Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Double digit birthday!

Heading north later today to celebrate a 10th birthday with Jalen!

Love

CA

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Jalen August 2014




Couldn't post a photo of Lexi without one of her brother.  This photo of Jalen was taken a few weeks ago.  He is such a handsome little boy!


Love

CA

Cross that Bridge when you come to it...


 

I haven't blogged for so long - sorry to all of my friends who catch up with me here. I have no real excuse other than I took a break from this social media site for the summer. I find Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Blogging a bit much on top of my website but as long as I maintain my speaking business I will maintain all of the above. ... with the exception of this blog for long periods of time as you have seen this summer.

I took a long vacation this summer and spent over a month in my home province - Nova Scotia. With the exception of "Arthur" the weather was the best it has been in the month of July in years. 

These pictures of Lexi were taken yesterday.  Jalen is away with his other grandparents for the week so a visit with my son and family meant I had a bit more one on one time with Lexi. She is such a delight.

One very funny exchange with Lexi went like this ...

Lexi:  Nana I know what the lights mean (the stop lights as we were driving along).

Me:  Okay, what does the red light mean?

Lexi: Stop.

Me: The green light?

Lexi: Go.

Me: And the amber light?  With hands in the air and in a very loud voice the reply came.....

Lexi"  SLOW DOWN PEOPLE! 


It was a laugh out loud moment.

From the heart,

Carol Ann

Friday, June 27, 2014

Beach time



Looking forward to beach time - Mavillette beach time.

First though we will enjoy the city for a full week!

Love

CA

Fog and Rain on my arrival in Halifax

Hard to tell but this photo is from my hotel room - I have a lovely view of the Halifax Harbour but you will have to take my word for it today.

I drove from Middleton to Kentville and had breakfast with Linda before venturing back out in the storm. So much fog I could not see the Exit signs in Halifax - made it after a stop and lovely visit with Doreen Foss.

Today, Friday, the rain is still with us. I don't mind a slow day though - a good book to read, a view and the quiet - good company.

Love
CA

The best of Hearts


Is this not the most beautiful of hearts??

Love

CA

Margaretsville NS


They say you can't go back and I guess if you expect things to be the same that expression might be true.

Margaretsville was once a hub of activity on a Sunday afternoon. Walking on the wharf, eating homemade ice cream and sitting on the huge rocks....today, not so much.  

The wharf is no longer maintained so you enjoy it at your own risk, the ice cream is no long home made and only available for a couple of hours on Sunday.  

However the rocks are still there! Phyllis and I walked down memory lane and loved it. The Artist Shop is alive and well and I always try to shop there - great to support the local artists.

Love

CA  

Next stop - Middleton


I grew up in Wilmot and attended MRHS in Middleton so have many friends there and fond memories too.

Bunked in with Tony and Phyllis Pedicelli where the meals were out of this world and the friendships a joy!  Stayed with them from June 23 - 26th.

love

CA

Room with a View


I move in to Chris and Connie's sun room in Bridgewater and you can see the beautiful view I have from my bed.  It is stunning and such a treat to stay there.

We had great weather and enjoyed our visit.

Love

CA

1906kms...done!

Connie flew to Toronto and after a visit with families we set out for Bridgewater Nova Scotia - and made it in two days. The new route through (or around) Montreal works like a charm - didn't get lost!

We arrived in Bridgewater on Thursday June 19th.

Love

CA

Yorkville Avenue



Very confusing for friends who came to visit.  A movie is in the works and both Yorkville at Bay and Cumberland at Bay intersections have changed names for the shoot.  Funny but confusing.

Love

CA

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Here comes summer..



I will be heading to Nova Scotia very soon...well.... in a few days.  My sister Connie is flying up from NS and she will drove home with me.  I hope to spend time in Bridgewater, Middleton, Kentville, Mavillette, Halifax and all points in between. 

I may even make a fast trip to PEI but that may have to wait.

So many friends to see, so many beautiful places to relax, like Mavillette Beach in Cape St. Mary. I can't wait.

I will be on Facebook and Twitter but not sure I will be back here for a few weeks.  Something has to change or it's not vacation so my posts won't be as regular.  You are okay with that yes?

Love

Carol Ann
PS ... and you have a wonderful summer too!!

The death of the Telephone Booth

My granddaughter is three years of age. Recently she saw this photo and immediately said, "What IS this Nana?"  

Not part of her world at all...

Ah, the memories.

Love

CA


Thursday, June 12, 2014

Throwback Thursday



Wilmot Nova Scotia, circa 1963/64 walking to my neighbours' the Whites' to catch a drive with George to MRHS for the school day.

Love

CA

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Maya and Lexi


"We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated." Maya Angelou.

"I can climb up by myself."  Lexi.

Sunday, June 8, 2014

Lexi


This little girl, at three years of age, is a handful!!

Love

CA

Jalen


Jalen loves loves loves sports!  He had an early morning ball hockey game so we were all out of the house by 8 am.

They won second game of the playoffs.

x0x0


Saturday, June 7, 2014

Favourite Quotes



Maya Angelou will be laid to rest today.  In honour of Maya and all that she left for us to think about, this is another of her best known quotes.  "When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

Enjoy your weekend everyone.

Love

CA


Friday, June 6, 2014

Bell Logistics circa 1994



Sam, Judy, JC and I had our annual luncheon yesterday here in Yorkville.  We were working together when I retired from Bell in 1994 and now we work very hard to ensure we find time to meet at least once a year. We talk about Bell, friends, family, kids, grandkids and so much more.

Friendships are so important don't you think?

Love

Carol Ann

Prayers for Moncton


We know so little about mental illness.

Prayers for all those affected by the senseless shooting in Moncton including the shooter and his family.    This man is someone's son.  I cannot imagine what his mother and father are experiencing right now.

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Second quote from Maya Angelou



Of the best-known quotes of Maya Angelou, my second most favourite is - 

"If you don't like something, change it.  If you can't change it, change your attitude."

Love

Carol Ann


Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Early morning coffee



You may be too young to remember the song?

It is a rainy early Tuesday morning in Toronto. One of those days you want to stay inside. I have an appointment early this morning so I am off and running...before my first cup of coffee.

Have a gentle day.

Love

Carol Ann

Monday, June 2, 2014

Don't Push A Loyal Friend too far....


Recently, this has happened to me in reverse.  

A friend pushed and pushed and pushed - too much - and finally I realized I simply can't help.  It isn't a case of not giving a damn but rather a case of realizing I am not the one who can help them.

First, they have to realize they need help.   Then, of course, they have to want it.

Love

CA

Life



This is so true don't you think?  

Life doesn't need to be complicated at all.

Love

Carol Ann

Sunday, June 1, 2014

So Many Quotes from Maya Angelou



Maya Angelou left so many words of wisdom for each and every one of us.

This is a great quote and one that we can all share with the next generation, and the next.  

Love

CA

Championship Game!



There are no losers when you play in the championship game.  Jalen and his team played their hearts out and enjoyed every second of the weekend. Jalen is a gifted  athlete just like his dad and grand dad.

Love

CA

Saturday, May 31, 2014

Saturday morning...


Honestly, just afar 6 am I was sitting on my balcony with my coffee and laptop working on my next chapter ...great day and the words were flowing so all good!

Took a break at 9 am and now just after 10 I am done writing for the rest of the day - it often happens that way. Early morning is when I am most creative so it's a good time to work on a new character or further develop an older one.

Love

CA

Friday, May 30, 2014

Apple Blossom Festival


 This is Apple Blossom Festival weekend in the beautiful Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia.

I remember the parade each year and the beautiful people on the floats - how I wanted to be like them. Isn't it funny what we remember over time?  I would learn over the years we can all be beautiful if we are 'prettied-up' as my mother called it to sit on a float for one day of our lives.

When I moved home in the mid '90's I travelled to Kentville a number of times for the annual Festival and Parade.  Parking was a nightmare as you entered Kentville - I remember that - and the parade was lovely.  But....and there is sometimes a 'but' ....it was not the parade and celebration I had remembered from my youth.

Life is often like that.

Have a wonderful Friday whatever you are doing today.

Love

CA

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Maya Angelou



American poet and civil rights activist Maya Angelou influenced many of us with her written word.  

Of her top ten best-known quotes my favourite is -

"People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

So true don't you think?

From the heart,

Carol Ann

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

My New Motto....



Just had to share this with you. Hope it brings a smile to your face on this mid week Wednesday.

Love

CA

Saturday, May 24, 2014

Sunny Saturday


My sister, Lois, found this photo on Facebook and shared it with me this morning. So...I thought I would pass it on to my blogger friends.

It is a fabulous looking Saturday morning here in downtown Toronto and I hope the same is true where you live.  (Rita, how about where you live?)

Love

Carol Ann

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Rejection number.....


Rejection # 12 arrived via e mail last evening - hate it when that happens.  All writers know rejection is part of the business but each time I receive one it still hurts - the ego if nothing else. I was so sure this time.  But then, I was so sure every other time.

I still have one submission out and won't hear back from the publisher until October at the earliest. I will sit tight for now.

Summer vacation is coming and then I will formulate my next plan.

Love

CA

Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Early Toronto Morning


I took this photo just before 6 am today....hazy then but the sun was coming up.  Not so sunny now but a good day for writing.  I hope to write for several hours today - or for as long as the words appear.  Any writer knows if you are in the zone the words flow.  

It's a good writing day for me and it's only 10 30 am.

love

CA

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Lexi and Friends


Lexi and family are in Ottawa with the rest of the Scott boys for the long weekend. James and his brothers are going through their dad's things...we have all been there and know what a tough day that will be.

Lexi had fun with her cousins who helped her dress up as a Princess - she looks shy but, trust me, she is not... Seven of the eight cousins were there so they are making memories and these memories will help them think good things about their Grandpa Scott when they look back on this weekend. 

Jalen, I am sure, has been either playing hockey or baseball or busy with his iPad. Not as easy to capture him in photos.

Love

CA

How Will You Be Remembered?


Monday, May 19, 2014

Up Schitt Creek....



You have to laugh at this one yes?

Love

CA

Morning Coffee...



I often see funny Facebook pix re that all important cup of coffee. I thought this one was funny and worth sharing with in case you did not see it.

Love

CA

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Update re Graydon's death



Many cups of coffee, tears, investigation and comparing of notes later and we still do not know exactly what happened during those critical last 36 hours of Graydon's life. Graydon was my son's father and his death has left a huge hole in my son's heart.  And, that breaks mine.

The funeral was lovely but the questions remain unanswered.

Love
CA

John Dea




Today would have been my brother in law, John R Dea's birthday....slowly catching up to me!

RIP John - we speak of you often.

Love

CA

Mother's Day 2014


Mother's Day at the Old Mill with James and Jalen (Lexi and Tracey were were her parent's home for the weekend.)

My mother absolutely loved the Old Mill and it is lovely to carry on the tradition with my family.

Love

CA

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Graydon Scott


Lexi and Jalen have lost their Grandpa Scott.  

Graydon left his Ottawa home early Thursday to drive to Midhurst to visit with James and family. He was anxious to attend Jalen's ball hockey games on Saturday and also next Tuesday evening.

Sadly something went terribly wrong. He didn't arrive and a missing person's bulletin was issued. Almost 48 painful hours later the family learned Graydon had been in a single car accident and had passed away.

We are all very sad. Funeral will be in Ottawa later this week. No details available as yet.

Love

CA

Monday, April 21, 2014

Lexi

A few years ago Jalen was proud to have a Jeep "Just Like Daddy!"

Yesterday he taught his little sister how to drive his Jeep and while I am not certain he has given it to her he certainly allowed her to enjoy driving it while he played hockey in the driveway with his buddies.

Love

Carol Ann
PS It was a perfect Easter Sunday!