No Rear View Mirror! – DoWoo #253/365

2 Replies

2 suitecaseWe had explained to Gregory we were each aiming to have only 2 suitcases with us initially – and then a very limited amount of stuff was going into storage. When we go down in September we will decide whether we need to bring anything else with us. While Walter and I have done most of the sorting of our individual and household stuff, we’ve asked Gregory to be responsible for deciding what he will bring from his belongings.  I’ve shown him the size of container he is allowed to work with. He sorted.  Then we show him a slightly smaller container for specific things – and he sorted again.

Pokemon_cards-22/3 of one whole large bin ended up being Pokemon cards.  He had started collecting about 3 years ago, and worked hours in the yard to purchase more, spending holiday gift money on these cards.  All with the intended “goal” of collecting them all.  However, the company keeps coming up with new ones he explained…so he’s not sure how long it will take.

During his recent sort – he removed all the Pokemon cards into one pile and said he was giving them to his friend Anil.  He explained “they” were sharing and so Anil would just have them all unless Greg needed some and then Anil could share back.  Anil went home today with the ENTIRE collection from the last 3 years.

I mentioned my concern to Walter…what if he decided he wanted them again once we moved? Turns out our son has learned that it’s perfectly OK to move on – releasing these aspects in their totality. He now has a new “goal” which he plans to keep with him during our travels – to collect all the Geronimo Stilton books.  The good news is you can purchase these on your e-reader so they take up minimal space.

I recognize that I need to follow our son’s example.  While I have been releasing things, I’ve not been as good at the totality because I wonder “what if I need it??”.  Like “they” say about your clothes closet, if you haven’t worn it in the last year…toss it!  If I am planning to drive forward, I can’t be doing this while looking in the rear view mirror. 

Today I observed Gregory’s ability to NOT look in the rear view mirror.  Although he has a limited idea about what driving a car is all about – he certainly stays focused on moving forward.

rearview

Price of Admission – DoWoo #252/365

1 Reply


question markHad a conversation at dinner this evening which took an interesting turn into belly laughter. We were discussing finishing the food on your plate when I stated “I always finish what’s on my plate…sometimes, I just have other people help me with some of it.” Walter advised he tried every permutation he could to make this statement make sense in his mind…he could just not see the logic in this statement. Gregory piped up to say “No logic!.” 

I tried explaining my rationale that just because it was on my plate at some point, did not mean I had to finish it, only that it needed to be be finished.  If some of the food made it onto Walter’s plate then it was no longer on my plate to finish – ergo, once I finished what was left I was finished. Gregory looked at me and said “bubble above my head with a question mark”.

laughWe went back and forth a bit with this – and every time I mentioned it in any way, Walter started chuckling and said “no more” as I was making him laugh. What I loved was when Gregory asked to have one of the last pieces of garlic bread….upon my response that he had to finish what was on his plate, he immediately picked up the last piece of potato and said…”Guess what I’m going to do?”  His fork reached over to Walter’s plate and the potato was gone from Gregory’s plate – ultimately allowing his plate to be finished.

Walter and I howled with laughter. I told Gregory that his actions were priceless and caused a good chuckle. He could proceed this one time! Love how quick he is on picking up the levity of the situation. 

Today was a very good mother’s day!  I was spoiled by both my men. And Gregory…well, he is a reminder that my trek into motherhood has been totally well worth the price of admission.

No Goodbye Required – DoWoo #251/365

2 Replies

cemeteryWe buried my mom’s urn today.  On the way to the cemetery Walter stated neither he nor Gregory had ever been to this cemetery before.  I thought back to my father’s funeral…it would be 25 years ago this July…and found I could not recall having been to the cemetery either.  I asked my siblings and they confirmed, yes – we had gone to the cemetery for Dad.  I remember the funeral home, the church service, sitting in the limo behind the hearse…but I do not recall the actual burying of my father at the cemetery.  Interestingly though I somehow retained a visual on the approximate location of his burial plot…but have no recollection of how I would know this. 

I will remember today though…but not as a day I said goodbye.  The attendant offered us an opportunity to touch the urn and say goodbye before it was lowered into the ground.  I did not feel any desire. I did not feel like I needed to say goodbye. It may be that I have adopted our son’s philosophy in that my mom is not lost to us – she is everywhere now. 

qofEAt the funeral service back in March I read the poem “The Dash”. My mom’s best friend Diane was not in the country at that time. She spoke today and shared her personal perspectives on mom.  She commented she likes to group everyone into one of 2 categories – those worthy of being introduced to the Queen (of England) and those not.  She considered my mom fell into the first – and went onto use words to describe why.  This was heartfelt.  This was someone who saw the best that my mom offered this world. Another person to share how well my mom spent her dash.  

“They” say that only a few of those around us actually make it to our funeral and then of those, only a smaller portion would go to the grave for the burial if it were raining.  I am glad mom had a good turn out for both. Mom was loved.  She remains loved.  She is everywhere now – with a pieces left behind – one of them it seems, within me.  

Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who are mothers! Happy Mother’s Day to all of you who have a mother! We are all connected.  We are blessed.  

Mothers-Day-Cards-2

Mom Told Me To – DoWoo #250/365

5 Replies

#250 again! LOL  Turns out I missed #244 and had to go back and update the last few numbers. I looked at which date I oopsed and it was the day of the garage sale (a 3am start to that day!). This reminds me I am human and have the ability to err.  “To err is human…to forgive is divine.”

WPSPLHHWalter came home today from a week away at surgery – double hernia.   While he was there, he wore his “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy!” T shirt. Someone came up to him and pointed out that he could not possibly be ‘perfect’ – that only God was perfect. 

Walter responded that since we are made in his image than we too are perfect.  I suggested we could consider the question that if we are to “Be all that God intended us to be” then why would we not be considered perfect in all that He intended us to be?  I run with this thought today because God is understood as being all forgiving – and therefore when WE forgive, we are acting in a similar manner and therefore in a divine way.  

Tomorrow is my mom’s interment.  Many many months ago she asked me to get along with my siblings. To forgive them any error I perceived they had done and to embrace them as ‘family’ – that I was missing out.  I remember rolling my eyes and we agreed to disagree on this matter. So far my way of dealing with them have included total avoidance for about 3 years, acceptance during this past year’s interactions due to our mothers declining health, and most recently I find myself standing back and watching as they appear to jostle for their positions with the intent to ensure “equality” in the disbursement of her estate.  

forgiveI am not perfect. They are not perfect. Assuming we are all being as God intended us to be AND If they are being something which I perceive to be out of sync with what I am being, then I have the choice to remain in their vicinity or remove myself.  

I have seen other families who get along – and I would love to have this. I am just not sure it is even possible given the depth of our internal individual angst. I recognize that I am different from my siblings in what I deem to be important – and I acknowledge I do not comprehend their perspective.    When I have tried to see if from their point of view all I feel is unease. 

I will do what I have learned to do: Accept them for who they are; Recognize they are acting and being based upon what they know and believe to be true;  and then I will do my best to find a way to forgive – both them AND myself.  I will allow it to unfold. 

Superb Resilience – DoWoo #249/365

4 Replies

Walter reminded me to look to our almost 10 year old son and observe how HE was handling this evenings news…to emulate all that he exudes based upon the environment and teachings we have shared with him.

CaptureFor those who are following our journey, you will know that we have been on a roller coaster ride for some time as it relates to taking our dog Mya with us to Costa Rica.  A quick recap for those who have not…We thought we were able to bring her with us on a flight with AA to Liberia only to find out (after spending $1,000) that they do not take that large of a crate. Then we confirmed with Air Canada only to find out that they have an embargo on – and no cargo animals for the balance of this year (nothing to do with Costa Rica – strictly Air Canada). Then we confirmed with Delta for September because from mid May to mid September there is a flight restriction due to heat.

TODAY I found out that Delta does not ship live animals from Canada as Cargo.  While we personally spoke to Delta – supposedly they only do this out of the US and not Canada.  AND we cannot drive down to the US and hop on a plane there because the paperwork has to match from country of departure and in order to get US paperwork, we would need to live in the US for 6 months.

After explaining this to both Walter and Gregory this evening, the 3 of us were all wearing sad faces.  We always do our best to explain to our little man what is going on – allowing him to experience and learn to work with the ups and downs  life throws our way. We explained that it did not look promising anymore. However, there are loads of dogs in Costa Rica and once we find a new home for Mya maybe we can be the new home for a dog down there.

Not 5 minutes later, Gregory asks me “What will we name our dog in Costa Rica?”

We discussed waiting to meet the dog to determine his or her personality. I then explained what I knew about Costa Rica and dogs – and the differences in how each country treats different animals. I explained there were lots of dogs who needed help in Costa Rica and if this is what ends up happening – we will have a good selection.  He immediately asked if we could adopt 2.

I explained we would wait till we knew for sure about Mya before we make any firm decisions on adopting there – especially coming back in September – we should wait till we are there more permanently before we commit – otherwise we will have the same issue we are having now.

He turned to me and explained that he just wanted to get excited about the new possibilities in order to deal with the sadness of not having Mya with us.   My son’s resilience is a reminder of the Law of Substitution. Once replaced with another thought, the first thought no longer has centre stage.  

The-Law-of-Substitution-II

Be – DoWoo #248/365

1 Reply

I am working through the disposition of my current situation … with the end results being positive beyond belief. All is as it should be, with God providing what is needed to be all that I need to be.  I ride the wave, rising above the strife and misery and rejoice in my enlightenment. 

question markPlease pause now and ask yourself whether there is something which can be stated which is all encompassing towards your dharma – your true life’s purpose?  What would this one sentence be?   

One mantra which came to mind was included within the Master Key teachings of Charles Haanel: “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy!”  Charles explained this sentence is all encompassing and cannot be improved upon. 

While considering this sentence I have always chosen to look at is as individual statements.  This time I envisioned  what being “____” looked like, meant, represented from my perspective.   Interestingly, no matter what vision solidified in my mind, the same ending to each statement remained the same.

Consider “I am ____”.  Picture each as something which relates to the statement and your life.

I am whole .

I am perfect.

I am strong. 

I am powerful. 

I am loving. 

I am harmonious. 

I am happy.

Ask yourself again…is there something which can be added to finish off each of these statements and be all encompassing?  This is how I answered:

I am whole – as I am meant to be.

I am perfect – as I am meant to be.

I am strong – as I am meant to be

I am powerful  – as I am meant to be

I am loving – as I am meant to be

I am harmonious – as I am meant to be

I am happy – as I am meant to be.

I could state “I am _____ – as I am meant to be.” putting anything in that space.   This conclusion of each statement is true for me, it is what is all encompassing for me. Then…(stay with me here)…if I am all that I am meant to be, then anything which may be perceived as a challenge is meant to be….so there is absolutely no reason for any struggle.  Allow.  

I summarize that it is not only “as I am meant to be” but “as God intended me to be”.  Working with THIS assumption reminds me of my mentor’s declarations “We were made first class, by first class, to be first class.” 

Be as God intended. 

Be.

i am

A Blond’s Gas = Grass & Glasses – DoWoo #247/365

Leave a reply

I visited Walter in hospital today.  When I was leaving the grounds I noticed there were gardeners digging up 2 large rectangles of grass and tilling the soil for planting.  I had just been thinking and sourcing sod to repair an area of the back yard grass which was damaged over the winter. I considered stopping and asking what they were doing with the grass they were removing….but thought it may be a bit too out there…so kept moving. 

5115848I had just turned onto the main road outside the hospital when the car sputtered. I looked down at the gauges to realize I needed gas!  I immediately turned the car around and headed back. I barely made it to the entry into the hospital grounds when the car ran out of gas.  I coasted in and ended up parked next to the gardeners. 

sod_rollI called Walter, who first commented about me being a blond, and then he called CAA. While waiting for the CAA truck – I chatted with the gardener Brian who agreed to share the grass strips he was digging up. AND I just happened to have put a blue tarp in the trunk the day before…a perfect way to fill the entire trunk of the Mustang with grass! 

CAA arrived and had to follow me to the gas station so I could give them the exact change for the gallon of gas they arrived with.  Having gone off course by now, I decided to make a slight change and go somewhere else on the way home.  I asked for and received direction on how to get to a different road.  No sooner had I turned onto this road when Voila – I spotted a Walmart. Walter had just reminded me to stop at the Walmart back home to get drinkable yogurt for Greg’s lunches.  This was right in front of me…so I stopped. 

glassesIn going through the store I came across a display of clip on sun glasses for eye glasses.  I have been searching for a pair for the last week.  I had tried the ones at Walmart before but they don’t fit plastic frames which are thicker than metal frames. But for some reason I stopped to check anyway. I find the same manufacture has alternate ones specifically for my type of glasses! And they had a pair in the size I needed. 

wB7HLI know…I know…a weird day!   Because of what Walter referred to as my “blond” moment for gas I ended up with grass AND glasses! Both things I had been searching for. 

THIS is a day which truly shows you to embrace the twists and turns…they get you to where you need to be in order to provide you what you have asked for.  I am most grateful and feel blessed.  

Discombobulated – DoWoo #246/365

Leave a reply

I give myself permission to feel tired. I give myself permission to feel scared. I give myself permission to feel overwhelmed. And I give myself permission to feel discombobulated! 

neg posI live in a world of so much negativity.   Every day I struggle against the angst and upset which can result from such energy.  I consistently find myself choosing to turn my thoughts towards more positive results. 

What I realized today is that by pushing these feelings down has not released them. I have instead allowed them to simmer beneath the surface, waiting to take rise at the least opportune moment.  

Instead I believe I am meant to take ownership, allow it to be a thought, recognize it for what it is, then allow it to wash through me, releasing it behind me.  I have not done this well.  I have allowed it to percolate.  

No longer. 

I give myself permission to feel tired knowing I have unlimited strength which comes to me as I need it.   I give myself permission to feel scared knowing that what I fear most ends up not being real. I give myself permission to feel overwhelmed knowing all things work out in the end and if they have not worked out as yet, it is not the end. I give myself permission to feel discombobulated knowing that as time ticks on it will all become clear. Everything is as it should be…even the moments of negativity exist to allow us to have faith. 

What do you give yourself permission to feel? 

permission

Empty = Full – DoWoo #245/365

6 Replies

Realized I have done quite a bit of DoWoo-ing regarding our divesting of our material possessions but today it truly hit home. Empty space can actually result in a feeling of fullness.

fullBetween the stuff stored in the crawl space, the bins and boxes of stuff for the garage sale which filled the main living room, the massive furniture stored in the basement, the couches and table and a bedroom set – all are gone within the last few days.  In walking through the spaces which are even more bare than when we staged them…I saw the emptiness and yet felt filled with the promise of our dream coming to fruition.

I am pleased our “things” have moved on to other places – spaces which I hope will benefit from the joy of the having. It feels good to share. It feels amazing to release.  It feels phenomenal to know this is all part of our journey.

Sane for the Day! – DoWoo #244/365

4 Replies

We had our garage sale today….and it was a success!  Had so many people at one point, I felt like I was being pulled in a variety of directions. Our friends who came to help did an amazing job of keeping me sane for the day.  Gracias! 

I was surprised that someone commented they had witnessed another person taking off without paying for something.  While a part of me is not impressed with this type of behaviour, another part of me tells myself…maybe they truly needed it!   The last thought ended on the possibility of karma being their due. 

karma2 karmaThis is when Gregory piped up and asked what Karma is.  I reminded him about Walter having explained that all things have a good and a not so good side. Well, people wake up every day and they have a glass.  If they put good stuff in their glass, what are they able to do? Pour good stuff out to everyone else.  However, if they put the not-so-good stuff in their glass, what are THEY able to do? Pour not-so-good stuff out. What you put in is what you can share. So…Karma is like this.  If you do good, you will see good.  If you do not-so-good…well, not-so-good follows. You get what you sow. 

What did you put in your glass today? 

NewPs – DoWoo #243/365

2 Replies

I observed kindness today 

  • when a friend agreed to come stay the night to help with our garage sale tomorrow
  • when an associate gave me information quickly which allowed me to get my work done
  • when a stranger gave me advice about something I was buying which I did not need

hmmm….when typing the last bullet I realized we call someone we just met, or introduced ourselves to, as a “stranger”.  Interestingly the definition of stranger is “a person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar“…but the base of the word is strange which has a slightly different twist – in that it means “unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling or hard to understand.“

So…a “stranger” should then be the combination of the two – would it not? If so a “stranger” could be “a person whom one does not know (who is) unusual or surprising in a way that is unsettling”  I’ve never related the two as being together…typically not considering a stranger to automatically be strange. 

So – if I just met someone but I don’t think they are strange…I will now refer to them to them as “newPs” – as in “new” and “peeps” being the Ps.  

What do you think? Can we make it fly? 

newps

 

Bring It On! – DoWoo #242/365

2 Replies

What is it about “things” which have people arguing and grappling to possess?  It appears I am coming full circle in my life about owning things at the same time as my family is in the midst of waiting to hear about our mother’s will and allocation of her things.  

Why do so many of us hold stock in the materialistic nature of our environment?

momentsI was on the receiving end of a conversation with a sibling today – where she shared her perspective on what our mother had intended, what she had offered, what was not accepted and now regretted, how others were perceiving the transactions – the list goes on. I found myself listening…doing my best to understand and decipher the truth. All I observed was the sadness of being so attached to these things. 

I later was on a call for business when the person I was exchanging information shared how they were just recovering…and just back to work…from chemotherapy.  I then spoke briefly to a friend of ours this evening who was exhausted with the work load of her business…not knowing when it would lighten up. 

I step back this evening and wonder…what is it about ‘work’ and ‘money’ and ‘things’ which has us so enamoured that we allow them to envelope our daily existence?   Do we feel there is no choice? What is the purpose? What is accomplished by it all? 

I observe I am learning to release things. Learning to put my existence into perspective. Learning to allow the messages being shared by the situations of other to be heard.  There is a definite shift going on in my universe. A shift in my understanding.  It is not fully clear – as yet. But I am observing and I am listening.  

I look forward to the next lesson…

 

Blessing Received – DoWoo #241/365

4 Replies

Many of us have heard of the phrase manifesting.  The Secret introduced an entire generation to the Law of Attraction. The Master Key explains the power of our mind.  I kept the faith and we have received what we asked and were grateful for before we were in receipt. 

We found an airline which will take an extra large crate. We confirmed that Mya will not be able to go with us in June but she will be able to come back with us in September.  Today we received two leads on where she can stay for the 3 months we are gone. It felt so amazing to receive such a blessing. 

deltaWhen we explained to Gregory there was good news and bad news…which did he want first? He opted for the bad so the good could be last (he also saves his favourite food till last).  We explained Mya was unable to come with us right away but the good news is she would join us in September. He was so happy with the last (because for a while there we thought we may not be able to get here down there at all) he bounced out of the door way. He said the good news was so good it did not matter about the bad.  

I observed a child who has learned to embrace the good and just allow the “not-so-good” to just fall away.  It’s a wonderful place where a child teaches his parents.  I am most grateful. 

One Woman’s Treasures – DoWoo #240/365

3 Replies

treasure“They” say that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasures”. I’ve always loved that “they” have something to say about almost everything and no one truly knows who “they” are.  

The last few weeks and today felt like a slight twist on this old idiom – my treasures are now able to be someone else’s treasures.  During the process of divesting ourselves of the materialistic aspects of our life, we have been offering all that we own to those we know, care and love.  As of today we have sold all our main furniture other than Gregory’s room.  It’s exciting to see the joy someone else sees in an object, the beauty, the symmetry, the usefulness.    Thank you to those who pitched in and decided what we had to offer worked for their spaces. We send everything onto your space with love! 

I stood outside the main living room – approximately 200 square foot room – and perused all the stuff sorted for our garage sale, piled in spots 4 bins high.  I turned to Walter and said, I handled all of that – sorted it and chose for it to be sold.  To which he turned to me and responded “You most likely purchased it all as well.”    

My name is Carolynn – and I am a shopaholic! 

I recall explaining to Walter early on in our relationship… that when I got upset or stressed, I would shop; and when I was happy and exciting about life, or whatever was going on, I shopped. This is when he realized…and shared his observation with me…I just like to shop. 

OK – I admit it.  I love to shop. I especially love to get a GREAT deal on something.  I love to negotiate and bargain. I’ve even played “good cop / bad cop” with me playing both parts in order to negotiate a price down on a particular piece of furniture.  I remember bargaining with the butcher when purchasing shish kabobs!  

I was thinking about this last night and decided to play with our garage sale sign.  We even went so far as to include the same wording in the classified add for the garage sale in this weeks newspaper.  Julie, in classified, laughed the whole time we chatted.  What do you think??? 

recovering shop

Kind Words – DoWoo #239/365

1 Reply

behaviorI came across my school report cards during my sort – my dad saved all the way back to kindergarten – and read a few comments. I seemed to always like to be in the middle, involved, appreciated, recognized.  I have – apparently – always been someone who seeks attention.  LOL – go figure!!!

In the Master Key class we revisit what we were like when we were five – which then helps us identify our core motivation.  Identifying and aligning your vision with your core motivation allows you to fuel your dream to reality.  Very powerful! 

Turns out we are all some sort of combination (typically 3 or 4) of the 4 motivations.  My first core motivation turns out to be “intimacy” with my next, running a very close second, being “fun” (certainly explains a lot about me!!).  Turns out what my teacher wrote when I was 5 has remained within me – being what makes me “tick” for all these years.  

And….this got me to thinking….someone actually studied all this stuff and created a tool which helps anyone identify it and understand themselves better.  Way cool!

PREG

This evening we had the pleasure of spending time with the new owners of our home.  We had agreed to offer them first shot at all our stuff before the garage sale this Saturday. As first-time homeowners there are things you just don’t realize you need till you’re in that space.  Between Walter and I we have a lot of those spaces well covered!   We are honoured to be able to offer what we have to two such kind people.  Their enthusiasm about their upcoming journey here was joyous to behold. 

This couple has a dream.  This home has been our garden to grow the reality of our dream.  I am so very grateful to be passing it onto the next dreamers for their desire to be fulfilled.  

We were sitting at the table, chatting and waiting for the boys to wrap up their time in the shed (boys and their tools!) when this beautiful spirited young woman made reference to my spirit, commenting that I make her smile when she thinks of me.  Now this is what makes my day!  Her kind words of appreciation touched my heart.  As Gandhi said “be the change you want to see in the world.”  I want to be – and continue to be – the person she sees.  I truly believed in her kind words today.  It made me feel as I was meant to feel – fulfilled!   

 

Bite Size Pieces – DoWoo #238/365

1 Reply

I knew sorting was going to be a significant task, just did not anticipate it would be as mentally taxing or take as much time. All in all though…when you think about it – sorting through your entire life’s collection of “stuff” and having it take a few weeks (done over the course of a few months) does not seem too excessive.  

Right now…this evening…I’m bagged!
(tired, in case this is a Canadian colloquialism)

photo storageI worked through pictures (again), poetry, year books, business receipts, training paperwork, Halloween decor, along with some of Gregory’s stuff. We are doing our best to reduce the amount of photos from those which have been printed. Years ago I sorted through my entire collection (prior to digital camera) and reduced it to fit one photo container.

Today I decided to work with the philosophy – if it’s on digital, toss it. Walter came up with an idea of keeping it only if it falls into one of 3 categories: a fond memory, a feeling of gratitude or a feeling of love. My challenge is the majority of what I’m sorting through are pictures of Gregory. They are ALL fond memories and elicit feelings of gratitude and love. Back to my digital copy query to sort.  

ghostMy additional challenge today was with Halloween and Christmas decor.  I thoroughly enjoy both of these – and have probably 3+ large bins of each.  I sorted through my Christmas decor back in January as we had already made the decision to move.  In looking at what I decided to keep – 1 large bin – I may need to revisit what’s in there.  The large Halloween stuff (ghosts and ghouls and skeletons which decorate outside) – these were an easy sort to the garage sale pile.  The wooden decor again easy – sell.  However, I’m still left with a significant amount and know this pile will also need to be revisited.

I am reminded (again) about the “How do you eat an Elephant?”  THIS is certainly as big as one – possibly weighs as much.  The best news is it will all be gone by next week this time!  Looking forward to the fun of the garage sale!  Stay tuned.   

one_biteI thank you for hanging in there with me.  My “observations” are a bit on one track right now.

Foretold – DoWoo # 237/365

1 Reply

christmas treeAbout 20 years ago I remember showing up at my mom’s place to give her her Christmas present early.  She was going on vacation with my sister and her family over the holidays – I seem to recall Barbados. 

When I arrived she commented about it being good timing –  she has just finished up her update on the detailed list of who was getting what in her will.  I admit this made me uncomfortable.  I had lost my father only a few years prior.  I explained that I was not planning on being “there” when it all came down – I did not wish to be part of the kerfuffle.   I suggested that anything I had given her could be given back if that worked for her…and if she wanted to leave something personal – one specific thing she would like me to have – I would be grateful. She offered me her wedding rings.  She brought them down for me to see as I had never set eyes on them before…she wore her mom’s rings as hers no longer fit.  She commented that the one was engraved all the way around it…so sizing upwards was not an option.  Amazingly they fit me.  As the youngest of 7 kids and the 5th daughter, I was grateful immediately – she gave them to me that evening. 

memoriesMy mom died recently.  I’ve run across a lot of pictures of her during my sort.  I’ve also run across things she gave me over the years.  What I realized today, it’s not about all those “things”…I have the best legacy my mom could leave me with.  My mom loved me. Sometimes she did not care for my choices but I know she loved me. The memories of our interesting conversations over the years (I was occasionally more direct about certain things with my mom than I believe my siblings were able to be) has been a source of entertainment each time I think of one. 

It’s the memories which are so very portable.  There are no limitation in the number we can have.  There are no weight restrictions.   They don’t take up any room in the luggage.  I am still grateful this many years later.  I also acknowledge I am blessed. Thanks Mom! 

Marketing Chicken…no Egg! – DoWoo #236/365

2 Replies

I can only imagine what it must be like to account for all the things which turn each one of our cranks.  Is this what marketing gurus spend their nights dreaming about?

We have 5 senses (some may have 6 or more but let’s stick with the standard 5): 

  • 5 sensesSeeing: a burst of your favourite colour on a clothes rack makes your head swivel. 
  • Hearing: the rev of an engine…maybe a Harley motorcycle engine…has you pausing to watch it go by. 
  • Smelling: coming home after school to smell the aroma of mom’s banana bread straight out of the oven.  
  • Tasting: the first bite into a medium rare steak having just been dipped in Bearnaise sauce.  
  • Touching: putting my hands on a Logitech Wave keyboard, having the wrist rest call to me. 

I know, sounds pretty out there huh?!  But it’s what turned my crank today.  The keyboard was almost double the price of one I was going in to purchase.  Is this what marketing departments do? 

The philosophy we study in the Master Key is that a thought, mixed with a feeling, combined with faith and belief, results in creation.  I wonder…if we are the ones thinking about what we need or desire or would like, then once it has become a thought it is sent, by way of energetic signal, out into the world, and then while the creators (those who may have been born with that marketing gene) are dreaming, they begin to formulate a plan on how to fulfill what we are needing, desiring or asking for…and poof! Creation!   

We see it in the store. We hear it while out walking the dog. We smell it coming home from school. We taste it in a restaurant. We feel it and it fits. 

Is this another one of those chicken and egg scenarios?  I’ll have to allow this more observation. 

I purchased the keyboard! 

wave keyboard

 

Scenery or People – DoWoo #235/365

7 Replies

One of the things I found interesting today was the process of going through photos albums. Exploring and revisiting what I found important at certain times of my life – capturing moments – places – people – events.  

photo albumI went through 6 photo albums – pulling out memories from when I was with my (practice) husband.  Getting engaged, our first apartment together, our new furniture, our adopted kitten and how well she got along with our previous cat (not!), our next move, our honeymoon across the East coast provinces of Canada, the first time I saw an ocean, the house we lived in when I was born, our puppy, renovations in our first house, our trip out to the West coast – across the rest of the Canadian provinces, my first glimpse of mountains, the Pacific ocean, our trip to Drumheller where I saw a T-Rex skeleton up close and personal, bought a fossil, a full moon in the Rocky Mountains, a black bear on the side of the road, West Edmonton Mall, going down the luge run at Calgary’s Olympic Park….. 

As I pulled, I sorted into 3 piles: keep, pass over to my ex, or toss.  

Harbour-upI recall one of my siblings commenting on my photo albums maybe 20+ years ago…asking me why there were so many pictures without people.  Her photo albums were filled with photos of places and events but most included someone in the picture.  I seem to recall it had something to do with marking the point in time with the person along with the place or the event.  I had answered her that I preferred just the scenery – that I was an artist looking for the artistic shot. 

Having gone through this exercise today I realized the photos I kept were mostly those which included people.  The majority of those I tossed were of scenery.  

Hmmm…she may have been onto something.  

Arrrggh! – DoWoo #234/365

6 Replies

Realize there are supposed to be ups and downs….but seriously?!!!


solutionWalter keeps reminding me that there is ALWAYS a solution to any challenge.  I know this…but I’ve got to admit right now I’m not feeling it!   With all that we know from our experience, our readings, our teaching….faith must remain.  When we waiver in our faith, THIS is when things start to unravel.  I’m keeping the faith! 

Before we booked the accommodation and before we booked our flights, we made sure we could fly with Mya.  CAA advised the most direct flights we could find with a reasonable fee, did not allow for this size of dog.  We were told to try American Airlines – a specific set of flights .  AA confirmed as long as she was under 100 lbs including the kennel, we were good to go.  We looked it up and for the size we needed…total weight was 85 lbs.  We were good to go!  We booked Walter on the AA flight which was twice the cost of the flights we were able to get Gregory and I on.  

We then confirmed our accommodation and sent the funds to the homeowners.

no going back

Today I called to confirm with AA which brand of kennel they approved (so many of the brands say they are TSA approved but not all are) only to be told measurements!  AND…guess what…. the maximum measurements were 2 sizes smaller than the kennel Mya needs.   They would not be allowing her on this flight!  

After a lengthy conversation with AA about what transpired, and an upgraded conversation to the local supervisor we finally received confirmation they would reimburse us the cost of the flight we booked for Walter.  

thank you

I spoke to the pet travel companies.  They did not hold much stock – saying most flights out of Canada are not on “equipment” (planes) large enough to take an extra large kennel.   Spoke to an flight company they referred me to who informed us they would check and come back to us. Still waiting! But she did mention there was a flight with Air Canada. 

I called Air Canada directly.  Found a direct flight on an airbus 319 from Toronto to Liberia – and had a nice chat with someone who confirmed the size of the crate was perfectly fine as “excess baggage” but the maximum weight allowed (including the dog and the kennel) was 70lbs. Another no-go!    Referred over to their cargo department who specialize in shipments of pets as cargo and spoke to another nice service rep who explained the Liberia flight does not take cargo – but the flight into San Jose does! 

airbus

Wait for it…..

Turns out there is an embargo banning all pet transport on Air Canada flights into Costa Rica for the ‘rest of this year’! 

Say it with me…. Arrrggh!

An opinion may be that…. NO, I will not go that route.  An observation here is that I keep my faith – I maintain my vision of us ALL in Costa Rica, our son with his best friend beside AND we are looking back at this period of our journey and smiling.  Anybody feeling the love? 

Better yet…anybody own a plane
(or know someone who does)
to fly us there??