Updated on July 21, 2015
Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile
You just never know what life will deliver to your doorstep, do you?
Apart from sunshine and the annual art on the street event, there were two happy deaths that impacted my life this past weekend. I was asked to help out with the funeral reception of a priest in our community. Fr. Tony, whom I did not know, died 3 weeks before he was due to retire. He was only 75 — which is young by today’s standards. For my part, I helped serve up the food, welcomed guests to the reception as a greeter, and took empty paper plates from people’s laps and dropped them into the garbage cans — easy peasy! People from all walks of life came to pay their last respects to a man very much loved in the community.
It was a joyful occasion. People were all nice to each other. There was food, laughter, and a feeling of camaraderie as we all worked together and listened to various people recount incidents from Fr. Tony’s life. He came from the parish of Ladysmith, where sex bomb Pamela Anderson grew up. I didn’t see her there, so she must not have known him. Quelle Surprise! Though I gather Pamela is also a popular gal whenever she visits home. Every other person from Ladysmith was there — or so it appeared! What a wonderful way to end your life. Fr. Tony left a beautiful legacy by virtue of the life he lived. He was kind, good humoured, and spread a message of love everywhere he went.
He made people happy because he was a happy person — and happiness is like a mustard seed; the more you nourish it the bigger if GROWS!
Directly after that reception, I went over to the Hospice to be with my dear friend Noelle from Ireland, who was getting ready to depart this world. She died at 5.30 pm yesterday and would have been 92 in December. She was one of the WAAF girls who was active during WWII and had lived a long and very interesting life. She was ready to go.
I decided to give her a good Irish send off so brought in some gentle Irish music, put a little Celtic Angel by her bedside, lit a lilac scented candle in the room as she loved her garden — and God did the rest. She went off peacefully after a long life well lived. Anita my pal from New Zealand, Joy from Australia, Colleen with Irish roots, and myself sang songs around her bedside.
I’ll leave you with the words from Noelle’s favourite song. It was a popular marching song during World War 2:
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and Smile Smile Smile.
What’s the use of worrying, it never was worth while, so
Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and Smile Smile Smile.
On that happy note,
Bye for now!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
Updated on July 17, 2015
Venus Retrograde — What Was I Thinking???
Ok, boomer babes — brace yourselves, fasten your love belts, close your wallets and put a lock on them, halt on that big investment or piece of art. Do not change anything about your appearance or schedule major cosmetic surgery between July 25 – September 8th. Why? you may ask. Venus, the planet of Love, Beauty and Money is now in its shadow phase, and will be doing its retro dance between the above dates.
Venus goes retro approximately every 18 months and lasts for a few weeks. It has been widely observed by those who study such matters — like myself! — that new businesses or shops opened during this period sadly don’t often last more than 18 months. New relationships entered into during this period tend not to last either (unless it was somebody from your past that re-entered). New looks to your appearance made during this period also end with regret — “damn what was I thinking!!” is a sad dirge often heard during this period. Get the drift?
When Venus is retro, it clouds matters affected by its rulership, i.e. Love, Beauty and Money. New decisions regarding any of these should be entered into with trepidation, research, and your eyes WIDE open! It’s ok to buy something as long as it’s a terrific bargain. If it’s a killer deal, bought with disposable income, then it will not hurt so much if that “steal-of-a-deal” turns out to be a lemon — no sweat! That’s the way to approach anything you buy during this period.
If a sweet talking Charlie walks into your life, enjoy the ride cause that’s all it may be — a delightful dalliance! Any online love encounters may not amount to much either. However, when it comes to long term relationships, that’s a whole better story! It’s a good time to work on your relationship, go deeper inside, maybe consider couples counselling. A very good time to deepen the bonds. Also, If the new “Mr. Right” who walks into your life during this period is somebody from your past, that’s better than a newbie. I wouldn’t exterminate him…not just yet! Ask me!
Regarding the purchase of new homes…if it was me, I’d wait until Venus goes direct before signing the dotted line (on anything for that matter!!). Any renovations — to your hair, face, body, house or boat — need to be very carefully considered. There is danger you could regret it later and find yourself asking “What was I thinking?“
Forewarned is forearmed!
Hugs and kisses galore,
Patricia xxx
Posted on July 15, 2015
Sisterhood and Chocolate Mousse!
I had to take a photo of that chocolate mousse dessert served at our eWomen’s monthly dinner last night. It was by far the best dessert I have had — ever!!
I was first introduced to eWomen (check them out here) by my friend and fellow Irishwoman Grace Gerry (here’s her website). I went as Grace’s guest last August, and joined the group last December. It was a great idea because not only has my business as an Astrological Life Coach grown (like my belly from the desserts!!) but also I have been introduced to so many fascinating ladies.
It is thanks to eWomen that I was invited to attend the Diner en Blanc, and was introduced to groups such as Fabulous@50, Project Forgive, YoUnlimited (check out their website here), as well as many other interesting life enhancing and fun events. Not a shindig goes by that I don’t hear about. We have our own private Facebook page which keeps the ladies in the loop. Fashion, make-up, flowers, art, party supplies, savings plans, cheap hotels, counselling, wine, jewellery, shoes, bags, selling your house, office services — you name it! We buy and sell from each other, and that’s what keeps the wheel of industry and friendship going.
I encourage all of you reading this to check out what’s happening in your neck of the woods. Sometimes in life we go around wearing blinkers without realizing it — at least I know for sure I did! So, if you suffer from FOMO (fear of missing out!,) have a coffee morning with Mrs. Google, and get yourself out there! Promise…it’s fun!!
Hugs galore,
Patricia xxx
Updated on July 17, 2015
Fabulous@50 Martini Party
I love these long summer evenings, full of endless possibilities, joy, friendship and laughter. Last night was one such occasion. I attended the Fabulous@50 Martini Party held at the Beach House Restaurant, Cordova Bay, with its majestic views over the ocean. What a night!
My friend Annie Pool, best selling author and Director of Fabulous @50 in Victoria (and she is fabulous!), introduced Victoria to “Fabulous @ 50,” an event founded by lively and vivacious Dianna Bowes from Edmonton. Dianna felt there was a void in the market for ladies in their 40s, 50s and older to express themselves with fun and vigour. Just because you’re in your 40s, 50s and 60s doesn’t mean you’re “over the hill” — my sentiments precisely!! You gotta live ’til you die. Dianna envisaged a safe haven for boomer babe ladies to connect, learn and re-discover their passion. Her passion was helping people, so Fabulous@50 was a perfect fit. Check out the website here!
I had the pleasure of chatting with Dianna and we agreed she was a “typical Gemini!” — not a boring bone in her body! Also in attendance at last night’s fun event were Shawne Duperon, 6 time Emmy winner and Founder of Project Forgive; Pam Baynes of Holistic Chamber of Commerce in Calgary; Teresa de Groisbois, chair of the Evolutionary Business Council; and the pride of Victoria — our own Jo Dibblee, whose courage and tenacity in the face of unbearable childhood abuse is the stuff legends are made of (check out her website here). So as you can just imagine, with plenty of lively discussion against a background of oceanic views, delicious finger food, fabulous fashion from Tatum and Olivia — and martinis — it was delightful!
I was very excited to meet Shawne Duperon, Founder of Project Forgive. Like Dianna, she was a down-to-earth big-hearted lady with high ideals to make our world a kinder and happier place. Easily known she was a Pisces — just like our eWomen founder, Sandra Yancey! Check out Shawne’s website’s here.
My sincere gratitude to all the wonderful ladies who strive to make our world a happier, more peaceful place. Here’s to the Sisterhood!!
Updated on July 12, 2015
July 9th: A Very Special Day — Deo Gratias!
Thursday, July 9th was our 32nd Wedding Anniversary. It was a day worthy of Celebration so I pulled out all the stops…!! The girls were home so I decided it would be much nicer to dazzle up the dining room and prepare a really yummy meal at home instead of going out.
I headed down to my beloved ‘Holiday Hall’ in the basement for inspiration and came up with the love-bird theme. I found the cute bird decoration you see hanging from the chandelier in a charming little shop in Canterbury. I was over visiting my daughter Ali when she was studying there. It was the year my youngest daughter Claudia was graduating from high school, and I liked the idea of the little bird leaving the nest. So it came in very handy for the love-birds theme! On the table I put various little bird decorations, including the Murano glass lovebirds I got in Venice to celebrate our anniversary some years ago.
Being the lazy chef that I have become, I wanted something fast, yummy, and easy to prepare. So, here was our Anniversary menu:
Caprese Salad (see recipe here)
Seafood Paella (see recipe here)
Eton Mess (see recipe here)
It was all Deelicious! I even had enough Paella left over so did not have to cook on Friday evening!
Hugs,
Patricia xxx
