Happy New Year to you!

Hi there on the last day of 2010. It has been a good year for many and a not-so-good-year for others. When I think of less than positive things in my own life I remind myself of the men at the Good Neighbours' Club trying to rebuild their lives from almost nothing at all. Makes any problems I may think I have seem very small indeed. Really I have no problems at all.

I have always been a huge fan of parties on New Year's Eve as many of you know. If I am not hosting a party (my favourite kind for a night like this) I attend a party elsewhere. I love dancing and this is the best night of the year for dancing I think! Having said that, interesting that today I am considering ringing in the new year on my own - for reasons that I won't take you through - but it's all good.

So however you choose to say bye to 2010 and hello to 2011 I wish you well and a very very Happy New Year. Hopefully our paths will cross.

Love

Carol Ann

Suggestions?

Best place to have a windshield fixed/replaced? A friend of mine just came into contact with one big rock that came off of the back of a dump truck - hate it when that happens!

Holiday gifts

One of my favour Christmas gifts each year is from Jalen. He gives us his school picture. This year it was his Grade one photo. Jalen is always so proud to give this gift and often has it in hand before we have out coats off. It is a great memory that will be with me forever and each year he makes it more wonderful than the year before.

Last year a friend and I headed to the Niagara Falls area between Christmas and the New Year to catch up with another friend and do a bit of visiting, shopping, dining and yes even a bit of gambling! We are about to repeat that trip . . . .

Whatever your plans are for the next few days I wish you a Happy New Year and I hope your 2011 is the best ever - and that we keep in touch.

Love

Carol Ann

A few pictures of Jalen's Christmas

A few pictures for you taken at James and Tracey's home over the last few days. Jalen was so excited! Anyone with a six year old knows exactly what I am talking about. I will write more when the "rush" passes - amazing what a busy time of year this is.

Love

Carol Ann

Reflections of my mother - Mary Rose Cole (d'Entremont)

On this day in 1992 we lost our beloved mother. Two days later, December 22nd would have been her 76 birthday. My sisters and I tend to spend December 20th each year reflecting and thinking of our Mom - each in our own way. The picture on the left was taken under our Christmas tree circa many years ago. Mom was always extremely proud and protective of her four girls.

The reason Mom and I are smiling in the photo on the right (taken in 1990) was that she was instructing my son, who was taking the photo, to zoom in but not too much. I was wearing tights and my mother was not a believer in women wearing tights - thus she did not want them to show in the picture. Later I would use this photo in the brochures printed to launch the Comfort Heart Initiative in her memory.

I try to be positive each year on this day but I do so with a heavy heart. Someone once said, "When your mother dies, your world is cut out from under you" and I believe this be true. We must each pick up the pieces and move on. However, I believe reflecting back can be a good thing.

If you still have your Mom, give her an extra hug today. If you do not, then you know how I am feeling today.

Love

Carol Ann

Today I did something I am not proud of....

I allowed negative energy to sneak into my day - on Wednesday mornings I volunteer at the Good Neighbours' Club and that is where I was today. Today was a special Wednesday. An early Christmas celebration with entertainment, a nice Christmas meal and even a visit from the man in the red suit - all for the club Members. My plan was to spend time with the Members who are working on their writing and then join in for the Club's Christmas celebration.

Before I could even enter the club I was met with negative energy from one of the Members who was having a smoke near the main entrance. Once I was inside and could be found at my regular Wednesday morning spot it seemed that this very same Member could not walk by without telling me yet another negative story. About the Members. About the volunteers. About the staff. About the Board of Directors. Not a kind word for anyone. After two hours, and before I knew it I was packing up and leaving. I had not yet met with all of the Members I knew would be in to share their latest writing with me but, I had to get out of there. As I left a number of the Members asked if I could stay for lunch. I offered a very weak excuse and left.

Why am I telling you this? Because I want to remind you to NOT do what I did. Don't let one negative person influence your thinking for a day, an hour or even for a minute. I speak often about how I never let negative energy ruin my day - never say never. Lesson learned.

Life is short.............

CA

Sunnyside Home, Franklin St North, Kitchener ON

Hi there, I am wondering if any of you can educate me regarding a rehab centre in Kitchener - Sunnyside Home. A friend of mine has fallen and broken her pelvis in four (yes - four!) places. She will be transferred shortly from a hospital in Guelph to this facility in Kitchener. I have read the website info to her but thought that if anyone has had a personal experience, or knows someone who has, it might help her gain some confidence even before transferring there. She is in for a long stay.........

Thanks, and you can e mail me as always..........I would appreciate anything you can tell me.

Carol Ann