Absolutely

For a long time this word has really irritated me..........there is nothing wrong with the word; a word after all is just a word; the OVERuse of this word though has hastened me to the doorstep of abhorring the word itself.

Absolutely means without exception, completely, wholly, entirely.........I can use a word with that definition.........but do we really really really need to use it as an answer every time someone asks a question that could be answered with a simple yes. I'm not suggesting we use only 'yes' as a reply; there are many affirmative choices we could make but absolutely it seems, has allowed us to guarantee everything. I don't feel the need to guarantee my responses; how about you?

The word 'absolutely' has become so OVERused and accepted that one could have a two way conversation in which one party could speak only the word "absolutely" and be fully engaged in the exchange especially if one party were a seasoned 'talker'..........picture this conversation taking place between two people where the one using "absolutely" nods the head occasionally, smiles, folds and unfolds the arms and looks on as the other talks (of course the talker finds occasion to use absolutely as well)......

"Hello Jack, god it's been absolutely ages since we ran into each other, I was just thinking about you the other day, is everything going ok with you?"

"Absolutely."

"Great, well I just got a promotion so I'm at the top of the ladder now with my firm and get all kinds of perks, trips for the family, new car to drive, things are going absolutely wonderful, I assume you are still with Whineypoo International, are you doing ok there?"

"Absolutely........"

"Wow it's sure good to see you, we will have to get together sometime for a coffee or lunch maybe. I can fill you in on our latest promotions, maybe you would even support my current campaigns, every new customer counts, do you suppose I can count on you?"

"Absolutely......"

"Thanks I'm so glad I can count on you. I gotta run now; is your phone number still the same?"

"Absolutely......."

"OK good I will give you a call; we can get together and go over the latest. It was good talking to you........the family is well?"

"Absolutely......."

"Bye Jack have an absolutely successful day and hope to see you soon!"

"Abso..............."

Hmmmmmm exagerated, I know but sometimes this word is used to that extreme and it drives me NUTS. I wish I could absolutely remove if from the English language.

There are a few other words and expressions that drive me mad but none drive me quite as NUTS as ABSOLUTELY!

A Wolf is a Wolf

"Don't you know heartaches are heroes when their pockets are full"

(A line from 'Seven Year Ache' by Rosanne Cash)

I'm not sure what that line means to you but it brings some things to mind for me.............
In my youth I recall making certain judgments based on what turned out to be questionable criteria. My recollection brings to mind seeing someone who was dressed in a suit, tie, shiny shoes, driving a new car, carrying a briefcase, and walking with confidence. To my inexperienced understanding this presented an impression of a successful, very important individual; someone who would be advantageous to become acquainted with. There are some who still make decisions about a person or situation based on how they 'appear' (with dire consequence).
Fortunately years and experience offered me a new look on how to respond when judgments became critical or even just influencial to my day to day existence. Some decisions we make are of utmost importance to our well being (or that of some one else); others not so important; all are decisions none-the-less and all, I have come to learn, require that we weigh the information used in making those decisions; examine it in the proper light.
Usually I experience a first-impression of a person or situation but I don't normally allow that impression to dictate my final decision without further consideration of all the elements. In the end I usually stick with my first-impression because I have acquired the ability to assess on that basis, but not because of the way the person or situation 'looks' to me on the outside. A wolf after all, is a wolf, whether dressed in sheeps clothing or standing 'Au Naturel' and even though much can be learned from all associations, I have learned to hold the hand of a wolf with more caution than holding the hand of a sheep. More important, I have learned to recognize (usually) if it is wolf or sheep that stands before me.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy
Happy
Happy
Happy New Year everyone!

Just back from Winnipeg where we spent Christmas this year, I am looking forward to a brand new year & hoping that the tragedies and disasters throughout the world will find some calm resolution and that times will become more peaceful.

Christmas in Winnipeg

We left for Winnipeg on the 19th; had a 3 hour stop in Calgary; arrived a little late (time for bed) but all went well.
The next 3 days we stayed home with Levi while Tyler & Danielle went to work; then they were off for their Christmas holidays. It was fun getting re-aquainted with Levi again (we hadn't seen him since summer; he has grown & is talking up a storm now [most common remark "I do it by myself"]; what a sweetheart). On Tuesday we bundled him up (and ourselves) to walk to Safeway to buy a few things. That was an adventure in the snow. At some point while in the store Levi fell asleep & then slept all the way home in the stroller.

We both got the flu the day before Christmas Eve so were sick during the night and in bed most of the day and Christmas Eve. I bounced back pretty quickly but George took a bit longer though he eventually did get feeling better.

Christmas day we went to Tyler's parents place for dinner. We weren't feeling the greatest but unlike Tyler's mom who was also not feeling well, we were able to just sit and relax; she had to contend with making dinner and all the company. I felt bad for her; we should have all left and let her go to bed, but she was the gracious hostess with a constant smile on her face.

We had a very good visit with Danielle & Tyler (we thank them so much for their hospitality & taking care of us while we were sick) and lots of fun with Levi playing games, reading, & singing silly songs that we made up. It was a good trip & a nice Christmas.

Flights home were good (one even a half hour early). We arrived home New Years Eve around 7:00 ish; went straight from the airport to pick up Mocha who stayed with a lady I worked with at Lafarge. They had decided I couldn't have Mocha back; they were going to keep her but we quickly set that straight.............:) Seriously I am certain she was very well taken care of; she was invited back any time so that's always a good sign.

Anyway we got home & were unpacked etc by around 10:30. We waited to ring in the New Year at midnight then went to bed.

You can have a wonderful time but it is always always good to get home. This time was no exception!

The End

"What the caterpillar calls the end of the world,
the master calls a butterfly."
............................................... Richard Bach









I believe we must trust that what is to come is beautiful, for what is to be will be. if we want it to be beautiful so it will be........why not just relax and enjoy the process; learn what there is to learn.

On occasion I have reached what seemed dark and dreary times; what I thought to be the end of what I could endure. The end of what I could endure in all cases turned out to be the beginning of new experiences; more enlightening and positive ones.

Always sad..........the end of a marriage. That end though had to be. It removed me from a dark, toxic situation & moved me into new adventures I would not otherwise have cultivated. It led me to the love of my life. The question coming to mind "Why didn't we meet sooner?"............we didn't meet sooner because 'sooner' was not the time in the process for us to meet.

Dejected.......losing a job......they might call it down-sizing. Whatever the label it can take a bite out of your dignity, your confidence; reduce your morale dangerously close to zero. From that shallow grave though comes opportunities to make changes, move, grow and learn new skills, make new discoveries, become engaged & tread on new soil. Without having lost the job none of these ventures would have developed.

It is said that when one door closes another opens. I believe there is a time for all things........when it is time that door will close and the other will open as surely as the caterpillar will turn into a butterfly.

My Home....My Sanctuary

Home is more than a house. Descriptions enclosed and entwined, home is a warm, loving, familiar and safe place; welcomes me, wraps me, holds me and shelters me; is shared with other loving person/s.

Warm means friendly and inviting with surroundings that say 'I like you being here, please relax, sit as long as you wish, let the stresses of the day tumble from your back'.

Loving means there is nothing 'in the air' that will evoke negative feelings which exclude but rather an atmosphere of being included, cared for, wanted and needed.

Familiar means that I can move about in the dark (or with my eyes closed) and get where I want without stubbing my toe or tripping over a shoe. I can find my shirt hanging in the closet without having to search or wonder where it might be. It means if I decide on a whim I want to have popcorn I can go directly to where it is in the cupboard. It means that if I tell my company they can find extra towels in the closet on the second shelf, that's where they will find them. It means I am accustomed to my surroundings, I know them intimately and I can find my favorite coffee mug whenever I want it (even though it may not be exactly where I thought I left it).

Safe means I can enter, close and latch the door on the world and feel protected from everything on the other side of that door; safe from any and all the monsters that might be out there and want a piece of me or wish to steal precious time from me.

My home welcomes me with open arms; places no expectations on me. It wraps me in a blanket of warm fuzzies; lets me rest my head & holds me tenderly; shelters me until I have strength to venture forward again.

Mostly, my home is a home because I share it with someone very special; someone who loves me; someone who I love very much

My home is my castle..........my sanctuary and so should yours be.

Restful Peaceful Moments of Your Very Own

Amidst the hustle and bustle of living with life's demands, sometimes beyond my control, I need a place of my very own; a place where I can go to empty my mind of all the unwanted weeds. I can find that place in a quiet corner of my home or maybe outside under a tree among the falling leaves. There I can sit alone, calm my 'frazzled' nerves and allow myself to make the connection needed to solve what needs to be solved.

There are times when my mind is so busy and the thoughts so entwined, it becomes impossible to entertain even one rational idea. Those are the times I feel overwhelmed, fall into panic mode and think there is no way, no how, no solution. What I most often fail to remember is that I need to go to 'my place', empty my mind and wait to see what my 'nothing' tells me.

My nothing gives me most all the advice I need, I just need to give it the chance. What does your nothing tell you?