Back to basics Christmas!

Last year was very different....somewhat mechanical.  My dad passed away December 13th, the ice storm, waiting for the funeral January 4th, not enough heat in our house, and feeling like the walls were caving in.

This year, the adults have made a conscious effort to work together as a family to teach the little ones, (11, 6, 2 & 1) that it's not about getting a bunch of presents.  We have cut back consideeryrably and it feels great.   We are going to have a beautiful Christmas with doing fun things together, having meals, making cookies and watching movies...the things we used to do when I was a child. 

This time of year for many years has felt way too commercial and it's time to get back to basics.  This year has been so much more fun.  We are not stressing....we are enjoying each other.  That feels so much better.  

This year I connected with a friend that I have not seen in close to 20years.  A huge thank you to his nephew Justin for getting the message to my Dear friend.   It was so great to hear his voice and I'm looking forward to seeing him in January.

I have always wanted snow on Christmas eve and it can all go away on Boxing day.  For the first time ever, they are announcing that this year is going to be a "Green Christmas" and I am overjoyed!  

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and hoping that you get to spend time with your loved ones, friends and families.  Be safe....don't drink and drive and don't stress!  Enjoy the holidays.

Love and hugs to you and yours!
Karen xx

 

P.S.  We are making cookies tonight.  The coffee will be on....you're all welcome to join us!

You really never know!

I love to play Scrabble.  A game that I have played for many years as a board game and then online for a number of years.  It's amazing because you truly don't know who you are going to be matched up with and sometimes... you make that connection that is more that "Just another player!"  My new friend lives in the United States and he is a writer like I am....hence why he's so good at Scrabble.  Don't tell him I said so!

So why am I writing about him....because we have gone a step past the Scrabble board.  Tonight we had a beautiful long conversation about my journey and he expressed how proud he was of me and what I've accomplished.  It meant a lot to me.   If not for playing Scrabble together....would we have ever met?  Not likely and now I have a new friend that I enjoy talking to and we share a game we both enjoy as well.

I have to say....I laugh because I can clearly remember about 20 years ago, I didn't want anything to do with the computer.  I was afraid of it and didn't think it would be something I would be interested in.  My...how things have changed.   Now I am making friends in far away places.  It's very exciting.

The computer has made the world a much smaller place.   I have friends and family in Canada, the United States. Europe, South Africa and who knows who I will meet next?   Technology has REALLY changed the world for many people...myself included.  

If there is a negative, it's the frustration many of us feel when technology does NOT work.  Nothing more challenging than watching a little spinner on the page and your screen freezes.  Grrr. 

Oh well....this is definitely not a rant...just a thought that I wanted to share.

I hope you all have a very happy rest of the weekend.
Talk soon
Karen :o)

Book Signing Saturday, November 15th in St. Catharines ON

I will be hosting a book signing for my book "It's My Time" in St. Catharine's at Hannelore Headley Old & Fine Books, Inc. on Saturday, November 15th from 11am - 12noon. I look forward to meeting everyone that comes out. Hope to see you there!!

Thanx for an amazing lunch!

Yesterday I was invited to a lunch with a fabulous group of people who have either had gastric bypass or they are waiting surgery.  What an awesome group of people.  I got lost on the drive there so I arrived a bit late and didn't meet everyone but the folks I sat with were awesome. 

The conversation did not stop.  Lunch started at 12:30pm and I didn't leave until after 4pm.  Thank you to my new friend Karen for the invitation and for making me feel so welcome.  I am looking forward to the next time we meet.   It's nice to share and hear stories from others that have gone through the same things you have.

Going yesterday really reiterated what I felt in my journey, it's so much easier when you go through the journey with support.  Having a buddy or group to be there for you is just as important as the journey itself.  It's comforting when you have a good strong support system and that's how I felt about the group yesterday.

I was blessed to have a large group of people on my side.  It's also one of the reasons I wrote "It's My Time" so that I could hopefully help and support others.

Whatever you need help with, tap into your support system.  It truly makes your journey so much easier and you don't have to do it alone.

Cheers.
K

Sooo excited!!

When I first thought about writing a book...I truly went through the motions thinking that it was something that sounded good in theory but the reality was...would I really ever write and finish a book.  A book???  Yes me...writing a book.

Somebody asked me the other day...when did I know that I was going to write a book and I didn't have a straight answer because I didn't truly know. 

I thought about it and what happened was, my girlfriend and I had an art studio that we managed and held classes in.  We also would host two big shows a year.  One of our participants, Catherine Astolfo, a retired teacher was and still is an amazing mystery writer.  She had come to us with the idea of having a writing class.   My partner thought it was a great idea.   To be honest, I had to process for a minute and realize that writing truly is an art form.   Then I said I would stay at the studio during the classes and just do some work of my own because one of us had to be present when someone rented the space.  

The first session we scheduled was postponed because no one signed up.  The second time we posted the class, we had a few people sign up.  Because I was going to be in the building anyway...I decided to take the class.  I had written a lot and enjoyed it and also written a lot of poetry and a song of hope and inspiration so I thought I would give it a try.

Well...two years later, I am about to release my very first book!  Wow...it's a little surreal.  I am really proud of my accomplishment and anxious to send it out to the world. 

I hope you enjoy reading my story of how I made the choice to take my life back.  I take you with me on the one year span from hitting rock bottom to having gastric bypass surgery. 

By the way, I have already starting making the outline for my second book which continues the story of my life and how it has dramatically changed.  I am the same person but things have changed and I plan to share that all with you. 

Stay tuned!

Book Launch - August 19th starting at 6pm

Getting some sun and fresh air!

It's been a while since I've posted, I apologize for that.  Life gets a little crazy every once in a while and the days click by before you know it...a month or two have passed.

That being said....it's been an awesome spring, not too hot and not too cold.   I've been inspired to go out and get fresh air and plant flowers and even go walking.

My wonderful friend Oksana invited me to go with her to learn pole walking.  I've seen it before but there really was not an appeal to me until I tried it.  WOW!  I was very pleasantly surprised.    BTW...a huge thank you to Monika A. who gave me a set of poles at Christmas time so I had a set to use  

What a exciting way to walk.  They really support your body and they really helped me to walk a lot further than I normally would have.  Also, for me walking uphill is a bit of a struggle but not with the walking poles!  Before I had a chance to think that I might not make it up a hill,,,I was already at the top.

A special thank you to Oksana and to our instructor Liz.   I have a date with Oksana tomorrow morning at the local park. I know it's going to be fun!

Until next time
Cheers  :o)

Choosing to get back on track!

I find holidays difficult since my parents have both passed on.  Mum always made holidays a special time but that also meant a variety of foods that she only made for special occasions.  Because they were "Special" I was always inclined to indulge.

Since my journey began, I have found the past few months more challenging than I found the first part of the journey.  I have become more accustomed to eating and see some bad habits creeping back into my life.

 I think the difference now is, I am aware of what I am doing and I've always said "Once I've identified it...I can change it"   Ok Karen...time to get back on the band wagon completely. Enough excuses.  

#1 -Taking my vitamins EVERY DAY!
#2 - Making an appointment with Dr. Baily and start going again on a regular basis
#3 - Go back to the gym.   I enjoy it but it's not benefiting me if I don't go!
#4 - Making healthy food choices - the unhealthy ones are not satisfying so why do it??

I know what to do...now it's time to get my act in gear.

Easter is the time when we eat chocolate eggs and have a big feast.   Bunnies eat lettuce so I'm choosing the bunny food. 

Time to take the last part of the journey and get to my goal weight.  Feeling inspired and ready to do this! 

I'm going to blog this last part of the journey....it helped so much on the first part of the journey this will get me through to my goal.

Thank you for joining me.   Here we go!

Manuscript is ready to print!

Well...it's getting to the crunch.  I have spoken to the printer and I am just waiting to find out what the turnover time is and...the manuscript goes to print.  It's time to share my story of hope and inspiration.

I am so excited about the next chapter of my life.  A few short years ago, if someone told me my life was going to play out the way it has, I would have said "You're wrong.  Not me" or something to that effect.

Talking to a lady at a networking group tonight, she asked me if I would at some point come and talk to her students.  Without hesitation, I agreed to come at any time. 

There was a time I would have declined and given a number of excuses why I could NOT come and speak for her students.  I was at the point where I believed that I had nothing of value to give to anyone and didn't believe in myself enough to even consider myself worthy of the honor of sharing a message to ANYONE, never mind students that will likely come with a curiosity and enthusiasm like no other.

Believing in one's self is greatest gift you could ever do for yourself.  No more wall flower here!  I have worth and value and I am happy to share my experience and my feelings and my experience. If it helps one person, that is the payback as far as I'm concerned.   I know how it feels to endure stress, ridicule and feel bullied.  No one has to feel that way again....not as long as I'm around....not now, not ever. 

Just know, you are never alone.  If you are ready to reach out, I will be there for you.  Your shoulder to lean on, a sounding board or just an ear to listen and not say anything.

You call the shots...I'm here for you.

Absolutely Fabulous Over 40 - 2015

The following are pictures from the 2014 Gala where I received an Achievement Award for writint my book "It's My Time" which was released August 19th 2014.

This year I will be signing my books at the event as they introduce the recipients for 2015.   A huge thank you to Rosanna Penilla-Bharucha and Eddie Suliman!  This is going to be a great event.  There are no tickets at the door.  To purchase your tickets, simply send it to afwomenoverforty@gmail.com and your Secret Question must be accessible by our codeword "afwtickets"

$40 for adults per person (HST included)
$30 for children 13 years old and below (HST included)
Award Recipients - Gratis
Once they received your notice of payment, they will process the transfer and send you a confirmation and receipt.

 

Receiving my award

 

 

 

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Wow...we are forging AHEAD!

This is so exciting!  Welcome to my new blog.   Today is the day I start writing to the world and letting them in on what is happening in my world.

Tomorrow, actually later today, I have been nominated for an award.   The group is called "40 Over Forty".   I am very excited about it.  

I will be typing more tomorrow.  Don't forget to put your clocks ahead everyone.   For now....a quick goodnight :o)