Does anyone Blog anymore??

Recently I've been waxing nostalgic and re-reading my past blogs from 2006-2008 and realizing that I miss it but I don't know if anyone even blogs anymore!  We had quite the little community going back then and it was fun and very interactive......I wonder if that community even exists anymore??

OMG..............

.....these made me HOWL with laughter......especially the 2nd picture!!!  That kids screaming face is just priceless!

'nuff said.....

......some days are just like that.....carry on...

Making a donation......

Early last month I finally did it!!  After many years and countless distractions I finally made my first blood donation!!  I really have meant to become a blood donor for many, many years but always there would be a reason why I didn't......clinic was closed when I went, wasn't feeling well that day, I'd forget again for long stretches of time, my iron was low (one time period in my life)....you name it......not really excuses, just *things* would happen and it never got done!

Well, no more! Early March saw me at the blood donor clinic.....wooohooooooooo!!

So, then today, my shiny white blood donor card arrives in the mail and has been securely added to my wallet as I plan on using it often (well, as often as the guidelines permit which is approximately 6-8 times a year).  Along with the card they also advise you as to what your blood type is and I am a universal donor having O+ blood.....39% of Canadians are O+.  O+ donations are always in high demand because:

• it is the most common blood type in Canada
• it can be given to all patients with ANY positive Rh blood type (O+, A+, B+ or AB+), representing 85% of the population
• it is most often used in emergency situations which may require a larger volume of blood

It really feels good to have finally leaped over that hurdle and really the whole procedure from start to finish was incredibly smooth and the folks that run the clinic are all just so very pleasant and positive.  To know that my one donation has the potential to affect 3 people's lives is incredible!

My calendar's already marked for my next donation and as the logo states.........

.....won't you consider giving as well??

Things we can learn from a dog......

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them

When it is in your best interest, practise obedience

Let others know when they have invaded your territory

Take naps and stretch before rising

Run, romp and play daily

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm

Be loyal

Never pretend to be some thing you are not

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently

Thrive on attention and let people touch you

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shade tree

When you are happy, dance around and wag your entire body

No matter how often you are scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and pout - run right back and make friends

Delight in the simple joy of a walk

Just for today......

Just for today.....

....I am resolved to get rid of and banish the negativity that has hi-jacked my brain of late....and I plan to do this each and every day until it becomes a habit to NOT focus on anything negative again!!


"The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves."

~Sophocles

There really is NO reason for the negativity....really and truly there isn't.....and it absolutely DOES feel like it's just been allowed (by me) to become a habit.....soooooo what do we do with bad habits??  We change!  As the insanity quote goes ".....insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

Happy New Year!!

So, I've never been much of a New Year's Resolution type of gal.....it just always seemed silly to me to have ONE day per year where you make all these promises and resolutions to yourself and sometimes the world and then never stuck to any of them.....well, such was always my experience.....just sayin'!

 

Anyway several years ago....probably 5 by now....right around this time of year, I embarked on some serious 'lifestyle changes' -- I refused to call them resolutions or name them such things as 'diets' etc., however, in time, I did accomplish some major things in my life including losing a bunch of weight (60+ pounds) and I quit smoking for the second time (3+ years smoke free now).

 

I'm happy to say that I'm still smoke-free and don't see that ever changing.  However, sadly some of the weight has crept back over the years as it often seems to do for those of us who have spent major parts of our lives battling the issue of weight.  Anyway, I love, love, love the new Weight Watchers commercials where the current spokes-woman, Jennifer Hudson, talks about....we all make mistakes and the weight can creep back....just something about how she words it makes it all feel so much less shame-based....I like that....shame in this realm serves NO purpose whatsoever and can only serve to keep us stuck and continue that wretched down-ward shame spiral.

 

 

Anyway,  the time feels right for Lifestyle Changes Phase II....I'm ready and I can't wait!!

 

 

 

Hhhhhhmmmmm........

The question rolling around in my head today is this........

.....to make New Year's resolutions or not??  Everyone's got an opinion and everyone has their own way of doing things. So, being a typical Gemini who sometimes has difficulty making a definitive decision.....I'm just going to open it up and put it out there and see who responds........

Discuss!!



.....but in the mean time, say hello to my new, adorable little puppygirl.......she is just the cutest, sweetest little thing who's already grown in just the 5 short weeks I've had her.  I got her at 8 weeks from an amazing breeder just a little bit north of here....I'd researched and visited many different breeders but this one was just head and shoulders above any of the others in terms of their history, professionalism, care and dedication to their life's work and their follow-through.  Anyone looking for a Golden Retriever I cannot recommend highly enough the folks at Kyon Kennels -- just check out their website and their Facebook page and you will see for yourself!!

Anyway, withought further ado........

**drumroll please** heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere's Bailey......

......I sadly, and very suddenly lost my gorgeous, amazing Molly this past August.....within 8 hours she developed a very odd, non-productive cough and was being held overnight at the clinic for observation and an ultrasound the next day and suddenly I was returning to the clinic to say good-bye to my beloved companion of 11 years......

 

 

OMG!! I was devastated but am glad Molly did not have to suffer at all as her diagnosis was fatal but had been caught early enough to safe her from suffering for which I'm grateful!

 

Bailey is an absolute sweetheart with a calm, gentle spirit much like Molly's and a self-confidence that is showing her to be a very bright, eager to learn and please puppy already.  Her house-training (she caught on to ringing the bells by the door to signal she needs to go out within her 1st week) has been tremendously successful, she's already catching on to basic commands, leash walking is coming along nicely and she starts KinderPuppy classes next week!!

 

Yes, yes, yes I'm a little besotted and in-love with my new puppygirl.......:)



What kind of soul are you??

You Are a Prophet Soul

You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone. Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul

What Kind of Soul Are You?