Friday, April 26, 2013

What a week..a great week :)

Or maybe I should say....what a month!

I have no idea where April went or how May 1st is next week.....

Life seems to get away from us sometimes, but this past Saturday I had the chance to put things on 'hold' and get together with my University Gal Pals here in Guelph. We had a great afternoon chatting, snacking, enjoying some vino...and just having a great time!


For the Gals' arrival, I had bought some tulips (just from the grocery store, nothing fancy) and became enamored with them (as evidenced by the photos below).










They still look great almost a week later.

Then, it was off to a 2 day conference in Simcoe with work. It was a chance to put our work on hold and let my co-workers and I get together from across the province for 2 days of sharing and learning.

We headed to Callahan's Beach House for dinner and enjoyed a gorgeous sunset, amazing fish and fantastic wine/spirits. 




The name just says it all..... ;)

This is going to be a busy weekend too...I'm doing the Spring Sprint for the Canadian Brain Tumour Foundation tomorrow, in memory of a great highschool friend.

What a week...what a great week! 

RR

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Window Dressing...Not Required...


I've been looking through West Elm's FB page and noticed the number of round/circular windows they have been showcasing via other bloggers/websites.

bedroom with pivoting window in The Natural Home













uc_150212_23





I love the idea of a circular window and the somewhat unexpected line and aesthetic that it brings..

They are definitely a style of window that you would not want to cover up with any type of window dressing, so their application would likely be best in a room where privacy was not a concern.

I don't have a circular window in my home...but one that is very similar...I have a hexagon!

Autumn View

Winter View

It is found in my front entry way and its not a huge window by any means...but...it just adds that little something else...something special to my lil cottage. 

Next time you're doing a reno, or even of you were considering an opening in the wall between two rooms...consider a unique shaped window....They add architectural interest and can stand on their own as a design element.

RR

*Please just click on photos for credits*


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Joie de Vivre!!

Life is what you make it....Life throws us curveballs...Life is a never ending roller coaster ride...Life is beautiful!

I'm taking some time today to reflect and be truly thankful for the life I have...the life I lead....and the life I have ahead of me.....























GO LIVE YOUR LIFE!!!!!

RR

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Hamlet with a Heart!

I grew up just outside of a small village...or hamlet...called Belmore, Ontario.
At the ripe age of 3, I took my first unsure steps on the ice surface at the arena that would turn into my second home throughout my public school and highschool days.





I write a lot about how much I love small towns and I can tell you with 100% honesty, I would not be the woman I am today if it wasn't for this hamlet and the community that surrounds it.

From the hours spent on that ice surface trying to perfect an axel or double loop...to the time spent at my best friend's house by the campfire or in the horse barn....words can't truly express how lucky I feel to have been brought up in a community that relies solely on volunteers and what that sense of camaraderie and giving back has taught me and brought to my life.

This time of year means Maple Syrup Festival in Belmore and this was it's 46th year!



This entire 2 day event is run completely by volunteers....everything from the steering committee, to the people mixing batter in the kitchen, flipping sausages, serving tables, parking cars...the list goes on and on...but every single person is their, giving of their own time to support this  wonderful community and event.

 How many events can truly say this nowadays? It really is something to be experienced and to see the same people (and new faces) come out year after year, makes me smile but also makes me feel very proud and happy to be a part of it.



Here's a sense of the grocery list of some of the basics needed for the Festival....The maple syrup, sausages, milk etc are all sourced locally, from local farmers and butchers...That's another great part of growing up here....fresh, local produce directly from our neighbours and friends!




This is a picture of the arena floor...full of people who come from all across southern Ontario to enjoy a feast of fluffy pancakes, fresh maple syrup, and amazing sausage! Not only is the food fantastic, but there are also wonderful vendors (they fill an entire curling club and auditorium) with everything from quilts to pottery, jewellery, word working, local meats/cheeses etc etc...

The thing that I always look forward the most to on days like today is seeing all the of familiar, smiling faces of neighbours, friends, old skating comrades and being able to get 'caught up' just like we saw each other yesterday! You can't take more then 10 steps and hear a friendly, "Hello", "How are you?", "I just saw your Dad"...it goes on and on.



This year, we were the morning crew....I helped on the arena floor serving and clearing tables, my Dad was on sausage duty and my Mom was in the kitchen mixing batter....and of course, we aren't the only family there. There are some families that had 4 generations there either enjoying a yummy meal or working to help ensure a successful event. Again, words can't express how amazing it is to look around and see my friends with their grandparent's, their parents and their little ones, all sitting down to enjoy a meal together in the community we all grew up in.





I will never be able to express in words how grateful I am to this community and all the giving, caring and thoughtful people who I am lucky enough to call neighbours and friends. Speaking of friends and neighbours, the photo below is of a family friend/neighbour Bob, my Dad and our next door neighbour, 'Uncle Dave', hard at work, serving up scrumptious sausages.






Keep your calendars free in 2014, for the second weekend in April. Come on out to Belmore and enjoy some amazing food, small town hospitality and say "Hi"...I'll be there!

RR



Sunday, April 7, 2013

Sunday Dreaming....

The weekend is flying by! As I'm having my latte and looking through Pinterest (yes, I should be doing the dishes or laundry or something...but Pinterest got me!), I saw this.....

Every single aspect of this/these rooms is the absolute essence of rustic elegance. There really are no words....

My dream home.......

The photo was credited to the Blog...PLANET DECO a homes world The blog is in French, but will allow to translate it. I must admit though, as you are enjoying this feast for the eyes, it almost makes is that much more a delicious experience to look through their gorgeous posts and stumble through the translation on your own..

Here are some more photos from their post on a cabin in Norway...


















I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday and have a chance to take some time to relax and do some dreaming of your own!

RR

Monday, April 1, 2013

My 'Day Job'....Welcome to Regulation!

You all know how much I enjoy and have a passion for home decor/style...but my 9-5 (or a lot of the time 7-7) job and my first passion is in the Field of Kinesiology where I'm lucky enough to use my background and education every single day.

A lot of people ask, what is Kinesiology?? Well, Kinesiology is:



I'm a UWO grad (3rd generation), with an Hons in Kinesiology and my career path has been a wonderful journey since I graduated 11 years ago! 

UC Hill at UWO...

I had planned on doing my PhD in Geriatrics and 11 years later, I'm working in a completely different field, helping injured/ill/disabled individuals get back to work in a safe and timely manner. I still have a special place in my heart for Geriatrics and hope to work with the City of Guelph on their Older Adult Strategy to help keep Seniors/Older Adults in their homes/communities longer and live longer, fuller lives through exercise and good health!


A fellow R. Kin and I, Steph B, enjoying UWO Homecoming. 

Today is a HUGE day for Kins in Ontario...as of today, April 1, 2013, we have become regulated and to be able to call your self a Registered Kinesiologist (R.Kin) in this province, you must become a member of the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario.

College of Kinesiologists of Ontario


 We as Kinesiologists in this province owe a HUGE thanks to the Ontario Kinesiology Association (OKA) and all of those fellow Kins who have spent countless hours, months and years helping us on our journey towards regulation...and...we can finally say...WE'RE HERE!!


This is a press release from the Ministry of Health and LTC about our regulation and what we as professionals can and will continue to bring to the Ontario Health Care system:





Ontario Bringing Oversight to Kinesiology Care

New Ontario Government Ensuring Access to Safe, Regulated Health Care



Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care

Ontario is ensuring high standards of care for kinesiology services by establishing the new College of Kinesiologists of Ontario to oversee and regulate the profession.
Starting April 1, 2013, individuals who deliver kinesiology services will be required to register and be accountable to the college. Regulation of the profession ensures that kinesiologists adhere to a common set of professional standards, a code of ethics, and participate in ongoing professional development. The new College of Kinesiologists of Ontario is mandated to protect the public by holding its members accountable and by investigating any complaints.
Kinesiologists use exercise, ergonomic services and lifestyle management coaching to help people with sport, work and the activities of daily living by improving movement, supporting rehabilitation following an injury and managing chronic disease.
Ensuring safe, quality health care for the people of Ontario is part of the province's Action Plan for Health Care.



Quick Facts

  • Kinesiologists often work in interdisciplinary teams alongside other health and sport professionals in a variety of settings, including cardiac rehabilitation, long-term care, hospitals and community health care.
  • The government appointed a transitional council to develop the regulations, policies and by-laws that are required for the new College to be established and begin regulating the profession.
  • Thirteen Ontario universities offer kinesiology programs at the baccalaureate level.

Quotes

Deb Matthews
 Kinesiologists are an important part of health care services in Ontario. The newly established College of Kinesiologists of Ontario brings greater public accountability to the work they do. Patients can be confident that no matter where they receive care, they are receiving high-quality care from trained professionals."
Minister of Health and Long-Term Care
 Our primary objective is to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and public safety in the kinesiology profession in Ontario. "
Brenda Kritzer
Registrar, Transitional Council of the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario


As you can tell, we're a very proud profession and we have been looking forward to this day for many years!

CHEERS to all of my fellow R. Kins....let's keep moving this profession onwards and upwards!

RR
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