This classic toy, which was released the year I was born and is still around today, was really popular when I was a child. I wanted one so badly but never got one. Many years later, I picked one up for my own kids figuring they’d be just as excited about it as I had once been. Not even close. They took no interest in it, and the only one that played with it was me. Which begs the question: “Did I get it for them or for me?” Well...
Do you remember this? Have you ever played with it?
Happy Monday, everyone. I hope you all had a lovely weekend. Mine was extremely quiet. I somehow managed to injury my right shoulder last weekend and have been in pain the whole week with very limited mobility in my right arm. I have been dealing with ‘frozen shoulder’. Has anyone ever had this happen to them? It’s not fun, and sadly it’s not a first time for me. But at least I know what to do about it and have been working toward healing. I’m better but it’ll be a awhile before I’m where I want to be. For anyone interested, here’s a link to a video with some great exercises to help with recovery: FROZEN SHOULDER REHAB 5 EXTERNAL ROTATION EXERCISES
It’s amazing how quickly one adapts when necessary. For example, I’ve been doing just about everything with my left hand, which includes typing, putting together posts and commenting on your blogs. And I’m right handed. That’s my accomplishment last week.
But enough moaning and groaning. No one is in the mood for that. Let’s get to the funny stuff.
“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.”
- Angela Schwindt -
So as I mentioned on Monday, we spent Saturday in Ottawa for a very good reason. And that very good reason has to do with my younger daughter. The baby of the family who is no longer a baby. Where did all the years go?
Because I swear it was only yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital.
And before I knew it, she was a cuddly toddler...
...that grew into a bold and joyful pre-schooler.
Then all of a sudden the first day of school came along and off she went to join the world.
It seems like only yesterday that she was hamming it up...
...and bursting with joy the way only a child can.
Wasn’t it only yesterday that she was a flower girl at my and her stepdad’s wedding (on the left) and two years later at her uncle’s (on the right)?
It must have been only yesterday that she bravely stood on stage and sang Karaoke (twice)...
...and courageously moved with us to a new city (with the promise of a pet ferret).
And surely it was only yesterday that she finished elementary school...
All those yesterdays have come and gone. And here we are today...
My daughter, Alex (short for Alexandra), all grown up.
We spent the day in Ottawa last Saturday at the open house of the university she'll be attending this fall. These are very exciting times over at our place as my daughter prepares to go study in another city. The years have flown right by and she has grown into an intelligent, vibrant and beautiful young woman who makes me proud every single day.
“Forests, lakes and rivers, clouds and winds, stars and flowers, stupendous glaciers and crystal snowflakes - every form of animate or inanimate existence, leaves its impress upon the soul of man.”
- Orison Swett Marten -
Nothing makes me happier than being outdoors surrounded by nature, especially when water is involved. We are very fortunate to be living in a city where you’re always just a few minutes away from a lake, a river, a creek, a brook, a pond, a stream, and so on. And we take pride in the fact that Kingston – one of Canada’s best kept secrets - is situated right beside one of the great lakes.
Below are photos the most amazing man in the world and I took way back in August on one of our biking adventures. They capture one of the many beautiful views of Lake Ontario that is minutes from our home.
Time to park the bikes and explore our surroundings.
The view is wonderful.
No matter which way you look, it is soul soothing.
The most amazing man climbs the rock.
I hug it.
We visit this area many times during the summer.
No need to explain why it's one of our favourite areas.
Nothing makes me happier than being near the water.
These are the last photos of the bikes and sights series for 2014. Let’s hope the weather warms up so we can get out there and start all over again!
I thought I was down to my last question from my ‘Ask Me Anything’ post, but when I went to verify that, I discovered that CraveCute had asked a second one. So I’ll take care of that today.
She asked “What was your first paying job?”
If I wasn’t going to count all the temporary and small jobs I did while in school until I finally began a full time position, I’d say that my first real paying job was at a hotel. I was only 21 when I started - just a young’un – and I worked there for five years; two of them in reservations and three of them in accounts receivable. It is one of the best jobs I ever had. Not salary-wise but people-wise. What an amazing group of people at that place. Most of them in their 20s, which was pretty awesome. You can imagine the youthful exuberance. I made a lot of friends and had a grand old time. There are also countless memories. And stories. Lots of stories. Some of them hilarious. Like the one about ‘Mr. Smith’. I must share that with you all soon.
But I am going to count all the temporary and small jobs I did while in school because that would include an amazing first paying job. Which was to walk my neighbour’s dog while he was at work. I was only 11 or 12 when he offered to pay me a few bucks a week to drop by his place after school and take his puppy for a walk. His puppy. *squee* We weren’t allowed any pets aside from goldfish in my home, so you can imagine how ecstatic I was about this. It’s as close as I ever got to having a dog.
But despite the enthusiasm and dedication on my part, and despite how excited that little puppy was to see me each day, the job didn’t last long. Because when it came down to it, I had no clue what the heck I was doing. The whole point was to take the little ball of fur out to do his business. But my head was always in the clouds and half the time I’d return him home before he did that. No need to explain further. The dog owner was really sweet about it; never once telling me I wasn’t doing a good job. He just said one day that he didn’t need help anymore.
So that was my first paying job. And also the first job I got fired from!
Have a lovely day, everyone. One last question to go...
Happy Monday, my friends. How is everyone? Has spring come your way? I know it’s really warmed up for a few ‘cause rumour has it that a couple of you have gone bike riding. We’re not quite there yet. Still a bit too chilly. But things could be worse ‘cause I also hear that some of you have gotten snow. Lots of snow. Well, spring will find all of us soon enough.
We spent the day in Ottawa on Saturday for a very good reason, which I’ll explain later this week. Very exciting times over at our place! And the daffodils have made an appearance. They poked their little heads out of the soil last week. My garden is preparing to wake up. Grab my hand and let’s do the happy dance!
You don’t dance? That’s a shame. But I’m sure you all laugh. Let’s get to that...
“It’s the first machine we master as children and the one we abandon when the seductions of the automobile take over.”
- Colman Mc Cartly -
The weather is getting better and the the snow is melting. Before you know it, it'll be time to spend more and more time outdoors...on our bikes! But until then, I can only enjoy it through last year's photos. So let's go for a virtual ride on the Cataraqui Trail. We cycled this route at the end of September, right when the leaves were beginning to change colours.
It was a wonderfully warm and sunny day.
And there were beautiful views of the water along the way.
I don't know the age of the bridge up ahead is but it sure looks old.
Doesn't this look like fun?
As always, we made friends along the way.
We parked our bikes by this section to rest and take in the gorgeous surroundings.
After we were done cycling, we put away our bikes and took a walk along water.
The world we live in is so spectacular, don't you think?
I am so grateful for this incredible thing called life. And for being able to share it with the people I love.
