A DEATH IN THE FAMILY-HOW TO HANDLE ALL THAT COMES WITH IT

 Death and taxes we are told are staples of life.

So when a death occurs in a family there are so many different ways to grieve from all angles depending on the family member and friends.

My sister was found dead last Saturday February 24. Not sure yet of the exact death date. Up to the medical examiner to determine.

She lived in Alberta. Moved there 14 years ago from Ontario.

Visits and phone calls and texts kept the relationship going.

Sad is a funny emotion. It sticks with you. How are you? Are you okay? No not okay. Just sad.

So helping my nephews with some facts and data. 

Emotional support.

They lost their Mom. I am the sister.

Informed and speaking with my brothers and some friends.

Marilee was 77. I will miss her.

#deathinthefamily#dealingwithadeath#helpingthenephews#beingsadisastrangefeeling#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS-KEEPING A FLOW IN GENEALOGY RESEARCH

 Getting busy and avoiding those fun projects takes a toll.

Especially on my genealogy research.

So trying to do something rather than waiting for the ideal time seems to be the best answer.

Checking the 1931 census.

Visiting a link.

Uploading another picture.

Writing another paragraph in a written piece.

Keeping the glow going even if it is a small attempt.

What I usually discover is once I say I will only do 5 minutes it does end up being more with some successful results.

Genealogy research can be done in little segments with good results.

#genealogyresearch#genealogy#smallattemptsatresearch#reflectivethoughtsbyarbara#barbaradimambro

REACHING OUT TO TROUBLED FRIENDS, FAMILY OR ACQUANITANCE-WELL JUST SHOW UP

 Often we know people who are facing difficult times.

It can be said by many- I don't know what to say or do.

Sometimes nothing is done. We stay away.

The best answer is to Show UP.

Be there.

Tell the person you don't know what to say or do. But you are there to listen and be with the person.

Showing up is the best message given.

How about you? Have there times you did not know what to say or do?

#justshouwup#don'tknowhattosayordowelljustshowup#showup#bethere#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FEBRUARY PROJECTS MOVING ALONG-INDOOR ACTIVITIES

 Trying to take advantage of the last two months of indoor activities only puts pressure on getting projects started and others done.

The decluttering of one closet was a good feeling.

Working on a crochet project of making granny squares to use on a variety of items.

Using my gift cards from Christmas to buy some much needed books for Spring and Summer reading. I wondered down the Canadian literature aisle and found two that seemed promising.

Mason's Jar by John Jantunen caught my eye. One-third through it. The writing has enticed me to make my other writing more descriptive. It seems my habit of writing assessments and charting and just stating the facts does stifle me. So I have decided to add more description when I edit my short stories.

Attending as many of my grandsons' hockey games as possible. At least the ones that are closer to home.

My bedroom closet area is almost done. I am waiting for warmer weather to go through my clothes in a big way. 

Of course March will be the beginning of Spring cleaning.

I am trying to focus on creative projects.

My community involvement remains the same. I am trying to find three more speakers for one group. I have someone as my April speaker. Those meetings are zoom only.

Exercise is sporadic so I must up my game. Walking around the house is not like walking with weights in the community.

So how is your February going? Are you getting your indoor projects done?

#indoorprojects#cleaningthoseclutteredclosets#canadianliterature#mason'sjarbyjohnjantunen#readingisgood#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FAMILY DAY WEEKEND IN ONTARIO FEBRUARY 17

 A stat holiday in February.

How nice!

Time to spend with family and friends.

With the snow last week, there are many outdoor activities to do.

Up the street from me is the Library with some events. However, the hill in front of the library has children sledding. I can hear the squeals from my house. A simple outdoor fun activity.

I will be with my grandchildren for part of the weekend.

So how are you spending the weekend?

Do you have a stat holiday Monday?

#familydayweekend#spendingtimewithfamily#lovingtimewithfamily#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

MAKING FUN APPETIZERS FROM HOUSE OF KERRS-PESTO BOCCONCINI TOMATO APPETIZER

 My daughter Sonya writes a wonderful blog when she has time.

So using some ideas from a couple of years ago has been fun.

House of Kerrs

If you want some valentine or love themed ideas just put the words love themed or heart shaped in the search link on her site and some great ideas will come up.

So for my Saturday night steak dinner I added her Pesto Bocconcini Tomato dish. Very simple.

The ingredients. Bought the tomatoes from Longos. The pesto in a jar and bocconcini from Grande Cheese.

Easy to make. Slice the tomatoes and cheese. Layer with the pesto on top.

Tasty with my meal and I am sure to make them again.

#pestobocconcinitomatoappetizer#easySaturdaynightappetizer#addingnewideastomymeals#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#houseofkerrs#houseofkeersvalentinerecipes

BEING BLINDSIDED- HAVE YOU BEEN BLINDSIDED OR JUST HAVE A BLIND SPOT IN LIFE

 

Our cars have blindspots. It is why we look over our shoulder before we change lines.

We are told love is blind. Well sometimes. Often we do see with both eyes wide open. And love the person anyway.

We are told we are blinded to our faults. Often criticizing others for those faults. But we can have self awareness and realize our faults.

We may have trusted others or groups or some people in our lives to be blindsided by an action, a criticism or they were not the friend or group we really needed nor can trust anymore.

Being excluded and not realizing why in a social situation. Not loved or accepted as much as we thought.

It hurts and we have to realize it really does hurt.

So have you had occasions why you were blindsided?

What did you do about it?

#beingblindsided#blindspotsinourlives#losingtrustafterbeingblindsided#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

FEBRUARY THE MONTH OF LOVE AND FUN AS WELL AS DEPRESSION

 My February is off to a good start.

I went to the All Star Hockey event in Toronto with the family. A nice dinner before the event at the Scotiabank Arena.

There was the All star draft with celebrity captains. Justin Beiber and Michael Buble were two. Fun for my granddaughter.

For me the thrill of seeing the 1967 Maple Leaf team and my teen hero Dave Keon. 

Like my fun sign.

Taking the subway with my grandson is always an adventure. Just being downtown was great.

A doctor's appointment and all is well.

Working on community group publicity.

Some more organizing of my stamp collection and 6 small collections for the grandchildren.

With all the activity it is a month with little sunshine which does not help the mood.

So pushing to go out and be around others is good too.

February-a time to love, live and be.

#February#justinbeiber#michaelbuble#allstarhockeyweekend#davekeon#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro