Happy Birthday My Friend!!!!

Today is my best, best, best friend for all time...Loui's, 39th Birthday.

Loui and I met officially in March 1986. Although we knew of each other at high school, it was working together in the Deli department at the local Supercentre (pre Fortino's) in Burlington that united us in true friendship. One that I know will last a lifetime!

Loui and I share an affinity for horror movies. Back when we were teenagers, we would have 'horror movie marathons' in Loui's basement. One summer we did a 'Friday the 13th' marathon, that involved us watching all of the series in succession. Loui's Mom was convinced that we would become serial killers from our dabbling in the macabre. Well, here we are 21 years later, we are still movie buffs, and not a serial killing between us. When ever a new horror movie comes out, one of us invariably calls the other, mentioning the new movie 'trailer' and injecting a horror movie 'sound effect' to impart the mood and fear of the movie.

It's actually an interesting thing for us to have in common, as we are both fun loving people who wouldn't hurt a fly between us.

In my life there have been many changes. Dating, marriage, separation, reconciliation, my losing 215lbs, coming out, divorce, relationships, break ups, make ups, kids....and the one constant that I know I can always count on is Loui. Loui has stood by me through it all!!!

Our friendship has seen us travel through Europe together (oh the stories!!!), family stuff, health issues, many a great meal and many a great game of cards (Foot)

Loui is one of the kindest and most gentle men I know. He will do anything for anyone who asks, often putting himself last. He is an amazing teacher, husband, and father. He just got a promotion to Vice Principal, and I am so very proud of him. He will be the best Vice Principal the school board has ever seen.

Loui has a great sense of integrity, and I can always count on him to be the voice of reason. He lives by his word, not something you can always count on in 2007.

He always sees the bright side of life, and goes about his day with a smile and humour. I admire him for so many things, and keep him as my moral compass in a world that sometimes seems to have thrown values and 'standards' out the window. He is a rock that I know I can always hold onto, in any storm that life brings my way. He is the brother I never had, he is family!

Wishing you the Happiest Birthday Loui!!! I hope you get treated royally today, you deserve it! Love you!

Somewhere Only We Know

I walked across an empty land
I knew the pathway like the back of my hand
I felt the earth beneath my feet
Sat by the river and it made me complete

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

I came across a fallen tree
I felt the branches of it looking at me
Is this the place we used to love?
Is this the place that I've been dreaming of?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Oh simple thing where have you gone?
I'm getting old and I need something to rely on
So tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired and I need somewhere to begin

So if you have a minute why don't we go
Talk about it somewhere only we know?
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
So why don't we go

Ooo
This could be the end of everything
So why don't we go
Somewhere only we know?

Happy Valentines Day

In The Bones

This past weekend I attended the final course of The Coaches Training Institutes core curriculum, 'In The Bones'.

I attended with mixed emotions. I was excited to receive the learning, and complete the core curriculum, but was sad that I was not going to see the familiar faces that have become like family any longer.

'In The Bones' pulls all of the previous courses together, and removes some of the establish 'rules' that had existed. I was so relieved to here them say that some of the rules that I struggled with had been removed. It felt like shackles were removed, and I was able to finally fly.

Our group all got together on the Friday night for dinner and drinks at one of the attendees. It was nice to be in a home setting and allowed us all to be in a relaxed environment.

I have to say that the time spent with these people and the learning that I received, I will carry for the rest of my life. I had some profound learning both about coaching, and myself.

Thanks to Deborah, Helen, Liliane, Parool, Peggy, and Troy. And to the group, I love you all and will never forget you!!!

NAMASTE~

Happy New Year!!!!

Whatever dreams you're dreaming,

May each one of them come true.

Whatever plans you're making,

May they all work out for you.

And may you have more happiness

Than any words can tell.

Not only on this day,

But all the year as well.

Author Unknown

Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas Eve the kids and I drove into Toronto around 9:00am. We had prepared 10 'Care' packages for the homeless, consisting of a Brown bag lunch, a pair of gloves and a wool hat. If you recall in my previous post, when we went ice skating at Nathan Phillips Square, the kids saw some homeless people huddled along Bay Street and were quite affected by what they saw.

I decided that it would be a great lesson, and gift, to do something this Christmas to 'give back'. We have so many blessings in our lives to be grateful for, and I wanted my kids to be truly present to what this 'season' is really about....'Giving'.

I have to say, that I have never received a greater gift personally. The feeling I got in the 'giving' was the greatest gift I ever recall 'receiving'. "Thank You"

After the Care Package distribution we saw 'Disney on Ice' at the Rogers Centre. It was a lot of fun and the kids and I had a great time. We went to an open house at a family friends with my sister in the evening, and enjoyed a great evening of Christmas cheer. On the way home we drove by a house that had been decorated for the holidays. It was one of those houses that you see on the news that creates traffic jams. People were gathered in front of the home and enjoyed the 'lights' display. It was really great to see!

Christmas morning Jo Anne came over early before the kids woke up, so we could all be together. The kids, Jo, my parents, sister, and myself, all enjoyed a great Christmas breakfast, and then headed to my Aunt and Uncles for Christmas dinner. During dinner my Uncle Michael announced that my cousin Kelly and her husband Steve are expecting their first baby, due in July 2007. Exciting news for sure!!!

Boxing day was relaxing, and quiet. Most of the family headed back to my Aunt and Uncle's home for dinner and games etc. Being of British decent, Boxing Day is an important part of Christmas, and a celebration unto itself. We play games, and enjoy the day as a family. It was such a busy time this year, I decided to stay close to home on Boxing Day, and just relaxed. It was just what I needed.

We all had a great Christmas, received and gave many great gifts, ate and drank too much, and just enjoyed all being together.

Merry Christmas to all my dear friends and family!!!!.......Tis' the Season~

The Secret

The Secret has existed throughout the history of humankind. It has been discovered, coveted, suppressed, hidden, lost and recovered. It has been hunted down, stolen, and bought for vast sums of money.

Now for the first time in history, The Secret is being revealed to the world over two breathtaking hours. A number of exceptional men and women discovered The Secret, and went on to become known as the greatest people who ever lived. Among them: Plato, Leonardo, Galileo, Napoleon, Hugo, Beethoven, Lincoln, Edison, Einstein and Carnegie, to name but a few.

Fragments of The Secret have been found in the oral traditions, in literature, in religions and philosophies throughout the centuries. For the first time, all the pieces of The Secret come together in an incredible revelation which will be life transforming for all who experience it.

Some of today's greatest teachers will be presented in The Secret and will impart this special wisdom that has been known by so few. They include some of the world's leaders in the fields of business, economics, medicine, psychology, history, theology and science. Each of these teachers is living proof of The Secret; each of them a walking marvel of achievement and success...

Included are; 'Miracle Man' Morris Goodman, who tells his awe inspiring story of how he recovered from paralysis by using The Secret. Dr. Denis Waitley, who used various aspects of The Secret in training Olympic athletes and Apollo astronauts to reach new heights of human endeavour.

Best selling authors and philosophers including Bob Proctor, John Assaraf, James Ray and Joe Vitale, explain how they have created lives of phenomenal success utilising The Secret. Doctors in the fields of medicine and quantum physics explain the science behind The Secret.

The Secret reveals amazing real life stories and testimonials of regular people who have changed their lives in profound ways. By applying The Secret they present instances of eradicating disease, acquiring massive wealth, overcoming obstacles and achieving what many would regard as impossible.

Secret reveals how to apply this powerful knowledge to your life in every area from health to wealth, to success and relationships. The Secret is everything you have dreamed of... and is beyond your wildest dreams.

http://thesecret.tv

I just purchased a copy of 'The Secret'. I had heard about it, and WOW, it's all I thought it would be and more!

I had mentioned 'What The Bleep Do We Know?' several posts back, and if you liked 'What The Bleep' you MUST see 'The Secret'.

It gives you the tools to profoundly change the way you live and to 'create' the life you want. A must see!!!!

Cheetah Girls

OK, so tonight I took my daughter Alex, and her girlfriend Natasha to the Cheetah Girls concert at the Air Canada Centre.

Me and thousands of screaming pre-teens. At one point I actually thought my ears were going to bleed, but alas, they didn't and I survived.

Too much leopard print, and bare mid-drifts, and that was just on the 'Mom's' ;)

I locked my car keys in the car, which led to an event filled evening involving CAA, but all in all the girls had a great evening.

I think I get "Father of the Year" for this one! Hope you enjoyed it "Flower"....Kisses!

My Little Volleyball Star

My son Nick made the Volleyball team at his school. I attended his first game today. I was so proud of him, he plays really well. His team won all their games, and they advanced to the next level. YAY NICK!!! Proud of you baby!!!

Nathan Phillips Square

Tonight I took the kids into Toronto to Nathan Phillips Square to go ice skating.

Me, my kids, my Mom, my Aunt and Cousin all loaded in our cars with hot chocolate and drove down town. As we drove up Bay Street my kids noticed some of the cities homeless bundled in their sleeping bags on random street corners, and couldn't quite figure out what was going on?

Living in Burlington, we don't really have a visible homeless population, and my kids were quite profoundly affected by the site they saw. I personally am desensitized to it I guess, as I am in the city quite often. It occurred to me that it's a sight that no one should be comfortable with in 2006.

It occurred to me that my kids and I are so lucky for all we have, and it made me think how I could give something back?, and in the process teach my kids about giving back, and to be grateful for all the blessing in our lives.

Anyway, we got to Nathan Phillips Square, and enjoyed an evening of ice skating. There was an outdoor concert featuring Devine Brown, and a grand finale of fire works over City Hall.

After the fireworks, we walked along Queen Street and looked at the Christmas window displays at the Bay. It was a really fun evening~