Mother’s Day Smile

Mother’s Day was coming and I so love getting hand-made cards from my hubby Ron. I have always felt there was so much more love in a hand-made card versus a store-bought one. Ron was not great at writing love poems in mine, but he always came up with a quote that was loving and appropriate.

My daughter Christine was going to be on her own for the first time since being newly divorced. Shandra her daughter was too young to do anything for her so I thought I would. Since I write poetry and know how to use the computer program to make the cards I would try it. I wrote the perfect poem. Not mushy or generic but something that would give her a much-needed lift and let her know how much we love her.

I painted her a picture of wild roses on a jacket that she had asked for. I used that picture on the front of her card. After picking out the best font for the poem, I printed it and sealed it in an envelope that I also made. On the front of the envelope, I wrote ‘To My Wonderful Daughter’ in calligraphy.

Her father and I then invited her and our wonderful granddaughter over for brunch. After brunch, we exchanged cards. I was so proud. I just knew she would love the card as much as she did her painted jacket.

I had a huge smile on my face as she opened it. I winked at Ron who gave me the thumbs up. All of a sudden, Christine started to laugh. She was laughing so hard she could not speak. Perplexed I took the card from her and read,” I know I’m not your mother.” Somehow “I know your not my Mother” got mixed up between my pea brain and my fingertips.  Need I say more? Not a Mother’s Day passes that she doesn’t remind me of my special Mother’s Day card that only ‘her mother’ could have written. Ron just rolls his eyes and shook his head.

Happy Mother’s Day to every mother everywhere.

 

 

An amazing afternoon with Probus

I have to share with you, my readers about an awesome afternoon I had yesterday. Last November at my book signing event at the Coles Bookstore  in Brantford for my book ‘A Hairdresser’s Diary’ I was approached by a customer who suggested she would be contacting a friend of hers who might be interested in me being a guest speaker at a local womans club. To say the least I was flattered. It was only a few days when I received an invitation from Lucinda asking me if I would like to do that very thing (be their guest speaker) the date chosen was May 8th, yesterday in fact. I am ashamed to say I knew nothing about this group that Lucinda talked about so I Googled it. The group is called Probus http://www.probus.org/worigins.htm.

I am a woman who loves to talk and am far from being shy. I love to share my stories and that is one reason I wrote my book but speaking in public to a group is something I have never done nor expected to do. I was not smart enough to ask Lucinda through our several e mails passed between us how many members I should expect to talk to. When I arrived I was directed to a room that was indeed a full house. Lucinda greeted me and I expressed my surprise at the crowd. I said, “how many ladies are there?” Lucinda without missing a beat said,”oh about four hundred.” Seeing the shock on my face she laughed. “I think about a hundred or so today.” I was still in shock. I thought I would be lucky to be in the company of about twenty or twenty-five at the most. I was not sure how many members would be interested in and inexperienced first time author.

I was not two steps into the room and I could feel the acceptance, warmth and friendliness of these amazing women. Each and everyone met me with their smiles and others greeted me verbally. I was shocked to have one of my Facebook friends Wendy there and introduce me to the group.

Shaking like a leaf I started to speak. It was not long before this amazing group of woman made me feel so comfortable that I was sharing my stories as if I was talking one on one. There was no background chattering or disruptive noises and I did not have to shout to be heard. The reception was incredible. They made me feel like I was one of their cosy family members.  It was suggested I take some of my books for the members to purchase and I sold every copy I took. I met someone who I taught make up to when we both sold a cosmetics line at the same time, and to my total astonishment a woman who took the same modeling course that I did at the same school in London a few years after me. It is truly a small world.

My daughter and I were both invited to join this lovely group for lunch and we accepted. We are both on a waiting list to join these lovely ladies in what they do.

I cannot thank them each and every one for making yesterday a most enjoyable day. They also taught me a very valuable lesson, I loved talking in this forum. I would also like to thank you for the beautiful handmade Thank You card that was presented to me made by one of your talented members.

Thank you all so very much the ladies of PROBUS group Brantford.

 

World Laughter Day

Reblogged from catnipoflife:

• 

One day a year the world goes laughing

CRA-A-A-AZY....

Go for it and enjoy the music from the heart!

Have a wonderful day and make 'em laugh!

What God dropped into our laps

We have all heard the story about the abandoned kittens. The ones left on the doorstep or thrown away like trash, by some uncaring and heartless person. Well I have a different kind of story one I promise will melt your heart.Above is the picture of a perfect and beautiful baby kitten. She is only 3 or 4 weeks old.

I want to start at the beginning. Most of my readers will recall me talking about our beloved Cercie.

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She was our baby for 19 years. We acquired her when she was only a couple of weeks older than this little angel you see here. Last year when she could no longer take care if herself and she started to get weak we were advised to have her put to sleep. I held her as she drifted away and the look in her eyes was “thank you mommy” she went peacefully and didn’t even struggle. I am telling you this for two reasons, one because we swore we would never have another animal again. We were so broken-hearted and two, because the cat (approx 4 weeks ago) that everyday walked down our fence and jumped onto our roof looks identical to Cercie. The first time I saw her my heart caught in my throat. I thought I was looking at a  reincarnated Cercie.

We didn’t pay much attention as Cercie in her youth used to jump from the fence to the roof as well. But the day before yesterday ( in the evening) I could hear a noise, a very faint noise which sounded like a bird or maybe a kitten. I brought it to Ron’s attention but it was faint and very random so we dismissed it. The next morning, Ron heard it again but this time more constant and a bit louder. We could hear it the  loudest in the front hall closet. Ron, wanting to see if there was an animal in distress went into the attic and looking in the area where the noise was coming from he saw mommy cat. Her head was peeking out from between the walls. First of all, he was concerned how she would have got in and also he was concerned about the kitten we were hearing. We could only hear one. It was not long after mommy saw Ron, that we saw her walking down the street. Ron was concerned and called the vet in town who assured him that mommy would be back, and they thought the only reason we heard only one was that mommy probably had moved the others to a warmer place. The one concern they had was that she was probably feral, for if she had a home, she would have had her kittens here.

Now we had a dilemma, we needed to find  the way she was getting in and fix that but if we did it too soon, mommy would not be able to get in to feed her baby. But the meowing was now not just a faint noise it was getting much louder and almost constant with only short rests in between. We were waiting for mommy to come back but she didn’t. We were very concerned that because she saw us she might abandon her precious one. We were assured with another call to the vet, this would not happen.

I was getting anxious though as Ron could not see any kitten or pinpoint exactly where the cries were coming from. So I called my daughter, Christine and her husband Glenn, who are in the roofing business, to please come and help. They were out-of-town so could not come immediately  we had to wait. The meowing was breaking my heart. I was having trouble believing that mommy was coming back even though we were assured she would. So several hours later Glen was up on the roof where he found the place mommy was getting in. We knew he had to seal it so other animals didn’t take up residence but we had a baby to worry about. Glenn then decided to find the little one from the attic and bring it down for mommy to take where she had taken the other ones. He could not find it but we could still hear the heartfelt meowing. Suddenly mommy showed up as predicted, but as Glenn was in the attic we were afraid of a confrontation with mommy and Glenn in very close quarters, so Ron decided to keep her away best he could by feeding her. She was starving and wolfed down the food he put out. That also was a sign she was a stray.  Christine and I could hear the baby and it seemed further down the wall now. Having mommy under control, Glenn was safely out of the attic and in the closet pointing to halfway down the wall where he said baby had slid to. Without hesitation he cut a hole in the wall near the floor of the closet and out popped this white ball of fur. The little angel was chewing on the gloves Glenn had on in a ravenous manner. Christine was desperately  mushing cat food up in her fingers while this little mit inhaled it every so often nipping a finger, She gave her water in the same manner. Baby looked at us with her big blue eyes as if she was thanking Glenn for rescuing her, and Christine for feeding her. The two of them bonded immediately. Now, we had a quick decision to make. Mommy was just outside the door eating and we had her baby in our hands what do we do? Do we give her to mommy so she can become another abandoned animal or do we break our promise and add a new member to our family? If it was just Ron and I to consider, the choice would be easy, but we are moving within a year and will be living with our son, daughter in law and grandson, and they have 2 cats already. After talking to the Humane Society we decided to be foster parents until we can get all of these things straightened out.

Yesterday we found out the kitten is a 3 week old little girl, who already thinks we are her family. She eats, plays, cuddles, and has stopped crying. Christine is in love with her and our grandson is coming to-day to see her for the first time, and we have asked him to name her. Now I ask you once they look into those beautiful blue eyes do you think she will have to find a new home? I think God dropped her into our laps.

The Hug Award

 

The HUG Award Unites Globally

Chris is all for HUGS! Hugs are universal! Thank you, Sharla @ http://catnipoflife.wordpress.com/ the Hug Award onto catnipoflife!

I am deeply honored and delighted to be considered worthy for such an award. But the best part of being nominated is the opportunity to share this award with other amazing blogs whose posts never cease to bless, encourage and enlighten.

Here is a little information about the Hug Award…

The HUG Award© was initiated by Connie Wayne at A Hope for Today at http://ahopefortoday.com, which promotes hope, love, peace, equality, and unity for all people. The HUG Award© is for people with an expectant desire for the world, for which they: Hope for Love; Hope for Freedom; Hope for Peace; Hope for Equality; Hope for Unity; Hope for Joy and Happiness; Hope for Compassion and Mercy; Hope for Faith; Hope for Wholeness and Wellness; Hope for Prosperity; Hope for Ecological Preservation; Hope for Oneness. “

People do not have to give up or compromise their own religious, spiritual, or political beliefs to qualify for the Hope Unites Globally HUG Award©. They qualify for the HUG Award© when, without bias or prejudice, they use their resources and gifts to make the world a better place for everyone.” For more information on this award, please visit: http://ahopefortoday.com/2012/01/14/hope-unites-globally-hug-award-guidelines/

I was humbled when I read about the Hug Award and deeply moved for catnipoflife to be considered a recipient. It is a great honor to pass this noble award to the fellow blogging friends whom I believe share in the same vision as the creator of this award. It is my sincere prayer that together, we can all spread hope to each corner of the earth with our inspirational messages of hope and peace.

The Next Big Thing – blog hop

My friend and colleague, Ronnie Dauber, author of “Let Faith Arise”, recently tagged me for an author’s blog hop entitled, The Next Big Thing. This is where each author answers a few questions about his /her current work-in-progress, and then invites other authors to do the same. It’s similar in concept to a chain letter, except that it’s only focused on an author’s work-in-progress. Ronnie was tagged by Chuck Hodges, and 100s if not 1000s of great writers before them. Please check out Chuck’s and Ronnie’s sites to learn what brought them to the point of writing their current projects.

So this week is my turn and here are my answers to the questions in this blog hop.

Q: What is the working title of your next book?

A: The book that I’m currently working on is called, A Hairdresser’s Diary Continued.

Q: Where did the idea come from for the book?

A: This book is a sequel for my first book A Hairdresser’s Diary. It continues to take you on a journey I started from the age of six. My dreams and my struggles that  put me on a different track due to the carelessness of a drunk driver. My life was governed from then on by a life of chronic pain.

Q: What genre does your book fall under?

A: My book is a non fiction, inspirational memoir.

Q: What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

A: I have not given this any thought but it would have to be someone who is sensitive, caring and honest.

Q: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A:  A Hairdresser’s Diary This book is the diary of a hairdresser who had a calling and a great memory. It is filled with stories of gossip, angst, triumph, challenge and most of all, humour.

Q: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

A:  I used Createspace to publish my book. I had the help of some wonderful and gifted people along the way. The book cover is a picture of me when I was modeling.

Q: How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

A: It took two years from the first word to publishing.

Q: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

A: I cannot answer that as I have not yet found another book like it nor have I read any other book like it.

Q: Who or what inspired you to write this book?

A:  The first book A Hairdresser’s Diary was inspired by my son in law. This sequel seemed like the natural thing to do. I have had many friends, family and customers ask me if they could please be mentioned in this second one.

Q: What else about the book might pique the reader’s interest?

A: I believe my story will make the reader laugh, cry, think and believe. Believe in the saying ‘Dreams do come true’. Inspiration for those who have barriers in life can also be found in my story.

Thanks again to Ronnie for inviting me to this blog hop. You can read Ronnie’s answers to the questions in The Next Big Thing at his website, which is CR Hodges, Author, and you can read what Timothy wrote on Timothy’s website, which is The Lunatic Assylum.

Here are the names and the links for some other emerging authors whom I’ve tagged to carry on the next installments of The Next Big Thing.

 

Doug Simpson

Caressing the Muse

Catnipoflife

My granddaughter Shandra

Anyone that has read my book “A Hairdresser’s Diary” knows how much styling long hair meant to me and my career. My granddaughter Shandra is getting married this July . My dream has always been to be the one hairdresser of choice for all the brides in our family including in laws. Well I have been blessed as I have had that chance. What you are seeing in this picture is my granddaughter. This is the dry run before her wedding. You might ask why this would be necessary? well as most of you know I am just getting over another surgery this time on my left knee. Being the kind and considerate granddaughter that Shandra is, she has been concerned that I might cause myself pain either with my back or my knees on her wedding day and not be able to attend or enjoy her special day so she asked me to do her hair and take pictures now. This way I will have the pictures  of my loving work  for my ‘grandmothers album’ I am making for her. She looks like a Greek Goddess and I am proud to say she was in love with her hair. 

If you look hard enough you can see fine braided woven throughout her hair. This was one of my signatures that made my styles set apart from other stylists. Remember this was over 50 years ago and are no longer a rare embellishment. I enjoyed every second of this special day.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Hairdressers-Diary-looking-reflection-ourselves/dp/1475164289/ref=zg_bsnr_220855011_12

http://www.ahairdressersdiary.com/