Everybody has a story

I have lately been caught up in inspirational quotes, sayings, and stories. Lately that has put me in reflection and thinking.

Have you ever wanted to sit down and just wanted to tell your story to someone and say “ I lived that!”

I have actually done that!

I have explained my stories several times over.

From my experiences with having Hemihypertrophy to my hemorrhagic stroke which happened six years ago.

As I explained my stories several times, I have inspired people that there will definitely be struggles, but you will get through them and it will be okay on the other side 

There are so many different inspirational stories out there, ones that have been heard and not heard, published and not published, believed and not belives.

I am starting to read a really neat book called “ Girl wash your face by Rachel Hollis, it’s about being empowered and it’s in the self-help genre.

I am enjoying this book, it’s had me really thinking me thinking about how life works.

I would recommend this book to anybody.

There are so many different types of books out there!

If you think of it this way, there are so many people out there that haven’t explained their story or they haven’t even written down their story on a piece of paper.

You are probably thinking Caylee, this is crazy!

But imagine some of the stories that would be told, there would be such a wide variety and probably some would be inspiring to someone else.

I have even played around on google to see what comes up, there are so many good things, music, videos mostly, but also news stories, and of course different quotes.

There is one inspirational video from Shamar Moore, but unfortunately, I could not get a link for you, but he talks about telling your story.

I can tell you just recently I have explained my story several times when people have asked questions about me or my work story and yes I have inspired a few people about what I have done.

If you are not ready to sit down and tell your story, there might be someone ready for you to listen and get inspired by what they hear.

Let me leave you with this thought!

There are so many inspirational stories out there within this negative world right now, find that inspirational and positive story, quote, song, or video that makes you want to do something!

Much Love!

                                                 Ode To Summer!

As I was walking to work last Thursday, I was crossing the road and my children’s crossing guard asked me “ Where is the next blog?”  She verbally kicked me in the pants!

I started having those million Mom thoughts about what summer is going to be like, my oldest is working and my youngest just wants to explore.

Then I started thinking about other families and what everyone might be up to.

The school year is quickly winding down, we only have weeks left of school. “HOLY COW!

There is so much that we can do, during the summer!

Let me give you a list of ideas that are easy on the wallet:

• There are so many wonderful parks around Owen Sound to visit 

• The library, which has some great summer programs

• So many wonderful beaches 

• Launch your kayak or canoe 

• Pack a lunch or snacks and discover a new gem!

There is also ;

• The many theme and non theme day camps

• There are some overnight camps that are a short drive away 

• Different farmers markets

Of course there is your own backyard to explore and find new and different things.

I know within our household we are exploring our backyard and around Owen sound.

We are staying close to home, because of the crazy gas prices and of course other issues that are out there.

Don’t get me wrong! I’m not turning into a hobbit and staying home, I swear!

It’s the crazy gas prices, and the high cost of other things.

If we decide to do a small road trip, I plan on packing snacks and a picnic lunch and spend the day there.

I believe that it is going to be an expensive summer with prices and gas.

If we look at the other side of it!

The kids and families haven't really had a real summer break in the last two years due to Covid 19 .

So they should really enjoy the summer the way that they want to.

I know my kids will be!

I just want to leave you with a concluding thought;

What are your plans for the summer?

                                           May the force be with you

IT’S STAR WARS DAY!

For those who celebrate this day and who are considered Star Wars fans.

Today I am embracing my inner Star Wars geek and trying to learn the ways of the force! But I think I have a long road ahead of me.

I know a little bit of the series but once I get to know the story, somehow it changes!

Usually, when I write a blog issue, I jump right on Google, this time I have been listening to a Podcast called “STAR WARS STUFF”  as well with guidance from my husband to start reading the books, starting with “ Episode 1 the phantom menace”

As well, I was thumbing through Tik Tok and came across a minister in the states that does Tik Toks on Star Wars and other movies and relates them to everyday life, it was very interesting!

I was listening to the podcast episode and they were talking about the history of star wars day, it was not actually May 4, the original star wars day was May 25, 1977.

For the real star wars geeks, the month of May is pretty much an iconic month, some of these days include:

• May 1st 501st day 

• May 4th May the 4th be with you

• May 5th Revenge of the 5th

• May 10th Solo. A Star Wars Story 2018 

• May 14th George Lucas’ Birthday 1944

• May 16th Attack of the Clones 2002

• May 19th The Phantom Menace 1999

Revenge of the Sith 2005

• May 21st The Empire Strikes Back 1980

• May 25th A New Hope 1977, 

Return of the Jedi 1983 

• May 27th Obi Wan Series release 2022 

Sourced from Chris Lingard 

Okay so let's talk about having Star wars with our life, I finally had to go to google and I found the answer in the question part of google.

Did you know that:

The Rebels' battle against the empire was based on the Vietnam war…

The Knights Templar was inspired for the Jedi council

Just to name a few.

As I was embracing my inner Star Wars, I was asking my husband multiple questions about where I should start for this blog, he answered all of the questions. So for the person in your family that is a fan of the franchise, Christmas and birthdays should be easy, just add to the collection, may it be a book or something else.

There is so much of this franchise that I really don’t understand, but I can tell you that I do have a lightsaber, but there are people that have production accurate costumes and belong to an actual group.

I can definitely tell you that this issue was hard to do because there is so much I could touch on, such as star wars vs star trek, and of course, there is Star Wars a religion. I know this issue may have been a little plain, but my inner star wars was screaming to come out.

I want to leave you with a quote that I heard from the podcast that I have been listening to “ Look forward to those dreams, and aspire to them as hard as you can!”

May the force be with you !

                                                          Shopping!

Have you noticed lately that when you go to the Grocery store, the prices are through the roof!

I sure have!

Did you know, for a family of four the average grocery bill is $863.00 a month, I’m shocked! That was found on www.ramseysolutions.com

They also gave some really good ideas for stretching the grocery bill for example “ If you have leftovers take them for lunch”

Take-out food isn’t getting any better, with new restaurants popping up here and there around Owen Sound, for example, look at Heritage grove plaza with the new Burger King and Firehouse Subs right across the road.

I’ve lately been trying to stretch meals some nights or even if the fridge is full from dinners from the other nights, we will have leftovers night and that cleans out the fridge most of the time.

I was having dinner with my family and this topic came to me, with a few questions in mind;

•  How do other family members try to cut their shopping bills in half or even how do you stretch your grocery bill?

• Are we the only family that has this problem?

As well, I was thinking about single parents and people that are low income or have large families.

So I started looking at some ideas to help everyone.

I thought of a few such as:

• Don’t go shopping hungry 

• Have a shopping list

I thought that I would expand this list so I went looking a little further, here is a site that I found that also may work.

• See what’s on sale/check the flyers 

• Use coupons wisely

• Get to know the prices-write down the regular prices of food that you buy

• Buy in season

These are some ideas that I have found from www.unlockfood.ca

So with all of the technology that we have today, there are so many apps that can be used, when going grocery shopping, such as “ Flipp” and “Save.ca” which I have on my phone.

For the people that choose not to use technology, you can use an accordion envelope and sort the coupons into the right spot for later use.

There are so many ways we can cut our grocery bill in different ways.

There is also a video that caught my eye, from global news about “ 12 ways to save money on the next grocery bill” www.globalnews.ca

There were some points that I didn’t even think of, such as if you have an optimum card or even a PC financial card and use the points from them to get free groceries,

I have also expanded my search to “ How to save money on groceries 2021”

The first thing that came up was ;

25% by generic brands instead of name brand

23% Make a grocery list and stick to it!

And that’s only a few.

I know what I want to do, cut my bill in half and save money and follow some of the tips that I have shared with you.

As I conclude this issue, I just have one question for you.

Do you have ways to cut your grocery bill in half?

 

 To Mask or not to Mask 

 So it’s been a couple of weeks since the mask mandate has been dropped, but really hasn’t!

I’m not just going to jump off the deep end or get negative about it.

I don’t know if you’ve noticed but some people are still wearing them.

I’m still wearing my mask at work, as well as my husband, while he is at work and my children often wear masks at school when necessary.

When I leave my home, I bring my mask with me just in case I need it, the common question I have now is “ Do I need a mask?”

I have been thinking about this for quite some time!

The other thing that I have been thinking of as well is, “ What is life going to be like after Covid is gone?” 

As the weather changes, “ How do you see your family dealing with the new changes?

Are you looking forward to going back to that favorite spot that you frequent before covid came to be?

What about those playdates, or social gatherings that you had.

There are so many questions within the next step of Covid, as well as having a normal life again after.

If you look at it, we’re slowly moving in the right direction but, still being cautious while we are out with the public.

This brings me to this thought, when my kids are out in public they have the automatic sense of wearing a mask, but realizing that it is not necessarily needed, it’s become second nature for them.

I thought I could find some more information about this topic, so I went to Google about the topic, but I came across a news article from CTV News about the mask mandate and how we still have to wear masks in hospitals, long term care settings and in conjugating areas, which I think is a great idea.

I have come to the conclusion, that my family and I will wear our masks when we are out with the public to stay on the cautious side of this pandemic, as the numbers are slowly coming up.

I would like to leave you with this old saying that has stuck with me “ It’s better to be prepared, than not to be prepared at all!”

In other words, it is better to have that mask than not to have one at all.

Stay safe my friends!

Slava Ukraine

Slava Ukraine

I recently experienced something, that I have never experienced before!

I’m talking about the Ukraine Vigil, that was held on the front lawn of

St. George's church on Sunday, March 13, 2022.

As this small group of people stood there under a grey and lightly

snowing sky, as well as a damp evening, we listened to different

people offer prayers and many stories to help with the

reflection, thinking of the Ukraine people fleeing the bombing of

their country and their home.

As we received a candle and lit them, we stood and listened to a

piece of instrumental music called Slava Ukraine from

Marcus Paus, it was beautiful!

As that song was playing, I kept thinking about all the families

that have been displaced and walking along the road with just one

bag of belongings. We then heard the Ukraine national anthem,

I was getting all choked up!

As a Mom and having my girls there, I just kept on thinking of the

fathers that had to say goodbye to their wives and children and

had to join the front lines, and the women and children

traveling to a different country to start a new life, not knowing if

they’ll see their sons, brothers, and husbands ever again. Then, my mind went to all of the children that have been orphaned, I feel so distraught.

Since this war has started, I have heard and seen, so many

stories about families fleeing the country, as well hearing about

pregnant mothers giving birth in bomb shelters or even in an

underground subway station. It just blows my mind that this is happening right now. As people came up and offered prayers and spoke, I just wanted to go up and hug them, and say “ We’re here to help!”

But really! While my youngest was standing there with her candle all I

could think of was what questions she would have for me after the

vigil was over, and she had a pile of questions, such as “ Mom

how can I help the little children of Ukraine?”

As things were progressing, the vigil was moving and to me I felt

very moved emotionally about the whole program. With my family and friends there, I felt a sense of closeness yet somberness.

When President Volodymyr Zelensky has spoken about his

country he had said some powerful stuff and I want to leave you

with a quote from him.

“When you attack us, you will see our faces. Not our backs, but our

faces.“

Source: https://quotepark.com/authors/volodymyr-zelensky/

Slava Ukraine

Fresh Start!

Happy Belated New Year!

As I was getting my children and husband ready for school and work this morning, I was thinking in the back of my head, what I should do with my day?

I thought, it’s my day off, I could do the mom thing and clean the house and prep dinner, but that was already half done. 

 

I was really thinking about it and there was this feeling that I had, it felt like an old friend coming back to say hello again! It was blogging for the family ministry at St. Georges!

 

So here in my peaceful house, I am starting a fresh page for this year, and I am going to be blogging about my experiences as a Mom and family and sharing it on the family ministry blog. 

 

I just love it when January comes around every year.  I think, “how can I make myself better?” How can I make something that I was excited about last summer and work it into getting back into the workforce after being off for four years? So, when I sat with my family in our home, watching the ball drop on New Year’s Eve, I was thinking, I want to let go of 2021, to concentrate on 2022, and make it a positive year.

 

 Taking time and being a family and experiencing neat things in and around Grey County and sharing them with other families. Some moms are standing up and clapping saying, “thank you!” Some are probably saying “Oh Good! You’re back! Where did you go over the last bit? Well friends, I am back, and I want to share the love of family ministry with you and not leave you in the dark or just not write at all. 

 

So I have made a fresh start, by writing some more about different topics that come to me from time to time and trying to make this blog successful. I hope that this has made you think about your own fresh start. It might be something within yourself or around your home or with your family. Stop and think about this because I certainly have been lately.

 

I always love to hear from people about their thoughts and feedback on different topics, or something that would be interesting. Let me know if there is something in particular that you would like me to write about. Here’s to new beginnings in 2022!

Caylee

Back to School and Covid

Well it has happened! The kids are back to school! Some parents were happy to see their child(ren) going off to school and able to meet up with their friends and meet their new teacher, and having those minor academic goals ready to set for their classroom. But wait that was pre pandemic era! This year has been a little more complex! For some parents, myself included I was waiting to hear the details for the 2021-2022 school year at the beginning of August, but there really was not much, all I kept hearing was that the government was using the same protocols before the kids went to online classes. But a week before my girls went back to school, we received a letter from the principal that every child had to have a Covid screening done every day before they came to school. (Simple enough!) I am not trying to vent, or trying to be negative, but it is really starting to scare me that, sometime, somewhere during the flu season, they are going to say “ School age children will be doing their schooling online for the rest of the year!” There goes the mental health of our children, because they are separated from their teacher that they may be getting along with and their classmates. I can tell you, my girls were not happy day in and day out that they were not able to see their peers, as for my oldest, it was especially hard for her because she was an introvert, and being in the classroom brought her out of her shell. I do have to make a point, as we are going into the fall season and that is typically flu season, what is Covid going to be looking like? Are we going to be back to square one, where the kids are online and learning? Or will the kids have a normal school year? As I was taking kids to school this morning, I noticed that the primary kids have big red dots to stand on for social distance, as well they are coming outside at the end of the day and staying with their groups until they are dismissed by their teacher, which I think is a great idea. I thought I would share a few ideas for you, to help with Covid: 

• I pack in my daughter’s backpack a pencil case size so she can put her masks in it and when she gets home they go directly into the wash. 

• When the kids come home they wash their hands before and after snack. 

• For the home life I wipe down the high exposed areas, (door knobs, counter tops)

 

• As for the air I put my home diffuser on with some citrus scent, to help clean the air. 

• Most of all ......sleep 

I could go on, but these are just a few things that I do between my house and the kids and I thought that I would share them with you, from one parent to another parent! Friendly help from one parent, to another!

Can We Make Another Person Happy?

The last couple of weeks have been really busy!

In our household we have been busy with our house, trying to get at least one family trip, in (we went to the Toronto zoo), and now trying to get the kids ready for school, which has been a little chore in itself.

As that has gone on for the last little bit, I kept on thinking about different topics, but the one that came to me the other day was this; “Can we make another person happy?”

I know I am tackling a big topic here, and there might be different sides to this. I thought about it for a couple of days, and finally came to the conclusion, let’s write this out.

Google and I have become good friends lately with different definitions and explanations of what different words mean, but this one I thought really hit home.  Well, the good news is: No one and nothing can cause you to be happy. In fact, people and things don't cause happiness at all. It's what you think about those other people and things that determines whether you feel happy or sad. ... Just as money can't make you happy, other people can't make you happy either (resourced from Google search)

As I was writing this, I found a blog post that says there are actual ways to make someone happy, which is called 24 quick ways to make someone happy! www.positivityblog.com 

Some of these ideas are pretty good, for example:

• Opening the door for someone

• Giving a smile 

• Picking flowers

Just to name a few...

Let’s look at a relationship. Can we make our spouse happy?

I came across a short youtube video the other day about this topic. It was a video with Will Smith, and this video really made me think about marriage and what I have now.

Here is a quote from Will Smith about this;

   

"You can make a person smile. You can make a person feel good. You can make a person laugh. 

But whether or not a person is happy is deeply and totally and utterly out of your control"

This video will make you think. The link is Will Smith “You can’t make another person happy” on You tube.

I, once in awhile like to sit down and watch one of his movies, and the one that hits home with me and this topic is “The Pursuit of Happiness”

After reading the pros and cons, and watching that video so many times, I have come to the conclusion, that yes you can make yourself happy by surrounding yourself with friends and family that you can trust, as well you can make someone else happy by just doing the little things for them.

So I ask you, Have you made someone happy today?

Finding Joy!

I was sitting one afternoon, here at my house and as I was knitting away on a project, my brain started to wander in different directions. One thought was, “What should we have for dinner?” and the other thought that I had was, “We should really have a bonfire

Then another thought just came to me! It really stumped me!  This is what happens when I start knitting; it seems like a hobby hazard. I put down my knitting and I had to think about it, a really long time; it actually made me think for a couple of days.

Have you ever had that problem in some sort of way?

As you are reading the second paragraph, you are probably wondering what I am  talking about. Well this topic has popped into my mind a couple of times during the last little while.....Finding your joy.

So as I Google this topic, it comes up with the results, there are the typical questions, that I see in the results, such as .....

• How do I find my joy?
• What does it mean to have joy?

Let’s look into these questions.

For the first question finding joy is simple, you can stop worry. Put self-care into your routine, surround yourself with positive people and most of all appreciate the little things in life. As for what it means to have joy, In its broadest sense, Joy means having feelings of great pleasure and happiness. (Referenced from the Google questions.)

Let’s look a little further into this and see what I can find.

I have been looking around with Google and seeing what it says about this topic, I have read little sections here and there that it could be a physical thing, or just a small thing. I have also come across different quotes from a website called www.success.com, which is a blog. 
I have a few that I like, such as ;

“Find joy in everything you choose to do. Every job, relationship, home… it’s your responsibility to love it, or change it.” —Chuck Palahniuk

As well, “Grief can take care of itself, but to get the full value of a joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” —Mark Twain

 “Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.” —Helen Keller

As I am looking through the quotes about finding joy, I thought I would see what quotes came from the Bible;

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” The Good News: Hope and joy go hand in hand. “For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” Romans 13:15

So, throughout my busy day, I find a way to take a few moments for either a self-care moment or I find some sort of crafting thing to bring me joy.

So my question to you is: What brings you joy?
 
 
 
 

 A love letter to Owen Sound

Hello Owen Sound!

I know I have been radio silent for the last 18 months due to COVID, but along with everything, and everyone we are slowly reopening our doors, and quietly saying “We are here!” I am going to try to do the same thing.

Owen Sound, I am sending you this love letter to say how wonderful it is to see our local shops starting to reopen, and receive customers back in their stores, and to start seeing our lovely restaurant s and cafes to opening as well, I was surely enjoying it, while sitting at city hall square and watching the people going in and out of the shops throughout the day.

I love this time of year, where you can just step out your door and visit one of the many beautiful scenic parks around Owen Sound, or just jump into your car and there are many different parks outside of Owen Sound, such as:

• Hibou Conservation Area
• Ainslie Woods 

We cannot forget about the many walking trails, those twists and turns, throughout our wonderful city. There is a peaceful trail along the harbour that leads you to a beautiful body of water, where you can sit and enjoy the calming lap of the waves; Georgian Bay is so peaceful and brings a sense of wonder. 

When I am able to, I love to go kayaking and see what is out there and how peaceful the water can sometimes be. Georgian Bay, you give off a secret sense of calmness when I step foot in the water, it is almost like you are taking all my problems away!

With upcoming festivals, finding a way to have covid restrictions in place, Owen Sound, the tourists that came up before will once again be back to see our lovely city.

Before COVID, my family would travel to other areas and when I would tell people that we are from Owen Sound, I would often hear  “ That is a beautiful area!” 

Whenever I come over that Highway 6 and 10 hill coming from Rockford and see the escarpment and the bay slowly coming into view, to see the bay, it just warms my heart, and it tells me that I am home again.

So I have to say, Owen Sound, with every season that changes, you have out done yourself every time!

Come and enjoy the city with me!

Written by 

Caylee Lingard

New beginnings 

We are getting to the end of the year! Christmas is done for another year! The children are playing with their new belongings and seeing relatives that you are catching up with, over a wonderful meal.

But I have a question for you, have you thought of the new year? 

What is going to be new for 2019?

I have been thinking about this, lately and reflecting on how we can make ourselves better for the new year?

As I am writing this blog, I am thinking of what awaits me for 2019, and what I can challenge myself to do in 2019, there is so much to think of!

Let's look at it this way when you were with friends or family members and there was only just minutes left of 2018, did you reflect back on what happened and what is waiting for you in the new year. I certainly did! 

I found this website on google called “ wiseoldsaying.com”  that has some famous quotes  about new beginnings and I came across a famous quote from St. Francis of Assisi which says “ Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the possible.”

This quote caught my eye and thought this would be fitting for the beginning of a new year, we don’t know what is waiting for us in 2019, we don’t have a crystal ball to predict what is going to happen, we just have to make our own.

As well with the quote, I have found, I am looking at it as to challenge yourself with something new, maybe something different that you may have always wanted to do. 

So I am going to leave you with this conclusion, try something new, for this year, think outside of the box and get out of your comfort zone and try that new thing, such as there are some really neat family ministry groups, for the family alone there is messy church that happens every other month with crafts and games and fun times, as well there is a God in the Pub that happens once a month at local pubs.

I know that I am going to try to get out of my comfort zone and try something new and positive, I am not sure what it is but I am just going to have to wait and see, but I am going to say this “ Have a positive and Happy New Year!”

EPIC - Christmas Party

Family Ministries Christmas Party

The Family Ministries Christmas Party held on Tuesday, December 18th in the Parish Hall was a lot of fun for all involved. In addition to the volunteers, 27 children and 25 adults attended. We were blessed to have Scenic City Games in attendance. They provided board games for all ages and skill levels and the game tables were busy throughout the evening.

The Messy Church Team arrived early to set up and proceeded to transform the parish hall into a winter wonderland with festive garlands, strings of Christmas lights, plush Christmas stockings, and assorted colourful decorations. The Christmas Moose was a definite hit. Red and green lights twinkled on the ceiling. J-P was dressed as the Christmas Elf and made sure that the volunteers all had elf hats to wear.

The children enjoyed the seasonal crafts which included decorating paper gingerbread people, colouring decorations to paste on a cardboard Christmas tree, making paper plate Santa Claus faces, and icing and decorating sugar cone Christmas trees. For those not inclined to be crafty, there was a game of candy cane fishing as well as the board games available.

The buffet table, which proved to be popular, offered colourful Christmas pizza, pigs-in-blankets, crackers and cheese, different varieties of potato chips, cookies, clementines, and the most adorable little grinches made out of green grapes, bananas, strawberries, and miniature marshmallows.

Of course, no Christmas Party would be complete without a visit from Santa and this Christmas party did not disappoint. J-P read The Night Before Christmas and passed out candy canes with bookmarks telling the Legend of the Candy Cane. Santa read the nativity story and then handed out treats to the children.  The evening finished with a pass the present game and one young man performing impromptu Christmas music karaoke.

It was a great time for families from the church and from the neighbourhood to get together and celebrate as families. One mom remarked to me that more churches should offer events like this for children. She was impressed with the warm and joyful interactions that the children had with the volunteers at the various activity centres, and promised to come out with her children to our Messy Church in January.

Building relationships, sharing the love and joy of the Lord, celebrating as a community -- all that was there and more at this Christmas Party. To God be the glory, and on earth peace and good will among all people as we welcome the Christ child once more into our midst. Merry Christmas everyone!

Our next party will be MESSY CHURCH Jan 29th at 5:30pm. Join us!!