Happy 50th Birthday!!...to me!!

Fifty Years...wow...seems like just yesterday I was sitting on the steps of our family grocery store, getting a Coke from the red cooler with the sliding top and opening the bottle with the requisite opener on the side.
Wasn't it just recently that we stood in the gardens of The Old Mill after our wedding in the chapel? I was wearing my mother's wedding dress!
I'm sure it was last summer we went weekly to Point Pelee to spend the day at the beach: swimming, digging in the sand, barbecuing hotdogs, watching the sunset and driving home after the light of the day.
And Disney World, I remember you well.





























ummm...yes....it seems like just yesterday. Good memories for sure...of people loved, places visited, moments lived. But there have also been difficult times : loss, sadness, uncertainty and fear. I've reconciled with those memories and realize they are part of who I am today. Just as winter makes me appreciate the spring, summer and fall, the tough times make me rejoice in the great days, counting the abundant blessings of life.



Two people have already wished me fifty more. I would love to live healthy to One Hundred!


And I promise there will be no midlife crisis here, only gratitude. Gratitude for good memories of love, friendship, faith and the pictures to prove it. Actually I think that red streak I was sporting in my hair was my homage to midlife. I've still got creativity and colour left in me. But I don't need to necessarily put it in my hair right now (but never say never....I did give birth to a hair stylist!!)
Each of us in this picture represents a different "decade" of life....seated is Aunt Olga who is 85!
Then left to right we are... a cousin in law in her forties, my 65 year old cousin, me at almost fifty and my cousin's son in his mid teens. I love family! I love life!

I think I'll celebrate...every day for the next year!

....and in case you were wondering...the grocery store delivery?....that was a kid on a bicycle with a box on the handlebars...really. I remember those days! Yea...I'm fifty alright!

7 Random Facts about Me.

I have been tagged by Ginger Carter Miller Ph.D. (haven't said it for a while but...I love her name!!)

1. I lived over an IGA grocery store as a child. When I wanted to see mom, I went to the cash register. When I wanted to see Dad, I went to the meat counter. When I wanted penny candy I grabbed a bag (those little paper sack type) and picked out jujubes, black balls, mojos. There was a coke cooler holding real glass bottles and a bottle opener on the side. Even today when I drink a coke (about twice a year now...) I am instantly taken back to these early memories.

2. I have a baby toe that is 3 colours...tan, white and pink. I think it is some kind of birth mark. It reminds me of neopolitan ice cream.

3. In high school I volunteered for the local Children's Aid Society for a summer as a recreation leader. I always wanted to be a social worker. That volunteer job led to a paid position as a Life Skills Coordinator (case aid). I realized I didn't have what it takes to do child protection.

4. I made most of my own clothes from age 13 to age 18. I haven't sewed in years.

5. Inspired by the book Diet for a Small Planet, I was a vegetarian for several years. I wish I had stayed on that diet. I would be much healthier today.

6. My favorite subjects in school were history and english.

7. These are random facts...small pieces of my life...but the biggest piece is my faith. It is what keeps me going everyday. My life is not really about me. I am just a servant. And I am loving this journey.

So who to tag, who to tag???
Do you want to play??
Barren Wheat Field, Living Out Loud, Reluctant Homeschooler, Kristiapplesauce, Don Mills Diva???
Post and link back.
Thanks Ginger!

January Hibernation/Inspiration...

I haven't posted for a while. January is a hard month for me and anything I thought of posting sounded really negative and not so inspirational. My theory? My people are from the Mediterranean and I haven't acclimatized yet....somebody tell me again why they left??

Oh yea...a better life...yada yada...

It's cold here. There's no sun. Actually today it IS sunny but it's cold sun. See what I mean? Negative. I've been sick but I won't give you the details. It wasn't pretty. There were witnesses and they would concur.

So what am I going to do to get through this month? This is my plan: go to the gym, go to the bakery, watch videos, listen to net radio. What would I like to do? Go someplace warm and sunny with a pool.

I have a LONG way to go towards fitness but I have to tell you it really is true. It feels good to exercise. I go after work in the middle of the night. Sometimes its raining, sometimes its snowing and always I am tired. But after 30 minutes on the bike I walk better, sleep better and have less joint pain.

The Bakery is one of my weekly stops. Unlimited refill coffee cup and lessons in life. Oh and gluten free goodies. I am in love with the GF flax bread. The Baker went global. He appeared on a local radio call in show that is available on the net. He's a natural radio personality, a font of food info and when he's on again I will blog it so EVERYONE can hear My Baker.

I invested $3.97 in a DVD with old black and white TV shows from the 50's and 60's. 15 hours of viewing entertainment from a simpler time. I could critique the slowness, the silly jokes, the stereotypes but I enjoy it too much.

My radio doesn't get good reception so I am so glad that all my favs are on the net: Joyce Meyer, Relevant Radio, the CBC. I WILL be a better person.

And on a happy note we have a new addition to the family. Gracie Lou is a 120 lb St Bernard/Bull Mastiff. I'm not a dog person but I like this one. She has a sweet disposition and is really quite lovable. Pictures soon. (Be nice...she's sensitive about her size...)

What inspires you in January?

(The pic above is the place my people left...)

Letting Go

Happy New Year

This is take stock time.

And I think, for me, it is letting go time.

There are many things that I've been holding onto and this is the year that I am going to let go.

I felt it in Advent when I was getting ready for Christmas and I feel it now that we have begun the New Year.

This blog started with words, has been transformed by words, the words that change the moments of my life. And the things that I want to let go of are represented by words.

Then what is left will be that which is most important.

Here are a few of the words:

stuff...that I don't need

fear...where there is fear there is no faith

worry....same as fear

friendship...that doesn't seem quite as friendly as I once thought

food...that doesn't make me feel healthy and good

habits...bad ones

pounds...like stuff in a way

books...that don't represent what I believe

There may be more but this is a good start.

Random Thoughts on Saturday

I said I was going to post once a week and I've posted 3...4? times....I think I just wanted an "out" if I didn't have time. But this week I did.

I said I wasn't going to be anxious about food problems but I was glutenated this week. I made it to work everyday but I missed appointments for rehab and lunch with some of my favorite people. I was calling it a corn coma...kind of like a hangover, weird... but in talking to Liz it could be the wheat flour they use in processing. They don't have to tell you about that on labels. It gets to the point that you only want to eat it if it says "gluten free". BUT that brings me to the rice crackers from the dollar store that SAY gluten free but I had a reaction to them. Was it the coating? We don't like processed food. Pass me that banana.

I did make it back to the gym last night and am up to 20 minutes on the cycle!! I tried to do more but it started to hurt so I stopped.

Should I put random thoughts on this blog or should it just be my writing on transformed by words? Those are the posts with a quote and about 600 words (check out the archive). Some people have different blogs for different things. I've read you should maintain a consistent "voice" on your blog but I don't know who said it and why "they" want to critique a blog anyway....

I always liked watching the parade on the US Thanksgiving, but when I turned it on it annoyed me so after 5 minutes...off it went. This is giant progress with my previous TV addiction. And the blog addiction is under control...REALLY...it IS....

Have a great Saturday...or whatever day you read this.

And THANKS for reading my random thoughts. What are YOUR random thoughts?

Thanksgiving Meme

Since I was never ever good at real tag, I am quite enjoying playing blog tag! It's inspiration for a post. Ginger Carter Miller (isn't that a great name!!) who is Gluten Free in Georgia and Florida has tagged me to list 10 things I am thankful for...so appropriate for this week since our US neighbours are celebrating Thanksgiving.

1. Faith. It keeps me getting out of bed every day and always hoping for the best.

2. Family. My daughter Frances. The family still on earth and those who have left this earth. I love 'em more than I can describe.

3. Friends. They make me laugh, they share, they like me for who I am. I am so blessed. You know who you are!!

4. My blog. Imagine. A few months ago I didn't have one and now I do. I am amazed and so thankful.

5. The blogs I read. Liz, Ginger,Vera, Carrie, Tracy....plus a few others...it's a very supportive community. I learn, I laugh and I feel like we are all moving forward with this interactive media.

6. Freedom. We are so fortunate to live where we do. We worship in freedom, we live in freedom, we go about our lives and we should never forget how blessed we are to be here.

7. Work. In my community there has been too many layoffs and businesses closing. And I have a great job. Wow.

8. Freedom again. Gluten Freedom. It's almost a miracle in my life....ok, it IS a miracle. And it's only going to get better. And I have Liz to thank...

9. My humble home. I sit in the backyard under my tree and I say thank you.

10. Love. I am loved. What else is there?

If you have a blog...you are TAGGED!! Let's see your list, then link back here.

If you don't have a blog, send me an email or leave a comment and tell me what you are thankful for...gratitude is a powerful force.

I saw a Christmas Tree.

Come, O Lord, and set us free. Bring your people peace.
~~Advent hymn

Last night I saw a Christmas tree all lit up in someone's living room. The family was sitting watching TV and the tree was in the corner, all lights and decorations glowing. That was the first one I saw in a house, but I had seen the 3 or 4 in the window of the Home Hardware the week before. My celebration of Christmas is starting to feel very different from the world that surrounds me.

I remember as a child making sure the drapes were closed because our Christmas tree was up at the end of November. My mom indulged my brother and let him put it up early and I was embarrassed that someone might see it. We were one of the only ones I knew with an artificial tree. Most people put up their real trees just before Christmas Day. Who knew he was a trend setter?

Over the last few years my holiday traditions have been pared down and simplified for a few reasons. When my husband and my mom passed away within 9 months of each other, my extended grieving overshadowed any enthusiasm for the holidays. I feel some guilt about this for my daughter's sake. One year I literally threw a garland over the willow branch that was part of my modest decor and said that was all I was doing for Christmas. We were thankfully invited out for many Christmas dinners. Maybe you've read about my friends in my other posts: they do all the holidays with gusto. I did the requisite shopping, mostly at the last minute. I actually did cook a turkey...once...and my daughter said "Who are you and what have you done with my mother??"

In recent years the traditions of my daughter's boyfriend's family have become part of our holidays. Some years my days off were few, since I have changed jobs and had low seniority. The last year or two I have struggled with food reactions and health issues so I have simplified even further. I usually bring my simple food with me. I love gift cards. We drove around town and had everyone crossed off the list in an hour and a half. I bought a small, predecorated, prelit tree. I pull it out of the bag and plug it in. I love it!

But what I love most of all is the peace and tranquility and sense of anticipation while I am at Church. The music is full of hope "O Come O Come Emmanual....Rejoice, Rejoice Emmanual shall comfort thee O Israel." There are no trees, no Christmas carols, no lights....until Christmas Eve. That is when we celebrate the Saviour's birth and the Church is transformed with lights and carols of joy.

Those peaceful weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas are my favorite time. The comparison to the world is so vivid. The stores are full, people are cranky, the radio blares the same music over and over until we hate the songs. By the time Christmas arrives people can't wait for it to be over. They are in debt, the tree is dusty and the decorations and excess of gifts are cluttering up the house. In comparison, we continue to celebrate till the Epiphany. By that time everyone else has packed all evidence of Christmas away. Afterall, everything's been out for 4 to 8 weeks for some folks.

I don't consider myself a Scrooge. I love spending the holidays with loved ones and being as generous as I can to celebrate. But I like to keep it simple and stay focused on the origin of this "Holy Day". This week I breezed through the sensory experience of the stores decorated with all the new displays. Yes I got excited and marveled at the beautiful newest ornaments, wraps and gift packs. And I had a few sweet memories of Christmases past when I did it ALL. They were good memories. But I won't be buying much of what I saw. I don't have to own it to enjoy it...it's going to be there for almost 2 months. And keep your drapes open so I can enjoy your tree too.

Tagged...

My first game of tag. I feel like I am accepted in the blog world. I'm not sure who I will tag in turn...but I will post this for Tracy who was the tagger. Thanks
Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself (on your blog, we all want to know them). Then, tag 7 other bloggers!

1. I can't remember the last time I turned on the TV (however, I DO watch EWTN on the Internet and a couple other streaming video programs...but not on the TV).

2. I haven't traveled much but I have been to Scotland 4 times.

3. I sang in choirs for years and I'm not a good singer.

4. I was a vegetarian in High School for years. I stopped because I wanted to eat a burger at McDonalds. I am not proud of this one. I probably would have been much healthier had I stayed a vegetarian.

5. I always wanted to be a Baptist but I felt called to become Catholic.

6. I love sleeping in my van. We put a futon in and use it for camping. If the futon is in, sometimes I'll just go to the driveway and take a nap.

7. a. My faith and my relationship with God is the most important thing in my life. I know most people in the world will think this is weird, but some of you will understand.

7.b. If I say my faith is the most important thing...why do I not always act like it is?? I'm working on this very strange part of my personality. It's about integrity.

My Journey --The Word at the Door

"Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
~Matthew 18: 3-4



When I was a child I was an early reader. I spent a great deal of time at the library. My earliest memories involve books. My mother said I always had a book in my hand and never played with toys. So when someone came to the door selling Bibles I realized this was a book I had never read. My mother gave me a dollar and I bought my first bible. I was 10 years old.

I loved this book immediately and started reading it aloud to my constant companion, my cousin. She has no recollection of this so I guess she wasn’t really listening. Anyway, when a friend at school told me about her church I asked if I could go too. I had been baptized in the Eastern Orthodox Church but my family did not attend. So I started going to a United Church.

Thinking back I realize that The Word came to me. Knocked right on my door. What a strange thing to be a 10 year old bible thumper reading scripture out loud. Ummm…maybe I should be podcasting…or writing a series of books about Little Evangelical Alexsandra...

My blog name

Some people may wonder how our family got a nice Irish name like Kelly.

The story I heard was that when my grandfather opened a butcher shop in Toronto's Cabbagetown the customers couldn't pronounce his Macedonian name. To them it sounded like Kelly because most of them were Irish. The name stuck. When we get together it is a Kelly reunion.

So Kelly is a real name in our family. Just not my legal name. And I like that with my first name beginning with the letter A it reads " a" kelly because that's what I am and always will be. A Kelly...from Cabbagetown.

Christening the Blog

For Serious Words for a Christening read a more recent post by clicking here.

(This post is my silly words for my blog.)

This is the official Christening picture of my blog.
I haven't changed much, although I do have more hair now.
Haven't worn a frilly dress in years.
Wanna share your Christening/Baptism pic?
Or your baby pic? (I wanna see what a cute baby you were!)
Email it to me and I will post it!

(I mentioned my lack of an arch to my daughter who does my eyebrows...she says this picture proves that I never had an arch and it is not her fault.)