Thursday.
I was actually very excited about my day today because of the food I was going to eat! I love food and trying new recipes. I decided to incorporate the cranberry drink from the Fat Flush Program- (Dr. Ann Gittleman.)
I jumped on the scale and wow! I lost 2 lbs!
I started the day with the prescribed warm water with lemon.
Breakfast was very yummy- just yogurt with cut up orange, a sprinkle of walnuts, ground flaxseed, sprinkle of almonds.
Lunch was a challenge because I did not get my veggies prepared for the soup the night before. I also realized that there was waaaay too much soup for just me at lunch. The beauty of this- it became supper as well! My kids were not home for lunch, how would they know??? Besides, I could not find the turkey meat I needed for the supper dish. Big Sigh...this is the difficulty of these recipes- finding the ingredients!
I walked in the door after work to the aroma of chocolate chip cookies.
Oh Oh.
My daughter swooped in for her kiss and hug- very proud of her endeavors. Ok, how can one resist just a nibble....mmm. My son was busy putting together the makings for Baking Powder Biscuits. I was going to let the kids have the biscuits and cookies- I would stick to this Super Foods plan....... It was a good thought....I indulged in a few biscuits and one very large cookie!
Who invented chocolate chips? Did someone just wake up after a nap and have an epiphany? I often marvel at the foods we have to eat and how they came to pass. Have you ever found a recipe for crackers???
In retrospect:I would cut down on the fresh food I purchased- either try to buy in smaller quantities or go shopping more often. The reason being, these recipes make a lot of food- especially at lunch. I am the only one home at lunch. They don't particularly freeze well.
Planning is needed to make sure everything is prepared as far as possible the night before.
And....
.....I definitely need more Tupperware TM !!!!
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
Friday, March 12, 2010
Thursday, March 11, 2010
SUPER FOODS- TRIAL
On the first Sunday of the month I sit down with my recipe books and my tried-&-true meal plan tools. I really enjoying the time going through the books and pieces of paper- finding old friends as well as new recipes to try. I will sometimes go to the library and pickup some books.
I have been pondering Vegetarian. My kids are going through an anti meat stage. We have always eaten healthy. I tend to stay away from 'diets'. However, I picked up B (Melissa Perlman & Erica Gragg). What a wonderful plan and recipes. I would love to follow their plan, however after adding up the time it would take every day just to do the non-eating aspects of the plan, I would need at least 2 hours, a babysitter and a place to workout. I think I will just go to Amansala for a concentrated program!
In the past I have followed and quiet enjoy Dr. Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan. Great recipes and great program. I just wish we had something like this Canadianized! Next, I have a book called SuperFoods Rx by Steven Pratt, MD and Kathey Mattews. There is also another Super Foods book I picked up at the library- The Super Foods Diet Book. Now, I did not see the 'diet' part when I grabbed the book. I just 'saw' the Super Foods and figured it was more recipes by Steven Pratt.
After some more tea and much pondering, I decided that changing any habit takes 21 days. Perhaps if I just test these Super Foods out- make a commitment on this space- out to the Universe- I could honestly plot my course through to see how this works in the real world. I mean, here in Canada; as a single mom with a crazy work schedule and limited budget.
So here we are - Wednesday. Here is my report:
Meal Plan- even though I had the books, you still need at least 2-3 hours to put a two week plan together. This includes:
1) Picking out the recipes.
2) Recording the information in your Meal Planner. ( I have an excellent one I have used for 30 years)
3) Preparing a shopping list and finding out what is (not) in your cupboards.
Clean out your Fridge. Do a list of what you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards.
Put together a bag or two for your local Food Bank.
Start a food journal. Any book or journal will do. Write the start date, your goal, your measurements, your weight. See subsequent posts for more info.
In Retrospect: Give yourself a week to get organized.
So,
Sunday I planned
Monday I cleaned
Tuesday I shopped.....
Tuesday- I spent a good 2-3 hours cleaning the veggies/fruits/unpacking etc; preparing my lunch/supper for the next day. ( This is after shopping.)
I started my food journal.
In retrospect: I would have shopped earlier so the kids could have helped!
Wednesday:
Well, what can I say. The morning started off well. I managed to get the last pear so I was able to eat the breakfast as planned. However, the day got so busy, I did not eat 'lunch' until 3:30 pm. I had an evening appt so I rushed home for dinner- thank goodness most of it was ready!
The kids asked many questions, with strange looks on their faces, complaints poised on their breath...
So far, nothing has changed!...
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
I have been pondering Vegetarian. My kids are going through an anti meat stage. We have always eaten healthy. I tend to stay away from 'diets'. However, I picked up B (Melissa Perlman & Erica Gragg). What a wonderful plan and recipes. I would love to follow their plan, however after adding up the time it would take every day just to do the non-eating aspects of the plan, I would need at least 2 hours, a babysitter and a place to workout. I think I will just go to Amansala for a concentrated program!
In the past I have followed and quiet enjoy Dr. Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan. Great recipes and great program. I just wish we had something like this Canadianized! Next, I have a book called SuperFoods Rx by Steven Pratt, MD and Kathey Mattews. There is also another Super Foods book I picked up at the library- The Super Foods Diet Book. Now, I did not see the 'diet' part when I grabbed the book. I just 'saw' the Super Foods and figured it was more recipes by Steven Pratt.
After some more tea and much pondering, I decided that changing any habit takes 21 days. Perhaps if I just test these Super Foods out- make a commitment on this space- out to the Universe- I could honestly plot my course through to see how this works in the real world. I mean, here in Canada; as a single mom with a crazy work schedule and limited budget.
So here we are - Wednesday. Here is my report:
Meal Plan- even though I had the books, you still need at least 2-3 hours to put a two week plan together. This includes:
1) Picking out the recipes.
2) Recording the information in your Meal Planner. ( I have an excellent one I have used for 30 years)
3) Preparing a shopping list and finding out what is (not) in your cupboards.
Clean out your Fridge. Do a list of what you have in the fridge, freezer and cupboards.
Put together a bag or two for your local Food Bank.
Start a food journal. Any book or journal will do. Write the start date, your goal, your measurements, your weight. See subsequent posts for more info.
In Retrospect: Give yourself a week to get organized.
So,
Sunday I planned
Monday I cleaned
Tuesday I shopped.....
Tuesday- I spent a good 2-3 hours cleaning the veggies/fruits/unpacking etc; preparing my lunch/supper for the next day. ( This is after shopping.)
I started my food journal.
In retrospect: I would have shopped earlier so the kids could have helped!
Wednesday:
Well, what can I say. The morning started off well. I managed to get the last pear so I was able to eat the breakfast as planned. However, the day got so busy, I did not eat 'lunch' until 3:30 pm. I had an evening appt so I rushed home for dinner- thank goodness most of it was ready!
The kids asked many questions, with strange looks on their faces, complaints poised on their breath...
So far, nothing has changed!...
Love and All Good Things! The Peaceful Matriarch
Sunday, March 7, 2010
FULL MOM MODE
Saturday .
It was named no later than the second century for the planet (Saturn),[citation needed] which controlled the first hour of that day according to Vettius Valens. The planet was named for the Roman god of agriculture Saturn (Latin Saturnus). It has been called dies Saturni ("Saturn's Day"), through which form it entered into Old English as Sæternesdæg and gradually evolved into the word "Saturday". From Wikipedia
For me it is a day to transform from 'Career Woman' to Mom.
This Saturday was a spectacularly warm spring day. The sun was blazing in the sky and you could almost smell spring in the air. I noticed the pussy willows starting to bud on the trees in my yard.
I spent the morning with a Council of Women. Powerful, wise, unlimited Women. I started the day in a very high vibration!
I appreciate fully that Saturday is also a transition day. The kids, after having spent the majority of the week in school have to adjust to being around each other all day. I have to adjust to having them all together for the day!!
We have strict guidelines in our house in regards to the use of electronic games. During the week they only get ½ an hour. Saturday they get an hour. However, the beds have to be made, the weekly chores completed, kids dressed, breakfast eaten. I keep trying to impress upon my kids that the sooner they get the ‘work’ out of the way, they have the rest of the day!
We go to the library every Saturday. I love being at the library. I always get more books out than I will ever read. However, the beauty is, you can grab as many you like on a topic, then, when you get home and have time, you can narrow the choice down to what you really want to read. I love to get audio books- 1 kid friendly for the car and 1 for myself to listen to during the week on my commute to work and clients. The kids load up on music cd’s and movies.
After the library we hit the beach! A beach covered in ice and snow, but a beach none the less! Lake Nipissing. I sat on the bench facing the sun. I closed my eyes and felt the undeniably seductive heat of the sun warm my face. I watched the kids throw snowballs at each other…they got bored with this activity after a few hits. After a while they came and collapsed on the bench beside me and noticed the name plate on the bench. They asked why there were names on the benches. I explained that families donated money to the waterfront and in turn, were given a name plate. The names were picked by the families to honour someone they loved. I told them I had donated a piece of the TransCanada trail in honour of their Great Grandfather, Norman Clark. A whole other conversation ensued about the TransCanada trail! We moved from the bench to the lake. We walked out to look at some interesting wind socks and fishing huts. The novelty soon wore off and the 'can we go home now?' set in.
When we got home I made us some hot chocolate and we all tumbled onto the Great Round Couch to read. One of my kids got busy making brownies.....
All in all, a very good Saturn’s Day….
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
1. Divide up the house into sectors and determine how the rotation will be setup. In our house, I divided the chores up as follows:
a) Upstairs dusting, vacuuming, floor sweeping/washing
b) Upstairs bathroom
c) Downstairs dusting, vaccuuming, floor sweeping/washing
d) Downstairs bathroom
We used to rotate every week but there were too many arguments. We put a list on the Fridge and we rotate every month.
2. Be clear about what your expectations are and gear the duties/expectations to the age of the child. Do each chore with each child so they understand what has to be done.
3. Don't do chores longer than 2 hours. I have found that any activity after 2 hours starts to make everyone cranky!
4. Buy rubber gloves for the kids and put their names on the cuffs in marker.
5. Use environmentally safe products. I purcahse all my cleaning supplies from Melaleuca. If you are interested in being a member of Melaleuca (etc) contact me. It is easy and inexpensive to join. Their prodcuts are amazing! http://www.melaleuca.com/
6. If possible/applicable, keep the same cleaning supplies in the upstairs and downstairs. This ensures everyone can get their chores done.
7. Let your kids keep their rooms they way they want during the week but make it clear to them when their rooms have to be cleaned up. I tell my kids that by Saturday morning their rooms have to be cleaned up so we could get the other chores done.
8. We often put on music while we work. It keeps everyone's vibration a little higher.
It was named no later than the second century for the planet (Saturn),[citation needed] which controlled the first hour of that day according to Vettius Valens. The planet was named for the Roman god of agriculture Saturn (Latin Saturnus). It has been called dies Saturni ("Saturn's Day"), through which form it entered into Old English as Sæternesdæg and gradually evolved into the word "Saturday". From Wikipedia
For me it is a day to transform from 'Career Woman' to Mom.
This Saturday was a spectacularly warm spring day. The sun was blazing in the sky and you could almost smell spring in the air. I noticed the pussy willows starting to bud on the trees in my yard.
I spent the morning with a Council of Women. Powerful, wise, unlimited Women. I started the day in a very high vibration!
I appreciate fully that Saturday is also a transition day. The kids, after having spent the majority of the week in school have to adjust to being around each other all day. I have to adjust to having them all together for the day!!
We have strict guidelines in our house in regards to the use of electronic games. During the week they only get ½ an hour. Saturday they get an hour. However, the beds have to be made, the weekly chores completed, kids dressed, breakfast eaten. I keep trying to impress upon my kids that the sooner they get the ‘work’ out of the way, they have the rest of the day!
We go to the library every Saturday. I love being at the library. I always get more books out than I will ever read. However, the beauty is, you can grab as many you like on a topic, then, when you get home and have time, you can narrow the choice down to what you really want to read. I love to get audio books- 1 kid friendly for the car and 1 for myself to listen to during the week on my commute to work and clients. The kids load up on music cd’s and movies.
After the library we hit the beach! A beach covered in ice and snow, but a beach none the less! Lake Nipissing. I sat on the bench facing the sun. I closed my eyes and felt the undeniably seductive heat of the sun warm my face. I watched the kids throw snowballs at each other…they got bored with this activity after a few hits. After a while they came and collapsed on the bench beside me and noticed the name plate on the bench. They asked why there were names on the benches. I explained that families donated money to the waterfront and in turn, were given a name plate. The names were picked by the families to honour someone they loved. I told them I had donated a piece of the TransCanada trail in honour of their Great Grandfather, Norman Clark. A whole other conversation ensued about the TransCanada trail! We moved from the bench to the lake. We walked out to look at some interesting wind socks and fishing huts. The novelty soon wore off and the 'can we go home now?' set in.
When we got home I made us some hot chocolate and we all tumbled onto the Great Round Couch to read. One of my kids got busy making brownies.....
All in all, a very good Saturn’s Day….
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>
SATURDAY CHORE TIPS:
(Note: We have four people who do the chores in our house- Ages 9, 12, 12, 50)1. Divide up the house into sectors and determine how the rotation will be setup. In our house, I divided the chores up as follows:
a) Upstairs dusting, vacuuming, floor sweeping/washing
b) Upstairs bathroom
c) Downstairs dusting, vaccuuming, floor sweeping/washing
d) Downstairs bathroom
We used to rotate every week but there were too many arguments. We put a list on the Fridge and we rotate every month.
2. Be clear about what your expectations are and gear the duties/expectations to the age of the child. Do each chore with each child so they understand what has to be done.
3. Don't do chores longer than 2 hours. I have found that any activity after 2 hours starts to make everyone cranky!
4. Buy rubber gloves for the kids and put their names on the cuffs in marker.
5. Use environmentally safe products. I purcahse all my cleaning supplies from Melaleuca. If you are interested in being a member of Melaleuca (etc) contact me. It is easy and inexpensive to join. Their prodcuts are amazing! http://www.melaleuca.com/
6. If possible/applicable, keep the same cleaning supplies in the upstairs and downstairs. This ensures everyone can get their chores done.
7. Let your kids keep their rooms they way they want during the week but make it clear to them when their rooms have to be cleaned up. I tell my kids that by Saturday morning their rooms have to be cleaned up so we could get the other chores done.
8. We often put on music while we work. It keeps everyone's vibration a little higher.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
MOVIE NIGHT- FRIDAY
Friday Night, Movie Night is a long standing tradition in our house. I have never had cable or satellite TV. Therefore, movie night is extra special.
My eldest daughter is now 33. I have very found memories of renting a vhs machine and videos on Friday nights so we could watch movies together. The machines were big and heavy. Now here we are 30 years later with VHS a dinosaur, DVD'S Blue Ray- watching movies on satellite or the computer. The speed of change!
Our routine is SIMPLE. I make pizza- the kids swear it is the very best around! I have had many years to perfect it. I will put the recipe in a separate post. When my eldest daughter was young, we ordered pizza of course! It was a big treat. Greco's Pizza in North Bay, ON, Canada has the very best pizza around. http://www.grecospizza.ca/
My house is a 100 years old. The living room is in literally, the heart centre of our home.. We have a very cool couch that was constructed in the 1960's. It is a semi circle sectional with a big round coffee table that has a removable cushion. It is the perfect couch for our living room and for Movie Night because of its long semi circular shape. The Power of a circle!
While I am making the pizza in the kitchen off of the living room, the kids get into their pj's; bring down pillows/blankets and claim a spot on the couch. Whoever's turn it is to 'Set the Table', lays out the table cloth on the round stool (minus the cushion), sets out the napkins and pours out the refreshments. (Which stay safely in the kitchen!) The lights are dimmed, curtains closed. After some discussion, and sometimes arguments over who gets to pick the movie, Movie Night begins.
After our pizza and desert, we settle comfortably in. My youngest son, more often than not, snuggles up beside me and it does not take long for the warmth of his body to relax me. The cares and stresses of the week melt away and I peacefully surrender to the sleep that calls to me. It is a big joke in our house- I have seen the beginning and the end of many movies- rarely do I see the middle!
As my eldest son grew older, we would often watch a movie together after the younger kids had gone to bed. It gave us lots to talk about and discuss. Now that he is off to university, we no longer have the time together, however, we often share our opinions on movies we have watched.
I cherish these beautiful families moments-only a few hours but we are all together, but we can laugh, share, feel sad, and some times even a little scared. Family Tradition.
Love and All Good Things,
The Peaceful Matriarch
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
1. Your local library is a phenomenal source for movies- and free.
2. Members of GoodLife Fitness Clubs can rent movies under their membership for extremely low cost. In North Bay, ON, it is $5.00
3. Host a movie swap. Call your friends to come over for an evening or afternoon movie swap. After you have the swap, watch a movie together!
4. Set up a lending library with your friends. I highly recommend you keep a note book containing a record of who you lent the movies to. You should also come to some agreement as to what you will do if the movie is damaged. It seems easy but you do not want to have any hard feelings between friends.
5. Get your Jammies on! Get comfortable and cozy!
6. I do not allow my children to watch movies that are not within their age rating. Be careful when you borrow or buy older movies. The ratings have changed significantly. There are many of the older movies that were rated PG and by today’s standard should be PG-13 or more.
7. Popcorn is better than chips. A hot air popper or popping the corn in a pot on the stove…hmmmmm good.
8. I do not allow my children to drink pop. On special occasions I allow them to have Sprite or GingerAle. However, for some reason, I have always loved orange juice with my popcorn. The frozen orange juice that has to be mixed with water.
9. If you have more than one child and they are in the same age range, have them decide who can pick the movie. I have offered my kids suggestions- flip a coin; keep a list. I only allow them to watch one movie, on the rare occasion, two. My kids for the longest time wrote their “turn” on the calendar.
10. Start a Friday Night Movie Night with your friends. Take turns hosting.
My eldest daughter is now 33. I have very found memories of renting a vhs machine and videos on Friday nights so we could watch movies together. The machines were big and heavy. Now here we are 30 years later with VHS a dinosaur, DVD'S Blue Ray- watching movies on satellite or the computer. The speed of change!
Our routine is SIMPLE. I make pizza- the kids swear it is the very best around! I have had many years to perfect it. I will put the recipe in a separate post. When my eldest daughter was young, we ordered pizza of course! It was a big treat. Greco's Pizza in North Bay, ON, Canada has the very best pizza around. http://www.grecospizza.ca/
My house is a 100 years old. The living room is in literally, the heart centre of our home.. We have a very cool couch that was constructed in the 1960's. It is a semi circle sectional with a big round coffee table that has a removable cushion. It is the perfect couch for our living room and for Movie Night because of its long semi circular shape. The Power of a circle!
While I am making the pizza in the kitchen off of the living room, the kids get into their pj's; bring down pillows/blankets and claim a spot on the couch. Whoever's turn it is to 'Set the Table', lays out the table cloth on the round stool (minus the cushion), sets out the napkins and pours out the refreshments. (Which stay safely in the kitchen!) The lights are dimmed, curtains closed. After some discussion, and sometimes arguments over who gets to pick the movie, Movie Night begins.
After our pizza and desert, we settle comfortably in. My youngest son, more often than not, snuggles up beside me and it does not take long for the warmth of his body to relax me. The cares and stresses of the week melt away and I peacefully surrender to the sleep that calls to me. It is a big joke in our house- I have seen the beginning and the end of many movies- rarely do I see the middle!
As my eldest son grew older, we would often watch a movie together after the younger kids had gone to bed. It gave us lots to talk about and discuss. Now that he is off to university, we no longer have the time together, however, we often share our opinions on movies we have watched.
I cherish these beautiful families moments-only a few hours but we are all together, but we can laugh, share, feel sad, and some times even a little scared. Family Tradition.
Love and All Good Things,
The Peaceful Matriarch
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
TIPS FOR MOVIE NIGHT:
1. Your local library is a phenomenal source for movies- and free.
2. Members of GoodLife Fitness Clubs can rent movies under their membership for extremely low cost. In North Bay, ON, it is $5.00
3. Host a movie swap. Call your friends to come over for an evening or afternoon movie swap. After you have the swap, watch a movie together!
4. Set up a lending library with your friends. I highly recommend you keep a note book containing a record of who you lent the movies to. You should also come to some agreement as to what you will do if the movie is damaged. It seems easy but you do not want to have any hard feelings between friends.
5. Get your Jammies on! Get comfortable and cozy!
6. I do not allow my children to watch movies that are not within their age rating. Be careful when you borrow or buy older movies. The ratings have changed significantly. There are many of the older movies that were rated PG and by today’s standard should be PG-13 or more.
7. Popcorn is better than chips. A hot air popper or popping the corn in a pot on the stove…hmmmmm good.
8. I do not allow my children to drink pop. On special occasions I allow them to have Sprite or GingerAle. However, for some reason, I have always loved orange juice with my popcorn. The frozen orange juice that has to be mixed with water.
9. If you have more than one child and they are in the same age range, have them decide who can pick the movie. I have offered my kids suggestions- flip a coin; keep a list. I only allow them to watch one movie, on the rare occasion, two. My kids for the longest time wrote their “turn” on the calendar.
10. Start a Friday Night Movie Night with your friends. Take turns hosting.
SIMPLY LIVE, LIVE SIMPLY
Friday, March 5, 2010
CRAFT NIGHT, LADIES! Every Thursday
I was in love. It was February in the very early 1980’s. I was sitting on a Greyhound bus on my way to Vermont to visit my man. I was excited to see him, but I was even more excited about what I was going to give him! I sat those many enjoyable hours on the bus- finishing his Icelandic Sweater- my very first.
While this sweater was under design and development, the ladies where I worked marveled at what I was doing. I was constantly being asked if I would make a sweater for them or their man.
Pretty soon the list was far too long! I told them to buy the wool and needles, then, I would show them how to knit- the birth of Craft Night. In the early days of Craft Night there were so many women I hosted two evenings a week. As the years went by and life got busier I switched it to one night- Thursday night. For the better part of 30 years I have had Craft Night every Thursday night. Now, even if no one is able to come, I pull out my knitting. Every stitch brings back found memories.
There is something so grounding and ancient about sitting around with women, talking, sharing, creating. We bonded, we laughed, we cried- we spun Yarn and tales. We changed the world with our opinions. We shared patterns and techniques. Each night wove the fabric of our lives closer together.
Almost all the Craft Nights were held at my house. I served up tea- the very best in town I was told. (The secret is in the tea pot.) At Christmas we would gather for Cookie Exchanges. We taught each other various techniques and argued over various techniques. Deep friendships, life time friendships were formed. We are unlimited women. We Simply Lived.
*************Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
Setting up a Craft Night is easy and inexpensive. It is an excellent way to welcome new people to the community you live in or for you to meet new people. We had women who brought a variety of work to do.
Simply:
1. Designate a day of the week, a time to meet and where you will meet.
2. Tea, coffee, water is all you need to serve. Well, we did share baked goods but we would have to make sure we washed our hands after!
3. If you are just starting, go to rummage sales or garage sales to find needles, patterns.
4. There are many free knitting and craft patterns on line.
5. I told everyone it was every Thursday night unless I called to cancel. This was far easier than calling everyone each week to see if they could come.
6. Keep the tv off and if you put music on, keep it to instrumental music.
HERE IS A VIDEO THAT YOU WILL FIND INTERESTING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM
Search Amazon.com for wool winder
While this sweater was under design and development, the ladies where I worked marveled at what I was doing. I was constantly being asked if I would make a sweater for them or their man.
Pretty soon the list was far too long! I told them to buy the wool and needles, then, I would show them how to knit- the birth of Craft Night. In the early days of Craft Night there were so many women I hosted two evenings a week. As the years went by and life got busier I switched it to one night- Thursday night. For the better part of 30 years I have had Craft Night every Thursday night. Now, even if no one is able to come, I pull out my knitting. Every stitch brings back found memories.
There is something so grounding and ancient about sitting around with women, talking, sharing, creating. We bonded, we laughed, we cried- we spun Yarn and tales. We changed the world with our opinions. We shared patterns and techniques. Each night wove the fabric of our lives closer together.
Almost all the Craft Nights were held at my house. I served up tea- the very best in town I was told. (The secret is in the tea pot.) At Christmas we would gather for Cookie Exchanges. We taught each other various techniques and argued over various techniques. Deep friendships, life time friendships were formed. We are unlimited women. We Simply Lived.
Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. Anais Nin
Setting up a Craft Night is easy and inexpensive. It is an excellent way to welcome new people to the community you live in or for you to meet new people. We had women who brought a variety of work to do.
Simply:
1. Designate a day of the week, a time to meet and where you will meet.
2. Tea, coffee, water is all you need to serve. Well, we did share baked goods but we would have to make sure we washed our hands after!
3. If you are just starting, go to rummage sales or garage sales to find needles, patterns.
4. There are many free knitting and craft patterns on line.
5. I told everyone it was every Thursday night unless I called to cancel. This was far easier than calling everyone each week to see if they could come.
6. Keep the tv off and if you put music on, keep it to instrumental music.
HERE IS A VIDEO THAT YOU WILL FIND INTERESTING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6ZjMWLqJvM
Search Amazon.com for wool winder
Thursday, March 4, 2010
HELLO THIS IS YOUR ADVISOR CALLING…
And your financial advisor should be calling and you should be meeting with your financial advisor at the bare minimum once a year. More often if you are developing your financial plan or going through major life changes.
Wednesdays are dedicated to Financial Planning. Each week I will touch on a separate topic. Below you will see a TABLE OF CONTENT.
I am a financial advisor. I am life licensed in the Province of Ontario, Canada. I am mutually fund licensed in the Province of Ontario. I am not responsible for any personal/professional liability for the information I am providing to you. Always speak to your advisors and seek the proper opinion of your lawyer/accountant etc. Notice I said Proper, not Popular. I will accept full responsibility if this information TRANSFORMS your life.
I have a passion for ensuing my clients are well informed and well educated. I have a passion for what I do because of what I experienced and witnessed over my years on this planet.
I have personally experienced the humiliation and been felt the coldness of a life in poverty. I sat on the board of the National Anti-Poverty Organization (now, Canada Without Poverty) www.cwp-csp.ca/Blog/poverty-in-canada I had the privilege of sitting as the International Secretary and Chair of the Women’s Committee. I travelled with other Non-Government Agencies to participate at the Beijing +10 Conference in New York City, then to Geneva Switzerland to present to the United Nations Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights. My presentation was on the Child Tax Benefit Clawback. I joined the thousands of women across in hosting the relay for the Global Charter for Humanity in Yellowknife, NWT. The stories I heard and women who told them made me very determined to make a difference through my work as a financial advisor. Women come to poverty in many ways and each story is different. Perhaps with education on financial planning from an early age can go a long way to helping segments of women in poverty.
If you have not started your financial plan, or, if you depend on your husband or partner, or, your group plans, or think you are invincible, well, the time to start is now.
CONTENT series
Getting Started with Your Financial Plan-
• Insurance: Whyshould I care? I am going to be dead.
• What are the types of insurance?
• Why do I need Life Insurance?
• Why don’t I just buy term and invest the rest?
Living Benefits:
• Disability Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Long Term Care Insrance
Savings & Income
• How to save on taxes.
• What kind of savings plan should I have?
• What are the definitions for all these funds?
• What is Non-Registered, Registered?
• What are Segregated funds; annuities?
Budget, Fudgit
• Should I have one or not.
• What about Debt?
Estate Planning- only for the rich and famous- right?
• Why do I need a Will?
• What is a Power of Attorney and why do I need one?
• What does it cost to die in Canada?
• What is an Estate and what is its purpose upon death?
Misc:
• What about my children?
• Yeah, but you are paid by commission!
• Selecting Your advisor
• Resources
• Readers Q&A
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, harmonious, loving, joyous and happy.
Think this statement all day long.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday is Laundry Day- Simply Mind Numbing or Not??
Tuesday is laundry day in our house.
I came home after working late. The house peaceful as the kids were nestled snuggly in bed. On the banister was a small square sticky note with large printing in marker. It said, simply, 'Mom laundry NOW.' I giggled!
There are several words in the Oxford Dictionary that define laundry:
Launder: verb wash and iron (clothes etc.) 2. To transfer (funds etc) to conceal their origin.
I suppose there is a connection. I mean we transfer the articles we are washing from the floor, under things, on things, in things, to baskets, bags, to the floor, to the machine, to another machine, back in baskets and then, hopefully back in their appropriate storage space. We wash the articles of clothing to conceal the origin of the need to clean them in the first place!
Launderette: an establishment with coin operated washing machines and driers for public use.
Laundress: I love this one!- A woman whose job it is to launder clothes. I wonder what men do if they do not have a woman to do this.
Laundry: noun A place where clothes etc are laundered; a business establishment that launders things for customers. 2. clothes etc for washing, especially those sent to or from a laundry. (yeah, defining a word with the word you are trying to define, please!)
I like Laundry definition 2- I am eagerly awaiting for the City of North Bay to install vacuum tubes from all the homes to the local Laundrette’s. I mean, think about it! Very energy efficient.
I used a Front End load machine when I was around 8 years old. This would have been 42 years ago. It took me 42 years to finally have my own Front End Load. (And no, I am not talking about investments or a piece of heavy equipment!)
When I was 8 my aunt AND my Grandma had Front End Load washers. One day I was helping my Auntie Marion do the laundry. She was giving me instructions on how to use her machine. She said, “Now, be careful of your….” Too late! My hand got sucked up into the ROLLER. No damage done. I was scared out of my skin though. I have provided you with a link to show you the model she used! http://blogs.families.com/media/133380495-M.jpg
When I have to contemplate the laundry that never seems to end, I wonder at the lost art. I wonder at how time consuming it seems to so many of us now, but how can we compare!
My mother regales us with tales of having to wash the diapers for my brother (11 months older ) and I in a very small trailer in France. I hate doing the laundry almost as much as doing the dishes.
I have found tricks and tips to help ease the task.
This Tuesday’s Free Laundry Tip:
Find a good wash and fold service. In North Bay, Ontario, Canada, I take my laundry to Cindi at Algonquin Laundromat. http://www.canpages.ca/page/ON/north-bay/algonquin-laundromat/1614993.html
She is a god send! I love picking the clothes up from there- all nicely folded, sorted. And, the bottom sheets for the bed- how does she fold them so perfectly? Mine always end up looking like puff pillows! …makes for sitting neatly on a shelf impossible! Seriously, it is worth the money to have a wash and fold service do any large items. Also, if you are stressed with your schedule and the laundry is piling up, do yourself a favour. It is almost as good as going for a massage!
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Evelyn Clark- Medal of Bravery
It seems only fitting that I start my series on Woman Unlimited with the story of one of my grandmothers. A strong woman, a Woman Unlimited who lived Simply and Simply Lived.
Evelyn was my father’s mother. I LOVED going to the farm to see them. The big old farmhouse with the huge stove I always saw her cooking on- and it needed wood to heat it up! I have found memories of gathering for “dinner”. Many people around the table in the big kitchen, eating a hot home cooked meal of food fresh from the farm; my aunts sitting in the kitchen talking and laughing.
One time I went upstairs, sat at my grandmother’s vanity, and proceeded to poke through the various items. Ahhhh. I found her make up! My eyes just about popped out of my head when I picked up the funny looking, huge bra she had slung over the back of the chair. I marvelled at the sheer size of the cups!
I still remember the day….coming home from school to find the door locked…the neighbours coming to get us; my dad sitting us down and telling us that she died along with our baby cousin. My world crashed down.
When I was in my 30’s I wrote a letter to the Government of Canada asking that she be considered for a Medal of Bravery. You see, she gave her life that day for children.
The fire broke out after lunch. My grandpa was down in the barn doing the chores. My grandmother had adopted two boys (my uncles who were younger than I). She was tucking the two boys and two other children in for their afternoon naps. My grandmother was a foster mother. One of the children, a toddler, was her very own granddaughter.
When the fire started my grandmother was trapped upstairs. She broke a window on the 2nd story and proceeded to throw the children out the window to safety. She went back for her granddaughter only to be overcome by smoke. They both died while my grandfather watched in deep horror unable to do anything.
Grandma, I still have my rose tea set that you gave me when I was 5. I have your picture close by. I often dream of what it would be like to have you here now with your great grandchildren. As I reach my 50th birthday I realize how young you died.
The Government of Canada, despite the articles etc that I provided, stated that too much time had passed and they could not consider her. All I wanted was for the world to hear her story and to know what a true and beautiful person she was.
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
Evenlyn Clark passed away a hero in Feb 1966 Carleton Place Ontario.
Evelyn was my father’s mother. I LOVED going to the farm to see them. The big old farmhouse with the huge stove I always saw her cooking on- and it needed wood to heat it up! I have found memories of gathering for “dinner”. Many people around the table in the big kitchen, eating a hot home cooked meal of food fresh from the farm; my aunts sitting in the kitchen talking and laughing.
One time I went upstairs, sat at my grandmother’s vanity, and proceeded to poke through the various items. Ahhhh. I found her make up! My eyes just about popped out of my head when I picked up the funny looking, huge bra she had slung over the back of the chair. I marvelled at the sheer size of the cups!
I still remember the day….coming home from school to find the door locked…the neighbours coming to get us; my dad sitting us down and telling us that she died along with our baby cousin. My world crashed down.
When I was in my 30’s I wrote a letter to the Government of Canada asking that she be considered for a Medal of Bravery. You see, she gave her life that day for children.
The fire broke out after lunch. My grandpa was down in the barn doing the chores. My grandmother had adopted two boys (my uncles who were younger than I). She was tucking the two boys and two other children in for their afternoon naps. My grandmother was a foster mother. One of the children, a toddler, was her very own granddaughter.
When the fire started my grandmother was trapped upstairs. She broke a window on the 2nd story and proceeded to throw the children out the window to safety. She went back for her granddaughter only to be overcome by smoke. They both died while my grandfather watched in deep horror unable to do anything.
Grandma, I still have my rose tea set that you gave me when I was 5. I have your picture close by. I often dream of what it would be like to have you here now with your great grandchildren. As I reach my 50th birthday I realize how young you died.
The Government of Canada, despite the articles etc that I provided, stated that too much time had passed and they could not consider her. All I wanted was for the world to hear her story and to know what a true and beautiful person she was.
Love and All Good Things, The Peaceful Matriarch
Evenlyn Clark passed away a hero in Feb 1966 Carleton Place Ontario.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Powerful Women
It seems synchronistic for me to begin my debut as a blogger at the close of the 2010 Olympics. Out of the 26 medals won by Canadians, over half were won by Women! Congratulations!
For the young women of today, this would seem so normal- women in sports, women at the podium. Feminism has faded into the annals of history. We are now Woman Unlimited. We have peacefully moved into our power. Even the women living in the worst of circumstances have found the power within.
Stories of the lives of women have always fascinated me. I remember sitting at a “hen” party many years ago in the Northwest Territories (Canada). I sat back quietly and watched the women who had gathered to laugh,share,and eat chocolate. In the room were powerful women in their own right. International artist. International Photographer. Midwife who successfully changed legislation in the NWT to allow midwifery practice. Mothers. Athlete. I marveled at the depth of their passion, their belief- not only in who they are but how they could help others.
Change agents. They carried on simply living ordinary lives while doing extraordinary things. I knew then that I wanted to share their stories.
In the days and weeks to come I will bring to you the stories of Woman Unlimited. I will give you free tips and advice on ways to live Simple Lives. I want to here from other women who have discovered a Simple way to Simply Living. I will bring forward topics of wordly concern so we can raise awareness and contrast what we do not want. Then we can focus on what we all want....
As a famous Beatle said- "Love is All There Is"
As a famous Beatle said- "Love is All There Is"
Love and All Good things, The Peaceful Matriarch
Below are my picks....
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