Something worth watching: The Killing

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian patriots, friends, family, followers, readers and everyone in between.  Lucky for me, I have the whole weekend off, except Monday. Being in thank-ful mode,  I do appreciate what I am able to.

The kids will be coming over, with the Stepdaughter bringing a ham, my middle daughter, a fruity baked creation (yummm) and my adorable son.  Sadly, my baby is still in Vancouver yet will be celebrating it with my mom, brother, his wife, their daughter and certainly her beau.  We'll see if she heeds my advice from our long chat last night:  to have Matt pick up a bouquet at Safeway and have it split and wrapped into two wrappings (to be economically wise) and have the ladies swoon.

NEEDED:  Someone who can animate or GIFF this?  Full CREDIT .This art was created by Markam Shrak

Why are guys so dumb sometimes?  It IS spelt out to them everything:  in commercials, in the supermarket, on television.  It won't mean anything until they run banners along the bottom of videogames - streaming branding.  Can you imagine Coca Cola do a 15 ministrobe flash on your device - why is it that shortened names to only keep the original names i.e. Coke?

You aren't getting it yet?   This blog was a kinda talking myself out loud thinking some fellow women and sisters would think I was talking with her.  A friend.  Right there.  Hey you felt lost between vegging watching TV and then rolling a joint and then just see what takes shapes.

I seriously should have interjected because my friend Wasp (replaced to protect anonymity)has jumped on the keyboard and chill out with you.

"KEEP SMILING" my ode to you 

You're hear so far.  So, I'm guessing, go far so good.  Woman, girlfriend, daughter, niece, friend, maybe even follower.  You're here because you'r a bit unsettled.  Ajusting to the feeling that age is around the corner and it's really scary.


Hunkster Hubster and I first started marathon watching, or binge watching was when he had a much younger set of kids.  Four of them living together, our roof.  Me and the hunkster hubster figured out pretty soon that our really awesome individual kids were great big panksters whenever we never around.  On each other, an innocent communication to get attention.

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Every time we have them over.  There always seem to be a new tale.  I started it about 7 years ago when Hunkster Hubster and I had a family.  His one daughter who was a fifteen year old that it amazed me could walk with that big giant chip on her shoulder weighing her down.  Times like that were such good times.  These sidebars will be my saviour.  Saving my ass from going on a tangent of nothing relevant to what I'm writing, but a burst of a though or memory that needs to be shared.  This wisdom that I imparted to all my three daughters have worked out.  Desiree is getting married next summer.  She is marrying a super buy.  If you were to try to set up the perfect guy and get by order, wouldn't that be something.  I don't know how many times I've told them all that they are going to have to kiss a lot of toads before you find the worthy one.  The worthy one is who I am going to define men in your lives as such:

• Bread winners:  they make decent money (nix millionaires)
• They like their music:  but they are not necessarily musicians because I perceive being in a committed relationship with a musician would be really hard. Often they are so good looking they could be looked at twice, having others think he must be a retired rock star.
• They are good with their hands:  Well, ummm, this is no Sisters Shades of 50 Grey.  I guess, unless that is one of the topics we want to explore.
• Alrighty then.  Forcing myself, and if you're still ready, probably to think of the asshole(s) who broke my heart.  That was like a splash of cold water, cool awakening.

I need you to have a listen to this music video.  Have a lot of good vibes watching it.  If it makes you want to stand and dance, just go ahead and doing.  Hunkster hubster is fast asleep on the couch.  Hogging the remote in case I grab it to watch "Magic Mike with Tatam hearthrob what's his name.  F*** I always transposed that:  Channing Tatam.

Plenty of you out there.  I guess you're the same.  You are a pretty good person, work oriented, kids oriented, family oriented, smart, curious, inquisitiveness, creative, idea persons, musicians, artists, players, actors, You believed that whole getting married in the 80s means.  Ha ha ha ... t'would appear I'm assembling my audience.  Are they going to come check this out and subscribe willingly:

Carry on reading now as we both listen to the song together.  So, it's going to be the new Women's Conspiracy Theory.  A group of women by invite who dispense their own conspiracy theories on life, women in career, Lean In Chicks, Life Coaches and really around basic nice, smart lady thing you have going on.  Listen honey, they're looking for tigers all around you and themselves and all they see is those tigers.  Yet there you are, in the very midst of all of them and are unique.  Not in a wallflower, stand and tap music kinda of a thing.  More like day dreaming about this sort of thing:

So what do you normally do on a Sunday night?  And way way back to my starting to watch marathon movie shoes.  I'm blasted away and so surprised.  The Killing is the best I've watched since Sons of Arnarcy (what the heck, how do you spell that think??)  and before SAMCRO (that's easier) it was BREAKINGbad.  Somewhere in the midst of it, we realized that with the new OPTIK TV (copyright TELUS) we can rewatch series that were televised, not that very long ago the wonderkind emergences of #Netflix.

Now, I'm really not what you would call your typical TV or MOVIE watcher.  I didn't start watching movies or on TV until I hit 50.  Stop falling on the ground and yank yerself to your feet, you dumb moron.

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I rarely watch TV.  I was born in 1961.  We started living in Germany by 1969.  Norm was an airforce avionics specialist.  Take that stat now.  What are the chances that my dad chose a career in the military that universities weren't even carrying yet.

He was the equivalent of a phD in that field. 

There are so many people of its kind out there.  Wasn't big philanthropist take on this cause.  For example, if you have been a sales professional for 15 years with a stellar track record.  They are The Women's Conspiracy.  Only a true member will uncover what their's may be.  Yes, it could be a FOODIE MARKETER SPEAKER manager, educator, performer, administrator. 

 Do we really care?  We're going to hang out and read, write, watch and collectively decide what matters.  If I create other sites where we women decide what matter.  We don't need admirable Mrs. Obama, Ms. Fiorini , Lean In *insert name* Oprah Winfrey (respectfully).  I think we're a little bit more special.  We're a fraternity of girls who have grown into women, have had a women's lib melt down once or twice before. 

We've been on a rollercoaster ride during our lives and now we've come around to be inspirators, creators, artists, poets, writers, journalists, beauty designer, clothes brands, shoe fettishes, and way too many pieces.  Now don't force me to give up buying accessories:  which we gave birth, in the sixties no less on offcast of groovy styles while we had mothers who first appeared as the wife in Mad Men *insert name*.  

So are you keen?  Are you a Woman Conspiracy Theorist?  Let me know. If I like your blog (blogs that help on life matters, foodies, beauty, fashion, artists, creators, artists, musicians, vocalists, poetry or lyrics.  If you want to be here, find me.

Even if you won't ever come back and read or visit again, I sure hope you had as much of a blast as I did making this tonight.  Yeppers, after midnight when all accountants, lawyers, construction workers, administrators, stocktraders, sales professionals, transportation drivers, barge captain or professional athlete .... we be all up writing, listen to music, flipping through videos, reading up on the latest interest.  Sharing a sleeplessness of how is tomorrow going to be?  

Growing up in the 60s/70s you hit your stride in the 80s.  LOL at those styles, good heavens.  I bet you're a bit of a style horse still.   We were kids in the most optimistic of times.  All our dads were working, our moms sometimes while often taking care of the family was her full time job ad priority.  Our personal wellbeing, a direct advertisement on how life has treated you.

Noooooooooooooooo, I don't want to bet you.  GHEeshh.  That's not who I am.  I'm a direct talker.  Imagine that, I decided right then I no longer wanted to ever see, read or write "direct shooter" again.  Why would I listen to to the news being devastated as though it happened to me.  I think I was given an extra dose of empathy from my creator.  

So how else can I attract a strong, dynamic, smart, professional, got the world by the *alls, and know you haven't done your very best "thing".  Have you figured out what that is?

Well, I know the main thing.  We can't do it alone can we?  The sidebars on my Blog page can always be updated, even if I can't always right as much as I'd love to.  There will some among of us that would like to jump in.  Respond.  Say what you think?  Can we create an online fraternity of women who are beyond average, have a lot to offer, and with the right support and mentoring by the right role models.

The rules will be very few but unbendable, without exception a forum for gender rights, feminism, and female issues by vote.   As your leader, scribe, and promoter, I will profess to promise to be a good example for anyone anywhere, without notice.  Not drunk, stoned, lonely or melancholy.  We want to help each other.

We will come up with a pledge so that only those who are voted in and qualify, will be given an emblem to share wherever they want.  As a bumper sticker, on all their social media profiles, author pages, artists pages, musicians pages, We will give each member a chance to present themselves, their bios, their likes, their favorite flowers, movies, music, best ever book they're written, read and highly recommend and why?

Another promise I can almost assure.  If it catches on, we'll create ways that we can identify our members.  That's where I need people who have hidden talents and can get things done.  They'll be SEO pros, IT gurus, CLOUD masters, APP developers, smartphone geeks.

Eek, I guess I went off on a real meandering about a bunch of different things.  I'm sure if I keep coming back and reading, I will want to continue editing it, tweaking it.  More, different photos, quotes and outside links.  Maybe I can make money off of links rather than ADworks from #Google. 

Well, I did include Heinz Tomatoe, maybe they'll dish out some do shopping money because it was an artistic statement used as an example without any intent to infringe on any copyright, and to only use it as a creative example of getting a message across by borrowing an image that captures the point you are making.  In fact, I'm sharing the coolest image I found today ...

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My favorite day of the week is Saturdays.  It has long been my chillax day.  The best part is rolling out of bed any where between 9 am and 12:30 pm.  I love it when the Hunkster Hubster has it made and sends our dog, Buddy, upstairs.  Buddy's jobs is to wake me up.  As a natural herder, he is talented at digging his wet cold nose on my face, not liking me, but ending up nuzzled in my neck.  Which is by no ways a way you want to be shock into becoming awake.

Then I do.  

I cannot believe it.  Still, I have meandering and carried on.  Completely omitting the reason why I wrote this Blog.  How the Hunkster Hubster and I forayed into our first binge watching or weekend marathon with The Lord of the Rings.  From his collection.  We were having this conversation where I said I hadn't seen the movie when it was the biggest book of my life:  my Grade 5 teacher Mr. Quinn, started reading it to us every Friday afternoon for the last couple of hours of class.  Then based on behaviour criteria, he  chose one of us students to go to the front of the room and read the next number of chapters of The Hobbit. That person also was given a stamp.  Yes, most of us were engaged, well behaved students, gloriously best with the best teacher, if not ever, the best teacher in its time.  I went on my own and read the Lord of the Rings.  That may have seemed quite an accomplishment for Grade 5, but it launched my love of reading.

Hunkster Hubster is these days playing "Farga" that

driving game that is new to X-Box.  That is, if the Seattle Seahawks are playing on the NFL.  I get to spend an hour to three just looking at what is on the web.  Quite often, I could be on a mission after reading a book that I was so pleased with:  The Girl in the Spider's WEB by David Lagercrantz, who has masterfully carried on the same feel and story as though it were still written by the Stieg Larsson's series that hooked me: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

Let me see, what draws me first?  I'm going to say Facebook, then Twitter, if Pinterest or Linked IN haven't grabbed me beforehand.  Then I'm Jeannette in just chill mode.  Absorption ready. Eyes sharp for that great image or idea that ignites my imagination. Then this overwhelming feeling takes over like I'm being dragged to either of my blogs and writes something about what needs to be written.

I don't expect you to like every selection of music I chose.  Then again, it is MY blog ... lol, giggles. 

I chuckle, here I went, sidetracked on telling you about the series I highly recommend watching.  I'm a fan of detective, mystery, thrillers, and "The Killing" on NETFLIX is masterful. It grabs you really early on and you are transfixed on the events that unfold.  The trailer won't do it justice.  

Don't be discouraged that there are four seasons.  You will only regret if you don't give it a try.  The acting, script, setting from Seattle should be getting a lot more attention.  True Detective was at the top of the game when they launched it.  But I hardly think those fans will mind watching this one.

I wonder if I'm on the right track?  Will I be able to attract new subscribers or followers?  It sure is a matter of self discipline.  I like what I'm writing, I see how it is evolving and decided what it can be about.

Send me a note on Twitter, Facebook or Google if you're on board and/or whether you want to be  @optioneerJM Women Conspiracy member.  We've got lots to talk about.  My main goal is to help it avoid being a lonely, isolated one.  You know, you can be surrounded by people, do a lot of things, even accomplish a lot.  Where's your safe zone?  

This can be it.  We'll be focussing on the positive force of being pushed into 50.  Neither a Baby Boomer yet likely a parent of a Millinnial.  People should paying attention to us.  We've been squished from both sides.  We're the ones making a difference while faded into the background on the tidal wave of events happening in our world.

It is like an open forum, mic turned on, and people tuned in to what is really going on.  This is not gender specific, it is gender influenced.  The issues facing both ones, are sometimes very similar, and in some unresolved ones.

"Stay inquisitive"

~Jeannette Marshall

Until next time ... have the sweetest of sweet dreams: 

 

  

Fall for entertainment

Saying your bored is something that I avoid at all costs.  Granted, now that our kids are all young adults, aged 21-26, they don't live at home any longer.  We no longer are woken up in the middle of the night because someone is sneaking their entourage into the basement.  Nor are they having big fights with boyfriends that startle us out of slumber into referee, or my hunkster husband, defensive Ninja mode.

There are many things one can do.  Heck, I have so many on my TO DO list it isn't worth having one any more because the only thing standing between me and that list is me.

Routines like housework are automatic and done on autopilot now.  It isn't like there is a collection of left overs in the fridge -- two of my daughters pet peeves of mine:  going for dinner with their beaus, bringing home a doggy bag, that they'll never eat, just so I eventually throw it out.

Being a parent and having a family, you are pushed into tidal waves of activities that you neither wanted nor asked for.  Yet that is par for the course.  Being an empty nester is an adjustment.

Thankfully, I'm an avid learner and knowledge junkie.  There never seems to be a loss for things to do when I'm on my days off or I have a window of time in the morning before my shift starts just after noon.

My biggest weakness is once I get started, I want to finish.  I don't like pulling everything out, taking inventory and laying the tools for the ready to only be able to barely get started and have to leave it.  It is a gravitational pull away from creative to responsible.

I love to blog.  To write.  It is therapy and it is giving back.  It is sharing things that I hope others will like or discussing matters that are bubbling at the surface of my mind.  I have a hard time stopping once I've begun.  There is attractive complimenting photos to source.  Facts to look up.  Sharing on social media so others may gravitate and read my hard worked musings to attract.

Then there are the many things that can distract me:  Finding the perfect photo from all the great ones accumulated since the last time I wrote.  Singling out the perfect quote that captures what the blog is all about in harmony with my mantra.  Updating the books that I have just read or am reading, so that others may consider reading one or all of them.

When I find a movie that suits family or female audience, I want to post it on here so that others may consider watching it.  

I goof around a lot on Polyvore, because it reaches my creative corner with style statements.  I can get lost on there for a while, just looking at the ensembles that others have put together.  Then that means rooting through my wardrobe to find that treasure piece that will work the ensemble around into a worthy look for that day.  (Yes, mounds of clothes is a weakness for a clothes horse, and finding a certain pair of shoes or purse is often a challenge).

Calgary skyline during fall

I love painting.  I find all kinds of things to paint and paint on.  It started as a quirk and now resides in my daily consciousness of putting paint to either a canvass or an item to transform it.  For my amusement, to appeal to my creativity, not for a critical eye or definition of worth.  The time it took to come up with either the idea or piece for transformation is priceless.

I can't always go shopping and buy things endlessly and by galore.  I have to be ruthless and responsible on purchases.  I avoid drugstores because they have beauty counters that scream and beckon me to explore.  I can't remember the last time I went to a mall, content to avoid parking nightmares.  Recognizing that I may have not the discipline to avoid pulling out my wallet and do a "purchase".  In my attempts to be more responsible and thrifty, I am that much more proud of a great find at a bargain.  Reworking clothes with accessories is a sign of a champion disciplinary new soul.

The least expensive entertainment for me is to write.  So here we are.  You can sit back and relax and read.  That is all that is asked of you.  If you feel inclined to click on anything recommended on the side banner, shows endorsement that you, too, may like it.  

After all, sharing is entertainment in itself.

Nutrition counts with age

“If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?”  ~Unknown

The oddest thing happened.  When I got home last night, my husband pointed out a HUGE box of overflowing fruits and vegetables, saying they were sitting on our doorstep.

My first reaction was it would be my wonderful, nutritious-oriented daughter because we had talked about having a bake or make day -- try making pies or I'd show her how I make my popular bruschetta from the tomatoes I grew in my very own garden!  She was not responsible, however, didn't hesitate to say she'd swing by to pick up some.

There were two bags of different apples, a big bag of oranges, about 7 zucchini, more apples, about 50 kiwi -- it was amazing!

My second conspirator I thought of was my best friend who had just returned from Victoria after dropping her son off to begin his first year of university.  After exchanged texts this morning, I discovered it wasn't her.

Hmmmm, the plot thickens.  Who is our guardian angel or fairy godmother?  

What was so fascinating about this was I had just said at work, after a colleague shared pieces of heavenly nectarine, that I had been craving fruit but with my crazy schedule, hadn't made it to the grocery store.  I had it on my TO DO list for today, my first day and only day off for a week.

I haven't really talked about the fact that I had been diagnosed with Type II Diabetes a year and a half ago.  I keep it firmly in the closet, keeping it private.  Sadly, I took it hard and a sign that my youth and vitality may be failing and a sign of imperfection, almost embarrassment.

I worked with a dietician referred to by my doctor, who said that I already had the basics of a good diet that just needed tweaking.  Basically, like any good nutrition plan, you have to increase the amount of fruits and vegetables and scale down sugar (obviously) and surprisingly carbohydrates.  

Stress and lifestyle can also impact your health dramatically.  My job is shift work and it seems to have impacted my blood sugar levels.  Before, I would get up by 7am, have a yogurt with fruit or a muffin with my Metformin and then another pill with lunch of usually a sandwich full of veggies.

Unfortunately, my schedule is really off kilter.  I can work from 1pm to 9pm, then the next few days 10am to 6pm, followed by 12:30-8:30pm.  It doesn't lend itself to a diet routine.

I'm not stressed by any means.  My kids have all left home and are smoothly sailing into adulthood with one moved to Vancouver, employed, nice boyfriend and living with my brother, safe and sound.  My other is starting her second year of university, a little turbulent because she was working 3 jobs to help fund her love to travel.  My stepdaughter is into owning her own condo, engaged and to be married next summer.  I do worry about my son and his lifestyle, with alcohol as a companion, a bit more than I'd like.

Overall, life is pretty balanced.  I've doted on my garden with my best friend, Buddy by my side.  I've been decompressing with painting and self-expression by blogging.

BUT, the big BUT.  I can't fool the meter that tests my blood sugar.  It has been higher than normal for the past few weeks.  It stands out to me that it is my diet that is causing things to go amuck.  I realize that it takes discipline to have a routine on your eating, not just what you eat.  Surprising, but revealing.

I've known and been aware, that when you don't take the time to plan your menu or have the proper supply nearby, it is easy to lean on a greater amount of carbohydrates.  Those are an enemy of balance.  

It takes me an hour to get home, so it's peanut butter toast for dinner.  Not a whole lot of calories yet mostly carbs.

I still am going to go crazy wondering who dropped off this huge box of goodies?  Is there such a thing as a guardian angel?  Or is it my karma:  what I've been thinking and saying lately?

Regardless of its origins, it emphasizes how important one's routine AND nutritional balance is.  Not many of us have the wakeup call a diagnosis like Diabetes is to realize that we have to watch what we eat and take the extra effort on balance.  

My dietician emphasized that I have the misfortune of genetics against me.  My father had diabetes and so had my younger brother and older sister - so that compounded the likelihood.  As she pointed out, I was pretty good at recognizing and following a balanced diet.  Her best advice was to visualize my plate where the carbs are balanced by vegetables.  So it isn't like you are going without anything in particular, it is more about offsetting it with more vegetables.

It was like a wake up call, that when you hit 50, it is more than ever important.  What was further surprising, was that my older brother recently had been diagnosed.  Similar to us, he and his wife follow a pretty disciplined diet.  The curse of genetics fell on him too.  He doesn't know that I know, my mother told me so I would feel better.  

I hazard a guess that my brother took it the same way I did:  a stroke of misfortune that is taken with embarrassment.  Especially to those consciously watching what they eat, how much.  He plays hockey every week with guys half his age.  Heck, his wife makes his lunch every day because she knows he is a bit of a junk food junkie and if she didn't, he'd be going through a drive-thru every day.  

We're of a generation now where so many are baby boomers hitting their 60s.  I'm a fair ways off, yet the reminder hit me flat in the face.  If I want to continue to be the vibrant, energetic person I'm reputed to be, I will have to pull up my socks and put any excuses aside, forget the blame on genetics and just get to it.

I realized writing this that one very important matter is exercise:  with the shift work, it hasn't leant itself to my walks with my dog for exercise.  You know, what they keep saying balanced diet + exercise = health.

I may take care of my appearance, love fashion, proud of my newling garden skills, and emphasis on balance.  I have to admit that I've slid some and need to smarten up.  My life depends on it.

"The best doctor gives the least medicine."

~Benjamin Franklin

p.s. my neighbour, who was my next culprit on my list of thoughtful, caring people who would have possibly dropped the treasure trove of goodies off on my doorstep, just came by with her wonderful homemade apple jelly (positive karma again!) did not give us them.  The plot thickens.  She did say I could make kiwi jelly.  Time to get off to get some fresh basil to make some bruschetta.  I'll share the recipe later.  Good times, good eats, good friends.  Lucky me!

p.s.s. It turns out that the fruit came from my lovely daughter and fiance.  I had pondered with hubby, neighbour, other daughter (while I was going through process of elimination), after wracking my brain, considering my sister.  I did think of her and her fiance but strongly considered that they don't each much fruit.  Never striking me that they would have gotten the fruit from someone from work, and BECAUSE they don't eat fruit, they'd give it away.  It wasn't meant as a surprise.  They simply dropped it off on their way from work, meaning to text us or tell us next time. It was a wonderful, beautiful gesture cloaked in mystery, landing squarely on fits and giggles.  All good for the soul.

A balancing act

Today was a wonderful day.  Yes the weather was fab, it was Sunday, everywhere I went everyone was in a good mood.  Why wouldn't they?  Perhaps there are people out there that don't bow to their God by going to church, or do chores instead of spending dinner with family, or simply don't know how to look a gift horse in the mouth?

Definitely, some days are like pushing water uphill.  I love that saying as it communicates overcoming insurmountable odds, or despair by one's choices or who they surround themselves by.  

Today I was on holidays.  Who isn't on holidays on a Sunday, many would say.  Yet, I truly am on holidays.  You see, I work a lot of Sundays during the day and it is less likely to be off on a Sunday if I was not on a holiday.

Probably there were many times I took Sunday for granted.  Stayed in bed too long, nursed a hangover or bowed to her Royal Laziness.  Today, I spent it with my daughter.  Two minutes from where I live, I'm on a highway out into the country.  

Big deal?  Well, absolutely.  Because, you see, people from all around the world come to my corner to see cowboys, mountains, fresh air, hike, fish or just take in the surroundings I can see in meir minutes.

It amplifies how little one has to complain about.  Sure, I'd always wanted a country mansion or a tropical paradise called my own.  But today, I just sucked in the air, looked at the beauty around me and really thought:  yeh, this is what striving for a balanced life is all about.

My husband had a buddy over working on his car.  My daughter came with me to just go where our travels would take us, with no agenda other than hang out.  The bills are paid, I'm on holidays.

I'm not in the midst of jet lag at a destination that I spent a few brain cells deciding where to go, what to pack, what time to make it to the airport, would the accommodations be suitable, the resort top notch and whether they have a pool bar.  No list beckons me, as per my usual fair.  I'm on holidays, I don't have to have a list or a plan.

I've balanced my act.  I'm not whining about what I don't have, or taking stock of what I should have had.  I am content to absorb and enjoy the fortune I do have.  We drove down the beautiful highway, passing by and sometimes passed by many a folk out driving motorcycles, refurbished hot rods, or speeding convertibles.

What mattered was who was beside me.  My daughter.  I got it.  There have been times when she'd make me want to pull my hair out, be quieter or be more serious.  Well, she'd been doing way too much and being way too serious.  It was mom and daughter therapy.  Whenever I get the slightest inclination where my jaw starts to open with a jolt from the brain to complain, I have to think of her.

Yes, I certainly did get to figure skate most of my growing up and that took commit-ment, but she fits in her love of soccer while working three jobs, getting ready to return to her second year of university.  I didn't have to work that many jobs.  I didn't drive a $600 car.  In fact, I didn't drive a car at all.  I had to rely on charm to hitch a ride or suck it up and take transit.  

Heck, I didn't have a car to hear a funny knock or a shimmying start until after I got married.  Nor did I have a smartphone to look up what that noise could mean.  Now, I have a husband who was going to lift the hood to check on her theories while we took off on our own.

We drove into this tiny little town and our first stop was a thrift shop.  Now, we're not talking about a big charity almost department store.  It was an honest to goodness cash only (leave your city attitude behind) and elderly lovely couple with a cat who supervised the shop.  I bought another purse I didn't need and a pair of tan shorts that are at least two sizes too big.

Next stop appealed to the yearn of our appetites responding to the fresh, country, carefree air we found ourselves in.  An all day diner that every couple or group that sat down were told by their friendly, cheerful staff that they could have breakfast or dinner.  We sat at the counter and got to watch slices of pies march in front of our eyes.  It was an easy choice to split our grilled chicken sandwich, smothered in a secret home made sauce with the greenest lettuce and reddest tomatoes fit for a food commercial.  

Yes, we shared a piece of pie ... even though my daughter said she was "good" as is her way of politely saying "no" while still sharing a good half of the "Hawaiian Pie" ... I must be getting old because I lifted my fork and looked at the light airy flakey crust, melting between a combination pudding, pineapples bits topped with whip cream.  We walked out pleasantly satiated without being stuffed.

We headed home, stopping in a few more boutiques along the way, without pulling out a wallet.  The younger version of me kicked in when I thought I may be ahead of the game after spotting a dress that would be perfect for my stepdaughter's wedding next year.

My daughter ventured back out when we got home to join up with her friends, one of which was going on to Toronto to continue her law degree.  Huh, thinking about it now, a little has rubbed off.  Perhaps she now knows and believes, that your life is your own balancing act.  It throws curveballs at you sometimes, but if you uphold quality friendships and relationships you have plenty who will let you lean on them.

I was content to spend the evening with my husband, where we both were satisfied with our day.  He may have got more done with the work on his buddy's car and checking my daughter's.  But the dividends of spending the day with my daughter and having him to come home to does remind me that for all the years of striving to balance my life, it has actually hit a rhythm that is wonderful.

Want what you have

As I write this blog it evolves.  Primarily experimental or experiential, depending on my writing and who is reading it.  What I include are items that strike my fancy weighed by my mood or circumstances. 

Where we live and how we live are important to many of us.  Creating creature comforts and having the best life has to offer is a priority for many, a reality for the lucky and dreams for others. 

There are destructive emotions we should avoid for our daily health and wellbeing.  They are emotions that can deteriorate and replace a positive outlook outside of events or occurrence that impact us that we cannot control.  For example:

• Envy:  wanting what others have. 
• Jealousy: anger at what others want to possess.
• Resentment:  remorse for opportunities passing by.
• Bitterness:  unable to let bygones be bygones.
• Greed:  possessiveness without sharing.
• Pride:  giving importance to others opinions
• Arrogance:  smugness in accomplishments
• Superiority:  thinking one is better than others
• Vanity:  putting appearance before anything else
• Ego:  destructive self perception
• Emotional:  going from one mood extreme to another
• Conceit:  self absorbed promotion, better than others
• Cruel:  punishing other people or animals; heartless
• Pretentious: braggart, opinionated, loud, boastful
• Intolerant:  rigid boundaries that are limiting
• Prejudice: biased, narrow judgment, racism, stereotype
• Narcissism:  self-motivated by  the obstruction of others 
• Difficult:  demanding, narrow, unrelenting
• Selfish:  protecting opinion and possessions
• Defiant:  Going against the rules, radical, aggressive

There are so many better characteristics we should aspire to replace or offset the destructive ones:

• Humility:  putting others accomplishments ahead
• Modesty:  non bragging on achievements
• Forgiving:  allowing others wrongs to be undone
• Charitable:  giving of self or possessions
• Understanding:  open-minded, permitting others views
• Accepting: allowing other's differences
• Easy going:  flexible, liberal, adaptable
• Admirable:  looked up to by others, a positive example
• Generous: fruitfulness in actions and charitable giving
• Humanity:  putting others first, caring about people
• Philanthropic: using personal resources to gift others
• Positive:  outlook, attitude, viewpoint, example
• Balanced: composed, stable, adjusted, together
• Compliant:  obedience of rules, embrace guidance
• Inquisitiveness:  wanting to learn, accept new knowledge
• Calm:  steady, understanding negativity, even tempered

We're not perfect by any means.  That is why, I imagine, religion, godliness is what some of us aspire to grasp onto when our personal resources are depleted.   I'm not saying having beliefs in religion is a cop out.  What I am saying is having those beliefs gives us permission to look for a better approach to living and life.

We should be careful not to sway too far the other way.  There are some qualities, held in check, that can be good for us.  In many situations, we should have one stabilized with another. Being too far in one direction can hamper or restrict one's life, be harmful to our health, or increase our stress levels:

Shyness:  anxious,  introverted, fearful, withdrawn
Timid:  passive, non-assertive, quiet, silent,
Submissive:  giving up, allowing others control, avoidance
Silent:  Mute, noiseless, inaudible, still hushed,
Intimidated:  allowing others control, afraid, soundless
Victimized:  harmed, casualty, fatality, prey
Rigid:  steadfast to position, belief, opinion, immobile
Placid:  docile, unfeeling, cold
Stressed:  out of control, inability to meet needs, crowded

Ride along with me on this journey. 
Don't tackle everything at once.  If you have heard or sense what others perceive in you, good or bad, right or wrong.  Take one destructive point and take an opposing quality.  By doing so, we will move towards fulfillment, contentment and wellness. 

I thought of this blog when originally thinking to consolidate some of the items I promoted because they attracted my attentions and desires.  I've noticed how well blogs that promote other brands, products, fashions.  So, I included them.  Then I got to thinking that wanting things, looks, materialism can be destructive and how it is all about balance.  For example, if you want a vacation, you may still have obligations or financial restrictions that won't allow you to just book it.  However, having goals are fueled by those desires that drive you to want to reach those things, places, looks.

I think it is healthy to admire things without allowing envy to enter the equation.  That also allows us to give permission to share ideas and embrace others' ideas.  It can bring acceptance or dissatisfaction. 

How we handle it individually is what makes our world open to new possibilities.  Don't beat yourself up because you bond with something pleasing to your eye or opens up new ideas. 

Here are some images that appeal to me:

Big windows where light can seeps in.  Lots of seating for lots of friends and family to hang out at.  I love the soothing blend of the calm colors with the stone and woodwork.

 



 

 

 

Sometimes you just have to get out of the house to be in a peaceful, quaint setting.  I like meeting new people and it is often in a setting with coffee and big comfy chairs.  Sometimes it is just reading the newspaper, a magazine, enjoying a coffee someone else made.

 

 

Solitude is beneficial.  Being extroverted with history of a hectic household, demanding job, putting demands on myself, it is just nice to get away.  A walk on this path is not far off and within reach of me.  Being reminded is healthy.  Being afraid of bears and animals intruding on my wanders is a reality even if it is not necessarily a risk.

 



I won't get into the drama (this time at least) surrounding my vehicle saga.  I've had a Mini Cooper S and a Mercedes and driving a practical Hyundai Elantra right now.  This falls under the "wouldn't it be great to have" category.

This reminded me of when I did the design of my back deck, drawing it out by hand, this was very similar and included a hot tub.  I was a solo-mom at the time and considered all the factors of how practical one would be.  Visions of a bunch of little kids jumping in and splashing around interrupted my image of quietness, glass of wine, soft music.  I was already accustomed to adding another plate or three for dinner.  I wasn't prepared to share something like this.  Then the reality of daily maintenance and ongoing upkeep eliminated it from my list.



I am an admitted clothes horse.  I tend to plan what I am going to wear in advance.  I imagine gaps in colors, accessories and the like to give me an excuse to go shopping.

I am not a grab anything throw it on type of gal.  I do spend time visualizing my wardrobe, accessories, purses and shoes to put together an outfit for usually the next day.  Even if it is just hanging around the house or running errands.  That sounds extreme as I write this.  Well, we all have our perks and quirks.

I rediscovered Polymore because it appeals to that part of me that likes to imagine looks put together.  The challenge is finding things I already have that can successfully be used to achieve these looks.    
 
Ramping up for the Calgary Stampede which will be upon Calgary early July, my focus has circulated around fashion must haves and fashion looks to go hand in hand with the Country vibe for the summer.