Giving Thanks for Thanksgiving

I just want to say that I am thankful for Thanksgiving. I love this time of year; the colours, the turkey, all the tasty side dishes, family, friends and a day off from work. There is nothing better for my soul than family, food and a day to sleep in! That is just simply a battery charger!

It was a great weekend even though my husband was away until Monday. The kids and I spent some great time together. I had to take the car in for repairs so the kids and I walked to have lunch before heading to get the car. What a great time. There is nothing better to reconnect with kids than sharing a meal around a table. Sitting at the table with my girls was a perfect opportunity to hear about their lives, to find out how school is going and to hear all about their friends. Kids feel so comfortable sitting around the table and are more comfortable to share their lives (at least my kids do!). We walked to pick up the car, or rather I walked and the kids scootered. It was a beautiful warm fall day.


I am also thankful for TWO turkey dinners. The first was with family on Sunday. We filled our bellies full! Dinner number two was on Monday with just the four of us at home. My husband got home from New York early Monday morning and so missed all the yummy food on Sunday do the kids and I whipped up a delish turkey dinner with all the fixings, like stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and of course turkey! It was a great meal!  For desert we had apple crisp, fruit of our labour - Apple Picking!

I Am Grateful

I think it is really important to focus on all the great things in life. I will also admit that I sometimes for get to do that... for myself. I sometimes get bogged down in life stuff ( ya, that's what I will call it, stuff!). So that is why I am starting a on going series of posts, a list really, let's call it a gratitude list or even better a bliss list because let's face it most of the things that I am grateful for in my life are also the things that give me bliss, that allow me to live a blissed life.

Today I am grateful for my family. All of my family. My parents who are super supportive, love and encouraging. I am grateful for my brothers and sisters ( even though they drive me crazy most of the time!). I am super grateful for my super talented and supportive husband ( even though he sometimes drives me crazy too!) and of course I am overly grateful for two beautiful, kind, loving and compassionate daughters!

What are you grateful for?

The Best Things in Life Are Free!

There is ultimate truth in that saying... THE BEST THINGS IN LIFE ARE FREE!

 Sounds too good to be true? Well, when you think about it, it is true. No seriously. Just hang with me here for a few minutes and you will agree with me.

I have been on a bit of a personal journey over the past year or so. You might have noticed if you have been reading my posts lately. And during the journey I have been reading a lot and thinking a lot.  I recently read a book by Mike Dooley called Choose Them Wisely. There was a moment in the book when Mike talks about the fact there are things in our lives that are free and those are the things we most often take for granted. It really struck a cord with me. I realized before starting on this journey I was often looking to things to make me happy. I was wanting to have the life others appeared to be living, and that included all the things they had in their possession, like cars, homes, clothes and vacations. I was taking for granted the things and blessings I already had in my life. So let's just look at things in your life and mine that are free.

FIVE THINGS IN MY LIFE & YOURS THAT ARE FREE!

1. Your Talents
Every single one of us has a talent. You might not think so but it is true. There is something you are good at. There is something that I am good at. Own that! I am good at writing. I am good at communicating. I am good at my job in news broadcasting. Those are my talents. They are mine, and mine alone. There is only one of me! I am unique and you are too and so are your talents. Believe it and be grateful for it. It is free!

2. Friends
Having friends doesn't cost a thing. Think about it. You have always had at least one friend in your life. When you were a kid you probably had lots of friends, friends in your class, friends in your neighbourhood. Maybe they weren't forever friends but more like in-this-moment friend but you had a least one friend to play with. True friends are there for you when you need them, they are great support, they are great sounding boards, they are great when you need to talk, need a baby sitter, or just to have fun.

3. Family
Family is a great support! They are like friends but even better. Your Mom and Dad, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandmothers, grandfathers; there is always one person in our families we connect with. Use that! It is something to be grateful for.

4. Time
Time is free. The best part about this one is that time is actually kind, every day we get the time to start fresh, start over, change things and move forward. Every day is a new day. We can use time to our advantage and it is free!

5. Your Imagination
Dreams baby! We all have them. This is so great because it is our imagination and our dreams that help build our lives. Dream big!


This is only a list of FIVE but the list is REALLY endless. There is so much in our lives that is free and help us lead more blissful lives. You don't need to go out there and spend a life savings to have a happy life. Use what is already in your life and the best part many of these things are FREE!

Back to the Grind

I love going up to the cottage. It is so relaxing and it is always great to spend time with the family. My kids love the freedom of being at the cottage, they swim all day and sit around the fire roasting marshmallows at night. Everyone sleeps well. Ahhh.... it is relaxing just to think about our weekend at the cottage.

BUT ........

It is shocking how quickly that feeling of relaxation washes away. I was back at work Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning I was exhausted again. I was once again feeling worn down and slightly stressed out. Why is it the affects of the weekend getaway don't last longer, can't seem to withstand the stresses of regular life?

I think maybe the trick is to work a little bit of that cottage life into my everyday life. I need to take more time to relax, really relax. I need to take time out and put my feet up and not worry, stress or think about cleaning, dinner, laundry, work ... etc. Easier said then done I think.

 What do you think? What do you do to keep that vacation feeling? How do you relax and unwind during the week?

CHRISTMAS CRAZINESS

I know, I know.

Christmas is everywhere but it does seem early to be talking about Christmas. My hubbie and I have been talking about all the places and people we need to see this holiday season. Frankly, I am amazed at how much we have to do next month. We have a company kids party, dinner with friends, my parents holiday open house, Christmas dinner with the in-laws, meeting friends we haven't seen in years who are coming to Ontario from out West, Christmas dinner with my parents, and then drive to Florida. I'm sure I am forgetting a few things in there.

It may not seem like a lot, but remember I do have to get kids to school, get myself to work, write a couple of freelance articles, Christmas shop, pack for our trip. ahhhhhhhhhhhh. I'm tired just thinking about it.

I worry that the part of the holiday's that I love the most, spending time with friends and family, will get lost in the shuffle of Christmas. I especially love to curl up on the couch with the kids, with a great coffee or hot chocolate ( with lots of marshmallows), and watch great Christmas specials, like Santa Claus is Coming to Town, Frosty, It's a Wonderful Life.

What's your favourite part of the holiday season? Do you have a favourite Christmas special on TV?