The statement above is a mindboggling, albeit accurate statement. ...Something I will never be able to laugh about! |
Saturday, April 15, 2023
M IS FOR MINGBOGGLING
Saturday, April 1, 2023
A IS FOR ASHLEY
May my beautiful friend and coworker forever rest in peace. (Beautiful photo from her LinkedIn profile) |
It was the last Friday afternoon of this past January.
My boss and I had just finished our end of day call, when he empathetically said, “I have some news to share.” Then, after a long pause he said, “Ashley was killed in a car accident early yesterday morning.”
In that moment, it was like I had been punched in the throat. My mind began swirling, and I was in a complete state of disbelief. This girl had the most amazing energy and sense of kindness, I instantly fell into a general state of shock.
Fast forward from that Friday night to Sunday morning. I couldn’t find any information online, other than there had in fact been a vehicular fatality in that area the morning I was told she passed.
So, by mid-Sunday morning I reached out to a coworker to go fishing for facts. I couldn’t stop thinking about it and I wanted to confirm that there hadn’t been some sort of bizarre misunderstanding. She quickly confirmed it was in fact her that had died.
Flash to the next Tuesday, when the rumblings shift to the chatter that her husband was being investigated for foul play in her death. In that moment, all I could do was be angry at the potential small town gossip.
Low and behold he was formally charged that Friday with second degree murder and indignity to a dead body and is being held without bail.
His charges were then formally upgraded to first degree murder on February 17th, 2023.
Though I want to be angry at the person accused of taking her life, he doesn't deserve any space in my mind. That said, I can’t help but focus my empathy and worry to their two young children, both under the age of ten. Still processing all of this, it is so sad that they lost both of their parents that day.
Not that I am anyone special in the big scheme of all of this, I am just one of many that is extremely grateful to have been able to call Ashley Schwalm my friend. I will always miss my former coworker dearly.
Rest in peace my beloved Schwalmster.
Because if there is one thing you deserve, it's to forever sleep easy.
Thursday, April 22, 2021
S IS FOR SWEETIE
My Sweetie and me enjoying a Cafe de Monde beignets in the French Quarter, NOLA. TAKEN: MAY 30th, 2019 |
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 22nd, 2020
Tuesday, April 13, 2021
K IS FOR KNOWING
From the April A-Z Blogging archives.
This was originally posted April 13th, 2020
This isn't going away tomorrow!
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
TRICKY TRAVEL TALK
Last week, after noticing that some of my Canadians snowbird pals were beginning to flock south until next spring, I decided to open up a social media discussion on the possibility of upcoming travel to the Caribbean in the winter of 2021.
I knew I might be encroaching on a tricky topic with some controversial dialogue happening, yet in the wide reaching forum I created, my network answered both respectfully and with personal honestly.
Wind blown, cruising the Mississippi River aboard The Natchez New Orleans TAKEN: MAY 29th, 2019 |
As I sit here and type, I can't help but revisit the very first comment on my thread. A seasoned traveler wrote – “No travel until I’m vaccinated!”
On the day of the election of the 46th President of the United States, I can’t help but wonder what’s next in both the virus protection and travel departments.
Right or wrong, a vaccine produced without proof of proper exploratory stages, pre-clinical development and regulatory review for approval, is not something I am rushing to put into my body.
The shoe on the other foot reminds me that my thread wasn't intended to be a vaccination debate, more about travel input and opinions as I am hoping to hatch a plan and ultimately travel while respecting imposed limitations.
With my sunny wings potentially grounded indefinitely, I know I could always travel and remain in Canada, which is probably my best option at this point. I have family and friends out it BC, so that may be my overall 2021 birthday trip goal.
That said, vaccine or not, if the mandatory 14-day quarantine upon return to Canada is lifted, I will be sitting on a beach in the Caribbean quicker a snowsquall can move into Muskoka knocking out a neighbourhood of Bell satellite dishes.
Trust me.... Here, with our unpredictable winter storm crap?
That's 5G, Flash Gordon, blink and pack because you're leaving on a plane, fast!
#nufsaid
Thursday, October 8, 2020
LEAF IT TO ME
Raking leaves... My pregame for snow shoveling! TAKEN: OCTOBER 8th, 2020 |
When walking in the evening with the pups the last couple of weeks, I noticed the neighbouring yards quickly filling with colourful foliage.
Tonight, a sight to behold, I couldn’t help but giggle thinking those vibrant leaves offer their ultimate beauty… When they are being cleaned up by someone other than me!
As you know, I chronicle in this electronic journal every October just how much I love this time of year. Everything feels crisp, the wood burning stove at the cottage makes everything really cozy, and gravy officially becomes my favourite food group.
For whatever reason, I find there is a harmony offered in autumn that no other season brings. A mellow sense of calming that I've enjoyed and embraced which always brings me into a familiar cyclical rhythm.
The leaves fall and get cleaned up. Enough wood gets split and piled. The garage gets cleaned out of spring and summer crap... and weekly outdoor burning of yard debris kicks off with the help of a wee bit of gasoline.
For some strange reason, specific fall activities seem to help me prepare mentally for the bright white blanket that arrives in early January; when my snowshoes relieve my angst.
All of that shared, I can’t help but be preoccupied with the fact that this will be the first fall in the last six that I won’t be jumping on a plane for a burst of November vitamin D.
I was chatting with my bestie today. She also suffers with Seasonal Affective Disorder in the same way I do. With everything locked down, we discussed what the next six months of darkness may offer. I know there’s no magic wand that can help but I am hopeful our daily check ins and dialogue will get us through.
As World Mental Health Day approaches October 10th, I can’t help look to the inspiring quote: “When darkness comes, let us not condemn the dark, but light a light to illuminate it.”
They mean that I need to buy more happy lights, right?
Because that’s how interpret it... as I head online with my credit card!
Thursday, August 20, 2020
A SNACK BRACKET
My very favourite client was in the office last week and he said to me… “Rhondi, just like you, I’ve had Covid-19.”
We burst out laughing after he continued with, “At the end of all of this, I’m not sure if it will end up being nineteen pounds, or nineteen kilograms!”
I don’t know about you, but as an emotional eater, I can generally peg the time of year when circus music begins to chime in my ear signaling me to buy stock in the most profitable potato chip company. And I can assure you, every fall, any and all are generously sampled; as part of my annual stock purchase evaluation.
What can I say. I was a fat toddler. I was power fed homogenized milk, and in those days the perception was the fatter the better. The good news is I shed that baby fat, the bad news is those formed fat cells follow you forever.
I have always been athletic and outgoing but when perimenopause clicked in everything changed. My body absorbed food differently and in one year my metabolism changed exponentially. It was in that moment I knew I was being put to pasture.
Kicking and screaming and the better part of a year later, I lost the excess weight and changed my lifestyle. That was in 2012.
Even with a major change in lifestyle, winters and my seasonal affective disorder in this harsh tundra have me pulling my gravy crutch out of the hall closet bringing the five or ten pound of weight gain that accompany it. The good news is those extra pounds were always shed before I ever had to appear in any sort of summer shorts or swimming outfit.
This year? We locked down. I filled up. The rest is history!
I want to shed the pounds I’ve gained yet I am a creature of habit.
If gravy has a crutch, my philosophy that if I share with the pups I am really only taking in 1/3 of the calories must be a motorized wheelchair. One chip for each of you, one chip for me. One jelly bean for each of you, one jelly bean for me; and trust me, I am always fair in the distribution department.
I guess you could say that the only way the dogs keep the upper paw on me is because they don't have to share their dog cookies with me. Though I must say, on occasion the label on the front of the box has made it cross my mind.
Not gonna lie.... Those gravy covered Milk Bone dog biscuits definitely land within my mid-winter snack bracket!!
#yagottalaughaboutit
It would appear that Annie and I have similar snackage struggles TAKEN: AUGUST 7th, 2020 |
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
S IS FOR SWEETIE
My Sweetie and me enjoying a Cafe de Monde beignets in the French Quarter, NOLA. TAKEN: MAY 30th, 2019 |
Wednesday, April 8, 2020
G IS FOR GRASS
Thursday, April 2, 2020
B IS FOR BIRTHDAY
Happy Birthday to ME. TAKEN: APRIL 1982 |
There will not be a cake. No gifts will be given. I’ll look in the mirror, thank God I am alive, and pray in the coming year I don’t fall and break a hip.
This year, I'll be one very happy 29 year old!!
Saturday, February 29, 2020
A FRIEND IN NEED
Let's all pull together to help Duncan! (Photo usage permissions given) |
There is a fundraiser being held for him at the Bracebridge Legion (168 Muskoka Rd S) on Saturday March 7th at 7 pm. Tickets are $20.
If none of the above work for you, I'd like to ask you to do something equally as valuable - and share my post to help others know Duncan is in hospital.
What I do know is, that Duncan MacDonald would immediately get in touch with my husband, to find out what HE could do to help.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
REMEMBERING 2019
My year in the rear view! TAKEN: Throughout 2019 |
Friday, November 1, 2019
WINTER SUCKS!
My photos were taken exact 163 hours apart. I really do dread this time of year! TAKEN OCTOBER 27th & NOVEMBER 1st, 2019 |
It's as if Labour Day is the milestone signaling me to head the shopping mall. Thanksgiving brings the expensive and very euphoric sexy shoe purchase, and by Halloween the fun becomes strained.
Ultimately, by the time we turn the clocks back, the Visa bill with interest arrives; and that final buzz kill leaves me grumpy for the six long months of winter that follow.
Almost immediately after we 'fall back', I leave for work in the dark and arrive home under the same circumstance. The swashbuckling pirates that produce my bogus hydro bill begin to circle like vultures, and it takes every fiber of self-restraint to not put gravy on absolutely everything I eat. As an emotional eater, at least I know the latter feeds into my 24-7 need for comfort, when I am simply always glum.
The truth is, with 61 days left until the year ends, I sense I’m in high school again. Specifically in grade 12 Chemistry when my teacher gave me a passing grade. Not because I'd aced his class, just simply because I'd tried as hard as I could and never once gave up.
... and that WINTER SUCKS!
Monday, September 2, 2019
MY CANINE SUMMER SHIFT
My Dot never had an issue with the sound of a camera. RIP ole girl. TAKEN: 2007-2019 |
Eight weeks after putting Dot out of her misery, the realization that she suffered far more than she needed to, and her mood swings (due to her cancer) took a serious toll on everyone, including both my other pups.
I have spent the past couple of months focused on reprogramming her, yet she still feels the need to be in a constant state of submission because Dot needed to remain in charge until her death.
Sunday, June 16, 2019
COLOUR MY WORLD
Though my plans had been in place before my birthday trip to New York, I had no idea my precious Toronto Raptors would win the NBA title, keeping me up until 2am and have me sitting at my desk less than six hours later.
So, I abandoned the tickets but managed to keep my end of day hair appointment.
Truth is, in the moment I wished I could instantly drop 20lbs & be 21 again; but changing my hair colour seemed like an excellent starting point at 4pm on a quiet Friday afternoon.
Excited that my rainy day photo wasn't a selfie... TAKEN: JUNE 15th, 2019 |
As I sit here and type, I know one thing to be true. I’m not looking toward any type of change to be able cope, rather because I need to shift and move in a different direction.
...If I do say so myself!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
O IS FOR OPTION
Monday, April 15, 2019
M IS FOR MARRIAGE
Sunday, January 27, 2019
THE SKIN I AM IN
Relaxing on the beach in Cayo Coca TAKEN: FEBRUARY 2017 |
Part of me thinks they have a pool going, as to if I'll bite on the bait they are serving me. What can I say? I try not to be predicable. I am always just me. That said, there are three things about myself I truly wear as (what I consider) badges of honour.
Though I do take pride in my appearance, my first badge is my powerful confidence in knowing the person I've truly evolved into. My generally warped albeit very witty sense of humour comes in a close second, and the fact that I am completely & totally comfortable in the skin I’m in completes my personal trifecta.
As I hope I age with grace, I never want to get disconnected from the above three identifiers. Because let's face it, beauty fades.
...And I hear that Botox, as well as any/all other age averting enhancements hurt like hell!
Sunday, January 13, 2019
RHONDI's RENOVATING!
Wearing my fancy fur-lined CROCS were just one of my many renovation mistakes yesterday! TAKEN: JANUARY 12th, 2019 |
Why? The room, my hair, my clothing, my slippers, my skin were all covered in a paste like substance I magically, albeit, unexpectedly created.
You see, I always sing when I work.
Thursday, December 27, 2018
MY PERFECT GLOW
ONLY multicoloured lights for this cat. TAKEN: DECEMBER 24th, 2018 |
Then, every night, something always made me stop and reflect.
Enjoying my beautifully lit tree.