March On

You know it was almost a week into March before I turned the calendar.  The time flies so quickly that before you know it, it's a week, a month, a year later and you wonder ~ where on earth has the time gone?

I feel that way about this little piece of me.  The place where I posted pretty pictures and poured out my heart and rambled away for the past 9 years.  The people I have met through this page are many.  Friendships that I carry with me today although most are now via Instagram and Facebook.  I will admit that Instagram is my app of choice although I do miss my Friday Potpourri posts here ~ putting everything together was a creative outlet for me that I just may need to get back to.

When I left off in September, Samantha had packed up and headed across the bridge to PEI and college.  Gord and I took a day trip over and saw her new digs, did some shopping, had supper and headed home again.  It was a great day.

Katrina and her beau came home for Thanksgiving in October and decided they were both moving back from Saskatchewan.  There is no reason to stay in a place where you are not happy and what is that old saying about you can always come home.

October also brought wedding celebrations when Matthew and Morgan got married.  

Matthew is my best friend's youngest ~ the wedding was stunning.

we had a good time!

My brother landed in the hospital again in October and required open heart surgery.  

He gave us another scare and had quite the stint in the hospital again but he's still here.  

He's like a cat with 9 lives.

The rug was pulled out from under us in November when our cat, Cooper, was diagnosed with acute renal failure.  It was like he was fine one day and went downhill so fast that it tore my heart out.  We are still missing him, Molly the most as he playmate for the past 10 years is gone.  Trev has been hinting and mentioning about getting another kitty soon.

When the little miss came home for Christmas break we were off to the book store ~ a little evening out.  Missed her so much.

Christmas the family came together here for dinner Christmas Day despite an ice storm and then a snow storm on top of it all.  We are blessed with those that sit around the table.

New Years we did nothing and we were ok with that.

We have actually been low key for the new year.  I am not a wintry outdoor person so I pretty much go into hibernation mode when it is cold, snowy, icy ~ well pretty much winter!

So I am content inside whether it is puttering around, nesting, organizing, creating

like my cute little pillows I made out of tea towels.  I am actually quite proud of them!

This past week I was sidelined with a pretty bad cold.  I usually don't miss 3 days of work but the sinus pressure was horrible, like a vice across my forehead.  Thankfully I am feeling better and was out of the house today for the first time since Tuesday.

We had a birthday to celebrate ~ 50 candles for my girlfriend, so it was out to dinner and home by 8:30, in my jammies with a cup of tea with honey.  

I know ~ my wild life and on St. Patty's Day to boot!

As my last post ~ not sure who is still out there reading.  I do most of mine on Bloglovin now so the days of leaving comments are few and far between.  Documenting more for myself and dusting off the blog more than anything I guess.

Until next time

xo

Oh September

Well hello there ~ it's been a long long time

and here I sit ~ Friday morning and the first of two vacation weeks

is drawing to an end

thankfully I have next week off too

so I thought I would catch you up on what has been happening

the last 6 months!

When I last posted my brother was in the hospital

he was on an uphill climb and I am happy to say

he was one day short of 2 months in 

but came out the other side

he is still not back to work but going to rehab

and getting stronger every day

with the Spring we were thrust into grad year prep

prom dress shopping ~ college acceptance letters

and graduation

birthdays celebrated ~ gatherings with friends

concerts where we sang and danced

making new memories along the way

prom night was so much fun ~ I loved seeing all the kids

the different dresses ~ colours

I was grinning from ear to ear and snapping like a mad woman!

Sam with her Mom & Dad.

Grad night I was a proud Auntie for sure

Sam and Kat after the ceremony

The end of June my oldest niece Katrina decided to spread her wings

and she left for out west

on Father's Day we took a trip to the cape

down to the cottage and the farm

it was a great family day

we picked Sam up after work and everyone came to our place

where we had dinner and just spent some quality time together

I am happy to say that she is going great and loving it.

Summer was a mix of weekends at the cottage

a day trip or two

and just soaking up the nice weather

family gatherings

special times with special people

and with that ~ I will finish off my little update

not sure if anyone out there is still reading

but documenting for myself more than anything I guess.

Hope you had a great summer

xo

11:11

OK - here I am - the once a month girl

no excuses though

I had some news to share

and wanted to get it out

3 weeks ago today

my brother was taken to the hospital

he had texted me on Tuesday saying he thought he had bronchitis

while he was at dialysis on Wed, the doctor gave him a prescription

then Saturday he was weak and his cough was bad

texting back and forth that night with his girlfriend

they admitted him, put him right in ICU and on oxygen

he had pneumonia

I did not go in on Sunday as he needed rest more than anything

and I planned to go in after work on Monday

Monday morning I was just leaving the house for work

when the phone rang

it was Stella - Gord's girlfriend - his breathing was bad

they are putting him on a respirator

I rushed to the hospital - scared for him

That first week I spent many hours in ICU

praying - crying - hugging

he was in bad shape - double pneumonia

acute respiratory distress syndrome

and scariest of all - sepsis

with his existing health issues - diabetes, kidney failure and a heart condition

this was not good news

he was so weak - could he fight his way back

all we could do was keep the faith

and pray

we would get good news, then bad news

it has been an emotional roller coaster

prayers pouring in from family and friends

I am thankful for Facebook as I could just post an update

every couple of days

there have been little things happen

they lower the sedation so he opens his eyes when we are there

and he was giving my hand a squeeze

then one night last week I was on my way home

I was feeling down

broken

losing faith

driving in the car - I started talking to Mom

asking her - no telling her - I need you now

I need you to step up - we cannot lose him 

it is not his time - I knew that deep in my heart

feeling what I probably needed was just a good cry

that night I was getting ready for bed

I picked up my phone

it was 11:11

I smiled - looked up and said - ok

you got my message

the next afternoon at work I get a text from Stella

she had met with the doctor

he had said that Gord has just started showing signs of improvement

last night and today

Trev picked my up after work

I said do you really think - was it a coincidence?

no - not a coincidence

we have to believe and keep the faith

I am happy to say that when we went in today

he was awake

we were talking to him and he started to cry

I wiped his tears and told him how proud I was of him

he is a fighter - he fought for his life

and came out the other side

he still has a long road ahead of him

and when he found out the date he could not believe it

I told him I loved him and he mouthed the words back to us

both Trev and I cried in the hall leaving the hospital

but this time they were tears of happiness

a relief that he is coming back to us

with a little help from our angel.

xo

Out of the Shadows

Yes - here I am 

after 3 months away

truth be told, I did not intend to stay away this long

I have formulated a post in my mind many times

but never pulled the pin to actually sit down and type down the words

until tonight.

When I last posted I had a huge case of daughter guilt

feeling bad that I was not missing Mom

as much as I thought I should

I talked to a few people about how I was feeling

and they all helped in their own ways

but I felt it was time to pull out the big guns

and actually talk to a professional

we have an employee assistance program at work

and it is free, so I made the call

they gave me a choice of sitting down with someone face to face

or I could do it over the phone

I had visions of me laying on a couch with the doc smoking a pipe

and jotting down notes on me

so I opted for the phone call

Did he help me - absolutely

after one hour long conversation he asked questions

and I poured it all out

he asked - so you are feeling guilty because you are feeling some relief that she is gone?

OMG - I am a terrible person if I do admit to that!

seems that I am not so terrible - I loved my Mama deeply

and was there for her through so much

but she was tired ~ and existing 

no longer really living the life she wanted

so it was time for her to join Dad where she has wanted to be

the last 15 years.

So I had 2 phone sessions and felt better

I think I just needed someone to say - hey - it's ok

you don't have to curl up in the fetal position and cry day and night

I threw myself into holiday prep

lists were made, shopping was done

baking and decorating

wrapping and singing Christmas songs

I took a week off in November and got lots done

bought myself a new baby - a Kitchenaid stand mixer

thanks to some money Mom left me

everyone thought I should name her Linda

but I knew something would come to me in time

one night while cooking dinner

the song Ruby Baby by Dion popped into my head

well that was a sign from above and Ruby she became

Mom's birthday is in July with ruby as her birthstone

so it was very fitting

We had a good Christmas - I hosted so it is a lot of work

but I love having everyone gathered around the table

it just makes me happy

New Years Day we always got together for Chinese food

so I wanted to honour the Stiles tradition

and do it again this year with my brother, his fiance and the girls

we raised our glasses and toasted to a life well lived

2017 will be a good year.

Belated Happy New Year

to you and yours

xo

Friday Potpourri

It's me ~ back again 

and on a Friday no less

Credit: Tetra Images Tetra Images Getty Images

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I am finishing up a week of vacation and if I learned one thing this week

having time for myself really recharges my soul

I need down time ~ time to do absolutely nothing

or whatever I want is good for my well being

last weekend was Thanksgiving here in Canada

and we spent Sunday at the camp

it was damp and raining off and on

but that was ok as it was the people who we were with was what mattered the most

Trev's Mom cooked the turkey, dressing and pie

and then we all brought sides

it made things easier for Barb and took that pressure off just one person

trying to do it all

my brother and his girlfriend joined us

and even though we have had some issues in the past

we have come together since Mom's passing

and have been not only civil but supportive of one another

it was one of Mom's wishes and I am thankful that things have worked out that way.

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holiday Monday I was alone

as hubby had to work

it was windy, cold and raining

as we caught the tail end of hurricane Matthew

Molly and I snuggled on the couch

and watched tv ~ drank tea and read

I caught myself as I picked up the phone to call Mom

then stopped ~ I know this will happen now and then

and I am ok with the feelings that will come over me

truth be told I have been feeling quite numb

not a lot of tears and being the way I am

it freaked me out a bit ~ you see I am an emotional person

not a drama queen or diva ~ but things do affect me

so the numbness is not something I am used to

so part of my new normal is realizing that I am ok

and that the stages of grief are there and different for everyone

and each parent as I am learning

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last week leading up to vacation I had 2 things on my list

that I wanted to get done while I was off

I completed one last night and still contemplating the other

too funny as I am a list girl all the way

but apparently I require a deadline

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I had planned to take a photography drive yesterday

up early ~ I had my route planned out

where to stop for lunch and then an alternate route back

then my baby girl got sick ~ we went to the vet on Wednesday

and I really did not want to leave her alone for a full day

when she was not feeling 100%

so maybe today I will go on a little drive

with my camera in hand ~ the sun is shining and I do believe

it will be the perfect day to get some fall shots

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we talked last night about the weekend and we decided it is time to

head to our little cabin in the woods and close it up for the season

then Sunday ~ who knows what the day may bring

until next time

Lori 

Sunday Thoughts

So hello there and happy fall

I am just finishing up a week of vacation

my errands are complete

I have a banana bread in the oven and getting ready to make some muffins too

last I posted other than the news about Mom was in May

can you believe it!  yeah I can

so much has happened and I wanted to throw this one out there

as life has not been all bad over the summer

the weekend before my surgery I finally took the leap and did my gallery wall

I have since changed the mats out from white to a linen colour

and I do like it much better

I like things all in a row so I was not sure how I was going to react to all

the different frames ~ but when all was said and done

I do love it.  I added some red as we have a red recliner now

and some other red details in the room so it all works together

Rocky, Tracey, Nancy & Lori

my bestie turned 50 in June so we gathered the girls

and headed off to a local vineyard

so much fun!

when Tracey turned 50 last year, Rocky and I got her a cuff bracelet that read:

"A good friend knows all your best stories ~ A best friend has lived them with you"

it only seemed fitting that I get one for Rocky for hers

and while I was at it ~ I picked one up for myself as well

and had to get a pic of the 3 of us

the end of June brought another proud Auntie moment

when Katrina graduated from college

I love this little one that has grown into such a beautiful person

she has come such a long way

sorting through things at Mom's apartment over the summer was emotional

but some of the gems I came across were priceless

this is me with my Grampy and my Dad

a party at the cottage and I dare say this 3 generation shot

we were singing like nobody's business

such sweet memories

the junior high gang got together again in July

loads of laughs and catching up as the guys joined us this time around

another fun night

a day at the shore and a visit with one of Trev's Aunts

we sat on the deck and enjoyed the sunshine and the salt air

more beach time was had the long weekend in August

but this time on the Northumberland Strait

we walked and walked the beach at low tide

looking for treasures and splashing through the water

it was down time that was needed and appreciated

Rocky, Tracey, Kim & Lori 

this night was so much fun

we bought the tickets back in June

and the girl's were worried I would not be ready to go out for a night of fun

well they were wrong ~ we danced and sang like it was 1980

to the music of Loverboy

a good time was had by all

we got to the cottage again on Labour Day weekend

it was so nice and full of beautiful sunsets,

bonfires, fireworks and relaxation

date night with this one, this past week

she is a high school senior this year!  I can't even think about it.

We went to see Bridget Jones's Baby

so funny!

Trev and I got out on a little road trip as well

it's nice to just jump in the car and go for a little afternoon trip

go somewhere you have never been

top it off with a great cup of coffee and a treat

and still be home for supper.

I have some things on my heart but will save them for another time

much love,