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Wednesday

All the little reindeer are getting ready for their big haul coming up. They have to keep in shape, work their muscles, and keep their limbs flexible… build their stamina. We are being told to expect our first big snow drop…there were snow dustings yesterday. Time to put the sand and a shovel into the car, make sure the ice and snow scrapers are within reach. You ready?

When you get stuck, go back to the beginning

Could it be that you have forgotten what initially sparked your enthusiasm? By remembering what inspired you in the beginning, you will feel a renewed enthusiasm.

For those of you following the car saga, Its back, however it is not finished, there is still a problem with the wi-fi system, I can get calls, but no one can hear me.. could be the speaker or another wire that is malfunctioning!… but it can’t go back in till the 10th. Not having it for over a week, means I have a lot of “catch up ” to do. Positive side. I will be unavailable while in my car /out on runs etc… just like in the good old days of landlines and no wi-fi in cars. Always look for the silver lining!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone, and IF you are in an area where the snow is coming or has come, please be prepared. Check your anti-freeze, the windshield washer fluids are they minus weather grade, do you have a shovel, sand/salt in the car if you travel outside the city a must ….. yup winter is here. In Canada winter tires are a necessity … NB* in some Provinces you will be ticketed or fined if you are travelling without them. Take heed. Be Prepared.

good morning!

When you get confused start with something you can handle. When facing a difficult project, begin with a small piece of the puzzle that you can handle. No matter how complicated a huge puzzle may seem, if you begin with a small part, the rest should begin to gradually take shape.

I have been doing (trying to do) a puzzle a day. (I have discovered doing puzzles on my cell/iPhone.) It is a good way to “be in the moment”…

Have a great Saturday everyone, the cars in the parking lots (shopping centres) yesterday was mind boggling. Did you participate in the Black Friday sales? Kudos you are a shopping warrior!

picture is a puzzle

Bom dia

You gain strength through your hardships

Whatever you learn easily or master effortlessly tends to be forgotten The lessons you gain through repeated mistakes are what gives you genuine strength. Don’t give up until the very end or you may miss out on the outcome. Think outside the box, and there surely will be another day.

PL2014.292012.28

Little Sister sharing Thanksgiving with friends.

Canaille

My Porti, Canaille, she was the love of my life … my best friend, my one and only, When I saw this thanksgiving puzzle, I had to do it…

There are always special “loves” that share our “world” always do your best to treasure every moment you have with them… There is only “NOW”

Put Makoto even into small things.

Don’t let things go with “oh well” You will have a different outcome if you put Makoto (sincerity) into all you do. Strive to always be bright and cheerful so you can enliven those around you.

PL2020.2023.27

dimanche

“Now” is always the start of something new.

Leave the past in the past. What is important is “what you are going to do now” Using the present as a starting point, move forward on a path towards improvement and progress. (PL2014.24)

Have a great day and start to a new week.

Samedi

Good morning. While waiting for news of my car … I did another puzzle, they certainly can keep one entertained, and of course the results are bright and colourful. I noticed that the puzzles I seem to like doing are not only cheerful but reminiscent of another time. Time when life was slower. People more open to being neighbours, new discoveries were viewed with reserve but boy, a drive in an old vintage pickup was a treat… You would see old cars being repaired and lovingly restored. On Sundays, there was a sense of pride as you drove the car/truck out for a drive that saw you driving the dusty backroads, taking turns you knew would take you into cottage country.

You could sit along the side of the road, especially at little “pull off” parks… where you could let the dogs get some exercise, sit at a picnic table and dig into the sandwiches you had made that morning for the little excursion. The “out houses” were maintained by the local communities or county park workers. It was a different pace and a different “world”.

Now everything is fast, fast foods, paved roads that lead you quickly from one destination to another, a drive to the country, means a long trip, across the miles of city/sub-burbs and big shopping centres.

When my car died on me .. yes again… the dealer was not optimistic, this is late November here where I live, everyone is in a rush to get their winter tyers on their cars.. We have had no snow yet, but there have been signs it is on its way. When my car simply refused to open for me or start, I was told they couldn’t tow it out of the garage, until a way was found to get the car out of park mode.

The CAA driver (I had called for a tow truck after the dealer advised me that would be the only way to get the car to them.. and this would mean an emergency call, AND the first possible date they could give me to look at the car would be December 10.) Imagine my chagrin. But.. no choice .. so I booked for Dec. 10.. and knew I’d be without a car for weeks .IF the Tow truck driver could get it going or out of the garage.

Bless his heart, he wouldn’t give up, he got the manual out and began to leaf through the pages, it was a wonderful sound to hear the car’s engine come to life. … then crashed when he informed me that the car was not responding to the engine going, it wouldn’t read the key fob. The man kept at it.. and bingo, the car responded, he quickly got me to get in the car, and said he would follow me to the dealer. When I drove unto the car lot he honked, waved and kept going to his next call.

Of course the next bit was being told it didn’t look good, BUT the Service Advisor I deal with at Surgenor is Kevin Gammage ( I secretly dub him, Superman) took charge … sent me home by Uber… saying he would get back to me once they could look at the car… reminding me… it could be awhile. This I already knew since the gal in Service had already told me of their backlog and that my car would likely not be seen till December.

To my surprise Kevin called me late afternoon to tell me they had looked at the car, and he thought they saw the problem.. and there was a part for it in Montreal, he would let me know further news when he could. (It was the same issue as last May when critters chewed the wires to my car) The long and the short of it is… Surgenors had my car ready for me to pick up yesterday afternoon.

People ask me why I continue to go to my dealer with my car, (its a 2019) I don’t know about other dealers, this one is a cut above… I have over the years dealt with other places, this is not the first car I’ve owned. However, this is the first place in these modern times that I don’t feel like a number when I go in.. they recognize a loyal customer and they provide a service that is exceptional. I am not alone, when we go in for service, I hear the banter and the exchanges while I wait my turn, they are going to send a follow up (which now seems to be common practice everywhere) on how I enjoyed my experience… You all know what my reply will be… It was WONDERFUL.. in this impersonal day and age.. where people talk of service but don’t deliver.. Surgenor Ottawa, delivers!!


If you’re going to do it, do it joyfully

If you have to do something choose to do it with joy and enthusiasm. By doing so, you will experience a deeper sense of beauty. (PL2014.23)


I did not get the name of the tow truck driver, but I will be placing a call on Monday to CAA, (this is like AAA in USA)… people are quick to give a bad rap to these drivers.. Everyone I’ve encountered has always been so helpful, and this fellow was a gem, he wouldn’t give up, I am grateful for his “makoto” (sincerity)

Have a good day everyone, now thanks to Kevin and the team at Surgenor (he didn’t do it alone, I thank everyone who helped get me back on the road) I can deliver food donations to the foodbank out in Mountain today, do my drop offs at the pharmacy etc. etc. Life is Good!

CAA Canadian Automobile Association

Surgenor Ottawa 939 St.Laurent Blvd. Ottawa, On.K1K3B1

mardi

sun and shade

Be careful not to lean towards only what you like

Live a life of balance; don’t just do the things you like to do, or are good at, or already know how to do. (PL2017.19)

I would like to give a shout out to employees who work in Asian grocery stores — I am a shopper who cannot read a lot of the packaging. Many of the employees are not fluent in English… yet they go out of their way to ensure you have a positive shopping experience. The other day as I was topping up on my Starbucks bottled coffee (from the cooler) the young man stocking the cooler next to me… leaned over and said “please wait if you can, on sale soon for good price” Did I appreciate his help.. you bet.. it was 8.99 a bottle and when they put it on sale it goes to 6.89..

Have a good day everyone!

Oyashikiri

Sunday

so tranquil and serene

We are capable of handling whatever comes our way.

Instead of asking yourself,, “Can I do it?” simply tell yourself ,”I’m going to do it!” Then, give it your best effort. (PL2017.17)

Eartha “hey want to go to the States tomorrow” Me, “sure, ” and as simple as that, the next day (yesterday) we were on the road to Norther NY State. If anyone has information on how to find the Amish community in the area between Watertown and Massena… it would be appreciated if you could drop me a line, we’d even travel further down towards Syracuse.

There is a good Chinese Buffet in Watertown… in the shopping Centre with the Joanne’s and the Dollar Tree. We got there as they were changing over from the lunch buffet to the dinner one. The dinner selection had more seafood. Prices were reasonable the same variety up here would be between 25- 35 dollars on a week-end.. For two yesterday it was under 40 for both of us. Incl. tip.

Yes it was dark when we were driving home.. but Eartha was a pro… it was a breeze for her..

Have a great Sunday everyone…. oh.. in the States, we found less Xmas cheer in some stores, we were told they wanted to focus on Thanksgiving.. Up here, Xmas decor and merchandise is in full swing. (was looking for that “ugly” sweater.)

Cheers – Till soon!

Oyashikiri

bonjour

Start by doing things you notice

It is impossible to do two things at once. Let your intuition guide you and start with what you can take on now. (2017.16)

oi

YOUR smile can create an instant connection.

A warm smile brightens everyone around you and has the power to break down barriers between people. (PL2017.13)

I am enjoying my newest discovery, doing puzzles on the computer/actually iPad. No puzzle pieces all over the table for the cat/dog to discover and want to rearrange. Just good music (I get to listen to Trow’s set from last night and simply REST/unwind) With the cooler weather slowly descending on us, are you prepared for the weeks ahead?

For me the adjustment has been the time change. Boy does it get dark early. FYI.. I am cutting back on the early morning visits to woodlands.. not sure how yet, but I am working it through. I hope to spend more time at the health club/gym during the winter weeks ahead. AND I’ve worked on improving my commitment to Self Care!!

Have any of you, had experience with Varuna Crataeva, horstail, or Lindera Aggregata?

Blessings of the day!

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