Happy New Year 2013!

Bet 'cha thought that Adventure Mommy had fallen off the face of the earth! Well, I'm here to tell you that a) I haven't and b) to wish all my followers a very happy, healthy, wonder-filled 2013!

First, a gigantic thank you to all my followers - Adventure Mommy had 4,133 hits to date.  Whew and wow!  I am blown away that people are interested in what I have to say.  Thank you again and I hope that I can keep you reading in 2013!

And also, I want to take a moment to reflect on the past year...

We said goodbye to a very wonderful family member this year - Unk.
And our family also experienced other changes - such is life.  To the Yes Man's sister - you are starting a new life.  May it be everything that you hope for and more.  And keep your kids filled with hope and love - you said it right on, Nance. Go girl!

To my cousins - part 1 and 3 of the 3 Mouse-ke-teers, you are always in my thoughts and may you find the strength and courage that you may need in the coming year.  And remember that part 2 (that's me) is always ready with a big hug, or a laugh or a shoulder if you need it.  I love you both.

To my kids, 2012 was a blast - all the Lego building, dancing, swimming and hockey hockey hockey playing that kept us busy.  And the last few days of tobogganing have been awe-se-mazing!!  I haven't had that much fun being a kid in ages.  LOL!

Mom and Mom & Dad, what a great year with you.  And I am so thankful that you are all still happy, healthy and vibrant.  May 2013 be an even better year than 2012.

And to the Yes Man, my favourite person in the world...thank you.  2013 is looking good already!

Surround yourself with love and the world blossoms before your eyes.

Keep smiling and Happy New Year!

The Great Unk

The Yes Man shines again!  Really, I could write a book just about him and his perfectly balanced life.  I mean that seriously.  Not that he's perfect, but he is perfectly balanced.  He is a Libra after all.

Anyway, Brad's great uncle, Unk as we affectionately called him, passed away last week.  We were fortunate to have the opportunity to see Unk the night before he died.  Our daughter Naomi cried when she saw Unk.  And the Yes Man said "Remember Naomi, it's not about how you die.  It's how you live.  Party on."

Well said Yes Man.  Well said.  This is why I love this man.

And a few days later we toasted to Unk, and to his well lived life.

It's That Time of Year - Take a Leap!

Christmas upon us again!!  In between volunteering at various Christmas-y things around the hood, and the mad scramble at school to finish up projects and presentations, Adventure Mommy found some time  this afternoon to enjoy a coffee and a leisurely shop through Wal-Mart.  Ha! Ha!  Leisurely my you-know-what!  It was a mad traffic jam - and that was inside the store!  Another customer suggested that Wal-Mart should put in traffic lights...and what about those long lineups to cash out?  Just keep smiling...

I digress.  My afternoon was leisurely.  My friend, Steph, and I shared some big laughs and some deep thoughts.  I should mention that on Friday we both attended a party hosted by our friend Kim - and she had a medium join in the fun.  This lady "read" about 30 ladies at that party.  The energy around us was huge (that was my interpretation).  Anyway - more on the medium later...it was very interesting indeed.

Back to shopping - I noticed there were some grumpies out there today - ok I get that.  But there were some just as smiley as me.  I even had a few laughs with some of the other customers.  And I came across an Ahh-haa moment I found in the book section at Winners - check it out:

The last line got me - She Leaps Within.  Ahh-haa alright.  Time to leap.

Keep smiling!

Working Things Out - aka Coffee Time

I think it was serendipity.  I have heard that word alot this year - which is funny because I don't think I ever used it or heard it much before.
Last week, before the 3 amigas headed to Rochester for some serious Black Friday shopping, I headed over to see my chiropractor.  I thought I better be in the best possible shape for all that bag carrying, coffee drinking trip.  Not to mention, the track which requires the most diligent mental preparation and concentration.
While I was cashing out at the front desk in the chiro's office, I noticed that there was a new practitioner  in his office.  A new therapist (for your mind).  Wow. Serendipity at it's best!  So I met briefly with her and made an appointment for when I returned.  Which was today.
It went well.  I have been with my other guy for 22 years...so it was a bit daunting to open up and go into all the gory details again with someone new.
Anyway, at the front desk again, the receptionist and I were talking about how great it is to see a therapist and to talk.  Talk freely without judgement.  She was mentioning about her son and how much  therapy has helped him.  Yep.  I totally agree (for myself as I don't know her son!).  And the therapist thought that maybe starting a group would be great - and I said "I thought that was called going for coffee".  They both howled at that.  I'm so funny!

Keep smiling!

Black Friday Here We Come!

Wow!  I know it's been awhile since my last blog as I had to officially sign in again!!

Well, the 3 mouse-ke-teers are officially (2 more sleeps) on our way to Rochester for Black Friday shopping.  Yipee!!  I hope to have some pics to post this year of our crazy - I mean totally sane - shopping extravaganza.  The organizer, my cousin Ang, has once again included the insane wake up time of 3am...but this gets us to the stores just when the first mad rush midnight shoppers are leaving.

Today I received a parcel in the mail that had the number 45 randomly marked on it.  This is not my house number - but it is a number that my family thinks of as lucky.  It was the house number of our nana and grampa's...so once again, like our Deer Crossing story from last year, I believe that nana is watching over us. The Yes Man probably sent her a message to watch over my spending and keep me in check! Ha! Ha!

We also added an extra night to our get away - this is purely to facilitate more shopping time and definitely not the track.  No, definitely not the track.  Okay, okay - maybe more track time...maybe there will be a horse called Nana or Grampa or Lucky Day...I'll keep you posted!

And a huge thank you goes out to all the followers of Adventure Mommy - we're at almost 4,000 hits!!!!

Keep smiling and thanks for reading!

We Remember

I'm sitting here with the Yes Man drinking a cup of Tim Horton's and I hear a sound on the radio that I think is the signal.  I jump up - and simultaneously look at the kitchen clock.  It's only 10am - still another hour until 11am - our minute of silence not yet upon us.

On Friday, our school honoured those who have served and continue to serve, with a ceremony.  We had the grade 1 class sing John Lennon's Imagine - and brought tears to some.  It brings tears to mine as I write this.  Other grades presented somber short plays depicting the front lines.  There was a video presentation with images of war to remind us how lucky we are to be Canadian, and safe.

Back to our coffee...the Yes Man says "Should we email Unk?"  Email Unk?  Yes, it's Remembrance Day.  I haven't ever emailed Unk on Rememberance Day. Unk is Uncle Glenn who fought in WWII and survived.   And just turned 97.  We will take our minute of silence on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month and say We Remember.  And Thank You.

And Thank You to William O. Stanley, my grandpa, that also was in WWII and survived.  He and his wife, Alice, raised 5 children.  And they carried on and had kids of their own.  And so it goes.

And Thank You to Rick Nicholls, the Yes Man's cousin, who is currently serving and has done a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

And Thank You to all the others that bravely fought and still fight for our freedom.

The Butterfly and the Angel

It is rather like looking at clouds and seeing clear images but sometimes no one else can see them...

This painting was created as an abstract and I love the emotion that this painting evokes - it is very uplifting and peaceful.  I see a golden butterfly with wings soaring through the bluest of skies.  Thank you to my beautiful and talented aunt, Jan Coombs, for sharing this with me and allowing me to share it with you.

Keep smiling!