, well they actually aren't just the daylight is, it seems the days go by really quickly and before you know it it is time for bed. And I do love my bed! Get all snuggled into my nice blankets for winter cold, wish I could just hibernate and wake up when it is warm again and skip winter all together. Not the holiday part, you can wake me for that!

Well my friends that is that for a Monday, hope you have all had a happy day, and I might shock you and post again tomorrow.

love and hugs