Just a quick note to say I just got an email saying that an article I wrote for the Work and Family Foundation of Canada was being published today. I wrote an article on what I think is the "recipe" for my parent's long marriage. Will send you an update on our day yesterday! Sal & the clan!... read more

"With me, a change of trouble is as good as a vacation" ~ Hi all, we are off to Playa del Carmen (Mexico) to dip our toes in the ocean for 2 weeks, leaving on Tuesday. Due to a seat sale and due to my work an exceptional rate on our condo. So blessed to have this job, and it allows us stretch out our dollars for 2 weeks instead of one. This time Al gets to pack a bag too as last year he was in French & missed out & it was a chick trip with my Mom, Mom-in-law, friend Martha & my 3 young gals. So it will be us & the kids, Martha (again!), my mom Joan and Al's parents Ray and Pat. The girls are looking forward to spending time with ... read more

I trekked all over Playa shopping Tuesday, and enjoyed a relaxing breakfast being lulled by the soft breeze and ocean waves. The waiter serving me disappeared so I flagged down the busboy and asked for the "bill". He looked at me like HUH? "La cuenta" (Spanish for bill) I said & still he looked puzzled. Was he mesmerized by spinach stuck in my teeth maybe? So I tried gesturing & pretended to write with a pen to signify "cheque". I sang "cuenta" a few times too I think. NOTHING. So I asked him, "is my breakfast free today cause I'm the 10th customer today"? (good try) Nothing. What does a woman gotta do to pay her bill around here? After my wayward waiter returned, he explained the busboy is deaf. The people around me must have ... read more

"It takes all kinds to make the world go round; though perhaps some shouldn't go quite so far around as others" ~ Some days things can roll off my back; other days things get on my wick, and bad manners get on my wick. Yesterday I was people watching, in particular a big family hanging out on the beach. Nice enough people, but they were doing a lot of yelling. Not yelling in a mean way, more like, "Hey grab me a beer from the cooler", or "I'll join you in the ocean"...I am convinced many people believe they are alone in this world, and the rest of us occupying loungers a few feet away can't hear YOU when you holler at the top of your lungs. These aren't ornaments hanging off my head, they are ... read more

"A journey is best measured in friends, rather than in miles." ~ Well here we are again, how are you guys??? My buddy Danielle has been fighting a major chest cold, so sadly I had the pleasure of my own company yesterday. We got to know each other quite well ;) I woke up very early, threw on my sundress and off I went for a mile walk on the beach. The music was playing from the cafes, and people were drinking Coronas at 9 am. You may not believe this, but I don't have that type of constitution (despite the Irish in me!). I have to wait till er...at least 10 am to have a margarita. ;) I ended up at the ferry dock watching the line-ups to take the massive ferry to Cozumel. Sheesh ... read more