Journey & Adventure

It's been one heck of a year. As with any year, there have been good times, bad times, times of joy and times of sorrow. I haven't blogged much this year and truly have missed it. Next year is around the corner, so I hope to have a fresh start. See you soon!

I have so much going on and “on my plate” at the moment, I don’t know where to start. Summer seems to be flying by, but I can’t recall where it went. I’ve only been to the beach a couple of times, whereas I’m usually there every weekend. The reason for my beachy absence has been a direct result of high water levels and high winds. When the water is high, the beach disappears. Combine little-to-no beach with high winds and waves crashing on shore, there isn’t a beach to walk on. The two times I have been, we’ve had to wade waste deep in the water for quite a distance until the beach opens up. Once again, high winds preclude me from wanting to venture waste deep into less-than-tropical water with crashing waves. Hence, not many visits to the beach. Sooooo, instead, J and I have been seriously hitting the trails on our mountain bikes. When I bought my bike a year ago, I thought it was the dumbest idea…EVER! My cardio was horrible and I could only make it a couple of miles b...

First the Public Service Announcement: The opinions expressed here are my own. I’m not saying all men experience these symptoms, there are a few in my life that do, so I speak from experience. Whether real or perceived symptoms, they are a problem for me. If you are a sensitive man (or woman) – get over yourself, as I’m tired of dealing with your hissy fits. So, I’ve noticed a trend… just like women, men experience PMS. My boss is a perfect example of this – his severe monthly mood swings, outbursts and hissy fits for no apparent reason, coupled with moments of over the top cheeriness and random acts of thoughtfulness. I’ve been working here for almost five years now and although, it’s not at necessarily the same time every month, it happens just the same. This is not a segregated sensation sweeping the nation - I’ve also noticed this trend with the other men in my life. J and The Boy are prone to this behavior as well, as I’m sure many other men. Men just don’t realize it’...

In January, we hired a new lawyer, which allowed me to transition out of contracts and into other things, including a “special project”.   I’ve been actually working on this “special project” since August of last year, so until January, I was essentially doing the job of two people.    That was until a couple of weeks ago.   The President of our company and the gentlemen I happened to be working on the project for, suffered a stroke.   The results of the MRI showed, the stroke was actually caused from a brain tumor.   The prognosis is not favorable. I am devastated and I can’t even imagine how his family is feeling.   This gentlemen is in his early 80’s but has the brains and stamina of someone in his 30’s.   He was completely hands-on with his company, beyond successful and cares greatly for his employees – an unusual combination.    I am told by the management team that stepped in – that the “special project” will proceed on the pla...

It’s days like this that make me understand how petty people can be. It’s days like this that make me understand that people can be ugly. Not in physical appearance but in personality. It’s days like this that make me wonder how certain individuals can be so narrow-minded and inconsiderate of other people’s feelings. It’s those same days that make me wonder how they’ve gotten so far in life. It’s days like this I’m thankful for my upbringing, my manners and being taught that the world does not revolve around me. It’s days like this I’m thankful I’ve instilled those same manners and morals in my son. It’s days like this that I realize that I’m a decent human being in comparison to many. It’s days like this that I lose my faith in humanity. It’s also days like this that strengthens my resolve to make the world a better place. It’s days like this I look forward to the smile and warmth that my family provides me. It’s days like this that make me appreciate the little thi...

I don’t know about any of you with children, but when my son was little and was having a melt-down, being disrespectful or just plain out of control, we would put him in a “time-out”.   The time-out was typically done away from others, in a quiet spot, with no outside stimulation.   For us, the bottom step on our staircase worked wonders since there was nothing around, and nothing to look at except a wall.   The time-out period usually only lasted 5-10 minutes, but in extreme cases it could last longer. Today, I wish someone would put me in a time-out.   I’d happily find a secluded staircase somewhere in the building where I could refocus my energy and have a moment to myself, to readjust my attitude. I woke up from a good sleep and was ready for the day.   AND THEN…I got to work.   Duhn, duhn, duhn, dunnnnnn!    I wish I could say the rest of the day will get better, but alas – it won’t.   I have a “team” lunch meeti...

June is upon us, but the weather is still cooler than normal.   Maybe global warming does have something to do with it, or maybe it’s just because I live in Canada and Mother Nature hates me. I’m still faithfully plugging away at my jewelry making, shows and online sales, but I have to say I’m getting slightly tired of it.   Lately, I’ve experienced a few shows that have left me wondering why I bother.     I’m not planning on giving it up any time soon, but I think I need to re-evaluate what makes me happy to make and not just make what people will buy.   Because in all honesty, people are picky and you can’t please them all.   I’d rather please myself. Let’s talk about food.   Do you ever get in a food rut and get tired of making and eating the same thing every week?   I’m in a food rut right now.   I like to try new recipes, but my family can be “selective”.   I can typically please either The Boy or J, but not usually both tog...

After my last post, I've refocused my energy on the things in my life that really matter... it's the little things that are the most important...everything else is just a waste of my energy. Don't get me wrong, I will continue to complain about people and things on occasion...just not today.

Yes, the title a little dramatic, but it’s just how I’m feeling at the moment. When bad things happen, it is said they happen in 3’s. In my case, they are occurring in 8’s. It’s days like today, I wish I could move our relocation timeline up to the end of this month. I’m frustrated and tired of being broke, having to spend money that I don’t have on things that aren’t fun. I’m tired of overspending on the necessities of life – like groceries, electricity, cell phone bills, gas, etc. Most of all, I’m tired of being overtaxed. My income tax deductions add up in a year to be WAY more than seniors citizens make in a year. In general, I’m sick of working so hard and getting nowhere. Just when you think you’re getting ahead, more expenses rear their ugly little faces. Welcome to my pity party – take a seat or leave now, the choice is yours. In the last 2 months we have had some major unexpected expenses: Car repairs for my car – new brakes and rotors, new cross-members (what...

The Boy has returned from school. He has successfully completed 20 months of non-stop college education and has come out with a certificate in Blasting Techniques and a Diploma in Resource Drilling. For those of you that have followed my blog, you will know getting to this point was a HUGE undertaking – many false starts, much money spent and much anxiousness on my part. I am so very proud of his success in getting this far!' Now the period of readjustment begins. The Boy, J and I need to learn how to function as a family unit again. Overall - so far, so good but the tiny cracks are starting to appear. The Boy seems for forget, we still own the house and expect it to be kept in an orderly manner. J and I need to remember he is technically an adult and should not be micro-managed. The plan is for The Boy to live at home, while working in order to save money in order to pay off some of his outrageous school debt. He could make a lot more money if he moved away for work, b...

My brain is a tangled mess these days.   Honestly, I don’t know whether I’m coming or going.     Somehow however, I manage to stay organized amongst all the chaos – mostly thanks to J.     It’s been almost 2 years since J left his job and since then, he’s become the “man” of the household or as I affectionately call him my “domestic engineer”.     In an effort to grow our businesses, have more time on weekends, get our life under control and ultimately get ready for our eventual relocation, we made the decision that J would stay home and work on unfinished projects, household chores, business growth, etc.   Let me say this – it was the best decision of our lives (at least in my opinion).     With my growing responsibilities at work and the hectic pace of life in general, I don’t know how I would have survived and maintained my sanity.   J looks after everything, except finalizing the meals.   He takes care of dishes...

I say this to myself every…single…morning.  There are days when it works beautifully and then there are days, like yesterday and today when things are not working out as planned.  *sigh* The days start off on the positive side but then work happens, people happen, reality happens and shit happens.   I’ve always been fairly proud of my ability to shed the toxic people from my life, but today, I may be one of them.  I’m down right cranky.  Shame on me.    So, with that said, I’m self-imposing solitude by shutting my office door, not answering the phone, keeping off social media and generally not making eye contact with anyone.  I’m choosing to be happy and I’m damn well gonna like it.

As I’m sure everyone is well aware, it’s been a long winter - everywhere.  Longer than usual in my opinion.  Here in Ontario, Canada “winter” started a bit later than is typical.  Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t tropical beach weather by any means for the months of November or December, but the real “winter” with the snow, blowing snow, ice pellets, more blowing snow and polar vortexes didn’t arrive until sometime in January.  But since January, it’s been constant cold, little sun, snow and wind.  It’s been a never-ending story of misery - for me at least. Having said that, I see the proverbial “light at the end of the tunnel”.  Slowly but surely, we’ve had a few warmer days, a little more sunshine and only trace amounts of snow.  I’m still wearing my winter coat, but I have now given up my winter boots for shoes.  Seems like a minor detail, but for me, it’s a BIG deal. There have been other signs of Spring in the air (m...