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Strike a pose. Yoga pose.

Growing up it was my Oma (grandma) was who introduced me to the wonderful world of yoga. She taught me some poses and every one of them made my muscles feel wonderfully renewed. We focused on breathing and it seemed to slow my world down to a more manageable pace. I always felt instantly calmer. My problems seemed to melt away.

My mother used to do yoga poses for her back pain on our living room floor. My older brother even joined in on the yoga fun. My brother and I would fold into the lotus pose, it was our favourite. We mastered the lotus pose. In lotus pose, we went onto our keep caps and raced across the living room floor. I would say it was a good twenty feet to victory. My knees hurt now just thinking about that.

In my early twenties, I was in a workplace accident that left me with a low back disc injury. I had excruciating nerve damage pain in my legs. I still have pain but it’s a lot less than it once was. My Oma gave me a yoga book for bad backs that changed my life. Yes, I was born before the times of the internet and having videos available. Typing that makes me feel like a dinosaur. We had to refer to books or take a yoga class.

I think my dedication to yoga over the years has paid off. I do yoga pretty much daily. I don’t always do a full online video or class, sometimes I just wake up and hold a few poses. Focus on my breath before I start my day. Most of my days are busy and I find I jump out of bed and just spring into action. Take a few seconds before you get going and hold a pose and breathe. Don’t rush the day.

I don’t do much of anything before my morning coffee. My son can vouch for this. He now starts the coffee for me if he’s out of bed before me. Bless his soul. He even adds in my two milk along with a shot of maple syrup. Don’t knock the maple syrup until you try it! Nothing is better than the first-morning coffee made with love.

I love tuning into YouTube channels to find yoga videos. Yoga with Adriene and her sweet dog Benji is one of my favourites. She has wonderful variations for all her poses so any level from beginners to advanced can join in. What are some of your favourite yoga videos?

I like to do yoga in my living room. When I am posing one way I have a beautiful view of the lake. Water keeps me grounded and relaxes me. When I pose the other day I have a picture of my Oma, which always makes me smile and reminds me she is right here doing yoga with me.

My son now joins in and does yoga with me for an eight-year-old he is quite impressive. Pull the mat up beside me and his teddy bear often joins in. Kelso the corgi does an absolutely spot-on-down dog and often ends up on our mats. She fills our days with kisses and laughter.

Doing yoga with my son has brought calmness to him. Eight-year-old boys have so much energy. I love watching how slowed down he becomes and how he focuses on his breathing. He also started a “three things you’re grateful for every day” journal. It’s mostly filled with how much he loves his cat. However he slows down and he appreciates the things he has, so that’s a win!

I do yoga for a variety of reasons. I do yoga for my back injury, pelvic floor injury, nerve damage, to correct my posture, increase flexibility,  and muscle strength to name a few. I find yoga helps to calm me, elevates my mood, relax me and sometimes help me sleep. It allows me to slow down and focus on one thing when I need it the most. It grounds my thinking and keeps me from overreacting or overthinking.

The relaxation portion of yoga makes you slow down and focus on just your breathing nothing else matters. It’s a great way to release anything you are holding onto. It has made me into a much kinder version of myself. This is why I incorporate it into my day every day for at least a few minutes. I can always find a few minutes or take a few minutes for something that is important. Make the important things in your life a priority.

Slow down, breathe, and strike a yoga pose!

Happiness.

What makes you happy?

I figured out how to be happy once I placed the responsibility for being happy into my own hands.

I always thought I was unhappy because of other people. I always thought it was someone else’s responsibility to make me happy. I was the queen of the blame game. I happily accepted the victim label. I stayed sad because I thought no one could make me happy.

I want to remind you that happiness starts within.

WAKE UP! This is your life. It didn’t turn out as you wanted?  Join the club, things don’t always go as planned. I have been very unhappy in chapters or parts of my life. I have now stepped up to take responsibility for my part.

I went on a long journey to find out who am I? What makes me happy? I asked myself what can I do to make myself happy?

I know I am happiest when I am alone. Pause: I know I am one step away from living off-grid. Just me and my pack of corgis on a mountain top breathing in a beautiful view. I would be left alone with my thoughts. I could read books. I could be inspired to finishing my book and go on to write many more. I think that would fill my soul with happiness. However, this is not a reality not yet anyway so I work and have a balance of my alone time as well as time with my crew of people who add to my happiness. Other people are not responsible for my happiness but the right kind of positive people can add to the feeling of happiness. I am so grateful for my crew of people you all fill my heart with such love which creates a happy heart.

I take each day I am given and I do my best to spread happiness through my kindness and positivity.

I am happy when I am writing. I block off time to write because it is important to me. I share my writing because I enjoy helping and inspiring others. I keep writing to inspire the chapters of my book to keep flowing. The ultimate book dream. The happiest thought is one day I will be someone’s favourite author.

I am happy when I am near water. I moved to live closer to the water. To always be able to see the water. To be steps away from the waves. Water grounds me and brings out my creativity.

I am happy when I am relaxed and so I do yoga, meditation, and visualization to keep me in a level-headed mind. Start each day slowly without rushing. Start each day with a grateful heart. Start each day doing something that makes you happy.

I am happy when I am driving. I love to sing my heart out and cruise around. I plan road trips to capture that happy feeling I get from being in the driver’s seat. Even better if it’s the driver seat of the caddy. I am always happy when I am sitting upon the crushed velour interior.

I am happy when I am snapping pictures. I love a sunrise or sunset picture, beautiful colours dancing in the sky. Love a picture of waves crashing on the shore. I love pictures of other people and animals. I love to look through pictures and be reminded of a person or place. Pictures make me smile and remind me how blessed I am. I surround myself with some of my favourite pictures.

I am happy when I am laughing. Laughter is a big part of my everyday life. I enjoy watching everything Chris Farley his brand of laugher instantly makes me happier. I love to make other people laugh. I love to hear the pure joy in a child’s laugh. I love a good punny joke. Humour has helped me become a happier person.

I am happy when I am reading. From a young age, my grandma always inspired me to read. My friend giraffe Jen and I battle every year who can read the most books? It keeps me motivated to always have a book in my hand. I love to get lost in a great story. Reading inspires me to keep writing. To reach my book goal.

I am happy at work when I am problem-solving and making someone’s day just a touch better. Helping people fills my heart. I am happy I have a job that I love.

I am happy when I get a phone call I wasn’t expecting. The kind that catches you off guard and you can’t stop smiling. Pure unexpected happiness. Talking is my happy place. I love to talk.

Baby snuggles always make me happy! So many of my friends with so many cute babies thanks for allowing me to steal some cuddles.

Miniature donkeys I don’t know why but instantly make me so happy. I have become a broader line stalker to a local farm. Instantly happy can’t even cope with the cuteness. Also, I can stop watching Jacobs ridge sanctuary videos of Steve the donkey. This sweet donkey is pure happiness. I am glad it doesn’t tell you how many times I have viewed your videos. I follow many donkey groups and all the pictures make me happier. I think I need a donkey in my life.

I am happy to be given this day to fill with happiness.

I think like is too short to be anything but happy. If you are not happy then you need to change whatever is making you unhappy. I had to change almost everything about my life to place my happiness into my own hands. No one is in charge of me. This is my happiness. I bring happiness into my day at every chance I get.

I look at it as if I died tomorrow would I have been happy with how I left my life? Would other people have described me as happy? Today I could say yes, but for many years my answer would have been no. I am grateful that I discovered my own happiness.

Create your own happiness. Discover what makes you happy. If you are struggling as always I am here for you!

Snakes

Snakes are a defining moment in my life that taught me the feeling of terror. I did not know the feeling of terror until snakes came into my life. I do not understand why snakes can move so fast without any legs. Why do snakes always find me?

For the record, I live in Ontario Canada where we have “friendly” snakes. None of the snakes here can harm you. My experiences as a child left me feeling otherwise.

When I was a kid two separate equally terrifying snake events forever change my life and the way I define the feeling of terror.

The first event took place at our family cottage. I was swimming in the water minding my own business, catching a tan, floating around on my air mattress. I was living the dream life. All of a sudden out of nowhere I see this little head pop up out of the water and lock eyes with me like what are you doing here? In the blink of an eye, it’s gone.  I was left thinking what did I just see?  I am not religious but I started praying please be a friendly turtle. Instantly the panic of the unknown set in. I quickly without thinking jump into the water. The same water that the unknown beast was in. What the heck am I doing? I swear my brain shuts down in moments of terror. I started to swim towards the shore when I see this water beast coming right for me. Does it look like a snake in the water? I had no idea we had water snakes this was all new to my kid brain. I reached the shore first like I was speed swimming like I was going for the gold in the Olympics. I thought victory was mine! Surely it’s in the water and will stay there right? Like fish? Do water snakes stay in the water? You cant go from water and onto land? W R O N G! That snake came at me faster than anything I have ever seen, I thought I was going to die. I took off running faster than my legs could keep up. I ran up the hill, up the stairs to the cottage, and in through the sliding glass door. I was inside. I was safe. I looked out the glass door and there was the sad killer snake, who in reality was friendly and couldn’t actually hurt me. The same one who in my head almost ended my life at a young age. I was safe inside the cottage doubled over and unable to catch my breath. My grandpa asked what happened? I wasn’t able to reenact my brush with death. Water/land snake beast zero. Sascha one. Lesson learned snakes survive anywhere. Always be on the lookout.

The second event was while I was visiting my Oma’s (grandma’s) house. I am not sure why I decided to go under the front deck but this is the spot I chose that day to have my tea party with my best doll friend Polly. I had just got the tea party set up when guess who comes slithering around the corner of the house? A snake! Now I am sure it was a regular-sized snake but in my childhood memory, it got bigger every time I told the story. It quickly became the size of a rare mammoth-sized anaconda from the amazon. I was beyond terrified. I jumped up to scream for help surely my elderly grandmother would save me. When I jumped up I threw my doll. Poor Polly doll was left to fend for herself. In the moment of jumping up to scream for help, I forgot how tall I was. As a child, I grew very tall very quickly I had giant-like features.  I smashed my head so hard I must have knocked myself out. I do not remember hearing a scream come out. My plan to scream didn’t go quite as I had planned it.

When I awoke there were so many snakes slithering all over me. It is a feeling to this day some thirty years later that I still cannot shake. They were across my face, in my hair, wrapped around my legs, going across my body. I couldn’t even count how many had joined the original snake. Turns out the first snake invited all of its friends. Yes, I lived to tell this story but I never forgot that day. I later learned this spot was a snake pit. When I see a snake I can immediately feel them all over me. The slithering across the face feeling never fades. I have pushed all my family and friends in front of me to ward off tiny, harmless, friendly Canadian snakes.

I however refuse to live my life being scared. I faced my fear and held one of those giant beautiful boa constrictor snakes. Now, this should have been scary because I am positive if this snake didn’t want to be friendly it could have killed me. Can snakes smell fear? I trusted that the handler brought the nicest snake. I just kept breathing and reminding myself I am safe.

Snakes have a special way of always finding me. I am less scared now but still get that feeling of being uncomfortable in the presence of a friendly snake. I see them on the ground but feel them slithering across me.

Do you have a fear from childhood that you faced as an adult? Does anyone else share my snake uncomfortableness?

 

Have you ever had a dream of a destination you must see? Or someone you just can’t live without meeting?

What is your dream?

Do you have a dream list?

I had a dream list as a kid and I still have one as an adult. I will always be a dreamer.

When I was a kid I carried around two pictures of places I had to see. Dream it, see it, do it. This is still how I think and the reason for my vision wall. Inspiration.

One picture I carried with me was of Peggy’s Cove Nova Scotia. I had to see that lighthouse and dip my toes in the Atlantic Ocean. The second picture was of Paradise Island. Two tiki huts on a small island in the ocean yes, please.

My dad ended up taking me on a road trip to the east coast when I was maybe 10? 12?. When we arrived at Peggy’s cove I was beyond excited. I remember looking at the view and thinking it’s just a lighthouse? I wasn’t blown away like I was the first time I saw the picture. We ate fresh lobster with a gorgeous view. As a child, I didn’t appreciate it as much as I should have. I have been planning for years to go back. As an adult, I want to experience it again! I want to stand in that same place and give the gorgeous view the appreciation it deserves. I will eat fresh lobster with a view and soak in the ocean. I feel a down east road trip in my future.

My girlfriend Stephanie made my Paradise Island dream come true when we took a trip to the Dominican. One of the excursions from the resort was to Paradise Island we had to go. The view was breathtaking the story of how we got there not so much. I was seasick on the sail out. The combination of waves mixed with rum shockingly didn’t sit well. I threw up over the boat as well as all over myself. This was one of my classier travel moments. Lesson learned don’t mix rum with the waves of the ocean. When we got off the boat I stumbled over and I sat propped up by the tiki hut. The motion of the boat was still very much with me. Stephanie was so kind she washed out my clothing. Being a nurse my seasickness didn’t get to her thankfully. Stephanie headed off on a snorkeling adventure and I sat on the shore feeling green. The instructor asked me a few times to join I couldn’t move. Finally, after a long rest period, I got my sickness under control and I headed off proud as could be to join Stephanie snorkeling. I jumped into the waves and headed over. I thought Stephanie was waving her flipper at me to show me where she was. I was fighting the waves and swimming as fast as I could when I realized she was trying to warn me. She had taken in some water coughed so hard and was throwing up. The waves were waving her vomit right into my face. Paradise Island at least the view was breathtaking. It’s a trip I’ll never forget. I hope Stephanie will still travel with me again!

My son’s 8-year-old kid’s dream was to meet Stompin Tom Connors the great Canadian musician. My son non-stop plays his music; he knows the words to all his songs. He enjoys turning them up super loud and singing along. He dresses like him. He absolutely loves him. He is jealous his Papa got to meet him back in the day. Everyone I know who met him agrees that he was such a kind person. I think my son is a lot like him in that way. Sadly Stompin Tom died the same year my son was born. Once he realized he couldn’t meet him he set out to find where his grave was. In an odd turn of events, it’s in Erin Ontario. Guess where my son asked to go on a summer vacation trip this year? You guessed it! He wanted to pay his respects to a great Canadian. You can’t say no to that request,  you can just make it into a fun road trip. We loaded up and set off. I couldn’t wait to cross off something on his dream list. As soon as we pulled into the Erin cemetery you could immediately tell where the stone was under the giant Canadian flag. He has a gorgeous spot and beautiful headstone. My son was wearing jeans, a plaid shirt, and his stomping cowboy boots. He slicked his hair and was so excited to get to this grave.  He almost bailed out of the car before it was stopped. He brought a token to leave on his grave sit. It was the inside of a Stomping Tom tape which he signed his name, put it in a zip lock bag to protect it from the rain (he thought of everything) I have never seen such a big smile on his face. He says that moment was the best moment of his life. I had tears in my eyes watching him hug the gravestone and talk to Stompin. He noticed the spot next to him was free and now wants to be buried there. He also noticed Stompin Tom was laid to rest with his mother. Guess who he thinks should be there with him? Oh, sweet boy, I don’t share the same obsession but my heart was full being able to experience this moment. For the rest of the day I had to hear “Ma, I can’t believe I got to see the grave of great Stompin Tom”. He is already bugging me to print the pictures so he can have a photo album full of pictures. I am so lucky to be this sweet boy’s mom. Here’s to crossing off the next dreams!

 

I can’t wait to see where my son’s dreams take him next. Every year he picks the trip. I just do my best to make it as fun as possible.

Always have a dream and never give up. One day you will get there. From childhood dreams to Adult dreams I will never stop dreaming. I have a long list of places I dream to see. I have a long list of beautiful places I have been so grateful to experience. Both the places I have been and the places I want to go are on my vision wall. Dream it, see it, do it.  I will always carry a picture of the place I am dreaming of next.

 

 

 

 

Lost

Have you ever set out on a road trip thinking you know where you’re going and how to get there?

You have that feeling of full confidence as you set out prepared to take don’t the roads. Then all of the sudden in a blink of an eye you make a wrong turn, or maybe you make a couple of wrong turns. Before you know it you have become completely lost. What if your car breaks down in an unfamiliar place? What are you feeling? What will you do?

Does not knowing where you are riddle you with anxiety? Or panic? Can you read a map? Load the GPS? Ask a stranger for directions? Find your way back to where you got lost? Fix your own car? Call and ask for help?

I love nothing more than to set out on a random road trip. I am usually in search of the next great food item or a beautiful view or dare I say both of those things on the same trip. Those kinds of road trips make for some of the best memories I have created in my life.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. I am not a good planner. I am downright horrible with directions. I don’t know which way is north, east, south, or west. I often get completely turned around. If I have a map it’s most likely upside down. I can never get my GPS to load or live maps to work correctly. I struggle with basic technology. I am always a little lost. My ability to get lost often adds hours to the road trip. When I set out on a road trip I block the whole day off. I leave enough time for wherever I will end up or what problems could arise along the way. When I set out on a road trip it is almost always a guarantee I will get lost. You could bet money on this. Very few times in my life have I made it directly from one door to another without getting a least a little lost. I will make my fair share of U-turns and re-calculate my route over and over. If I have a co-pilot along on the trip I will often turn to them for help. I used to get upset fairly quickly at the thought of being lost or breaking down. The feeling of not being on the right road going exactly where I need to go always riddled me with anxiety. That was when my panic would start to creep up. I could feel myself getting disappointed that this happened to me yet again. Lost again Sascha really? Every time I made a wrong turn and I was lost I forgot to slow down and enjoy wherever I ended up. Make the best out of the day and whenever you are. Have fun with what happened. Cut out the worry, what good does it cause?

Another little secret I have is that not only have I been lost on the roads, I have also been lost in life. Similar to taking a wrong turn I have made my fair share of wrong choices. I have face failure, judgments, labels, and even death more times than I care to admit. I could pull over and give up on life or I could find another way to look at the choice I made that got me to where I am today. Listen, not all of my choices were wrong, just the vast majority of them. I learned a lot of valuable lessons. I would not change any of the choices I have made as they have made me into the woman I am today. Today I am proud to be Sascha Davis. I have found out who I am and I know what I am working towards. One day I am going to be someone’s favourite author. I am not ashamed of my life. I am an open book. I talk about my struggles and my victories in the hopes of inspiring and helping others.

You are not alone. We all get a little lost sometimes and it’s okay. It’s okay to be lost. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to take some time for yourself, to work on yourself. It’s okay to ask for help. We all get a little lost but it’s how you find your way back that matters. Discover who you are when no one else is around. What is your biggest dream? What roads will you take to get you there? What stands in your way? How will you navigate around?

I still get a little lost sometimes but I approach all situations with love and kindness and I reach out and I always ask for help!

Get lost and love your journey!

Rest, recharge, and roll with it.

I am writing this on Sunday, July 11th, 2021. From a beautiful view of Lake Ontario. I love where I live.

It all started last night when I accidentally double-dosed my sleeping pills. I do not recommend doing this. I however did have an absolutely fantastic sleep. Sleep is something I struggle with. You know it’s a good sleep when you wake up, no alarm set, face down in a pile of drool. This hasn’t happened to me in years. I was feeling better. Well-rested after working six days in a row on little sleep. I was starting to feel burnt out. I was working in an area I don’t usually work in. My head was hurting. I need a good rest. I got a good rest indeed. I was ready to take on the day. Bring it on Sunday morning!

My son was so excited to be going to his best friend’s birthday party. Nothing beats a best friend’s day with cake. He has missed his best friend with all the covid restrictions it has felt like a year has passed since they last saw each other. In reality, it was a couple of months tops. After the party, he was headed to papas for a sleepover. Pretty awesome Sunday Funday kiddo.

I had a Sunday to myself. I was going to set out on a road trip with a friend. That’s when a friend of mine decided to cancel pretty last minute. I get it life happens. Roll with it.

Before I set out on the journey to find myself this cancellation would have ruined my vibe for the day. I used to be crushed when someone canceled plans or even changed plans slightly. I would have been defeated. I would have canceled the road trip completely. I would have been unhappy that someone else ruined my day. I loved to play the blame game. It’s time now to put on your big girl pants and seize the day. When plans change roll with it. So what someone canceled? The day must go on! You have the choice to whine and cry about it or you can make it the best day ever! I could have called another friend and included someone else fun on a road trip but I decided to embrace the day alone. I took it as a sign last-minute girl do this alone today is your day.

I set out on a solo road trip. I packed my snacks, cranked my tunes, rolled the windows down so I had that wind-blown hair look, and I sang my heart out. I was on the hunt for a beautiful view. I was looking for a place to inspire me to write. Somewhere to be alone with my thoughts. Something I have needed to do for a while yet found myself constantly getting distracted. It was going to just be me alone with my pen, my notebook, and endless writing. I have been in a writing funk for a while now. I know I am behind on my blogs and writing in general.

I ended up at Little bluff conservation area. What a gorgeous view. I found a spot on the rocky beach to call my own. When I looked out at the lake all I could see was water for miles and miles the land disappeared. Sailboats slowly drifted by. It was a cool and cloudy day. I was dressed for it to be warm and sunny. Roll with it, I dug a sweater out of the trunk of the car. I was covered in goosebumps, not used to this cool July weather. The wind was blowing and the waves were swishing over the rocks. The sound grounded me. All my scenes were delighted. I started to write one blog after another time flew by as did the pages. Yes, I prefer to write in a notebook and then type it up at a later date. I know I am a dinosaur. I am not the best with technology. Nothing to charge just pages to flip.

I was alone on this beach few people came and went. I sat and I wrote and I took in that view. I felt alive. I felt inspired. I worked on my book. I had tears of joy in my eyes. I felt productive and accomplished. I even saw a corgi on the drive. I might add I waved at the lady walking the dog like she was my best friend. Now I chuckle thinking she doesn’t know I have a corgi ha.

I could have had a very different day but I awoke relaxed. I did something that recharged me to the core of my soul and for everything that arose that day, I just rolled with it. It was just what I needed a day to myself doing the thing I love the most. I too had a Sunday Funday! I need to make more on my Sundays like that.

What is your favourite Sunday Funday thing to do? What re-charges you?

Today my heart is so full. I had the most wonderful day off from work. It was a gloomy day. No sun to be seen, it was hidden behind the clouds, and it seemed to rain on and off all day. It was the perfect day to be lazy.

I received the cutest call from my niece around lunchtime. She was wondering what her cousin was up to. These two cousins get along so well. Then don’t spend much time apart but they miss each other so much. They are each other’s slice of normalcy during these wild times. I am thankful to have my family’s help so I can remain working. I am thankful my sister-in-law is a teacher and she helps with online schooling. It is impossible for working parents and families to do it all, we rely on kids going to school. I don’t know how people are coping. This last year has rocked a lot of things. Changes keep coming with little notice. Change is hard for kids and as we brace for more online learning I know it’s upsetting. For each upsetting moment I can always think of 3 moments in any day I am grateful for and it reminds me we will get through this. If you need help getting through whatever I am always here.

Every night at dinner I ask my son what are 3 things you’re grateful for and what is 1 thing you wish you could have changed about your day. It always starts such an interesting conversation and leaves us both with full hearts.

Tonight we let all our worries melt away. We played some games. I showed them I will always be the Nintendo champion. We laughed and we ate a lot of snacks. (If her parents read this she did not break the junk food challenge) I have all these movie points so usually on a weekend we rent a movie or on an April break Monday since I guess that’s a thing now? The popcorn was dripping in butter and they decided on the wizard of oz. My son and my niece are both eight years old and I think the first time I watched that movie I was about eight years old. It was so interesting to see the movie through their eyes versus mine.

When I was a kid I was Glinda the good witch for Halloween. I spend most of my days wearing this big fluffy dress I got from our neighbour and pretending I was a princess. I think this is where my dream of becoming a princess first started. I loved that dress so much. It had little diamonds and shimmer. I will never forget Ann giving in to me such a princess moment. A memory that thirty years later I still remember like it was yesterday.

I loved this movie as a kid. I thought it was magical and I wanted to sing along to all the songs. I loved the movie until I saw the flying monkeys. Those blue-faced, half-bird-like monkeys creeped me right out. Whoever designed them had me terrified. I had nightmares for years. I kept thinking the monkeys would come in my window and snatch me up like they did Dorothy. My dad told me I talked too much and the monkeys would return me. He was probably right.

My niece Aria noticed right away that the people from the black and white were the people in the colour part the friends were the lion, the tinman, and the strawman. I never noticed this until I watched it tonight and I am embarrassed to say I watched this movie a lot. Yes, after the first time I knew when the monkeys were coming and I closed my eyes and fast-forwarded.

My son Dan being the animal lover that he is, was nervous that Dorothy didn’t have her precious Toto dog on a leash. He was always running free which he said was okay at home. However, he was concerned she wasn’t at home and Toto didn’t know where they were going. What if he got lost or taken again he might not find his way back to her? When I watched it the first time I thought her dog was cute but I never thought of this.

Both had such adorable movie views. I sat back and smiled at how cute they are and how lucky I am. There is no place like home. If I had sweet ruby heels and I could wish to be anywhere after three clicks there no place I would rather be than at home. Being at home during this lockdown has made me appreciate everything in my life a whole lot more.

Three things I am grateful for today:
1. For my family’s help, love, and support.
2. For movies and delicious snacks with the kids.
3. For my silly old lady corgi dog who snuggles so sweetly.

What is one thing I would change about today? I wouldn’t have changed anything about today except maybe the volume level on those kids!

What are three things you’re grateful for and one thing about today you wish you could change?

If you could blow out the candles and have any one wish come true what would you wish for?

Yesterday was Monday, April the 5th. It marked both Easter Monday and my Opa’s (grandpas) 87th birthday. I love celebrating a birthday. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. It is the one day that is just about you! I jumped out of bed yesterday with such Monday excitement, something I admit I don’t always have. It was going to be my first caddy cruise of the season. The sun was shining and as I drank my morning coffee and watched the sunrise over the lake I also watched a barge pass by. At 07:00 my heart was so full. I knew it was going to be a great day!

I was excited about this birthday and immediately called my Opa to sing to him. I woke the senior up I thought it would be safe to call the retired senior after seven but at last, we woke him up. Wake up Opa it’s your birthday! Happy Birthday!! As my son and I started to sing him happy birthday our corgi dog Kelso barked along. I have no idea why this party pooper puppers hates this song. You can literally sing any other song she’s fine with it. I spend most of my days with headphones on belting out the lyrics to some of my favourite songs. Soon as you start happy birthday she barks directly at your face until you stop. Point taken party pooper but I still love birthdays you will not be changing my mind. I am also an old lady set in my ways! We three sang a lovely off-tune bark-filled version of happy birthday one that will not soon be forgotten.

Let the good times roll. As soon as my butt hits the crushed velour interior of the caddy the tears began to fill in my eyes. How is it possible to love a car that much? With the velour under me and the sun shining down on the hood ornament, all is right in my world. For twenty-two years that car had made every spring better. It has made my life better. It melts away my worries and always puts a smile on my face. I have taken a lot of caddy road tours but this one with my dad to celebrate Opas birthday might mark my favourite. I loaded up the cake, a ton of candles and took the extra-long way to get to the farm. Never any hurry as you caddy cruise.

As I lit the pile of candles eight on one side and seven on the other I thought I hope I don’t burn the house down or I hope the firefighter who responds is easy on the eyes. Ha, Hey I can dream!

Who came up with the idea to light candles, sing happy birthday, blow out the candles and make a wish? Having the dream of birthday magic. I think back to all the times I blew out the candles in my 39 years and I have wished for some fun things. I believed in birthday magic. One year as a young girl I wished for a pony and later that year I got a pony. I figured birthday wishes worked! I have wished for everything from finding love to a lottery win still waiting for those wishes to come true! Feeling good about turning forty. This year’s birthday numbers didn’t net me fifty million in the plus but I still hold out hope.

As I watched Opa smile at his birthday cake and blow out the birthday candles he wished for another year. Another year to spend with his family. For the second time on a Monday, my eyes started to tear up and my heart started to fill even more. I think of how different our wishes were from the time we were kids into our thirties and going beyond into our eighties. When you have everything you could want in your life and you just want more time. My Opa has played the biggest part in making me the woman I am today. I am the mother and family woman I am because of the years we have spent together. Growing up I spent more time on the farm with my grandparents than anywhere else. It’s still the first place I head on a day off. Nothing like coffee and a good snack with the seniors. To know my Opa is to know what the love of a family is.

Three times on a Monday I was brought to tears about how much love I felt. I am beyond blessed to share such wonderful memories with my family. The third time that Monday brought me to tears was watching my son with chalk on his face, shirtless on a cool afternoon on a sugar high run around having fun with his cousin. To be a carefree kid with no worry in the world. Monday the 5th day of April you filled my heart with such fond memories. I am thankful for my family each and every day. I love you all so very much! Here’s to another year with many memories to be made.

March Madness!

The month of March feels like it has flown by. I am behind on blogging and writing in general. I need to get back into the swing of things. I was thrown off my game. I refuse to give up. I will keep writing and I will keep working on my book. I know this teaching memoir hidden in me needs to be written.

I admit March is my absolute most favourite month out of all the months. I think there is beauty in all the seasons but March hands down wins my vote for best month. March is when the snow finally starts to leave and the first signs of spring start to pop out. Finally, we can shed our winter layers and put away our snow blowers. The heat cranked on high gets traded in for the cool lake breeze. I would say time to put to air on but if you know me I am never warm enough. I am always cold so I appreciate the warmer weather. It is time to prepare our lawnmowers and revive the sad-looking flowerbeds. I haven’t been much of a green thumb. I don’t know what’s good and what is a weed, but with the help of friends and family, I am learning. It is a work in progress.

The best part of March is when the Cadillac comes out of winter storage and hits the roads. Caddy pick-up day, still always brings the biggest smile to my face. Caddy cruising season is my happy place.

I might be biased but I think all the best people are born in the month of March. I recently turned 39 years old. Ah, I finally have to admit I am in my late thirties. My last year in my 30’s and my second birthday during a world pandemic. What does this year hold for me? I wish I had the ability to see into the future and to know that information. Sadly I don’t so I hope that 39 blesses me with great health, wealth, and love. I am going to do my best to be kind and help as many people as I can. I want 39 to be my greatest year yet!

I have always been a huge fan of birthdays. I am the girl who goes all out with the decorations, who designs the perfect cake. I freaking love cake. I have sampled a lot of cakes over the years but I am still searching for the world’s best cake. If I had to say out of all the cakes in my life the best cake I ever had was a cake my Oma (grandma) used to make every year for my birthday. It was a butter cake that was to die for. She took that recipe with her to her grave. I will probably never find another cake made with butter and love like she did. I truly cherish those moments. Every birthday that goes by I miss my Oma a little more. What I wouldn’t do to celebrate one more birthday with her. You never know when it’s going to be your last birthday. Celebrate each and every birthday like it could be your last. Eat the cake. Tell your loved ones you love them!

This March and for most of the winter season, I admit I have been struggling with the blues. I started to get stuck in a funk. I stopped writing. I started overthinking something someone said to me. Someone who is not involved in my day-to-day life so why should it bother me? I had to let that go. The only person’s view of life that matters is mine. I will not give anyone else control over my life. It is my life to live! Some of it has to do with life circumstances out of my control. Some health news took me by surprise and really made me think. There is always a solution to every problem. I have had medical issues before and I am still here. I will figure this out too. Some of it had to do with the winter weather being cold, dark, and damp. I have always struggled to stay focused in winter. I tend to just wanna hibernate in my cave of a bed. I would have no problem being a bear! I have forced myself out in the rain, snow, cold, damp, and days of darkness to enjoy some part of the great outdoors. I love where I live and I will not allow the weather to sink me.

Thank you to my friends and family who each and every day keep me going! Here’s to springing into a better mood. I am back and writing again! Life is too short to be anything but positive. Smile and keep moving forward.

Snow day

I woke up today (Monday, February 22nd) for that I am thankful. I actually jumped out of bed early to catch the sunrise over the lake. I took in the warm pink colours peeking through the trees while I drank my morning coffee. Yes, my coffee had maple syrup and milk in it; don’t knock it till you try it. The beauty in my morning view fills my heart, I am thankful for each sunrise I get to watch. The beginning of a new day. Let’s do this!

I had a long list of productive things I was going to do today. A weekday off from work is where you will find me being most productive. When my son in school and I have the house to myself. I had my “Monday to-do” list in my hand and ready to start. My plans quickly changed just as I got into the swing of things. Yes, I make real to-do lists, not being the best sleeper often makes me forgetful. Also, I just love the organization of a list and the accomplishment of crossing things off the list.

As the snow started to dance flake by flake down to the already enormous amount of snow piled around the house I had a gut feeling the school buses were going to be canceled. Moments later my feeling became a reality. I have always allowed my son to stay home on snow days. They were some of my favourite childhood memories. I am thankful for snow days. Slow down and enjoy each day. I laugh at whatever the day challenges me with and I do my best to make it fun. Life’s too short to have anything other than laugher and fun.

I decided my Monday to-do list can be done another day. I decided to just go with the flow. What kind of fun can be had on a snow day? No more to-dos just as much fun as possible. Everyone needs days like this. It doesn’t have to be a snow day just slower than a normal-paced fun day! My favourite kind of day.

I had the laziest morning I traded in my to-do list for a good show and more coffee. I watched the snow come down and harassed some of my friends. I am thankful for the power of the internet and messaging to keep in touch when I can’t see them all. Never enough hours in a day to be thankful for all my friends. My crew includes some pretty awesome people! Thanks, friends.

What did our snow day look like? FUN! Dan came home from his grandmas and immediately cranked his music up. Our house is always filled with tunes. I’m happy when I’m singing. I’m impressed at all the lyrics Dan’s learned, be it they are mostly Stomping Tom but it could always be worse? Right? I still have “Tillsonburg” stuck in my head while I am trying to write.

I left the day in Dan’s hands and through the eyes of a kid, we did whatever he wanted. I needed those laughs kiddo, Thanks. From jewelry making for his teddy bear to snacks, stories, NES, a sappy puppy documentary that made us cry, snuggles, singing, and dancing you name it we shared a lot of laughs. Laughs until it hurt to laugh. We never did clean up all the snow that fell. No work accomplished today. I don’t think tomorrow is always promised to us but I do think you need to make each day the best you can.

My tomorrow to-do list is going to be twice as long but I wouldn’t trade the fun we had for anything in the world. So many of our days are a blur of things we think we have to accomplish immediately. Nothing on my to-do list was more important than sharing laughs and making memories. I am thankful for my son and all his fun snow day ideas. I am thankful for friends who each and every day make me laugh.

Here’s to more snow days and lots of fun still yet to come. Slow down and appreciate the people who each and every day make your life even just a little more fun.