JANUARY COMING TO AN END

The first month always is welcomed with trepidation. A new start but still a winter month. Time to do indoor activities. With all the snow, time to shovel and then shovel some more.
Lots was accomplished in the month. Finished some small projects. Tackling the den and revising the shelves and yes weeding out some books. I need to find them some new homes.
Birthday celebrations were good. Still healthy enough to enjoy what life brings!!
So how was your January? Did you do what you wanted to do?
#january#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#gettingprojectsfinished#januarywithitssnow

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-USING PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

There is a project for 2019. To write about ancestor every week. 52 for the year. My goal is less. I am trying to write about one each month. As stated in earlier posts, I want to write about all my great-grandparents for my grandchildren.
This month I have been busy with my paternal grandmother- Leona Violet Alton( nee Parkin).Writing a genealogical article is simple with the basic facts- birth, marriage, death etc.
I had the sense of writing about her that I wanted to know who she was as a person. Not much can be found in the documents that are used to cite our sources.
Then I remembered my mother's unpublished story of her life. Would there be some tidbits on Leona?
Yes there were a few. Then perusing my Parkin binder I found some telephone notes from 2001. I had phoned my dad asking for some details about the potential BandB on the family property- Ball Point. Again I found some little gems about Leona.
These comments will help me to make her story more interesting. Luckily I have a variety of pictures that speak for themselves.
By reviewing the correspondence, I was lucky to find out information to use on other ancestors.
After doing family history research for over 34 years, I am at the place that just facts are not enough anymore. Who were these wonderful ancestors of mine?
So before family members decide to throw out anything that is not nailed down, consider the potential information for family historians and well your family history.
#generalogy#usingfamilycorrespondencetotellastory#keepingsomedocumentsforwritingthestory#barb'sgenealogytidbits#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#writingupthestoriesforthegrandchildrentoread#leonavioletparkin/alton#leonaalton

#BELLLET'STALK

#BellLet'sTalk day is a good day of awareness for Mental Health. Anxiety and Depression are the leaders in concerns for individuals with Mental Health issues. By tagging or sponsoring money it is passed along to agencies who support people in the community.
As a clinician, mental health concerns can be found in all areas of Social Work. A physical concern can be accompanied by a Mental Health issue. For example, post-traumatic stress can manifest in many different ways and situations- a new mother experiencing a traumatic birthing experience, the death of a loved one, a sudden job loss, a new diagnosis, a relationship loss to name a few.
We all have times in our lives that we could have a concern.
So hash tag as much as you can today.
#BellLet'sTalk#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#mentalhealth#mentalillness#depression#anxiety#cliniciansupportsthosewithmentalillness#SocialWorksupportspeoplewithmentalhealthissues 

SNOW DAYS- OPPORTUNITIES ABOUND

So the GTA had a major snowstorm January 28th with lots of cancellations of classes and evening events. It took some people 3 hours to get home. Eventually the roads could be cleared.
So having to stay home brings some opportunities. Cleaning. Resting. Exercising by cleaning the driveway. Drinking a favourite beverage and watching a show or reading a book. Snow is part of the Canadian conscienceness. It can be pretty in the right settings. It can be a pain in the butt in the wrong settings like driving in rush hour traffic.
The GTA with millions of people and many travelling to and from events makes room for the urge to stay home if possible.
I do not miss going to work in this weather. Being home and watching the snow come down can be enjoyable. I did get my exercise at 630 am this morning shoveling it!
So an opportunity to reflect on life and refresh my energy.
#snow#opportunitiesathomeinthesnow#doingthingsIlove#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#stayingindoors#the GTAgoslammedwithsnow#shovelingsnowisgoodforyou#snowandmoresnow

SOLEMN DAY- INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY

January 27 a solemn day of remembrance. Do you realize it has been 74 years since the liberation of Auschwitz?
Remembering the over 6 million Jews who died as well as others who faced atrocities in World War Two.
For those who died may we not forget them.
For those who survived, your stories will be part of the world's history.
By remembering to ensure we continue to stop atrocities in modern times.
#holocaustremembranceday#internationholocaustremembranceday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#rememberingthosewhodied#mayitneverhappenagain

IS IT A NEW TREND- THE DECLUTTER CRAZE!!

With several books and philosophies on decluttering, it seems the word is in our face constantly. As a senior, the need to downsize eventually and well rid myself of my stuff. Well some of it. What is wrong with having some stuff??
For example, I love books and have lots of them. Over the years, I have weeded books from my collection. Sold some. Donated some. So I do not have every book I have ever owned. My children left me their books that I hope one day they will claim. You know what happens. The minute I give them away they will want them.
I have given away clothes regularly. My garage is neater and a constant job in process. I take stuff from the house. Let it sit in the garage. Then decide- sell, donate or to the curb.
Many pieces of furniture are marked for donations when it is time to move.
I love the emphasis on perfectly organized drawers and closets. Nice in magazines but not very realistic in real time.
If one lives alone, no problem. Once a spouse, children or in-laws it becomes harder to maintain.
Beside does being an obsessive neat freak, mean you are better organized than someone that may have a little mess. Is creative time wasted in organizing and being neat? Probably!!
For me to do any project means there must be a creative space. Not the whole house but contained in a room or two.
No matter how neat or messy my house is, I always know where everything can be found. My clothes are colour coordinated. A room has a label. My computer room. My craft room. The dining room. The living room is now the play area when the grandchildren come over. The family room is Adolph's room. Items go back to the room where they belong.
Trying to go digital with family history and some photos. But even the digital world can have too many files and stuff. Do we need 10,000 photos on our computers? Or all our pictures in our cell phones.
As a clinician, it is a fact that stuff has an emotional connection. If things help maintain good mental health, is it a bad thing? Things are a visual way of assessing what we have accomplished.
What can be wrong with being sentimental about some items? Memorabilia from a trip brings back memories. Again containment is the key word for me. Books for example can be contained to a number of shelves. If overflow, then time to weed.
There are collections in people's home. Not hoarding but collecting. Art. Pottery. Items of personal interest. Art galleries and museums are full of collections too. We do not ask them to declutter!!
So how do you consider how your process of decluttering is going? Do you like your stuff? All of it or just some of it??
#decluttering#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#emotionalattachmenttostuff#booksondecluttering#theprocessofdealingwiththemess#organizingversusobsessiveneatness

STARTING IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY-GETTING OUT OF THE COMFORT ZONE

When a decision is made to try something new or go somewhere new or just starting again, it comes with trepidation. As a senior have already dealt with so much change in life. So routines keep us active.
Our comfort zones give us security and safety. No risk.
But life without risk can be too safe and often boring.
New territory can be as simple as trying a new recipe. Taking a different route to a destination. Joining a new group or committee.
For women, often a new hair cut or colour.
Wanting a different look- dieting and exercise. A gym or home gym equipment?
Baby steps. One step at a time!!
Travel can be huge. As a couple or with a group easier to navigate. But what if travelling single is the new thing for you. Some risk but safely too!!
So what would you write down as an activity that makes you nervous? How would you like to get started in trying it? Perhaps there are others out there who have risked their comfort zones to forge out in the world. Write me in comments and a discussion can begin on doing new things.
#gettingoutofourcomfortzones#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#tryingnewactivities#riskneedsthatfirststep#startwithbabysteps#tryingnewactivitiesasasenior

PHOTOS ARE A WINDOW INTO YOUR LIFE

Organizing and scrapbooking photos and memorabilia this week made think about the photos in our lives. Lucky to connect with second cousins so have acquired older generations of photos to add to family history has brought great joy. Seeing how a great-grandparent looked brings the picture to the name.
My modern photos of the grandchildren at parties and dinners just makes me smile. The faces, the moods, the fun of it all.
I have made some photobooks online but need to make some themed ones.
I print some of my photos but not all. The photos I use in this blog are not usually printed. If it is good one then I make an enlargement.
I give photos away too. Sometimes when looking at an album I realize the person in the album may like the picture better than just keeping it in my book on my shelf.
I sent a pile of photos for example of one my nephews as a baby because I thought he could share them with his own daughter.
It is interesting when we take pictures- birthdays, Christmas, vacations, special events. Just leaving them in a cell phone is a waste to me.
Or saving 5000 pictures in the cloud! What if the cloud went puff??
So I have my photos in various places but many get printed in duplicate so I can share with family and friends.
For me, I take lots of pictures that are symbolic to me. Themes like fences, flowers, butterflies, buildings, art- well you have seen some of these images if you visit my blog regularly.
I am considering putting some of my photos in those sites where they can be sold. I have about 5 good local ones I may make into postcards.
A photo is a split second of life. Yet it can say so much about our lives.
What do you think about your own photos? What photos in history has impacted your conscienceness? What is your favourite photo of your child? Your spouse? Your family?
#photosareawindowtoourlives#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#takingpictures#photosofgranchildrenmakemesmile#photoalbumsonmyshelf#scrapbooking#sharingphotoswithothers#barbaradimambro

NANA SAYS IT'S MY NAME AND I LIKE IT

No matter what your grandchildren call you, it is so endearing. I was thinking yesterday about the first time my first grandchild called me Nana. To know the child knew my name.
Each culture and religion have their own name on what the grandparents are called. For Adolph and me, Grandpa and Nana. Some women prefer Grandma! My mother was a Nana so I am too. Adolph could be Nonno which is very Italian but he preferred Grandpa. Actually some of his grandchildren call him Poppa!!
Of course grandparents have nicknames of endearment for their grandchildren. Along with their names, they are my pumpkins!!
#nana#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#nicknames#callmenana#poppaanicknameforgrandpa#nanaandgrandpathat'sus

IT'S JUST A NUMBER ON THE CALENDAR- OUR BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays are a way to a rite of passage. So today turning 69 let's me have one more year before 70. My grandsons laugh about the number due to its sexual connotation. I actually graduated High School in "69! It was funny then too!
Celebrating life is easy with a birthday. Cake and food and company. I don't mind the hoopla. I have a husband that does not like to be bothered about it at all!!
To reach this age is a blessing. I have lost friends and relatives at younger ages. Some relatives at older ages so I still have to catch up to them. My Mom died at age 89. She always thought she would die at age 39- the same age as her mother. Well she had another 50 years on her didn't she??
I just hope I continue to take care of myself and feel well enough to do some of the things I want to accomplish. The time I want to spend with my family. There are places I would like to see.
So a birthday. Will order some takeout for Adolph and me. There was a nice birthday celebration last Sunday with the family. I will received birthday wishes from near and far.
So here I am at 69. It feels quite good actually.
#69isanumber#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#celebratinglife#cakeforabirthday#thingstoaccomplishinlifeprevail#howlongwillwelive#birthdays

MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY

Americans are celebrating the day. I hope all Americans. For me Martin Luther was on the news in my teen years. I embraced his messages. He made me aware of the cause of the black people not only in America but everywhere. He fought for others not just black people. Poor people. The need for tolerance and justice. His speeches and messages are so poignant today. If time go to You Tube or just research on the Internet and revisit his messages.
I wonder if he would be happy on what is happening in America today. Would he buy Michelle Obama's book?
What are your memories of Martin Luther King? What do you like best about him and his messages?
#martinlutherking#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#messagesofhopeandtolerance#moderntimesremembermartinlutherking#thoughtsfrommychildhood#barbaradimambro

BLUE MONDAY OR ARE YOU HAVING A GOOD DAY

Blue Monday. January 21. Why because we are in the thick of winter! All the Christmas bills are in! There is no hoopla like the festive season.
Here in the GTA it is freezing cold. Other parts of Canada are digging out of lots of snow over the weekend. I only shoveled my driveway 3 times and cleaned out the end of the driveway from the plow about 3 times.
A good day to stay indoors. If outside bundling up with warm layers and covering exposed skin.
As I sit here in my retirement, getting some basic things done and an email sent, I am enjoying the sun. Even though it is supposed to be a blue Monday the days are longer. One month after the winter solstice the sun is returning to us. With the warm sunshine beating down on us, I do not feel blue. Soon I will head to my craft room to continue on a much needed January project of organizing and scrapbooking my photos and memorabilia.
If I get bored with that task, back to the computer and some needed genealogy writing to continue.
So an outing to see my littlest granddaughter in a play yesterday and a family birthday celebration, I do not have to cook but have lots of leftovers to eat.
So how are you doing on this Monday? Are you embracing the fact that winter is moving along and the sun is really returning to us?
#bluemonday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#continuingwiththosewinterprojects#scrapbooking#photoalbums#funwithcrafts#beingacrafter#snoweverywhere#diggingsnowinthewinter#retirementanditsfuntimesdoingwhatonewants

WANT SOME EXERCISE- SHOVEL SNOW

Snow, snow and more snow. Shoveling it twice in less than 24 hours. I feel like my arms and legs have had a workout. I don't lift it. I push it to the side. I am always cognizant of the effect on the heart. The emergency rooms will contest to it. Take the activity slow and easy. It can be done in several steps. Being outside in the fresh air is good for the soul. But remember with any wind chill factor to cover exposed skin. Don't want any frost bite! So how is your snow shoveling going??
#snowshoveling#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#canadahaslotsofsnow#snowshovelingisgoodexercise

WHAT TO DO ON A SNOW DAY?

The GTA is getting its first snowstorm of 2019. Unlike other parts of Canada that have been slammed more.
So a good thing to do on a snow day is to stay home, stay warm and get those projects going.
During the winter I like to use the slow cooker or oven more often. It gives the wonderful aroma of food cooking in the home. Yesterday a chicken soup was simmered for the day.
What to cook today? Well I pulled out my bread maker. The aroma of freshly baking bread permeates throughout my home. Listening to the radio while scrapbooking pictures makes my snow day bearable.
How about you? What do you do on  snow day? Snow angels would be fun. Or a big snow person!!
#snowday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#thearomaofacookedmealpermeatesthroughoutthehome#freshbakedbreadisgreat#stayhomewhenitsnows

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD HEART?

This could mean a healthy heart that pumps blood well throughout your body.
It can also mean do you care? Do you watch out for others? Do you have love in your heart for other people?
Some people just have a loving and caring heart for others. Not just family but people in general. They see the larger caring picture. The home benefits. The family benefits. The community benefits. And of course lots of love.
So do you have a good Heart??
#heart#careforothers#loveinourhearts#doyoureachouttoothers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#lovingmorethanjustyourfamily

POST RETIREMENT THOUGHTS

Okay 7 months into this retirement thing. How do I feel? It's a transition is the party line. But there are days I like it- like Mondays and days I do not. I am getting through personal projects, helping my children and grandchildren when needed, reading, writing, researching. Of course I can keep the house cleaner as those chores can be accomplished in one go. But retirement is not about becoming an obsessive housekeeper freak. I do housework, I am not a housewife. I am a retired Social Worker.
Nevertheless like other times in life the boredom factor. With my energy level and zeal for learning new things, I like to push the learning new areas. Magazines on old age have some interesting retirement information- maybe I'll try to write an article or two. So reading- online, fiction and non-fiction, staying abreast of new ideas. News in the morning and tuning in to some talk shows. Not just the ones promoting the new movies. What's trending. What is new from old ideas.Yes going to the movies with family helps too.
Caring for my husband does keep me close to home. Luckily my children live nearby and I have lots of home activities. So I try to push myself. Have started an exercise routine. I do need to get back to my outdoor power walk. I miss it. It is just hard to walk quickly in boots. I will not wear running shoes in winter. Remember as a Social Worker, two of my floors at the hospital included surgery and orthopedics. Bones break!!
So I do miss Social Work aspects of life. I have not lost my counselling skills and abilities. I registered for one more year with the College at some expense- no discount for retired people in the event that I may continue to practice in some capacity.
What is very noticeable is the lack of social interactions? Remember all the people that said they would keep in touch! Well a few have. I went to a potluck at Christmas to see people. I have sent a couple of emails. I did have coffee with one colleague which was nice. But people do drop you. You start to become invisible. You really see who really cared about you by the way you are received.
Even though my door is always open to anyone who wants to visit. People do not come.
Yes I do invite people.
I go to any event that has an invitation to remain part of life.
I did join another group and continue to go to a monthly club. I am considering trying to do some committee work for the area.
I am retired. Not useless so 7 months into this thing, I am finding my way. I will do a post on gender inequality for retired women at another time. That's a whole issue in itself.
The good thing it is retirement and not a layoff. So that tedious endeavor of having to find another job is not there. I have an income.
#retirement#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#notahousewifejustretired#personalprojectskeepmebusy#thoughtsonretirement#notalayoff#stillaSocialWorkeratheart#findingmywaywiththisthingcalledretirement#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- OLD OR NEW METHODS??

Doing genealogy for over 34 years means I have lots of information. I tried using a computer database at one time and could not figure it out. I have the binder system with lots of ancestors and organized the descendants in each binder. So I have bookmarked a site WikiTree with one line of mine. The Parkin/Keeler line from Derbyshire England. I love the way one can go between the generations with a click. I did attend a seminar on Family Tree Maker and am still pondering to buy the database or not.
I still have to upload my Family Tree online somewhere. Probably will put it on Find My Past as I have a subscription to it. Why? Gives the United Kingdom and Europe information.
With Family Search still free, enough ways to search. We also have the Canadian and provincial archives for searching Canadian information. I have done my DNA and some contacts have written me. Yes the paper trail shows we are related. Now DNA proves it.
So some modern methods.
Now why do I still like the Pedigree and Family Group Charts. Well it is a visual. The lines are right there on one page. No I did not need to see every sibling and lines of every ancestor cousin. I really want to see my direct lines. For the modern family sure it is good to know how we are all related. But to try to follow those cousins from gggggrandparents is rather cumbersome and can be tedious. Especially if the first names are the same.
Those new to genealogy often want to hunt down everyone. I have lots of everyone. One ggrandmother's brother had 10 children and the duatang folder of his descendants is rather large. A contact sent it all to me years ago.
I have enjoyed the pursuit over the years. But as said in earlier Barb's Genealogy Tidbits I want to write shortened versions for my grandchildren. What would they really want to know?? I know they have been interested in the war stories. They like to know about Adolph's Italian roots. It is easy to identify their Canadian roots because those places are easy to reach. Like Toronto. I was born there. My mother was born there. My children were born there.  3 generations!
So I still like my visuals. The charts. The photos. The documents that are not just filed on the computer. But can be accessed. I have uploaded many to the Evernote site for safe keeping. Perhaps one day the grandchildren will appreciate the computer files more than Nana's visuals.
Today I have enjoyed filling in several spots on my pedigree chart however from the computer clicking. Sure there are some brickwalls. No matter how far back one goes the wall will be there. Searching those female lines is always the challenge.
So old or new methods. For this genealogist, well I use both. Why not?
#genealogy#barb'sgenealogytidbits#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#parkin/keelerlines#pedigreecharts#familygroupcharts#borninToronto#canyouhavetoomuchgenealogicalinformation#huntingdownthosefeamalelinesistough

NANA SAYS ENJOY WINTER WITH CHILDREN

When I had grandchildren, I rediscovered winter fun. My first grandchild and I would  play in the snow. Make a snowman and snow angels. It is amazing that children really love the snow. So walking to work and home in winter was very doable and rather enjoyable. Even on cold days now I can be out in winter.
Sledding can be fun. Just walking or taking a hike. Check out the hike post on the House of Kerrs website. 
My daughter and family enjoyed a winter walk. It was a favourite for my grandchildren over the Christmas Break.
Letting some winter fresh air into the house is a good thing too. Think about the winter colds and flu bugs. The stale air in your home. So I try every day to keep the door open a little longer than it needs to be. The fresh air is welcome. 
Back to activities. Skiing for some families is huge. Skating outside or on indoor rinks is always a fun Canadian winter sport.
My main winter sport is shoveling the driveway and salting. Good workout for the arms. If only it would snow on a day when the grandchildren are here, it would be even better. Put them to work.

#winterfun#outdooractivities#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#nanasays#trytoletthefreshairinthehome

HAVE YOU KEPT YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS?

A new year. New hope for change. New year resolutions are difficult because they occur at a low time of the year. The hoopla of Christmas is over. With the decorations put away and lights down the home, the outside, the street just looks like the cold of winter. Warm drinks and the safety of home makes us a bit lazy or does it. Do some of you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder so it is difficult to get going and doing anything? Exercise is a good resolution for many. But start small. Two hours at the gym is probably not doable but 20 minutes of anything- skipping, weights, a short walk outside or just around your house, your mall, your apartment building. Cleaning- again start small. One drawer. One closet. One bag of clothes to charity. Writing up those projects. Finishing those craft projects. Get up. Get started.
I do not make resolutions. I simply decide to carry on. Get to areas of my home. Connect with friends and acquaintances. Read and read some more. Everything magazines, books, articles!
By finding meaningful items in my life to keep active and interested!
So did you keep your resolutions or are you just carrying On??
#newyearresolutions#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#activitieswithmeaning#gettingstartedwithactivities#takingcareofyourself#SeasonalAffectiveDisroder#barbaradimambro

A POSTCARD FROM CASSINO ITALY BEFORE WORLD WAR TWO

Adolph bought these postcards from a shop in Cassino Italy on one of his trips to his home town. Cassino totally destroyed during the war was rebuilt. The modern town lacks the quaint and picturesque aspects of other communities in Italy. When reviewing these cards you will surmise why!

I love the trees and the streets and the plaza.

Too bad the people are so small in the postcards. Might be helpful for those doing their family history research.

This last postcard is so reflective of the devastation from the war.

Modern Cassino. Functional and populous. But not the same grandeur eh?
#cassinoitaly#prewarcassino#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#treesonbeautifulstreets#lookatthebeautyofasmallcommunity#lookwhatwardoestoaplace#adolph'shometown

ANNE WILSON- WHO IS THIS ARTIST?

I found this pretty note card with my cards. Someone gave it to me years ago but I do not recall who!!

It is a pretty watercolour. Anne has signed the card. There is nothing on the back.  So I researched Anne Wilson artist on the Internet. Several are there. But I do not think they are this Anne. Given to me by someone in Canada. Maybe my Mom. So I thought I would use my blog to try to find the artist. I like it as it is a country cottage. Something I would have loved to have in this lifetime. So Anne are you out there? Come on by and tell me about yourself!!
#AnneWilson#artist#watercolour#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#femaleartists#paintingwithwatercolours

WINTER WITH ITS DARK NIGHTS AND COLD DAYS

We all need some light to brighten our lives. The winter months can be long and foreboding if not embraced for what they are. Just months, not a reason to stop and do nothing. Indoors - cozy and warm can be a time to catch up on everything. To reorganize and declutter. Finish projects. Read books. Go to the movies. Visit friends. Phone friends. If lucky go south to a warmer climate for a break. If you know people who are isolated, go visit them. Connect. If mingling with people, make sure your flu shots are current. It helps not to get a winter cold or flu bug. How do you cope with the winter months? What keeps you sane?

#wintermonths#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#finishingprojects#findingtimetogetthingsdone#reorganizeanddeclutteryourstuffandyourlife

JANUARY BLUES- GET MOVING

No matter how hard we try the month of January does not meet the hoopla and fun of the Christmas season. Once the Christmas decorations are put away and the bills paid, January is here to stay. So get moving and doing. Get out and find places to see. Of course, if a trip south is warranted then by all means go. But one or two weeks is not going to change the January blahs. Getting all the boring stuff done. Like a linen closet. Tidy the basement. Take stuff to the donation bins. Sort and clean. Go out for a meal or order one to make some fun. Even cooking can be blah so try a new recipe. A roast in the own or sauce or soup in the slow cooker makes the house warm and inviting. If enough snow, then make a snowman with the children. Get outside and enjoy the winter sports. If not a skier or skater then a walk in the snow can be rewarding. A breath of fresh air cleanses the soul. For me there are birthday celebrations and one anniversary. So cake always helps. Those days when the sun shines through the window use it for those craft or other projects. My craft room has amazing light on a good day. When feeling down though, just getting up and walking around or doing some light weights or skipping or just jogging on the spot for a short time gets the mind in a better space. Find a way to enjoy the month. I plan on seeing so more movies. How about you? What do you do to get going and enjoying?
#januaryblues#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#getmovingtofeelbetter#findmeaningfulactivities#doingprojectsforfun#tidyyourhouse#januaryoutdooractivities#tryawintersport#goforawalk

DEALING WITH REJECTION

Whether we like it or not, we all face rejection sometimes. It can be a small putdown in a conversation. An idea is rejected.
Applying for a job and not getting it is a form of rejection.
A new love rejects us. A marriage is over and the spouse rejects us.
A new diet does not work and it feels like rejection. A fitness program does not pan out.
Rejection too often can lead to bad self esteem and low mood.
So how to deal with it. Normalizing that rejection happens to everyone. Take a look at the rejection and are there ways to turn it around.
Reviewing all the successful times in your life. Wallow in some self pity for a short time. Then pick yourself up and get on your two feet and move forward.
What have you done to deal with rejection?
#rejection#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#dealingwithrejection#whatstrategiesdoyouusetodealwithrejection#howmanytimescanyouberejectedbeforefeelingblue#normalizethefactweallfacerejectionatsometimeinourlives

LET HIM EAT CAKE FOR HIS CELEBRATION

A January birthday celebration for a husband, dad and grandpa. Just family but fun to be together. We used the Toronto Maple Leafs as the theme. If no Maple Leaf stuff then wear blue and white. It was good to be together. Not that we needed to eat lots after the Christmas season. So more fruit, veggies, chicken. sweet and hot sausages and pizza was on the menu.

Birthdays are a good way to mark life. They are an opportunity to get together. Eat, drink and yes make him eat cake. The problem is my husband does not like to eat much cake so I get to try to finish it. I am smarter. I cut pieces and freeze for another day.
#birthday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#torontomapleleafs#blueandwhitetheme#lotstoeat#pizza#chicken#veggiesanddip#sowhatifhedoesnotlikecake#barbaradimambro

IS RISK TAKING WORTH DEATH?

Life happens. Accidents can happen. But skiing in the back country and being killed by an avalanche in BC. Climbing a resort wall in Collingwood and falling to your death. Driving drunk. Taking medication with fentanyl.  Are unnecessary risks worth a life?
Risk taking with a safety net is always a good thing. No we can not live in a bubble. Life involves getting out there and living. But wearing a seat belt. Staying home during a snowstorm. Driving according to conditions. Putting away items in a home to make it safe for a toddler or other children. Salting your driveway. Not going to countries Canada recommends not to visit. The list is endless.  I am tired of seeing grown ups dying for a stupid reason just because they wanted a challenge and some fun.
Yes I have taken risks- many in my life. Yes I challenged myself.
Well I have driven on the 401 during rush hour, haven't I??
#risktaking#whydiefromrisktaking#safetyisagoodthing#takecalculatedrisks#drivingonthe401duringrushhour#lifeneedschallengesbutplayitsafemakesthemdoable

HOSTING THE PERFECT EVENT OR NOT- PERFECTIONISM HURTS

I read today about hosting the perfect family get together. I read before Christmas about having the perfect Christmas tree. The word perfect prevails in design magazines. Fashion magazines. So what is perfect? And does it really matter??
Perfectionism is part of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. However in modern magazines, websites and stylist we need to be perfect, dress perfectly, and well be perfect.
Being perfect is a high standard to maintain.  No one is really perfect. Even if we think we do things perfectly someone always points out the little flaw and often with contempt.
Being organized and doing things well brings contempt. Others who can not achieve your standard like to see failure. Humans can be a jealous bunch!
So much for perfectionism. Let it go to grow.
What if instead of the perfect party or Christmas tree or house, why not a comfortable, a happy place, what works for you.
Yes everything including yourself can be well designed but taking the pressure of perfect away gives room for more fun and well being.
So I am hosting a bday dinner for family for my hubby. It will not be perfect. With a variety of age ranges of the children there will be noise and someone not liking some of the food and well this is boring I want to go home!!
In its own way it will be perfect to me. Why? Well we are together as family. There will be those family pictures with all the funny faces we all make. Another chance to celebrate together.
One person's definition of perfect can be different than another's. I like the idea of imperfection.
#perfectionism#reflectivethoughsbybarbara#hostingafamilyevent#perfectlivingdoesitexist#hostingfamilyeventscanbefun#lettingperfectionismgo

SNOW CLEANS UP THE VIEW

So looking out the patio doors to the back porch, it made me reflect on how beautiful snow can be. Not the dump Newfoundland received but a nice dusting in the yard. If it has to be winter then let the snow cover the brown dinghy view. Besides snow helps to make it lighter at night. The next time the grandchildren visit they can play in the snow
#snow#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#playinginthesnow#winterfuninsnow#canadaanditssnow

JANUARY- THE FIRST MONTH OF THE YEAR

January- right in the winter months. Time to begin the new year. It is a good month to get lots of indoor projects done. If not heavy snowfalls, little outdoor work. If a lover of winter sports then a great opportunity to get outside skiing or sledding or skating or whatever activity liked to get lots of fresh air. If waiting for bargains, a good month to capitalize on those end of season sales.
January is a month of renewal. Something about the start of a new year that brings hope. Hope for a good year. Hope for good health. Hope to make it through winter to spring.
I always liked January as it is my birthday month and other family members.
But the month comes with a letdown too for many people. The January blues can happen. The feeling when Christmas is really over and all the hoopla is over. The emptiness of being indoors too much.
So at the second day, time to get some goals, action and activities to help it be a good month. How about you? What are your thoughts about January?
#January#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#januaryblues#indooractivites#howtogetthroughthewinter#hopeforagoodyear

NEW YEAR-NEW BEGINNING

The start of a new year can bring new resolutions and goals. A new year. A new beginning. For me I stopped making resolutions. What I do is revisit my goals for myself. Do I need to exercise more? Do I need to finish my projects? Are there friends to see?
With family, what more can we do with each other. Are there events to see?
What will 2019 bring? Health, wealth and happiness are always ideas permeating with many people. For me, life has slowed down and maybe I want it to rev up a little.
First day of the new year was busy with putting away all the Christmas decorations and reorganizing them too. The linens washed. The floors dusted- the place looked like a dust bowl. So maybe a goal will be to reduce the dust in my house over the winter. Or maybe the Christmas stuff hid it??
I like the idea of new beginnings. Wanting to make some change is a good thing. Takes about 2 weeks to change a habit!
January is a time for celebration in our family- 3 birthdays and 1 anniversary. So there will be food and cake.
So bringing on my creative self. Writing. Crafts. Looking for ways to augment my income.
Of course the ongoing support and care of my husband.
So how about you. What new beginning do you have in mind?
#newbeginnings#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#goals#noresolutions#friends#family#revinguplife#whatwill2019bring