With thanks to both ...

A gentle reminder we can share with our children, our grand children, those we chose to mentor and pretty much anyone feeling put-down by others.

From the heart,

Carol Ann

Beautiful Halifax harbour

 

I know the Halifax harbour doesn't look quite this good all the time - but I miss it and I miss my view!!

A shout out to Halifax...and to...

A shout out to Halifax and to Christmas too....early I know!

The fate of the land line

This is even more funny given that I am in the process of giving up my land line!  Just need to update my Blackberry appropriately before I 'let go.'

The main argument for keeping my land line is that I live on the 21st floor and if the power goes out so does my cell phone.............guess that makes me a risk taker!  If the power goes out please come and rescue me.................

CA

Can you relate?

Great game with Jalen last week.  We had many many socks on the floor and were trying to match them and see who could 'win' the final tally of pairs matched.

It was all part of earning his allowance so it's not as if I was paying him to do something he should not be paid to do.  And, it was actually fun. His focus was 100% and he did manage to earn his allowance - 25 cents per pair.

From the heart,

Carol Ann

My female friends know this already....

And, honestly, most of my male friends do too!

Meeting two good friends, Jeanette and Dawn, today for some retail therapy. Always a good way to begin the week.  I only seem to shop in my 'hood when I have company so it's all good.

Have a good week all......

From the heart,

Carol Ann

For the sports minded...

I am going to keep this one for when Jalen is older and feeling badly about something.  He will be able to relate to the comparison  of real life and sports because, after all, he is going to play in the NHL ...........if they ever get back to work that is.

Hope you are having a super Sunday.

CA

When Lexi grows up

What else can I add?

The Scott boys at play

In the same room....playing a game together.  Fun to watch!

Multi-tasking

Heading North later today for a bit of multi-tasking. Taking my novel with me but not sure I will get to that...........bunking in with Jalen, Lexi and James while Tracey enjoys some quality time with her mother.  All good all around...xoxox

Paradise

I have been ignoring my novel so I could work on my other project for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.  Today was the deadline I had given myself to work on my novel again at least for awhile. 

 Started writing just after  6 am and other than talking with my son , e-mailing with Cheryl and texting with Barb I have been pretty focused.  Kind of like taking a break now and then - it's all good. 

I am about 85% through my draft at this stage.

Okay to be honest, now it is time for Y &R.........there I said it!

love
CA

My own little Rubik's Cube

Jalen moved off to the foyer on Sunday so he could have a  few quiet moments with his Rubik's Cube...love this little guy!

Mavillette beach

If you have ever been to the Cape View Motel and Cottages in Mavillette NS - you know a developer once purchased and began to work on the area just below the motel and cottages.

I have heard a million reasons why the development did not happen but the truth is it just didn't!

So apparently all of the wood from all of the unfinished basements was burnt...and nothing other than basements had ever been constructed so that was one pile of basement wood don't you think?

Surely they could have done something better with that wood - just sayin.'

Sunday times

While Lexi helped to decorate my condo door Jalen was off having fun at the science center.

A good day all around!

Playing Checkers

Jalen and I playing checkers while Lexi looks on - with her voice and hands!  It was hard to keep her involved but not involved if you know what I mean.   A fun day.

Jalen won the game but I was the big winner having such wonderful time with them.

From the heart,

Carol Ann

PS You will notice that the hair colour I pay good money to maintain comes naturally to Lexi.  How is that even fair??

James and Tracey

\

James and Tracey were in town with the family yesterday.  They took Jalen to the Science Center while Lexi stayed with me. Noisy but nice day!!  I love the day trips  You can play full-out and then send them home!!

Remembrance - passing it on.

This one really speaks to me.   We have the responsibility to ensure our grand children learn and do not forget.

Game on!

En route to his hockey game yesterday.

Kids don't go on strike.  They love the game.  Money, of course, doesn't muddy the waters (or the ice in this case.)  Parents spend their hard earned money so their children can play the game they love. Jalen, like all other eight year boys on the ice dreams of playing in the NHL.

Having been an NHL fan and supporter since I was a teenager I have to say - I am pretty much over it. I may not tune in when the millionaires decide to play again.

I do understand what is at stake for both sides and what each side is fighting for. But, there are more important things to support don't you think?

Let's all find something else to do on a Saturday evening.

From the heart,

Carol Ann
PS Jalen I will tune in again when you lace up for an NHL team I promise!

Remembering today

Tomorrow I will be remembering with Miss Lexi in town so my day will be a little less quiet than it is today.

So many beautiful stories in print, on line and on TV today about those who died for us and those who fought and worked for us and are here now to give thanks and share their outstanding stories.

Lest we forget... In particular I remember Cheryl's dad.  What a wonderful man he was!

From the heart,

Carol Ann

November 11th

We will never forget...

Sisters

I have three sisters - we are different in many ways. 

And, in many ways we are similar.  We watch out for each other, we worry about each other, we celebrate each other's successes and we keep in touch.

Last evening while I was watching the US election results come in I was e mailing with one of my sisters - it's the next best thing to being together when you are living in Bridgewater NS, Toronto, Calgary and Grande Prairie Alberta.  And, we weren't talking about the election at all!

From the heart,

Carol Ann

Your Wednesday Smile

If you stayed up until 2 am watching the US election process like I did, you need a smile to wake you up this morning.

CA

Lunenburg Nova Scotia

If you have never been to Lunenburg Nova Scotia it's worth the trip.

Go!

From the heart,

CA

The Right Path

It really is hard to ignore everything that gets in our way when we plan to take a certain path, even for a day, isn't it?

This is why I have to focus and ignore other things I might like to do (and yes people trying to reach me) when I have a plan to write for the  entire day. Today was a perfect example.  I had to literally ignore everything and everyone...and I will do it again tomorrow....so consider yourself warned..... ...just kidding.

I have made the decision to write two very different books at the same time. Believe me I really do have to focus. 

And I do focus, because I love the process of writing a book...or two!

From the heart,

Carol Ann

When you write fiction...

When you write fiction you can spend time in any era you like - and you can pick the songs and the singer from any era as well.  These pictures will give you a hint re the timeline I am writing in this morning.  Do you have any memories from this timeline you care to share with me?

The Problem Solver

Early yesterday morning, when we were all thinking about getting up, Lexi decided she wanted to wear Jalen's sunglasses. 

In a great problem solving move Jalen went to the fridge for their drinks.  He opened hers first - offered it in exchange for his glasses which she quickly gave up. 

Jalen put his glasses in a safe place - on his head - and as you can see Lexi was absolutely thrilled.

Problem solved....and it wasn't quite 7 am!

Speaking of Brando....

Hmmm, I wonder what Marlon Brando was working on?? 

Lovely wasn't he?

H.M.S. Bounty

My sister Lois and I saw the majestic Bounty this past summer.  The Bounty was in Halifax as part of the Tall Ships event. 

Built in the Maritimes in the 1960s for the movie Mutiny on the Bounty staring Marlon Brando many of us from the Maritimes have always kept a special spot in our heart for the Bounty.

We are thinking of the captain and crew at this tough time.  My heart goes out to the Captain's family.

Life is so unpredictable isn't it?  Little did we know this past summer that Halifax would never see the Bounty again.  We might have taken another look if we had known....

The A Team

Hey there if you were a member of the "A" team at Bell you will recognize my friends Linda, Maria, Helen and Dorothy.

Hats off to you ladies - we did lots of great volunteer work together "back in the day" and I think it is great that we remain in contact and friends to this day.

Ah, the good old days.

From the heart

Carol Ann

Love where you Live

 

I realize that when you blog on a regular basis about your life, work, family and friends there is bound to be a time when someone takes exception to what you have said.   That has happened to me for the first time.

When I blogged a few days about the rain and wind storm we had in the GTA and how that felt from the 21st floor I received this picture and a less than pleasant note from a man I do not know suggesting I should move to the country rather than complain about where I live.  What he actually said was that I should "shut up" about the city and move away from the GTA.

Interesting but not who I am. I will be mindful about my complains - at least here.

Priorities

Lexi's priority last evening was not giving out candy (in fact she was not at all happy to give out any candy - she wanted to keep it and eat it all.)  She had a lovely "Strawberry" costume but would have no part of that either.  Her priority was to line her characters up in front of the fireplace and pose for a picture...and we almost succeeded albeit she was too busy checking everyone out to look at the camera.

A new month

So the only sport Jalen does not play at the moment is baseball.  He was a baseball player last night though and brought home lots of candy!