The Almighty Dollar!
08 May 2012 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherds, buyers, buying, exercise, fitness, good deeds, greed, happiness, health, Inspire, molar pregnancy, money, nutrition, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
Obviously money is important. I get it. But that is all that matters right now. At least that is how I feel. Money, money, money! In my profession, real estate, you can take classes to move higher in your field. For instance, I am a salesperson and working towards my Broker license. What does that mean? Well, it means that I have a better title and can open my own brokerage if I wanted to. That’s about it. It is an accomplishment, but the overseeing school for real estate sees it as more money. I am awaiting results on a recent test, which I hope to do well on. This course costs nearly $500 & if I have to re-take the test it costs an additional $50. If you don’t pass after the 2nd try–you guessed it–you get to pay the entire $500 again. Yippee! Now, seriously isn’t that absurd?
Greed seems to be running the world right now. Look at gas prices, insurance, clothing, food, etc. Greed is so prevalent that you never know what to believe anymore. Do I take this supplement or is someone just selling it to me to make the money. There’s so many gimmicks out there. Wear this jewelry–it will solve all your problems. Give money to this man–he somehow can cure 
everything w/ a dab of special water. It just seems nuts, but the problem is that these people are marketing to others who are weak at that time. People who need help, not a con man.We all are guilty of wanting that quick, easy fix. I definitely am guilty! We all are vulnerable at times and don’t take the time to ask specifics–we just act or maybe just react. Either way, it is someone’s greed preying on innocence.
The real issue is that as prices rise, people who normally just enjoying helping others stop doing so. You can’t afford to help as much. At some point you have to make ends meet. It’s all cyclical. I was at Lululemon, one of my fav stores. I was very interested in a dress they were selling. I was interested until I saw it in person. They are asking $100 for a piece of cloth w/ two arm holes. That’s it! To me, there was no style, detailing, nothing. That is what made me think to write this post. I love Lulu, 98% of my closet is Lulu. I’m not going to stop buying it, but I am going to start taking notice when they get too greedy. This company charged less money when all the clothing was being made here in Canada. Now that they have started having clothing made elsewhere they are asking more money. Isn’t that the exact opposite of what is supposed to happen? I know this may make some dedicated Lulu lovers angry, but it’s the truth. That’s how it is–can’t get mad at the truth. Like I said, I love the company, the clothing and all, but I have to start realizing when they are just asking for too much. That’s my stand–not buying things when they are obviously overpriced for what I think they should be.
Well, enough of my pedestal talk, but I just wanted to point this out.I wanted to put out a reminder to still try to help. It doesn’t go un-noticed. Of course, you have to take care of your own needs and in doing this you may not be able to do as much for free, but do some. Please don’t let the greedy people win. Stand up for things you belive in and do what you can . We all appreciate it.
To totally change the topic and end on a lighter note…doesn’t this pic get you in the mood for spring? Being outdoors, seeing all the bright new life that is growing. Very exciting. Also,
we’ve been enjoying MG’s newest yummy creation of avocado, w/ spicy oil drizzled on and baked until golden. Insanely delish! Add a bit of asparagus w/ some oil, baked, sprinkled w/ parmesan and what a delightful meal. Full of vitamins, protein, good fats, folate, iron, calcium, just to name a few.
I even made some vegetarian tacos the other night. Pretty easy to do, as anyone who knows me knows I am NOT a cook, but they tasted great. Not necessarily packed full w/ vitamins, but a nice treat from time to time.
Thanks for listening and remember to not always think w/ your pockets!
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
May Look the Same, But Could Not Be More Different!
10 Feb 2012 9 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherd, bloodwork, breast cancer, Canada, change, chemo, d&c, dialation and cutterage, family, happiness, hcg levels, health, hormone levels, Inspire, mastectomy, methotrexate, molar pregnancy, NC, North Carolina, nutrition, oncologist, pregnancy, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, vegetarian, yoga
All of us in Austria--Amazing!
My Mom!
This blog has been going on for just over a year now. I can’t help but look back at a year ago when I first began blogging. I think about last December when my life was just about to be turned upside down. Last February may look the same, but feels drastically different. What a difference a year can make. This makes me think back for a moment: I had lost one of my two precious dogs and little did I know that last December, only 8 months after losing Stryker, my other dog Tazz would pass away. Little did I know that last December I would become pregnant and find out that my mother had breast cancer.
Then, I move to January where all hell broke loose. My mother had a mastectomy at the same time I had a D&C due to my molar pregnancy. My mom and I would be 12 hrs away from one another (NC to Ontario) having surgeries and supporting each other from afar. Neither of us could be there physically for one another, but somehow the mother/daughter bond brought us through. Amazingly, in one of her worst times and one of mine, we were helping the other be stronger than ever before. Sometimes you don’t have to be beside someone to have a connection, support, love.
Stryker & Tazz on a nice day!
Besties!
MG and I--Mayan Riviera
Follow that up w/ last February. It just kept going. My HcG levels were dropping nicely. All felt like after the worst time of my life things were going right. Then, on Feb 5th my fiance and I made an overnight decision to get away and surprise some family w/ a visit to Mexico. On the way to the airport, my best friend reaches out to tell me her mother passed away suddenly. We have been best friends since we were 4 yrs old. This wonderful woman was a 2nd mother to me. Again, being 12 hrs away (NC to Ontario) and now on a flight to Mexico, how could I be there to support her? Needless to say I wasn’t physically there for her either. Our strength in friendship overrides all though and we got through it–together. After an amazing vacay in the Mayan Riviera, my HcG levels started to rise. I was sent to several specialists and ending at the oncologist’s where they wanted me to get chemo. You can read in my earlier blogs all about that ordeal.
The rest of my year went well and brings me to now. Same month, same spelling, same feeling as last year, but very different. Thank God! My life has changed in so many ways. I look back and wish things had not gone the way they did, but I learned so much. I truly became a better person, a much different person, but better. I realized how special each and every day is and how short life is and how quickly they can change. I learned to try not to take things so seriously and try to focus on the positive.
They love to watch the ducks!
My 2012 will be different. I have two new amazing pups. They will never be Stryker and Tazz, but I don’t want them to be. They are who they are and we are having a blast. I love them like crazy and I don’t compare–that wouldn’t be fair to me or them. I waited long enough for me to
get anther dog and it is amazing. My mother is doing very well and I just hope to be half as strong as her. I never realized how amazingly tough, strong and powerful she was until she went through cancer. As terrible as that was for her it made her a better person. She retired from a job she didn’t enjoy anymore (she would never have left if not for the cancer), she goes to cooking classes, walks, exercises, eats better and the list goes on. All things she never really did before cancer. My best friend is doing well and still has rough patches in getting through the emotions of losing her mother, but she is ok. I have been cleared, finally, after a year of blood work and tests. I don’t have to have any check ups now.
We all have ups and downs. Mine all happened in a 10 month span. I’m sure I will have more as life goes on. I’ve learned to be strong for others and help even if I can’t be right by their side. A true bond will get you through as long as you are there in some form. I try to see the positive and I’m much stronger. My life could not be more different from a year ago. There’s a lot I would change, but I got through it. I survived. You all will. Sometimes it takes time and when you are at your lowest is when you have to fight the hardest. It is so easy to be happy when all is well. The true test of character is when times are rough. Mine and my loved ones true character’s came out last year and I’m proud to say we are all better people and could not have supported each other more. I’m honored to be in each and every one of your lives–the one’s mentioned here and the other’s who just supported me in the background–you know who you are and I thank you! Here’s to 2012!
After a Cold Swim
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
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Christmas Anyone?
05 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherds, buyers, Canada, Christmas, christmas gifts, Christmas music, decorating, decorations, dogs, exercise, festive, fitness, happiness, health, holiday season, holidays, Inspire, jogging, lights, Lululemon, molar pregnancy, nutrition, ornaments, presents, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, vegetarian, wish list, yoga
No Scrooges allowed in our house. We love Christmas! I think we are usually the first on our street to decorate and definitely decorate the most. One of the few homes without children, but w/ the most decorations. We enjoy it. What I don’t enjoy is taking them down. Does anyone else notice how fun, easy, and seemingly quick it is when the lights are going up? Well, we enjoy it. We have the pups around playing, the Christmas tunes cranked, the fireplace glowing, a steaming hot coffee nearby and a big box full of tangled lights, containers of forgotten 
ornaments and loads of “now where does this go again” conversations. We use a boxed tree, so I have a lovely smelling pine tree candle burning, so we get the feel of a live Christmas tree. I just love it. 
But then comes Dec 26th….all downhill from there. The lights still come on b/c of course you cannot remove them b/c of some superstition w/ waiting until after New Year’s Day. So, like w/ every holiday, once it is time for the decorations to come down, we get them down. We don’t have quite the glow, smile or sugar-plum fairies dancing in our heads, but we get them down. It is almost like a mission…a little minor war of our own. No Christmas music, dancing, still have the hot coffee, but not talking. Just boxing, removing, labelling and trying to find which box each ornament originally belonged in. It seems to take forever, but we bunker down and get it done.
I even enjoy all the hustle and bustle at the malls, stores, etc. It just keeps you in the spirit. Everywhere you go there’s lights, music,
just joy in the air. Well, most of the time. If you save all your shopping until the last night—you may not have or see as much joy. Just
remember the point to the season. For me, I will never take Christ out of Christmas and it does make me sad to see how much “he” is being left out of this holiday. Also, it is always about family, joy, being happy and of course presents. I still love presents. I don’t care about my birthday, but I’m still a kid when it comes to Christmas morning. I think I always will be. I enjoy giving and surprising others as much if not more than I enjoy receiving. One thing for sure…LuluLemon is definitely on my wish list. We’ve been so lucky here for weather as well. It is starting to get pretty cold here now, but no snow. The days are still very nice–cool, crisp, sunny, but the nights are COLD! Still, no snow yet. Usually, I’m excited for snow and I still am this year, 
but w/ the 2 pups around, I’m enjoying the warmer temps right now. It is much easier to take them out for their “washroom breaks” when it is not bone-chilling, snow-covered nights.
Anyway, please enjoy the holidays. Don’t take them for granted. Remember your loved ones, friends, others who don’t have anything (human and animal) and the true meaning of Christmas for you. Everyone has their own individual meaning for Christmas, so celebrate it and do what you want. This is the time for “wants” not “needs”. Enjoy the time w/ family and friends and soak up every moment. You never know what next year may bring, so treat it like you won’t get this moment again. Live it, enjoy it and make the most of the entire season!
Family Christmas 2011
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
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It’s Been A Month? Time Flies!
14 Nov 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherds, breeding, buyers, Canada, dog training, dogs, exercise, family, fitness, happiness, happy, health, Inspire, kennels, mastectomy, molar pregnancy, NC, North Carolina, nutrition, offers, pink ribbon kennels, pregnancy, puppies, pups, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, sellers, selling, sleep, training, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
I took a look at my blog page for the first time yesterday in a long time. I was surprised to see that my last entry was a month ago. Where does time go? I was amazed at how many of you are still reading and checking in w/ me to see if I’ve posted again. So, thanks to all of you and I will try to be better.
First came my little red merle
Two weeks later my little blue merle boy was 8 wks old and ready to come home…
So, what has been keeping me busy…..well, these 2 boys. After the loss of our previous 2 Australian Shepherds we took about a year to heal. For us, we needed this time. Unfortunately, we have a lot of friends and aquaintances we see on our hiking trail every day who have also lost pets (family members to all of us). Some need to find a new member of the family immediately, some have waited 15 yrs to make the addition. For MG and I it was a year. He nor I spoke of getting a new pup for a long time. I train in obedience and agility 
and do some herding, so I always have my eyes on breeders that I like. I do a lot of research before I decide on a breeder, pup, etc. So, I had been researching for when we were ready, I would be up to date w/ what was going on in the Aussie world. Well, a few months back MG brought up that he wanted a pup, he missed the friendship and happiness that dogs bring to our lives. Even though I had been researching, I thought it would be a couple of years before I made the addition. I just never really let myself think of it. I still hurt, miss and think of Stryker and Tazz every day. It hasn’t gotten easier and I have realized it just never will. I will never get over losing them. Once MG mentioned it, I started thinking. At first, I wasn’t sure I was ready, then it really grew on me. I began to look inside myself and realize the sadness and lack of life I had. This is because we are DOG people. We need them and love them.
Fast forward a bit and I fell in love w/ 2 breedings. We bagan to look at the option of getting 2 pups at the same time. I liked this b/c we travel, sit on patios, go for visits, etc a lot. I don’t want to have a dog that is 3yrs old, perfect and trustworthy and start all over w/ a pup. I would rather have 2 that are close in age, but once they are trustworthy, they both are. So, that’s what we did. They are 2 wks 
apart in age. One is from here in Canada (Orillia) and the other is from Michigan. We love them. Funny thing is that both have important meanings and I wasn’t looking for this at all. My oldest (11 wks today) is from Pink Ribbon Kennels and she named her kennel this b/c of her mother’s struggle w/ breast cancer. As you know, my mother survived breast cancer a year ago. My youngest (9wks old yesterday) was born on 9/11. This was the 10 yr anniversary of the 9/11 event. Obviously I’m an American, so this date is very significant. Ironinc? Maybe.
Anyway, my life is full w/ 2 bundles of joy and we could not be happier. I could use more sleep, but these boys are pretty perfect. We now get up at 6am everyday and stay up until at least midnight (I’m a real estate agent–we work all the time). Fortunately, if MG and I do decide to have children, this is a great warm up to prepare us. Get ready, you will be getting a lot of pics and stories about these 2 Australian Shepherds. It is never a boring day around here.
At least someone around here gets some sleep….
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
How High Can You Count?
12 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherds, buyers, buying, Canada, counting, dance, dancing, dogs, exercise, fitness, happiness, hcg levels, health, healthy, hockey, hormone levels, Inspire, jogging, molar pregnancy, North Carolina, numbers, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, selling, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
Sometimes I feel like I can’t count higher than 10. Growing up I was a dancer. Ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop and African. African was amazing b/c it as so free and there were live drummers. Fantastic! Anyway, in dance you generally count to 8 and repeat. You may add in an “and
a”, but that’s it. I noticed the other night when watching the hockey team we help, play their game, I only count up to 5. So, now my counting is getting even lower. Since I’m the trainer for the team, I’m always counting to make sure I see 5 players standing when on the ice. If they aren’t standing, that means they may be hurt and may need my help. Ok, getting even stranger…we ate at 5 Guys Burgers and Fries. Even restaurants don’t count higher than 5. Wanna guess how many workers were there?…..You got it–5! By the way, first time at this place and I had the most amazing grilled veggie sandwich!
This got me thinking about how much of our brains we don’t use. Or maybe we do. See, I may not use numbers, a lot or math, but I use my knowledge in other areas. We learn so many things in school and basically in my opinion, it just lays the base for where we want to focus our attention. Some use this knowledge to be doctors, scientists, accountants, teachers, etc. I use mine for socialization in real estate (people skills), healthy eating, dog training. We all have skills and we use them in the areas we are most interested.
No matter where you choose to focus your attention, do it and do it well. There’s no need to feel like you are less b/c you didn’t choose one thing over another. It takes just as much skill and 
thought to use the more “artsy” side of ourselves than to use the perceived “business” side. I used to wonder what my career would be b/c I was more drawn to what most see as hobby than career. Now, I sell real estate, but I continue w/ my hobby jobs and love them. I train dogs, teach exercise and nutrition (hope to get back in to both of these soon) and dance. The dancing tends to stay in private or at weddings. You can’t help but dance at weddings.
My whole thought has changed. I think there is a need for every choice of career. If you are passionate about something you are doing, you will be good at it and there will be a need for it. People want to trust and if you
are skilled at what you are doing, they will trust you. Your love for what you are doing will ooze out of you. Use what you have and turn it into your life, your career. Don’t let anything stop you. So, the fact that I don’t count higher than 10 in my every normal day doesn’t matter. I’m doing things I love w/ people I love and that is the best feeling in life.
Thought I’d leave you w/ one of my favorite vines in our back yard. It was green all summer, but is now turning beautiful shades of red, purple–all the colors of fall.
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
It’s Getting A Little Spooky!!!
06 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in Uncategorized Tags: buyers, buying, Canada, coffee, decorating, dogs, exercise, fall, fitness, Halloween, hcg levels, health, hockey, Inspire, jogging, molar pregnancy, North Carolina, nutrition, offers, pregnancy, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, sellers, selling, spooky, Thanksgiving, vegan, vegetarian, water, yoga
Around this house, we decorate. We don’t have any kids, probably one of only a few on this street that don’t, but we decorate better 
than anyone. We love it. I know my fiance’s family enjoy decorating and they do a lovely job. My family was always very interested in decorating. I remember some phenomenal Halloween’s growing up and looking forward to all that sugar. Now, the thought of all that candy makes me nauseous. Just the thought, ugghhh, tummy churning, tummy churning. We love handing out all that candy though. We decorate a lot, even change the color of our outdoor lights to match the holiday. We always dress up and hand out candy. Then, it’s off to whatever activity happens next.
So, as you will see, one of the busy things in my life is decorating and buying more decorations. The good thing is that some of my newbies are on sale. 50% off. Score! and I don’t have to do too much explaining to the King of our house. By the way, he will definitely not like being called “King”. Anyway, here are some pics. They don’t do it justice, but still fun. MG even spent hours hand painting the 2 coffins. They look magnificent. Sometimes you get caught up in your own work. This paintbrush just kept following him around.
I also really enjoy haunted houses. My best friend and I used to go to every haunted house, trail, hayride, you name it. I still try to make it to one or 2 during the season. I can’t stand the anticipation. It always gets me. I still scream like a 4 yr old every time I go. I know they can’t hurt me, but it is that darn anticipation that something around that next corner is going to get me.
Boo!
When it comes to holidays, I’m still a kid. I like to enjoy them, decorate, etc. They make me really happy. This is part of why I love fall. I’m anticipating the good around the corner. Since 
I’m a US citizen in Canada, I get to enjoy TWO Thanksgiving’s. How lucky is that? Darn lucky for someone who loves holidays. I enjoy the family time, the hustle and bustle, the crispness in the air and all the other decorations at people houses. You should see the looks as people pass by our outdoor skeleton. They give some pretty crazy looks. To make things worse, we added a spider in the tree that hangs down. Looks get a bit crazier. It’s all in fun. I love it and it makes me smile. Hopefully it makes others smile. Actually, it does. After the look of concern, every person continues walking w/ a smile. We’ve even had neighbors thank us for making their days happier. How much they enjoy looking at our decorations every day. That’s nice. I almost decorate now more for others than for us, but I still enjoy it more than anyone.
Oh, a picture that is spooky w/o having anything to do w/ Halloween. We were driving down the highway the other day just as this plane was landing. Some see this every day b/c the airport is near the highway. Me, I don’t see this much and it is a little spooky to see this huge plane, flying so low and close to the cars. You never know if they are landing properly. All was good, but left me w/ a little thought. Well, enjoy the season and the decorating!
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
More Fun In September!
04 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: australian shepherds, busy, buyers, buying, Canada, CFL football, exercise, family, fitness, Football, hamilton, happiness, happy, health, Inspire, jogging, molar pregnancy, nutrition, offers, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, selling, Ticats, tigercats, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
As I mentioned in my last post, September was full of fun and busy. We got to go see a Tiger Cats (CFL football game). They won big which was also really nice. It was a very chilly day, a bit of overcast, but that really didn’t matter. What mattered was the fun! The family! The togetherness. You simply cannot ask for a better place to take kids and let them be as loud and free as they wanna be. They got to dance, run, play, scream and much more. All the while we could watch the game and have a few adult conversations. It was also
neat that they fly the fighter planes over to open the game.
September has been a fabulous family month. It’s nice b/c w/ real estate, some other possible new adventures, life has been crazy busy. Taking time to enjoy socializing and just getting out is very needed. I find that I tend to get a bit obsessed w/ things, so I 
have to pull myself away. If we are really busy w/ real estate, I tend to focus all my time to work and being at my client’s every beckoning call. It’s ok to do this every so often, but you have to spend time w/ those that matter as well. This means not cancelling on plans. This is challenging b/c I am afraid of missing out on a deal or client or whatever. What I need to realize is what I’m missing out on when I cancel w/ those that really matter to me.
My meaning is that no matter what, take care of yourself. Make YOU happy and those around will be happy. It is always fun to be around someone who is positive and relaxing. It is never fun to be around negativity. It is never fun to be w/ someone when you feel like they are always in a hurry to get somewhere else to do something else. It is also not enjoyable for those around you to feel like you are too important and they need to book an appointment just to see you. So, make plans and keep them. Done!
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
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Feeling Good….
01 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Canada, exercise, fitness, happiness, health, Inspire, molar pregnancy, NC, North Carolina, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, stairs, trails, travel, vegetarian, visiting, water, yoga
I just realized it has nearly been a month since I last wrote a post. September has flown by. Hard to believe it is the first day of October. I love writing that b/c I just love October. Fall is here, the trees, shrubs, etc are all turning magnificent colors of red, orange, purple, yellow, you name it. We have been really busy w/ all kinds
of new and exciting things. One of the best busy things, hell, best things this year was my mom, best friend and her brother (might as well be my second brother) coming to Canada for their first visit. So, I will write about some of the other things on a later date, but this post is dedicated to the amazing time we all had together!
This was their first time being in Canada, seeing my home and surrounding areas and the best part was meeting all of my fiance’s family. In looking back at all the 
photos, I cannot believe how much we did in just a few short days. I also gained a whole new appreciation of the scenery amongst me. Where I live is beautiful and amazing and we tend to take it for granted. We get to enjoy it everyday and forget the wonderment of it all. I can tell you we all slept very well at night. We went to
Niagara Falls, rode on the Maid of the Mist, visited several local trails on the water, some good hiking trails, visit w/ amazing family and friends and of course we had to do the 460 escarpment stairs. Thank goodness for our camera. You just don’t realize how fabulous these views are. So lucky.
The weather could not have been much better. Nice days around 70F-75F w/ just 
a bit of rain. The rain was welcomed b/c we could rest a little between our adventures. I hope they all enjoyed their time here in Canada, but no one could have enjoyed their visit more than me. They are amazing, special people and I’m so fortunate to have them all in my life. My best friend and I have 
been friends since we were 4 yrs old. That’s special. Then, the bond between mom and daughter is like nothing else in this world. And T, my friend’s brother, I don’t know where to begin. He was a second brother, always treated me like family and taught me some vital shopping habits. I just can’t say enough about the 3 of these family members. I’ll leave it w/ thank you to each of you for being in my life and sticking through thick and thin w/ me. And now for taking the time to come for a visit to see my new world. That is us, halfway up the escarpment stairs. Fantastic city view, eh?
I still can’t believe they were all here and I hate that they are all back in NC now. I miss them already. It does make the next few months more bearable until I can get back to NC for my visit. I’m already looking forward to that.
Seems like I’m getting a bit mushy, so I’ll leave you w/ my best friend’s happy dance (or as she says–”there was a bee around me”) and 
some more pics. Now, if all these pics don’t inspire you to get out, explore, travel and just take life in, I don’t know what will. Enjoy!
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
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Prepared? Life Is In Your Hands
04 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: ben fanelli, buyers, buying, coaches, emergency, exercise, fitness, happiness, health, hockey, injuries, Inspire, jogging, Minor Midget, OHL, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, trainer, training, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
How do you know if you are fully prepared? Answer: you don’t. Not a very informative answer, but it is true. As you all 
know, I’m über excited about the return of fall. I know we are only 4 days in to September w/ a few more weeks of summer, but starting tomorrow, the weather is getting cooler. Beautiful. Looking at highs in mid 70′s, I can’t wait.
So, the return of fall also means the return of hockey. Not only NHL hockey, which I love watching, but local hockey. MG scouts for the OHL (Ontario
hockey league) and he is helping coach minor midget (click for links to explain). Since he is coaching, I am training. This means I have the responsibility of handling repairs of equipment, skates, water bottles, but most importantly all injuries. Yikes! I did this 2 yrs ago, so I’m more confident, but are you ever prepared. These 15 yr old boys rely on me to help them. No matter how big or small, they need you to fix them or get them somewhere to be fixed. We had an exhibition game today (3rd game so far) and I had a funny feeling before the game. Something kept telling me to get ice bags ready. I don’t usually have ice so readily at my feet. Today I followed my gut and it sure paid off.
In the first period was when it all went down. First a kid broke his wrist in 2 places. Hard to look at b/c it obviously was deformed from the break. I get him off the ice, splint it, put him in a sling and off to the ER w/ his dad. Come back to another 
kid bent over in pain. I start to check on him and I am told to check another first. He got a puck to the cheek. Luckily, he was ok, put some ice on it and no cut, so good. Back to kid bent over. He has pulled a hip/abdominal muscle, can’t put any pressure on it, can’t move. Skate him to the locker room, put ice on and off to the ER w/ his parents. Go back just to see another get a stick to the ribs (instant swelling and bruising, but ok), ice for him. And the last was an overextended elbow, again ok and given ice. Ice is the cure all in many situations to help swelling and pain. I am not a doctor, so I can only do so much and then I have to hand them to someone else for insurance reasons.
Phew, busy! The whole time I’m on the bench, I’m thinking–if something really serious happens, am I ready? Everyone is waiting for you, looking at you. Pressure? Ya think? Don’t know if you remember the guy, Ben Fanelli, who was severely injured during a hockey game (click his name here for full story). The trainer had to be on his game. Had to be in the moment and follow the training he had, but had to rely on his gut. You can be trained all you want, but do any of us know how we will act, feel, respond in a real emergency? I stand on the bench watching the game, but in the back of my mind trying to ask myself what I would do, making sure I know where all my emergency equipment is, my emergency plan (parents, coaches, etc to go get help). We all like to think we could handle it. Could I? If someone is bleeding everywhere, convulsing, could I deal w/ it? It would be so scary, but I’d like to think my mind would go on autopilot and get the job done. Anyway, so far so good. Some concerning injuries, but dealt w/ very well. Hopefully there won’t be anymore. I know there will be, so I have to stay prepared.
Now, take this thinking off the bench and bring it in to everyday life. Are we prepared? Life moves at a rapid pace, so we have to live every moment. We have to be ready for the ups and downs of life. Make sure you tell/show your loved ones/friends how much you care, you never know. Always be on the lookout for any problems whether driving, biking, hiking, whatever, have a backup plan, escape, look for things that don’t seem right and be prepared to help yourself. Even w/ your job, never stop searching for your passion and connecting w/ others. You never know when you may need a new job. See where I’m going? Don’t live scared or worried, but try to be prepared. Get things in order and always have a plan B, always be ready for what is thrown your way. You should allow yourself time to grieve, but then you have to get up, get going. No regrets. Try to live w/ no shoulda, woulda, if only’s. Enjoy life, but try not to get too high, just to come back down. Live your life the way you want, for yourself and always be prepared!
“Make It A Great Day–Go Inspire!”
Go Topless!!!
26 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: buyers, buying, Canada, exercise, fitness, health, Inspire, jogging, marches, marching, molar pregnancy, nudity, nutrition, protests, real estate, Real estate sales rep, Remax, running, sellers, the sun, topless, vegan, vegetarian, yoga
I’ve got to be honest. I am so sick of hearing about all these groups coming together to march topless to prove a point. What point? In Canada, women are allowed to be in public topless. Point done! Just a few weeks ago, there was a march in Venice Beach, California to promote being topless. Great–you marched, you went topless, now what? I hope to not offend
anyone if you are one of the one’s marching to go topless. That is not my objective. I just don’t care. I personally have zero interest in walking, jogging, lunging, whatever topless in public. I really enjoy fashion, therefore I wear clothes. Top to bottom. I believe most everywhere has places you can go to be topless or fully naked if you want. I don’t feel that we have to join together to march, when chances are high that most of the people protesting, really don’t want to be topless in public on a general basis.
I also feel that these types of protests attract the wrong crowds. I have never been a part of this, but I assume you just get a lot of gawkers. I don’t think the real people (ie. politicians) that need to hear about your desire to go topless will be attending. I’m not sure if you are really proving a point by doing this. You probably will mostly get people 
who just want to see a bunch of topless people. Either way, I just don’t get the point. Now, obviously it can work. That is how Canada decided to allow women to go topless in public–through protest.
This is actually a pic of my brother (used to be in the Air Force) and I.
Anyway, my point is that I just don’t care what others do. If it makes you happy to be topless, do it. Find a place where it is allowed. I don’t feel it needs to be allowed everywhere. There’s many things that make us happy, that we can do in the right place, but can’t do everywhere. Insert pause for you to use your imagination….. Now back to me. Do what you want. Just please stop protesting everything. If you are nice, pleasant, fun, positive–I like you. It doesn’t matter to me what your race, sexual preference, interest in amount of clothes you are wearing–people either like or dislike you. Going topless, hating people for their race or religious beliefs, marrying someone you love no matter what, are very important, but aren’t “serious” in the big picture. Stop marching, stop protesting and start living. Just be happy. We don’t need to sweat the small stuff. Let’s worry more about peace, feeding children and countries that don’t have enough food, decreasing the amount of animals that are euthanized every day or tortured for us to eat their meat
, bringing soldiers back alive, protecting our planet. These are the issues that I care about. These are the issues that if all of us cared more about would make the world a much better place to be. Just be. Be you, be happy. Don’t judge others and
just let them be. It is not our business what others want to do w/ their lives. Just please–focus on the issues that will help others and each one of us to live longer, happier, healthier. I’m done w/ my vent. Enjoy the weekend and for now–put on a shirt!!!
