MASON JARS TO THE CURB MEAN AN END TO A TRADITION

15 boxes of mason jars on the curb yesterday. Hoping someone may want them. If not will regroup in my recycling bins and away they go.

I used to make lots of pickles and jams and other preserves.
I thought when I started to downsize and declutter I would continue in my next place.

So cleaning the basement I decided that my days of jams and pickles and other preserves are over.

Saying goodbye to parts of our lives comes with a cost. It means admitting that some activities are finished and over.

For me it was a bit of a dream. I wanted a quasi country place where I could make a home business beside the house. An etsy store too online. Making homemade items could have been part of it.

With a change in next place plans that dream is gone. No store of any kind.

So the jars on the curb are part of a goodbye to that dream and plan.

Funny though not overly sad about it.

When we throw out something in our lives, it allows room to welcome something else.
I do not know what that will be yet.

But I do know I must keep moving forward towards whatever this good life will bring me.
#masonjars#traditions#endofadream#lettinggotogrow#declutteringisgood#cleaningoutpartsofourlives#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

POINSETTAS- THE FLOWER OF CHRISTMAS

Red is the most traditional one.

I find it is really Christmas when I have one or more in my home.
How about you? Do you like poinsettas?
#poinsettas#redpoinsettas#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

A COMPLAINT AND A COMPLIMENT

Life is funny. Some days just go by without any drama or conflict.

Then this week. A major complaint about a dysfunctional item delivered to my home. I had to return it. Refunded. But I still wrote a complaint letter to Corporate.

Then forgetting to put an apartment number on a package and the Post Office in Nanaimo called me to try to get it so the parcel could be delivered. So I wrote a compliment letter to Corporate in Ottawa.
Of course I copied both locations.

I find myself not accepting any crap lately. I guess it is because as a nice person I have usually let things slide. But not now.

My rule is if I do not dish it out then I should not be expected to take it.

So puttering and doing at home to regroup my energy and stay away from conflict is my mantra for the day.

Besides with Christmas wrapping and cleaning and organizing there is lots that will help me burn any hostile energy I have.

How about you? Are you trying to stay calm and happy during the festive season??
#compliments#complaints#tryingtoreigninnegativeenergy#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHEN POWERFUL PEOPLE ABUSE

With the Prince Andrew scandal escalating, with the interview of his victim, I have some thoughts.

The woman said, she was young and there were powerful people in the room. So with all those powerful people, what could I do.

At age 17, she was not emotionally knowledgeable to know that what was happening was very wrong.

Power does not make injustice right. And a girl of 17 was a girl. Used and abused. Period.

When we look at our country with the human trafficking, the missing and murdered indigenous women and all other abuse, we must stop and reflect. They are girls and sometimes boys who were abused by powerful people.

Power lets people see others as helpless, no face. To be used and abused.

We must always treat our most vulnerable with care and compassion.

Remember we are strongest with our weakest link. So taking care of the weakest keeps us strong.

For all those were abused in the Epstein situation, I am sorry for your loss of youth and innocence.
For those who have been abused in any situation, I am sorry for your loss.

What to do now? Believe the abused. Look for situations of abuse and report or correct them.

Applaud those who have the courage to come forward. And above all support them!!
#powerabusesothers#powerdoesnotmakeabuseright#abusedpeople#believetheabused#childrenarenotresponsiblefortheactionsofabusers#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

CHRISTMAS CAN BE FUN IF LESS IS DONE

We are bombarded with Christmas ideals everywhere. The perfect lights. The perfect hostess appetizers. The perfectly decorated house. How to serve the perfect Christmas dinner.

Life is not perfect. If we think of the memories we cherish about Christmas, it is not in a magazine spread.

My stocking as a child had cream candies, a delicious apple and an orange along with other little items. Loved it.

I still just love sitting quietly beside a lit Christmas tree- reading, crafting, watching TV or nothing. The peace of Christmas lights.

The music always makes it sweeter.

But family. Being together. Not perfect but together.Warts and all.

Yes presents are important especially for the little ones to have lots of things to open. Thus I wrap everything separately for them.

Spending time together. Getting outside and enjoying the snow. Make a snow angel.

There are some expectations. I still do the Christmas dinner so try to make it good and special. My girls bring some dishes and desserts too. But again being together.

There is also the knowledge it could be the last Christmas for some. When my mother-in-law was dying and I knew it was her last Christmas, I filmed everything to have a last memory of her. December 1997.

So what is necessary and what can be left undone.

#christmasfun#notaperfectworld#notaperfecttree#doingyourbesttogetthingsdone#Christmaslightsaresopeaceful#Christmasmusic#familytoghether#beingtogetherasafamilyforChristmas#barbaradimambro#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara

SHOVELING IS GOOD EXERCISE

So I tell myself. When I was just about finished this morning, a sprinkling of new snow started to come. Yeah, I get to go out again later and shovel some more.

A Monday like today with terrible driving makes retirement seems pleasurable. I can watch traffic on Yonge Street from my house.

My power walks have tapered off so I am looking for some housebound exercises to keep me fit.

I have weights so can walk with those around the house as well as do some real weight exercises.

I need to stretch more as the old muscles can atrophy.

But being outside with fresh air actually is good for the soul. Properly dressed in winter gear is doable. I still walk the 100 m or so  one way to get my mail 5 days weekly.

When the grandchildren come, they like to play outside. Just a simple snowman brings some joy.

So moving and doing is a good thing.
#exercise#shovelingsnowisgoodexercise#usingmyweightsforexercise#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro#makingasnowman#beingoutsideisgoodforthesoul

DECEMBER IN LIKE A LION- NO THAT'S MARCH

With freezing rain and ice pellets, it is a good day to be home. No need to be out and about.

One quick grocery run this morning and home before the weather worsened.

December means yes Christmas is just around the corner. The social events rev up.

The need to be creative with meal planning. I love all the ideas for fancy goodies.

Then I make the same plain food that everyone likes.

I rarely bake anymore as no one really eats the goods.

December is the month of continuous celebration.

The music. The movies. The connecting with friends and family.

I still send cards as I love receiving them.

Even the old standby Family newsletter was written. Not too much to say but basically we are still standing.

So Finishing the Christmas shopping for the grandchildren. Taking my time to wrap.

How are your Christmas preparations going??
#christmaspreparations#shopping#wrapping#socialevents#themonthofdecemberisbusy#shoppingforgrandchildren#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro