APRIL TIME FOR MORE REFLECTION AND LESS WRITING

 Sometime life gets in the way of a blog.

Out and about more this month.

Babysitting for a week.

Pictures for the Arts Council classes for seniors.

Some yard work-but not a so much due to the cooler weather.

Connecting with friends and family by phone.

So sitting at my computer to write was not the main goal for me.

Trying to finish the Yonge post with lots of pictures so takes time to find them all.

Working on a collection and trying to see if there are any items that are of interest and could be sold.

So April. The month of not winter and not quite spring weather.

#aprilhadlotsofreflection#busywithstuffnotwritingatmycomputer#outandaboutinapril#tryingtofindalife#tringtoorganizeacollection#picturesofyongestreet#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- JOHN STINSON SHAVER AND MARY DRAPER HAD TWELVE DAUGHTERS

 It is always fun to tell people about John and Emeline with 12 daughters.

I have written a short essay about them.

#johnshaver#emelinedraper#johnandemelinehave12daughters#shaverfamilyhistory#ancastershaverfamilysite#goodwoodontario#goodwoodcemetery#fredhowelshaverbook#newjerseyfamily#ontariofamilies#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE GARDEN COMES ALIVE

 The brown dirt has so many patches of green.

The leaves for tulips emerging.

The fragrance of hyacinths!

The crocuses in full bloom.

Leaving some vegetation for the little critters like bees to survive safely.

Spring with its greenery coming alive.

#gardencomesalive#flowersinthegarden#hyacinthsaresofragrant#crocusesinfullbloom#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

APRIL QUIET REFLECTIONS 2022

 A semi busy month.

A week of babysitting while one daughter and hubbie had a much needed break away to a southern location.

Two birthdays.

Easter.

Warm then cool then warm then snow then warm then rain. So outdoor work was minimal. Hard to do any garden cleanup when I feel cold. 

Trying to complete some needed writing.

One community activity successful.

Attending other meetings as necessary. 

One sleepover with two grandchildren.

And taxes done. Hate doing taxes. Hate paying taxes.

But lots of time when little was done. Thinking a lot about everything- past, present and what to do in the future. Always have a small knitting project on the go so try to keep my hands busy. And be productive.

It seems I do better when I have deadlines. Like taxes. Minutes for meetings. 

A lot of my activities are just boring work. Housework. Garden cleanup. So takes energy to get going and getting it done.

Been missing my previous family life. My marriage. My man.

Hard to live alone and enjoy it. Can't tell others I find it hard as one comment coming my way was maybe move into one of those assisted living places!!

Yeah right. When I am still so independent and vibrant. I want company but not to be around people in their 80s. Not yet. Maybe when I am in my 80s.

So trying to share any thoughts or comments does not bring good results so I would rather say nothing about how I am really feeling. It is easier to write my thoughts so less criticism.

So April has been a mixed month. Wanting to be outside more but not when it is cool. Wanting to take photos but of what. Wanting positive family times.

How about you? How was your April? 

#aprilreflections#tryingtobebusyevenwithboringactivities#tryingtorelishtheday#aprilbirthdsays#aprilhasmixedweather#tryingtoenjoylife#tryingtostaypositive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

DEATH AND TAXES- ALWAYS BE WITH US

 Having just finished my income tax return it made me think of the two constants in life.

Death.

Taxes.

If one makes enough one pays taxes. So with little deductions I get to pay taxes on my income.

Boo.

Boo hoo!!

I do feel good that I do not have to live in my car and can afford a decent living.

But boo to taxes!!

#taxes#death#havingtopaytaxes#lifewithtaxesincanada#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

ANXIETY CAN CREEP UP ON ALL OF US

 Current events can trigger past events and memories.

Worrying can be a fact of life for many people.

But worrying does not solve problems. It just creates more worry.

Being proactive and tackling the areas of our lives that cause worry, upset and well anxiety does not eliminate them all but helps to take some control of life.

Doing my taxes causes me great angst!

Adolph used to do them. He helped in the last years before he died to do them. I had to do two sets but now only one. Mine.

I always make mistakes that the CRA corrects. I really don't care if I make mistakes as long as I file on time.

Now I have to pay tax installments so the amount paid when I file is not as great because I have already paid some taxes.

So once they done then one less thing to worry about.

#taxes#payingtaxes#completingataxreturen#anxiety#worry#tryingtobeproactive#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

SNOW IN APRIL IS NOT UNCOMMON

 Okay, trying to be positive about a little snowfall of 4cm yesterday.

Maybe more today.

The spring flowers are hardy so will survive.

I am not sure I will!!

LOL

#springsnowsucks#relectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

EASTER MESSAGE MORE NEEDED THIS YEAR THAN EVER

 I do not know about the rest of you but I feel the violence in the world needs a message of hope and love for peace.

The message of forgiveness.

Purple the colour of healing.

Prayer.

Donations.

Sanctions.

Supporting world actions to end not jus the Urkrainian war but all major conflicts.

People everywhere deserve peace, love and hope for a brighter future!

#eastermessage#love#hope#peace#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THE STRESS OF VOLUNTEERING VERSUS REAL WORK

 Retirement allows time to join some community groups.

One would think it is easier than real paid work.

Not really easier but a different stress.

There is an expectation for volunteer work that is different. An expectation there is so much free time that can be used whenever.

For me it has been more stressful than fun or enjoyable. I am helping a group or two but at what expense to me.

Reading is easy.

Crafting is easy.

Calling a friend.

But committing to a free endeavor comes at a great cost too. I wanted fun and enjoyable not stressful.

At least if I quit I will not be looking for a source of income.

#stressofvolunteering#volunteeringisnotfun#whydidIdoit#doIreallyneedtovolunteerforanything#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#otheractivitiesareeasy

NANA SAYS UKRAINIAN MOTHERS SAVE THEIR CHILDREN

 All the mothers and children fleeing Ukraine for safety are young.

The Moms are young. They did not plan to be leaving home and security for an unknown future.

I saw a wonderful idea.

The mothers are writing the name, birthday and other vital family information on the backs of their children in the event they the moms would die.

Simple yet so profound.

And sad.

To think someone had the wits to think of this. To protect their babies.

Ukraine has mothers who have taught us so much about survival. For their children.

#ukrainianmothers#savingtheirchildren#writingonthebacksoftheirchildren#ukrainianmothersaresoyoung#savingtheirchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

VIMY RIDGE MEMORY-APRIL 9 1917

 105 years ago the Canadians accomplished a great effort in World War One. The battle at Vimy Ridge in France.

Some photos I took from the TV at the 100th Anniversary celebrations in France.

The Vimy Foundation is a good website to explore the great battle.

Vimy Foundation

One of our family members Ernest Adolphus Ellis participated in this great battle.

I have written about his story several times in this blog.

Just key in Ernie Ellis in the search and it will take you to those posts.

It is difficult to find photos of individual soldiers. Usually there are just group shots of battalions.

So the photo of Ernie around the age he would have served for the CEF- Canadian Forces.

We remember war so we do not have to experience it again.

It breaks all our hearts to see what is happening in Ukraine in the year 2022.

Here's to all who served and are serving now.

#vimyfoundation#vimyridge#worldwarone#ernieellis#ernestadolphusellis#rememberingallwhoserved#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

THOSE SPRING FLOWERS ARE COMING ALONG

 Snowdrops.

Crocuses.

Love the colour coming along in the garden.

Fills in the brown spots.

I am always glad I planted a variety of colours. Especially the purple!!

#springbulbs#crocus#purplecrocus#whitecrocus#yellowcrocus#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

HOME AGAIN FROM A FAMILY TIME

 Being a grandparent has its quirks.

So babysitting for 4 grandchildren while parents had some away vacation time was good.

Busy.

Very busy.

I almost forgot how much work children can be .

A good busy though.

Will do it again sometime I am sure.

#babysittinggrandhildren#funwithgrandchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

APRIL CAME IN LIKE A LION

 Okay the cold weather can go away.

Had to wear my winter coat to get my mail today.

I have a new Shaceck- a cross between a shirt and a jacket.

It is my only Spring purchase.

After organizing my closet, I did discover I had too many clothes and really do not need anything new.

Felt good to give away 4 bags of stuff.

On my road to decluttering and downsizing.

#coldweathersucks#decluttering#desizing#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

APRIL-A TIME FOR BIRTHDAYS AND SPRING FLOWERS AND WARMER WEATHER

 April sure is a transition month.

I saw crocuses in the garden yesterday.

Three family birthdays. A daughter, a grandson, a brother.

Time to go on exercise walks again. No ice on the sidewalks is my reason.

Finishing many projects and will start some new ones.

Time to plan summer trips whether 1/2 day, day or overnight ones.

I feel change is in the air. A good change. More outdoor fun.

How about you? How does April look for you?

#aprilfornewbeginnings#Ilovefamilybirthdaysinapril#crocuses#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro