Merry Christmas to all.............

This date, December 22nd, was my beautiful mother's birthday so I am celebrating that today. Here we are sitting under the tree with her - circa 1956.

I am off to my son's for the holidays so last chance to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I will be back here either late this year or on January 1st - see you then.

Love to you

Carol Ann

Merry Christmas to all of my Wilmot school mates

I am loving every second of reconnecting with my Wilmot School friends. We are planning a reunion next summer - all those who attended the one/two room school house are invited to attend.  This photo was taken in 1953 so I was 7 and Lois was 10.  Grades 1 - 6 were all in the same room at that time - the second room would come later. Trust me, you don't want me to tell you which little girl is me................I will let you figure it out again.To all of you that I have had the pleasure of reconnecting with since the Wilmot school project was formed on Facebook I am thrilled that we are in contact after oh-so-many years.  Merry Christmas to you and I look forward to seeing you  sometime during the weekend of July 28-29th.

Love
Carol Ann

Christmas week

Here we are - it's Christmas week!  For those, like me, who start celebrating November 1st there has been lots of celebrating. I miss my mom more than usual during this week for a number of reasons. She too loved the holidays, I was fortunate to almost always be with her at Christmas time - and sadly she passed away on December 20th so in that vain I am a bit sad at this time too.  It is always tough to lose a loved one - it seems even more so at this time.  Love you mom!  CA xoxo

Westjet update

I must share with you that my sister did hear back (and promptly too) from Westjet. She has been reimbursed for Christmas gifts stolen from her checked luggage.  It's a start...........and the people she has heard from have been understanding, apologetic and helpful so giving credit to those who deserve it...........

Jalen and his Gingerbread house

My handsome grandson made yes made this Gingerbread house.  Quite a school project I would imagine - I thought Gingerbread houses all came from the store after money was exchanged. He has put me to shame LOL.

Lexi has a new favourite hobby

Lexi loves to keep an eye on dishes going in to and out of the dishwasher. In fact she loves it so much as  you can see here she actually sat on the door to keep a very close eye on things.

She is thrilled with her new favourite toy obviously - the dishwasher!!

Greetings

I have missed a few days here. How are you?  My post-pneumonia health has me down and out a bit again...hate it when that happens.

It is such a busy time of year and to miss a day or three is significant.  I got caught in the rain yesterday going to and from my doctor's office. I think it was about 15 degrees and with heavy spring like rain.  Unbelievable!  Even if you felt like shopping yesterday in downtown Toronto it would have been difficult to do so.

So today it is raining again and I am tucked away inside - with no intent to venture outside....maybe tomorrow.

Have a nice evening. 

Love Carol Ann

Good Monday morning to you

Two final work weeks before Santa arrives and not to be negative but for those who don't like this particular holiday don't worry - two weeks from today it will be Boxing Day.  Seriously I have a number of friends who really don't like all that goes with this holiday season and I do understand that. 

For me, and I think I get it from my mother, I love the season which is why I begin decorating my little home for Christmas in November.

Love

Carol Ann

Cookie Jar Marble collection

If you have an old glass-bear-peanut-butter jar why not fill it something other than cookies and keep it out as a decoration.  I loved my bag-full of marbles as a kid and could win the entire collection from any boy or girl in Wilmot - and I often did.

Fast forward to today and Jalen is a bit past the marble stage and Lexi is too little to play with my collection so it sits proudly waiting for her to be a bit older.  (I will let her win at least initially.)

Saturday has been a crazy day in the stores. I hope you didn't even attempt to shop today.

Love
CA

A message to 'The Holders of the Heart"

I am receiving so many Christmas cards from those of you who have a Comfort Heart.  Many, if not most,  I have never met in person.  Thank you for being in touch at this time of year, thanks for the pictures you send, thanks for the gifts of 'anything-heart-like' and thanks for your kind words.  With support like yours there are over 255,000 Comfort Hearts in the hands of people all over the world.  If I could I would write to each of you individually. I know many of you follow my blog and I hope you will be okay with me acknowledging you here.  With love to you from the heart.....Carol Ann

My friend Valerie

I don't send very many Christmas cards and when I receive my annual card from Valerie and Mario I always feel that my card to them just didn't measure up. 

I am not sure if this is called needlepoint or cross-stitch (that's how much I know) but I have this wonderful collection of cards from Valerie and they are all hand made. We even have a Christmas ornament on the tree with skis on one side and "Jamie" on the other side dating back to when James was still Jamie and racing with the Toronto Ski Club (now, that is a story!)

My Wilmot friend Beryl Holman has a great saying relative to giving and receiving Christmas cards.  Her motto is, "I don't give to get.  But, I don't give if I don't get."  I love the expression and it explains why I receive fewer cards each year  However, it's all good.

Hope Thursday is treating you well.

Love
Carol Ann

My Wilmot NS friend Phyllis Pedicelli (and Tony too!)

Phyllis (back row left) and I grew up as neighbours and best friends-forever in Wilmot Nova Scotia.  We are best friends to this day.

This beautiful picture of Phyllis and Tony and their family arrived today in a Christmas card.  What a wonderful way to stay in touch and share the visual of a family over time.

Thanks Phyllis.

Love

Carol Ann

My friend Nancy.....

My friend Nancy is a fantastic cook - and she can bake anything, literally anything. Often she starts to make something at the last minute and still everything she makes turns out perfectly. 

Nancy mailed a box of fudge to me recently (to put a few pounds back on me) and I am enjoying every tiny speck of every piece.  I am not sharing it with anyone either!!

So what is the story behind this particular cake you ask?  Well....this story involves her husband David (more about David in a second.)  You see, David offered to help Nancy by taking the cake out of the oven.  He dropped it somehow and this is the result.  They did make the best of it  though - as you can see there are a few large pieces that could be salvaged.  I would have sat on the floor to ensure even the smallest piece was eaten.

David is a wonderful man.  He is so involved with his family, he loves all of his family and shows it.  He takes great care of everything, including his antique car.  I guess technically Nancy is an antique too right Nancy? LOL  Seriously though, David is a very sincere, dedicated and loyal man.   (He's handsome too by the way.) I don't think there are many men out there like David - maybe you got the last of the good guys Nancy.  Hate it when that happens.

Love
CA

Can you find me?

This is just too funny!  Can you find me in this photo?

I finally joined Facebook because of the 'Wilmot School project' that was formed.  I get to connect with women and men who went to the one room/two room school house with me in Wilmot Nova Scotia.  This photo was taken in the basement when they were adding the second room to the building.  I think this was a Christmas pageant of some sort and it was likely circa late '50's.  I love it!!

Westjet - shame on you!

My sister Connie flew to Toronto this past weekend to be with a friend who is battling cancer.  Connie had purchased a number of Christmas gifts to help her friend through this rough patch (and my gifts were in there too!)   She arrived the required two hours prior to flight time in Halifax on Saturday morning. 

When her luggage arrived in Toronto - the gifts were gone.  Who in God's name would rob someone of holiday gifts for others?  A baggage handler of some sort I fear and maybe even in Halifax since the bags were checked so early.  Westjet stresses to arrive two hours early - I am sure this is not so you can be robbed by their owners. (They call everyone on their team/staff an owner as per their commercials.)

Connie has written to the President of Westjet. She doesn't want anything from him.  She simply wants him to know that she is heartbroken.

I am a bit more angry than she is and I WON'T LET THIS DROP!

I don't normally blog about my anger - but there you have it.

CA

Yorkville Christmas

I thought you might enjoy this Christmas tree standing proudly on Cumberland Street in Yorkville.  I walked through the area with friends last evening and it was so beautiful I had to take a picture.

Have a nice Sunday you-all!

Love
CA

Snow in the Barrie area

And Jalen loves it as you can see.  I am hoping the snow is not on the ground to stay - that would mean no more driving there for me until the spring. Sometimes it melts - albeit sometimes it does not melt for months and months.

Such a difference between weather in Toronto and the Barrie area.

Busy Saturday?

Christmas dinner #1

It is such a busy month isn't it?  Some years ago when I lived in Halifax I began a tradition with my friends Barb and Faith (and Cheryl when she lived in Toronto.) The first Friday of each month we would meet for dinner - I know that sounds like a very simple plan but if you don't plan it, often it just doesn't happen.  Life gets in the way.

Origionally we met at the City Grill in the Eaton Centre and then - again life getting in the way - the restaurant closed.  Not a bad thing though because we began going to different restaurants, sometimes new to us.

Tonight we will meet at a great pasta place in Yorkville for drinks dinner and "Christmas cheer" as Faith calls it.  We exchange gifts -Barb makes out gift - cookies and they are the best in the world. I sometimes start eating them en route home from the restaurant. Maybe I will take a picture this year and share the cookies with you.  That way I don't have to actually give you one!

You have a good Friday my friend.

Love

Carol Ann

Here we go - it's December!

Each year I have the joy of helping James, Tracey, Jalen and Lexi decorate their Christmas tree. This year we had Lexi put the first ornament on the tree (sort of) and Jalen gave us his all-grown-up look as he stood beside the tree fully decorated.

Have a great great day!

Love

Carol Ann

Lexi

Of course I can't leave Lexi out. She attended all of her brother's games but had more fun at home with her "stuff."

jalen and his dad

Jalen's ball hockey championship game didn't go their way but I keep reminding him that ending the season second in the league is a great place to end up too.  Not sure he was convinced.

James stepped in and coached the team mid way through the season and found that he did enjoy it. Of course, as his mom  I see all of his great qualities but watching his gentle and humourous ways with these young boys was a joy to watch.  Getting their attention is one thing, keeping it is another.  Very funny to see the 7 and 8 year olds walk away from the huddle if they felt the urge.

I am so proud of both Jalen and James......xoxxo

Regular mail - when did you last send a card?

I came home today and stopped to pick up my mail - and something in the mailbox made my day.  My friend Cheryl M sent me a "Note to cheer you" card because she knows I have had a bit of a rough November.  In this fast paced world it is such a gift to picture a friend taking the time to send a card the old fashioned way.  I am guilty of not sending cards to friends and family "just because" and one of my New Year's resolutions will be to correct that.  Cheryl, thanks for making me think............

Love
Carol Ann

Jalen James

Since I posted a photo of Lexi at the dinner table yesterday I really should post one of Jalen too.  His dad took this shot at dinner time last evening. (Make that supper time for those of us from the East Coast.)  Jalen will be playing in the ball hockey championship game in his league this weekend and I will be there!

A new website for you to check out - and a new author too

Dee Madore and I met via e mail some time ago when she was working on her first novel.  If you go to www.deelightfulreading.com you will be introduced to Gifted - her novel is now available as an e-book.  I purchased it last evening and will enjoy reading it this weekend. 

Dee is already working on her second book - Tidbits, Tips & Treasures.

A fellow Maritimer, Dee and her husband live in Truro Nova Scotia and spend summers in the beautiful Annapolis Valley.  Hopefully we will meet in the Valley in person next year.

Congratulations to you Dee!!

Have a warm Friday.

Love

Carol Ann

Feeding Lexi is delightful!

Can you tell how much Lexi enjoys meal time?  She loves to eat and will try anything - especially with sauce.  What a joy this little girl is....

Sidney Crosby and his Nov 21 comeback!

Oh my did you see Sid's return last evening?  Third shift into the game and -  he scored with his backhand no less.   And he wasn't done there. Beautiful!  Welcome back my fellow Maritimer...........

This picture after his first goal says it all.

You asked about my heart collection

You might be able to see the heart that you gave me in my Christmas collection of hearts!  I think I will keep this out all year long - I love it.  I have been collecting hearts since the beginning of my Comfort Heart Initiative and that was in 1996!  Time flies.  Have a wonderful Monday.  Love CA xoxo

Christmas day is a month away!

And my collection of Christmas trees has grown from one to four!  So, my trees are up and trimmed.  You?  Love CA

My sister Lois

When Jalen was born my sister, Lois, made his Christmas stocking so when Lexi was born this year Lois set out to make Lexi's stocking as well.  And, here it is.  It is absolutely beautiful with Lexi's full name spelled out in beads, a 2011 coin tucked inside the sock and a Comfort Heart engraved with "First Christmas" and so much more.  Over the years I know it will become very meaningful to little Lexi. Thanks Lois. Love CA x0x0

And better still

Definitely getting stronger each day - thanks for your concern and e cards like this one from May. 

You never know - by tomorrow I might even go outside! Trust me, I am feeling hemmed in to say the least. Maybe that is a good sign.

Have a gentle Wednesday.

Love
CA

Feeling better day by day....

Honestly pneumonia is no fun at all but I really am better each day.  Seems it will take a bit longer than I thought so hang in there with me.  I am feeling better today for the first day in some time so on the right path.

I missed such a great Bell retirement party for Mike and Nick!

Poor me - I have pneumonia and if you have ever had it yourself you know I am one sick girl at the moment. In the hands of my good doctor though so this will pass (soon hopefully.)

With nothing better to do last evening (lifting my head seems to take more energy than I have) I took this photo of a full moon - looking East from my condo.  Nice yes?

On the 9th I was so looking forward to saying a few words at Mike and Nick's retirement party.  (They combined and had one big party - and many of their friends and working connections are the same so it was a great idea.)  Apparently there were pensioners from as far back as 1976!  I love Bell parties like this one and refused to admit I wasn't well enough to attend until 24 hours before - like a child who might refuse to give up something they really really wanted.  Damn.

I would have taken pictures to post here so maybe someone can send me a few??

Love
CA

Francine Green

To know Francine was to love her.  She had a long and successful career with Bell, was married to Bill for 31 years and was the proud mother of Rachelle - who is surely her mother's double at the age of 25. 

The photo on the left is of Francine giving me a big hug at my retirement party in February1994.

Francine had the most wonderful smile and you couldn't help but smile when you were around her. She truly did light up the room no matter the circumstance.

Death came suddenly and was a shock to everyone.  I believe in God but having spent time with Francine's family (especially my dear friend Michelle - Francine's sister) yesterday I have only one word for God.............Really?????

Sisters who are also friends

In this photo Betty and Rosalie are on one side of me with Natalie and Melva on the other.  Sister number five - Audrey was not with us on this sunny summer day a few months ago while I was home.  The photo came in the mail a few days ago along with a gift - a necklace of hope, handmade by Sue Bernier. I have written about these particular sisters before.  They share a home, they look out for each other in ways others don't even think of and they care about others. My mother worked with these girls many years ago and now I get to call them friends too!  Nice nice people.

Have a wonderful weekend

The heart shaped cloud is a real picture and my friend May Ocean added the small "Comfort Heart."  Nice yes?

Have a wonderful weekend.  I will continue my extra blog entries until I have caught up with all of the things I would have shared during the month of October if my computer had not been lost in the Best Buy shuffle.

Love
Carol Ann

Facebook

There is a new group on Facebook dedicated to our two-room school house in Wilmot Nova Scotia.  This group has prompted me to join Facebook. Until now I have been confident that my website and blog were quite enough - but like many of you I am now a member. I will likely blog here more than I will comment on Facebook though.  As you can see in the photo the building is now the Wilmot Community Center but back in "the day" the room on the right was home for Kindergarten through Grade three while the room on the left was for Grades four through six.  Ah the memories!

25 Billion dollar Halifax Shipyard contract

This photo is clearly not of a warship but it is of the Halifax habour so I thought I would include it this blog.

While I was at home in October the province received some absolutely wonderful news -  "A $25-billion Halifax Shipyard contract to build the next generation of naval warships" shouted the headlines of the Halifax paper. I was in a restaurant three hours away from Halifax when Darlene, a waitress at Chez Christophe, came to our table to say, "Great news. NS got the contract - we will do a better business even at this end of the province. " And the feeling was shared anywhere you went over the next few days.  There will be an influx of people, homes will be built and sold, cars will be purchased and new tires will be needed for older cars,  Iiving Shipbuilding Inc will hire engineers who will begin and end their career at home if they chose to do that.  It's all good and I couldn't be happier for my home province.

Toronto's Flatiron Building on Front Street in Toronto

The Flatiron building in downtown Toronto is up for sale.  Constructed in 1892 for George Gooderham, former Bank of Toronto president and owner of Gooderham and Worts Distillery is an architectural beauty I think.  It is a favourite for picture takers from all over the world. You can always observe people taking a picture of the building itself or of each other in front of it.

I am wondering if it will become a condo building.  Wouldn't that be a great place to live??

My Toronto Maple Leafs!

Honestly one of the hardest things about not having my computer for so long was not being able to blog about 'my' Leafs! (I can hear some of you saying, "blah, blah, blah they start out strong every year.)  I don't go there - this is  a new year and they are hot aren't they? I loved the opening game and win against Montreal and there have been many thriller games since game one.  Don Cherry's rant on Coach's Corner  when he called out the retired enforcers for suggesting that NHL players who fight are prone to substance abuse continued on for a few more games and he did apologize - sort of.  I am not a big fan of Cherry's but realize many are.  He does need to get on board with the damage illegal hits are doing to hockey players. It's a fact.

This past Saturday I watched the Leafs and Penguins game (4 - 3 for us) with Jalen and James which is always such a treat for me.  Jalen knows all there is to know about hockey and relives each goal time and time again.  It was nice to see the long standing ovation for Mats Sundin during the game and will be even nicer to see the game February 11th when he is honoured. "Number 13" will look good hanging from the rafters.

You have to agree (some of you anyway) that when Burke brought Kessel and Phaneuf on board he made a wise decision yes?  Kessel is red hot and Phaneuf is doing what he was brought here to do (most of the time.)

Cafe Central & Cara Mia Gelato celebrates TEN years in Kentville NS!

Where do I begin?  On October 18th Cafe Central held their 10th Anniversary party and what a party it was! Owners Linda and Paula, surrounded by their very proud team, greeted over 200 guests to some of their finest foods.  Linda made her now famous cake - I won't share any secrets about the cake other than to tell you there are pounds, and pounds, and pounds and pounds of butter in it.  Best cake ever honest to God.  How does a Cafe stay successful after ten years in business in a fairly small town?  "We keep doing what we do best and that is providing quality products in an inviting atmosphere," says Linda.  "Our vision has stayed the same. We focus on our customers and customer service and make them feel welcomed while offering quality food at a reasonable price."   www.cafecentralkentville.com tells you more about the Cafe. 

One very special highlight of the evening happened when the staff took center stage and presented Linda and Paula with a "Cheers to 10 years" plaque and a card expressing how proud they feel being part of Cafe Central.  Even the Mayor got in to the act and presented the owners with a beautiful floral arrangement.  Flowers came from many others too - I forgot to photograph all of them!

It was wonderful to see so many customers, family and friends arrive to celebrate the success of the Cafe.  My friends Phyllis and Tony Pedicelli were home from Montreal so they brought along George White and two more of the "White girls" as I call them.  After the doors closed I had the pleasure of sitting around with Linda and her family for a nice long chat and visit - times like that are gifts that we often don't take time to enjoy.

I spent the week in Kentville and stayed with Heather - I now have my unofficial own room in her home and she always makes me feel so welcome, even when she is crazy busy with a million things. Thanks Heather. (And, thanks for the books too.  The homemade jam however had to be left at the airport - couldn't get it past security. Damn!)

Congratulations again to everyone at Cafe Central!

Love

Carol Ann