Sing(in), Sing(in) a Song!

It has occurred to me that I DO love to sing!   I realize I AM NOT an extremely strong/talented vocalist but I'm afraid that won't stop me from continuing to sing!    While I have not been out to audition for a musical production now in five years, the desire to has not completely gone away and of course one needn't wait for such auditions to come along in order to enjoy the indulgence of simply singing for the sake of singing!  

More often than not I can sing a song in relation to just about any given situation while in the midst of the moment of; not unlike Mac Davis asking an audience member for a topic! I realize I have just aged myself!!  
Sometimes it's just silly fun, sometimes a song invoked by moments in a day or events happening, sometimes inspired by the company of a good friend, etc., just having fun and joining together in song!!!  Whatever the reason I hope you too find plenty of reason, or sing just for the sake of the joy it brings to you!   <3 p="">

While going through some old files of video found just a couple of "songs" and singable moments I have enjoyed in the past; either for fun or with an intention in the making of!

Spilling the apple basket well worth the memories invoked!

Tipping the basket over and it's contents spilling out onto the deck, there in front of me I see three words that bring a flood of memories and of course a sudden imagined scent of freshly baked bread to my senses!

With my parents having sold their house and preparing to move soon, they have been sending many items home with each of us in knowing they are downsizing greatly.   A recent acquisition, their clothespin basket and it's contents!    On the surface it just seems like any other old 2 quart apple basket, but upon scanning over the ejected items I see three words staring back at me, "Happy Home Bakery"!    I can't believe it or the instantaneously imagined scent of freshly baked bread, cookies, etc.!

Wow, I feel as if I have suddenly been transported back to a long forgotten time, though will never forget going in there and seeing the delight on my children's faces when always from behind the display case there was a friendly voice to say, "Would you like a cookie today?"!  I haven't many of my own childhood memories there having grown up in the country and only popping in there on a rare occasion.

Remembering the bakery of course pulls me back to a time when we were just starting out, leaving high school, heading to college, my husband and I as a couple, the many other businesses locally which have since changed and you find yourself looking down the street trying to remember where they were and how it all looked and what they sold.    One little clothespin so many memories and another realization of how time transports us from one time to another and how much those memories  mean to us.  I am also now feeling a desire to bake cookies...oven is on!

Spilling the apple basket (cart) isn't always such a bad thing!

I'm curious to know what items guide you down memory lane and to what memories?

Just another mammogram kind of day!

Sent into a rather largish room, standing alone, topless and it's a wee tad chilly.   I don't even have to look down to see that evidence via the layer covering my breasts, because there isn't one.   Yep, we're cold.    I don't know how to stand, where to put my hands or how to position my arms, of course feeling like I should stand with arms folded to embrace my bared breasts.   It feels so awkward here, just waiting, and fidgeting.  I'm just not used to starting conversations with people as they enter a room and I am feeling rather exposed.

That was then, early on in this game of Breast Screening...Mammography.

Fast forward to just yesterday, my second official mammogram since "coming of age".   You've got it, I have passed that magic number of years...50 and have been granted the thrill of receiving a yearly letter inviting me for my annual screening.   How lovely!   Really, it is as now I needn't worry about any lack of memory in relation to this very important task.

Last year I actually had a scare when I had found a lump while standing in front of a mirror after a shower.   Thankfully it turned out to be nothing more than a benign mass .   It was mentioned while not ALWAYS the rule, because it was a mobile lump, that was a good sign.   In light of having dealt with melanoma, surgery and treatments it seems natural to me that whenever there is something I feel alerted to it's because I know melanoma has a pretty good likelihood to recur.   That's unfortunately where my (paranoid) thoughts turn to each time I THINK I feel/sense something unknown.

I've come a long way from standing in the room awkwardly waiting and fidgeting and wondering how to address the technician as she arrives to get things started.  .
I no longer worry because first, it is no longer the large cavernous room you are escorted to for a mammogram and also you walk into  the room with the technician.   I'm now at a point; as I found myself to be yesterday, where I am very relaxed about it all and so much so that yesterday we had barely been moments into the room when I began to remove my upper garments.   It dawned on me perhaps I was jumping ahead and said, "Oh, should I be undressing?  I don't want to embarrass either of us!"!    She laughed, " Yes, that's right go ahead!", and she commented that you always know the ones who have been regularly because the door hardly closes and they begin to eliminate layers!  LOL!   That's me!   With the scare last year and all of the medical tests following the cancer diagnosis in 2012, anything goes; nothing is a BIG DEAL!

Even without all of the medical goings on in the last two years you must believe me when I say there really is NOTHING to having a mammogram!   At worst there is a bit of pressure in the proceeding of the mammogram equipment, but minimal indeed! The tech's are wonderful, gentle and very caring and keeping your dignity intact they'll even remind you to remove the little sticky metal dots.   It has all come a long way baby!

If you are due for a mammogram but are hesitant and perhaps fearful, just do it....it's so simple!
Don't be a boob, get your boobs checked!

Ills and the Ill of paranoia!

I lay in bed, nearly all the day with the exception of 15-20 minutes here and there.   I haven't felt "ill" without the influence of a specific reason in a very long time.

As a cancer survivor sometimes the greatest struggle is in not becoming paranoid with "common ills" or pain one feels.   When back in February I accidentally slammed my right thumb in a dresser drawer and it felt like the worst pain EVER, I couldn't appreciate in that moment how wonderful it was to know the exact reason for said pain and nausea.   Funny the things you come to appreciate after the BIG C!

Today not feeling well and not having full knowledge of why and feeling the "spaz" in me consider calling about to see what "ills" are rampant of recent, I know that unwelcomed "Paranoia" is knocking on my door again!    Just when I felt I was doing great, surging ahead with all manner of living and working on the "going forward" bit!    O.K, one day of mindful paranoia and suspicion of ills present isn't so bad....I'll just change gears, or at least hush them once the Daughter comes home.   I'll drive both of us nuts and perhaps hubby too otherwise!

If I were a stove I'd be very hot, because every burner has something cooking-even the back burners are full, with plans, commitment to projects, and just life in general!   I'll  be fine and hope that tomorrow I will feel much better...I have to!   That quick run to Oshawa didn't happen today.  There is much to do and I'm looking forward to all of it!

I'm just feeling blah, have stayed very close to the "facility" and absolutely can't stand feeling ill!   Down with ills!

Keep Calm and Go Forth Feeling Better!   ;)

Getting Carted. Not a typo!

"Carted" is correct, it is not meant to be "carded", which would be a very welcome thing at my age...perhaps a miracle!   I've only been 'carded' once in my life; that I can recall.   I had gone to the drive in with a friend, driving my parents car; Plymouth Volare, and we had to drive right out!   It was a restricted movie and I was too young.  Such a disappointment.   That's CARDED.

Many many years later and at a much different stage of life I am now speaking of being 'Carted'.  Allow me to explain.

Every trip to the grocery store it becomes clear to me that I DO in fact have some OCD issues, perhaps a couple but one in particular.

Groceries purchased and toddling off into the parking lot headed to my car and unloading all of the groceries once there.   Feeling great in knowing our pantry shelves and refridgerator will once again be fully stocked.  Just steps away from the "Cart Shelter", I gasp in the visual that lies ahead of me.   I just shake my head and enter therein.

Grocery carts in all manner of disarray and I just don't understand how this could be.   It takes only moments to put a cart beneath the shelter and to tuck it in nicely nested with other carts; like the very tidy and efficient design of a set of nesting tables.   Perfect!   They should be perfect and since they are not, I take it upon myself to make them so.   Very satisfying I think as I walk back to my car and drive home.    I am not opposed to walking to others cars and upon their having tucked their treasures into their vehicles, offer to take their cart for them, insuring it is properly stored for ease of retrieval by the next would be shopper.

There you have it folks, getting 'Carted'...by moi!  

Finally the job of my dreams.   If only I could convince the grocery stores they NEED me!

Going to Summer Camp...Words CANNOT express! ;)

Even my hubby has summer camp memories, though he tells me he didn't especially enjoy being there. My brother went to Quin-Mo-Lac and he didn't enjoy his time there so much either, but I am willing to bet things will be a little different for this camper, in the summer of 2014.  Growing up and as adults with children we have certainly had numerous 'camping' experiences and with other families and with the Scouting movement which were greatly enjoyed but the 'Summer Camp' per say was not a part of those memories.

I'm not speaking of some lucky or unfortunate kid I might know; depending on how one sees the impending opportunity, heading off to camp this summer,   I'm talking about ME, yes, that's right, me!!!   This summer for the first time ever in my life, I am going to summer camp and I am totally stoked for the experience!

Now aside from the usual, dorm lodging, swimming, campfires, etc., my experience is going to be quite different in comparison to ones typical camp stay!  My experience will include NO talking, and the use of ASL only in communication!   I can hardly believe it myself!!!

OH trust me when I say I HAVE thought about this a great deal!!!   When I began my two years of American Sign Language at Fleming College back in 2005 the existence of the Bob Rumball Centre for the Deaf, and opportunity to attend a week long ASL Immersion camp was presented to our class and it came up time and time again and I couldn't stop thinking about wanting to attend.   All the while thinking about it imagined how much fun it would be and the huge benefits it would provide in solidifying my training and confidence in using ASL.   I also thought WOW, that would make me very gifted in knowing how to 'Talk with my hands"!   I've heard the cracks about how I might die, not being able to talk...HA!, I say...nope, I would simply have to work at signing more!!    I be takin' the whole "gesturing" to a much higher level!!  

Most recently I completed my course in 'WeeHands", signing for babies and their parents and have begun presenting demo's for parents and their babies at the Ontario Early Years centres with the hopes of bringing interested parents to attend 4 weeks of classes with me in Signing and Singing for Babies-Signing and Singing at Home.   Over the summer I will be doing demo's as much as possible and putting the word out there in our communities aiming for a restart of classes in September!   Attending the ASL camp in Parry Sound will only work to strengthen and add to my skills as well as help me gain greater confidence in knowing I am doing what I should be!   Since I also enjoy singing I look forward to a more fluid skill level of signing that I can enjoy when singing as well.   There is nothing more beautiful than watching the fluid and poignant motion of song in ASL sign.   During our classes our instructor had a friend join us at Christmas and together they signed and sang Christmas hymns and our class was literally moved to tears in awe of just how beautiful it was.   I have a "Living List" wish to sing the national anthem at a public event and perhaps at some point should it happen I might also be able to sign it!!   I'm getting way ahead of myself but there it is, in print and if this is one of my "callings" I suppose it could come to pass!

Well, this is pretty wordy...true to my nature but I had to share how incredibly excited and Fortunate I am to be 'going to summer camp'...which also goes to show, it's never too late if you really want something!    I am presently loaded with a cold and feeling pretty rough, but you can't imagine how exciting it was to submit my camp application today!!!    I have posted my camp "have to haves" on the fridge like any kid stoked to be going to camp...even if it is three months from now!!!!

Sleeping bag...and perhaps duct tape already set aside!

De-Feeted

I've never thought I had "pretty" feet, they're o.k. and that's about it.   I think on the movie 3 Weddings and a Funeral, Hugh Grant's character always checks his bedded ladies pedi's and if he doesn't like what he sees then he won't likely see her again.   Good thing my hubby didn't hinge our future on my feet!!!

I recently had an appt. with my doctor to have a look at my right foot, which sadly looked to me to be developing a bunion on the same side as my baby toe.  In discussing the pain, etc., she said, "Yes, unfortunately you don't have great feet.".   While she means from a medical point of view, it's hard not to take it differently, in a more vain fashion and leaving me feeling "De-feeted"!   On to the Chiropodist for further critique, 'er I mean diagnosis.

If the Glass Slipper Doesn't Fit!!!!

I've never thought of my feet as pretty...well at least not after about grade nine, when it seems I sort of actually began to grow.   I often have "foot envy" when seeing the cutest petite and oft' stubby feet on women; summer making it painfully obvious I was not gifted such visually enjoyable feet.

With a recent visit to my doctor following up on concerns for a possible outer foot "bunion", creating a new and awkward looking shape to the baby toe and along that side of right foot, a conclusive statement was verbalized.

Upon describing the pain and how I felt that outer portion of my foot presented rather oddly, my doctor said, "Yes, unfortunately you don't have great feet.".
Now I know she made this observation/comment from a medical point of view, I couldn't help but take it a little differently...personally!    I might venture to say I felt like one of Cinderella's ugly step sisters! I would not be wearing the pretty little glass slippers!
I left the appointment feeling...well, De-Feeted!!!  


** I see a Chiropodist tomorrow morning...right after seeing my own doctor again for something that happened to my left ear during our flight home from Florida.  Left ear, right foot, ...oh dear, time for a total refurbishment!   LOL!   ;)

...Going South in a good way, Miss Georgia and Miss Ontario meet!!!...counting down!!!

Seven days from now I will be sitting in the su.... Oh wait, I will be sitting beneath an umbrella or at, oh, maybe "barside" sitting beneath a cabana with feet dangling in the pool!   I might have said "in the sun" and I may be a little but I promise that will happen only after I have slathered myself in spf 60 or greater.   Heading to Florida with two very lovely people we've known for a long time!  They have been kind enough to ask us to join them!
My hubby will be laying in the sun, possibly with drink in hand and any and all tensions slipping away; slathered up well with spf 60 or better of course!

While that alone is amazing and we can't express our appreciation enough and then they kindly offered to make it possible for something really wonderful to happen.
You will have seen the post about "Ruth and I", well one week from tomorrow Ruth and I will be meeting each other after 15 years of corresondance!

Pretty exciting after sharing so much with each other over the years via email then facebook, exchanging mailing addresses and then finally a meet up in Georgia!   Today I went to the town hall and picked up pins from the town of Port Hope to give Ruth and her husband and hope that one day perhaps they'll be able to visit up here!  :)

Well, that's all.  I was just excited to share this exciting news!   John and I are both so looking forward to this trip, especially having never been to Florida and of course all that we will have the pleasure of seeing enroute!  That I will be meeting Ruth is certainly a great pleasure to be looking forward to in addition to all that the trip itself presents and with such lovely friends.
ONE WEEK!   Eeeeeeeeeee; in the words of another lovely I know!

Jesus Christ Superstar...Northumberland Players Rock the Capitol!

Jesus Christ Superstar, Do you think you're what they say you are?....Powerful and incredibly creatively well done!   Oh, yes true, those aren't quite the lyrics but the latter my observation and strong opinion of last nights opening show of Jesus Christ Superstar, put on by the Northumberland Players!   If you haven't any plans the remainder of this weekend or perhaps for next weekend beginning Thursday evening, do plan to go see it!
You may purchase tickets by calling 905-885-1071 at the Capitol Theatre, Port Hope.  Tickets are $29 each and worth every cent; or five!!

I have had the great pleasure of working alongside and learning from many of the people involved in this production; last on stage 5 years ago, and was so very proud to be in the audience last night watching them and feeling like any proud parent would in watching their child at their school concert!   THIS 'concert' began waaaay back in September with auditions and coming together over many hours over many months of rehearsals three evenings a week until the week before in what is known as "Hell Week", named for the "hellish" rigor of sound checks, final set build with attention to every tiny detail, perfection of costumes, make up and every move and line spoken perfected during run after run of the entire show.  "Hell Week" means every evening until opening night; beginning the Sunday before.  That Sunday is known as move-in, which involves a very very long day beginning early in the afternoon and continues into the evening!

Even if you are of a similar mind as my eldest son who doesn't care so much for musicals but has actually sat through one knowing so if only to appreciate the great work that goes into the making of just such a show. It is in knowing in it's presentation before you there was a great collaboration and fusing of numerous creatively gifted individuals as a very strong team focused on the common goal of quality and memorable entertainment.   May you leave the theatre with a sense of wonder, in how various actions/outcomes were achieved, discussing the subject matter and your thoughts on such interpretations of and simply in acknowledging how much you have enjoyed this experience and with hopes of returning to take in an additional show in the future.

 I had a very moving experience in taking in Jesus Christ Superstar. I was and was not surprised in how emotional I was throughout last evenings show.   This production is a very moving piece at any rate considering the subject matter, but I do believe credit is greatly due to the Directors in the direction of the creativity in approaching a well told story with a brand new and present day freshness.

You really ought to see this.

Kindness in Training. Little Acts of Kindness Not Such Big News!

It begins on the train a simple "hello" or "Excuse me" as one approaches an empty seat and another removes parcels etc. to make room.  Someone makes notice of a scarf on the sidewalk and run ahead to hand it back to the woman who has dropped it.   She is most thankful and says so while also smiling with grateful eyes as well.

Little deeds of kindness.

I am often asked about or practically mocked of my habit of taking the GO into the city when it could be sooooo much easier to drive in.   I digress in pointing out that I recently witnessed a driver stopping to allow pedestrians to cross the street; when it was for them to do so with the light.   The driver took care to allow these people to cross with the light having right of way as they did when the vehicle behind him; obviously agitated by the gesture, laid very heavily on his horn in protest. How RUDE I thought!!!
Yes, I quite enjoy the train ride into Toronto and find it brings forth opportunity to "people watch" and in that, taking notice of a more positive side of human behaviour and allowing one's faith in the good of people in general to be restored.

There IS much good in the world, sadly it isn't pages and pages of "GOOD" that allows the many forms of media to thrive, all too often placing the worst of human behaviour first and foremost, right there on the front page where it simply can't be missed!   It's that place where more of the "good" of people, community, society should; you would think, be honoured and shared!  Sadly and most disappointingly we as humans and in society are often drawn to those the worst of the stories only feeding into the frenzy of media and lining the pockets of the greater magnates in the world of selling "news"; whether in it's true and noble form or  the lesser noble form of.  It's very easy for us to be "SUCKED INTO" seeking out and only making notice of the circus of cheap, non knowledge building and gossipy like news rather than seeking out the positive, the champions in trying to make a difference in the world, simple acts of kindness, compassion, caring, seeing the world past your own immediate needs.

Taking the train into the city gives me the opportunity to witness interaction between people, those who know each other as well as those who have only just met due to their both being on the same train heading in the same direction.   It begins on the train and whether that connection between those people continues upon departing the train and entering out into the streets of the destination city, there will be additonal connections and interactions with others while out and about the city.

The scarf being dropped ...someone makes the connection in returning it.   A simple bumping into someone while hurriedly walking along, when you both apologize while making direct eye contact.  A young tot in a stroller has dropped their soother as you see the child's parent grasp the stroller handle and walk away, unknowing.   You follow after them and when you are thanked you immediately realize just how thankful they are, knowing it is most likely to have presented a difficult and testy situation for the parent in what would likely have been a very short time!    You see someone with their blankets arranged over a grate and what appears to be all and very little in their possession and a sign that says, "Begging sucks, compassion doesn't". You hesitate but realize how small a gesture but perhaps it might mean a lot and think no more about digging out at least enough affording them a hot cup of coffee, paired with a warm smile and a few kind words.

Ah, yes.  It is to start with a few kind words, the touch of a caring hand to ones arm or shoulder, direct eye contact in conveying ones caring.   If you just start with a word.   There is much kindness out there and perhaps we need to be more watchful and alert to it and work harder to turn away from the "sensationalisms" and circus-like stories pasted all about us.   I wish you kindness.