The Last Time

Let’s hope that history doesn’t always repeat itself. The last time I had myself organized early I ended up losing my

Count Down Update

I’m not very into new apps and I dislike when I update my phone and it adds on some app I’m not likely to use.

BUT today I downloaded this free app so I could be on top of the time frame as everyone keeps asking me how much time left.

I have some old school items to take care of though as well. I’ve received my snail mail package of info that needs to be reviewed and submitted. It needs 3 months so that’s up next!

Still a little more home work as we should review health coverage options. Who knew retiring was so much work!😉

Bernie

Encore Careers

The countdown is getting serious and I have to keep my attention from wandering. I want to go out strong from my

Something from Nothing, Year 2

There has finally been a bit of a break in the unseasonably cold snowy fall weather. The combines are going full force late into the evening and we completed a significant portion of our fall yard work on the weekend. Construction season ended too early but now we have time to focus on a few other items.

So armed with a chainsaw and a clipper we started gathering materials so I could decorate the planters that remain outside. It’s so nice to have some colours and textures in them during the non growing season.

I think my favourite view of it is the one below; partly because it’s through clean windows! It’s a long day to do the 128 window panes and 16 door panels but it’s so worth it. We are so blessed with our house space and our rural life that the work is just fair trade for that.

I love the flower pots and the cost was nil this year as the few hardscapes are from previous years. Even then the rule was that I won’t spend more than $25 for any item so it’s mostly salvage from various spots. I’m so pleased with the results of my something from nothing this year.

I have plans to add a cross and poppies in November and then dress it with lites and outside flowers for the Christmas season in December. I think it will look better than it does sometimes in the summer when I’m struggling to get the plants to grow.

Bernie

This speaks volumes

I saw these words and they resonated in my heart. On many levels and for many reasons.

Food for thought because sometimes the way ahead seems hard: so cherish what is here now.

Bernie

Like Puzzle Pieces

Across the crowded dance floor my eyes fell upon a man. I knew, at that moment, he would complete me. My life would be intertwined with his forever.

But this story isn’t about him. It’s about the

It’s back

It’s back and I’m not taking about some time limited special offer. Nope this is like a root canal that no one wants but can’t avoid. I’m trying seriously hard to “avoid” this but it seems to be chasing me down.

Silver Lining Words

Perception is very important and how which word is applied is very important. Take bossy for example. It comes across as negative but if you use assertive it changes the perception. You can insert several different words into the same sentence and try it out to see the change that viewing it turned around imparts.

Darci Lang, author of Focus on the 90% had an excellent September blog post. Her site won’t let me link  but can be found here at http://www.darcilang.com/blog.  I am giving her  direct credit here so I am reposting her timely post.

It seems like almost everyone I have talked with this month is stressed. People are using words like “crazy, busy and insane”. What can we do to make September a happier month?
#1. Stop using words like crazy, busy and insane. Replace them with positive words. I know I am too damn happy but I say “blessed” a lot. When people say, “Oh you must be so busy!”, they are right, but my response is “I am and that is a blessing!” Feel grateful for the abundance of work and the luxury of going to school.
#2. Sleep and eat well. Every year, I enter September realizing the need for the basics to be done really well. You can’t possibly expect to have great outcomes at work, within our schools or in our homes if we don’t feel well. Look after your whole self.
#3. Make “today”, “this week” and “this month” lists. I still write everything down…old school. There is something euphoric about being able to cross things off. Just dig in and get it done!
#4. Avoid all toxic people. I know, easier said than done. Do all that you can do to protect yourself from anyone who has the power to rent space in your head. Negative people are in every workplace, classroom and community. They rarely change. Let’s get really good at making sure they don’t win and affect our performance.
#5. Look at what you are complaining about and ask yourself,” Is this something I knew would be a stressful part of my leadership role, job or schooling?” Chances are yes, you knew. Complaining is a habit, change the habit.
#6. Unsubscribe, direct deposit and don’t touch a piece of mail more than once. Look at every area of your life and ask, “Can I get rid of this?”
#7. Set serious personal boundaries. I could work 15 hours a day but I don’t. Set clear defined boundaries around when you are done work and when you take time to stop studying.
September in our office is flat out, back to work, speaking two or three times a week in different cities now until the end of year. Aren’t we blessed?
Happy September!
Darci

I recently had a gentle reminder that I need to find my 90% glasses at work. Maybe we all occasionally need a reminder that, despite the issues we might be facing, we are indeed blessed. Let’s face it that anyone reading this blog is literate and has access to a computer. That also implies that there is free access to read whatever sites you’d like to read and that the writer is not being censored.

I fully recognize that many people are dealing with difficult issues such as mental health struggles, death of loved ones or loss of health to name but a few. Which maybe means that we have to dig deeper to find the word that chances perception. Or as my mother said yesterday we should all try to be a little kinder to each other. My act of kindness today was birthday cake; turtle pecan cheesecake.

Bernie

Rolling Stone Supper Date

It’s amazing how doing something once makes it a tradition. Although this time internet research was done and yet we ended up back at the same place. Because you know, it’s tradition now. It’s one of those

B2B (back to blogging)

I seemed to have been a bit absent in the blogging world during August. There was a variety of “stuff” that happened which all preempted blogging.

Then last night my