Happy New Year!  2009 and feeling FINE!

It's been awhile since I have had a chance to catch up on my Website and Blog. The holidays seemed to fly by, and yet we were not overly busy with parties and such. Just a nice quiet holiday time with friends and family. This year we promised not to spend much on each other, my husband and I, and so we gave ourselves a limit and said lets see  how much useful stuff we can give eachother in a stocking! That was really fun - I got everything but the kitchen sink, for example a big package of sponges, some magnetic clips for the fridge, a cell phone cover, oven mitts, money rollers, a telephone line connector (3 way), and a corn cob cutter to dekernal the corn! He did pretty good, eh? But just like I figured, he had to go a little overboard, (well, a lot overboard) and He handed me one more gift, and envelope with a Grand Experience Spa Day! certificate in it. OH BABY!!! I used it on the Friday after New Year's to get myself ready for heading back to the work routine. A gift of indulgence. My daughter joined me for most of the treatments and what a lovely day it was! I of course stuck closer to the budget, and gave him some hand tools from Home Hardware, a toque, a chocolate letter D, and a double shower head. We spent the day at our daughter's home with family, my sister and brother-in-law were there too and so was my husband's brother and sister-in-law and one of our nieces and her family. It was a nice day. My 22 month old granddaughter was very excited and fun to watch. Mom was there too, and enjoyed it very much.

New Years Eve we stayed home, my sister and her husband joined us for dinner, pot luck! It was good, we watched George Carlin DVD and laughed our butts off. Watched Dick Clark bring in the New Year, wow what a courageous man! And had immediate family over for dinner on Thursday.

Work is back on, and the home renos continue. I am so lucky to have such a smart and talented husband. If we had to pay for these renovations and decorating services, Yikes, well, we just wouldn't be able to do it.

The house is getting more beautiful all the time, and really feeling like it is ours. Gee after only what, 8 years?

So, I have started a new healthy eating plan. Yeah I know I do it every January, but this time is really different. I feel like I am back in control of my life again. I was being swallowed up by a sense of why bother, who cares, and it takes too much work to do it. Fatigue, lazy, unmotivated and aching all over. After a heated discussion, about my obvious lack of energy, that turned out to be a wake up call for me...I was able to get up and get moving. Here is  my plan. It is very simple. Eat less and Move More.  That's it. I am eating less carbs, bad fats, and junk food, and conciously trying to move around more, climb the stairs more than once, keep moving when I get home from work. My sister and I and a friend are looking into Tai Chi, classes. They are expensive, so we might buy a DVD and do it at my sister's place. her husband works evenings so we would be alone in her condo with no one looking! Sounds good huh? So, keep your fingers crossed, because I just hit my top weight again that I had lost 5 years ago. Now i must start all over. Wish me luck! And tell me what are  your New Year's Resolutions?

Tis the Season to be "Jolly"

Well Christmas is just 12 Days  away, and am I ready? Nope. There was a time when I had it all together by November 15 but not anymore. I do have my little 4 foot tree up and a few decorations around, but I notice my exuberance is well...not so exuberant anymore.

Could it be I am finally growing up, and it just doesn't get  me cranke d up anymore, or am I losing the child-like spirt? I think when my granddaughter gets here today, and sees my tree, that it my spirit will be reignited!

We are truly blessed, so many times over, so this year my husband and I are going to fill a stocking for one another instead of buying a bunch of gifts. Then we have a little something to open on Christmas morning, then it is off to pick up my or our mom's at the home, then over to my daughter's for Dinner.  I am looking forward to Christmas Day, because my sister and I will be sharing Christmas Dinner again, for the first time in about 20 years!

So to you and yours enjoy! On the first day of Christmas....

Menomania! How is it that the older you get the busier you become? Everyone of my friends is talking about this. What have we done to ourselves? Are we really all that busy or just flustered by multiple priorities? Or is our energy just sinking so low it feels like we are always trying to catch up with ourselves? so many questions so little time!

I know that every November, I feel like I am extending my energy. Or stretching the limits, and then there's the absent minded thing again. You know when dimentia runs in the family, it makes you wonder when you do stupid things like put a coffee cup away with the coffee still in it. Perhaps I shouldn't have shared that one out loud! I read a neat article in MORE magazine today, about being 52 and able to conquer the world if only I had a mind! It talks about lots of new gadgets to help us remember things or find things like our keys that we lose, or cell phones etc.

That made me think, I have often wondered what will we do about all these passwords we have to have when the dimentia starts to set in. We won't be able to access our bank accounts, websites, or do any online business...We really should set up a back up file in the old fashioned way with all our passwords on it but my luck and my housekeeping habits, means I would never find the darn file!

I got a new cell phone recently, and it has a tiny Querty Board on it. I thought cripes I can't hardly see it now - shouldn't someone be coming out with a big button phone not making them smaller!

Went to dinner with dear old friends on Friday night, what fun that was! I have been cutting back on alcohol consumption as I seem to have some sort of allergic reaction to it lately, so they both made up for what I didn't drink and it was too funny! My girlfriend got the hiccups, and kept yawning when she invited us all back to her house after dinner. We were tired too, so headed home around 11:30. I can remember the days when I would party with those girls until the cows came  home! Oh how times have changed or we have changed. The took photos so hope to get some soon and post them here! Cheers! PS It is snowing today! Yikes. Florida here I come! Darn April is so far away!

Yesterday, I stood in the kitchen of my ancestral home in Grand Valley, ON. It was kind of neat, driving up the laneway and imagining my grandmother (Nanny), as a child running up that laneway after school. The folks who live there now, Karen and Tom, were delightful hosts. As I gazed upon the kitchen ceiling that was hand carved by William Stuckey, I was in awe. I felt the spirit of my ancestors joining us. I could see and feel the smile of my Nanny, so pleased we had made the visit to her home. I thought of the hours of work that went into carving that ceiling and I was proud. I learned that they had hives of bees for making honey, that blew my mind, as I  was born with a real fear of bees. It made me wonder if I lived another life back then, and was attacked by a swarm. It was a warm welcome, both spiritually and physically. My sister, Sharon, my cousin Judy and her Dad were accompanied by our cousin Ralph who grew up in that house. It had been over 50 years since Ralph stood in that kitchen, He  was thrilled. His wife Vi, was pleased for him and it showed. Thank you Karen, and Tom, so much for that peek into our past. It brought us home to our roots and it was truly a gift.

Sorry I skipped a week, very busy here. We had our special guest Doreen South, spiritual medium and psychic here from Sunday to Thursday, all went well, many good readings! She told a great story about her experience spending the night in the haunted jail in Cornwall, ON with the TV crew!

Then Thursday night I had to work, until 9 PM for a workshop presentation. Friday work, and clean house, get ready for next house guest. Marjorie from Windsor.  Marjorie is 79 years old, single and somewhat disabled. Took her, my mom and another 86 year old woman out for Fall Colour tour then back to my place for Thanks giving Dinner on Sunday. MMNNN Good! The old dolls loved the fall tour, country roads etc. and the meal. Today, My daughter, and grand daughter and son-in-law came over to visit. The weather has been gorgeous. like summer - 80 degrees. Sunny. blue skies!

I have been somewhat ill, all weekend with a broncular cough, dry throat and hacking. Geez that annoys me i get it every year at this time and it last for weeks! PUmping extra vitamins now. Full moon this weekend too! Hot Sweats doubled. And the hardest part of all, I found a home for my daughter's dog. Asja. Asja is an Alaskan Malamute, 6 years old. And she is causing havoc at my daughter's home. With a full time business to run, an 18 month old child and a busy husband who works, and hunts. Living in the city on a postage size lot. Well, you can imagine Asja is unhappy. My daughter tries hard to walk her regularyly, and play with her but LIFE gets in the way. The dog was babied from day one, and now has to play second fiddle to the real baby. My good friends are in their 60's retired, and live on a lovely 3 acre property with a large heritage home. They just lost their own dogs and a cat as they got too old and sick. So, missing their own animals, they have offered to help by taking Asja and giving her a good home with lots of attention.

My daughter's heart is breaking, and she feels so bad for giving up her dog, but she knows it is the best thing for the dog. A while back the dog scratched the baby, and we were all concerned about that as well. So my daughter is being very courageous, and proving how much she loves her dog by letting go.

This week I will take my daughter there to see the lovely home and wonderful people who will give her dog a beautiful life. Please pray for us during this difficult time.

I am hoping all will go well.

Courage, these are the days we must endure to get to the light.

Be Blessed 

T

Meno magnificent!

A weekender in Niagara Falls - a sure cure for Meno madness! We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott one of our favourites! Nothing like standing at the top of the falls and feeling the energy and feeling the mist cool your hot flashing body! While others covered themselves with coats and umbrellas this menomagnificent woman went sleeveless and enjoyed it!

Got the jr presidential suite, jacuzzi tub, fireplace TV, uh-huh! You know what I mean... Still a hot chick in more ways than one! Top Floor view of the falls/river etc. Superb!

Dinner at the Keg, a little gambling at the Fallsview Casino. Didn't win though! But played for 3 hours. great fun!

This is  thing we like to do and have done so for over 30 years now! a little get-a-way for two. Many of our friends suggest they should come along, but...we kind of like it to ourselves!  a little D&D time. I think more couples should make that a priority to keep the fire lit! As they say just cause there is a little snow on the roof doesn't mean there's no fire in the furnace!

I feel rejuvenated and walk with a little more energy and a big smile on my face! Menomagnificent!

I think I am losing it! I was telebanking today and when I heard the balance in my savings account, I thought something must be wrong. It sounded like too much money. What am I complaining for? ..Well honesty is a part of my make up, so I made a few calls to ensure it wasn't something for my mother's account accidentally put into mine, and long story short, I had deposited it myself, it was my pay less a few bucks that I must have hit savings account for instead of chequing. No wonder my chequing account was so low! Anyway, I think I am going to try and leave it in there as this is my saving for my trip to England account.

Sometimes my head gets so fudgy that I can't remember ....it! Lately I am getting more chills along with the hot flashes. Crankiness seems to be taking me over as well. I rile real easily, and have to talk my self down.

Went for a beautiful walk with Jazzy last night for over an hour. then to grocery shopping for another hour then home.  Feel good today, but tired now, Say Nighty-night!

Sweet Dreams!

In two weeks time, I will be hosting a very special guest in my home. Her name is Doreen South, and she is a fascinating and very gifted psychic medium who I have known for over 15 years!

Folks are booking their sessions quickly as she is only in town for a few days. She used to live near our area but now resides in Cornwall, ON. This lady is the Real Deal as validated by Lori in my tag notes and comments.  

For those of you who cannot physically attend a session you can book a telephone reading using Paypal or a Credit Card ahead of time.  It is 50.00 plus tax for a 1/2 hour reading. 

To book your appointment email her assistant at dsouth@angelwhispersconsulting.com or call

Whew! What a weekend that was! Hosted a CIHC Director's meeting early Saturday morning, lasted until 1pm. I baked Grands cinnamon buns, fresh coffee and fruit! Domestic Diva eh? Yah Right...!! Thank God for the Pillsbury Dough boy!

Picked up my grandbaby by 3:00 pm, had fun with her all afternoon, but she got frustrated because she is used to being outside running on our two acres of land. It poured rain all day! And the back yard was a mud pit. So, she got pretty unhappy by dinner time. Once Grandpa got home from the farm auction all was well. She went to bed right at 8:00 after a bit of astruggle for the bathtime, and slept til 4:45 am. Which is great but I just cannot sleep when she is here. So I dozed all night watching the clock and listening for her. We got up for awhile, changed her gave her part bottle and back to bed nice as you please she slept til 7:00 a.m.

But she was testing me on Sunday, and I with little sleep did not wish to be tested! Suffice it to say that Grandpa had to take over for awhile til Grandma cooled off. And sweat!..Yikes I poured sweat most of the day. The air was on full and it was so hot at 8:00 a.m it was already 85 degree F. Got one swim in, then took her to her other grandparents for the next two days.

Her mommy and daddy will be home tomorrow! that will be good!

Now I really understand why God mean't babies for young women. I am froached. Looking forward to tomorrow evening dinner and movie with my sister. We have rented the Ya Ya Sisterhood and are staying in at her place. Next night - Wednesdy off to Women in Business Meeting for a dinner and guest speaker. Cant even remember the topic - I am so tired.. Nighty Night!   

I think Hurricane Hanna's side effects came by today. It poured rain for hours! And today we were hosting a BBQ for 20 plus people on our Board of Directors and some new members in our Canadian Industrial Heritage Centre group.

Now some would give up and say cancel it, but not I. I believe in the Secret. And I pratice it. So I put my mind to it and decided that the rain would quit about 3 pm when my guests were due to arrive. My husband looked at me and said it looks like it is here for the day. I refused to believe it and pictured my party in the sunshine outdoors. I cleaned my house inside from top to bottom just in case, but somehow I knew we would be outside. About 2:45 PM the sky broke and the sun peeked through, and then it came out full force! Everything dried up and the party was a success! I thanked the Universe and God for listening to me, and said how grateful I was and how much these volunteer deserved to have a nice day. My son in law Court cooked up a gastronomic delight. BBQ chicken, with veggie Ka-Bobs, pasta salad, and caesar salad, we had fresh rolls, adn he baked apple crisp and sweet potato pie drizzled in chocolate with mint leaf for added effect for dessert. The wine and beer were flowing and what a lovely day we had! I don't recall having one hotflash during the day!

Now tonite is a different story, I have had a few already. Check out my home page, for a story about whether the food we eat exaggerates our hot flashes or not. Also check out my guestbook for my cousing Fancy Nancy's opinion.

What do you think? does certain food cause you to heat up?

If you are what you eat, then I am a chicken, and sweet potato pie!