W IS FOR WANDERLUST

For me, travel is a necessity!
TAKEN: FEBRUARY 2019

V IS FOR VIEWPOINT

So much has changed within the social media ring since 2013 when I began doing the A-Z Blogging Challenge. As I share my 203rd unique April word today, with just 4 letters to go, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the shift in online behavior.

Because anything posted here is essentially my viewpoint, I feel I need to be clear. I always welcome that yours can differ from mine. All I expect is maturity not mudslinging when discussing a valid point.  It’s as simple as that.

Lastly 99% of what I share on my Facebook Ya Gotta Laugh About It page, is essentially about the humour, not politics nor religion. 

Please, never lose sight of that!

#yagottalaughaboutit

U IS FOR UNAPOLOGETIC

T IS FOR THREESOME

Fourth bestselling author of all time.
We ALL can't be wrong!
TAKEN: DECEMBER 6th, 2016

As you know, I love to read.

Nowadays, I do the majority of it online but there's really something special about being on vacation and actually holding onto a book. That said, I have taken the same author on vacation every year since the year before I got married.

I remember my first encounter with her being at the condo we were staying at, in Madeira Beach, Florida. The gal I was travelling with was in the midst of reading a book called Fine Things. She was telling me about it and it sounded intriguing. When she finished reading it, I borrowed it and was hooked; I have been reading Danielle Steel ever since.

That said, I read more of her now, than I did in the early years. When the kids were small, if I was lucky, I use to get to read two books a year. One driving to our vacation destination, the second driving home. Back then, I primarily borrowed the books from friends but for the last ten or fifteen years, I've collect the majority of them from used book stores and various yard/estate sales.

Anyway, a few summers ago when I was rearranging the spare bedroom at the cottage, I found a stash of more than 3 dozen paperbacks packed away under a bed. Rummaging through, I found a couple that I had never read before, accompanied by a couple of copies of the ones I'd liked most.

When I knew I was headed to Mexico for a couple of weeks that December, I choose carefully to fill my beachfront reading obsession.

I am pleased to report that the three (new to me) paperbacks that traveled from home, returned to my bookshelf at the cottage the following spring, and they did not disappoint.

Thanks again Mexico... You provided me with MY KINDA THREESOME!

S IS FOR SWEETIE

My Sweetie and me enjoying a Cafe de Monde beignets in the French Quarter, NOLA.
TAKEN: MAY 30th, 2019

It was five years ago this week that my Sweetie moved home from Calgary. It pains me to remember just how emotionally spent and somewhat broken she was when we picked her up at the airport. 

She’d invested her trust and love to a person that was not only mentally unstable but extremely abusive. As silly as this may read, as a mother, the first telltale sign for me how lost she was, was that she’d dyed her beautiful long curly hair jet black.

Five years later, she's working hard at a full time job, made some exciting new friendships, not to mention nurtured and re-established solid friendships she’d left behind. More importantly, she's finally let certain people go. Those that have ultimately lied and betrayed her over and over again.

So many things come to mind for me when I look at the picture but first and foremost it tells me just how far my daughter has come. The quite, teary mouse, that returned home, has now reverted in the firecracker we know and love. 

Though there are (and probably always will be) scars, I think she realizes that her future is much brighter than the darkness that surrounded us five years ago.

R IS FOR RANDOM

The random gift of a Tim Horton's coffee is always good idea!
PHOTO: Me awaiting my birthday flight to New Orleans
TAKEN: APRIL 6th, 2017

For some strange reason I had a hankering for a cup of Tim Horton’s coffee this week. 

But, when I arrived at the franchise, the drive thru was closed. Not really sure what was happening, I decided lolygag in the parking lot until the pylons were removed and it opened again.

This COVID-19 situation sucks. I feel so sorry for everyone, yet grateful that I still get a full paycheck. So, when I arrived to pay, I decided to pay forward a random act of kindness for car behind mine. 

In hindsight, I could have paid for more but I've promised myself I will continue to give back to those in need until Ontario and the world is back on its feet.

As I’ve posted here a few times since this lock down started to... Be kind. Be considerate. Be compassionate; for those that may be in need your help for many months to come.

Just like the message I left at the Tim Horton’s window for the lady in the car behind me, always keep that front of mind and have a great day!

Q IS FOR QUIP

YES OR NO?
Simple quips help when you're having a bad day?
For me? ...100% YES!!