Wow...over a month into 2009 without catching up. How is your year starting out?
@Perspectives (7131)
Canada
February 7, 2009 6:43pm CST
Greeting to all in Mylot Land..
I have MIA for a number of months now and have missed special old friends and meeting new ones and finally have some time to drop by and say "HI!" Being that I haven't posted anything since the holiday and New Year greetings to all of you I've been wondering how you are?
How is 2009 starting out for you? Did you make any resolutions or absolute "yes" lists this year? I will be posting a discussion on resolutions versus goals so I won't go into our views on that right now. If you did make some, I sincerely wish a year full of fulfilled resolutions!
I would love to hear about how you, your family, friends, pets and career paths are going. Catching up and filling in the blanks is how we maintain connections with each other.
So here is a brief rundown on what has been going on with David and me and why I have had so little time to participate here. In the fall we did major house upgrades, and the energy conservation changes have dramatically reduced our electrical use and saved us money as well. YES!!! Some of you are already know that we had a gathering of love and friendship and renewed our vows on September 27 and the event was all we hoped it would be. The weather cooperated and we had the ceremony in our garden.
Then David and I took on the challenge of creating our own website for our company Fresh Beginnings. Now we know why designers charge as much as they do. My part was choosing the pages, links and photos, then writing the content. David is great with computers but had never done web designing before but he threw himself into the project and did it and I am grateful for what he has done.
Feedback from valued friends on Mylot on preliminary viewings has really helped us improve the look, quality and navigation of the site. Each of you know your own part in this and David and could not have pulled this off without your willingness to offer your time, energy, expertise and input...and we are grateful. Thank you one and all.
On top of that we have created our own Fresh Beginnings Forum (FBF) and that demands our time and attention. I am also back to doing final edits on my book I've Been There...A Testimony of Hope and plan to have it "out there" in one form or another no later than the end of this year. A special Mylot friend may be open to helping me polish it up and if he does I will finally feel confident that the punctuation and grammar will be right.
We have been going forward with offering life coaching by telephone to clients throughout North America and will be presenting our seminars on a "have workshop will travel idea." So if anyone wants us to come and present where you are...contact us and we'll chat about finders fees and how we can combine our efforts.
So that is how our year is starting out. I am most interested in sharing updates and situation reports about yours if you'd care to share them.
Warm, caring regards,
Raia
6 people like this
12 responses
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
9 Feb 09
Thanks for your warm hospitality! Good to be back. Yes, we have been updated with our respective situation reports. Now with more than one forum to gab on that should not be a problem anymore.
Hope you had a good weekend. I received your e-mails and read them and will be back. Happy shrimp hunting!
Raia
1 person likes this
@Lakota12 (42600)
• United States
9 Feb 09
your welcome and we still havent found that shrimp yet lol
The whole weekend went to us all taking turns going gambling did pretty good too at it.
Aslo had a ball with old friends yestrday met to have breakfast then a bingo game altho we got close no winners in our group but a whole lot of talk and laughing very enjoyabl! hugs and blessings
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
11 Feb 09
Hi again,
Well all that matters is that it sounds like you are having a blast. I know Wednesday is the B-Day for you and David and I both wish you a year full of wonderful happenings and positive outcomes.
We will be thinking of you tomorrow and hope your day is as special as you are!
Big, snuggly, happy, birthday hugs to you from your soul Sista!
Raia
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
8 Feb 09
What! You have another MyLot friend who is better with punctuation and grammar than my illustrious self??? And it's a guy?? 
I am having a very hard time dealing with this! 
I am having a very hard time dealing with this!
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Where in what I wrote did you hear me say that this "guy" is better than you? You are both have excellent editing abilities. I had no idea you might be interested in taking on a 33 chapter...500 word project. Sorry about that my friend. I have mentioned to you in our heart to hearts away from Mylot that publishing the book has been a goal of mine since I finished it in 2003.
Your editing abilities only came to light as a result of your willingness to offer your input in the last few weeks. So we have had a little miscommunication going on...sorry about that. Perhaps we can chat about this by direct e-mail.
David and I both value you what you have offered and have done our best to let you know that.
We'll be around on the weekend...want to chat in person? I could call you. Let me know.
Raia
1 person likes this
@zigzagbuddha (4601)
• United States
8 Feb 09
I was making a joke of my incredible ego Raia.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Ooops...sorry...747 time...that one went over my thick Capricorn skull. Do you have an incredible ego? Really? But you do have a very illustrious self...and it isn't bragging when you speak the truth! And you do that so very well!
What I love about our wacky back and forth bantering and heart to heart chats is that we "get" each other and that is why we are the gal-pals we are.
Seriously though...would you be interested in a project that size?
Raia
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
8 Feb 09
Sounds like things have been going great for y'all. My new year started out by driving home from my daughter's after we spent two weeks in Texas seeing family, and getting to see my granddaughter (first and only) for the first time. It went okay until the 14th of Jan, when my s/o informed me he wanted to move on, alone. So I have been in the planning stages of sorting, packing, and taking care of personal business so I can move. I'll be moving down to where my oldest daughter lives for a while, and eventually back to Texas. But, for now we are still living together, I now just have a roommate that sleeps on the couch! lol I guess I'm not taking it too hard because I think in the back of my mind I knew. So, for now, I'm scrapbooking alot to keep my sanity lol. And, I still haven't been released back to work, probably another 4 months before that happens.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
How great it is to be back in touch with you. As I mentioned I genuinely missed having chats with pals like you. You certainly have had a lot to deal with this past year. I admire your courage and strength. To have a breakup on top of your recovery process is a lot to handle...but as you have mentioned you do not seem to be taking it too hard. Yes, I guess there is a message in that.
Thanks for sharing the photo of your precious grand baby...what a cute child! Do you do scrap booking digitally or with regular photos albums? I have done the photo albums and still enjoy that but I want to learn digital scrap booking techniques as well. I have been creating slide shows and posting them on YouTube and on our new forum.
My thoughts and well wishes are coming your way.I hope to be able to keep in touch more now we have some breathing space...at least until the garden beckons..and I can't wait for that.
Caring regards,
Raia
2 people like this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
8 Feb 09
thank you for all the well wishes. I do traditional scrapbooking, I like it better than digital. I love all the papers and embellishments they have now.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
You are welcome...I hope you can feel my sincerity. There are so many everyday heroes that we have the pleasure of meeting both professionally and professionally that we decided to create a forum to share the growth process.
You are a true survivor and seem to go beyond that to thriving in the midst of your challenges.
I agree with your views about traditional scrap booking. My friend is a Creative Memories consultant and she has refined my scrap booking a lot. It is great to have so many places to find unique ways to make each book special...and memorable.
I sent you a PM about FBF and whatever you choose is fine...just wanted to offer a warm welcome because I respect what you stand for.
Wishing you all good things,
Raia
2 people like this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Hi Raia, The year has been good so far with little of any consequence happening. We are not getting the storms that we had last year and that means not as much snow to shovel. Now with just three weeks left in February, We know that the winter is getting short. I don't get to go for long walks during the winter, so I tend to spend more time in the house. I do some writing for Triond and have published about 75 articles mostly stories. Unfortunately, I don't know much about publicizing my work so there isn't much money to be made, but I enjoy writing. I'm happy to know that things are working out well for you and David. Blessings.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Greetings again dear friend. Thanks for always being among the first to pop by and say after I've been away for awhile.
Good to hear that you are not getting the storms you did last year. Our winter has been brutal this year. Exceptionally cold, below norm temps. Thankfully we did a lot of winterizing so that has kept us snug, safe and warm.
Congratulations on your writing ventures...that is an impressive body of work...good for you. Every little bit helps when approaching other editors and publishers. You might be interested in knowing that we have set up a special "writer's nook" group at FBF where we plan to share writing, publishing ideas with each other.
Thanks for your encouragement and on-going support. Now that most of the developmental part of our ventures are coming close to completion we hope that the maintenance end of it will allow us some breathing space so I can post and chat her on a little more regular basis.
Warm caring regards and wishes for light filled blessings to you and yours.
Raia
1 person likes this
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
8 Feb 09
you renewed you vows? that is so sweet. how many years are you guys married? me and my wife is married for six years already. and i think it is a nice feeling to renew our vows but i am sure it will be very hurting for our poclets. har har har. as of now my wife is a stay at home hands on mom and wife. not like before that both of us work so the expences was shared by both of us. but i will put that in mind and would love to renue our vows too. i maybe late by CONGRTAS to the both of you. i am not mush of a horoscope believer but they told me that it is my year. the year of the ox. well it is noce to hear from other people that i am lucky this year and as i observe it..... so far so good. i will keep my fingers cross that me and my wife can start a small business selling rice (per sack). in our country people are rice eaters and i want to sell rice from house to house. if they can not pay it at ounce they i can consider it that they pay within a month. that would have them the cahnce to pay it for a month. i hope this business of us that i have in mind will be a hit for after all they said it is my year. i am happy to see you again my friend. i dont know what it is with me but when you start a discussion i always find myself responding it in a long post. i just hope the long post i did is not that boring for you har har har. goodluck with your business and hi to your husband.
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Hi again,
Boring...you are never boring my friend. When you share your ideas the warmth of your essence comes through in every word. I value our exchanges and appreciate your interest in Perspectives topics and the warmth of your friendship and support towards both David and me.
It is a pleasure to read about the "happenings" in friend's lives...that is what it is all about. Whenever I meet Cyber friends I am genuinely interested in who they are, how they think, what they do and who they love. All those important details that let other share aspects of life with each other.
Thank you for your congratulations and best regards on the renewing of our vows. David and I have been together since July of 1990 and married in the same month a year later. With the nature of our work as life coaches we see how easy it is for couples to lose the magic and romance in their relationships and we are committed to never allowing that to happen in ours. We still celebrate our monthly anniversary of the day we met. July 15th. This month we are coming up to our 223th monthly anniversary. So you see my friend, we are hopeless romantics and feel our relationship is a great blessing in both our lives and we treat it with a lot of gratitude, love and respect.
We have already renewed our vows twice before...at 5 years and 10. This event was a celebration of our bonds with close friends and community. David had some serious health challenges a few years ago and now that he is strong and well again we wanted to validate all those who were there for us as we came back from that and some financial setbacks as well.
In regard to the business you and your wife would like to start. If you do not mind me making one suggestion...that is monitor any "credit" that you give very carefully. You seem to have a big, open, loving heart and my concern would be that you would "carry" people from month to month and then lose your business when they either could not or would not pay. My father had a grocery and butcher shop and nearly lost it all by keeping so much money "on the books." He finally had so many people owing him money that he was not able to pay his own operating costs.
It is something David and I have had to learn as well. As much as we want to assist others in any way we can...it is our responsibility to make sure we run our business like a business. If we go under then we will not be in a position to help anyone.
Just a little bit of personal and professional experience we've gained and I hope you do not mind me sharing that with you.
Wishing you every success in 2009 and beyond and may all your dreams and hopes come true.
Wishing you many light filled blessings,
Raia
1 person likes this
@se7enthbird (8307)
• Philippines
9 Feb 09
wow i never realized it that way. now i truly understand it. yes i will follow your suggestion for i dont want my little business that is not that easy to start too will just go to waste and the people who owed me are the one who got benefits and not me and my family. i understand fairly enough what you mean and i will really do my best not to use my heart in matters like this. the money i will be using is also borrowed from a very good aunt of mine and of course while the business is on progress i have the responsible also to pay it back slowly to her. thank you very mush for your suggestion. thank you very much for i do appreciate it. hope to see more of you here at mylot. but if you are that busy you know that we are all here just waiting for your new perspectives
2 people like this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Does that mean you are experiencing a new beginning...or commenting on our Fresh Beginning?
No sure...more information would be helpful. Hard to have a discussion with three words. Also Mylot suggests a minimum of two paragraphs per post. Hope that information if helpful to you as a new member.
Raia
1 person likes this
@Polly1 (12645)
• United States
9 Feb 09
Hello Darlin, Its nice seeing you. I got your email a few days ago, just haven't had the time to answer you. I did find the time to check out your site, WOW!! I wish you all the best with it and your business. It all sounds terrific, it also sounds like a perfect business for you and David. I know we haven't ever met in person, but through our chats heres, I feel we basically know each other. We know our characters, we know what kind of people we are. I have been busy lately with life too. I love the name of your business, its perfect. My business name is GrammasMagic, thats who I am. My ebay sales were great in Dec. not so good in January, but that was expected. I have faith that things will be fine. I have recently found out that my daughter and her family will be getting the house directly across the street from me. I am thrilled about that. My son and his family live across the street too. I will be such a happy mom and gramma, my kids and grandkids across the street. I love being a gramma, its so much fun and so rewarding too. I just had a big weekend. My friend of almost 30 yrs. her 4 yr. old granddaughter, myself and my 4 yr. old grandson, all spent the weekend together. We had a party, the kids had the best time. We had a good time too. Our kids grew up together, now we have the grandkids together. She lives way out in the country, we stayed at her house. We are all looking forward to when we can do it again. Take care, as always its a pleasure to visit and catch up with you.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
9 Feb 09
Ah shucks, gosh gee...it is my special friend Pol...lie! See a sweet little rhyme filled with oddles and boodle of love and care. Each exchange I have with you makes me smile. You have such a positive, loving, funny wonderful essence that I adore.
Yes, dear one we do know each other I feel that too. Thanks so much for your positive feedback about the site. We have not launched it officially yet because we friends from Mylot and our regular life keep finding things we need to correct, adapt or whatever. We chose to send it out to valued friends and ask for critques and input. David and I both appreciate that you took the time to look it over. Thank you!
You mentioned your ebay business before...what types of things do you sell? I will check it out once the site is launched. I created a contact list in outlook so I can keep track of friends and their special sites and interests.
It is wonderful news to hear that you are going to have all your loved ones so close by. It says a lot about you and how you raised them. A lot of kids cannot move far enough away from their families or origin. Healthy bonding from the sound of it.
You deserve all that love and light coming back at you...you sure send a lot of that out and that is why I luvs ya!
Huggers and blessings!
Raia
@AmbiePam (85245)
• United States
8 Feb 09
It sounds like you and David have been busy! I have been busy, but not with accomplishing what you are doing. 
But I guess as long as we are all getting something done, that is good. So you renewed your vows? That is wonderful. I think that is an underrated idea. I think it would benefit a lot of people to do that, to remind each other of the promises and committment they share with each other.
But I guess as long as we are all getting something done, that is good. So you renewed your vows? That is wonderful. I think that is an underrated idea. I think it would benefit a lot of people to do that, to remind each other of the promises and committment they share with each other.1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
9 Feb 09
Hello my friend...great to be back in touch. Wow look at you go...12,207 credits. That is mind boggling to me. I doubt if I will get anywhere near that in this lifetime. Good for you!
We are busy but loving all of it. This vow renewal is not the first one for us. In our work as life coaches we see people becoming "married singles." Not that they are having affairs (although we know some do) they are just caught up in individual activities. Consequently they lose the "magic" and romance within their bonds and sometimes drift apart.
When David and I met in 1990, then married a year later we decided to renew our vows at significant milestones in our lives. The first time we had a gathering and re-commitment ceremony was when we left our home town and moved to the country. That event brought old friend and those from our new hometown together. Then we had another one when we moved back from our bush country experiences in Southwestern Ontario.
This last one was a celebration of love and friendship and to express our gratitude to each other and those who helped us when David had some health challenges that affected every area of life a couple of years ago.
So yes, we are in a good place in life right now and loving every moment of it. The daunting challenges we overcame really makes us appreciate the blessings we are now enjoying. Yep, the "bad" times really instill an "attitude of gratitude" when they are behind us.
Good to hear that you are busy. No it does not matter how busy by comparison. That kind of thing is all relevant and based on perception anyhow.
Wishing you positive outcomes with your "busy-ness!"
Cheers,
Raia
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
10 Feb 09
I am so glad the weather was fine for your ceremony. Say hello to David. my year has started very well. My Steelers won the Super Bowl, I had a great birthday. I saw Frost Nixon on my birthday, a fine film.My favorite hockey player is back on the ice and not only did I get to see him play twice but I got to see him interviewed.Sweet.
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
11 Feb 09
Well, hello again. Great to be back here and having a chance to connect with good friends like you and reading about 'life's happenings."
Thank you for thinking of David I will pass your regards on. From the sound of it your year is starting out well...and I sincerely hope it continues. With the economy, political changes and the plethora of challenges humanity is facing I love to hear good news on the one to one level. Thanks for dropping by and sharing yours.
Best regards friend,
Raia
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Nice to have you back...Perspectives...quickly ran thru your post...and I am tired just reading about all you have accomplished. Will give it a sincere in-depth read, in the morning when I can digest it...as my mind is wandering right now, my son left for Brazil yesterday (we are very close, talk a least once every day) and I haven't heard from him yet...shud have been there about 12 hrs ago1
1 person likes this
@pergammano (7682)
• Canada
9 Feb 09
Thanks, my dear, for caring...I am a "mamby" when it comes to my son! We communicate daily! I did not hear from him for 30 hours (Iknow, I know)..but the last I had heard, he was at the airport in Toronto...should have been a 9 hour flight from there.....I did NOT hear for 30 hours (of NO sleep for me)...Our National Carrier, Air Canada (Scare Canada)...even tho' this was a dedicated flight (all aboard flying to Brazil) were able to lose their luggage, of which he had to have, as he was going there to work..and the Instruction Manuals that he had authored were in his luggage. So NO sense to continue on, without his teaching tools! They let them go thru Security b4 informing them their luggage was not accompanying them...because they chose to wait for their luggage they were not allowed to leave the "secure zone"...or use any communication devices, as it would interfere with their equipment! So they sat in Security for 13 hours, with just a water fountain! My son is Canadian, from birth...and they were treated like security risks in their own Country! I can imagine, I was NOT the only person with a lot of angst! Thanks for caring!
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
11 Feb 09
Oh I am genuinely relieved to know that your son is safe. The situation you describe is yet another reminder why David and I are not taking too many trips by air. What a hassle...and for what?
Angst is a very respectful way to describe what your son and many others on that flight must have been feeling.
Just to let you know you don't seem "mamby" about your love for your son. Being apart from loved ones and not knowing where they are is REALLY scary. I did not like it one bit when David flew up North to work on Native reserves in the middle of winter in planes that were old. So yes, I do care and could fully emphasize with the way you were feeling. Thanks for being open with me so I could be here to share...and care.
Glad all is well. Good to be back chatting and hope to do more. Your input is a good read!
Hugs and blessings!
Raia
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
8 Feb 09
Hello again friend...thanks for dropping by. I smiled at your comment about being tired just reading about the events and activities David and I have been involved in the past few months.
I feel your concern about not hearing from your son...it must be unsettling. Please come back tomorrow and give me an update. In the meantime my thoughts and prayers will be with you and your loved ones. May your son be safe and well on the path he is traveling.
Big, warm energetic hugs of support being sent your way.
Raia
1 person likes this
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
17 Feb 09
Raia,
Well welcome back. My new year of 2009 is moving way to fast and my only goal is to get these three books out by the end of this year and go on my traveling to sign them.
Ainge
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
18 Feb 09
Hi again,
It is so good to be back in touch. I was so happy to hear about the positive changes in your life amidst the more stressful ones.
What three books are you referring to? That was one update that I do not recall you mentioning? If you are doing book signings and are anywhere near our neck of the woods (South central Manitoba) with the capital of the Province being Winnipeg please let us know. David and I would be happy to drive back to our old home town and buy a signed autographed copy of your achievements.
Wishing you every success with all three of them. Do keep in touch as you can because you know by now I genuinely care about you!
Hugs and wishes for many bountiful blessings for you and yours.
Raia
1 person likes this
@Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
6 Mar 09
Three books at the same time is an awesome undertaking but if anyone can do it I am sure you can.
Know that I am wishing you great success and I hope they are all run away best sellers!
Write away dear one I completely understand the hermit writing approach. It is how I work when I am fully immersed in the flows of writing.
I sure we will connect in person one day...it seems destined to happen. In the meantime keep in touch as you can and know I love and care about you!
Raia
@Aingealicia (1905)
• United States
19 Feb 09
Raia,
I have three books headed out in Oct. I am just getting them ready for my proofers. I will let you know more details soon. I am up to chapter 5 on one and the other one is still in journals, the humanitarian book is on the pc but not proofed yet.
I know 3 books in one season but there are very important reasons as to why. I am sure you know I would not take on a project if it were not so.
I remember with your words and many others on here, one day at time and a baby step at a time.
I have found out I am a hermit writer. hehe.
Many blessings of light for you and David and yes when I am on the traveling world, I will let you know when I am headed that way for signings. I would love to see you and sign the book for you and David.
Ainge
1 person likes this
@honeydew82174 (1720)
• United States
8 Feb 09
My year as not started out well. My house burnt in jan. and I am just getting started over in my new place. The rest of the year has to get better! @Perspectives (7131)
• Canada
9 Feb 09
Goodness I am sorry to hear that. Whenever that happens I pause and try to imagine what it would feel like to lose your abode and everything in it. It is not something I ever want to find out.
It is good to know that things are improving. From what you said I imagine that you and your loved ones came through it safely. I guess in the end that is the most important thing. Houses and possessions can be replaced...people cannot.
I sincerely hope that the rest of 2009 and beyond brings more health, happiness and good fortune to you and yours.
Raia
