Aging

Aging is a funny thing, really. When we are children, we have to add that "half" year in there or say our children are X months old. Then we make a big deal of them hitting double digit ages. Adolescence and the tweens arrive and then we don't understand each other. The children think their parents are from Mars, and we think they are from Jupiter. They yearn so much to be older—to reach 16 to learn to drive; 18 to be considered an adult; 19 to be able to drink; 21 and 25. They don't realize then how much those years are the best ones of their life. And oh those years go by so quickly. The older we get, the faster those years go as well.

When I was in my 20s, I was married and having children. When I look back now, I was a child having children, although in that era, that was the norm. People now are having children at a much later age. I'm not sure how they have the stamina for it, though, once they hit 35+. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have. Sometimes I thought I would die of exhaustion from it all and I was so much younger than they. Those years were very busy ones in my life. I also discovered that my parents knew something after all, and often called upon them for advice.

In my 30s, life became different as my children grew and aged. I discovered that the older my children got, the more I enjoyed them. There is just something about being able to have a sensible conversation with someone and being able to communicate your wants and needs. Guessing what those needs are is just not my thing, I have learned. I like clear communication. I also learned that my parents knew a lot, but that my knowledge was catching up to them and surpassing them in some areas of life.

Turning 40 was a horrible day in my life. I h a mid-life crisis, wondering where I was in my life and where I was going. Then shortly thereafter, I began life over again as a single woman. That was not without its challenges either. One income, supporting children, and trying to find out who I was as a person. A lot of personal growth has occurred for me during these years. I'm a late bloomer, I am told, but better late than never. I think I was too busy raising children, being a wife, and working full time to even know that life existed around me when I was younger.

I became a sandwich kid in those years, helping care for aging parents as well as being a parent to my own children. When I was 46, I became an orphan. That is a very strange feeling, even at that age. Until you experience it, it is difficult to describe. For as much as these years presented me with challenges, they brought me many blessings as well. The knowledge I have obtained about myself and life in general is a great gift, and one I will carry with me and continue to develop.

In four days' time, I will leave the old age of my youth and enter into the youth of my old age. The golden years they call it. I remember when 50 seemed ancient. When people who were this age actually looked old. When 50 was considered senior for discounts at the stores. It is indeed half a century. What an accomplishment to make it this far. I thank my creator for giving me this much time on Earth, and ask for this many more and good health and a great love to enjoy it with. I am throwing a party for myself. I want to be surrounded by my friends and family to celebrate this milestone. I can't wait to have fun and to feel the love!

Maybe aging, in spite of the physical declines, isn't so bad after all.

Enjoying the Ride

Well, they say life is a rollercoaster. Sometimes that is true. Every life has its ups and downs, its challenges and its triumphs. We sometimes needs those downs to truly appreciate the ups. But in spite of it all, it is the journey that we are meant to enjoy most.

How easy it is to forget to appreciate life and live it to its fullest when we focus too intently on what is wrong. We give it too much power over our lives, and we forget to live. I've been guilty of this a lot in my life, and am now focusing on what is right, what is good, what is grand, and what is totally awesome!!! What a whole new world it is that opens up to us when we let go and dump out our garbage.

My life is transforming in ways I never thought possible, and in directions I never expected to take. I have a smile on my face when I wake in the morning that is still there when I go to bed. THIS is what life is supposed to be like, and I am truly enjoying the ride!!!!

Christmas is Nigh

Well, it's been a while since I last wrote. Been sick and dealing with a lot of stuff, so the brain just wasn't functioning. 

Christmas is now two weeks away. What will it bring this year? The decorations are up, the tree is decorated, the gifts have all been bought and most wrapped. All that is the same as every year. Other things are different. New people in my life, others gone from it; new ideas and hopes and aspirations, others fallen by the way side. Change ... some things change, others stay the same. The main thing is the peace I feel inside, the love of family and friends, and the spirit of Christmas. May we all have a Christmas that is merry and bright!!

The Hurricanes of Life

This weekend we experienced a category 1 hurricane—Hurricane Earl. I watched as the winds progressively picked up, stronger and stronger. I watched the trees as some of the leaves were shredded and torn from their branches and strewn across my property and plastered to my windows and doors and everything else in sight. I watched it rip a thousand small crab apples from my tree and deposit them on my property. I watched the trees bend nearly in half from the strength of the gales. I listened to the sound of the wind and rain beating on my windows. And where were the birds? None were to be seen. They had all taken shelter from the storm, shelters provided in God's world to protect them and shield them from the storms of life. More than 220 000 people lost electricity, a time to shut down the world of electronic noise and listen to the sounds of their own lives. The rains helped for a short time to moisten the dry ground. To bring much needed refreshment to the arid land

Following the hurricane, the winds continued to blow strong for another day. The clean-up began around the neighbourhood. Missing items retrieved from another's property. Trees, limbs, and twigs were gathered from the lawns and roadways. Leaves were raked and bagged for collection. The sound of power saws still rings out as fallen trees are cleaned up. The sound of hammers resounds throughout the neighbourhood as small repairs take place to roofs and siding that came loose.

Then today the winds have subsided. By times they are still. The cooler air has been pulled into the region by the tailend of Earl. And life begins to go back to normal ... whatever normal may be.

I was struck by the similarity of this to human life. I believe that God is the master of the universe, and what a story He has to tell. When I look at those trees and the stress that they were put under and watched them survive, I was awed. But why would I be? Their roots are deeply planted into the Earth, giving them a strong foundation. They have been given the ability to withstand a lot bending under the strain and yet to bring themselves back upright again. The leaves they have lost, they will rebuild and start afresh with a new spring. The limbs that are lost are only those things that are not healthy parts of the tree, those parts of it that may sap their strength and their worth, and that they may be better without, allowing them to grow stronger and healthier.

How similar is this to human life? I believe that God does not give us more than we can handle, and He gives us the tools to handle it with and offers us shelter from life's storms. Where do we go wrong? Perhaps in not trusting in that. We have the strength to bend without breaking and right ourselves again. We have the ability to shed those things (and yes, people and situations too) in life that are not healthy for us and to surround ourselves with happiness and joy and love from those people willing to share it with us. Ultimately, God wants what is best for us and is there to lend a hand. We must trust and reach out that hand. Michaelangelo captured this well in his painting of Creation. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:God2-Sistine_Chapel.png)

Be strong. Have faith. Believe in a power greater than yourself. Believe in yourself too. Great joy, happiness, and love are there for you if you just reach out and trust it. Be brave. You are worth it!!!

My, How Time Flies!

This week I celebrated 30 years of service on the job. When I walked through those doors as a teenager, I never thought I would still be there all these years later. Nor did I know how different my job would be from the way it was when I started.

The changes I have seen over that period of time has been incredible. Time has a way of changing things. I have met and worked with a lot of people over that time. The skills, abilities, and personalities were and still are very diverse. And as is the norm, always the odd one here and there that challenges your patience and tolerance. The people I work with at the present time, though, are the cream of the crop. The days are not without their challenges, but the team pulls together to create a quality job.

Those years there have seen me through a marriage, the birth of my two wonderful children, and a subsequent divorce, and the death of both my parents. There were other life issues that they and my colleagues saw me through as well. The appreciation and respect I receive from my colleagues is immeasurable.

I love my job! How many people can say that after 30 years? Another 5 years, and I can retire with a full pension. Whether or not I will want to leave a job I love is yet to be seen. Let's see what the next 5 years brings my way. Life, bring me the good stuff!!

The Secrets of Pensions

I've discovered over the past month that there are flaws in a lot of pension plans that no one ever reveals to you. Well-guarded secrets that help to ensure the pension funds line the pockets of those who maintain them far more than of those who pay into them. Some injustices are being done.

I highly recommend that everyone look at investments vs. pension annuities before the retirement date ensues. You may be very surprised at what you find out. I only wish I had known a lot of these things 25 years sooner.

New Ways of Thinking

I've been listening to astrologers over the past year speak of a turning point that is happening right now in our world, beginning precisely at this time. They speak of innovation, new ways of thinking, and of new ways to treat each other and deal with the major issues that plague our world. Of new beginnings for the world as an entity and for us as individuals.

Someone just sent me this video link via email. I think it is a prime example of a "new consciousness thinking." What an excellent idea. Here's hoping it can and will work out. Take a look and see for yourself.

http://xrl.in/60u7

Life Is Backwards

I think life has things backwards in terms of human existence. When we finally reach the age where we have gained a lot of wisdom and knowledge and our understanding of the true meaning of life emerges, our bodies begin to give out on us. Our hair starts to grey and/or fall out, as do our teeth, our skin begins to wrinkle, age spots appear, and our bodies begin to shut down, causing all kinds of irritating issues that cause us grief. We don't have the stamina we once had.

We began our lives with someone looking after us—feeding us, changing our diapers, and dressing us. We grew, we flourished, we learned, and we enjoyed life. Then the cycle reverses. We enjoy life, we begin to forget what we learned, we no longer flourish, we shrink, and so on, until we again need someone to feed us, dress us, and sometimes change our diapers.

Hmmm ... I think Benjamin Buttons wasn't such a freak after all. I think life got it right for him. He had the young body with the wisdom and knowledge and stamina we would all like to have at mid-life.

Summer Heat ... and Cold!

I could have sworn that the bus I got on to come home said "New Flyer" on the side by the door when I stepped in. However, when I took that first step in, it became clear that I was travelling home by Frigid-Air. 


Now, I really dislike the heat intensely. I like comfortably warm weather with a nice breeze. Temperatures around 21 °C suit me just fine. That's a perfect summer day for me. Today feels like a nice summer day. Then there are those who claim to love the heat, but you will find them sitting in air conditioned vehicles with the chillers on "fast freeze."


Although it is only about 23 °C outside right now, the driver felt it necessary to have the A/C on fast freeze. How silly it looks to be carrying your coat when you're outside and then step into a vehicle and have to put it on. All the way home I was frozen. My nose and ears were cold to the touch by the time I got off the bus. I was wondering if I should go see a vet because my nose was cold!


So why do people feel the need to have the chillers on full blast? Isn't A/C simply meant to be used to take the intense heat off the air. Cooling it down inside to around 21 °C would have been fine. Heck, on a day like today, just leave the windows open to get a nice breeze and some fresh air rather than breathing that recirculated crap.


And they wonder why people get sick!!

Born Free? / Taxed to Death ... and Beyond!

This little poem was sent to me in an email. It certainly is a sign of our times. Our country really does need help. The question is, How do we do it without it falling on the backs of the taxpayers?

Tax his land, tax his bed, tax the table at which he's fed.

Tax his work, tax his pay, he works for peanuts anyway!

Tax his cow, tax his goat, tax his pants, tax his coat.

Tax his tobacco, tax his drink, tax him if he tries to think.

Tax his car, tax his gas, find other ways to tax his ass.

Tax all he has then let him know that you won't be done till he has no dough.

When he screams and hollers, then tax him some more, tax him till he's good and sore.

Then tax his coffin, tax his grave, tax the sod in which he's laid.

When he's gone, do not relax, its time to apply the inheritance tax.

 

Accounts Receivable Tax

Airline surcharge tax

Airline Fuel Tax

Airport Maintenance Tax

Building Permit Tax

Cigarette Tax

Corporate Income Tax

Death Tax

Dog License Tax

Driving Permit Tax

EnvironmentalTax (Fee)

Excise Taxes

Federal Income Tax

Federal Unemployment  (UI)

Fishing License Tax

Food License Tax

Gasoline Tax (too much per litre)

Gross Receipts Tax

Health Tax

Hunting LicenseTax

HydroTax

InheritanceTax

InterestTax

LiquorTax

LuxuryTaxes

Marriage License Tax

Medicare Tax

Mortgage Tax

Personal Income Tax

Property Tax

Poverty Tax

Prescription Drug Tax

Provincial Income and sales tax

Real Estate Tax

Recreational Vehicle Tax

Retail Sales Tax

Service Charge Tax

School Tax

Telephone Federal Tax

Telephone Federal, Provincial and Local Surcharge Taxes

Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax

Vehicle  License Registration Tax

Vehicle Sales Tax

Water Tax

Watercraft Registration Tax

Well Permit Tax

Workers Compensation Tax

--- and in 2010 the HST

(author unknown)

 

STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?

 

Not one of these taxes existed 60 years ago, and our nation was one of the most  prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had a large middle class, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids.

 

What in "Hell" happened?

Are You a Butterfly Too?

(Photo courtesy of Jim Newman.)

Have you ever noticed how life has so much to teach us if we only take the time to look? If you look at the trees around you, can you see how strong they are in standing up against the wind? Only the pieces of them which no longer serve a purpose are shed in those winds, yet the roots run strong and deep to hold it steady, and it continues to grow and flourish.

A butterfly is another rich example of how change can be handled in our lives. A caterpillar will one day turn into a beautiful butterfly. That's a dramatic change in their life. It goes through many stages before it emerges as a thing of beauty to be admired and looked at with wonder and awe. 

Have you ever followed a caterpillar through the stages of its life and thought about what it goes through? A caterpillar begins as a tiny egg, which takes a little time then hatches into a fuzzy-bodied creature. Then for a period of time, it spends all day eating leaves, growing stronger and bigger, molting as it grows, preparing for the next stage of its life. One day you notice it is no longer there on that leaf. A search for it shows it has transformed itself into a chrysalis. Here insides its little cocoon it sleeps for another period of time, undergoing another big, life-altering change.

Then one day, the chrysalis begins to break open. Slowly, the butterfly emerges from its place of rest. It is tired and wet and must sit for a period of time to rest and dry its wings. But it has successfully and dramatically transformed its life from a little creature that must crawl from place to place to a beautiful butterfly who may now spread its wings and fly. It is a whole new way of life for it from the one from which it began.

How similar is human life to that? Life is full of changes we must undertake. Changing can be hard, and some days we probably wonder if it is worth it. But ultimately we know that one day all the hard work is going to get us wings to fly too. Change can be the hardest thing in the world. The work that must be done to go from one stage to the next can be very tiring and draining. Oftentimes we are scared of change because we don't know exactly how things will turn out. We are not meant to. That is when we must trust in ourselves and have faith that God is helping us every step of the way. I truly believe He is.

So, if you are undergoing change, especially major change in your life, don't be afraid. Trust in yourself. Trust your own instincts. Trust in the power that you have been given. And above all else, trust in the plan that God has for your life. It is a beautiful one, and you are worth the work to get there!

Humidity

Yuck! We have had a few days of hot weather combined with humidity here. Although the temperatures were only around 24–26 °C here on the coast, the humidity is high, so the "feel like" temperature or the "humidex" as well call it, made the temperature 32–34 °C. Gross!!! The only saving grace is the wind that has been constantly blowing. It makes it almost bearable.

I sure hope the humidity goes away soon. Forecast, though, shows no sun for the next week. I am told that where we live, it is the hardest place in the world to forecast weather because it is constantly changing. As we all say, "If you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. It'll change." We can only hope for the best. Personally, I look forward to September weather, excluding the hurricane season that is predicted to be more intense than usual.

Life, She's a-Changing

Well now, it has been a very long time since I have blogged. Time to start anew I guess.

Last night marked a full moon, a solar eclipse, and a cosmic cross in the sky. All of this is, according to astrologers, a very powerful time marking an ending to all things we wish to put behind us. We will now have the power and resources to do so. In two weeks time, we will have a lunar eclipse. It will mark a time for new beginnings to take shape.

I can feel it. My life is beginning to really change ... for the better. Life feels like it is unfolding, opening up, opening doors. My world is slowly, but surely, expanding. I am doing my best to steer it in a direction that I want to go.

My daughter graduated today from a local business college as a veterinary assistant. She looked beautiful, and I'm very proud of her. She and her significant other are launching their own business doing reptile shows. She, like me, is an Aquarian. Her life is changing and beginning to unfold and go in new directions too.

It will be interesting to see what the next few weeks hold in store. For today, I can say I have had a busy weekend, but it's all good. What does the near future hold for you?

Empty Nest

As with all mother birds, my baby birds have now all left the nest. It is a bit of an odd feeling. The house is strangely quiet. Although it was often quiet prior to this last move, at least I knew someone would be home shortly. Now, there is no one to come through the door after work and say, "Hi Mom. How was your day? What's for supper?"

There are some pluses to it to, though. I get up in the morning and find my kitchen has not been invaded by gremlins while I slept. My bathroom stays much cleaner, there are fewer towels and laundry to wash, I don't have to share the driveway, and I can cook and eat what I want, when I want. Hmmm ... there really are some pluses there.

I already started to paint the vacated room. Did the first one when she left, now the second one has flown the coop and that room is being freshened up as well. Painting this one blue. Never did like the neon green we inherited in there when we bought the house. Never had time to repaint it before moving in. Now it gets an overhaul.

It has been 26 years that I have been living with my children under the same roof. They have begun lives of their own, and I wish them well. Oh yes, I will always be there for them in ways that I can be, and they will always be my children. BUT ... it is my time now. My time has come. I must move forward. I am ready. I am very, very ready. Stay tuned ...

Wow ... It's Been a While

It has been quite some time since I posted a blog. With Facebook taking over so much of my contact with friends, I keep forgetting about this little gem. Hmm ... I'll have to give it some thought as to what to write here. In the meantime ...

Happy Easter!!!!

PMS? Which one are you?

13 Things PMS Stands For:


1. Pass My Shotgun

2. Psychotic Mood Shift

3. Perpetual Munching Spree

4. Puffy Mid-Section

5. People Make me Sick

6. Provide Me with Sweets

7. Pardon My Sobbing

8. Pimples May Surface

9. Pass My Sweat pants

10. Pissy Mood Syndrome

11. Plainly; Men Suck

12. Pack My Stuff

13. Potential Murder Suspect

Who Says You Need to Know How to Spell?

Only great minds can read this This is weird, but interesting!

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can. i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno't mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

Wow ... It's Been a While

Well, it's been a while since I wrote here. Maybe it's time I got back to it, at least a bit. Not sure what to say, but I'll wing it for now and then try to think of some topic to speak about.

It's been quite a winter so far. The temperatures have been up and down more than a whore's drawers and we keep riding a rollercoaster of temperatures that dip low, snow on us, then raise and rain on us. Go figure. The joys of living on the east coast I guess.

Yesterday I attempted to go to work, but it was so icy on my whole street that it was just way too treacherous to walk. Even my grass was a sheet of ice and not even the tiniest spot of pavement showed through the ice. I tried to dig my toes into the snow on the grass to go that way, hoping to reach the freshly salted road. Well, that was not to be. I got to the end of my car, reached out and grabbed the spoiler, and my feet began to go out from under me. To put this into perspective, from the time I take the last step down onto the driveway, my entire 2-3 minute walk to the bus is all a downhill grade.

Now one might think that would be the easiest way down the hill, but going that distance on my arse is not my idea of a good time. It might have been as a kid, but at my age, it is simply a spectacle not to be observed. The air might be a little blue around me too. So, after the first incident of beginning to lose my footing, I about-faced and headed back into the house where it was safe to stand and walk around.

The ice began to melt surprisingly early in the day, so by lunchtime, we were pretty well clear of it. I took a break and went to the local store and bought myself a pair of cleats to attach to my shoes and boots for the next ice event. Hopefully that will spare my neighbours from watching a hilarious spectacle and keep me from breaking bones and bruising my ego. Here's hoping they work well for me.

Murder Conspiracy or Conspiracy to Murder?

About a month ago, I was sitting here at my computer early one Saturday morning when I heard a tremendous bang, the crows going nuts, and the electricity went out. I called the power corporation, who were quick to respond. As it turned out, a crow among the murder make contact and blew out the fuse. It is a 15-minute fix, a pick-up of a fried crow who was laying belly-up on the transformer, and the power was restored.

Now, one would think the birds would learn from this. As I lay sleeping this morning, I was awakened by a tremendous bang at 6:40 a.m. Again the crows went nuts. Oh-oh, they didn't learn. I got up and called the power corporation once again and told them what had happened. They actually had a high volume of calls this morning, so it was 8 a.m. before they responded, but electricity was restored in 15 minutes again.

Now, I sit here and wonder. Did this murder conspire to do this? Did they say to one another, "Hey, Joe there is just not welcome in this group anymore. Let's lead him over to that spot on the pole." Once there, I imagine they say, "Hey, Joe. This is a really neat trick. Just touch that spot there and see what happens." Being willing to go along with the gang, he does. And voilà, fried crow. I believe this murder conspired to commit murder. I wonder if they have a judge and jury? Will someone have to eat crow??

Well Now ...

Well it has been awhile since I have written anything here. Been busy, and other times never thought of it. Missed the dedications to Mom and Dad for Mother's and Father's Days, but they certainly were not far from my thoughts.

Life is different these days. Been very busy at work and in my personal life, and am finding more time to laugh and enjoy life.

We are coming up soon on the second eclipse in my zodiac sign this year. My astrologer says this is no ordinary year for me and that there is no way I will end the year anywhere's near the way I started it. He also says what I think life will be like will continue to change many times throughout the year. Damn ... I want a crystal ball. I have a need to know a few things.

Well vacation starts tomorrow after work, right after I attend the staff BBQ going away party for one of my colleagues. Nice way to start vacation by not coming home. I like it!

I hope my next two weeks are enjoyable. I have a few things planned, but will take the rest as it comes. Maybe I'll see you along the way.