Breathing Life Into a Dream

We stayed at the Red Pine Bed & Breakfast this past weekend. It renewed a dream.

My brother-in-law was just returning 'home' (to our Inn) from a walk when I happened to drive up to the Red Pine B & B.

He met me at the car and his first words to me were, "This has exceeded all expectations."

Then he proceeded to start to tell me about our amazing hostess ... until the moment that I was warmly greeted and welcomed into our temporary home and met 'Edwina' myself.

As we walked in the doors and he said, "You've just got to see this ..." and we wandered through this amazing home which has been turned into a Bed & Breakfast.

Our suite was amazing. It housed all four of us with ease. It was almost unfortunate that we had the entirety of the rest of the house at our disposal, because we had all the comforts of home, right within our very own suite:

   

What  you don't see, is that there is comfy, cozy, big chair (that goes with the ottoman shown) and another full-sized queen bed, off in one nook of the 'living area'. There is a new television set with a multitude of channels (satellite) and an incredible selection of DVD's available to watch. There has also been a small fridge (with an wide variety of beverages), a microwave and a tray set up for coffee/tea and snacks.

It is unfortunate that the photo gallery of this B & B does not showcase the main floor level. There are two large sitting areas (which could be separated by a sliding door, if there was a need) and a hugh dining area. Every nook and cranny of this three story home has been decorated by hand picked items that have been acquired through auctions and garage sales over the course of the (two) years in which the owners have had this home.

You walk up one half of the first flight of stairs and there is the door to the North Balcony (pictured above). You continue up that flight of stairs and you find this:

Canto - Bedroom 1

Canto - from a different angle

and this:   

Madeira - Bedroom 2



Burgundy - Bedroom 3

and this:

The Office (now converted to a  4th Bedroom)

North Balcony (private access off of the Office Bedroom)

That is just the house. Then there is Edwina ... our hostess.

Each and every one of us was welcomed with open arms. She offered us refreshments any time there may have been an inkling of someone wanting a coffee or something to nibble on. She gave us just the right amount of space and privacy to visit amongst ourselves, as well as a chance to visit with her in small bits and bites. I believe we were all anxious to hear a little of her story ... what it took to get their B & B from 'there' to 'here'.

Before we left, I took a few minutes to thank Edwina. Before I even arrived, my family told her about my goal of running a bed and breakfast one day. So she took full advantage of the time that I had separated myself from my family to talk with her. "Come ... let's sit down and talk!", she exclaimed as she escorted me to one of the sitting rooms.

She buoyed my enthusiasm, restored my faith and she started me off with words of advice. She sent me on my way, encouraging me to keep in touch and ask her anything, as I set off on the road to pursuing this dream.

I have never let the goal of owning/running a Bed & Breakfast die. But it has withered ... just a bit. When one allows reality to seep into your dreams, it does water them down a bit.

After this weekend and most especially after sitting down and talking with Edwina .... I feel that anything is possible!

Making the Most of What We Have

We met by chance ... are friends by choice.

Twenty years ago, there were a group of us thrown together at Our Place of Work to open up a new branch location. Twenty years later ... there are still a handful of us that get together and celebrate our friendship whenever we can make it work.

Originally, we made plans to get together before we went our separate ways after a visit. Once a month. We all marked it on our calendars and set a day, time and place to ensure we didn't let this friendship fall by the wayside.

Then life happened. There were job changes, family relationships that changed and evolved, retirement, health challenges and several even moved out of the province.

Our monthly ritual was no more. But we didn't let the connection break entirely. We were a group of friends united. And united we have stayed. Through good times and bad.

We made our plans around whatever worked. Our motto is "No pressure". We would gather for tea ... for potluck suppers ... picnics ... days to remember ... and as the years evolved, we even managed to take our friendship group on the road and set out on new adventures.

Whether it was 2 hours, 2 days, 2 minutes on the phone or an email 'conversation' ... we have learned to create the most out of whatever time we are given. We have made a lot of memories in little time.

This past weekend, we were given about 90 minutes.

It takes creativity, patience and a little bit of flexibility to make a 'Pedicure for Four' work. But we did it! As much as we tried to make this work in the times we chose ... in the end, it was the salon that made our decision. There was one day that would work, within the deadline that we had (flexibly) created in our minds. That would be this past Saturday.

Each of us found a way to make this work. And it was good.

We had the Pedicure Room to ourselves. We chatted together and apart. We drew our estheticians into 'our world' and enlarged our circle. We created new memories.

When we are together, we laugh, we share, we care ... we support, we encourage, we listen, we talk. This time? We got pretty feet!

Our Circle of Feet ...

within our most special

Circle of Friends

The Best of Both Worlds

It was just under two years ago that my Second Born Sister's children threw a surprise anniversary party for their parents. Each of their four children had an integral part in the program and their own personal version of the 'Story of Their Parents'. Each and every one of them shone in their own special way. They were a family united and they shone together and let us have a glimpse at their universe.

This past weekend, my Oldest Sister held a surprise birthday party for her husband. She invited friends and family. She organized the menu, the venue and the multitude of details it takes to make an occasion like this unfold seamlessly.

The program involved each one of my Sister's children speaking. Five children. One professional comedian among them. Yet each one of them captivated the audience with memories and thoughts of their dad. Each perspective was unique, yet was a thread of the same story. Each had their own way of stringing those thoughts together in a cohesive way which was a pleasure for all to hear. Once again. Not one of my Sister's children shone any brighter than the rest. Once again, the family came together and created one bright light.

When I had time to be quiet with my thoughts on my drive home yesterday, I marvelled at these nieces and nephews. All of them. I look at the children of my siblings and what I see, is a wonderfully meshed combination of the best of both of their parents.

I reflected on my own family and how my Oldest Sons helped me 'carry the ball' and entertain my Brother and Sister-in-Law while they were out for their brief overnight stay this weekend. I look at all three of my children and what I am beginning to appreciate is the fact that they have found a way to siphon through the kaleidoscope of family traits and come out with some of the best.

Children emulate what they see. When I look at my sibling's families and appreciate the fine young adults that they have become, I feel like I have a glimmer of understanding of the dynamics of their family. A little piece of many genetic puzzle pieces all put together into each one of these unique and special human beings.

It is such a gift to have the opportunity to sit back and marvel at the wonders of family. It is such a blessing when you see children grow into adults that carry a piece of the best of the two 'worlds' that created them.

Because My Hair Appointment Got Cancelled ...

"Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans"

Life happened Saturday morning. I had the minutes of my day carefully choreographed so that I could work in time to visit my brother and his wife during their brief stay here; get my hair cut/colored; go for a pedicure with three of my friends; run to Costco on the way out of the city; and head off to a surprise birthday party for my sister's husband.

Everything was going perfectly. I got up early and made my thermal food carriers (which worked perfectly, by the way ... the ice packs were still partially frozen 24 hours later). The 'gift of a memory' (the only gift requested for my brother-in-law) finally came to me while I was inventing my thermal food packs. I had time to blog a little. Time to shower and I was ready to entertain my company. All was well in my world.

Then the phone rang.

A mini-hair-crisis was about to unfold. My wild and woolly locks were untamed at the time of answering that call. I knew my hairdresser would rescue me. In one moment, it all changed.

My hair appointment was cancelled. Long story short, I begged and asked if they could squeeze me in for just a cut. I could return another day for the color. But please, please, please ... could they please just cut and style my hair to get me through the weekend?? And they did (and miracle workers that they are, they found a way to do the color as well).

Because my hair appointment was rescheduled ...

• My two hour hair appointment turned into one hour and 15 minutes. A bonus 45 minutes in a day that had precious few moments to spare.
• I was able to go to Costco bright and early and be guaranteed that all of the food trays that I promised my sister were still in stock..
• While I was at Costco, I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in (at least) 15 years. If I had gone to my original hair appointment, I would have never been at that exact place at that exact time.
• I was able to go to My Oldest's home with my brother and my sister-in-law prior to my pedicure appointment. 'Plan A' was that my Second Son would show them the way. But this new and improved revision meant that I saved my Second Son an extra trip, I had bonus time to spend with my brother/sister-in-law and I got in an extra visit with My Oldest during a weekend that was all about family.
• My brother was able to take the food items I was responsible for, to the surprise party we were both attending.
• Thus, I did not have to return home after my pedicure appointment ... so I was able to give my friend a ride home on the way to my out-of-town destination (if I would have had to return home, this would not have worked out so perfectly).

A cancelled appointment. An inane thing-that-really-doesn't-matter. This one small glitch shuffled my day around in a way that I could have never planned.

It was a day that turned out perfectly. And it was all because my hair appointment got cancelled.

Time in a Bottle

This entire weekend was a little slice of awesome in each and every corner of my world.

As I was driving home today, blog topics and titles were swimming through my mind. Unfortunately I was driving so I couldn't write them down, but I raced to a pen and paper the minute I walked through the door and scrawled down Future Blog Titles (in the hopes of recapturing the feelings, emotions and essence of this weekend in the wake of a new day).

From ...

The hair crisis that led me down a path to a chance meeting with an old friend (and a promise to visit more, as soon as I come back down to earth from my Alaskan holiday) ...

To ...

A most special afternoon with friends in my most favorite salon in the world ...

To ...

A family gathering that made my heart sing, my spirit soar and blessed me with the opportunity of being a part of such an incredible celebration of a family ...

To ...

A stay at a Bed & Breakfast that reinforced a goal, a dream and made me feel that anything is possible when you put your heart and soul into it  ...

To ...

Reflecting on my Sister's (both of them) families and how (within the span of two years) I have seen how each one of their children have blossomed so uniquely, into the best of both of their parents (as each one of these nine amazing nieces and nephews have put together  program/speeches which honored their parents and family) ...

To ...

Being told by a virtual stranger of how enjoyable it was for her to hear Our Family's (Mom and each one of her four children) laughter, mutual enjoyment of each other and the way we all get along. After which I succinctly and honestly replied, "We are blessed" ...

To ..

Meeting the Hostess with the Mostest at our Bed and Breakfast (who sat down with me and encouraged me to tell her about my goals of owning my own B & B one day and immediately started sharing some of what she has learned) ...

To ...

A time of quiet reflection driving to and from my destinations yesterday and today. One and a half hours of silence (each way) to savor the memories of the many moments of joy that this weekend has bestowed upon me ...

To ...

The knowledge of where I know my next Vacation Passion will take me (Bed & Breakfast Hopping in Prince Edward Island, and seeing the home where my Grandmother was raised) ...

To ...

Coming home and finding a renewed sense of appreciation for all that we take for granted, after listening to these two inspirational speakers as they retold their story of survival and liberation of the Holocaust and the lessons we can all learn from and pay forward, to retain freedoms that every living being deserves ...

To ...

Time with my own little family at the beginning and at the end of the most memorable weekend.

"Time in  a Bottle" has always spoken to my heart and soul, and it resonated throughout my thoughts on my drive home this afternoon. The 'you' in these the lyrics means each and every one of you who touch my world ...

"There never seems to be enough time to do the things

you wanna do

Once you find them.

I've looked around enough to know

that you're the one(s) I wanna go through time with ..."
~ Jim Croce - Time in a Bottle ~

If I Build it ... The Food Will Come

I innocently offered to pick up anything that My Sister may need from Costco, for a surprise party that she is hosting tonight.

At first glance, it appeared that my sister had it all under control.

Then she called me back and said that she would like to take me up on that offer after all. Could I bring a vegetable tray and a fruit tray? I asked "And how about a few Caesar salads too?"

She agreed that would be all she needed to round off the menu. And that was that.

Fast forward to this past week. Our outside temperatures have gradually been warming up. As the Party Day approached, I was thinking that cool weather would be more conducive to the one and a half hour trip to my sister's, with perishable food items in my trunk. Lucky us! It looks like it is going up to 19 today. What was I going to do about the food?

I had a few ideas, but acted on none of them. Last night, My Oldest took me to Costco and suggested we pick up this food and get that errand taken care of.

It was a great idea. But my bubble quickly burst when Costco had absolutely 'none of the above'. Nothing! And no guarantee it would arrive this morning either. I couldn't order this and place it on hold. It is first come, first served.

My worry meter started to rise. I tried telling myself there was absolutely nothing that I could do about it. This situation is entirely out of my control.


Then I woke up this morning and 'built' these thermal food containers out of items that I had on hand. As I was utilizing my inventive ways, I was buoyed by my 'Field of Dreams' analogy of life that started quietly speaking to me as I finally took some action.

"If I build it ... the food will come."

(Costco does not open until 9:30, so I don't know the outcome to my dilemma. Update to follow)

*** Updated May 15th *** The food did come!

So Much to Do … So Little Time

My head is swimming with lists, things to do/remember/and pack. Little things. Big things. All kinds of things.

I didn’t want this to happen. I thought that I carefully choreographed this last week so that I would have time to enjoy every step along the way to this final countdown to My Great Alaskan Adventure.

Then life happened.

Capri pants that just don’t fit, thereby creating a wardrobe emergency which must be attended in the spare minutes of today. Sunday Supper on Friday. An extra little errand to run (which involves another party). Overnight guests. A fun, light and purely indulgent appointment with friends. An out of town family gathering involving an overnight stay at a Bed and Breakfast. An interesting speaker that I’d like to see on Sunday.

That is this weekend in a nutshell.

The flip side of this, is that once I return home on Sunday … I should have four free evenings to putter with all of the inane things that I find to do before I take a trip such as this.

History has shown that I will fill each evening to capacity, one way or another. Whether it is packing and completing the things-to-do-list or stocking up my home and making arrangements for things to run smoothly in my absence (even though I know that I don’t have to worry about a thing at home). Phone calls, emails and letters. And (of course) watching all of my favorite TV shows so that I have that ‘job’ up to date before I leave.

Yes, I create work where there is no need to do so. The filing cabinet within my brain likes things neat, tidy, organized and prepared. Then, I will be able to leave it all behind, the moment I walk into that airport next Thursday afternoon.

I find fun within the confines of this list-building life that I have created. There is a sense of accomplishment and one less thing on the worry-list, as I cross of the eternal list of things-to-do-before-I-go.

I seem to have a way of creating a life where I try to squeeze in as much as I possibly can, when I know that I have a finite amount of time to work with.

I do best with deadlines. This is one of the most fun deadlines that I can imagine. I’ve succeeded in my goal in savoring the moments preceding this holiday.

I will have time with each and every one of my family members this weekend. From my mom … to my siblings … to my children. I will be exactly where I want to be, and doing exactly what I want to do.

I will have time to spend time indulging in some of my frivolous pleasures. Time with friends getting a group pedicure. I can picture us now. All four of us in a ‘pedicure room’ where we will each have a special massaging chair as we sit back, relax and enjoy the easy conversation we always share.

I will have time to spend with my own thoughts … as I drive to and from my destination tomorrow/Sunday. Time to reflect on the moments of the weekend to come, the weekend past and the week ahead.

I will have time to do everything I need to do. And most things I want to do (because the list simply never stops growing).

I’m grateful for such a fun filled list of things-to-do. The time is a non-issue. Life always has a way of working out just the way it is supposed to be. No matter what other plans you have made.