Monday Morning #EmptyNest

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and spreading the rest of your life over seven days!






Monday, December 9

Christmas Decorations    One of my most favourite days of the year is the day that I decorate the house for Christmas. With Christmas music blasting, I enjoy unwrapping all of the decorations that have been stored away. Over the years we have collected a lot of treasures.  Each has a special memory and all make me smile when I discover them each year.   We spent all day Sunday decorating the inside and the outside of the house.  I loved every minute.

Of course, my fondest memories of decorating is when my son was young.  His anticipation of Santa's arrival and the ritual of the Christmas decorations was a sure signal that Santa was near.  We would play Christmas music, drink hot chocolate and delight in the animated decorations that we loved.  

Now I am decorating an "empty nest" as it is often described.  As I hung my decorations today I got thinking about the term "empty nest".   I really don't like it.  My nest isn't empty - I am still here with 
my husband not to mention a dog and a cat.  I loved decorating my house for Xmas before my son was born and now that he has a place of his own - I still love decorating the house.  It is not the same. It is not meant to stay the same.   But it is  definitely not empty. 

Monday Morning #OneofaKind

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and spreading the rest of your life over seven days!






Monday December 3

Hockey  Lots of hockey this weekend.  The Knights won on Friday night.  I am holding my own in our 
pool but still not at the top.  The first half season jackpot date is early January so I have to start to 
focus on climbing up the standings!  I went to two of my nephews tournament games including the
championship game that they won.  I took my Mom and Dad to the final game.  


Shopping  I was able to get some Christmas shopping done this weekend.  I am slowly chipping away
at my list.  I tried on Friday but the stores were crazy - Since when is Black Friday a Canadian shopping
event?  I was in Toronto on Saturday at One of Kind Show - a Christmas tradition for my sister in law, my nephew and me and one of my favourite shopping experiences each year


One of a Kind Show   Artists and artisans from across Canada participate in this show held twice a year in Toronto.  The Christmas show is the best.  26 mammoth aisles of vendors - such talented artists, unique and creative ideas.  I am always inspired and in awe of the talent at this show.  I bought a few things - always one of a kind.

Friday Night Notes - Working #Retirement

Friday Night Notes

Sifting and sorting through the vast amount of information that funnels through my twitter feeds daily is a challenge. Much of it is chatter but some is noteworthy. This is what I have bookmarked this week:

Working Retirement;  Retirement Work -  there are a number of labels  for it but it all means the same- some form of employment or business after retirement.  The old model of picking a date, finishing work for the rest of your life and heading for the golf course is changing.  Many people
find new ways to continue to contribute in the workforce and for a variety of reasons not just financial.  


In the media:

http://business.financialpost.com/2013/09/21/life-after-retirement-time-to-reinvent-yourself-in-a-new-career/

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/personal-finance/retirement-rrsps/the-new-retirement-plan-keep-working/article12464964/

http://www.startribune.com/business/yourmoney/232103411.html


A few government resources on working in retirement:

http://alis.alberta.ca/ep/eps/tips/tips.html?EK=3337

http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/services/pensions/cpp/prb/index.shtml

http://www.fcac-acfc.gc.ca/Eng/forConsumers/lifeEvents/livingRetirement/Pages/workingi-travaill.aspx


A Statistics Canada paper on working in retirement:

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/75-001-x/10905/8622-eng.pdf



A website for Retired Canadians/Boomers seeking employment:
http://retirementemployment.ca/


An article outlining Organizations that have developed exceptional programs to attract and retain
older workers:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bradley-schurman/age-management-best-emplo_b_4333642.html

Monday Morning #Snovember

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and 

spreading the rest of your life over seven days!

The news in my part of the world this weekend was the huge snowstorm!  Although not strangers to snowstorms one of this amount of snow is rare for us in November.  In total over 70 cm (27 inches) fell overnight smothering the city and for the most part shutting it down.

We woke up Sunday to the beauty of the staggering snowfall

We spent the morning shovelling and made a trek to the grocery store to get supplies. With the city shutdown we were out of dog food  (don't want to be housebound with a 100 lb dog without food) We made Beau carry his own groceries.

It is Monday Morning and routine returns to the city.  The snow plow just went by again so we are back to shoveling to get out of the driveway and off to work.

I want to say a special thank you to my colleagues at the hospital yesterday who while everyone else had the luxury of not going to work or their business closed.  The hospital never closes.  To those hospital workers and all essential service workers who got to work under very difficult circumstances.  Thank you.

Friday Night Notes- #RobFord best of

Friday Night Notes

Sifting and sorting through the vast amount of information that funnels through my twitter feeds daily is a challenge. Much of it is chatter but some is noteworthy. This is what I have bookmarked this week:





There is not much more to be added to what has already been said about Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. 
What I have thoroughly enjoyed is some of the amusing quotes, insights  and creative ways  to tell the story.  Here are a few of my favourites.....


As an opera....
.
Q ‏@CBCRadioQ 17 Nov ICYMI: Our creative friends @CBCDay6 gave the Rob Ford story a very unique treatment: http://bit.ly/HQkbv9 #RobFordOpera

As songs...

CBC Radio ‏@cbcradio 15 Nov Hear a series of Rob Ford apologies set to Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry" - via @TheCurrentCBC https://soundcloud.com/cbc-radio-one/the-rob-ford-apology-song-im

On Conan ...Rob Ford's Campaign song by Anchorman's  Ron Burgundy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhhpz9pKyj8&feature=youtu.be

On SNL....

HuffPostComedy ‏@HuffPostComedy 12h #SNL had a good Rob Ford sketch, but it really made us miss Chris Farley. http://huff.to/1ebEvTd

My favourite comments......

Rubene De Sousa ‏@RubeneDS 4m Did Rob Ford's brother appear on CNN with a vodka bottle in plain sight? - http://yhoo.it/HYBg6t

The Globe and Mail ‏@globeandmail 2h Toronto Mayor Rob Ford now more dangerous as a celebrity than as a leader, @IvorTossell argues http://tgam.ca/DweB #TOpoli

…TorontoStar ‏@TorontoStar 14 Nov "Please accept the noble offer of my steady hand and compassionate heart." Charlie Sheen tweets to #RobFord http://ow.ly/qPYtl #TOpoli

VANITY FAIR ‏@VanityFair 2h The Prince of Ties: Rob Ford’s Best Style Moments! http://vnty.fr/1b3HezA

CNN ‏@CNN 7h Toronto Mayor Rob Ford says he would have admitted to the crack earlier, but no one asked the right question http://cnn.it/I0ZJII

Bill Maher ‏@billmaher 21h I see Ford motor co.has asked #RobFord not to use their logo anymore on his t shirts. And Coke said "Don't even think about it"

TedInJest ‏@TedInJest 16 Nov With Rob Ford... voters opted for the wisdom of age, the maturity of a keg party, and the dignity of a strip bar. #PowerToThePeople

The Colbert Report ‏@ColbertReport 15 Nov "He was just trying to tell kids to stay in s
chool. Seriously kids, stay inside. Mayor Rob Ford is out there." http://on.cc.com/1dzhDw8







Toronto Life Daily ‏@toronto_life 14 Nov The 10 most unbelievable quotes from the past 36 hours of Rob Ford insanity, from Charlie Sheen to Kathleen Wynne http://lif.to/HW7Rue

Pet Portraits #andrewgillet

Still on the easel but ready to send to the States.

 A collector of my husband's hockey art commissioned three pet portraits as Christmas gifts.
Aren't they gorgeous!

Monday Morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!

   London Knights   A rare weekend without hockey in London this weekend.  The Knights were on the     road               and won all three games.

   Christmas  is really becoming top of mind.  Definitely the stores are in full holiday gear, Tim 
         Hortons is serving with the traditional holiday coffee cup and we had our first snow that 
         stayed on the ground!  

   Christmas Tree  This week we bought a new white Christmas tree.  This is my third and last!  
        They turn yellow after a few years.  Beautiful by high maintenance. 


   Christmas Shopping  Also went on shopping day trip to Great Lakes Crossings near Detroit.
         It is a Christmas tradition.  I get to spend a day with my sister and her friends, buy a
         few Xmas gifts and support my nephew's hockey team.  Great day.  Always a reminder
         of  what a busy time of life it is  when your kids are young and involved is sports.  
         Thanks to all Hockey/Baseball/Soccer/.... Moms for all that you do to make it possible 
         for your kids to enjoy sports.

Friday Night Notes

Friday Night Notes

Sifting and sorting through the vast amount of information that funnels through my twitter feeds daily is a challenge. Much of it is chatter but some is noteworthy. This is what I have bookmarked this week:




About Retirement planning...

An article from Forbes about happiness in retirement:
http://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2013/06/25/the-secrets-of-how-to-retire-happy/


A study about retirement success
 http://www.transamericacenter.org/resources/Power%20Planners%20White%20Paper.pdf 


An article about the secrets to successful retirement
http://www.nextavenue.org/article/2012-08/10-secrets-successful-retirement

A blog about retirement

http://lovebeingretired.com/2013/11/07/7-ways-to-prepare-for-retired-life/



About travel 
Indietravel - A couple from Israel's blog about traveling as a way of life
 http://indietravel.net/about-us/

Friday Night Notes #gray hair

Friday Night Notes

Sifting and sorting through the vast amount of information that funnels through my twitter feeds daily is a challenge. Much of it is chatter but some is noteworthy. This is what I have bookmarked this week:







About Gray Hair....

A few weeks ago I blogged about going gray http://emergingsenior.blogspot.ca/search/label/Gray%20hair  

Since then,  I have had an overwhelming response to that blog from various sites dedicated to gray hair!   Who knew....?  So, if you are looking for info on going gray.........

Twitter:

@White Hot Hair   (also on facebook)
@Daring to Be Grey
@Revolutiongray
@Silver Hair Rocks
@GGG (going gray guide) (also on facebook)

Facebook:

Silver Hair Community
Greyvolution

Websites

silversophisticate.com
gorgeousingrey.com

Lest we forget.. #showyourthanks

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause in memory of the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service.

At public gatherings in Ottawa and around the country, Canadians pay tribute with two minutes of silence to the country's fallen soldiers from the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and peacekeeping missions.

From the time I was a little girl, I attended the Remembrance Day Services at the Cenotaph in our home town.  Rain, snow, sleet or sunshine I stood beside my father and my uncle, both decorated veterans, as we watched the Veterans Parade.  Afterwards we would  go out for lunch and  both would have a drink and toast absent friends.

When my son started elementary school at Brick Street , I began to attend the school Remembrance Day services instead of the Cenotaph..  Brick Street was over 100 years old and in the hallway was a plaque listing all students from  Brick Street that had been killed in service.  Every Remembrance Day, the names of those students were incorporated into the school's ceremony. It was a moving reminder to everyone of the children that had once played on that same schoolyard whose lives ended far too early.

My uncle is no longer with us.  My son has grown up.  Our current  family tradition is to attend the Remembrance Day service at the school of my niece and nephews - Sherwood Fox.  My Dad, my Mom and my sister all attend. I am always touched by the poignant and beautiful service and how seriously these young children take this act of remembrance.   Afterwards we go out for lunch, have a drink.

On Remembrance Day, my father always  wears his military blazer, his beret and medals.  I am always astounded by the number of people that come up and shake his hand, thank him for his service -some women even kiss his cheek. .  Whether we are at the school, in a restaurant or out shopping , it always happens.

This nation made a promise almost one hundred years ago not to forget those young soldiers who never came home.  It is a promise that we have kept.    Lest we forget.

Monday Morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!







1.     London Knights had a much better weekend of hockey winning both Friday night and Sunday 
        afternoon.  Good friends, Leigh and Karen came to town for the game.  Great to be able to
        spend some time together and catch up.


2.    Good Ole Freda was playing at the Hyland on the weekend.  It is charming documentary
       about Freda Kelly, the girl in charge of the Beatles fan club from the beginning of the fab four
       through the height of Beatlemania and it's demise when the Beatles broke up .
       It was a great story. http://www.goodolfreda.com/

3.    Fall behind provided an extra hour of sleep yesterday and even with the clocks turning back the 
       sunset was around 5pm -  a real sign of winter coming 

4.    A Tim Horton's Christmas Moment  After a morning of shopping , my sister and I made the picks
       for our family Christmas gift exchange over a cup of coffee at Tim's.  How Canadian is that!
       












3. 

Figure Skates #AndrewGillet

My talented husband just completed his latest commission .  I think this is his best figure skate painting - even better  than those that he did for the World Figure Skating Championships last year.
Awesome.

Detail of the laces

Monday Morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!

1. So You Think You Can Daaven  My weekend started early on Thursday attending a play produced by my friend, Ellen.  She is a great role model for retired life - taking on new experiences and new challenges like producing a play.   
2. Hockey -  The hockey gods certainly were not smiling my way this weekend. Ollie Maata is staying with Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Penguins.  The Knights lost on Friday which usually doesn't bother me but they did not play well which is unusual.  I didn't send my Friday night post game Knight tweet as I couldn't think of anything good to say. Another loss on Sunday.  And, after three consecutive weeks of being in a leading position in my hockey pool  I sank to mid pack.  
3. Captain Phillips -  Great movie.  The last scene is movie storytelling at it's best.  Brilliant performance by Tom Hanks.  
4. Sunday Morning Walk - Instead of our usual hike around Westminster Ponds we decided to walk Beau around Springbank Park this week.  Such a beautiful park.  Lots of activity.  Beau likes the wildness of the Ponds better - not a fan of being on a leash on his Sunday morning walks.

     5.  Sunday Breakfast   - Sunday was a day of change!  Our normal post walk - Sunday 

          breakfast diner has been declining in quality so we tried a new spot this week -

          Edgar and Joe's.  It is an initiative of our local Goodwill giving employment opportunities

          to those  needing experience.  What a great idea. The food was delicious - a sunny 

          and bright seating area.  I think we have found our new Sunday breakfast spot!

     6.  Cookies, Cookies...   I spent the summer baking pies and trying to improve my pastry 

          skills so this weekend's cookie baking was a welcome change.........

          I am intrigued by the "Compost Cookies" from  Momofuko.  This New York bakery

          recently opened a store in Toronto.  The compost cookies have a variety of ingredients

          including potato chips, pretzels, coffee, chipits.   The name is unappetizing - I think

          "Kitchen Sink" cookies is better.  I had to try them . 

          I also baked the New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookie.  I froze two batches as a 

          start to my Christmas baking. 

    

Hockey Pool

I finished making my hockey picks for the week. This is the second week in our hockey pool (not counting the first three pilot weeks).

 Why is it that I was in first place or second place during the trial weeks and sink to the middle of the pack when it gets serious!!!

This is the first year for our pool -the half season prize waits for the winner -
not exactly the "Shiva Cup" .

Good luck everyone.

Monday morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself  moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!

1.  Knights lost both games this weekend.  Disappointing.  However, the hockey gods continue to smile upon my choices in our hockey pool.  I was in second this week but in first place overall.   I can only hope that my luck continues as the race for the KIA starts with this week's picks.
2.  Wedding bells ringing   We attended a beautiful wedding this weekend at the local golf course overlooking the lake.  Gorgeous fall colours.  Unfortunately the rain didn't cooperate so they were married inside,.  however, they were able to take some photos outside.  Beautiful light with the overcast and brilliant colours of the trees.  Some funky shots with bridal party under umbrellas.
3. Poignant ceremony, beautiful bride  and my awesome son did a great job as emcee of the evening's program.
4. Quiet Sunday recovering from the dancing, and frivolity of the night before.  Brunch with friends from out of town.  
5. Quest for the Cup premiered Sunday night.  The documentary is following the London Knights through to the Memorial Cup. It was a good intro segment.  The deadline for purchasing our Memorial Cup tickets is  fast approaching.  The price is ridiculous - the debate continues in our household.
6.  50 things   I am close to completing my list of 50 things I need to do before I retire.... should be publishing it soon....

     

The Bunny Whisperer

Our neighbourhood is full of rabbits.  Every evening at dusk as we walk Beau, rabbits are perched everywhere.  We have had two close encounters with these creatures this summer - really bunny rescues.
You see I live with a talented artist who is a bunny whisperer as well.

The first incident occured early in the summer just as we opened the pool.  We were in the backyard and a baby rabbit bolted into our yard, inches away from Beau - for a split second both stopped and stared - and then the bunny leaped across the backyard.  Unfortunately our pool was in his direct path.  He landed in the water, swam across the pool in a nonosecond and of course couldn't get out.   Bunny Whisperer to the rescue!!!  He fished the rabbit out of the pool with the basket, then the rabbit let him lift him out and out of the yard to safety!!

The second incident was later in the summer - again around the pool.  Pools and rabbits don't mix......

 When checking the pool first thing in the morning, we found a bunny in the skimmer.  He had been swirling around there for awhile.  The poor thing was exhausted and barely breathing.  The Bunny Whisperer delicately picked him out- gently massaged the rabbit hoping to get him breathing properly and the circulation going.   After wrapping in a towel and creating a little nest in the backyard, the rabbit slowly recovered and within an hour hopped away.
Happy endings in both cases.  Since his first bunny rescue, the Whisperer has experienced much good fortune.
Recently we came home and found laying against our front door a bottle of wine -  "Good Kharma" wine to be exact with bunny ears and tail with the following inscription:

"You are lifesaver.   All my love ... Jack Rabbit"

Thanks Glenn.... oops.. I mean Jack

Monday Morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine. and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!






              1.     HAPPY THANKSGIVING....  What a beautiful Fall day to enjoy.   It is
                      so much better for us as Canadians to celebrate now rather than late
                      November with usually dreary weather.

              2.     Thanksgiving celebrations started early with our traditional Thanksgiving
                      coffee break at work.  I am very thankful that I love my job and have
                      such a wonderful team to work with.  As always tons of food - that we
                      nibbled on right through to end of day Friday.

              3.    Thanksgiving means food - so did a far amount of baking/cooking this
                      weekend -  Puppy Chow for work celebrations,  Loaded Potatoe Dip,
                       and made my first Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin tarts, Ham, Scalloped 
                       Scalloped Potatoes

              4.    My sister Donna is having Thanksgiving today at lunchtime - Thanks Donna
                    This morning I am getting organized with my contributions.

              5.    Knights won again on Friday - I tied for first place in our hockey pool last 
                     week and we will probably watch the Knights away game on TV this
                     afternoon with the rest of the family.  How Canadian is that!

               6.   I am going to try and eat wisely today since I have been endulging in Thanksgiving
                     food since Thursday.  Starting tomorrow - if it is not green - I am not eating
                     it!

               

             
                    
                      





http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/jobs/embrace-your-age-and-conquer-the-world.html?_r=1&

Friday , October 11 - Day of the Girl

Tomorrow... we celebrate the Day of the Girl

On December 19, 2011, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 66/170 to declare 11 October as the International Day of the Girl Child, to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world and to support the right to education for all girls.

Tomorrow... the Nobel Peace Prize will be announced. It should be awarded to Malala Yousafzai.

Tomorrow ... show your support for Day of the Girl - Raise your Hand for the Right to Education for all Girls - post a picture on Facebook and Twitter of your hand raised with #Day of the Girl

how are they hanging......

Finally finished my photo gallery project.!  Just a little bit behind schedule.  My summer project completed just before Thanksgiving.  It was a much bigger job than I anticipated but a lot of fun putting everything in new frames.  A bit of a challenge figuring out how to hang organize them   Lots of great memories hanging around..... and space to always add more....   

Monday Morning

We do most of our living between Friday night and Monday morning.  Monday morning is the time to reflect on the weekend and get back into our week day routine . As I get older it becomes more difficult to get myself moving on Monday morning.   I guess that is part of what retirement planning is about - letting go of the weekday routine. and 
spreading the rest of your life over seven days!






1.    Hockey was the theme this weekend-  2 Knights games this weekend both Friday and 
        Saturday night.   The London Knights won both and played well.  

2.    This weekend we were finalizing our  new hockey pool for the season.  12 participants so far -
       have almost signed everyone online and in our group.   The first couple of weeks are trial
       weeks and don't  count for the prize.   I had the top score this week!

3     we (really Craig) tackled the jungle at the side of the house.  Looks great now -
       new garden bed ready for planting in the spring.   Thanks Craig!