Wise Words

I do have the occasional moment of ah-ha-id-ness. Recently, Adventure Mommy, the Yes Man and kids went to the Mayan Riviera for a weeks vacation. During our holiday, we opted for an excursion to Xplor park which was out of this world!  

The day started off with Ziplining - which was totally exhilarating!!  I don't have a Bucket List, but if I did I would have crossed that off for sure!

And then we decided to try Kayaking in the cenotes-spectacularly beautiful and extremely frustrating for our youngest, Ben. Trying to get the arms and legs working together to maneuver in that small enclosed space was a challenge to say the least!  Naomi and the Yes Man were in the lead miles ahead of us...and me at the back trying to direct Ben without directing him too much-if you know what I mean. Anyway, I said to him at one point when he seemed about to lose it "Ben, small movements mean big changes". Ah-ha. There it was!  That's truly a metaphor for life if I've ever heard one. 

Thankfully the kayaking came to an end and we moved onto known and more comfortable terrain-lunch and smoothies!  Good on Ben for tackling this challenge. That's the way we roll!

Keep smiling! 

It's SNOW Time!

Could it be?  No, I can't believe it!!  It's snowing!!!  Do I seem a little excited? Over the top?  Yes sir-ee I am totally over the moon to see snow!  After all, it is the end of January in Southern Ontario...we should have snow - lots of it!  It's officially toboggan time!!

We have a great hill close to us - anyone who grew up in Scarborough probably remembers it.  Some call it Dead Man's Hill - we just call it BIG.  And STEEP. And SO MUCH FUN!  Sorry for the shouting, but I just love to see the big, fluffy, white flakes that promise so much enjoyment.

Grab your sleds and head on out!!  Hey, it is Southern Ontario after all - we may have spring tomorrow.

Keep smiling!

Little Retirement Home = Big Fun

Armed with my Bose speaker, my iPhone and the Songza app I headed into the retirement home for Friday manicures!  The ladies had been harassing me on my Tuesday visit that we'd been away for too long (away for 2 weeks over the Christmas break).  They really love us!!

Well, I put on Songza, and chose the "Pleasing a Crowd - Celebrate Good Times" playlist.  What a hit!!!  Toes tapping, gossip flying and everyone smiling.  It was a great morning.  I'm still smiling as I type this!

One of my favourites - Maryanne, came up with a dandy quote on the spot (I wrote it down so I'd get it right):

You only live once - with limitations.  Let's not go overboard.

I know it's hilarious!  I think this is t-shirt material.  No pun intended.

Keep smiling!!

Christmas Magic

We have a little elf named Carter

Who comes to us in December,

He brings us laughs and joyous smiles

And helps us all remember.

His mischievous pranks and funny jokes

Keep our eyes lit bright,

The magic in our hearts that's Christmas

 Each and every night!

Have a Little Patience

I heard a radio announcer a few weeks back reminding everyone to have a little patience when looking for that "perfect" parking spot at the mall.  Then he went on to say that it's really for safety reasons - you never know what frame of mind the other drivers may be in...hmmmm.  That's the Christmas spirit alright!  Not! Give me the farthest spot possible from the door and I'm all set!  Now that's having a little patience.  And being super safe too.

Which brings me to another thought that's been bumping around in my mind for a few weeks.  I had a dream in which I was really upset.  So much so that my heart was racing for real!  I was talking to my dad in my dream and asking him to "please, help me find patience in my life".  I often talk with my dad in my dreams, although it's usually me doing all the talking.  My dad is deceased - and even in my dreams I am aware that he has passed.  Maybe that's why he is quiet. Anyway, I've been thinking a lot about that dream and it's meaning.  It's a bit of an unusual request, to find patience.  A good one though.  Although maybe next time I'll ask him to help me find the winning Lotto numbers!

Since that dream, I have felt more peaceful - and if that had anything to do with my dad, well thank you very much, Dad.  And I really do miss him - and often think of him when great things are happening in my life.  And also the not so good times too.  If I am totally honest, I usually say "damn it Dad - you should be here for these moments".

And to all the shoppers out and about, remember a smile goes a long way...you really could turn someone's day around.

Keep smiling!

In the beginning...

I started writing the Adventure Mommy blog because I needed to write.  To have somewhere to sort out all of the stuff that I am working on.  Putting yourself out there for the world is pretty powerful.  I thought I'd write this entry because a few years ago a friend's husband asked me why I'm blogging.  So there you have it. And you know what I've learned?  That everyone's got their story.  Really, I like to say that everyone's got their s#$% but I'll edit for the blog.  It's amazing to me that once you start talking about things that maybe aren't going along tickety-boo in your life how people connect with that.  People will say to me "I really connected with what your wrote because..." and I aways find myself in awe.  It really does come right down to what I believe underlies most of my entries...that we are deeply connected and I don't mean through the power of technology.

Which brings me to my next thought...lately I've been thinking about the one block thats still residing in my mind.  I really do picture it as a 2x4 locked in place.  It's not just a nuisance.  It's stopping me from what I think of as completing the puzzle.  The puzzle toward ultimate peacefulness in my life.  I've asked my therapist "how do I get rid of this stupid block?".  Well, she reminds me of all the work I have accomplished and how far I've come and just to keep on keeping on.  So that's what I'm doing.  Keeping on keeping on.

And one final thought on this beauty of a day...

Tell someone you love them
Tell yourself that someone loves you
And laugh laugh laugh till you pee your pants (that's for Nancy)

Keep smiling! And thank you so much for reading Adventure Mommy

Still Adventuring!

Back again for another exciting summer up at the park.  We're already a full 2 weeks into our 9 week summer break and it's flying!  Slow down, summer!

I'm back to running the kids Thursday Night Bingo - what a hoot!  We've got lots of new kids in the park this year - one in particular that I met at our first bingo last week - Zoe.  She was a real cutie patootie!  She seemed a bit shy, so I singled her out during the bingo - "Hey Zoe, how's it going?"  She snuggled into her dad all shy like and smiled.  Then I asked the crowd if everyone knew Zoe yet and introduced her.  She got a big Pioneer welcome from the group!  And you know what?  The next day she saw me walking out of our trailer and ran over and gave me a giant hug!  Thanks Zoe!

It feels great to be writing!  I've missed keeping you all up-to-date with our adventures.  And speaking of adventures...my mom has been travelling all over lately - well, Winnipeg for a wedding and then to Portugal for work.  Yes you read that right.  Portugal.  For work.  What a lucky duck!  I tried desperately to fit my way into her suitcase, but it was a no go.  She had a great time with many of her own adventures - and the return trip home to Canada had tons of laughs.  I told her I think I have to give the title of Adventure Mommy to her too!

So - what else is new you ask?  Still keeping on keeping on.  And life is good. Good friends, great family.  That's what's important, right?  

Keep on smiling!