My 2016 Christmas Wish List
This year has been overwhelming in many ways with the greatest gift being my Dad's return to health (to put it very simply). We all know that the best gifts are not material things but each year I make a blog post dedicated to things I want for Christmas. This year, that tradition continues...
This list could benefit that pregnant 30 something in your life and it's kinda fun (for me, anyway) to have digital evidence of things I'd asked for throughout the years.
Donating your time, money or any gently used items to the following causes is as much a gift to yourself as it is to the recipient. I strongly encourage supporting The Ottawa Mission and the Ottawa Humane Society.
Ok. On to the material list...
Now and forever - CARMEX! The best lip balm out there. Absolutely love this stuff. On average, I go through 8-10 jars per year.
Kanada Black Moccasins from Beaded Dreams (size 5)
Dr. Brown's Deluxe Bottle Warmer
Dr. Brown's Deluxe Sterilizer
I'm also on the hunt for a bathing suit top/rash guard (XL) to help keep me covered at the pool while Everett attends swim lessons - something I think everyone would appreciate (haha)!
Weird Dream Alert: The House of Epitaphs.
Could the anniversary of a friend's passing be influencing my dreams in an EPIC way? The answer is: yes.
It's been two years since the passing of an old friend and former radio college. I had a dream about Lloydminster last night, actually. It felt very real. I was leaving Lloyd, prepping for the long drive home and on my way out of town I drove by a cemetery. I had to stop. I had to pay my respects.
Drove in through the gates and realized this wasn't your typical cemetery. This wasn't doom and gloom and headstones and crying - this was more like Rochester, New York's "House of Guitars".
The place was packed with people: friends, family and fans looking for specific epitaphs. After what felt like hours of rooting through headstones and rock memorabilia, I had to ask for help. I consulted the cemetery's legend/map. I found his name and it was in the "Ace of Spades" area of the bad-ass mausoleum. I later, consciously, realized if such a cemetery existed, he would be in the Guns n Roses area... for sure.
I never did find my friend but it was a cool dream. Very vivid. I don't know why that dream came to me last but when I woke I realized that the date of his passing is almost here. He was 33 and is missed by many.
Received a heartwarming letter today.
Ryan and I have been downsizing with the upcoming move. He's been selling a lot of stuff on Kijiji. Today, he received a really awesome piece of mail from someone who'd purchased a table & chair set.
Human decency, FTW!
As a show of appreciation, we sent a Thank You card with $52. This was truly unexpected and very, very heartwarming.
Thought I'd share.
:)
Thanksgiving at the Ottawa Mission
Thanksgiving 2016 at the Ottawa Mission.
MEDIA RELEASE
October 10, 2016
Ottawa, ON – Another special and successful Thanksgiving Dinner has wrapped up at The Ottawa Mission.
The holiday meal took place from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. this afternoon. Chef Ric Watson and his team of staff and volunteers served 2703 plates of turkey dinner during the 5 ½ event. As always, generous donations of food and money make this event possible and The Ottawa Mission extends its heartfelt thanks to those who make it possible.
Visit the Ottawa Mission online to find out how you can help!
If I had a Million Dollars...
I've seen the house I grew up in get put on the market a number of times over the years. I always google the address wondering if I'll see updated pictures showing what the new inhabitants have done to the house we left behind. Shortly after my parents sold it (when I was 17) I went to a Halloween party hosted by the people who bought it. That was an interesting experience to say the least. It has since been bought and sold a few times and the new owners appear to have made some incredible upgrades.
If I have the means, I would buy back this house in an instant. I know you can't buy back memories, which is probably a good thing in my case as I was very, very sick as a child, but this place has a hold on me.
Whoever ends up buying this place, please tell the ghosts in the second floor bedroom closet that Amy says "hello".
Not telling you which bedroom...