I’m No Hairy Mary, I’m Your Maw
Her name was Mary Connelly, wee Mary, My “Uncle” Johnny’s wee darling. My Grandma. I don’t know too much about her but she was one hell of a woman. I’ll tell you what I do know. Mary was from Ireland, a feisty red-headed beauty with a bawdy sense of humour. She wore platform shoes and …
Ooh Child
My brain stopped chattering this morning for an instant. At first I didn’t know what to make of it. Everything was so still,and quiet. As soon as I realized why, it started up again. peppering me with names. What does it chatter about? Generally things that make me anxious, like my mother, my sister, my …
The Road to Okotoks
Yesterday, We needed to escape for awhile: Man, Woman and Pug. My analytical husband figures out where we will go based on the most recent covid stats. Not Lethbridge, not Calgary and not Cranbrook. So we decide on Okotoks, a suburb of Calgary that also has a Costco. I used to call it the $200 …
Howling At the Moon
And other acts of sanity. Last night was the first full moon of January, which is called Wolf’s Moon. A fun fact I learned from Sarah, who learned it from Stella. We may live off the beaten track here in our wee Canadian mountain town, but we are not lacking in fun facts with which …
It’s Not Easy Being Green
I use this phrase, popularized by Kermit the Frog to describe those situations where I find living with a disability difficult or challenging. I know I’m awesome and upbeat and ready for anything life throws my way but that positive spirit can sometimes get really overwhelmed by the reality of my awesomeness. I was sitting …
Gifting and receiving – what’s your Dilemma?
January 9, 2021 We’ve just passed that time of year when we have all done some gifting and receiving. It’s good to be grateful for everything good you are gifted in life. But what to do about that gift you just didn’t like, want or need. It wasn’t good. And you just don’t know what …
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Remembering 2020
December 30, 2020 Well hello! It’s been awhile since I last posted an update. You must be wondering how this Awesome Mountain Girl has been doing this year what with quarantine and all. Well I’ve been just fantastic and I really hope you have been too!I had a head start figuring out how to spend …
Roll me Away
July 2020 I am ready to begin my solo road trip in a couple of weeks. I’ve been listening to various music these days, mostly 80’s which I call my lost decade for all the shit that went down during that time. There was Someone who changed the trajectory of my life, I’m sad to …
Leave. Life. Exhausted.
A gentleman I met recently had this phrase on the back of his business card. I don’t know him well at all, we only met once or twice but I can tell you a lot about him based on this life philosophy. I know other people who live their lives(unstated) to this mantra. They are …
Social Isolation Blog: Days 75-90
Saturday May 30, 2020 – Day 75 Today I watched the SpaceX launch from Kennedy Space Station in Florida. Pre launch was mostly commentators with live camera on the two men about to shoot off into space on top of a rocket. As I often do, I found myself wondering about them, who are these …
Social Isolation Tracker – Day 51 – 75
For a better format read that includes all the links and pictures embedded in the text, please go to http://www.awesomemountaingirl.com and access my blog posts from there. And so begins another Part to my current story. I wonder how your story has been coming along in parallel with mine in time? By the time I …
Social Isolation Tracker – Day 26-Day 50
Well another 25 days have passed since we last met to check-in on each other. Here’s what I’ve been doing. Let me know what you’ve been up to and if you have any ideas for me during the next 25. Friday April 10, 2020 – Day 26 Routine day of the “new normal”. Woke late …
I Need a Hug
I really need a hug. Badly. In social isolation your circles are small by necessity. Mine got a lot smaller this week when my husband became annoyed by something I had done or hadn’t done, as the case may be. Several cold shoulder hours later I went in search of a hug only to discover …
Good Intentions
How many times has someone declared they had good intentions or your best interests at heart as they proceeded to interfere in your business, unwanted and uninvited. Most of my adult life, people have respected my boundaries, as I have theirs. I metaphorically invite someone into my house if I want a visitor and they …
Social Isolation Day Tracker – Part 1: The first 25 Days
Tuesday March 17th – Day 3 I’m starting this blog on Day 3 of our social distancing program here at the Campbell-Pearce household. We didn’t really do anything special, knowing this would be happening, and we were pretty sure it would happen. I just purchased a few additional dry goods for my pantry. My husband …
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Feeling Lucky?
Maybe you are lucky like me. I have a great life here in my little mountain town with a husband who loves me. Shout-out to the two lucky fellows in this picture with me from a few years ago, World Pride in Toronto, hanging out in Yorkville waiting for Miss Conception, I believe. Great friends …
Isolating in my little town
Saturday March 21, 2020 Perhaps you are interested in whats shaking in my little piece of paradise in the Canadian Rockies. Lets just say its been a week of ups and downs. Seeing the best and the worst in people. The picture above was taken at Toronto’s Harbourfront a few years ago. That is my …
Pandemic Sunday
Sunday March 15, 2020 It’s Monday but I’m a day behind as I’m posting a blog I wrote yesterday, tomorrow I’ll post the one I’m writing today, and so on. Not much going on in my little corner of Paradise in the Canadian Rockies. My husband and I looked at each other this morning. …
What’s Your Perfect Day
Perhaps this is an odd time to be asking questions about perfect days since for most of us that is probably weeks or months in the future. But bear with me a moment. This may make you feel happier today, to embrace some good, warm and happy thoughts about what you would love to …
Villager or Adventurer
Saturday March 7, 2020, Toronto, Canada I used to be an Adventurer, moving through life from one experience to another. And I loved it that way. The unpredictable nature of a day. Wake up. Get dressed. Anything could happen. And often did. As I got older the adventures got larger. Rome for the weekend? Sure. …
Planes, Trains, Automobiles and a Bus
Friday February 14,2020 I’m going to take a wee detour for a few days and just tell you some stories using my blog. I hope you find them amusing or entertaining. My friend was a columnist at The Globe & Mail in Toronto, I was living in London. My friend was planning a business trip …
Some Questions for a moment of introspection
Sunday February 9, 2020 It’s a snowy day in my wee corner of a Paradise in the mountains and I’ve been listening to music all day so far. I remembered a question exercise I did a hundred years ago when I worked at a financial institution in Toronto. The goal was to answer several …
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January felt like one very long Monday….
Sunday 02-02-20 How about you? Was your January fast and action-packed. Mine was not. It was long and dark. And I’m glad it’s over! Yesterday was just miserable outside. So I spent all day cooking: Jambalaya – I made a few modifications to the recipe below, such as: I add shrimp or other shellfish at …
Me and My Best Buddy
You may look at him and see a black ball of fur supported by four little legs. You might call him ugly, but I don’t. I see liquid brown eyes, a heart almost too big for his wee body, a strong will, insatiable hunger and just all around nice fellow. He is Roop …
Oh Look, It’s Snowing Again
Thursday morning and I woke up to the sound of Roop’s cheerful bedside bark. Raised my head, looked out the window to see: more snow. It’s been a great few weeks for snowfall in my little piece of mountain paradise. Perhaps next year I will be back on the green runs. For now I just …
Don’t Look Back, You’re Not Going That Way!
I’ve been spending quite a lot of my spare time reading over the holidays. Specifically Quora, which can be interesting and also total trash. As we enter a new decade I’ve been reading about aging and how people are dealing with the inevitable aches, pains, illnesses, inconveniences and so on. I haven’t started to feel …
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What I’m Eating
Hi y’all it’s been awhile since I talked about diet so as we start this new year let’s spend a few moments thinking about what we eat. I made it through the holidays with a steady weight. No gain, no loss. I wake up every morning between 8:30 and 9:30, it depends really on Roop, …
What’s Going on in my Little Town
Thursday means I work out with Sarah from 10:00-11:00 am, drive home for a quick snack and then into town for my regular wash and blow-out at 1:00 with Rachel at ET Hair Salon on 5th Avenue which is our town’s Main/High Street. Sometimes I learn a thing or two in my travels through town …
Another New Year, Welcome Back to the ’20’s
Every year since I’ve been writing this blog on recovery and getting myself and my awesome back, I’ve taken some time at the end of the year to reflect on past accomplishments and set new goals, not resolutions, but goals. I start by looking back on what I said last year. In December last year, …
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Peaceful, Easy Feelings
Who doesn’t love the Eagles. I sure do. And I love that peaceful, easy feeling I get when I Spotify them on a Saturday morning. …and I want to sleep with you in the desert tonight…..…with a billion stars all around I’ve been told lately that my writing is a bit too “touchie-feelie”. I accept …
Take Your Power Back
I’ve been seeing a therapist for a few months now…sorry I haven’t mentioned it. I’m not embarrassed. A good friend told me many years ago that we spend so much time and money on physical health, when we would often benefit more from some focus on mental health. So I’m not even remotely embarrassed. …
Life, Death & Family
My Dad died two weeks ago. He had been suffering from Alzeimers for over 10 years and was in a managed care facility on a locked floor. So this is how it ended for this kind, gentle, hard-working man. I got a text from my Mom to inform me of his passing – in all …
Looking after your pearly whites
Let’s talk about your local dentist. When was the last time you visited him or her? My most recent visit was last Wednesday. That would be “do what I want Wednesday” and what I wanted was a good cleaning and consultation with my dentist. That’s now two Wednesdays in a row with another to follow …
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Fair Weather Driver
Today’s feature image is of our first snowfall in the Valley (there’s been lots in the mountains already). Driving in the first snowfall is always interesting. Many people have waited just a wee bit too long to get their snow tires. Not me. My husband took care of that little detail a couple of weeks …
Remembrance Day Ceremonies
Wherever you are on this November 11th in the world there are surely memorial services being held. Especially in Europe. But even here in my wee corner of the world services were held this morning beginning around 10:45 am. Well that was when I arrived in the -6C at the Fernie Courthouse with my friend …
It never ends………
It’s incredibly easy to put on weight as you get older and increasingly difficult to lose it. Those little treats here and there start to add up to ounces and pounds,usually appearing exactly where you don’t want them. The women in my family used to joke that they have to give up eating completely to …
I go walking after midnight (sometimes)
Today started cold as Yogi Rikki arrived for our 9:00 am session of stretch and floor work with blocks, straps and balls. I’ve come to really appreciate the work we do with these props. The balls in particular settle in deeply and begin working below the skin, stretching muscles and kick-starting nerves in legs, glutes, …
Do what I want Wednesday
Family is a complicated topic. Maybe you have a large family or maybe small, mine is just right. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about family recently as events unfold in the lives of mine. My Dad has been in a managed care facility for over 5 years now. He smiles all the time …
Hit the Pause button – Take a break
While I was in Toronto recently, I paused for a few hours to have lunch at my favourite restaurant, Joso’s at the intersection of Avenue Road and Davenport. A lovely, romantic spot, famous for its Dalmatian Coast cuisine. Today’s feature image was taken at Joso’s. Here’s the link to Joso’s I started with a simple …
Love Songs
It’s Sunday (well actually, it’s Monday now)in my little piece of Paradise in the mountains. My husband just made me a wonderful breakfast complete with a low fat latte. And now I’m drinking that latte whilst listening to my new favourite genre of Bossa Nova. This morning it’s “So Nice (Summer Samba)” by Babel Gilberto. …
Are you a Passenger or a Driver?
Many years ago when I was living in London, a colleague remarked that the people in our company were all passengers. Curious, I asked him what he meant. He explained that there had been so many changes in management that the staff were simply passengers on whatever train happened to pick them up on any …
Back in my Mountain Paradise
I’ve been gone about two weeks and now I’m back in my little mountain town. Yesterday woke up to a beautiful orange and red sunrise as viewed from my east facing bed. Now I sit in my great room thinking about the days ahead this week. There is frost on the glass of my deck’s …
I miss you Dad…..
I wrote this last year, just before a trip to Toronto. Reading it now makes me cry and I’m sorry if that makes you uncomfortable and you wish I’d just stop already. Shut it down, go ahead, give me that”special look”or that rude signal you use when you’ve had enough and think everyone else has …
Spring in the Mountains – Update
Hello, it’s been awhile, I thought I should update you on what’s going on here in my wee bit of paradise in the Canadian Rockies. I’m sitting in my office. The feature picture is the view to my left, out the window – There is full on green trees now with the snow capped Lizard …
Toronto and the Toll-Master
Ooga Chaka ooga ooga Ooga Chaka ooga ooga I’m hooked on a feeling I’m high on believing you’re in love with me This is the song that plays over and over in my head and I hear my wee nephew Oliver’s voice singing it to me, his Auntie Hanna. It’s was a good trip more …
Monday in the Mountains
Big fat flakes of snow are falling slowly in my little town – each one beautiful and unique just like you. Inside it’s toasty warm as our heating system struggles to keep up with the ever falling outside temperatures – baby it’s cold out there and icy and slippery. I haven’t been outside much this …
I have a two year Gap in my CV
I have a two year gap in my CV timeline (2016-present) and until recently I haven’t been sure what to say or how to explain what I’ve been doing. I haven’t been on a “sabbatical” or “trying out retirement” or “doing nothing”. If you are reading this then you may be a subscriber to this …
Happiness & Freedom!
Happiness? I google the question “what does it feel like to be really happy?” Such a basic emotion to some has mostly always seemed just beyond my grasp. But I felt it yesterday. I felt a real smile spread across my face. Yesterday I got an email that confirmed to me in black and white …
Visualize and it shall be so
A couple of years ago, one of my therapists suggested that I visualize myself walking. At the time I couldn’t. I just couldn’t seem to remember how I might have looked striding down the street. Perhaps because I could no longer stride. My walk has evolved into a 1.5-2.0 pace. ( that is the speed …
Reflect on the Old, Plan for the New
Life sure is interesting. I started working at age 14 at my local McDonalds. I worked cash on various shifts and got promoted to Hostess (that’s usually the job given to the the person that does the kids birthday parties. At my store I rolled out the Ronald McDonald helium tank and made balloons for …
Feeling Blue? It’s that time of the year!
The days are longer and darker. Many people suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). I think I’m one of them and maybe you are too. Let’s try and kick those blues together with positive thinking, some warm,good memories, a few thoughts of the weekend that could be and of course, some happy music. It’s cold …
The Art of Adulting
Adulting sure is hard work whether you are 20, 40, 50 or 80. My cousin’s daughter posted on Facebook recently that she was finding it hard to “adult” at the moment. Well I get that, sweetie, many of us “adults” still find adulting hard even after many years of practice. – some of us have …
Moxie Anyone?
I have moxie Do you? My grade 11& 12 typing teacher Mrs Flegg was a very interesting woman and now that I reflect on it, she was much more than met our very inexperienced eyes. I know now that those charming suits with the short frayed jackets were probably Chanel or at least a really …
Nice Calvin, Sweetie!
husband walked by me this morning slapped me in on the ass and said “nice Calvin”. Before smiling and walking away. well here’s the story (as an aside:, no photographs of my Calvin will accompany this post) Here’s the story Back when I returned from my trip to Portugal my husband met me at the …
Taking Life Less Seriously and Puppies
I’m trying to tell you something about my life Maybe give me insight between black and white The best thing you’ve ever done for me Is help me take life less seriously It’s only life after all —-Indigo Girls “It’s only life after all”. My friend and awesome mountain trainer Sarah said that to …
What’s Your Favourite Thing To Do?
I’m inspired this morning to talk about hobbies on this Canadian Thanksgiving morning. Many people celebrate this holiday in Canada with friends, family and dinner on Sunday night. We are celebrating tonight, Monday. I will be preparing a prime rib roast with carrots, Yorkshire puddings ( store bought but no less delicious for it) potatoes …
Snow on the Three Sisters – Seriously?
The summer has been interesting here in my little corner of the world…..it’s the first full summer I have spent entirely anywhere except the house I grew up in. In the beginning there were warm sunny days. Remember May 24 weekend I planted flowers with Lenka and now they are flourishing and over-flowing their boxes. …
Feeling Good and stealing frozen pork
Yesterday, a local said to me while at the gym “This must be the the best you’ve ever felt in your life?” I said “no, I’ve definitely felt better”. She looked disappointed. Her point obviously was since she sees me at the gym several times a week, I must feel great and then made the …
Good Choices and Dodging bullets
Have you ever said or thought “gee, I really dodged a bullet there”. Well as you all know I have had quite a lot of time these past two years to reflect on life and the choices I’ve made good and bad. I was also thinking of the phrase “act in haste, repent in leisure”. …
Pause to just breathe if its not too smoky
It was a quiet Weekend in the mountains and we were just hanging out with each other. Going for lovely country dives, listening to books. Taking a pause to enjoy the slow pace and each other.Life has gotten very busy lately and its good to remember to love yourself and each other in these moments …
Are you happy?
I’ve pondered this question quite alot these past few years. happy?, content, fulfilled? However you define it. Will Smith posted a discussion he had with his wife Jada on this topic and it was very enlightening. http://hauteliving.com/2018/02/will-smith-jada-pinkett-smith/651889/ As a couple they believed early on that coming together as a couple would somehow make them happy …
Nobody’s life is perfect.
Nobody’s life is perfect, says my Mom to me in her light Scottish accent…..and she is so right. If you are the kind of person that’s really tough on him or herself, take that advice on board. Life isn’t easy and it’s unpredictable — and maybe you are too, so perfect is not a likely …
Researching our holiday
Good Day, Its early morning here and I am looking out on a sea of bight green in every shade imaginable. The little pink wild roses are long gone now and I am left with just the lush green, bushy leaves. And its beautiful. This morning I am researching places to stay in Lisbon or …
Home Sweet Home – Its good to be back
Hello, Yeah, its been awhile, Not much How bout you —-England Dan and John Ford Coley It has been awhile since my last post. I was here and then gone to Toronto for a couple of weeks on my first long distance travel post-stroke. And now I am back in my little piece of heaven …
SSTealth – Slow, Thoughtful & Silent walking
I’m “sstalking”, trying to correct a bad habit I’ve developed while learning to walk again . It started with my first AFO (ankle foot orthotic) – I guess I was just so anxious to get on my feet again, that I didn’t pay good attention to a bad habit I was developing (and neither did …
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Weekends in Fernie with Friends.
First weekend in June and good friends Stu and Janel roll into our little town with kids Grant and Freya It’s good to see them. And they always manage to create an awesome vibe wherever they go. Fun, smart and well-read, there is always good conversation and laughter when spending time with them. Freya is …
The Goldens Shine Bright!
Today’s feature picture is a group of travelers called “The Goldens” four women, two dogs and a sixteen year old who is making a documentary short about their cross-Canada journey (As an aside: that’s 4,636 Kilometres). Sarah, my awesome mountain trainer just happened to be strolling the Main Street last night and joined us for …
This week can be anything you want it to
Two posts in one day, sorry (but not really)This morning’s was really yesterday, Sunday’s post, but I just didn’t get to it. This one is today, Monday. The beginning of a new week and it can be anything you want it go be. productive? Fun? Busy? Contemplative? Or a wee bit of everything just to …
Flowers, Sun, Mint and over-flowing with happiness!
I know I was going to talk about kitchens today but I can’t help it I’m filled to the max with happiness ( in fact, I’m over-flowing) It’s so beautiful here in our little corner of the world today. The annual long weekend called May 2-4 is here and this is the weekend when many …
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Beware the Gray Tsunami! You’re It!
This tsunami…… Is it you? Your Significant Other? A Mother, Father, special Relative or All of these? I heard the term gray tsunami from my RMT on Massage Wednesday in town – she is recently back from a professional conference in Vancouver dealing with the topic of aging (mostly boomers, who else?) who will soon …
We’re all getting older, do yourself a favour and plan ahead
There are some things I know now, that if I knew a few years ago I would do or practice to prepare for getting old. Something I never, ever, thought about, at least not very seriously, in fact I still don’t think about it much. But maybe I and you should. However, after 18 months …
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Freedom? It feels like it
I’ve been waiting for this day. Maybe you have too, and you just didn’t know it. As you know I’ve been seeking a garment, a technique or a tool to help me with the one item that still confounded my independence. Eureka!! I actually “found” it a few months ago but thought I had purchased …
Besties
Through most of my adult life I’ve had two really great best friends that I dream and travel with. One of our dreams has always been to buy an island somewhere, maybe somewhere tropical or maybe Northern Ontario and run some kind of retreat-based business, each of us doing things we really enjoy, together while …
Learning to Fly
Sunday morning. I Think I’ll listen to Linda Rhonstadt’s radio station on Spotify. It’s perfect for a rainy Sunday morning in the mountains. All my favourites. Carole King, James Taylor, Don Henley and wait is that Crystal Gayle?? I’m planning a trip to Toronto in June so I have a few things to do to …
Finding Equilibrium
Today is so very beautiful. Sarah is off to a fancy party in YYC this weekend but there is always time for a walk on a day like today. Last Fall I circumnavigated Maiden Lake in 55 minutes Today it took just 30 minutes including walking down and up stairs to/from the path) and we …
Spring has Sprung
My schedule is actually full but I’m willing to swap something out. Lu recommended I do a better schedule. And she’s right, my paper schedule is pretty half- hearted and so is the way I follow it on the smaller things that don’t quite make it to the top of the priority list most …
Goals: Lets go Shopping
I had a goal remaining from my time at the hospital and that was to go shopping with my friend Lori at Nordstrom in Chinook Centre, Calgary. This may sound like an easy goal but at the time it was a stretch goal as I was still in a wheelchair and just learning to walk …
Neon Lights
How many night skies and skylines have I gazed out at from the warmth of what I called home at the time. Monday night, I am at our condo on the top floor of a downtown Calgary tower looking out at the neon office tower markers of Nexen and Collins Barrow – blue and …
Mountain views at Dusk
I am so grateful for our amazing house which we purchased within a year of moving to Alberta. We were looking for a place to bolt to on Friday night after work where we could comfortably stay, play and host friends for the weekend or longer, So it had to be within a 3 hour …
A Promising Day
The weather here has finally broken and it looks like blue skies ahead for the next week or so. I’m off for a little tlc this morning – that is a facial at the local Spa 901. I think I’m aging well and that is all about good skin care and its never too late …
I was wrong My dance card is not full – There is always room for another goal if you really want it!
I met with an Occupational Therapist yesterday morning, let’s call her Lou. Great session to discuss what can be done to further improve my mobility and get ready for return to driving and all that is involved in tackling and clearing that hurdle. Remember when I said my dance card was full and I couldn’t …
I’ll take mine with a dash of instant gratification, thanks!
It’s been cold, overcast and a bit drizzly here in my little corner of the world. My optimism for spring’s imminent arrival has carried me only so far and I find myself discouraged and looking for some new sources of inspiration and optimism. I used to be quite the DIY’er at my cottages in Ontario …
Continue reading I’ll take mine with a dash of instant gratification, thanks!
Like coming home to an old friend
Awesome Mountain Trainer, Sarah mentioned a few weeks ago that a friend of hers felt this way upon returning to our little town from away. And this got me thinking of old friends – not people but the possessions that mark important points in your life and make you feel something – mostly good. Small …
Awesome Mountain Pug: A Day in the Life
Roop wakes up in our bed if he didn’t get kicked out during the night for bad behaviour. He sits at the end of the bed and stares at the closed master bathroom door that his male human is behind (we’ll just call him Alpha Male or Alpha to keep it simple) Alpha is having …
It is a beautiful day for another roadtrip!
Friday update. My al fresco walking experiment lasted until lunchtime. It is hard to move around a kitchen, making lunch while watching very carefully where and how you step. So for safety, I retreated to my bedroom and put on one of my AFO’s for the afternoon. On another note, just a quick comment about …
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Weight Loss, Walking, Agility and Aging
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,. But I have promises to keep,. And miles to go before I sleep,. And miles to go before I sleep. Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” Last night I said no to ice cream and that’s not a euphemism. My husband offered to drive down to …
Embracing Agility in Managing Change
Yesterday was brilliant. Half price waxing Wednesday went well and was quick and relatively painless. Massage was awesome, as usual, afavourite part of the week. Today I have two major and many minor tasks to do. I workout with Marty at 11:00 and have a portfolio review with my investment advisor at 1:00. I’ve been …
Lets Focus on Preparing Nutritious and Tasty Meals for awhile
It’s a busy day today. Massage with Karen at 1:00 and Spa 901 Half price waxing Wednesday at 12:00. I’ve already spent the first four hours of my morning on miscellaneous tasks like getting ready, downloading files for my accountant, drinking and re-stocking water into my pretty jug, getting lunch set-up for later this afternoon …
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You can own the gym but you have to give up chocolate first!
Monday workout with Sarah and I’m told I can “own the gym” and get some tone in my body from our workouts and it will only require that I work hard AND give up chocolate. I never used to be a fan of sweets at all but over this long cold winter I’ve embraced a …
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Road Trip!
It’s a winter wonderland outside. As I wake up and look out the window I see a wall of white from my bedroom window looking south. The trees are heavy with a coat of fresh snow. Today we are taking a road trip to Calgary which is North East from here, crossing …
Own it!
I’m working out with someone new for a couple of days this week. It’s Spring Break and Sarah has lots of fun planned with her little ones so her colleague Marty worked with me on Tuesday and Thursday this week (I’m on my own today). It’s good to get another perspective and Sarah has prepared …
Open a Window of Opportunity Sometime Soon….
It’s snowing big, fat flakes in my corner of the world this morning, but mostly the snow is melting and Spring is in the air. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood I said this to an old friend of mine on Facebook yesterday and it got me thinking. I spent my 20’s …
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Baby Steps back to Awesome
I’m struggling for a topic today so I’m just going to start typing and see what emerges. I used to be a very fast typist – my hands flying across the keyboard and back, faster than I could think. My one-handed search and peck is just fine for keeping up with my thoughts today. Last …
Music
Now that I’ve lost everything to you You say you want to start something new And it’s breaking my heart you’re leaving Baby, I’m grieving But if you want to leave, take good care Hope you have a lot of nice things to wear But then a lot of nice things turn bad out there …
Failing the Bail on Fresh Friday – and it feels so good
I didn’t feel like working out on Friday and had managed to somewhat gracefully bail when I got busted and my husband reminded me that today was not my day off — that’s Wednesday. So I did an 11:00 workout, early for me and Sarah decided to shake me out of my funk by changing …
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An exercise routine…..
It’s been quite a week here in my little town, at my house, what with cake, ice-cream and random acts of kindness and all. But through it all there is a routine and mine includes exercise at least four times a week for at least an hour. The actual exercise program changes from day to …
What’s in your life plan? Where’s your awesome at?
Today’s feature image is me in Fiji almost 14 years ago just before I got married. I think, until recently, I’ve been living under the impression that one day this will all be over, I will have some or all of my old life back, awesome will reign supreme all around me and poof this …
Continue reading What’s in your life plan? Where’s your awesome at?
Random Acts of Kindness, Totem Poles and Cake
Random acts of kindness. You’ve heard the concept and I think I have actually done one or many of these in the past but Friday afternoon was an exceptional experience for me. My friend Sarah dropped by with her two kids (aka “the cake-makers”) to kick off my birthday Do-over/re-boot. Sad for me that …
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When was your last annual physical? Mine was Thursday afternoon.
On Thursday we drove three hours to and from Calgary for a routine Doctor’s appointment. So let’s talk about that. Since I was in my teens I have routinely had an annual physical with my family doctor and I have always found this helpful from a proactive and preventative perspective. Let’s not share too much …
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Goals, Boots and Chicken
A quick clarification on yesterday’s post regarding goals. To be clear, have as many as you like but just don’t feel pressured to add more unless you feel that the larger number is achievable or you’ve made room for more by achieving some others. Set goals. Achieve or exceed. Celebrate. Feel rewarded and motivated. Set …
What are your Goals?
I was asked this yesterday and I’m afraid it really threw me off balance. To be perfectly honest I was already off balance and I must admit I was a bi stumped? Goals? Don’t I have enough of these already? I don’t really have time for any new ones. Having said that I have just …
Where Have I been all Week? What’s Next?
Well I had a visitor last week Although he was very low maintenance. It was also a very low key week for me. Just the usual routine with a few outings added in, mostly meals out in town or on the hill. What’s Next? I’ve been thinking about completing another degree (I have an MBA …
The Word of the Day is Shadenfreude
Little flakes drifting by my window this morning. Coffee is awesome and I’m feeling so much happier. I’m going to Chair yoga this morning. My Second Cousin Darren is going to drive me over soon, although when he sees the accumulated snow from last night, he will surely wish he had parked the Jeep …
I dare you to be sad when you look at this stately pug
It’s getting a bit harder to get out of bed and the facade slips every now and again. When I feel like this I try to remember who’s in charge here. You are of course, kick that wayward mind of yours into submission. This is a dark topic – saddness, anger, melancholy, depression. It doesn’t …
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Assistive Aids – Part Two – The Top Half
I mentioned yesterday that I have a subluxated left shoulder. It’s an awkward injury and apparently a common one after stroke. It’s where the upper arm bone (humerus) drops out of the shoulder socket due to weakness or spasticity.I have often wished I just dislocated it so it could be popped back in with some …
I am Going to try with a little help from my friends – Part One Aids to recovery- The bottom half
Every morning I sit in my office for a minute or two, sip my coffee and think about the day’s blog and what I will write I keep a few back-up topics hanging around in a dusty wee corner of my mind in case the well dries up and I simply can’t think of anything …
Weekend in Fernie
It’s snowing again today in Fernie and the forecast shows snow all week long. We’ve had 27 feet so far this year and no end in sight. That’s what the shredders like about Fernie Fresh powder. The feature picture today is the view out my office window which faces Mount Fernie – totally obscured at …
Chair Yoga
I didn’t get a picture of the chair yoga class yesterday – as the newbie in the class it didn’t feel right asking the 40 or so attendees to pose for a picture – maybe next time. So my feature picture today is from my journal. (As an aside: this was done in the early …
Looks Good. But how will you clean your bottom?
When it’s time to go home or move house or take a little vacation you will need to focus quickly on what’s important to do yourself at home, safely and explore the practicalities of taking care of your business. Before I was discharged from hospital last year, the kind people monitoring my health and on-going …
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What I am Reading and other Updates on what’s going on here today
I wanted you tell you about two books I have recently read dealing with stroke. I’ve provided links to purchase these books at Amazon, I bought the Kindle edition of both for a much lower cost – I think each was under $5. The third book, which I believe I will find very interesting …
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Do you have a Will and POA?
“And you may find yourself Living in a shotgun shack And you may find yourself In another part of the world And you may find yourself Behind the wheel of a large automobile And you may find yourself in a beautiful house With a beautiful wife And you may ask yourself, well How did …
Food: Buying, Cooking & Eating
Buying We went on a couple of long drives this weekend; on Saturday to Calgary which is 3 hours north east of our house here in Fernie. On Sunday we drove to Cranbrook which is almost exactly one hour west of here. While in Cranbrook, we popped into the Superstore to do a bit of …
Staying a Step or Two Ahead of Yourself All The Time Requires both Skill and discipline – I have one of these
Staying a step or two ahead is a skill I have mastered but – discipline still eludes me. There are way too many interesting rabbit holes lurking around every corner to drop into, have a wee peek around and perhaps stay awhile, put my feet up and make myself comfortable for the show. It’s a …
In today’s News – My Mom made Soup Yesterday
In today’s news, my Mom made soup yesterday And here is why this is important. My Mom is in her mid-70’s and lives alone. My Dad has been in managed care a few years now with Dementia and after years of caring for him and his health, she now needs to look after just herself. Making …
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I’m so tired of saying Sorry
Only when I don’t really mean it – which turns out is a lot of the time. So I’m trying to reserve saying sorry for times when a sincere apology is called for – which turns out is not all that often, is it? Did I accidentally kick your dog, well Sorry Charlie-boy, sincere apologies …
Dread and Regret and Dwelling
A google search for quotes on regret quickly pivots to a listing of quotes about guilt and I’m not going down that sinkhole – its light regret not dark guilt I want to talk about and I definitely don’t want to dwell there. I am a dweller and I know it and so are …
You’re not going to put on weight are you?
I was stunned I didn’t know what to say so I said “of course not” and I’m sure he chuckled to himself. As a guy who sells wheelchairs for a living, he was more aware than anyone of the high probability I would put on weight. It was February 2017 and I was being …
It’s a Land of Confusion
My house – It’s a land of confusion . In the time between my husband getting up, completing his morning routine and me getting up to complete mine, Roop the Pug has been hard at work. He loves shoes and he mostly just drags them around the house and into his beds so he can …
My Wheelchair is Looking a Little Dusty
This picture is from last Winter but next time my Nephew comes for a visit he won’t be catching a ride on my wheelchair. A few months ago I decided to leave it in my bedroom every morning after using it to assist with my morning routine get up, washed and dressed. And then we …
Strugs to Func?
I was watching a re-boot of Queer Eye on and off this weekend on Netflix. In Episode 5, one of the hosts turns to Bob, the straight-guy guest and says matter-of-factly “it seems like you strug to func” or stuggle to function with basics like “giving a shit about yourself” (i’m paraphrasing – I think …
Do What We Want Saturdays
All week long we are so driven by my rehab routine and my husband’s work routine that we both take the weekends to do exactly what we want. Today I think I’ll read a book -either on Kindle or on paper (I have a few that were given as gifts that I should crack open …
Brilliant Blue Skies and Sunshine on Wine Friday
“Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy Sunshine in my eyes can make me cry Sunshine on the water looks so lovely Sunshine almost all the time makes me high Sunshine almost always” – John Denver I woke up to blue skies and sunshine in my little corner of the Rocky Mountains this morning …
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Conscious Posture
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” Lao tzu Today’s post continues with yesterday’s theme about having a good routine to aid recovery. Yesterday I did a private yoga session with Shona who helped me with posture and poses while seated. This morning I did 30 minutes of chair yoga …
Hump Day is Massage Wednesday
I used to think having a routine was boring. Post-stroke it keeps me grounded and gives daily purpose to my recovery. I like my routine to get and keep my body and mind strong and healthy. Every day that involves vitamins. Here’s what I take: Vitamin D – about 5000-7000 international units – I use …
Get Up, Get Ready Show Up: Today I am having late Lunch with Awesome Mountain Friend
Half the battle after a stroke is getting up and getting ready to face the world every day. If you can move around your house comfortably and get in and out of a car, there is no excuse for staying inside. There is an amazing world out there and if you haven’t re-joined it already, …
Motivated Monday – What’s Up this week?
If you don’t design your own life……. You’ll fall into someone else’s plan….And guess what they have planned for you?Not much! Jim Rohn (author, entrepreneur) Today’s image is of the “Three Sisters” just east of where we live in Fernie, BC. What’s up this week? Just my weekly routine at the moment which includes: …
Today’s Intention – Beginner’s Yoga and Grab a Bit of Awesome if I Can
Since my stroke, I like to start every day with a statement of my intention for the day. Today I have enrolled in a beginners yoga class for Senior’s 55 and older and my intention is to: complete the class and assess my capabilities learn some modifications meet some new people grab a little bit …
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Is It Too Late to Shave my Legs or?…The night I had a stroke
If I knew how many people would touch my legs over the following two weeks I would have shaved them before going to bed the night before my stroke I was in great health (or so I thought) and I had just completed a very happy two days processing and canning 300 lbs of tomatoes …
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Thanks for joining me as I recover from my stroke!
Problem-solving the way forward When I had a stroke 18 months ago I was fortunate to have an amazing supportive husband who understood how important self-sufficiency and and access to the “little things”(necessities and vanities) was and would be. I am one of the lucky ones, I also had access to an extensive network of …
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