tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27456360483184145702024-03-21T15:04:06.830-07:00Enraptured by Life...Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.comBlogger171125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-90475277861718542972020-10-23T09:00:00.004-07:002020-10-24T17:00:02.903-07:00Disappointed<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">I am a human being. I make mistakes I am learning and growing and changing... </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">I have lived a privileged life as a white, straight, Christian woman with two degrees. I teach in rural Alberta, where the cost of living is lower than average. This does not mean that I haven’t worked hard for the things that I have, nor does it mean that I won’t continue to work hard to reach my goals. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">My privilege has ultimately provided me with the opportunity to be paid to work at something that I love, but lately, I am struggling with disappointment in my work; not my daily work, nor the people I am fortunate to work with, but in the policies from our Minister of Education. While I have limited insight to the complexity of decisions that she must make, I feel as if she has knocked the wind out of me over and over. When Honourable Adriana LaGrange handpicked the people to sit on the new curriculum panel, I was disappointed but also very busy. I only sent off one message to a brilliant colleague suggesting that she work to sit on that panel. Life went on, Covid hit, and the Black Lives Matters movement escalated. My work life was full. I gratefully began to spend my very long days, ensuring that remote learning was as real as possible for the children in my care. I started to self-study, again, about how I could honour all peoples of this world and present these beautiful teachings in an authentic way to my students and... I forgot about the panel; until the leaked document this week. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Here I sit with the wind knocked out of me yet again, disappointed that our esteemed leader is not leading for good in this province. It is okay for a leader to say, “I made a mistake. I’m sorry. We’re going to change direction on this.” She has stated that the panel is just an advisory panel. If so, then why not look at all of the previous work that has been done? Why spend more time and money, when time and money had already been invested? The considerable amount of work that has been completed on this endeavour could have been expanded upon and honoured. I need help putting these puzzle pieces together and I am willing to listen to all. Please tell me your thoughts on this most important of decisions. </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Are you willing to listen to the people who elected you, Honourable Minister LaGrange? Are you willing to admit this was a mistake? Are you willing to move forward in this province for the good of all people? </span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">In hopefulness that you will look at this with a genuine heart…</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">In gratefulness for your service…</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">~ Ellyn</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Ellyn Schaffner</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">B.Ed. M.Ed.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Kindergarten Teacher/Early Learning Coordinator</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;">Gus Wetter School/Clearview School Division</span></p><div><span style="background-color: #444444; color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></div>
<p style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-42502406694434743522020-06-19T18:27:00.001-07:002020-06-19T18:27:31.950-07:00Words<span id="docs-internal-guid-8c81d3ae-7fff-1ab0-456d-ee91eb1b0dfc"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I began reading the autobiographies of <a href="https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/maya-angelou" target="_blank">Maya Angelou</a> in my 20’s with </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and finished reading </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Song Flung Up to Heaven</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> when I was in my 40’s. Reading all of those stories of Maya’s that fell in between the first one and the last, felt wondrously complete! However, as a little, white, Canadian woman, they spoke to me and I wondered why. Why have I been on this path to learn about the human condition? Why do I continue to be curious today? When <a href="https://www.springwasham.com" target="_blank">Spring Washam</a> spoke to Dan Harris on his <a href="https://www.tenpercent.com" target="_blank">Ten Percent Happier</a> podcast this week, I finally got it. With every writing, every story I listen to, I understand a little bit more, and therefore judge less. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">One of the things that I learned from Maya, that I am so grateful for is that I can ask someone to leave my home if I do not like the things that they are saying. I do not have to be loud or rude, I can simply ask them to leave because their words are hurtful. Words are powerful and float around a place permeating themselves into our physical world and I do not want my furniture, cushions, art and walls to have hard and negative words penetrate the membrane of their fabric. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the killing of George Floyd, I listened to many black lives experiences, and have been reflecting on their words. I thought about many of the authors that I have read, besides Maya; <a href="https://www.lawrencehill.com" target="_blank">Lawrence Hill</a> and <a href="https://angiethomas.com" target="_blank">Angie Thomas</a>, <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/books/mark-sakamoto-1.4504411" target="_blank">Mark Sakamoto</a> and <a href="https://www.katherenavermette.com" target="_blank">Katherena Vermette</a>, to name but a few. I seem to be drawn to stories of people who have experienced injustices just because of their ethnicity or race and yet my personal experience has always been to be able to go about my life with freedom; or have I been free? If I approach this from my meditative self, then I know, if someone else does not have freedom, I do not. If someone else does not have liberty, I do not. And so, in the words of <a href="https://brenebrown.com" target="_blank">Brené Brown</a>, “I just want to be a better human to human beings.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As I read and watch as well as delve into the classes I am currently enrolled in, I will continue to listen and learn and as Spring encourages, approach these atrocities of life from the heart where words are better understood.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-231448965807030952020-06-01T09:20:00.002-07:002020-06-01T09:20:59.627-07:00Animal City by Kinsley Smith<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH2AM8BniDu9i5_cGUo3oBurFBY79naT2ebeyknHUGVSgWVX466GDeyIFR72Yt439uohZez_dv3yeEWOkgnmomymgcSjR_DKEOcmvstx4ctEUSrH7ivD68CMu5cXjN5c8MfRDRYsbCDk/s1600/Kinsley.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1600" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH2AM8BniDu9i5_cGUo3oBurFBY79naT2ebeyknHUGVSgWVX466GDeyIFR72Yt439uohZez_dv3yeEWOkgnmomymgcSjR_DKEOcmvstx4ctEUSrH7ivD68CMu5cXjN5c8MfRDRYsbCDk/s400/Kinsley.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the rainforest hidden very deep on the other side and far away from people is Animal City.<br />
Animal City is a place where all animal people live and it is very peaceful there. Sometimes when you go into the jungle you can hear the laugh or giggle of little animal boys and girls playing hopscotch with each other. Also, there is a summer camp which is run by six different counsellors, their names are: Martha the otter, Hank the grizzly bear, Sarah the chicken, Ralph the hermit crab, Lucky the flying squirrel, and Joey the kangaroo. The counsellors at the summer camp each had a special place where they taught activities. Martha the otter teaches swimming lessons. Hank the grizzly bear teaches rock climbing lessons. Sarah the chicken teaches arts and crafts. Ralph the hermit crab teaches archery. Lucky the flying squirrel teaches obstacle course lessons. Joey the kangaroo leads all the scavenger hunts and games. Altogether the counsellors helped the campers to have a fun summer.<br />
<br />
The camp was full of kids over the summer and there was only one more week until Camp<br />
Dinosaur opened. Martha asked the other counsellors if they were ready for the fun to start. Sarah clucked back “of course, of course, of course, of course”. Joey said “woo hoo let’s open this camp!” Hank said in his deep bear voice “let’s open the rock wall again” before he burped on his berries. They all went to tell the campers waiting in line to get their stamps that Camp Dinosaur was OPEN for the entire summer like always.<br />
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The first event was the scavenger hunts led by Joey. They started the scavenger hunt in a group<br />
of trees and had to follow a map. While the junior campers followed Joey, they all noticed a black spiral in the sky. One of the campers told Joey what they saw and asked “what is that?” Joey did not answer, he just told the campers to get back into their cabins immediately. Then Joey went to the counsellor meeting room where the other counsellors were at. He told them what he and the campers saw in the sky. All of the counsellors knew what it was. It was Evil Moon Rabbit’s fire ray aimed at Animal City. The counsellors had had this happen before when they were teenagers at the camp, but Super Otter saved them all. What they did not know was that Martha was Super Otter’s secret identity.<br />
<br />
While the counsellors were talking about what to do, they heard a thump on the ground. When<br />
they looked out the window, they saw Joey’s daughter stuck in poison ivy near the playground. Joey<br />
jumped up to go help her when Martha saw her secret necklace change color from pink to grey. She knew that she had to go and save Sabrina, Joey’s daughter. Martha told the other counsellors to call Animal City and she ran out the door to save Sabrina. When Martha got to Sabrina the little kangaroo was crying and scared. Martha talked in a gentle voice to Sabrina and she calmed the little girl down. Then Martha used gloves to untangle the poison ivy from Sabrina’s legs and sent her to her dad. Sabrina’s dad rubbed anti-poison ivy cream on her legs so she would feel better and sent her to the arts and crafts room. After she was safe Joey went to see Martha who was looking at the sky.<br />
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Martha noticed the spiral was getting bigger every hour. She knew that someone had to stop Evil<br />
Moon Rabbit before it was too late for Animal City. The people from Animal City had sent Evil Moon Rabbit to live on the moon after his last trouble and he was getting revenge. Evil Moon Rabbit could breath the air on the moon and this gave him special powers because it was radioactive. What he did not know was that Super Otter was training to defeat him once and for all. Evil Moon Rabbit put a message in the sky that said ‘I’m getting my revenge! Wait and see Animal City I am coming back! Wahahaha!<br />
<br />
When Martha saw this message, she was furious with Evil Moon Rabbit because he had defeated<br />
her the last time before he was kicked out of Animal City. Martha felt her necklace start to change colour. After Martha’s necklace was finished changing colours, Martha ran into the camp change room and changed into Super Otter! Then Super Otter flew to the moon to defeat Evil Moon Rabbit. When she got to the moon, she saw what Evil Moon Rabbit had in his hand; it was the remote for the fire ray! Super Otter dived at Evil Moon Rabbit but he dodged Super Otter’s attack Super Otter dived again and again but she still couldn’t get the remote. I have to get that remote some how Super Otter said to her self. Super Otter thought and thought to her self for what felt like two hours. Just then Super Otter thought of the most brilliant idea she could use her invisibility power! So Super Otter pushed the invisibility button on her Super suit. Evil Moon Rabbit couldn’t see her Super Otter leaped on top of Evil Moon Rabbit and grabbed the remote from his hand and used the remote to aim the fire ray away from Animal City. Super Otter came back to Animal City and brought Evil Moon Rabbit with her and gave him to the police. After she did that, she signed autographs. After she signed autographs, she went back to Camp Dinosaur and got changed. She went to bed where all of the counsellors were and fell fast asleep dreaming all about the next day and all the adventures she will have.<br />
<br />
By Kinsley Smith</div>
Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-8848203510650701292020-01-21T18:58:00.000-08:002020-01-21T19:01:38.198-08:00My Amazing Dentist<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I spent three hours in the dentist’s chair today, gratefully. I actually mean that. I am grateful, because </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">going to the dentist is one of the hardest things I do in my life but the thing is, I have an amazing dentist. </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">People drive from hours and hours away just to see this guy, and they have been for years. He is that </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">good! He has even had a dental procedure named after him. Cool eh? There have been some </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">procedures that he has never charged people for because he felt it was his penance for misguided work </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that he had carried out early on in his career. </span></b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As for me, I grew up in a time when dentists just filled kiddies teeth without much regard and by the time </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I reached my 30’s, I had so many mercury fillings in my mouth that it was having an effect on my overall </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">health. Dr. Dave eventually replaced all of those old fillings and helped me get on track and now almost </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">30 years later, I travel a mere 100 km to visit him whenever I am in need. He greets me with, “How’s it </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">goin' teach?” and is always smiling and singing and dressed in wildly patterned doctor greens that his </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wife makes for him. He’s simply the best! </span></b></span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Dr. Warwick still gives back to the community too. When my daughter was in her first year at University</span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and living even further from our dentist, she was in need of care and so I asked him if he could </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">recommend someone. He told her that if she was able to wait, she could go to a shelter on a certain day </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of the month, and he would work on her because once a month he conducts pro bono work there. With </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">that, my sweet little girly sat nervously in a crowded basement room in a part of the city she wouldn’t </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">typically be in, wondering if she was even in the right place, when she heard this guy singing and talking </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">kindly with respect for all, causing her to smile warmly knowing, “That’s my dentist!” </span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Spending three hours today was not what I had planned for nor had my dentist, but he knew that I </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">would have to make another trip and another if he didn’t just get down to it and do all the work today. </span></span></b><br />
<b id="docs-internal-guid-03b2c47b-7fff-04a7-c0a2-5e797fb6a482" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">For this and so many other things, I am grateful for you Dr. Dave. Wow!</span></span></b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://purenorth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SaferApproach-935x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="513" data-original-width="800" height="205" src="https://purenorth.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/SaferApproach-935x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Dr. Dave Warwick</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><a href="https://purenorth.ca/vital_times/a-safer-approach-to-dentistry/" target="_blank">https://purenorth.ca/vital_times/a-safer-approach-to-dentistry/</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">~ Ellyn </span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-61624960169732708552019-12-31T07:40:00.001-08:002020-01-01T11:17:01.353-08:00Another Circle Around the Sun...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Another year has come and gone, another circle ‘round the sun”... </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am so grateful for you, my babies, for choosing me to be your mama, and I encourage you to reflect on every area of your lives so as to be better today than you were yesterday.</span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAhYOarumZ5cjhZ7vpOGlIHAR47Vo2kq_a4OG7MKqIj3PamuPMwnyvLHiAD8e_o5ZS_kud79y_SjXYJXDUYEN4bCecfpg_alxaBiatUbjxYWSEDczQ7Iek6qsC6uotfM8F2220uIECAA/s1600/Just+Me+%2526+Max.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAhYOarumZ5cjhZ7vpOGlIHAR47Vo2kq_a4OG7MKqIj3PamuPMwnyvLHiAD8e_o5ZS_kud79y_SjXYJXDUYEN4bCecfpg_alxaBiatUbjxYWSEDczQ7Iek6qsC6uotfM8F2220uIECAA/s320/Just+Me+%2526+Max.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just Me & My Max</td></tr>
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</b><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To my Max, who was born with a most unique charisma, or energy if you will, that is intense and passionate and kind, I hope that you continue to live a life filled with the curiosity that you have always had and determination for the way you want to be with people, young and old. Your larger than life way has always filled a space in my life that reminds me of how wonderful childhood is.</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIPEjVGgUyIBV5eNbXBStWxvin_Qb3C6cEopuajVMUBTzsRijGH1DX-bke8lymCBM_dYFDMZJMuXcmewHvLpWKkp1rGDaxCR4DFwwXVWKCxa4iIfMxuH3fy-rW7tKtGIeXcXEVzms9GI/s1600/Calvin+%2526+Hobbes.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="725" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIPEjVGgUyIBV5eNbXBStWxvin_Qb3C6cEopuajVMUBTzsRijGH1DX-bke8lymCBM_dYFDMZJMuXcmewHvLpWKkp1rGDaxCR4DFwwXVWKCxa4iIfMxuH3fy-rW7tKtGIeXcXEVzms9GI/s320/Calvin+%2526+Hobbes.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Bill Watterson for years of joy and possibilities.</td></tr>
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</b><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To my Jillian who has an incredible drive and dedication toward connection in all that she does, and for the good that comes with that. I admire the ground you walk on baby and remember your long attention span that exceeded all that I had known. This too is a gift from your birth. Remember my darling to always gift yourself with balance of being, each and every day. </span></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXZqg5CxeyA3CAzn0xeM6djE5hGdSklz8KRb0M5NPia3Bpmyyu_mMFe9cK_0JAYKfosiYxz8oOUBwVylpMG50jcncn6NVjcxqWwUCXMywFHDQTzXpWF35GlL8ps65o5cDUWS2mM2FHFc/s1600/Just+Me+%2526+Jilly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="432" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwXZqg5CxeyA3CAzn0xeM6djE5hGdSklz8KRb0M5NPia3Bpmyyu_mMFe9cK_0JAYKfosiYxz8oOUBwVylpMG50jcncn6NVjcxqWwUCXMywFHDQTzXpWF35GlL8ps65o5cDUWS2mM2FHFc/s320/Just+Me+%2526+Jilly.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"It is our choices that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." Albus Dumbledore<b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="ILfuVd"><span class="e24Kjd"></span></span></span></b></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For both of you, I hold you in utmost awe, as I watch you choose to keep a vision of the life that you want to live, close to your heart and mind, knowing that you must work at it in the physical, to make it happen. 2020 is going to be an extraordinary year. Read that again… Extraordinary!</span></div>
</b><b id="docs-internal-guid-65a180b3-7fff-7a51-fbc7-1622551ab42e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When you were living at home and every morning as you headed out to the bus that took you to school, I threw words at you. Do you remember them? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Work hard </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn lots </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have fun</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Because…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Days are never long enough”...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Love</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ me, your mom </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(Days are Never Long Enough - written by Steve Earle My favourite version is sung by Thomas Dybdahl & Lera Lynn)</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-20450585807026539092019-12-30T14:34:00.001-08:002019-12-30T17:55:50.021-08:002019<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am goal setter. Each day actually, as well as at the beginning of a new year and at the beginning of September. I set intentions and write out the process of how I will meet these goals and honour my intentions and reside in the “how”. I haven’t always done this strategically or even with a conscious knowledge. As a child, I began each day making my bed and tidying up my room so that I could play in an environment that was clear of clutter. The second thing I ever bought with money earned, was bedding so that my bed was pretty to look at. My room was always the guest room because it was in order. As a young adult, I set my sights high and had goals that I have never reached, but I’m okay with that, because it was the pattern of daily living that provided me with the wherewithal to keep soaring.</span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Through the years my New Year’s Resolution have been things like, run more, write daily and clean less, but this past year, 2019, I chose a word. My word was integrity. I feel that I have strong integrity of word to others, but this year I wanted to have integrity of word even for self. I decided I was going to stand by the things that I promised myself. Meditate more, practise yoga more, read more self-improvement books, and listen to health podcasts. More was easy for me to do because all I had to do was add one more day a week to each of these; that became more. Was I really practising integrity of word to self?</span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I live a reflective life in all that I do and I have been very good at taking constructive criticism in my work life. I even ask for it. As I look back on this year, I wonder, did I live up to my initial thought of what integrity of word to self meant? I’m not sure but I am glad that I set this in motion. 2019 was a great year for me. I smiled a lot, had fun with kids, read 19 books, skied and ran and worked and wrote and travelled and saw people I hadn’t seen in a very long time. As I close up this year, I am okay with not meeting all of my goals and I am grateful for yet another New Year to ring in…</span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;">
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-cff72650-7fff-4f55-ba14-3144c1e13c7f" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></span></b></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-4016105293384907802019-07-05T11:22:00.003-07:002019-07-05T11:28:58.416-07:00Self Care<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I learned to care for my emotional self during a time of angst and sadness. Not long after my mama </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">died, </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I fell into a hole that I worked very hard to climb out of. With the help of a few practitioners and the </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">undying support of my husband, I did it! I decided then that I never wanted to fall into that big of a hole </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">again and so for about 13 years, I have followed a simple practise that allows me to keep my emotions </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">forever in check. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></b></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The following is my daily routine:</span></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">My feet do not hit the ground in the morning until I smile warmly, concentrate on one deep breath </span></b><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">am thankful that I am where I am.</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;">
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">In the shower, I ask that I be cleared and released of any negativity that is or isn't mine and I again </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">breathe deeply and am grateful. </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Inspired by Matthew McConaughey, every morning I write in my gratitude journal:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I give thanks to for… (often something from the previous day, or a warm bed, a roof over my head, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">etc.)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I write in thankfulness to for… (the opportunities I have been gifted)</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I look forward to… (on school days it usually involves being with 5 year olds and sometimes it is </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">simply that I get to sit on my verandah in silence with a glass of wine.)</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I write about what I will chase that day… (always one of my character traits, like, my best listening </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">self)</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">World peacemaker, Mahatma Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">service of others.” Each day, I think of something good that I will specifically do that day and ask that I be </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shown of what service I can be. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As I drive to work, I ask that all of my loved ones remain safe that day until they return to their </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">respective beds and ask that all of the people that I love and the people I will meet that day (even if I </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">just meet them in passing on the highway) stay safe and are cared for. I ask the Universe to help me be </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a better person that day than I was the day before.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Before going to bed at night I again check in with myself, to see how the day went and if I need some </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">guidance so that I can be an even better person the next day.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I truly believe that we are here on purpose to use our gifts and talents to work and be together, lifting </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">each other up, for the good of our world. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">These are my daily habits that I had to practise every day so that they would be just that, a habit. And </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">then... I also, breathe easy lots, look people in the eye, discern intent, write, </span></div>
</b></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">laugh with friends, read for joy, practise yoga, garden and cycle. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Will I fall into a hole again? Possibly, but I know it will not take me long to climb out again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Love</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">~ Ellyn</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">
</span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB787n_cbdCbRODcflpcmIPpk79yeqnWmDleUO5MvVwYHR1VhcJ2nY7kMM0gk4phj-UXsxheQMT-S-UM-soBbwHjKGo2M2eiZ3YJ7diMcO6a1KyJOEl-CMgjm7AedvpFJcp7O2wI0CQjM/s1600/Where+I+Read.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="555" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB787n_cbdCbRODcflpcmIPpk79yeqnWmDleUO5MvVwYHR1VhcJ2nY7kMM0gk4phj-UXsxheQMT-S-UM-soBbwHjKGo2M2eiZ3YJ7diMcO6a1KyJOEl-CMgjm7AedvpFJcp7O2wI0CQjM/s320/Where+I+Read.png" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where I read...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzfzJ0WMjXsi04SYKgN1harA1v2PiHLJnaT4y3gjTCmC1jyAKQAUZMOy5YZX-WErg4PFjgA-kzcygItcKlJiis_BGt6pX_fALGX-Wn15-ss5e25mLKh4Ig4Zwq5eWi_H6iYmpDdVTzyk/s1600/Meditate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnzfzJ0WMjXsi04SYKgN1harA1v2PiHLJnaT4y3gjTCmC1jyAKQAUZMOy5YZX-WErg4PFjgA-kzcygItcKlJiis_BGt6pX_fALGX-Wn15-ss5e25mLKh4Ig4Zwq5eWi_H6iYmpDdVTzyk/s320/Meditate.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A reminder...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9ap8KrhX343TO_ILLatzdLs_riKlYwKxeNukKSu5u97FzsVnHIpFLWpIXuxUl9OyYIKK9RWVYonJL6TTki3fk8FuA6ctJ2FNQ63wY8qeLVvtmmGfWJ5DNVGlwz_Icn8i_7jJi8usiTk/s1600/Gratitude+Journal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9ap8KrhX343TO_ILLatzdLs_riKlYwKxeNukKSu5u97FzsVnHIpFLWpIXuxUl9OyYIKK9RWVYonJL6TTki3fk8FuA6ctJ2FNQ63wY8qeLVvtmmGfWJ5DNVGlwz_Icn8i_7jJi8usiTk/s320/Gratitude+Journal.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample page</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-252d0d29-7fff-f47e-3826-44516752e75e" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><br />
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-20837120028222417592019-03-17T16:17:00.000-07:002019-03-17T16:17:07.659-07:00Hope?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-d015afdf-7fff-faa9-fb08-cf983a710aa5" style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d015afdf-7fff-faa9-fb08-cf983a710aa5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not only do I care deeply for people, I have great hope in them… in us. </span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-d015afdf-7fff-faa9-fb08-cf983a710aa5" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My heart sits in my throat these days and like many, my emotions are at the ready. A senseless act has happened, in what would would seem a world away, but it isn’t. The world has become very small and I am thankful for this. It has allowed me to connect with many who are interested in the same things that I am interested in. People who care deeply about other people are able to come together for good in this world. Unfortunately, the reverse is also true. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So many lives were taken in #NewZealand this week and I struggle with wrapping my head around the why. I do not want their lives to be for not. And what about the gunman? How does one develop so much hatred for another. In this case, hatred for a group of people. </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must work together to raise the energy of kindness in our own little corners of this world and help to protect and honour each other, through compassion and understanding. But how? </span></div>
<br /><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I am a teacher and it has been my practise and my way, to educate. Through education, we open our minds to a variety of ways of doing and thinking. Education gifts us with a knowledge of the world, for the betterment of the world. That’s what it is all about. We are here on this earth to use our gifts and talents and work with each other for good! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What will I do to help with those who are grieving over the events from last week? I will acknowledge what has happened, remove myself from any negative energy about others and listen. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will move forward in hope…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-19692519906763169342019-01-03T17:58:00.003-08:002019-01-03T17:59:56.721-08:00Reflecting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’ve been walking around with a lump in my throat today, reflecting.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You see, “sometimes I wonder about my life. I lead a small life - well, valuable, but small - and sometimes I wonder, do I do it because I like it, or because I haven’t been brave?”</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Character Kathleen Kelly played by Meg Ryan from the movie, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You’ve Got Mail.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have watched this movie countless times. I love it and so much of it resonates with my very being. From the bouquet of HB pencils Joe Fox considers sending Kathleen, in September, to the remark about business needing to always begin, with being personal, the lines resonate with my very being. The odd thing is, I have never noticed the aforementioned line until my recent re-watching of the movie. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I truly believe that I too, live a valued life but it is small, and is it small because I have not been brave? </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I don’t have any answers today, just thoughts, reflections.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-16796700127413370692018-07-13T13:45:00.000-07:002018-07-13T13:46:20.111-07:00Summer Goals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #eeeeee;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My son was always an inspiration when it came to setting goals. During ski season, he would set goals, during volleyball season, he would set goals. When he was a little fella, and on the first day of summer holidays, at home, he would tell me his goals for the summer, even when it was merely, land a flip on the trampoline.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This summer, I decided to follow his lead and prioritize a few things and then set some goals for myself. I do this often, in my mind but when I put something to paper, I feel even more committed to it. And so, here are my priorities this summer, as well as my goals:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every day that I am at home I read, run and meditate along with all of the other things that I do in my yard, garden, greenhouse and house. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My goals are to read a book a week, be able to run for 30 minutes nonstop, write daily, smile more and breathe easily. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It’s the second week of July and so far I am on track, with the exception of my writing. It’s the tough one, the one that I avoid. Hmm, I wonder why? I guess I’ll go write about that…</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How about you? Do you set summer goals?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-31052887868004990642018-07-01T16:22:00.001-07:002018-07-01T16:24:57.606-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Song of a Nation</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It’s Canada Day and there are times I feel anxious about celebrating it in its entirety but in all actuality, </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I’m proud that I live in a nation that is willing to go to the edge and have tough conversations about </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">being Canadian. There are traditionalists who feel that they need to hold on to what they have been </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">taught or have learned or have experienced about the history of our country and there are those </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">challenging us to make it better and hear a different side of our history. We are just at the beginning of </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a journey with each other and I couldn’t be more impressed to live here where we can <a href="http://www.learnalberta.ca/content/aswt/" target="_blank">walk together,</a> </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">listen to each other, and move forward in understanding. And so, on this our Canada Day, I listen to </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">our anthem with gratitude and humility, loving that it has been changed and altered so many times </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">over the course of its life. How cool is that? That we are willing to change it in order to capture who we </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">are as a people, in a certain time. I feel <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/546981/song-of-a-nation-by-robert-harris/9780771050923/" target="_blank">glorious and free</a> and I wish everyone a very </span></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-2cf53ec5-5823-d5d2-23d4-7b41d99e4f15" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Happy Canada Day!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">~ Ellyn</span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-41203188105941792932018-06-30T17:41:00.000-07:002018-06-30T17:43:15.127-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life’s for the Living</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Bonfires and neighbours, long walks and the moon, sleeping in and coffee on the verandah, #runningoncountryroads and reading for as long as I want, my yoga practise and meditating. And then, with a glass of red accompanying my dinner, back on the verandah this evening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The first day of summer has been absolutely perfect and my mama would be so happy for me that I love and appreciate my life. She has been gone from this earth for almost 14 years, but not really. At the time of her death, my friend Barbara told me to never stop noticing her presence and I am grateful to see her in every area of my life. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Her favourite vehicle was a lime green Volkswagen beetle and even my babies see those throughout their travels. When Jillian landed in Belfast, earlier this year, my mom’s favourite place, three different ones crossed her path before she had arrived at her hostel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks my mama, I love you. And also, like you, I continue to be enraptured by life and I am <a href="https://passengermusic.com/" target="_blank">living</a>! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-67522964233087282492017-07-24T08:49:00.000-07:002017-07-24T08:51:47.122-07:00There But for the Grace of God Go I <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiritual Awakening is what Brenè Brown calls a nervous or mental breakdown or at least her therapist does. Brenè actually jokes about this term. However, I see truth in it and knows that she does as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There but for the grace of God go I. This reemerges in my life over and over again and I am so grateful to have experienced it yet again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Who am I to judge someone else’s pain? No one. It seems to me, as a whole, that North Americans, are awful at truly dealing with another’s pain and so I continue to work at being present with anyone I love or anyone who steps onto my path that is in pain. I am continually reminded not to rescue but to be available and useful, of service so to speak, just as people have been present and of service for me. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There but for the grace of God go I.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brenè Brown speaks to vulnerability and this crucial way of being in </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Gift of Imperfection, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a book that has played a key role in my life. Her first TED Talk was the 3rd talk I had ever seen. It resonated so deeply and after 7 years, still does. I have experienced and want to keep having joy in my life and so I too have to deal with the messiness of life and know that at the core of “vulnerability is shame and fear and our struggle with worthiness but it appears that it is also the birthplace of joy, of creativity, of belonging, of love”... </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 9pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(B. Brown)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This summer as I reconnect with so many people that currently seem to be on the sidelines of my life, Brenè’s talk found its way back too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thank you Brenè. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There but for the grace of God go I.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ Ellyn</span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-85432515743890868832017-07-10T10:22:00.005-07:002017-07-10T10:28:37.055-07:00Showering Jenna...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b16df954-2d7a-b48f-ec5d-84121ce3ea61" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Change is inevitable. It happens. And, it is a good thing. It may be upsetting, disappointing, sad, and at its worst, devastating, which by the way it rarely is. When in the midst of what we think is awful and unfair, it feels devastating and then just like that it is over and we remain complete, not irreparable, devastated. Without judgment, I have accepted that change quite simply, just is. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And so it was my privilege and pleasure to open up my yard to a group of neighbourhood women, most of whom I first met as girlies, so that they could shower their friend in love and good wishes before she marries one of her soulmates. For me, it was easy and wonderful but for the bride, some stress surrounded the event. Outwardly, she handled it in the way that she handles all things, with ease and grace… </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiGnj-eK8HOeP4IXee3JebEJKManplahnVrDchhon3sEdgFUZQNl90qIwmXfiVUoCidyOEX8ed26xTU2OegKKO8Sb-96XUa3QCjqpkrFcAfZbrRww8sqA0T_OMc60s-xVs4DyW0cK-0Q/s1600/The+bride+and+bridesmaids.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJiGnj-eK8HOeP4IXee3JebEJKManplahnVrDchhon3sEdgFUZQNl90qIwmXfiVUoCidyOEX8ed26xTU2OegKKO8Sb-96XUa3QCjqpkrFcAfZbrRww8sqA0T_OMc60s-xVs4DyW0cK-0Q/s200/The+bride+and+bridesmaids.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">The bride and bridesmaids</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpZXkpRslYmzIcQ9TEZ8PU9gfzvz3okoefiZDa4HeCl9qej8bkJXfgfvj65hh9DbPJjfX9PNcJTfV301dPKaDdlp0bn5rzesYoO_F96gKl8kGytTM2klAoJFBg2FALiHg7EnpXEYkjJI/s1600/Jenna+%2526+Friends.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDpZXkpRslYmzIcQ9TEZ8PU9gfzvz3okoefiZDa4HeCl9qej8bkJXfgfvj65hh9DbPJjfX9PNcJTfV301dPKaDdlp0bn5rzesYoO_F96gKl8kGytTM2klAoJFBg2FALiHg7EnpXEYkjJI/s320/Jenna+%2526+Friends.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Jenna & Friends</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The history of showers for a new bride dates back to the 16th century and was an alternative to the dowry system. Without offending anyone, in 2017, it needs to be changed. It would seem that for many people getting married, that very little needs to be showered on them with regard to physical items, but good wishes and love still do. This particular bride and groom are minimalists and prefer to live a life of simplicity. When Brent and I were married, I had three showers and felt so gluttonous. We were in our thirties and had established households and yet we were gifted so many things. Not that I wasn’t appreciative or grateful. Showers have just lost their meaning and usefulness.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For this beautiful bride to be, I wanted to gift her something that I had re-purposed and made with love and because I am so far from being a DIYer, I was also proud of my simple accomplishment. Isn’t that what a gift really is? Something created or chosen from one heart to another.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Jenna & Tiger Lily (The 5th bridesmaid)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui0J_Bt3jS-lJB4_5NKNWtjAW69msGAM5cxXBxgArSY2nmlgdfTZi7kbUlkCQtXzAJp1HQVbIdCRAbGl7BuzN5tdaBfZ5R8W4c1t7oDJ_LLlJV1c_gD1KiYhkfXG1S2iRSWkZyd-4Rd4/s1600/Tree+Chandelier+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgui0J_Bt3jS-lJB4_5NKNWtjAW69msGAM5cxXBxgArSY2nmlgdfTZi7kbUlkCQtXzAJp1HQVbIdCRAbGl7BuzN5tdaBfZ5R8W4c1t7oDJ_LLlJV1c_gD1KiYhkfXG1S2iRSWkZyd-4Rd4/s200/Tree+Chandelier+1.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #999999;">Jenna's Tree Chandelier</span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Now that the event is over, I am grateful to all who came out to gift Jenna with love and good wishes, and her bridesmaids, who worked hard to honour Jenna’s feelings and way of life. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">‘The secret of change is not to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old but on building the new.” Socrates</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ Ellyn </span></span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-54056816204724572652017-07-03T19:05:00.003-07:002017-07-04T20:23:29.691-07:00O' Canada <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: black;"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-65badb2b-0b58-111f-7ab8-b661b4e45c5e" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"</span></span></span></span><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My country is not 150 years old. My country is as old as the forests, as
old as the rivers. As old as the first people, countless millennia ago.
Even the name i<span class="text_exposed_show">s old: Kanata. Not a name from king or conqueror. It means a village, a place for people to live." ~ Joseph McLean</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="text_exposed_show"> </span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I openly love my country and feel that I am fortunate to be one of the 36 million people who call Canada home. This year in particular, I have acknowledged and am fully aware that July 1st, Canada’s birthday, is a date chosen by a group of European men who claim to have settled this country, my ancestors. You see, I am little white woman who has had a privileged life and have been incredibly fortunate to never have had to be plucked from my family and treated with such unworthiness. We are flawed, I know this. I know that the people of the past in my country, have committed atrocities that should not have occurred and that these ways of treating people have had a resounding effect on other individuals within an entire culture and generation, and that this has carried on to another generation and another and it is time to reconcile. I don't want to just pass this off and pretend that enough years have gone by and people should be over this. I want to remember so that mistreatment doesn't happen again.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I personally apologize for my ancestors and will continue to listen to all of the people of my country with an open heart, but an apology isn’t all that is needed. I too want to reconcile a friendship and what better place to do this but in the Canada of today, where we are free to have these dialogues and fully open conversations with each other so as to understand and respect our amazing diversity and past misunderstandings and treatment. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Beginnings
are scary. Endings are usually sad but it's what's in the middle that
counts. So when you find yourself at the beginning, just give hope a
chance to float up. And it will." ~ Ramona Calvert</span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The how of doing something is always the challenge, but as I read and listen, reflect, say and do, I hope that I too will learn how to live a life of utmost respect and peace, with and among all people of this beautiful country of ours because "hope is a verb with it's shirtsleeves rolled up" ~ David Orr </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">O, Canada...</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ Ellyn</span></span></span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-76000343638491688952016-10-28T07:14:00.001-07:002016-10-28T07:18:00.940-07:00Flight Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The most valuable resource that all teachers have... is each other”. R. J. Meehan</span></b><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: black; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Four teachers with <a href="http://ses.clearview.ab.ca/" target="_blank">Stettler Elementary School</a> demonstrated this with such effectiveness that I have asked them to be guest bloggers here today. Have a look at this extraordinary endeavour.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT51VlnHoxetoPinxxsASw80UuUE9fRRrO49lsnFWGAT5gIAYVHjgOj_0-Kkn_RtkEr8ji4JZrEKdEgMozKUE6buoef-KnBmJj88L7bpGNsPxskejw9zNvWQlHEI_iYnV0K4RLcv5UJKo/s1600/IMG_6072.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT51VlnHoxetoPinxxsASw80UuUE9fRRrO49lsnFWGAT5gIAYVHjgOj_0-Kkn_RtkEr8ji4JZrEKdEgMozKUE6buoef-KnBmJj88L7bpGNsPxskejw9zNvWQlHEI_iYnV0K4RLcv5UJKo/s320/IMG_6072.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The project itself was about flight with an original driving question surrounding the importance of flight, how it has evolved and is evolving, and how these changes will affect us in the future. Albeit brief, the following are some of the curriculum implications that align with the project.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SN8lnMABiu3ecoa3hddCFO8A7vxQQI-ic55DZS17uA0rFNRfhQV07rP93SEGAfxlcu485uhrCw2QfKxBFyqIOejiStiFzf7gHmLH_5haaL_Z057wFWUyqIM_Lkdjg1pCBfaOE-vc2UQ/s1600/IMG_6109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5SN8lnMABiu3ecoa3hddCFO8A7vxQQI-ic55DZS17uA0rFNRfhQV07rP93SEGAfxlcu485uhrCw2QfKxBFyqIOejiStiFzf7gHmLH_5haaL_Z057wFWUyqIM_Lkdjg1pCBfaOE-vc2UQ/s320/IMG_6109.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During a directed Math lesson, the students started by finding the local airport using Google Maps. After printing the maps, the scale had to be determined by measuring the bar line offered and comparing it to the actual distances. The scale given was used to calculate the actual length and width of one of the buildings and of the runway. When students were finished these tasks, they were encouraged to research the lengths of other runways at larger airports and were in awe of the amount land belonging to airport authorities.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHIN6GB0W7nWcbm7B-aI40oWDHEARweGJ6oSscmsiT2Xn8-HrNxg0ENKV757IHRq1-ciJzjJrZpghXdSAN5ZjBb08L2liTOty1JRRW4ka8W3x1QaUPnhoJYuhoUqIWwB894x164JcywI/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKHIN6GB0W7nWcbm7B-aI40oWDHEARweGJ6oSscmsiT2Xn8-HrNxg0ENKV757IHRq1-ciJzjJrZpghXdSAN5ZjBb08L2liTOty1JRRW4ka8W3x1QaUPnhoJYuhoUqIWwB894x164JcywI/s320/IMG_6088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">During their Social Studies lessons, the students have been studying the different types of taxes people pay, including income tax, property tax and the Goods and Services Tax, mainly with regard to how the government keeps things equitable for Canadian citizens by using tax dollars to provide services. They used an authentic airline itinerary to explore the cost of flying, and the types of taxes that may be added to flight costs. </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcENCrOcfHFx0L2GHZKtNRzoa_UgUn7-Eh16KDMW2-eHx1Nb9JgAjhgMX_9ill4jg3sMSFmGz291zZ8WtE6RXUDV0Sv8dnRqil___peWXgvw8Xuh9JbJmRLiiIu8aHbgtKNkhxorF464/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcENCrOcfHFx0L2GHZKtNRzoa_UgUn7-Eh16KDMW2-eHx1Nb9JgAjhgMX_9ill4jg3sMSFmGz291zZ8WtE6RXUDV0Sv8dnRqil___peWXgvw8Xuh9JbJmRLiiIu8aHbgtKNkhxorF464/s320/IMG_6092.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On the actual Flight Day, the students created a fleet of paper airplanes that they had to design in order to complete four given tasks. That being: to sustain the longest flight, to be able to hit a target, to fly in a straight line and finally to have the longest flight. They focused on the parts of the plane in order to control the direction the paper airplane flew. </span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhextiEvqfHaC6rZ_-BflzwnF73OkaTnDT3Tod0tHslIY6Wy5l9GDZn9WqF7ckOsLaWFiALSXZiPAU4SHNBYI9jAv7Xnc7XQv89dRbr8lDTaF4qCcZnAsZPBNDaMt4I2PZa6LmDmxrASTU/s1600/IMG_6155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhextiEvqfHaC6rZ_-BflzwnF73OkaTnDT3Tod0tHslIY6Wy5l9GDZn9WqF7ckOsLaWFiALSXZiPAU4SHNBYI9jAv7Xnc7XQv89dRbr8lDTaF4qCcZnAsZPBNDaMt4I2PZa6LmDmxrASTU/s320/IMG_6155.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In Language Arts the students discussed imagery and envisioned their flights on Saturday. They wrote descriptive paragraphs to demonstrate what they thought they would see, hear, smell, and feel. With that task completed and the compiled information, the students wrote short narratives that they acted out.</span></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ80j4SbJYdaqIsOlUJ_6feUJTMem_WlY7qf2I1jthndPuExNiGzKAFxsTdoDv1HAUql71_kBMzHNs-bo-Oxi8LwRB_UAmc1e4as0trhQyntqV7kGUUjS5aEdZn6j9GJ7oPGFL8_DErc/s1600/IMG_6142.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJ80j4SbJYdaqIsOlUJ_6feUJTMem_WlY7qf2I1jthndPuExNiGzKAFxsTdoDv1HAUql71_kBMzHNs-bo-Oxi8LwRB_UAmc1e4as0trhQyntqV7kGUUjS5aEdZn6j9GJ7oPGFL8_DErc/s320/IMG_6142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HpTIUQ5LXLmM-KjSvgwKqlAyG11ptLDXxJY7G2t6fF2bhtfmUmQhZuMw_-6xPwVFALLp2E99SpgiQVwGHDGdo42usPhnab8V2uJQeg3tFl_S1Vy7P6Py_aDNIf7odvXbFOzGp4zjjuA/s1600/IMG_6194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HpTIUQ5LXLmM-KjSvgwKqlAyG11ptLDXxJY7G2t6fF2bhtfmUmQhZuMw_-6xPwVFALLp2E99SpgiQVwGHDGdo42usPhnab8V2uJQeg3tFl_S1Vy7P6Py_aDNIf7odvXbFOzGp4zjjuA/s320/IMG_6194.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXbyuWETiFTlcA3rGubOkIg5NZhiBTmHEZ5sqXbpRUHFEqou2vYCHDSeFEc-hTIVRXEl7ZoGWerW_7nbMUkvM9t4evtmdKT4JnE-t4rD4MLnVfIH0OZ770aLuf6of69a0KbcC4d4Gv4w/s1600/IMG_6192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXbyuWETiFTlcA3rGubOkIg5NZhiBTmHEZ5sqXbpRUHFEqou2vYCHDSeFEc-hTIVRXEl7ZoGWerW_7nbMUkvM9t4evtmdKT4JnE-t4rD4MLnVfIH0OZ770aLuf6of69a0KbcC4d4Gv4w/s320/IMG_6192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b id="docs-internal-guid-4f569f57-092c-c26d-315e-9292b1396064" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The photos that are included in this post are but a few, but demonstrate how engaged the students were and the true joy of working together through this valuable endeavour. </span></b><br />
<span style="color: #999999;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b> <b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm so grateful for dedicated people who continue to reach and teach our children.</span></b></span><br />
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #999999; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></b></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-20906943643742475612016-10-20T05:57:00.002-07:002016-10-20T05:58:25.887-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“We’re here because we’re here, because we’re here because we’re here…” I first heard these words sung, by my brother, when I was a young girl. Any of you who came up through the Boy Scout movement, will recognize this questionable war chant but for the better part of my life, I have allowed those words to resonate throughout my being and they have meant something different to me at different times.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am a goalsetter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Even from my earliest days in elementary school when the Main Librarian from our downtown public library would show up in school in June, and present a summer reading program to all of us, I would think about how many books I would read that summer and make a plan. After that, I would make a promise to myself to keep waking up early and to ride my bike a certain number of times a day. I would promise myself to make my bed, even through the long summer days and, the thing is, for the most part, I remember being able to make rules for myself and keep them.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As a teacher, I make professional goals all of the time and I reflect on them, evaluating and adjusting and looking for resources to help me meet these goals. I also still create short term personal goals. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">When I was asked if I had the heart to work with a team of people to help a ministry student achieve his goals, my answer was, of course I do. And I am thrilled to be working with someone who is driven and excited about his calling. As I read through his goals, I began to wonder about my own personal ones. I always seem to have so many professional dreams that I have to pare my goals down to only three but for personal goals, I rarely set more than one at a time. And then I thought again. Well maybe that’s a good thing. Quite a few years ago now, my minister and friend suggested that I read the book The Power of Now by <a href="https://www.eckharttolle.com/" target="_blank">Eckhart Tolle</a> and for me, it was profound. I began to work at unitasking and on being present in as many moments as I could. And I became better and better at it and, it is time for me to work at this again. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My one personal goal for the rest of this year will be to live in the present moment as much as possible. To look my KinderKids on their level and listen to their words, to smile warmly and notice nature, to enjoy each bite of food that I put in my body, to feel the warm earthy slate on the floor at my desk, through the soles of my feet, and let it warm my body, to breathe deeply and be grateful for all of the tiny miracles that are before me each day and to continually remind myself that I am here because I’m here…</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #999999;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ Ellyn</span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-20303733836677967132016-10-14T09:26:00.001-07:002016-10-14T09:28:18.490-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-615063ab-c401-f175-03c9-130ab1914345" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Home is where my babies are. </span></span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">On September 11th, 2001, my mama had to call all of her children. That very next weekend, she drove to the farm to visit us and she sat by our firepit outside, cradling a barn cat and said that she just needed to see or talk to her babies. At the time, I didn’t understand it. I thought she was overreacting. After all, we live on a farm in rural Alberta and the treacherous act happened in New York. On American soil for the simple reason that it was American soil and would harm mostly American people. But the thing is, it didn’t. It sent shockwaves everywhere, including, our little corner of the world.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fast forward, 15 years, and I get it. My babies are 20 and 21 and they live in closeby cities. I’m thankful that I can get to them relatively quickly, if need be, because home is where my babies are too.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My mama died 11 years ago this past Thanksgiving and this year was the first year that I have actually felt present for the celebration weekend. I wasn’t numb. It was also the first year since my mama has left this earth, that I didn’t consult my dad or invite him for Thanksgiving, I didn’t fall into an obligatory dinner with anyone and I just spent it with my husband and my babies, somewhere else, not at our house. And it was wonderful. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes it takes years to step away from something one feels duty bound to be a part of. For me, this year, it was necessary to just take care of me and be present. Integrity of word, even to self, this is my focus right now and if home is where my babies are, then that is where I need to be. </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #999999;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">~ Ellyn</span></span></span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-16358603430364225852016-07-06T19:05:00.001-07:002016-07-07T07:32:05.009-07:00Summer Job Guy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My 21 year old son Max has a cool summer job. He’s working as the Recreation “Guy” at our small town seniors’ lodge and he loves it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A couple of weeks after he started, Mother’s Day was upon us and a Tea at the lodge ensued. He dressed up in his finery complete with a bow tie and just happened to be standing by the entryway when an elderly cousin of ours, walked into the building, towards the gathering area and assumed Max was there to seat her. He immediately held out his arm and lead her to her table, which caused the other ladies to assume that he was there to do that for them too. And so, of course, he did. One by one he escorted each lady to their table and then helped serve tea. There are about 58 ladies in our local lodge and they were delighted. But more importantly, so was he. The Monday following that event, he mentioned to his supervisor that he really wanted to do something special for the fellas that lived in the lodge, for Father’s Day. They started to brainstorm when his supervisor mentioned that maybe they should take the guys to the local pub for beer and wings. Max was thrilled and added that he would find some men in town that he knew of that had vintage vehicles to come up to the lodge, pick up the gentlemen and then head to the pub. I was in awe and Max came home so satisfied that the few men that resided there, I think 14, enjoyed their celebration. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fast forward to yesterday, July 4th, a male resident died. Overnight. In his sleep. Max came home from work last night in such a funk and I knew something was wrong. It’s hard to make relationships and then lose them so quickly and Max is in an industry where he is going to experience this. He began to tell me about this man… </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Clifford was quiet. He mostly operated in a solitary manner. He didn’t have a television, nor radio, but he did read. He didn’t take part in any of the activities that were offered at the lodge. However, after the Mother’s Day Tea, Max noticed that Clifford had yet to receive any visitors and he asked him if he had any children. Clifford said that he had a son but that his son was very busy and would probably not be around on Father’s Day weekend. When the plans were in place for the Father’s Day event, Max encouraged Clifford to join a good friend of ours in an old fixed-up 1948 Fargo truck and to head to the pub for wings. Clifford came out of his shell and talked and talked and talked. He ordered a beer and enjoyed a few wings but most of all he loved the old truck and the camaraderie. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I hope that Max knows just how important this summer job is. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I do. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
<br /></div>
Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-60388200970318431102016-04-12T15:12:00.000-07:002016-04-12T15:20:45.204-07:00I Don't Have a Bucket List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I do not have a bucket list.</span></span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-84d9edfa-0c8f-09ac-1beb-d54fb719f870" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Not that I don’t love stepping into an adventure, trying new experiences and travelling. I just don’t feel the need to create a bucket list.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I remember a couple of years ago when I heard about two teens, who had created a summer bucket list, and I was saddened to think that at 17, they felt the need to accomplish things before they moved away for college. I guess I was judging them against my 17 year old self who was most definitely scared, but also overly excited about starting a new life rather than checking things off. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">But is that what a bucket list is?</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">In 2007 when <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0825232/" target="_blank">Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson</a> starred in the movie with the same name, I remember enjoying the film, but knew then, that I couldn’t imagine creating a bucket list. Two of the questions the movie asked viewers however, did inspire me. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">“Have you found joy in life? Has your life brought joy to others?” (Morgan Freeman as Carter Chambers) </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Presently, and on a temporary contract, I am teaching 5 & 6 year olds in Kindergarten. I had no idea that I would be spending my days with these little marvels once again. And so it is easy for me to be thankful each morning when I wake up, easy for me to see the magnificence in each one of those Kindies eyes, easy for me to stop talking, smile warmly and just listen. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">I see... hear... feel... joy in life. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">My husband and I have created a veritable paradise in our own home and yard. A place where we love to sit and just be. And as I plant trees that I may never see mature, I know that someday someone else will enjoy this space that we have loved. “What does a snail have to do to reincarnate? Create the perfect trail of slime?” (Jack Nicholson as Edward Cole)</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Do I plan for the future? Of course, but I practise living right now. </span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Do you have a bucket list? If so, I’d love to hear from you so that I can fully understand this notion.</span></span></div>
<b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></b>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">Thank you.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #cccccc;">~ Ellyn</span></span></div>
<div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-78640274965038244602015-10-28T13:31:00.001-07:002015-10-28T13:31:29.878-07:00I have a friend...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I have a friend…</div>
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We have spent so much time together that we can finish each
other’s sentences, move easily from one topic to another, talk on any subject
and I even know what she is likely to order in any given restaurant.</div>
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We differ on political matters, organized religious matters
and some social justice issues and yet I feel that our souls are, in some way, “created
from the same block of clay”. (<a href="http://www.mitchalbom.com/" target="_blank">Albom</a>, 2013)</div>
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There are very few things that I wouldn’t do for this friend
and I can only hope that you too, have a friend.</div>
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Thank you my friend.</div>
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~ Ellyn</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hnAnXK8WcWLchWLJgAbJwr2DEf-numIIhHhYlr11LuzzbRmyicjpiTJZ3JOvxrkcwRp29GoLiX86afEGSoaKhfC_-J03p9qoTl2spgWaM21iJTpE6YVVZ3_6CL7Qiio83xOGk5rt5bA/s1600/IMG_1802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0hnAnXK8WcWLchWLJgAbJwr2DEf-numIIhHhYlr11LuzzbRmyicjpiTJZ3JOvxrkcwRp29GoLiX86afEGSoaKhfC_-J03p9qoTl2spgWaM21iJTpE6YVVZ3_6CL7Qiio83xOGk5rt5bA/s320/IMG_1802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-74152068184153605912015-09-14T12:04:00.000-07:002015-09-14T12:07:40.860-07:00The First Agreement<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Let my word be impeccable. The word that I write, think and utter. About myself and others. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b id="docs-internal-guid-dd9b17bf-cd3c-0126-0e8d-07c9fd525fa6" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m rereading </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://www.miguelruiz.com/" target="_blank">The Four Agreements</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> by Don Miguel Ruiz and I am once again struck with awe. It has been many years since I first read this little, albeit powerful, book and is the only book that I know of, that my husband has read twice. I am encouraged by my daughter asking me about it. Encouraged because, she is in her first year of University, studying Commerce and when she told me that the Dean mentioned that it is his favourite book, I was taken aback but warmed by the notion. Encouraged to know that someone who is business minded is also honouring his spiritual side. Encouraged to know that my daughter will continue to surround herself with people who inspire her to use her gifts and talents for good in this world.</span></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so, today, when the little book called to me, I once again am making a commitment to use the power of my word in gratefulness, for truth and for love. </span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Today is a good day for a good day.” - <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/radio/newfire/getting-abo-digital-indigenous-youth-talk-tech-1.3174368/the-digital-life-of-savannah-simon-1.3174653" target="_blank">Savannah Simon</a></span></div>
<span style="color: #cccccc;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
</span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">~ Ellyn</span></div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-56010826635635986772015-03-01T11:03:00.000-08:002015-03-01T15:36:15.631-08:00A Privileged Life...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
I live a privileged life.<br />
<br />
I have spent the majority of my life, in some sort of capacity, with children. Gratefully.<br />
<br />
For me, yesterday was just another Saturday in just another gymnasium, spent enjoying young basketball players immersed in a passion for sport. As it has been over the years, I observed parents enjoying that their children have this opportunity for camaraderie mixed with competition. Some parents see their children as little selves and want desperately for those little beings to be the best and to entertain them, while others just let everything go and let their children experience. I am not saying that one way is right or wrong, but that it just is.<br />
<br />
And then, like it is every so often, I get to notice grace. I was privileged to be on the outskirts of a dialogue between a father coach and a child player, whereby the father made certain that the child was playing her game for herself, and that it was just that. Her game, not his, and that she could take this game with her team anyway that she chose. He wanted to be sure in a very quick few seconds that she was not playing to please him. A lovely moment in time.<br />
<br />
I live a privileged life.<br />
<br />
~ Ellyn<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-60302038694897030512014-07-30T08:29:00.000-07:002014-07-30T08:29:41.701-07:00Courage<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It is only on the rarest of occasions that I lose sleep at
night, the thoughts that infrequently waking me being those surrounding the
well being of a child, even if that child is now 6’5” and 170 lbs. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, a friend of mine told me that her well-educated,
accomplished and highly employable son, quit his job. He absolutely could not
stand going to his place of employment every day. Although his work filled a
void for a time, offering him the opportunity to purchase assets and feel
financially settled, he hasn’t enjoyed it for a long time. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our accrued assets and financial freedom only lasts so long
before one’s gut aches, or physical and emotional conditions associated with
the deep unhappiness that one actually feels inside, begin to manifest. I do
not think that the building up of assets is a bad thing, nor do I believe that
we should undervalue our material life but we have to be careful not to
overvalue it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night I woke up because I was thinking about him and
how I would like him to know how courageous I think he is. I feel in the same
way that Jean Stapleton’s character, Birdie Conrad, from <i><a href="http://youvegotmail.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank">You’ve Got Mail</a></i>
espouses; that he is “daring to imagine something else” for him and although it
may be frightening, it is also freeing. My thoughts envelop this brave young
man knowing that even if he chooses to enter back into the profession that he
has prepared for, he will go into it in a much more settled and healthy manner.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
~ Ellyn</div>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2745636048318414570.post-84424296509363468102014-07-19T09:19:00.000-07:002014-07-19T09:35:45.504-07:00Perfection Here & Now<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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“Every day was a perfect day and every night was peaceful.”
E.B. White’s lovely words from <i>Charlotte’s Web</i> warmly emerge from my
being, today and often during the summer.</div>
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Ever since my son Max began working through his summers, I
have found it difficult to plan a family summer vacation, and I am not
interested in traveling anywhere without my children, yet. The first two
summers that he worked away from home and for a wage, he was able to leave work
one week before school started. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that until then.
We did take some last minute, very cool teen inspired eco trips, highlinging
and ziplining, camping and always throwing in a stage production, or two.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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This morning, as every morning, and while enjoying my beyond
fair trade, dark roast, full-bodied and richly aromatic Thai coffee, on the
verandah, it occurred to me that my favourite summer resort is right here in our
yard. With a well-used fire pit for evening relaxation and pleasure, surrounded
by a variety of mature trees that Brent’s mom and dad established, a hot tub
for cooler evenings underneath the stars, scattered and wild perennial beds
that fill my life with mostly green, the colour with which I am so drawn to, an
outside area where I can always find a spot free of the elements, Max’s zipline
and Jillian’s basketball court and with my babies that are not so much babies
anymore, coming and going…</div>
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My summer life is complete.</div>
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As Jillian and I spend time touring around to different
Universities, and I am aware of the reality that she too will be gone from here
soon, I find myself spilling over in gratefulness for the life that we have
created. Do I want to keep creating this as my favourite summer resort? Maybe,
but maybe not. What I do know is that it is perfect right here, right now. </div>
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I invite you to share with me, where it is that you find
yourself during the summer? Where is your favourite summer resort?</div>
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~ Ellyn<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-Qtz1kxlSa4MaYi9Vaf8QMdG17_p6OEjvz984QZH_PKpRqIBv6nPYhU4FOcqsa8PkO5bVVxFJt2YFJOiyqZ3Whq5YRWBscvDbGUOTx7ssTM75qM6hj7KjJ5bwOJKr3dhxz3f30Kkyh4/s1600/photo+1-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-Qtz1kxlSa4MaYi9Vaf8QMdG17_p6OEjvz984QZH_PKpRqIBv6nPYhU4FOcqsa8PkO5bVVxFJt2YFJOiyqZ3Whq5YRWBscvDbGUOTx7ssTM75qM6hj7KjJ5bwOJKr3dhxz3f30Kkyh4/s1600/photo+1-6.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walk back to the hot tub where <br />perennials are on top of perennials <br />and softly clean soil meets green...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ellynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13587102498250452441noreply@blogger.com0