15 Azamazing Evening

30 July 2013 with our new friends Anne and Barb. They are travel consultants from Toronto area. We eat together and we have been meeting for drinks as well.

Today I went in to PortoFino with the gals, we stopped and enjoyed this beautiful harbour city. Very popular with the yachts and so some cafes and women’s shops. The gals drink prosecco, a kind of bubbly champagne from Italy. We logged on and swapped Facebook info and became ‘friends’.

After a few hours of walking around we purchased a one way ticket on a water taxi in a large yacht type ferry to Santa Margherita. We shopped there,and enjoyed water, wine and the girls ate Margherita pizza! It was great. Then we caught the tender boat as the Azamara Journey. Had moved its location and was now providing tenders from the new port of call, only 15 minute ferry ride down the coast of Italy.

When we arrived on board we met up at the pool deck for frozen margarita drinks, salmon brochettes and lamb, salad and desserts. An hour of rest and get dressed for the evening.

Now we are waiting for our tender ship and off to a castle villa for an evening of food, music and good friends. Tis event surely sets,apart Azamara from the other cruise lines.

Fabulous blue sky, warm breeze and the most beautiful coast line in Italian Riviera.

Steve is telling ghost stories from his paranormal interest and experiences in Victoria.

14 first day cruising.

Woke up early as I have a seminar at 8 am. We have arrived at Calvi in Corsica France, with heavy moist air, grey skies and predictions of sunny 35 degree weather. Hmmmmmmm

All morning in the three hour seminar the rain fell. They offered and showed movie Skyfall in the large lounge on three screens. We watched it and then had a quick lunch and went out in the hot sun to explore the port of call.

Napoleon’s birthplace, some other famous folks from here, mostly for. Me it was beautiful and scenic. High rock walls, lots of flowers and trees, balconies and alleyways with narrow staircases. Very fun place. Bit of shopping in old town.

Returned to ship, changed clothes for cocktail party 530 pm followed by dinner.

Now getting ready for sleep and two ports tomorrow, Portofino followed by Santa Margarita and the Azamazing Evening!

Have not figured out the Internet yet. Tomorrow. I have seminar at 7 am for an hour.

Love p
Xoxo

13

Missed a few days. Action packed tourism including day trip to Cannes and Antibes by train. Now aboard Azamara Journey for 7 day awesome cruise. Our luggage has arrived and we have met some fabulous people, also with Expedia CruiseShipCenters (Toronto and Abbotsford). The ship is full apparently and the crew entirely different than when I was on with mom. The wait staff and dining room attendants are the same.

Greeted at deck five with several glasses of champagne to soothe the weary traveler. The heat and walking, bus, trains, taxis all forgotten with the pink bubbly designed to help people relax in to the Azamara vacation experience. It totally worked.

More details include beautiful port of call and embarkation at Monte Carlo,Monaco. Dance classes Wednesday and Friday for jive dance. Every night in the disco. Cha cha, rumba and other dances also going to happen. The ports of call are spectacular and highly anticipated.

The big yachts pulling into the harbour, bigger than a house, huge pool, many beds and lounge areas.

We had a lovely lunch on board, and attended the mandatory life boat drill. Then met new friends for dinner, greeted by the wait staff in dining room from last cruise. That was fun. Food and service fabulous, table by window.

Followed by the evening show, and then dancing in night club for a few hours.

Wish you were here, great balcony, warm air and off to foreign lands.

Xoxoxo

12. Nice

It begins. We arrive and take taxi to our hotel in Nice. Luggage arrived as well.

Hotel Anis is a nice little boutique three star hotel in a run down kind of area. I think it looks quaint. Perhaps I see with rosé color glasses. I had stayed at a fabulous place in Nice previously, Victor Hugo hotel, also boutique but it was not available. Anis had a good review in most sites, a bit in need of renovations. Smallish rooms and washrooms that are small but adequate.

We decide not even to unpack, just get out there to see what there is and to pick up some dinner. We caught the city bus to the far other end of the Promenade Les Englais. At the port area, lots of restaurants and interesting people watching.

We walk, we sit and enjoy appetizers from France and I have a Caesar salad with chicken, a few bottles of rosé wine shared, big bottle of cool sparkling water. So enjoyable to sit and enjoy the view. A few local ferries, lots of tourists.

We walk down the Promenade on way back to our hotel, and get about half way, enjoy gelato at Gelateria Pinochio. We look at the map and see we are about half way, it is late and dark. We get a taxi to the hotel and have a great sleep.

Night one in France. Beautiful heat, people swimming in the sea. Music by buskers, couples walking hand in hand, women in high shoes, practical tourists. Stunningly beautiful.

Today we walk down the other end of the Promenade and get as far as the Gelateria …. So we have now walked the whole length of it. Yippee. Coming back later today for a swim. Today Sarah is feeling the heat and so we shall do some shopping. Tomorrow train to Antibbes and then Cannes, also hoping for a swim in the sea.

It is beautiful here,like Hawaii temperature and palm trees, beach and lines of hotels on the beach. Perhaps less people and a bit more organized and spacious on the beach. Less sandy and more rocks may be the deciding difference. Cool breeze is coming in from the water. I love Europe and France, as well as Italian Riviera. A lot of people vacation here and I can see why. So laid back and people walking to and from as well as along the beach.

Beautiful, wish you were here, (We see the umbrellas and lounge chairs from the movie, French Kiss)

Pamela

11 Lufthansa

Last leg of the journey to Nice. I was in Frankfurt several hours, got a room at the Hilton and had a nice sleep and refreshing shower. I purchased a Europe plug converter and bottle of water once through security.

It is a big airport and I have been here before. We saw a Starbucks but on other side of security and time is running out so we proceed without. No doubt we will find one around Nice.

I have had the good fortune to land exit rows and leg room on all segments of this flight adventure. How wonderful. Sometimes to feel abundance all we need to do is ask and be open.

This is a short flight to Nice, just over an hour. No movies, looks like wine is being served … Yes! The food is glutinous, pasta salad and bread, however I am carrying some almonds I purchased so I am good to do without this brief meal. I am certain there will be dining this evening in Nice. Sarah is already there.

White wine, water and lovely service. I like the yellow scarves. I love to stretch out my legs and relax in to the flight. I like to fly. I enjoy the travel experience even in foreign countries. Maybe even especially in European lands.

Tools for thought and staying in prosperity.
Morning pages, without fail, 3 x 8.5 x 11 first thing in morning
Counting all money in and out
Walking 20 minutes twice a week
Mindfulness 5 minutes twice a day as a time out
Abstinence from increasing debt

Pam

10 Julia Cameron on topic of Prosperity

I will be writing as I read through some great books on this flight. I have followed the career and teachings of Julia Cameron (The Artists Way) for many years. I recently have stumbled on her book about faith and prosperity and abundance. I am a believer it works for artists, why not me? After all, I am an artist!

What is my relationship with money? Where did my beliefs about enough and not enough come from? What if I let those go and adopt new beliefs?

I believe now that I can achieve whatever I set out to do. I have an abundance expectation, and I also have responsibility to take steps in the direction of my climb. I believe that I am enough and that I can achieve and will achieve even more than I presently believe possible or probable. I know that money flows like a river. I am in the river. I spend, I make, I enjoy, I receive, I am generous, and I live in easy world with money. I believe that when I am living easy and in the flow I can achieve so much more and with grace.

When I say my priorities include travel and family, then these priorities are foremost in my mind and keep me constantly accompanied as I journey on. I am friends with my money, my money owed and received. I hold hands with, respect, love and embrace my abundance. I share openly and willingly for that river to keep flowing. I see there is ease and grace. I feel that certain decisions bring expected outcomes. When I am kind to my friends and companions, including my funds, I can see the return on investment. Enjoyment brings joy. Joy gives birth to more enjoyment.

Oh the places we will go, my friends, funds and I. From now on when I talk about friends I will be referring to my family and my funds. My real wealth also includes my spiritual and emotional self and how I include all in my circle. Not packed away in a back pack, but freely available as breath, water and freedom. Financier of my faith. Faith in my own financial abundance.

Affirming that there is always enough and taking action in the direction of the belief. It is not a hardship but a pastime lived simply and wisely. Words borrowed of Thoreau.

Seeking always clarity, serenity and a sense of safety will lead me to a prosperous heart. Simplicity and wisdom light the way as if by torches through the night. Keep only that in the path that is immediately in my awareness and not worry about what the other might have or have not. Keep my mind as close to the present as I can remember to do. Not always living for the moment but in the moment, mindfully.

Julia says when I shake the apple tree, oranges my fall and it might be oranges I was seeking after all. I am ready to step in to the twelve week introduction to my relationship with abundance and my financial faith. I invite you to do the same. We could do it on line together? Or you can do it simultaneously as do I. Or you are invited to witness my journey. It is all the same to me, how you step in and up to your life. I find some amount of accountability to be helpful and humbling, honest and hopeful.

As we begin our descent into Ottawa, I am contemplating the story I have with money and what it is going forward. I may bump in to my past beliefs, however, I start from this moment and invite a healthy loving relationship with my new financial friend and confidante. I am in the river and floating on financial faith.

With grace and gratitude,

Pamela

9 on the plane Halifax to Ottawa

Air Canada flight to Ottawa from Halifax. Hmmmmmm. Feels like we are going the wrong way, or long way to Nice! But alas this is how it goes. We are on the flight, in exit rows with plenty of leg room. I am thrilled, as always when I can sit with ease and stretch out my legs. One of the many miracles that is happening today and on this trip.

We stopped at the Air Canada desk and are also confirmed for exit rows on the long flight to Frankfurt. After that, not yet secured the seat so we can do that in Frankfurt during our stop over there.

Sarah is booked on flight from Moscow and meeting us in Nice. Our plans are to take a local train to Cannes for some beach time, and hopefully some markets. Local fare is usually so fun and tasty. Maybe some shopping? Looking around and walking the beach. I hope to take some pictures and send blog posts. I will keep up on Facebook when I can.

I think it might have been difficult for my mom to see us go. Our visit has been so busy, not much down time. However on Tuesday, yesterday, we went to Kingsport beach in the morning before the clouds came in. The tide was coming in and with the super moon the night before the high tide line was still evident on the high shore. Hard to believe this wonder of the world. How fortunate I was to grow up in such a magical place. Sure, I never lived here but I did spend my summers on the beach, walking in the red clay and frolicking in the ocean surf.

Yesterday was a revisit of those childhood days. Every time I go to Kingsport I have such a wonderful body memory of home. We stopped in the little wharf store and I had scallops wrapped in bacon for 6 dollars and fifty cents! Yup. We had an ice cream and I kept snapping pictures of the tide rising quickly in front of our very eyes.

I had dressed up a bit for the occasion,matching hat with flower adornment and silk scarf matching, black slacks and black sleeveless over shirt. I got comments from the locals and tourists alike. Matching earrings and bracelet, probably looking more like someone famous than a local girl grown up and come back for a visit and walk in red clay. I felt lovely.

On we went to Halls Harbour to see my aunt’s watercolour studio and store. I picked up some post cards to send to grandsons and friends back in BC. The lot art of sending mail by post sounds like a decadent way to remind people they are loved and thought about while i travel. The rain started and I dove down some country roads, admiring the scenery, rolling hills and farm houses. Herons in marsh areas, shore birds by the beaches and some sheep grazing in pastures.

We drove through Kentville where my brother was born, and then made a few stops in New Minas to check out some local stores. We picked up a phone charger and a few shirts. We saw the movie theatre and made plans to come back later tonight for Reds 2 after dinner.

Birthday celebration a few days after the fact for Steve, at Blomidon Inn restaurant. We ate sea food, I had scallops again and other people had tasty offerings from the local area as well. Dessert and drinks. Off to the nine pm movie. Exhausted and determined to do it all!

Back to mom’s for last minute packing and a few precious hours of needed sleep. Preparations and lists running wild through my mind … Remember this, did I pack that? Oh, oh and don’t forget ……

Choices of what to leave behind for pick up on the way home from Europe. Saying good bye for now to my brother and his wife, my aunts and uncle, and finally my mom for about 11 days until we return.

Today up early and I had some cruise business to do, new booking for Northern Europe in the Baltic. Cancellation for Alaska next year. Last minute emails and change my voice mail greeting to advise I will be away for a while and not able to answer calls.

Lots of time to get to our destination on time. We planned to make a few stops like Costco for some items for Sarah that she cant get in Moscow. Listening to Siri on iPhone to get us to the airport for check in and seat changes, baggage drop off and time to get through security, and water purchase.

We have been eating great food and feel the seats on the plane might be shrinking! Good thing some of my clothes were baggy when I left home. They likely won’t be when I get back.

Complimentary beverage service has arrived. I better stick to water and make sure I hydrate for the long flights to our destination.

Looking forward to reading some, maybe sudoku puzzles and hopefully some sleep along the way. It may be some time before I feel a soft but firm bed and cool sheets around me. I love to travel and this is one of the challenges that greets every traveler. Sleeping along the way ….

This time I am borrowing travel socks from my mom to assist with comfort and energy on the plane. If it works I will be stocking up for future trips.

More soon, all my love

One of the songs the boys and I sang “hands up, baby hands up, give me your heart give me give me your heart give me give me all your love …. All your love”

She loves you, ya ya ya ya …..

P, on the road.
Xoxox

8- at the airport again

We have packed so much into our trip so far. After the kids left, we drove back to Wolfville and did some laundry. We gathered our things, salad and put on clothes for outdoor lobster fest at brother John’s place.

We arrived mid afternoon, still hot and sunny. Over 20 people there on premises and many more to arrive. They dribble in over a few hours as we sit, walk, chat, catch up and meet new people. All wedding guests, friends of bride, groom or both. Family including children, and pets all milling around. Beverages of all kinds, nibble food and my uncle made lobster chowder for a large gathering. It was amazing and he kept some gluten free separated for me. I share with the other gluten free women that I have met.

John has put aside many home made cider beverages, wine and other spirits are free flowing. Lawn chairs and tables set up in the yard.

Later afternoon the large cookers are heating up for the 50 (fifty) live lobsters John has invited to the feast. Large blue tarps laid on the lawn beside tables, to catch the shells of the consumed critters.

I go for a walk and have a great chat with Cindy about life in Port George and Nova Scotia as a retirement destination. It is great to spend time with her and catch up on her news.

A large feed, lobsters are consumed, with salads, breads, bevies and laughter. Melted butter for those who want even more cholesterol. The blue tarps hauled away after the meal and drippings off our arms.

Recycling is big and organized in Nova Scotia. I have noticed it on previous visits and no one even seems to notice anymore as there are four or five different categories to sort the refuse into.

Games on the lawn, and a large group gathers to watch the sun set over the Port George harbour, right behind the lighthouse, all within view of John’s beautiful summer home he uses year round. Picture after picture, each one better than the rest. I am reminded of Dewitt Jones and his encouragement that there is always more than one best shot. Keep waiting and keep shooting and see what shows up. More than one right answer. Good life learning message. Keep showing up for more brilliance.

Many shots, followed by gluten free cheesecake, wedding cake cutting, and hugs. We are on our way back to mom’s place to retire for the night, marking the end of our wedding activities.

Tracey commented on the quilt I have given them to mark their wedding date and celebration of love. Annapolis Valley Love is the title, and apples and colour mark the top. I have signed the back and dated with details from the wedding. Signed on behalf of our family, we share this quilt with them.

Love and gratitude to my family.

Pam

7 the grand babies are gone already… Morning moon

The laundry complete, bags are packed, babies sleeping. Our adventure to Nova Scotia for the weekend comes to a close.

It is time to focus on myself and the adults in my life. We rose too early to decently tell people and off to the Halifax Airport to send my daughter and her two little precious boys back to their world after a short 5 hour flight to Calgary. There they will be met by their dad and safely driven back to the comforts of home. I miss them already, I hurt. The ache in my arms and heart, the whispers from my soul breath … Painful and bittersweet in the knowing it is over for a while. We shall not pass this way soon again.

Up a wee bit earlier to make warm gluten free multigrain toast smothered in creamy Nova Scotia maple butter,to share with Sheena. One of my true comfort foods from my past, rushing forward to her present and my grandchildren’s future. Packing fruit for the trip. More toast, a fresh new loaf of gluten free cheese bread slices for the boys to eat on the plane.

Sheena hands me a warm sleepy Jack to hold while she puts a few last minute items in her overstuffed suitcase. Warm sleepy baby fills my senses. Freshly wakened, he snuggles in to my shoulder. Soft and heavy he lays in Grammies arms. Head snuggled in my neck. I breathe him in. My heart comes fully alive.

Luke wakes in full chatter. He is still warm from sleep, puts his shoes on as the big boy he has become at three years of age. He is helpful and cooperative. He talks and talks, to all who listen. Everyone buckled in to car seats.

Red sky, loved ones, sacred time. The morning moon takes my breath away. The vibrant colours of the early morning sky reflect off the farm house windows. The full moon almost filling the side window of the van. My breath catches in my throat. I want to take a picture, foiled by the flash of the iPhone camera, reminding me that this is a moment to savour in real time. Stay with the moment in mindfulness.

Speaking of possible annual treks to the Nova Scotia shores fills me with hopes and memories and possibilities of a life lived over from the very best experiences.

For now,the chapter rests and the next one is surely starting.

My heart is full and bursting with so much love.

Grammie P
Xoxo

6- a new beach.

Sometime in the night one of the boys, the youngest, stirs. He lets out a cry from the night. I don’t want him to wake his brother sharing the room. I gather him in my safe arms, whisper cooing sounds in his ears, send love messages through soft touch and steady breathing. He snuggles in to my neck and gently drifts into safety and slumber once again. I place him safely in his sleep space, so grateful for the opportunity to be his loved one.

Breakfast and check out at 11 am. Plans are proposed by me for another beach adventure. We set our iPhone to Hirtle Beach not too far from Lunenberg. Sandy with surf. Perfect. No slimy red sand, just beautiful freezing cold waves and sand like brown sugar, so soft to run on. No shells on this beach.

Luke and I frolic for what seems like hours. He falls, I fall. We jump and squeal with delight at the big waves, big splashes and out running the surf to the shore. For Jack it is a bit cold and once he tastes the cold on his feet, he makes the choice to enjoy the warm sand and comfort of dry land close to his mom. My mom and Steve hold our precious belongings and watch with interest from up on very dry land. Sheena stays close by and gets cold feet when she does not pay attention to the surf stretching out to claim her.

I am in heaven. Beaches with surf in the hot sun are a pull for me. Like an addiction I can’t seem to, and don’t want to stop. Time stands still. And my heart races with the excitement of a young girl who has body memories of such a sound, smell, taste and sensation of this space in another time past.

Wish you were here,

Love Pam
Xoxo