Today we hear of the passing of Farrah Fawcett. What really saddens me is that she never got the chance to marry Ryan O'Neal. We heard last week that he asked her to marry him. She was on her death bed being proposed to after all this years. Such a waste of years gone by and now it is too late. There is a lesson to be learnt from all this....never put off doing today which you think you can do tomorrow. We are all so good at procrastinating, but life has a way of throwing curves at us. When death comes, it is fast and definite. The loss of that person no matter what the circumstances are is a void for all those who loved that person. I would of loved to turn back the clock and had one chance to talk to Kelly-Anne, to my parents and many others close to me who have passed on. Just one more day to day I love you and I appreciate everything that you have done for me....just one more day.
We need to remind ourselves that the people who mean much to us or have meant a lot to us need to be told so and that reconciliation is so important if we want to live our lives without the guilt once that person passes on. You know those famous words..."I should of "or "why didn't I".......we are all guilty of that.
My heart and prayers go out to Farrah's family and I hope that she will be at peace cradled in the Lord's arms.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The DASH
After attending an intimate funeral this week of the husband of a swimming friend , I was enlightened by the minister's message. I thought I would like to share some of it with you. It somehow touched a cord with me and has made me look at life again, just a little differently. Even though I consider myself a humble person, sometimes we need a little shake up.
Have you ever looked at a tombstone and noticed that each has the date of birth inscribed of the deceased, then a dash ------- then the date of death? What really is important here? Sure we were all born and we will die but the reality is it is the DASH which is the most important. That Dash represents our life, the time we spent on this earth. For some , the Dash is short and for others, very long.
What we have done in our DASH is not measured by how much money we have earned or how much money we have saved. It is not measured by what we have acquired as worldly things. It's about what we have done during that DASH. What have we contributed or gave to our family, friends and society. Who have we nurtured or cared for. What child has learnt something from us. What kind smile have we given a homeless person?
Even though Kelly-Anne's DASH was so short, she was able to do all the above and more.
I want my DASH to be filled of stories and memories that I and my family can be proud of...the giving , the sharing, the love, the nurturing, the selflessness. We all have that inside of ourselves...it's up to us to set the priorities straight and live out faithfully, no matter how short or how long our DASH is.
What will your DASH be?
Have you ever looked at a tombstone and noticed that each has the date of birth inscribed of the deceased, then a dash ------- then the date of death? What really is important here? Sure we were all born and we will die but the reality is it is the DASH which is the most important. That Dash represents our life, the time we spent on this earth. For some , the Dash is short and for others, very long.
What we have done in our DASH is not measured by how much money we have earned or how much money we have saved. It is not measured by what we have acquired as worldly things. It's about what we have done during that DASH. What have we contributed or gave to our family, friends and society. Who have we nurtured or cared for. What child has learnt something from us. What kind smile have we given a homeless person?
Even though Kelly-Anne's DASH was so short, she was able to do all the above and more.
I want my DASH to be filled of stories and memories that I and my family can be proud of...the giving , the sharing, the love, the nurturing, the selflessness. We all have that inside of ourselves...it's up to us to set the priorities straight and live out faithfully, no matter how short or how long our DASH is.
What will your DASH be?
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Baby's First Birthday
Today Jules and I went to participate in the festivities of a baby's first birthday. Lilah is her name. A darling little girl who is the daughter of Kelly-Anne and Kim good friend. Besides the goodies and cupcakes, the house was filled with little children. All happy and adorable little ones playing and munching on treats. The party brought back many memories of birthday parties which we had for Kelly-Anne and Kim.
For Kelly-Anne's first birthday she had a baby sister to celebrate with her. Isn't that something! Kim was just 4 weeks old but nevertheless she was with her sister.
I remember making those wonderful character cakes out of the Wilton cake pans....doggies, Big Bird etc. Some parties were held at McDonald's and Chi Chi's. We usually had one party in between their birthdays. One birthday party, Kim received her first cat....Katnip. He somewhat freaked out coming home to a children's costume party. I think that is why he was always stressed out.
Looking at the gifts that Lilah received today made me see that some things just haven't changed...Strawberry Shortcake was a big thing when the girls were small. Lilah must of received at least 3 Strawberry shortcake cards and we gave her a Strawberry Shortcake book as part of her gifts.
It was a lovely party which really warmed my heart...the sweet innocence of youth.
For Kelly-Anne's first birthday she had a baby sister to celebrate with her. Isn't that something! Kim was just 4 weeks old but nevertheless she was with her sister.
I remember making those wonderful character cakes out of the Wilton cake pans....doggies, Big Bird etc. Some parties were held at McDonald's and Chi Chi's. We usually had one party in between their birthdays. One birthday party, Kim received her first cat....Katnip. He somewhat freaked out coming home to a children's costume party. I think that is why he was always stressed out.
Looking at the gifts that Lilah received today made me see that some things just haven't changed...Strawberry Shortcake was a big thing when the girls were small. Lilah must of received at least 3 Strawberry shortcake cards and we gave her a Strawberry Shortcake book as part of her gifts.
It was a lovely party which really warmed my heart...the sweet innocence of youth.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Kelly-Anne & Rachel
Kelly-Anne's best friend is Rachel. Today is a special day for Rachel as she has married her sweetheart.
It's a bittersweet day as I sit here and think of years gone by and of the relationship the girls had together. They say that there is no greater bond between mother or daughter or sisters but I feel their bond was
the same as blood sisters. I remember the laughter, the fun shared and of course the adventuring. Kelly-Anne, I know would be very happy and proud today for Rachel. I am sure that her spirit is near Rachel as she starts a new phase in her life. I am also glad that Kim is there today with Rachel sharing in the festivities.
Here is a picture taken of the girls adventuring in the USA.
I wish Rachel a beautiful day and a happy and loving marriage.
It's a bittersweet day as I sit here and think of years gone by and of the relationship the girls had together. They say that there is no greater bond between mother or daughter or sisters but I feel their bond wasthe same as blood sisters. I remember the laughter, the fun shared and of course the adventuring. Kelly-Anne, I know would be very happy and proud today for Rachel. I am sure that her spirit is near Rachel as she starts a new phase in her life. I am also glad that Kim is there today with Rachel sharing in the festivities.
Here is a picture taken of the girls adventuring in the USA.
I wish Rachel a beautiful day and a happy and loving marriage.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Angel Victoria Stafford
Today we learn thought the media that two individuals have been arrested for the abduction and murder of 8 year old Victoria Stafford from Woodstock, Ontario. We are told that Tori was murdered the same day of her disappearance, April 8th. We are also told that there is a possibility that there are sexual reasons behind her abduction. The first thing that comes to mind is history repeating itself of the sex and murder crimes of Paul Bernardo and Karla Homolka.
How heinous of a crime and how sick these two are. No rehabilitation will ever cure them. Again we will witness a lengthy and costly trial where each will blame each other or maybe there will be plea bargaining like in Bernardo's case and this 18 year old female will get less time just like Homolka did. She is an accessory....ya right....she is as much responsible as the male in this case is. We will then hear a story of how this female ( I just can't bring myself to call her a women) was abused and controlled by her partner. Poor excuse. I know many women who have been abused and they never laid a finger on anyone.
I am tired of our poor lazy justice system in Canada. We need to be more like the United States. Death penalty. I never before believed in capital punishment, but since 2004 so many other heinous, senseless murders have occurred that I no longer can tolerate our easy going sentencing in this country.
And as for restorative justice......I am a non- believer.....been there , done that...it just doesn't work.
Rest in peace dear Tori...Kelly-Anne is nearby . I hope her parents are supported and helped through the days ahead.
How heinous of a crime and how sick these two are. No rehabilitation will ever cure them. Again we will witness a lengthy and costly trial where each will blame each other or maybe there will be plea bargaining like in Bernardo's case and this 18 year old female will get less time just like Homolka did. She is an accessory....ya right....she is as much responsible as the male in this case is. We will then hear a story of how this female ( I just can't bring myself to call her a women) was abused and controlled by her partner. Poor excuse. I know many women who have been abused and they never laid a finger on anyone.
I am tired of our poor lazy justice system in Canada. We need to be more like the United States. Death penalty. I never before believed in capital punishment, but since 2004 so many other heinous, senseless murders have occurred that I no longer can tolerate our easy going sentencing in this country.
And as for restorative justice......I am a non- believer.....been there , done that...it just doesn't work.
Rest in peace dear Tori...Kelly-Anne is nearby . I hope her parents are supported and helped through the days ahead.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Messy Chef - Part 2
My first creation is completed. Here are a couple of pictures. This one has vibrant red apples and will be sent out of town to my cousin. She loves reds! What is nice about this style is that the cord is one piece and is adjustable for any height or size of person and is more comfortable that those made with tiny strings around the neck.
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Messy Chef - Part 1
Being unemployed has its advantages. For me it has been a time of reflection. I have spent the past few months writing a program on domestic violence which I hope one day will be implanted in many companies here in Quebec. I have also been taking care of myself...lots of swimming and going to the gym. Of course I have been sending hundreds of c.v. to many companies and have not been receiving hardly any calls. That being said, I can't wait around forever for the job to come a callin', so now is the time to make my own plans of a career. I am hearing that more and more unemployed are creating their own employment and that is what I intend to do.
Today I went for a swim at the pool in DDO where Kelly-Anne worked and where the conference room is in her name. From the pool one can see her picture on the wall in the conference room. I know for a fact that her spirit is in that building as when I swim there I always make some of the most important decisions or my thinking process is heightened. It's like I swim with her beside me and for that it is a very comforting experience.
As I swam today I thought about how Kelly-Anne as a child loved those t.v. shows where the chef would cook in front of an audience. Remember the Chinese chef from Vancouver...I think the show was called "Cooking with Wok".. One day I happened to walk into the kitchen and found Kelly-Anne at the stove cooking scrambled eggs. She was about nine or ten years old. Here she was talking away to her audience explaining how to cook the eggs. Funny thing, she never really like eggs! But even funnier is that she had an audience. She had set up all her stuff animals on chairs, stools and the counters watching her. How hilarious that was!
After I reminded myself of that funny event I thought about all the things I used to do when the girls were young. One of the things was that I use to do a lot of sewing....Halloween outfits, curtains, dresses and play suits for the girls. When I worked full time I never had the time to do any sewing except for repairs. Recently I pulled out the sewing machine and made valences for our bedroom. I realized that the knack is still there...after all it runs in the family...my grandmother, my mother, myself and Kelly-Anne all sewed very well.
I thought today while swimming that I should create kitchen aprons. I will start shortly to cut patterns and sew up a few and will post them for you to see. Slowly I will create the Messy Chef line of kitchen aprons & tea towels. I will take specials orders....my customers will be able to choose their colors to match their taste and kitchens. Aprons will be available for moms and matching aprons for their daughters and of course BBQ aprons for the men. Also theme aprons will be available for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
Just imagine this scene. You are dressed in a white linen dry clean only beautiful blouse and are busy in the kitchen preparing a lovely dinner for guests. You turn around, but the cat is between your legs and the spaghetti sauce suddenly splashes all over you. Yikes! Now if you had on your 100% cotton washable apron, your blouse would still be nice and clean and you would simply just have to throw the apron in the washer rather than having to take the blouse to the dry cleaners !
It's time to rev up the machine and get sewing. I still have to look at price points. I have my first order for my cousin's wife . When I complete the apron, you will see it. The aprons will make great shower, birthday, & Christmas gifts and will come wrapped in gift bags.
Stay tuned for part 2!
Today I went for a swim at the pool in DDO where Kelly-Anne worked and where the conference room is in her name. From the pool one can see her picture on the wall in the conference room. I know for a fact that her spirit is in that building as when I swim there I always make some of the most important decisions or my thinking process is heightened. It's like I swim with her beside me and for that it is a very comforting experience.
As I swam today I thought about how Kelly-Anne as a child loved those t.v. shows where the chef would cook in front of an audience. Remember the Chinese chef from Vancouver...I think the show was called "Cooking with Wok".. One day I happened to walk into the kitchen and found Kelly-Anne at the stove cooking scrambled eggs. She was about nine or ten years old. Here she was talking away to her audience explaining how to cook the eggs. Funny thing, she never really like eggs! But even funnier is that she had an audience. She had set up all her stuff animals on chairs, stools and the counters watching her. How hilarious that was!
After I reminded myself of that funny event I thought about all the things I used to do when the girls were young. One of the things was that I use to do a lot of sewing....Halloween outfits, curtains, dresses and play suits for the girls. When I worked full time I never had the time to do any sewing except for repairs. Recently I pulled out the sewing machine and made valences for our bedroom. I realized that the knack is still there...after all it runs in the family...my grandmother, my mother, myself and Kelly-Anne all sewed very well.
I thought today while swimming that I should create kitchen aprons. I will start shortly to cut patterns and sew up a few and will post them for you to see. Slowly I will create the Messy Chef line of kitchen aprons & tea towels. I will take specials orders....my customers will be able to choose their colors to match their taste and kitchens. Aprons will be available for moms and matching aprons for their daughters and of course BBQ aprons for the men. Also theme aprons will be available for Thanksgiving & Christmas.
Just imagine this scene. You are dressed in a white linen dry clean only beautiful blouse and are busy in the kitchen preparing a lovely dinner for guests. You turn around, but the cat is between your legs and the spaghetti sauce suddenly splashes all over you. Yikes! Now if you had on your 100% cotton washable apron, your blouse would still be nice and clean and you would simply just have to throw the apron in the washer rather than having to take the blouse to the dry cleaners !
It's time to rev up the machine and get sewing. I still have to look at price points. I have my first order for my cousin's wife . When I complete the apron, you will see it. The aprons will make great shower, birthday, & Christmas gifts and will come wrapped in gift bags.
Stay tuned for part 2!
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