Well, I'm not doing too well keeping this blog up-to-date! I see I haven't posted since last Wed.! That's crazy!! It seems that I am rediscovering old interests which is great because that means I'm beating the depression little by little. I also must confess that I've spent a lot of time watching the news after Friday night's horrors in Paris!
I recently pulled out 3 art books that I've hung onto for years and years because they are about crafts and techniques that I was really enthused about back when I was an art teacher - one is about finger weaving, one is about monoprints and the other is about collage. So I went to my local thrift shop and bought some cheap balls of yarn to practice with and I am really enjoying "playing" around.
When looking up tutorials about other methods of finger weaving I found several youtube videos about finger "crocheting". So I've been trying that out as well as crocheting with a crochet hook - I don't know where the hook came from - it was in one of my sewing baskets - I inherited my mother's sewing basket and my gramma's sewing basket. My mother crocheted a bit and my gramma crocheted millions of things - she was so gifted she could look at projects in crochet magazines in a store then go home and replicate them! My oldest "seester" is also very gifted with both crocheting and knitting but I never really got into it.
I've managed, so far, to make a slipknot, crochet a chain and add rows of single crochet. You can pretty much learn to do anything on the internet these days!
Over the past year I've been trying to decide where I could volunteer my time. Then it hit me: the work I've been doing with the Council of Canadians IS my volunteer work! I guess it just doesn't seem like work! More like fun! And I've always been a bit of a rebel! Now I'm a rebel with a cause! Friday I was involved in a "sit-in" at a provincial MP's office, Saturday I helped to sew a banner for an upcoming climate rally, Sunday I delivered informational flyers about the controversial sale of a crown corporation to - Hydro One - and then did some prop painting also related to Hydro One.
I don't think I need to look for any more volunteer work!
Of course, in addition to all of that, I try to exercise daily (try...) I go to yoga and meditation, I meet friends for coffee or walks (or WINE)...and then there's housework (blech) and home improvements (double blech!) Today I'm going to do some finishing touches in the main bathroom - I got it mostly done and then it got too nice to be inside :) I'm a master of excuses...if you ever need an excuse for something, anything, just let me know!!
I will get back to posting trip photos, I promise. I was doing well for a couple of days then stuff happened. And I still stick my nose into books a LOT! Can't help it - I love to read!! But then nothing gets done!
Well, I'm off! Kazi is visiting her boyfriend in New Jersey and she'll be home tomorrow. That's why I'm finishing the bathroom - she has all her potions, lotions and makeup with her which makes it a whole lot easier to maneuvre in there!
TTYL (talk to you later!)
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label volunteer. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2015
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Retirement Update
I noticed a blog post the other day (http://ndchicscents.blogspot.ca/) entitled "Retirement Update" which motivated me to provide one too.
Yup, still retired!!
When I was approaching retirement I thought I would give myself a year to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It turns out a year wasn't long enough. Bear in mind that a lot of life-changing events occurred over the past year and a half in addition to retirement: relationship ending, loss of future plans, 20 year old pet passed away, had to sell house in PEI, living on half the income I was used to, and a back injury.... which all contributed to low level depression and anxiety. Adjusting to retirement isn't as easy as it would seem!
So...where do things stand now?
Yup, still retired!!
When I was approaching retirement I thought I would give myself a year to figure out what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. It turns out a year wasn't long enough. Bear in mind that a lot of life-changing events occurred over the past year and a half in addition to retirement: relationship ending, loss of future plans, 20 year old pet passed away, had to sell house in PEI, living on half the income I was used to, and a back injury.... which all contributed to low level depression and anxiety. Adjusting to retirement isn't as easy as it would seem!
So...where do things stand now?
- health: medication is helping both with both back pain and mood enabling me to get physical once again; riding my
backbike (thanks for catching that typo sis!) and going to yoga and meditation has also helped me both physically and mentally. I still see a counsellor and am on a wait list for "group therapy" - social contact: staying in touch with people is so important but not easy for me being the introvert than I am: every day I try to connect with a few people through texting, emailing, Facebook, blog, phone calls, going to social events, getting together with family, becoming more of an activist and so on. I still have days when I'd rather not see anyone
- reviving old hobbies: my brother said to think back to childhood when we naturally gravitated to the hobbies and activities that we loved: for me that included biking, sewing and reading as well as sports, board games and playing cards. I also loved to draw, play piano and be creative. So far I have done one sewing project with another in the works, I have purchased a book about drawing as well as an "adult colouring book". I am working (slowly) on carving a piece of soapstone and indulge my love of reading every day. As a child one of my favourite things to do was to put a book and a bagged lunch in my bike's basket and ride out into the countryside, then climbed a tree to read and eat my lunch :) These days I try to get out on my bike every day but so far haven't gone out into the countryside with a book and a lunch. I'll add that to my to do list! I go to a "sports night" once a month in addition to a monthly "games night" and last week I started going to a weekly "euchre night" which has been fun. Usually I get out to see one movie a week with a friend
- new hobbies/activities: what would I like to do that I haven't tried yet? Painting, particularly water colours, learn a new instrument or purchase a keyboard, go back to school (tuition at my alma mater is free at age 60) so I'm considering attending part-time next year - perhaps a degree in film or getting back into the visual arts
- volunteering: haven't made my mind up about that one yet - I want to volunteer but not sure about where or how often. I sort of dread being on a schedule
- part-time work: at this point in time I don't feel inclined to get a part-time job
- travel: planning a trip or two each year is fun and exciting yet expensive. Once my Canada Pension Plan kicks in next May I'll be able to travel more frequently.
- redecorating: still working away at this though things have slowed down now as the weather is too nice to be inside as much. Hopefully I'll feel more motivated in the fall...
So things are moving along. I would say the biggest barrier is lack of "motivation". I get things done but at a much slower pace than in the past and have to push myself to move some days. I feel that I'm on the right path and need to be more patient with myself. It's been a HUGE adjustment and it's not over yet.
I'll be OK.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Elvis the Pelvis
Saturday night I volunteered at an event benefiting the Independent Living Centre in London - a place where folks with physical disabilities can go for a number of programs - exercise, work support, financial workshops etc. It was a great evening of music and dancing and we hopefully made a profit!!
The event took place at a local legion, hence the "Lest We Forget" sign in the background - you thought it was about Elvis didn't you!! Who could ever forget Elvis?!?
The Elvis impersonator was a lovely fellow coming into the audience and onto the dance floor to interact with guests.
Some of the band - there was also a keyboardist and drummer, altogether an excellent group of musicians.
After an Elvis set he came back as Johnny Cash (yay!)....
...and then Roy Orbison!
For his final set he returned as "VEGAS ELVIS" to the appreciation of the audience. I'd say he was in a bit better shape than the original Elvis...thankfully :)
I have to say that "Elvis" did a great job at reading the audience and playing songs that got folks up and dancing. The evening also included a silent auction and 50/50 draw. I can't wait to hear how much cash was raised! This was the first ever "big gala event" for the Centre so I really hope it was successful.
In other news...KAZI GOT A NEW FULL-TIME JOB!!! And I have to hand it to her - she did this all on her own. A week and a half ago there was a London Music Awards night held where she works as a bartender. She got to talking (NETWORKING) to a woman who was in the process of looking for someone to be THE FACE OF A NEW MICRO-BREWERY called TOBOGGAN in a building which will also house a restaurant and bar serving the new local craft beers. Kazi said she'd be interested and met the owners a few days later. She found out today she GOT THE JOB!!
I've included an article from the London Free Press about the new business. SO EXCITING!!
I'm so PROUD!!
The event took place at a local legion, hence the "Lest We Forget" sign in the background - you thought it was about Elvis didn't you!! Who could ever forget Elvis?!?
The Elvis impersonator was a lovely fellow coming into the audience and onto the dance floor to interact with guests.
 |
| Look deeply into my eyes....SWOON! |
Some of the band - there was also a keyboardist and drummer, altogether an excellent group of musicians.
For his final set he returned as "VEGAS ELVIS" to the appreciation of the audience. I'd say he was in a bit better shape than the original Elvis...thankfully :)
I have to say that "Elvis" did a great job at reading the audience and playing songs that got folks up and dancing. The evening also included a silent auction and 50/50 draw. I can't wait to hear how much cash was raised! This was the first ever "big gala event" for the Centre so I really hope it was successful.
In other news...KAZI GOT A NEW FULL-TIME JOB!!! And I have to hand it to her - she did this all on her own. A week and a half ago there was a London Music Awards night held where she works as a bartender. She got to talking (NETWORKING) to a woman who was in the process of looking for someone to be THE FACE OF A NEW MICRO-BREWERY called TOBOGGAN in a building which will also house a restaurant and bar serving the new local craft beers. Kazi said she'd be interested and met the owners a few days later. She found out today she GOT THE JOB!!
I've included an article from the London Free Press about the new business. SO EXCITING!!
I'm so PROUD!!
MICROBREWERY: Brand name inspired by 19th-century winter pastime
New brew echoes heritage 17
By Hank Daniszewski, The London Free Press
London restaurateur Mike Smith (Free Press file photo)
A new beer brand — Toboggan — will soon be sliding into London.
The local beer will be produced by the microbrewery set up recently by London restaurateur Mike Smith.
The brew will be made and served at the Toboggan Brewing Co., the new name for the freshly renovated bar and grill that now houses Jim Bob Rays and is next door to Joe Kool’s, Smith’s flagship restaurant on Richmond Row.
Smith said the toboggan is a authentic Canadian icon and the name was suggested by a family member who has researched the history of tobogganing in London.
Two huge wooden toboggan ramps were constructed near Richmond Row in the 1880s.
Smith is working on perfecting several different brews that will be marketed under the Toboggan brand.
“London used to be a big tobogganing centre. The beers will have their own name, but it’s a good name for the company,” said Smith.
Smith is working on acquiring a provincial licence that will allow him to sell Toboggan beer at other local bars and restaurants.
The microbrewery has been installed in the basement of Jim Bob Ray’s, but renovations to the bar and grill upstairs are still underway.
To bolster the menu of the new establishment, Smith will move his P.Za.Pie operation into the Toboggan location.
The restaurant has been operated at Richmond and Piccadilly streets for six years. The staff and pizza ovens will be moved into Toboggan in the coming weeks, Smith said.
While Jim Bob Rays’ has been a favourite watering hole for students, Smith said he hopes the renovations, and the menu, featuring P.Za.Pie pizza and locally sourced products, will broaden the establishment’s appeal.
“I want people of all ages. I want people to bring their kids in,” he said.
Toboggan will join two other local small breweries, Forked River Brewing Company of London and Railway City Brewing Co. in St. Thomas.
Railway City recently scored a coup, getting distribution for Dead Elephant brew at 13 Beer Store outlets in London, St. Thomas, Woodstock, Windsor, Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Burlington and Toronto.
Monday, April 20, 2015
Thames River Cleanup
Saturday was a day of volunteering involving both coyotes and Elvis. First I spent the morning cleaning up along a portion of the Thames River. Once a year there is a big event where members of the Thames Valley Trail Assoc. help cleanup along the river. Why oh why people have to discard such large amounts of garbage along the river banks eludes me. Just lazy I guess. And NOT nature lovers.
My helpers, Michelle and Miriam, were bold and eagle-eyed! When I spotted a broken recycling bin down in the ravine the 3 of us climbed down and hauled up all kinds of discarded treasure including a mattress, a seat from a car, tons of barbed wire, plastic bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups from Tim Hortons (TONS), windows, lots of broken glass, broken buckets etc etc etc...
Our first pile, then we went down into the ravine again and found lots more...
We found several animal carcasses, we think they were coyotes because of the long and shaggy hair and their shape was dog-like....
Apparently farmers are allowed to kill coyotes if they find them on their land...(I guess the coyotes aren't aware of where their land ends and the farmer's land begins!!
There was a total of 43 people in our location and we easily filled a large bin with our collected garbage...plus we recycled all that we could...
A peek inside the bin...
Men with trucks came along periodically to collect our garbage which we just piled along side of the road...
There's a better picture of the bin.
It was a glorious day - warm and sunny. The camaraderie was apparent and lots of laughs were had.
Can you find me?
Some big bird's foot!! Poor thing! Maybe a coyote got a hold of him. I thought it looked a bit like Woodstock, the bird from Charlie Brown. Some macabre humour to lighten your day!
Stay tuned for an Elvis sighting!!
My helpers, Michelle and Miriam, were bold and eagle-eyed! When I spotted a broken recycling bin down in the ravine the 3 of us climbed down and hauled up all kinds of discarded treasure including a mattress, a seat from a car, tons of barbed wire, plastic bottles, glass bottles, coffee cups from Tim Hortons (TONS), windows, lots of broken glass, broken buckets etc etc etc...
Our first pile, then we went down into the ravine again and found lots more...
We found several animal carcasses, we think they were coyotes because of the long and shaggy hair and their shape was dog-like....
Apparently farmers are allowed to kill coyotes if they find them on their land...(I guess the coyotes aren't aware of where their land ends and the farmer's land begins!!
There was a total of 43 people in our location and we easily filled a large bin with our collected garbage...plus we recycled all that we could...
A peek inside the bin...
Men with trucks came along periodically to collect our garbage which we just piled along side of the road...
Some big bird's foot!! Poor thing! Maybe a coyote got a hold of him. I thought it looked a bit like Woodstock, the bird from Charlie Brown. Some macabre humour to lighten your day!
Stay tuned for an Elvis sighting!!
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