Puzzled: A New Year Ahead

Our 2023 Holiday Tree

Well hello again to all my readers.  It's been a little while since I last sat down to write a blog. 

Bill surprised me with this assortment of Ceaco Puzzles for my birthday, along with other personal gifts.  I really love all the vibrant colours and the 750 piece scenic one is my favourite. It's ignited some joy that I hope will stay around. We've actually donated several of our other puzzles that we did together, which I hope others are enjoying.  

These will take some time to do, so I'm actually excited to put on some coffehouse jazz music, make a nice cup of tea and sit down and work on these puzzles together over the holidays and into 2024.  Below is what the box looks like.

Ceaco Puzzle - 8 in total!

If I'm going to be totally honest, which is pretty much what you can always expect from me, my inspiration and passion about so many things has dwindled. There's been this void of desire along with on-going fogginess that I can't quite explain that more often than not on most days makes me feel really blah. Not blah blah blah (if you are a fan of Hotel Transylvania, you'll get the reference).  

I know what anxiety feels like and good ol' depression is no stranger either.  However, the feeling is different.  I'm a paradox of thought as it seems as though I am intune with my body, yet I also sense this strong feeling of being disconnected from it. 

I'm now 43, so maybe I'm going through some spiritual shedding.  I don't even know what that means exactly, but the phrase resonates. I also read recently a beautiful quote from writer, Dani Shapiro:"You can start your day over anytime." and that has really stuck in a  positive way. 

A daily reminder to myself and anyone else that might be going through challenges: Eat (balanced/mindfully - treat yourself too) Move (gently) and Rest (recharge). 

As I reflect, 2023 was filled with plenty of lessons as well as blessings.  It was also a pivotal time of honing in on emotional sobriety - my foundation for a happy and healthy existence. 

Living in more calm than entering into unnecessary chaos is a good place to be and what I continue to strive towards each and every day.

A special thank you to those who continue to have their arms open for me, their ears when I need to talk and of course, their hearts. 

~Until next time...

Happy Birthday Bill Nuvo!

Thank you to Jon Brett for this awesome video for Bill's birthday!






Visit Jon's page on Facebook
Website: http://www.jonbrettmusic.com

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Celebrations in Colours: Mom & Dad

Mother's Day is coming up and my Dad's birthday is literally the next day, so I thought I would surprise them both with these intricate art designs that I have spent a lot of time and effort colouring.

Thank you to Bill for making the sheets fit properly in the frames!

*Update: They loved them!

Happy 37th birthday to me!

Thank you for all the wonderful
birthday wishes!

As an 80's girl, this seemed fitting, although add on several more candles. lol
Sixteen Candles. 

Updates and spiritual greetings

I apologize for not blogging. If you've been following along, you know that back before Christmas 2014, my dad was stricken with a virus called Encephalitis, which caused severe inflammation in his brain. Chances are 2 in a million, but the amazing team of specialists at Hotel Dieu hospital were able to help save his life. Since getting out of the hospital, my dad has made great strides of improvement.

Looking at the date; May 15, 2015, my dad is still with us and recovering well. I will write more about the last several months in future posts.  Right now, we are in the process of moving my parents out of their three-story home, into a smaller yet lovely one-floor townhouse. There is a basement, but that's used for storage. It is a huge transition, but one that is needed, not only for my dad, but so my mom can take care of him without dealing with all the maintenance that comes with home ownership. A plus is that we met several of the neighbours, and they are extremely friendly and welcoming.

My parents house sold in less than a week! Buckingham Realty rocks.

New home in Tecumseh. Welcome to condo living!

My dad just turned 70 yesterday, and driving to the house, I caught a glimpse of this gorgeous rainbow cloud. 

The spirits in the sky were saying Happy Birthday! :)

That's it for now. I will update again soon.  Thanks to all my readers for such kind words and messages.  

Oh and just so you know, when my dad took permanent leave, as a writer for Windsor Square, I decided to take that path as well. My musings will continue to be on Blogger from this point on, so once things settle down, you'll get to enjoy some more restaurant, movie and product reviews from me. 

Happy 34!

Happy birthday to me!

Since Bill couldn't be around for my actual birthday this year, he gave me my present early. I had no idea what I was getting, the only hint was "it's something very you."

So here is the original 1981 vinyl (from Germany!) of the album Faith, by my favourite band, The Cure. Bill also got them framed, so it is now hanging up in my office!

He chose this particular record because it said "Faith," which just so happens to be my middle name.

The second part of my gift was a wonderful massage gift certificate that I can use when I need a little pampering. Once the cold weather hits, my muscles will be saying "rub me!"  Thank you babe! You are truly wonderful.

A huge thank you to my parents for taking me out for lunch today to Casey's, travelling earlier this year to North Carolina, so I could spend time with lemurs, and for everything that they do and continue to do for me!

I also want to thank my brother, who surprised me with a delicious assortment of my favourite chocolates; Ferrero Rocher.

My friend Ryan came by to spend some quality time together and we ate pizza, cake and watched many hilarious episodes of the Golden Girls.  :)

More birthday celebrations shall continue this week! 

Happy 33rd birthday!

Dressed up pretty for my birthday meal out with Bill and my family.

Happy birthday to me....33 years old! :)

Happy 32nd birthday to me!

Today I am 32 years old!

My life has taken some bizarre twists and turns, but here I am celebrating another year of life; healthier and a wee bit wiser.  There are so many people to thank. I will not forget to include myself in the blessings since I know that I am part of my healing process too. If you would have talked to me a year ago, I would have pleaded for the genie in a bottle to grant me a wish of turning back the hands of time. Aches and pains, frazzled by gray hairs creeping in when I look in the mirror and even pesky wrinkles and blotchy skin, can be overwhelming. Today though, I feel like I am in a much better place. I can honestly say that I do have more work ahead of me, but you have to start somewhere, right? I'm not tickled pink with the fact that I am getting older, but I don't see it as such a negative. I have so much more to look forward to.

I still hope to get married some day...the hopeful romantic in me can't wither away. I have learned so much over the last few years, and my re-birth, if you want to call it that, both on the physical, emotional and spiritual side has given me peace to gracefully age as the spirits intended me to. 

This is the most recent photo of me:

Just me and Drac hanging out at Villains

Penn and Teller Performing At Caesars Windsor: Bill Nuvo's Birthday Gift

Bill's birthday is coming up on Sunday, so what better gift to get a magician than to see other magicians whom he highly respects!

Penn and Teller are coming to Caesars Windsor in June!

Happy birthday, I love you!