Looking Back on 2013

When I decided to write a final blog post for 2013, my
first thought was, nothing very remarkable happened in 2013. 

In retrospect, it was a quiet year…although some events (happy and sad) do stand out in my memories. 

Here are a few of the moments that come to mind!

January

It was with great sadness that we lost ma tante Jeannine, my godmother.  






This was very sad time for me and I have thought of her often in 2013.  I am happy that, thanks to Facebook, I am able to “follow” the lives of my cousins and their kids and also of my nieces and nephews and their little ones.  Through everyone’s posts and pictures, I feel that I am keeping in touch.

February

My beautiful godchild Gabrielle, turned 12 this year.  Her and I started texting between visits.  It keeps us close and I am able to be part of her life that much more.  I always look forward to the next message.  Although some of the text messages may seem insignificant, I still like to get them.  I thank my lucky star that we have such a nice relationship.  I love her dearly. 

March

Lots of weekends spent at the cottage.  We can’t seem to stay away...it's like a mini vacation every weekend!

­­April

I turned 50 in April.  I still can’t get over that I’m already 50.  Turns out, it’s not any different than 49….it’s only a number (who am I kidding J)…growing old is a little scary but unavoidable, so one must make the best of it.  I celebrated this marked occasion in New York.  It was a lot of fun and I got to take many many pictures.  It’s definitely a city like no other….so much to see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May

We celebrated our 29^th wedding anniversary…still happy and in love after all these years.  I could not imagine my life without Serge….even if some days he annoys me J  That’s what being married or being in a relationship is all about.  I’m no expert, but in my opinion, you have to pick your battles, don’t sweat the small stuff and be happy with the precious moments spent together.  As I’ve learned in 2009 when Serge had cancer, things can change in the blink of an eye, so I’m living as if today is my last day and not waiting for tomorrow to do the things I want to do.

June
My godchild Gabrielle and nephew André graduated from 6^th grade

and I attended their graduation at their school.  It was very special to be there and see the smile of my godchild Gabrielle when she saw me.  She was so pretty in the dress we went to pick out together.  The kids started 7^th Grade in September…they are growing up so fast.

July

We spent our 3 week holidays at the cottage.  This was the first year that we did not travel somewhere during our holidays.  We did enjoy our holidays even if the weather was not that nice and we had 3 days without electricity and were not able to go home because a huge tree was blocking the road.  This made me realize that I value my freedom.  It’s very difficult to be “trapped” even if you’re in a nice setting.  It also made me realize that we were not at all prepared…and after it was over, we went and got supplies for next time (hoping there is no next time). 

In July we also had a first Lacroix family gathering at the cottage.  It was a lot of fun even if I was very sick with a bad sore throat.  We definitely want to make this an annual event.
Véro came to the cottage with her boyfriend Justin.  He is very nice and friendly.  He is always looking to help her or provide whatever she needs…although Véro is an independent women and I know she can take care of herself, I’m sure she loves the attention.  They are a cute couple!!

August

We celebrated Gen’s and my dad’s birthday at the cottage.  I’ve been spending some very special moments with my dad at the cottage.  This has brought us even closer if that’s even possible.  He truly enjoys the cottage…and I enjoy spending time with him.  I’m very conscious that he is getting older (now 82) and that these moments are very precious.

September

My dad failed his driver's licenses (test required when your 82).  He sold his car and this has brought on many challenges to meet his needs.  I’m thankful that he lives at Manoir Héritage, that he loves it and has a lot of services which makes it easier on us.  He gets his meals, maid and laundry service, haircut and manicure.  His family doctor even goes to see him there.  We have also been able to take advantage of a volunteer service offered by the Centre Guigue.  He has a volunteer drive him to and from his medical and dental appointments.  This has been a great help and the service is courteous and very cheap.  We do groceries for him (and my mother-in-law) almost every week and do his shopping/banking as required.

October

We celebrated 1 year of having the cottage…we planted a tree with our daughters to mark the occasion and celebrated Serge’s birthday. What a wonderful year we’ve had of family gatherings and of alone time, just the 2 of us.  I’ve come to love the simple life at the cottage and compared to our city home, I really enjoy how easy it is to maintain (smaller and less things to dust).  I know I’m ready to sell our home and move to a smaller place although Serge wants to wait until he retires in 2015.

November

Gen announced that she was looking for an apartment and would move out in the New Year.  I am so happy for her that she has found Zoey.  It’s obvious how much in love Zoey is with my daughter and vice versa.  I could not wish for a better partner for her to share her life.  As parents we always hope that our children will find love, and that is what Gen has found in Zoey.  They are a perfect match!

But no need to worry about the “empty house” blues that happens when the last child leaves the nest…since Véro is moving back home at the end of February for 1 year.  She has promised to help me purge my house in preparation for a move in 2015/2016.

I started my New Year’s resolution early this year….I joined Weight Watchers.  I’ve lost 12 pounds so far.  When I lost the first 10 pounds, my meeting leader asked me what was keeping me on track…I told her I see it as a voyage….I got onboard at the start and will not get off the ship until I reach my destination.  I figure I’ve done this before many years ago, so I can do it again.  Thanks to Véro for dragging me back, I’m now motivated and feeling great.

December

December has been very busy getting ready for Christmas, as it always is.  As I’ve said before, I love decorating for Christmas, at home and at the cottage.  

All this back and forth and too much walking/cleaning has not been good for my Achilles tendon and heel problem.  If I accomplish nothing else in 2014 but get this resolved, I will have had a successful year, as this is a major issue.­­­

Looking forward to 2014

As we embark on a new year, I look forward to the many challenges that life will bring me.   I know there will be ups and downs, that’s how it is, but as long as I have loving family, friends and colleagues to accompany me, I am assured that there will be love, happiness and I keep my fingers crossed….health.

Happy New Year my friends!


 

From Russia with Love

It all started with a talk with my colleague Elena.

Back in September, Elena told me she was planning to visit her best friend who lives in Moscow during the month of December.   She told me about growing up in Russia, of the wonderful times spent with her best friend and how excited she was to go visit her.   

I told her that one of my dreams is to visit Europe in December and go to see the many Christmas markets where they sell beautiful Christmas ornaments.  I explained to her that I love decorating for Christmas and that I decorate three Christmas trees every year; one in m­y front entrance, one in the living and dining room and one at the cottage.

 

Each tree is different and special to me in its own right.

The tree in the foyer holds my most cherished ornaments that I have collected over the years.  It also has some precious glass ornaments that I really love as they come from my mom and dad and have adorned the Christmas trees of my childhood.

 The tree in the living and dining room, I call my little jewel.  It sits in an urn and is decorated with copper, orange and gold balls and delicate ornaments.  I often say it’s going to be my retirement tree because it’s not a wide tree and would fit perfectly in a condo (which I plan to buy after I retire). 

Lastly, there is a tree at the cottage (it used to be in my family room).  I call that tree the children’s tree.  It is decorated with multi-coloured lights and holds the decorations made by my daughters when they were small and also decorations that I offer them every year.  It also has a nice village under it.

I guess you’ve already guessed that I am passionate about my Christmas traditions and décor.

But back to my story...

Elena told me that she was definitely going to visit a Christmas market and that she would bring me back an ornament.  I assured her that it was not necessary but she insisted that she would be glad to bring one back for me.
Unfortunately, her plans fell through.  I was disappointed for her as she was so looking forward to visiting with best friend.

The next day, she came to see me and was very excited.  She said that she had told her best friend about me and my passion for Christmas ornaments and that her best friend was going to send me ornaments from Russia.  I told her again that it was not necessary but she told me her friend would be pleased to send them to me because she had told her friend that I was special.

Elena is special herself…she is the nicest person you could ever know.  Generous to a fault, Elena is well known for her afternoon tea time where she offers a different kind of tea to her colleagues.  She is always trying to be helpful and is efficient and dedicated.  I really enjoy working with her.

I told her I would gladly pay for the ornaments.  She would not hear of it and said it was making both of them happy.  She told me her friend had sent her pictures of the ornaments which included one Christmas ball for each of my tree and a special ornament from Elena herself.  

She said she would not show me the pics, because she wanted to surprise me.  I have to admit that I was looking forward to getting the ornaments and a month ago, Elena received them and gave them to me.  They are all beautiful.  The Christmas balls are from Elena's friend. 

I am told this is Santa's grand-daughter

The little blue and yellow bird is very beautiful and is a gift from Elena.  It was made in a small village 60 km from Moscow called Gzhel.  The blue ceramic is hand blown and hand painted using a special process they’ve been doing since 1802 and is signed and dated by the artist.  It reminds me of the blue and white dishes my grandmother use to have although hers had more of an Asian influence.
The ornaments are special to me as they come from Russia but more specifically because they come from Elena and her best friend who collaborated together to send them to me to make me happy.

I asked Elena to give me her friends email address so I could thank her.  I asked her what her friends name was and I was told she is named Olga…just as I would expect from someone living in Russia. 

I took some pictures of my three trees and sent them to Olga so she could see where her beautiful ornaments would hang.  She said she loved my pictures and my trees and that she would send me another ornament next year to add to my collection.

I find this way too generous but realize that there is no way to dissuade them as these two women have a big heart.

Until I myself get to visit a Christmas market in Europe, I will definitely enjoy looking at the ornaments sent to me from Russia with love.