DERAILED......

Well, it's weird, but I'm feeling a bit guilty. My exercise routines have been somewhat derailed over the past two to three weeks. I did a bit of hand weight training at my daughter's in Princeton, but certainly wasn't diligent about it.
Then, I managed to get the flu again and did absolutely nothing last week or this week. I must admit to feeling slightly beat up. It's only in the last day I feel my energy level starting to improve.

I guess what I'm saying is I'm basically 'starting over'. I can't beat myself up too much or I won't get back on track. The upside is I hadn't budged in the two months of working out every single day so don't have anything to make up.

Tomorrow, I'm leaving for my oldest daughter's in North Carolina. In speaking with her last night, she said she has a yoga ball and 5 lb. weights which is great! I'll bring my 8 lb. weights and my work out clothes. I really will try to do some of my exercise routines while there.

Last night, I was in 'deadline' mode. I'm part of an arts team that is submitting to the Peterborough Arts Council a media submission to be juried for Artsweek 2010. All submissions are due by April 12th for the jury to decide who will participate. Since I'm leaving town, I had to get my portion completed and submitted to our chairman. I'm submitting photography and writing a portion of the overall project. Our theme is 'Water'. We've all submitted titles but nothing decided as yet. The Artsweek isn't until mid-September so, if our team is picked, we'll have a lot of work to do. There is writers, dancers, musicians,actors, photographers and a computer whiz on our team.

Tonight, I go to Trent University to hear a presentation done by a group of business and marketing students on behalf of my photography business. I'm really looking forward to hearing what they have to say! This whole presentation is based on marketing on the 'social networking sites' and helping me to design a website conducive to this type of marketing. At the end of the evening, I get the entire presentation in a binder to keep. My presentation isn't until 8:30pm and will go until 9 pm. I'm excited.

I hope to be on the road by 6am tomorrow morning. Can't wait to see my daughter and her family!

BEAMING WITH PRIDE .....WITH LOTS OF LOVE AND AFFECTION!!!

This weekend my two daughters and their children are together enjoying time with each other. As an added bonus, Shirley, our friend from England got to join them.
Shirl is a very important part of both my daughter's lives and mine. She became a part of our family many years ago. After I had my second daughter and returned to work, I hired Shirley as a live-in nanny for both my girls. One of the best things I ever did. She was only nineteen years old at the time and other than a phone call to her in England, she had no idea how her life would change, nor did we. She was scared and homesick at first. In time, however, she blended in to our family and gave the girls as good or better care than I. We wanted her to stay a part of our family even after she finished working for us. Since Shirl is an only child and never married, my girls and now their children, are incredibly important to Shirl. She has a family she loves and who love her immensely! For me, she's like a younger sister. Definitely, a win-win for all!

They've had some photos taken to mark this weekend and I've just posted a few. I must say I beam with pride when I look at my two daughters and what they've accomplished. It's not just their professional lives I'm so proud of, rather I'm more proud of how they've become wonderful women, mothers and human beings. Their capacity for love and caring and sharing is what I love about them the most.

God blessed me with two wonderful gifts called Marlo and Lindsay. They, in turn, blessed me with two great sons-in-laws and then my very special 'little man' and my very special 'sweet pea'. Life is good.

HOME AGAIN....BRIEFLY!

Well, I arrived home from Princeton, New Jersey on Wednesday. Unfortunately, by the time I got here, I'd picked up a bug and felt really crappy. Thursday, went to the day clinic to discover I had a flu bug. What sucks about that is I had received the H1N1 shot and this year's flu shot. Apparently, whatever I have didn't get factored into the flu shot for this year. So, I'm now on antibiotics and actually starting to feel much better. I'm still coughing and sound like a bullfrog, but do feel much better. I hope this is over as I have plans to go to North Carolina this Thursday.

My time spent in Princeton was great! Any time I get to spend with my daughter, my son-in-law and my grandaughter is really special for me. The plan was me to arrive on Friday, March 12th and my daughter and her husband to take off on the Sunday for a few days by themselves and I'd look after my little munchkin for three days. Mother Nature had other plans. I arrived on the Friday to heavy rain and by the Saturday night part of their house was flooded and we had no power. We spent a lot of the Saturday bailing water out of their basement. With no power, the sump pump didn't work and the house was getting colder and colder. The 'kids' made a decision to cancel their trip and try to reschedule for later in the week, which they did. Sadly, for them, they didn't get to leave until the Tuesday and arrived back on the Thursday, but did get a bit of time alone. I believe a backup battery for the sump pump is now on their priority purchase list. The Sunday night, we actually had to go to a hotel as it was just too cold at the house.

Meanwhile, Maggie and I had a whole lot of fun together. Unless this little one isn't feeling well, she is, without a doubt, one of the happiest little one's I've ever seen. The weather turned beautiful and we did walks, we coloured, we drew on the driveway with sidewalk chalk, we went shopping, and just had some general 'silly' time together. She is growing SO fast and when you only see them a few times a year in person, the moments together are really special. She is my little 'sweet pea'.







We took Mags to 'Little Gym'. I got to watch her have so much fun! She really loves that time! Then, my daughter and I got to spend the whole afternoon together in Manhattan and that was so great! We spent a lot of time talking about our family, her career, her hopes and dreams, my hopes and dreams, and just getting caught up. The one on one time really meant a lot to me. I'm SO proud of both my daughters! I'm looking forward to the same with my oldest daughter in the coming week.

On the last Saturday, an added bonus was our family friend from England arrived to spend two weeks with my daughter and her family.

Life, on the whole, is good, really good!

LEAVING TOMORROW....

Well, I leave tomorrow morning to stay with my youngest daughter for a while.
Because I'll be away and have limited access to a computer, I probably won't be blogging too, too much.
I'm looking forward to seeing my daughter, my grandaughter and my son-in-law.
I am blessed on so many levels! Hopefully, the drive won't be too bad. Right now, they are calling for some rain. Hope not, as it makes for a less pleasurable trip.

The Warkworth Fine Art Show will be held this coming weekend while I'm away. It would really be 'icing on the cake' so to speak if I returned to find out one or both of my pieces sold. If they don't that's OK too, as I'm thrilled to be in my first real art show!

Stepping stones...right?

BACK IN THE GROOVE.....!

Well, I've lost some workout time due to the flu bug that got me. It took me a few days to get back enough strength to get back at it.
I met with my trainer today to go over a complete routine that I can do while I travel. I'm leaving Friday to go visit my youngest daughter, her husband, and my sweet little grandaughter (two and a half years old).
All of the workout routines use either the ball, the mat and hand weights. Along with those, she's added quite a few core exercises and stretches. It's my core area that REALLY needs the work. Based on my first attempts today, I have a long, long way to go before I'll lose my gut. OMG, these core exercises are very tough for me at the moment. Lynda(my trainer) says I'll get better and will build up my time holding each movement....whew!
I'm thinking it's a really good thing that I set a one year goal. I believe it may very well take me the year. I'm trying different eating routines to see if anything helps me begin to lose a bit of weight. What's that expression...' If at first you don't succeed try, try again'.

DOING A HAPPY DANCE!...

Well, I'm SO excited! I spent the day in Warkworth, Ontario where I submitted three of my framed photos for a juried art show to be held next weekend.
Two of my three got selected to be part of that show!!! Yeah!! I didn't win any of the prize monies BUT I am in the show. This is the first time I've taken my art and my passion to a new level and I'm really gratified by today's results.
It's been a good weekend! Not only will my art be in the show next weekend, but the gentleman that called me to compliment me on my photography at the Tea Room purchased one of the pieces yesterday. How exciting!
I love this new found passion and it's definitely a confidence builder. It tells me to keep on keepin' on!

JURIED ART SHOW...TOMORROW!

Well, tomorrow could be exciting for me. I've entered three of my photographs, custom framed for a juried art show in the town of Warkworth, Ontario. This town is well known for all it's artsy stuff going on all the time. If one or all of my photos are picked, they will be hung in the community centre for the duration of the Maple Syrup Festival. I'm both anxious and excited!
Whether picked or not, the judge will be at the centre after 3 PM tomorrow to critique and comment and notify the 'winners' of the juried show. The other plus to this is if my pieces are picked, they will be up for sale as well.
Keeping my fingers and toes crossed!

Another positive part of my day today was the sale of another photo framed....yeah!
It was sold to the dear gentleman that called to compliment me on my work while visiting our local Tea Room.....thank you, God!

Stay tuned...........

O CANADA!........WITH PRIDE!! A GREAT OLYMPICS!

Well, the Olympic Games of 2010 are now over! As a proud Canadian I, for one, think Vancouver did a wonderful job as the host nation. I'm sure there will be criticisms and compliments both, but I believe Canada managed to show the world what makes us unique. Then there's the medals. Canada has had their best Olympics ever. It has taken this country quite some time to provide financial backing to help these athletes. Both the government and the corporate sector who stepped up to the plate this time need not sit back. Continued support is critical to these athletes to focus on 2014.
On a personal note, these Olympics gave us some pride as well. My sister-in-law was the first ever female head official for the curling portion of these Olympics. I can't think of anyone more deserving to be the first. We saw her quite a few times on TV. She is an amazing person and her knowledge of the game and the calm demeanour she consistently has, make her one person I admire immensely. I look forward to speaking with her and hearing all the personal stories I'm sure she will have to share. Her birthday is tomorrow and I'm sure all she will want is to be in her own home, her own bed and just plain rest and relax. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to a very special woman in my life!