tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32768294027011055722024-02-19T01:01:22.691-04:00Stumbling on Happinessleslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-21858271377828320122010-08-13T12:13:00.005-03:002010-08-13T13:02:55.261-03:00Goodbye Nero<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50KYRxSOnBCntg7YHR5WCL7pxMMd_cUPTB2tQsVFz1aU8NvFDI0gfIiFpVY08L7LL3rZedseZuMmB5aPYmsDm-TDEGVZNblTFicPLRbHprDkNB9W8GvmGdpt_XxrA0H5V0qbZtCi7UQk/s1600/nero2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504925301828554642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg50KYRxSOnBCntg7YHR5WCL7pxMMd_cUPTB2tQsVFz1aU8NvFDI0gfIiFpVY08L7LL3rZedseZuMmB5aPYmsDm-TDEGVZNblTFicPLRbHprDkNB9W8GvmGdpt_XxrA0H5V0qbZtCi7UQk/s320/nero2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLbnwbn4s02GxxNFy5VGL34tsAU3bhKfmp_r9nA7776d__dP6Aowai_-u1Ym3oALD1rbzMDPGN6hUCnTkcNVTs4z7mnwTTUSON73agTa2C5MkGtLeqXsMjuaUW6IeinqNAghNb94c6oU/s1600/nero1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504925133393989202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBLbnwbn4s02GxxNFy5VGL34tsAU3bhKfmp_r9nA7776d__dP6Aowai_-u1Ym3oALD1rbzMDPGN6hUCnTkcNVTs4z7mnwTTUSON73agTa2C5MkGtLeqXsMjuaUW6IeinqNAghNb94c6oU/s320/nero1.jpg" border="0" /></a> You were a royal pain in the butt at times but you were our pain in the butt. We will miss you.<br /><br /><div></div></div>leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-53815233036913692882010-01-27T12:42:00.009-04:002010-01-27T13:08:15.505-04:00Ammunition for a later date.My d<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aughter</span> goes to preschool in the morning which means that at noon one of us has to go get her and bring her to her babysitters house. Sometimes I lose track of time and end up rushing out the door without bringing her lunch with me. Today was one of those days. When I picked her up and I told her that I forget her lunch, her response was "When I go to work when I am old I will NEVER forget my child's lunch"<br /><br />So it looks like I just dropped a peg or two on the Parent Poll. And I'm old. I'm definitely<strong> </strong>reminding her of this conversation when she has her own kids.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-78170924930706421342010-01-27T08:41:00.003-04:002010-01-27T08:52:03.669-04:00A quick about faceThere are four <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">TVs</span> at the gym and since the gym is run by males the choices of programming in the morning is usually 2 sports channels, a news channel and, because over half of the people working out are women, some sort of token talk show or drama or reality show. This is usually the one that I choose. I watched 40 minutes of a show this morning only to have a male trainer come out and change it to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">sportsnet</span>! I was so angry! I jumped off the treadmill ready with a few choice words for the muscle head when I realized that I would have to admit out loud that I was upset about missing the last 10 minutes of Felicity.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-69968036299806407872010-01-26T14:51:00.003-04:002010-01-26T15:36:07.229-04:00HaikuLife continues on<br />Leaving me wondering why<br />I feel left behind<br /><br />Living each day with<br />A mask of Ordinary<br />That hides hollowness<br /><br />I am not this pain<br />Rather the understanding<br />That this too shall passleslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-50914855454856387352010-01-19T11:56:00.004-04:002010-01-19T13:01:03.929-04:00Busted<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Change rooms</span> make me uncomfortable. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">philosophy</span> has always been don't make eye contact, never draw attention to yourself while getting undressed or dressed and never make conversation with someone who is naked or in the process of getting naked. That didn't work out for me last night. This is what I overheard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">while</span> trying to get my jeans on my still damp legs while holding my towel. <br /><br /><em>I'm going up to the mall to get a cell phone tomorrow. What kind of a plan should I get?</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Well since you are thinking about getting rid of your land line then you should look for a plan that won't charge you a lot for daytime minutes. </em><br /><em></em><br /><em><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ok</span> (pause) Thank you for being my friend while I didn't have a cell phone. </em><br /><br />I totally laughed out loud and then looked over at them. I'm so glad they were laughing too.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-52126856090065783902010-01-19T11:14:00.007-04:002010-01-19T14:30:40.252-04:00Stillness SpeaksI borrowed this book from a friend a while ago and I'm just now getting around to reading it. It is written by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Eckhart</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Tolle</span> - the same guy that wrote the Power of Now and A New Earth. I really like the format. It just gives little quotes to think about so you can read a bunch or just one at a time. Here are a few that made me stop and think:<br /><br />Most People confuse the Now with <em>what</em> <em>happens </em>in the Now but that's not what it is. The Now is deeper than what happens in it. It is the space in which it happens. So do not <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">confuse</span> the content of this moment with the Now. The Now is deeper than any content that arises within it.<br /><br />Even within the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">seemingly</span> most unacceptable and painful situation is concealed a deeper good, and within every disaster is contained the seed of grace. Throughout history, there have been women and men who, in the face of great loss, illness, imprisonment, or impending death, accepted the seemingly unacceptable and thus found "the peace that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">passeth</span> all understanding." Acceptance of the unacceptable is the greatest source of grace in this world. (I think this struck me <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">because</span> if what is happening in Haiti right now. I'm really struggling with images that I see on the news - I keep asking myself "why is this happening?")<br /><br />Surrender becomes so much easier when you realize the fleeting nature of all experiences and that the world cannot give you anything of lasting value. You then continue to meet people, to be involved in experiences and activities, but without the wants and fears of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">egoic</span> self. That is to say, you no longer demand that a situation, person, place, or event should satisfy you or make you happy. Its passing and imperfect nature is allowed to be. And the miracle is that when you are no longer placing an impossible demand on it, every situation, person, place, or event becomes not only satisfying buy also more harmonious, more peaceful.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-73707234676370294472009-12-03T15:14:00.004-04:002009-12-03T15:26:32.515-04:00Excerpts from Sermon on ForgivenessForgiveness is a decision not an emotion or feeling.<br />Forgiveness is not earned.<br />Forgiveness does not excuse or ignore the offence<br />Forgiveness is grace and mercy.<br />Forgiveness is not conditional.<br />Forgiveness is not forgetting but rather facing the past.<br />Forgiveness is not probationary.<br />Forgiveness is permanent.<br />Forgiveness says “I won’t bring this up again in a manner that seeks to hurt you”.<br />Forgiveness says “I will not rehearse the offence in my mind”<br />Forgiveness says “I will choose to focus on the future not on the past”.<br />Forgiveness seeks to restore.<br />Forgiveness initiates reconciliation but does not guarantee it.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Colossians</span> 3:15 Let the peace that comes from Christ rule.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-51315942369788956232009-11-02T14:04:00.004-04:002009-11-02T15:14:01.428-04:00MercyMy family and I have started going to church. I grew up going to church and most of my high school friends were from the local youth group so it was a very big part of my life. As my kids grew older I knew that I needed to introduce them to church and the community that comes with it. When I went looking for a church here in Freddy I knew I wanted one with a great kids program and youth program so that my kids would not only learn about God but also have fun while doing it. A neighbour told us about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Crosspoint</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Wesleyan</span> around Easter of this year and we have been going ever since. Not only has it been great for the kids but the Pastor seems to always talk about issues that are very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">relevant</span> to our life. He challenges many of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">stereotypes</span> that have made me shy away from the organized religion for many years. This week the scripture that he read from was the story of the good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Samaritan</span>. Everyone has probably heard that story but he really made me look at it from a new perspective. He suggested that the opposite of Greed is not Generosity but Mercy. Would Greed exist in the presence of Mercy? I have never considered myself greedy - that is such an ugly word. But after this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Sunday</span> I realized there is so much more that I could be doing. He challenged everyone in the congregation to do something totally crazy this week. He suggested maybe giving a $20 tip to the drive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">thru</span> person - wow - that just seems crazy doesn't it? But what would stop me from doing this? Greed? So I am going to find a few charities that are close to my heart and donate some time and money. They currently have a program where you fill a shoebox up with toys and candy for kids that might otherwise not get anything for Christmas. Actually I think I will make it a family activity - it is definitely one that the kids would have fun helping me with.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-53202409220805838842009-10-28T08:42:00.004-03:002009-10-28T09:19:29.296-03:00Pass the Carrot sticks please!So it's been a month of going to the gym 3-4 times per week. I finally got up enough nerve to get on the scale this morning and I am exactly the same weight. That's more than a little frustrating. The good news is that I can go for longer periods of time on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cardio</span> equipment and I have been steadily increasing my weights on the machines so I have been seeing progress. But it is frustrating not to see results on the scale. When I was talking to a coworker about my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">frustration</span> he said that the only way to lose weight is to eat less - that exercising will make you feel healthier but does nothing to change your weight. NOT what I wanted to hear. Maybe I should start going to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">dietitian</span> again. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ARG</span>!! Good thing I watched biggest loser last night or I would be <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">drowning</span> my sorrows in a couple of chocolate bars right now. I can't get over how much I love that show. It is so inspiring to see people my size changing their life right before my eyes. Rudy lost 100lbs in 7 weeks - I can't even wrap my brain around that. So I'm not giving up yet - I can do this- I just need to figure out a way to eat less even thought I'm constantly hungry. FUN!!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-830406007367801262009-09-30T10:31:00.009-03:002009-09-30T13:03:27.474-03:00I've taken A Big Step........just coming in the front door. That's what Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">FitAsAFiddle</span> said to me as he gave me a tour of the gym this week. And that, my friends, is exactly why I have never been a big fan of the gym. But I joined anyway. I really feel that this is exactly what I need to help me shed some pounds. I know I have a lot of hard work ahead of me but I'm actually looking forward to the aches and pains that accompany a good workout. The funny thing about it is that I have only been going for a week yet I lie in bed at night thinking about what I will say when people say "you look like you are losing weight" . My MIL says that to me almost ever summer when she comes to visit from Ontario and I always have to say "Nope - still the same" I know she means it as a compliment but what I always think is "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span>-she thought I looked bigger than this last year? - crap!" I guess it's kinda like when you tell someone they look nice today and they reply "Boy I must have really looked terrible yesterday!" Same idea I guess. So I think I'm at the weight where it's hard to tell actually how big I am. Like you reach a point of fatness that you just can't get any fatter. I mean you can, but it would take more than 20 pounds to really notice a difference. And the worst part is that I have been here for over 8 years. That's insane! I am so ready for a change. So now I lie in bed and obsess about my reply for next summer ("well yes! I have lost 20 pounds!" or 30 or maybe even 50!) Man my brain is warped :)<br /><br />So here are my goals:<br /><ul><li>I want to wear my jeans all day instead of rushing home at the end of the day to put on sweats or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jammie's</span> because one more minute of having that tight band around my gut might send me over the edge. </li><li>I want to get up in the morning and not think about when I will be able to get back in bed again. </li><li>I want to feel more comfortable in my body. I am not this person that everyone sees. My inside doesn't match my outside.</li><li>I want to stop feeling like life is passing me by.</li></ul><p>So bring on the pain all you skinny perky beautiful gym instructors - I've got a long way to go and I need all the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">motivation</span> you can give me.</p>leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-46083169227776684912009-09-18T09:30:00.004-03:002009-09-18T09:36:38.333-03:00Rude AwakeningSo I went to get my eyebrows waxed yesterday. I follow the esthetician into the teeny tiny room and she turns around and looks at me and says "So are you here for eyebrows or lip?"<br /><br />Happy Feeling Gone.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-26299857251970044992009-07-30T09:45:00.006-03:002009-07-30T12:10:01.033-03:00Peter BearMy uncle Pete passed away last week. I wanted to make sure that I blogged about some of my memories of him and some of the things I learned about him at his funeral so I would always remember them. I was able to see Pete from a different perspective after hearing other people talk about him and I am so glad that they shared their stories with me.<br /><br />To me, Uncle Pete was always a rough character. He worked in the woods, loved to hunt and fish, belonged to a local motorcycle gang and loved the great outdoors. He was never married - I never even knew of him having a girlfriend. Not surprising really. I can't imagine him "settling down". He was a loner for most of his life. To people that did not know him he must have looked a little menacing. Picture a large unshaven man riding a Harley, wearing a black leather vest (with a skull emblem on the back) and dirty ragged jeans. He wouldn't be someone you would wander up to to ask directions to church :) But he was quite the opposite of the image he projected. His brothers in the biker club said he always preferred talking to fighting. Don't get me wrong - I'm sure he had a few fights in his time but it was always as a last resort.<br /><br />Pete loved to cook and LOVED to eat. Truthfully all of my family on mom's side of the family like to eat but Pete was our leader. We think he weighed about 425lbs when he died - like I said - our leader :) He lived most of his life at that weight. It didn't seem to stop him from living and enjoying life.<br /><br />One of the stories I heard at the funeral was that when he hunted or fished he would often give the meat away to families that he knew would otherwise go hungry. But he never wanted them to know who gave it to them. That really struck me. Pete just loved to know he was making a difference in someones life. I love that.<br /><br />The minister, Leonard, told a story about Pete that made my jaw drop. He used to work in the woods with Pete. The men would each take their team of horses into the woods and hook up 2 logs to the team and then drive them out. But not Pete. Once he had hooked up the 2 logs to the team he would throw a log over his shoulder and drive the team out carrying the log on his back. Leonard joked that Pete had an unfair advantage because he had a 3 horsepower team while the rest of the men only had 2. I always knew Pete was strong - he used to toss us kids around like we were kindling but I had no idea how strong. He also loved to carry us around the yard by holding us by our ankles upside down - one kid in each hand. That seems like such a long time ago.<br /><br />Pete developed diabetes later in life and started to loose his eyesight in the last few years. He moved into an apartment close to my mom so she could monitor his sugar levels twice a day and help him with this needles. I know she will miss him and miss the stories that he used to share with her during her daily visits.<br /><br />His funeral was attended by many family and friends. All his biker brothers attended as well. They all escorted the hearse to the cemetery. That in itself was quite a sight to see. I think I counted 55 Harley's in front of us and the hearse. Pete would have loved that.<br /><br />The boys invited all the family back to their clubhouse for a wake in honor of Peter (they called him Big Pete). It was nice to see where Pete lived for 18 years. That is probably the longest he ever stayed in one place. It was more of a camp than a house so it suited him and his lifestyle. When I walked out on the deck I could see why Pete stayed there so long - the view from the deck was phenomenal. You could see the mountains and valleys for miles and miles and there wasn't a house in sight. Through all the chaos of the boys drinking and toasting him inside the clubhouse, I preferred to think of him while I looked into the mountains that he loved.<br /><br />Rest in Peace Peter Bear.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-68511308960234587402009-01-21T10:24:00.004-04:002009-01-21T11:12:46.323-04:00Sleeping BeautyLast night I went into my daughters room and looked at her sleeping face. So beautiful. So perfect. I've taken so many photos of my kids when they are asleep. A few times I have actually woken them up. (Now that had to be a rude awakening - sorry kids!) Last night I just stood there and took it all in. So many thoughts ran through my head : What will the future be like for them? What type of person will they be? Am I being the best parent I can be? Am I making the right choices for them? <br /><br />I know that I have a lot of work to do on myself in order to be a better parent for them. I realize that I need to figure out how to like myself. I'm not quite sure that I know how to do that yet. I used to think that it was all about my weight - I was sure that I would like myself more if I could take off the extra pounds but now I'm not so sure. To be honest I'm tired of avoiding the mirror. Tired of not having any picture of myself with my kids. Tired of having no clothes because I hate trying on clothes in front of a full-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">length</span> mirror. So I have to either figure out how to accept myself as I am or..............or What? What is my other option? I don't think I have one. I was going to finish that sentence with "lose all this extra weight" but I have to be honest with myself. I have been trying to do this for a very long time and I don't think it is going to happen. My <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">dietitian</span> told me yesterday that I had to embrace the hunger. OK - sure - no problem : ) Now that will take some work - a lot of work. But I also think I need to figure out how to come at this with a different angle. What if I already liked myself and losing weight wasn't the driving force behind everything that I do. Would food be less of an issue? Would I obsess about something else? Would I learn to like exercise? I think that last one might be taking it a bit too far. But it's an interesting concept. But then I'm left with the question of How do I learn to like myself as I am? For that I don't have any answers.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-55895574967397778242009-01-20T13:32:00.004-04:002009-01-20T14:32:13.621-04:00Inauguration dayAs I sit here listening to the ceremonies in Washington, I can’t help but join in with the excitement of the day. I find it amazing that as a Canadian I have become so engrossed in this election and this president. I feel <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">privileged</span> to be a part of history. The president has a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">monumental</span> task ahead of him and I truly believe that they have found the right guy for the job. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">When</span> he speaks I am mesmerized. He exudes confidence but in a very calming manner. He is deliberate yet non confrontational. He inspires by example. I don't think I have ever seen a man so ready to lead a nation in crisis. We have yet to see what policies he will put into place but I can’t help but think that he will approach all decisions with humility and grace. While listening to a morning radio show on the CBC, I heard the speaker talk about how Obama can only fail in this presidency because the American people have too much hope for what he will accomplish. He goes on to say that when people look back on Obama’s presidency that they will think of failure and broken hopes. I disagree with this. Even if the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Obama</span></span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">presidency</span> can not accomplish everything that he had hoped, no one can deny how he has inspired the nation. He is only one man so his power must come from the people and his words inspire the masses. An inspired nation can accomplish much more than a defeated one. So attitudes like the the man from the morning radio must be left behind in order for hope to prevail. President Obama’s speech is just about to begin and I have a feeling that we will all be inspired yet again. Hope is a powerful entity and one that I pray that we can keep in our sights in this very difficult time.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-27306396236757299032008-09-19T14:36:00.005-03:002008-09-19T15:11:01.853-03:00I'm it!Mel tagged me so here it goes!<br /><br />THE FIVE TAG<br />10 years ago I:<br />1. Wasn't married : )<br />2. Had no kids : )<br />3. thought I had so much to do<br />4. really didn't do too much<br />5. slept through the night<br /><br />5 things on today's "to do" list:<br />1. Scrapbook<br />2. Go out for supper<br />3. help the kids spend their birthday gift card from toy-r-us<br />4. take a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Tylenol</span> for this headache<br />5. give up coke (as in cola : )<br /><br />5 snacks I enjoy:<br />1. Chocolate cake<br />2. Chocolate cookies<br />3. Chocolate bar<br />4. Chocolate macaroons<br />5. Chocolate chocolate : )<br /><br />5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:<br />1. quit my job<br />2. buy an island<br />3. hire a chef<br />4. give away my house to someone who needs it<br />5. take all my girlfriends on a fantastic vacation!!!<br /><br />5 places I have lived:<br />1. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hillsborough</span><br />2. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">UNB</span> dorm<br />3. Graham Ave apartment<br />4. Windsor St apartment<br />5. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Southwood</span> Park in a house :)<br /><br />Five jobs I have had:<br />1. Waitress<br />2. ice cream server<br />3. toll booth operator<br />4. museum tour guide<br />5. lab technologist<br /><br />I tag...Whoever wants to and<br />1. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Hollee</span><br />2. Jenn<br />3. Amy<br />4. Shelley<br />5. Kristaleslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-48922945882549874742008-09-10T10:53:00.003-03:002008-09-10T11:15:40.924-03:00You scratch my back....So I haven't been doing very well at updating lately. I feel like I lost my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">mojo</span> so I am going to try a new tactic. I need some practice with my camera and I have recently joined and online <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">photography</span> class so I thought I would try to post a picture every few days and talk about it. Please feel free to comment on what you think of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">picture</span> and even how you would have improved it. I was using my zoom at it's max on this shot because I didn't want to get to close in case I gave them a scare and they stopped. In hind sight I would have tried to move a bit left or right so it doesn't look like there is a bucket coming out of their head. I'm getting better at looking around for distractions but I was so occupied with trying to quickly get the shot that I didn't look around. I still think it is a cool picture : )<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244395436495857858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikabYbpQRQ63dZHiKv5aHYZVoU7Kd5dkdiSPUj0lBsbJ0OErM7pLEuNpBpT2ClUmMxcJYEpI8Uj6C6855YF7MNvxo40wl6FoEdAe3869dAlI9c2kG-h8b7qI4VO7twpxECl9iEh1H1KdQ/s320/IMG_1138.JPG" border="0" />leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-34211158195306466682008-07-23T12:27:00.003-03:002008-07-23T12:31:56.324-03:00Mindfulness Poem by Joh Kabat ZinnI wanted to share this poem that I heard today. I actually got chills when they read it. Love that! <br /><br /><br />Have you ever had the experience of stopping so completely,<br />of being in your body so completely,<br />of being in your life so completely,<br />that what you knew and what you didn't know,<br />that what had been and what was yet to come,<br />and the way things are right now,<br />no longer held even the slightest hint of anxiety or discord,<br />a moment of complete presence beyond striving,<br />beyond mere acceptance,<br />beyond the desire to escape or fix anything or plunge ahead,<br />a moment of pure being,<br />no longer in time,<br />a moment of pure seeing, pure feeling,<br />a moment in which life simply is,<br />and that is-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ness</span> grabs you by all your senses, all your memories, by your very genes, by your loves, and welcomes you home,<br />that is a taste of mindfulness.<br /><br />Mindfulness sounds so simple so why is it so rare? For me I think it is because I let myself get too caught up in everyday issues – kids fighting, issues with the hubby, stress at work, etc.<br /><br />Genuine happiness should not be dependent on how my day is going. <br /><br />Everyday stresses can send me in a tailspin quicker than I like to admit. I need to become more aware that I am losing grasp of what is really important. That is going to take some work : )leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-80012766647147830582008-07-15T11:40:00.005-03:002008-07-15T12:18:55.864-03:00ForgivenessI took a little hiatus from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">blog land </span>but I heard a quote today that touched me and I wanted to write about it here so I would always know where to find it.<br /><br /><em>Forgiveness is the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">fragrance</span> that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.</em> - Mark Twain<br /><br />I think that is so beautiful. I am listening to Dr. Wayne Dyer on my i<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">pod</span> and he talks about how the most important thing in the universe is forgiveness. We need forgiveness in order to get past bitterness, anger, tension, fear, hatred, hostility, rage - all of those feelings that come from how others treat us. He goes on to say that life if perfect because everything you have experienced so far has brought you to this perfect moment. Pretty cool stuff.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-91789569381849367312008-05-27T11:14:00.000-03:002008-05-27T11:18:25.748-03:00What I am thankful for ( in 100 words or less )Family - seeing them, holding them, hugging them every day.<br />Friendship – feeling that deep connection that never falters.<br />Laughter – the effect of a bold hearty guffaw that can instantly change a negative into a positive.<br />Awareness – not taking anything for granted. Experiencing each moment as you would a precious jewel.<br />Music – hearing a song that makes me want to sing – outloud – in front of complete strangers : )<br />Feeling Safe – realizing how lucky I am to live in a place without earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, or any disaster that could endanger the lives of my family and friends.<br /><br />Feel free to give it a try! It is liberating!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-46088193536081046302008-05-16T08:56:00.000-03:002008-05-16T09:20:40.307-03:00Picutes from the farm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLfyG4mCwolIvjKX7Mtna7zsWC4Ywy8wGLofcp3pntUhHmKSkwGpFaDDWf73q0qGIRNs3ay0fPYnGzq3c1SkREcup79rZyP9hH0jWYSkBluamfc3BGykRnhcXobnSF1m0jGPhGiuFhWk/s1600-h/tractor.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200948153592622338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrLfyG4mCwolIvjKX7Mtna7zsWC4Ywy8wGLofcp3pntUhHmKSkwGpFaDDWf73q0qGIRNs3ay0fPYnGzq3c1SkREcup79rZyP9hH0jWYSkBluamfc3BGykRnhcXobnSF1m0jGPhGiuFhWk/s320/tractor.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwOD4Hf4crMrVGiNayhCei2J1S-jqwkBfFLiJMqrCPcjbU4On7S3dwZKTZoUoWoOcsXnScRE7ZwhZXBwJ2lebjFK75KE0uCubwZS41RClgmwLhZCETc8xPeNQuixxMJ4Xba5MaSn1Vtg/s1600-h/kitty.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200946637469166834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwOD4Hf4crMrVGiNayhCei2J1S-jqwkBfFLiJMqrCPcjbU4On7S3dwZKTZoUoWoOcsXnScRE7ZwhZXBwJ2lebjFK75KE0uCubwZS41RClgmwLhZCETc8xPeNQuixxMJ4Xba5MaSn1Vtg/s320/kitty.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmNwoo1S7Db-MFJQET3TjgQEIx1uvuwU7CuFTkXjL2WTlR4DwXZLqTS9TZQ4WbnDXgxDs3VFOyjjoaCpI8L6zEeJQIQw0XFPJ6vmwgLkVuQTiqz0HZ_8_8SAJEPJtICWQMxIQPGfxl-g/s1600-h/horse.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200946311051652322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmNwoo1S7Db-MFJQET3TjgQEIx1uvuwU7CuFTkXjL2WTlR4DwXZLqTS9TZQ4WbnDXgxDs3VFOyjjoaCpI8L6zEeJQIQw0XFPJ6vmwgLkVuQTiqz0HZ_8_8SAJEPJtICWQMxIQPGfxl-g/s320/horse.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />These were all taken with the zoom. I definitely need some help in this area. They are all blurry and the composition is not great. The good news is that I have the whole LONG weekend to play!</div><div> </div><div>Have a great weekend everyone : )</div><div> </div><div></div></div>leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-48941072245086273082008-05-14T15:21:00.000-03:002008-05-14T16:37:51.550-03:00New Purchase!I've been looking for a new camera for a while now but with so many options out there it was quite daunting. I looked at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">dSLR's</span> but felt quite intimidated not only by price of the lenses but also by the technical terminology that seemed to accompany them. I decided to go with the Canon G9. It is a "Point and Shoot" camera but can also do manual functions and has the option of adding lenses and an external flash if I ever decide to expand my love of photography. I have only begun to experiment but so far I think that I made the right choice. Here is a picture of an apple bud that I took this morning using the macro function (everything else was on auto).<br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200303629325348034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin_Sh0W19z8ACStpwq4HpHlsQRjlnwiewiXFIO-wG8mngLL_9Uny6twTmEJDgddfPdUJmqDyEdHSt0XIue2i1_qwM9dr0WdyRHKyCNtGWTYaoi2LyRk_5LIa3QirKlvBNaptRrpp3vvVU/s320/IMG_0067.JPG" border="0" />There are some problems with the picture( the shadow underneath and the blurry leaves just to the right) but I couldn't believe the details and the quality. Here is what happens when I zoom in:</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQCczQz1oZO6WE_IBR1jycG2cZo5fRAxnA3MaeOiHrO1ZTb7txZkGBD3weB0_wy17SEj448fIn8r-f0wfuhfJf1kDw7KrtDoXr3DDZZ1h_3uvxAUiWat4IM2n2GTova7oP8-GzwRmCDE/s1600-h/closeupbud.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5200319061142842578" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQCczQz1oZO6WE_IBR1jycG2cZo5fRAxnA3MaeOiHrO1ZTb7txZkGBD3weB0_wy17SEj448fIn8r-f0wfuhfJf1kDw7KrtDoXr3DDZZ1h_3uvxAUiWat4IM2n2GTova7oP8-GzwRmCDE/s320/closeupbud.bmp" border="0" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Now I'm on the hunt for a class to help me improve my photography skills. Has anyone taken a photography class that they would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">recommend</span>?<br /><br /></p>leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-43941201436573854092008-04-23T11:19:00.000-03:002008-04-23T11:44:21.748-03:00Best Quality?This is a tough one for me. When Jenn first posted the challenge all that I could come up with was my eyelashes. And that was only because I have been complemented on them a few times. So what’s my problem? Why don’t I like anything about myself? Lately I have been consciously trying to accept myself for who I am but can accepting who you are lead you to liking who you are? I have always been of the mindset that my life would be so much better if I lost 50 lbs. I started dieting when I was 12 – that's 25 years of wishing my body was something that it’s not and might never become! Am I going to spend my entire life wanting to look different? What exactly would loosing 50 lbs mean to me? Here's what I came up with:<br />* New clothes – clothes have never been a priority for me because of my size. It’s hard to get excited about trying on 20 outfits just to find one that fits. I don’t know if being a smaller size will change that. I don’t get that excited about buying clothes for my kids. I do it because they always seem to need new clothes but I don’t get much satisfaction from the purchases.<br />*Being more confident around others. When I meet someone new, especially if they are thin or very athletic, I always think – “I wonder what they think of fat people” But why do I care? I’m not my body. Yes - I have a body but it has nothing to do with who I am inside – that can’t be changed no matter how much I eat. And my friends already know what size I am and they like me anyway : ) I have absolutely wonderful friends !<br />*Being a Mom that my kids would be proud of. I hope my kids are never embarrassed to introduce me to their friends. I can’t really control that though. I will do my best to be a good mom and that’s all I can do. I will always be there for them and accept them for who they are and hopefully they will learn to do the same.<br />*Increased Energy. I think that getting rid of these extra pounds would give me more energy. I find that I am tired most of the time. I have been exercising and that gives me a little more energy. Can I just exercise for fun and not worry about if it will affect my weight? I love to walk – especially outside enjoying all the things that nature has to offer. And I love <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">aquasize</span></span> – love being in the water and how refreshed I feel afterwards.<br />*Better Health. Would I be healthier if I weighed less? Probably. But exercising and focusing on my eating habits will help too. As long as I continue to do this then I’m on the right track to a healthier lifestyle. It may not change my weight and I have to accept that.<br /><br />So bottom line - I am overweight RIGHT NOW! I can’t wait until I’<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ve</span> lost weight to be happy with who I am. And I can’t keep telling myself that my life will miraculously become so much better when I’m a smaller size. It’s not true. All of the problems I face right now will still exist. My moments of happiness will NOT be intensified and I will still have moments of intense suffering. Accepting this as the truth will only make my struggle with weight less of a focus so I can focus on what is really important – Embracing the present moment for what it is. All I have is the present moment. Even if I don’t like what it encompasses I have to accept it. Denying it or wishing it was different still <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">doesn</span></span>’t change it. It is what it is. Nothing more, nothing less. So Jenn I'm going to have to get back to you on this one. Maybe learning to accept myself will lead me to what I like about me. Thanks for the challenge!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-18708493634474773522008-04-18T14:55:00.000-03:002008-04-18T15:16:18.757-03:00Summer FunWhat I'm looking forward to this summer:<br /><br />-camping at Jellystone<br /><br />-camping at Birch Point<br /><br />-spending a whole week on the beach in Shediac<br /><br />-roasting marshmallows over an open fire<br /><br />-trip to Ontario- seeing family that I haven't seen in 2 years.<br /><br />-Watching the kids play soccer with their little Jerseys on.<br /><br />-Sitting on the deck in the evenings after the kids have gone to bed.<br /><br />-Picking Strawberries with the kids then making jam without them : )<br /><br />-Having friends over for a BBQ<br /><br />Happy Friday Everyone!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-8973621808687957412008-04-17T15:51:00.000-03:002008-04-17T16:00:18.967-03:00: )Thanks Dee! Here are some things that make me smile.<br /><br />~ the sunshine – high of 19 today!!!<br />~ the smell of spring (but not that dog poop smell – that’s nasty!)<br />~ watching Miss A on her new bike with a grin a mile long.<br />~ Sir I’s big hug and the “I love you” that accompanies it as he flies out the door to the bus stop.<br />~ The rare moments that Sir I and Miss A are civil to each other<br />~ Jeanette’s cooking<br />~ watching Hollee’s face completely transform when she laughs at Oswald<br /><br />For all these things I am truly grateful.leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3276829402701105572.post-73587443849096772062008-04-03T16:56:00.000-03:002008-04-03T16:59:42.393-03:00Thanks P : )P inspired me today! You can read her blog <a href="http://princesssaidso.blogspot.com/2008/04/seeing.html">here</a>. I love it when that happens : ) I too am naive and trusting. And like P, I would rather be naïve and trusting than closed and cynical- life is too short! I am trying(sometimes not successfully) to concentrate on living in the moment and not overanalyze too much of what happened in the past. It doesn't matter how much I regret something I did or wish that it some event didn’t happen - It won’t change the fact that it did happen. I need to learn to accept, apologize if need be (or accept an apology) and move on. I can’t keep replaying it in my head – that only lets the anger live on. The event could be over days ago and I am still angry about it just because I am thinking about it – that is crazy! The only thing that really matters, the only thing I can be, is who I am right at this second! I can’t change the past or future.<br /><br />In an ideal world if I offended someone or someone offended me then we would discuss it and deal with it and move past it. With really close friends and family I am able to do this easily. The difficult part comes when you don’t know how to tell a person that you are upset or that they upset you. You then talk about the incident with other friends and family and the disagreement lives on in the telling of the story and the anger gets fed and grows. It takes on a life of its own. <br /><br />Even if I sincerely apologize to someone then they may not be able to accept it and I have to be ok with it. I recently got in a disagreement with my sister. I called her up 2 days later and apologized because I said things in the heat of the moment that I regretted. She didn’t accept my apology and is still very angry. I can’t change that. If she wants to say malicious things to other people about me then I can’t change that either. Her venting about me to others doesn’t change the fact that I am sorry for what I said and I told her that. There are things that she did that upset me but I’m not going to dwell on that either. It’s over. I don’t want to be burdened with that anger anymore. So my final thoughts : ) You can’t change the past – you can only live in the present. When you know better – you do better!leslyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05448924329178580982noreply@blogger.com5