WINTER FUN WITH SNOW

The Inuit have many words to describe snow. For most Canadians, the winter months means managing and tolerating snow. For the smart ones, getting out and enjoying it with some winter fun is the way to embrace it. Children love to make snowmen and women! A carrot nose, an old hat, scarf and branches for arms are the tradition. Just drive around most neighbourhoods after a good snowfall- especially good packing snow! There will be some front yard fixtures! So why are you waiting?                                                                Make a snowman or snow fort!

TAKING NOTE-WEBINAR ON A JANUARY AFTERNOON

Using Evernote for my database of information for a short time, I receive their emails and newsletter. So I had time to attend the webinar via home computer with Michael Hyatt- Taking Note- a podcast by Evernote on my staycation. He is one of many speakers in their Taking Note series. Basically talking about productivity, entrepreneurship and creative thinking, each speaker will discuss a topic. Michael Hyatt spoke about having few goals that are attainable. Don't count daily chores as a goal as they are a given. Write down a goal it helps to clarify. He writes on the Evernote blog as a guest so check out his information there too if interested. He has his own blog, gives courses and has a podcast- " This is Your Life." He wrote a book- Living Forward: A Proven Plan to Stop Drifting and Get the Life You Want. I might check it out. But for anyone wanting a new mentor in their lives it might be a good starting point. I like hearing from others in a field where I am not the profession. What always interests me though, is how so many people panned psychology when I studied in University yet modern concepts, books and ideas are very psychology based! Hum! Anyway check out Michael's ideas. They are worth considering! I definitely will check out some of his other writings! Perhaps recommend to people I counsel in my work!

A WINTER STAYCATION

Time away from work to rest and do some personal activities makes a staycation good. Breakfast out on my birthday with daughter and granddaughter. A dinner and a movie like the old days. Organizing some genealogy. Listening to a couple of webinars in the afternoon. Time to read a book cover to cover. Drinking wine at a leisurely pace. A beach in some exotic destination would have been nice too. But home is home with time to putter and take in the small things of life. Lots of puzzles and sudokos filled some empty spots.

#17 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- CANADA

Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. My last reflections were brief because one goal this year is to learn more about all the regions picking an idea, story or piece of history to feature in my Reflective 150. No one needs  geography or history lessons as I would hope that 150 anniversary has made people curious about our land. I try to implant history into my family. So for Christmas both family groups were given a book for children on The History of Canada. Lots of pictures and events in our history that is easy for them to learn and use for school projects. Well, have you pulled out your history books yet. Try finding some primary documents that are unedited. The Champlain Society has some. May even be available in the local library. Start with Champlain's travels as he touches on who, what, where  about early Canada. There are lots of references to his interactions with our First Nations across several areas of Canada.

#16 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150-THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO

My home with Canada's capital- Ottawa. Diverse people and long history. First Nations and colonial! A province I know well and have visited from one end to the next.

#15 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NOVA SCOTIA

Nova Scotia or New Scotland due to earlier settlers.Hugging the Atlantic Ocean, Halifax home to Pier 21 where many landed for various reasons. Diverse and long history.

#14 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NEW BRUNSWICK

New Brunswick with its diverse history. Its Acadian roots for many people. Been there and loved it. A place to see again and again. Sea and land is beautiful.

#13 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- YUKON

Go for gold but many stayed to make the northern part of Canada home. Keeping the traditions of the North proud today! Oh yes another spot on my bucket list to go see.

#12 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

One of the original provinces to join Confederation in 1867! Mussels and Anne of Green Gables. No one visits this heavenly province without wanting to go back. On my bucket list to see one day. And lots of PEI potatoes.

#11 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC

La Belle Province. French mostly but lots of English. Montreal celebrates 375 years this year. Quecbec City the closest thing to an European retreat.

#10 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NORTH WEST TERRITORIES

The north with its riches and history. Yellowknife a beacon to those travelling north. Wildlife and artists! Northern pride!

#9 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN

A prairie province worth seeing on any trip across Canada. People diverse with lots of history to learn. Regina and Saskatoon are waiting.

#8 BARB'S RELECTIVE 150- THE PROVINCE OF ALBERTA

Alberta home to 1988 Calgary Olympics. As diverse as it is big. Prairies and mountains, oil and crops as well as some amazing dinosaur history.

#7 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NUNAVUT

The newest declared territory for Canada. Representing all that is good about our north. Any place on my bucket list to visit.

#6 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE PROVINCE OF MANITOBA

Manitoba in the middle of Canada- west to those in the east and east to those in the west. Arts and culture and hard working farmers and families. Winnipeg up there with cities of the world.

#5 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to enter Confederation in 1949. Hugging the Atlantic coast with its vibrant colour and people. On my bucket list to visit one day. Especially L'Anse Aux Meadow- the Viking settlement from 1000AD.

#4 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

Hugging our west coast, British Columbia is an amazing province of people and landscape. Vancouver-host to the 2010 Olympics. One of 10 Canadian provinces.

NANA SAYS BELL LET'S TALK FOCUSSES ON ANXIETY

We all have some moments of anxiety on a scale of 1 to 10. Children manifest anxiety in various ways.
Fears come in many ways. The dark. The basement. Strangers, The dentist. Talking in front of people.
Shy children have some anxiety based issues. Withdrawing. Acting out.
School anxiety. Excuses not to go to school. There could be real events there- bullying, not being liked, not liking the teacher's style.
Behaviours can be identified. Biting one's nails. Headaches. Avoidance of many situations.
A parent with anxiety can expect their children may have some issues too.
It is important to identify anxiety. The extreme could be obsessive-compulsive tendencies. Panic attacks can be very scary.
Knowing how to parent and manage the small anxieties and knowing when help may be needed can be a fine line.
Not all anxiety is bad. We may study harder for a test because we want a good mark. We may practice our skills at skating or basketball or dancing to be better and not flub a game or dance competition. Practising a speech!
Learning strategies is key to living with anxiety. Having it work for us. Knowing it is okay to admit when we are nervous. Ask any worker about to head off in bad weather on the drive to work-anxiety is paramount.
Teaching children that anxiety is part of healthy living and not a dirty word. So find a professional to recommend some good reading for children. Even some children's stories can have themes around anxiety. The character in the story learns to overcome some adversity.
Having all of us slow down, deep breaths, identify what we are feeling and what is going on around us. Sleep. Exercise. Healthy eating. Good for so many areas of our lives. Listen to yourself as a parent. Listen to your spouse. Listen to your children.
Anxiety is a huge topic. Perhaps the conversation is just getting started today.

HISTORICALLY POLITICS REARS ITS UGLY HEAD

Are you a history buff? If so the current state of affairs in America smells like other times. Blustering! Puffing up! Being reactionary! Machiavellian!  Does it remind you of other times in history? Other nations! Picking on one group over another. Saying we are better! Protectionism! We first! Men making decisions for women! Trophy wives! Alternative facts! Really lies in disguise! Women of privilege trying to tell others how to live! Have they ever cleaned their own toilet bowls? The March on Washington, cities in America and around the world in various locations was so reminiscent of earlier times. My teens and the riots and demonstrations against the Viet Nam War for example! My feeling was one of pride Saturday January 21, 2017. That large groups of women and some men who support the rights of all could meet in large groups and not one damaged window or car or criminal act was performed. Peaceful protest! Having come a long way but still more to go. As a wife, mother, grandmother aiming to support the rights of all. It is not women against men- but humans for humans. Men and Women teaching our little boys and girls respect, love and support of all. To use our education and good health to do good for each and every corner of the world where we live. Can only change things one person, one street, one town at a time! But real change starts with oneself! To listen, learn and respect must be role modelled. Be a mentor to those around you! The real fear is someone may try to throw out the baby with the bath water! Remember if it is not broken, why try to fix it! There are different leaders but one who is self centered and narcissistic can be dangerous. History- 3000 years of it! Then Modern history, remember Gandhi and Martin Luther King with non-violent resistance! There is a power to the people-one person at a time! Yes money talks so don't buy, support, watch, like tweets or facebook posts, any product or idea not supported for the greater good! Gandhi did it with salt and making one's own clothes. So history it will repeat itself! Oh remember the more things change, the more they remain the same. So take a deep breath, a second cup of coffee, get on with the day of making your part of the world a good one!

BIRTHDAYS ARE A BLESSING

Each birthday brings a time to celebrate. Family bring gifts. If lucky handmade cards from children and grandchildren with special messages. Flowers may arrive from a friend. I like to buy myself a birthday gift. This year a colourful long sweater that can be worn with a skirt or pants. Usually I say thank you to Adolph- as it saves him time to have to think of what to buy me. There will be a bigger family celebration next weekend to accommodate several January birthdays. Every one's birthday is special! As we age, just aging gracefully is the trick. Each year standing on our own two feet! Having purpose in life! Mostly having family that want to celebrate with me! This year started with some adversity so being able to evolve from it has been the joy! So Happy Birthday to me! And to anyone else celebrating today! I promise to embrace life and all it brings!

                                                        And with balloons of all sizes!
#birthdaysareablessing#celebratinglife#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS GRANDCHILDREN KEEP YOU YOUNG

Grandchildren with all their energy and full of beans zest for life keeps grandparents young and sometimes tired. Knowing one is loved unconditionally brings so much love and joy to life. I call mine the Big Six. There is a big six in Toronto for all the boroughs. But my Big Six represents my six grandchildren. Each one with their special personality and interests. Sometimes I can just sit and watch them. Listen to them. Learn about their language development. Hear their versions of life and all that is around them. Grandchildren are the future. So if some of my stories and values and zest for living can rub off on them then it is wonderful contribution to the circle of life. How about you? Do your grandchildren bring a joy to your Life?

JANUARY 16-BLUE MONDAY

Blue Monday or is it? We have days for everything. So of course during the winter, I guess there must be a day. Why Blue Monday? The bills are coming in from the holiday season. Dead in the middle of winter. No big hoopla to anticipate. Tired of the cold-maybe! Skiers and snow boarders and snowmobilers and ice fishermen would say otherwise! Even little children building snowmen and sliding down hills don't feel so blue. Learning to skate is a national pastime! It is a good time of year between gardening and only indoor activities if one is not a cold weather person! For the crafter or genealogist or any other enthusiast why not tackle those indoor passions. Turn that blue into Purple! You know purple can include passion!

                                So find your favourite purple thing on this blue Monday.

                                      If purple is not your colour then chose your own!

FAMILY SUPPORT DURING DIFFICULT TIMES

Independence is a good thing. But during a crisis or difficult time, knowing others may be available for help is a good thing. Accepting any support as needed is the way to get through any event. There are times that some alone time may help an individual regroup energy. Doing simple tasks that ground the person may be helpful. Folding laundry. Cooking a nice meal. Watching the news. Activities that are the normal help to keep some normalcy.

Life has ups and downs. So knowing when to reach out and accept help and when to be independent again are just some of life's lessons !
#familysupportduringdifficulttimes#beingthereinacrisis#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MERYL STREEP YOU ARE MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE

Loved her speech at the Golden Globes. Dignity and respect is the message. Violence is still with us and we need to contain it to provide a safe life for all. Basically if you feel good about yourself, you do not need to belittle, hurt or make fun of others. So not only do I love all your movies Meryl but what you have to say. You are not just an advocate for women but for all people. Using your voice to reach others has been huge! Yes America, remember there is freedom of the press and freedom of speech. Remember the 1950s and the communist witch hunt in America. Do we want history to repeat itself? There's quite a hornet's nest stirring in America- good for you Meryl!!

#3 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150- WONDERFUL HEALTH CARE

Thanks to Tommy Douglas a wonderful Canadian and politician who advocated and brought the whole notion of Health Care many decades ago. Canada has some of the world's best Health Care Professionals. Always room for improvement, new ideas and technology continues to help it grow everywhere across the country. Each province owns their own program with funding from the Canadian government. Looking to be fiscally responsible is the goal of all CEOs of any hospital or health care area. The tax payer holds us responsible which is a good thing. We are all tax payers! Canadians take this great perk for granted sometimes. But we all should remember as we celebrate our 150, to celebrate our wonderful Health Care System.

EPIPHANY-CHRISTIANS ARE CELEBRATING

For some, Christmas is celebrated today. The Wise Men visited the baby Jesus.

In some cultures, like Itay, there is another tradition. The Befania- she visits and leaves candies at children's home in search of the baby Jesus. Epiphany is the end of a joyous Christmas season. For those celebrating today- enjoy!

JANUARY BLAHS-ARE THEY BEGINNING

Okay with Christmas past only revealed in the holiday pictures, life returns to normal. With little hoopla, it can seem dull. So pulling out meaningful projects to do during the down time of winter. i.e. no gardening or outside work. Yes there is snow shoveling but hopefully not too often. Blahs hit like a lead balloon! Pushing one's energy to get going- especially at night. For me to try to do some activities at night is often the challenge. Overcoming blahs becomes the challenge.

Perhaps build a snowman. Get out and embrace the January season. Just a thought!
#Januaryblahs#enjoyingtheoutdoors#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS START THE NEW YEAR WITH JOY

Parents role model mood and attitude towards just about everything in their lives. Children are watching and listening. Positive statements stick but so do negative ones. For example, if you hate your job and talk about how much you hate it, what are you teaching your children-to hate work!! Yes it is difficult to be happy and upbeat all the time but act as if there are many joys in your life. Make the first joys your children. Talk about how happy you are to be a family. Talk about how no family is perfect and no one always likes everything but family is family. Joy starts with an attitude, a smile, a morning hug! If children are moody and going through a phase, then label it and try to find the silver lining in it. See and honour any of the good stuff. Joy! Be joyful- the beginning of another year brings the opportunity to keep on ticking and doing. If you are having a busy time and need a break, remember the grandparents! They can help with the Joy thing!

JANUARY-RESOLUTIONS OR THE SAME OLD

No resolutions this year. Just to try to continue with the goals and dreams of other times. Digital genealogy to preserve the information researched. Finishing projects. More decluttering, selling, giving away, sorting of all of the stuff in my life. Organizing it! Made a good stab in 2016. The boxes packed neatly in the basement are the testament to it. Ready to be moved when the time comes. Preparing for life changes that need to happen in the next couple of years or sooner.Continuing to transition to home activities that will bring some income. A resolution- sometimes get getting through the day with a positive attitude can be enough. Enjoying what I have. More time with the grandchildren, children and friends. Saying yes to invitations! So the same old, same old! How about you? Any resolutions? Thoughts for 2017!

#2 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150-REMEMBERING 1967

Do you remember the hoopla when Canada celebrated 100 years. EXPO 67 in Montreal was a big hit. Local communities received grant money to write local history books. Many genealogists appreciated those efforts as it gave rich local history to family name searches. Coins and stamps honoured the year. Many of us have some put aside in collections. There was an athletic competition at all High Schools. Certain criteria to earn a gold, silver or bronze badge. 4 events- one was the 800 metre run. I earned the gold one which still sits proudly in my photo album.

                                           Each school kid in Vaughan received a crest.
 The Queen and other dignitaries visited our land. So what and how many events can be attended in the year? 2017- will it stand up to the last big celebration? Time will tell.

#1 BARB'S REFLECTIVE 150-LOVING BEING CANADIAN

2017 is a birthday year for Canada. July 1, 1867 four areas or provinces decided to create the nation of Canada. People lived here for thousands of years so we are told. But not as one country or nation.So honouring all the people of this great land will be a piece of the larger puzzle.

I love being Canadian because it is the country where I was born. Most of my ancestors back many generations were born here too. For the next year, week by week and month by month, reflections on what it means to be Canadian will be written. Where the 150 items will take me and you will be the year's journey. From coast to coast, to local to our international image could be included. So although becoming a regular feature of this blog, other themes will continue to coexist.

 I encourage others to send me comments or ideas or reasons why Canada means so much to you.