Seasons – Page 8 – Just An East Coast Girl

A year of CHANGE

I LOVE January! Especially the first weeks of a brand new year!!!

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It is a month of reflection. It is also a month to make resolutions to organize, declutter and to make some changes. A few weeks ago David and I talked about this. We talked about 2017 and what to do? What it would bring? Goals and plans and what to accomplish. Some of the conversation stemmed from his back flaring up right before we went to China in December. It’s frustrating to have issues like that. You wonder if better health, and more REGULAR exercise could help these flare ups. We’re getting OLD!! Ok, older… and we NEED to look after ourselves…

Time for change

We talked a lot and decided that for us 2017 is gonna be year of CHANGE…physically and health wise!! We are not in bad shape. Neither of us is overweight, although I have put on a few more pounds than I like since returning from living in China where I walked everywhere. So…in 2017, we are gonna do our best to strengthen and tone some areas physically to see if that helps with overall strength ( and back issues for David) We are gonna change our eating habits a bit…tweak a bit…just to have better energy. And we may even enjoy a massage or two each month. We are gonna try to spend more time breathing in the “fresh air”. Lots of things to change and try this year for better health and longevity.

So…2017…Let’s BRING it, we’re UP for the challenge!

Lots of things for reflection!

2017- It’s gonna be a 10-25- 50- 75 -150 YEAR!!!

How cool is that? What do I mean? 10–25–50–75–150

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I spent some time this morning getting my 2017 calendar all mapped out. I am such a planner and mark everything down. I also look for holidays, special events, and opportunities to celebrate to do FUN things and have ADVENTURE in what is sometimes the mundane.

Guess what? There are some milestone Birthdays to celebrate this year!!!

Maybe I should start with the first!!

150– Canada, our amazing country will celebrate 150 years of Confederation this year!! Actually there are celebrations and special events planned for Canada all year long!!! So starting January 1, 2017…Canada’s celebrating!!

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75– On May 12, 2017 my wonderful Father will be 75

50– On December 26, 2017 I will be 50!!!! Whoa! Can’t be!!!

25– On July 30, 2017 my youngest son, my baby boy will be 25! How is this even possible?

10– On October 6, 2017 our Abby girl will be 10…that’s right she was born in October and given to me as a special gift for my 40th Birthday…10 years ago

So that’s why I say it will be a 10-25-50-75-150 year! There’s Lots to celebrate!!!!

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And besides the 10–25–50–75–150 Birthdays…theres’ a whole lot more to celebrate!

All things new… Jan 1, 2017

January 1, 2017…

The people you love… The places you’re a part of… The memories you hold onto… …and those unforgettable moments when you close your eyes and breathe in life with a smile… A new year is a reminder to celebrate and give thanks for all the things that are good in your world… 💙

With an annual walk on the beach this afternoon after the rain cleared a bit ( yes we went yesterday because it was such a nice day BUT January 1st Beach walk is a tradition and a MUST) …a reflection of what was ( yesterday)… and what is to come (today) And a delicious seafood chowder to warm us up ( FULL of shrimp, haddock, scallops, lobster, crab and a little potato)

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We are READY! It’s time to begin…

NYE

It’s the last of 2016. For us it will be a quiet one at home. As we anticipate a brand new year! It only seemed fitting to walk the beach and watch the waves…I LOVE the Ocean.

We did go out for Chinese food with my Mom & Dad. I LOVE Chinese food ( even if it’s not authentic) for New Year.

And then home to ring in the New Year ( with Miss Laura) watching TV and the celebrations in Ottawa and New York ( David’s sister and husband are celebrating in New York this year) and just enjoying a quiet evening relaxing.

WELCOME 2017!

What is happening here?

I am sad!!! VERY very sad!!!! Something is happening here along the coast of Nova Scotia in the last month…and no one can figure it out!!!!!!

Herring, Lobster, Bar clams, Starfish and more…

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In some of the photos it looks like things have been cooked.( lobster turns from black to red when it has been cooked or steamed)

A marine mystery is confounding residents of southwest Nova Scotia who are watching thousands of dead fish, starfish, crabs, clams, scallops and lobster wash up on the shore. Residents of Plympton, a small community in Digby County, say they have been finding dead herring on the shore of St. Mary’s Bay for more than a month, but recently other marine life has started washing up dead. Dead fish have also been found on the shores of the Annapolis Basin. This is extra concerning now that other species are involved.The Department of Fisheries and Oceans began investigating Nov. 22 after thousands and thousands of herring began washing in the eastern end of St. Mary’s Bay. But still no one knows what’s causing this!!!

I hope this mystery is solved soon!!! It is so very sad for our beautiful coast and all the marine life. What is happening??

If every day could be CHRISTMAS!

What a WONDERFUL day it would be…

This is a GOODE Fam Christmas!

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We had a wonderful day! I hope you did too! From Our Home in Nova Scotia on the East Coast of Canada, Merry Christmas!

On this winter’s night…

…we will remember!

The birth of our Saviour!

It’s Christmas EVE!!! The MOST wonderful night of the year.

I love EVERYTHING about this day’s preparations of Family traditions…tortiere and yule log and steamed cranberry pudding

dressing up for Christmas Eve

our special church service and seeing dear friends and family that are home from away to spend Christmas with their loved ones

enjoying our Goode Family’s Christmas Eve Traditional meal. I have been making the same thing for 30 years…

Just the coziness and quietness only Christmas Eve brings

And now it’s time for bed…

BECAUSE Santa’s coming…tomorrow!

Sing 🎶🎶

Ahh…it’s Friday! The Friday starting Christmas weekend. December 23rd. The eve of Christmas Eve. I cleaned my house all day getting ready for Christmas so that all I have to do tomorrow is make my special foods for Christmas Eve. I’m feeling a bit better, it took me a lot longer than normal to get my stuff done today. Hopefully I’m on the mend. So much so that I just wanted to do something fun and different tonight.

I am not one to go to the movies. I actually don’t watch a whole lot of movies. If I do I’ll wait a few months until I can watch them at home. BUT just for fun I thought I would go see one this week. I love movies where there’s music and animation!

This one looked like a lot of fun. I knew David wouldn’t really like it ( Rogue 1 was more in his scope) BUT just maybe he would “endure it”…for me. And I promise I will go see Rogue 1 with him over the holidays.

TONIGHT we Sing!

I loved it!!!!

Under the weather…

Where did that come from? I just feel awful!!! I’m trying to get the last few things accomplished BUT…

I’m Just feeling a little under the weather yesterday and today…

haha, I like this definition. Good thing for leftovers!

It’s a rainy day here along the south shore and we are probably not gonna see a whole lot of white for Christmas.

But we’ll see…maybe just a light white dusting.

Only 3 more days til Christmas. Are you ready?

It’s Winter!

Today is December 21st and that means It’s Officially Winter!

The bulk of our snow is gone with the rain. BUT for the First Day of Winter we got a nice light dusting. We’ll just have to wait a few days or so until a new snowfall comes to build a snowman though…

Happy Winter or Happy Dongzhi ( December 21st marks the traditional Chinese festival of Dongzhi, the 22nd solar term. Dongzhi marks the start of the coldest period of the season)