I can’t decide what the subject of my first blog entry should be. The indecision has delayed the start of this fabulous blog about all things money. My concerns have been:
What if no one reads it?
And if people read it, what if they don’t like it?
You …
March 2010
Mar
31
2010
Mar
30
2010
Well…the last few months have been a time of major changes, many uncertainties and lack of clarity as to what is next and where I’m going or want to be. So much has been opening up and occurring in Toronto and other parts of Ontario…I fell in love…
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Mar
29
2010
When I was a child, my memory was like a kid’s closet—I could pretty much eyeball the works. Now it’s a crazy jumble of milestones that no one else alive remembers (the time, to the minute, of my sister’s birth in 1953) and stuff you’d think no reasonable person could remember (jingles for defunct cleaning products).
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Mar
25
2010
It’s been a good many years since I sat in my bathrobe on the kitchen floor with a glass of wine in my hand and tears streaming down my face while my nine-year-old asked, “Why is mom crying?” I didn’t have the heart to tell him the truth—that I wished I could vanish from this earth with the secret burden of pain that had afflicted me since childhood. Join me on April 8 at Richview Public Library to hear the story of my journey from wanting to die to loving my life.
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Mar
24
2010
Sometime in her 50s my mother happened on a dusty box of Tampax that she’d tucked under the bathroom sink God knows when and thought to herself with no small degree of puzzlement, “Hmm, it’s been eons since I had any call for one of those.” If there’s a gene for a menopause from heaven, the kind that tiptoes in unnoticed, she didn’t pass it on to me. Yet in midlife I too lost a part of my psychic self while thinking of more important things. I used to be one of those people who are always fretting over some imagined illness or other. I figured I was stuck with the hypochondria habit that had dogged my steps like a persistent panhandler with a fake hard-luck story. Then one day I turned around and it had vanished.
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Mar
23
2010
Mar
19
2010
So there you are, a grownup with at least a couple of the following: job, mortgage, vet bills, kid. You have friends who laugh at your jokes, colleagues who ask your advice and may even think of you as their mentor. You also have a family. And when you’re with them, you’re not your usual assured adult self. You revert to the child you used to be as if pulled by invisible hands. At least you’re not playing this game by yourself—your siblings know all the moves and share your wild delusion that someone can win this contest.
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Mar
18
2010
It’s my firm conviction that no one should call me “Sweetie” who has never shared my bed or at least a life-changing confidence, but I make an exception for Sarah, who owns one of the few stores around where it’s still fun to shop. Sarah sells every kitchen gadget you can possibly imagine, plus hundreds of other mysterious gizmos you had no idea you needed—until she explains, with the enthusiasm of a six-year-old and the authority of Oprah, how a piece of cleverly engineered plastic saved her all kinds of time and trouble.
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Mar
12
2010
It’s been seventeen years since a piece of my prose inspired a week or so of headline-making fury. A Toronto Sun columnist accused me of “pathetic, whining, whacko, feminist claptrap.” A radio host denounced my “evil, vile pamphlet dripping with slime.” Irate callers lambasted the Ontario Women’s Directorate for having the temerity to publish a 35-page booklet on non-sexist language, anonymously written by me. I’ve never felt more reviled—or less visible. I would read the morning paper in my bathrobe, wondering what new slurs were coming my way from people who had no idea I existed.
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Mar
11
2010
Emily Hunter is an environmental advocacy journalist. She has worked as the eco-correspondent for MTV News Canada and the eco-blogger for THIS Magazine. Currently, Emily’s first book has been published called The Next Eco-Warriors, an insider’s look at the new wave of environmental activism.
Mar
11
2010
Mar
09
2010
OISE student develops Kenyan college BY JENNIFER LANTHIER March 9, 2010 When the Toor Centre for Education opens in rural Kenya this spring, the teachers’ college will be known as a joint endeavour by the community of Mbooni and OISE student Rumeet Toor. “The community donated the land and the building,” said Toor, a master’s [...]
Mar
09
2010
There are moments in the life of every married couple when one spouse agrees to accept what the other urgently desires. To stay married is to learn both parts in this dance. But some compromises exact a devastating price. Zooey and Adam, a Canadian mo…
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Mar
09
2010
What customers should you target? How? If you say “the most profitable ones,” you’re only half right. It’s also important to attract buyers who will act as your business growth advocates, encouraging others to buy from you. By assessing customer profitability and customer advocacy, you can tailor your strategies and processes —and your investments ($$ [...]
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Mar
08
2010
Excerpt from one of Sheri’s NLP Workshops, Article featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
“Take a few deep breathes… Be still & quiet, the longer the better…
(As I wrote last month) we have an opportunity to re-create our thoughts and our circumstances every day!
When was the last time you were you quiet enough to hear the sound of a cat purring, snow crunching under your feet, or birds singing? Have you ever watched a flower bloom?
I remember as a little girl, from relatively humble beginnings, how my Mom would make each day so special.
… And as a brief aside, my Mom has worked full-time since I was 5 years old, which certainly reinforces that it’s about quality, not just quantity! It’s also a good reminder to those of us who had the privilege of being ‘Stay-At-Home’ Moms or Dads, or made the choice to have a home-based business that could grow as our children did!
She made me so aware of my surroundings, saying things like, “Do you hear that Sheri?”…and it would be the hum of the fridge, or simply ‘silence’ itself!
Honestly, now as an adult, it’s one of the exercises that often calm and sustain me in the most challenging of situations. Sometimes without even realizing it, I ‘still’ myself for just seconds, tuning out then tuning back in, refocused and refreshed as the moment will allow…
This exercise is just one of many that can help ‘you’ connect to your inner voice, that beautiful spirit inside!
What resonates deep within you?
Do you find that your mind is always cluttered with thoughts of the day?
Have you ever said “I can’t even hear myself think”? If you could, what or who’s voice would you hear?
What do you hold to be true or possible for your life? Are those truths serving or limiting you, your family… your friends?
Get to know yourself better. Ask yourself better questions?
Learn to acknowledge the choices you have, and trust yourself!
With the demands of our fast-paced life, it’s more important than ever to ‘be in the now’ and ‘pay attention’ to the little things that can empower you and others around you to live a more fulfilled and peaceful life!”
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
08
2010
Excerpt from one of Sheri’s NLP Workshops, Article featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
“Take a few deep breathes… Be still & quiet, the longer the better…
(As I wrote last month) we have an opportunity to re-create our thoughts and our circumstances every day!
When was the last time you were you quiet enough to hear the sound of a cat purring, snow crunching under your feet, or birds singing? Have you ever watched a flower bloom?
I remember as a little girl, from relatively humble beginnings, how my Mom would make each day so special.
… And as a brief aside, my Mom has worked full-time since I was 5 years old, which certainly reinforces that it’s about quality, not just quantity! It’s also a good reminder to those of us who had the privilege of being ‘Stay-At-Home’ Moms or Dads, or made the choice to have a home-based business that could grow as our children did!
She made me so aware of my surroundings, saying things like, “Do you hear that Sheri?”…and it would be the hum of the fridge, or simply ‘silence’ itself!
Honestly, now as an adult, it’s one of the exercises that often calm and sustain me in the most challenging of situations. Sometimes without even realizing it, I ‘still’ myself for just seconds, tuning out then tuning back in, refocused and refreshed as the moment will allow…
This exercise is just one of many that can help ‘you’ connect to your inner voice, that beautiful spirit inside!
What resonates deep within you?
Do you find that your mind is always cluttered with thoughts of the day?
Have you ever said “I can’t even hear myself think”? If you could, what or who’s voice would you hear?
What do you hold to be true or possible for your life? Are those truths serving or limiting you, your family… your friends?
Get to know yourself better. Ask yourself better questions?
Learn to acknowledge the choices you have, and trust yourself!
With the demands of our fast-paced life, it’s more important than ever to ‘be in the now’ and ‘pay attention’ to the little things that can empower you and others around you to live a more fulfilled and peaceful life!”
more...
Mar
08
2010
Excerpt from one of Sheri’s NLP Workshops, Article featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper“Take a few deep breathes… Be still & quiet, the longer the better…(As I wrote last month) we have an opportunity to re-create our thoughts and our circumstance…
more...
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
How do you REINVENT yourself?
It’s February, and although some of you are probably happy that we’re a few weeks closer to spring, you also might be thinking that you wish you could START THE YEAR OVER … AND ‘THIS TIME’ STAY THE COURSE ON THOSE GOALS THAT YOU SET FOR YOURSELF!
You can, and you don’t have to back up the calendar. In fact, that’s what reinvention is, and we all can do it ‘every day’. The alternative is that we make excuses about why we can’t.
There are numerous ways to do this and build the muscles of reinvention and recreation! I spoke to one way in last month’s article; pay closer attention to your thoughts and actions. Allow yourself to notice your own contribution to a situation, what’s working and what’s not working, and then ask yourself, ‘What can I do to make it more the way I want it?’ … and then DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
Another key to your success is to recognize when it is helpful to have an ‘all or nothing’ focus and when it is not. For example, when you have a specific task to complete in a certain time-frame, and it requires deep thought and creativity, putting all or most of your attention to that task could be very useful.
More often than not though, people have an ‘all or nothing’ mindset towards circumstances in their life that limits the potential success they will have. Sometimes it even sabotages their ideals and goals completely. Consider our role as a parent or teacher … Do we look for the good in our child; or once they’ve made some poor choices, are we ‘on guard’ for more poor choices (and how does that affect our influence or effectiveness)?
… And what about our own self-talk? Think about the last ‘not so great’ morning you had; did you ‘write off’ the entire day? Or what about the last ‘rough week’ you experienced, did you ‘give up’ on the month?
Everyone has challenges. Each of us has the opportunity to decide every moment how we’re going to meet those challenges. Here are some questions you can ask yourself next time you feel discouraged or frustrated:
• What can I learn from this situation?
• What can I do differently ‘now’ and ‘next time’?
• How can I still achieve what I want to?
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS by considering what more you are willing to do, evaluate time-frames, and chunk bigger goals into smaller ones … ‘& Be mindful of who you share your goals with, entrusting this only to those that believe in you wholeheartedly and can assist you in your journey!
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
How do you REINVENT yourself?
It’s February, and although some of you are probably happy that we’re a few weeks closer to spring, you also might be thinking that you wish you could START THE YEAR OVER … AND ‘THIS TIME’ STAY THE COURSE ON THOSE GOALS THAT YOU SET FOR YOURSELF!
You can, and you don’t have to back up the calendar. In fact, that’s what reinvention is, and we all can do it ‘every day’. The alternative is that we make excuses about why we can’t.
There are numerous ways to do this and build the muscles of reinvention and recreation! I spoke to one way in last month’s article; pay closer attention to your thoughts and actions. Allow yourself to notice your own contribution to a situation, what’s working and what’s not working, and then ask yourself, ‘What can I do to make it more the way I want it?’ … and then DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO.
Another key to your success is to recognize when it is helpful to have an ‘all or nothing’ focus and when it is not. For example, when you have a specific task to complete in a certain time-frame, and it requires deep thought and creativity, putting all or most of your attention to that task could be very useful.
More often than not though, people have an ‘all or nothing’ mindset towards circumstances in their life that limits the potential success they will have. Sometimes it even sabotages their ideals and goals completely. Consider our role as a parent or teacher … Do we look for the good in our child; or once they’ve made some poor choices, are we ‘on guard’ for more poor choices (and how does that affect our influence or effectiveness)?
… And what about our own self-talk? Think about the last ‘not so great’ morning you had; did you ‘write off’ the entire day? Or what about the last ‘rough week’ you experienced, did you ‘give up’ on the month?
Everyone has challenges. Each of us has the opportunity to decide every moment how we’re going to meet those challenges. Here are some questions you can ask yourself next time you feel discouraged or frustrated:
• What can I learn from this situation?
• What can I do differently ‘now’ and ‘next time’?
• How can I still achieve what I want to?
SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS by considering what more you are willing to do, evaluate time-frames, and chunk bigger goals into smaller ones … ‘& Be mindful of who you share your goals with, entrusting this only to those that believe in you wholeheartedly and can assist you in your journey!
more...
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina NewspaperHow do you REINVENT yourself?It’s February, and although some of you are probably happy that we’re a few weeks closer to spring, you also might be thinking that you wish you could START …
more...
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
All things considered and relative, which do you think is most important, the state of the union or one’s state of mind? I suspect you’ll at least agree that you have more control over one than the other.
When I reference the ‘state of the union’, I speak to external circumstances, whether it’s a downturn in the economy or unrest in a church or home.
Although it’s not my intention to negate or be insensitive to the challenges that have affected most of us this past year in some way; it is my desire to help you become more aware of the influences you do have in your life. This applies to us all, on the home front and in business.
Have you ever noticed someone talking a lot about what’s wrong in their life, about the things they feel are beyond their control, how frustrated they are with a boss, colleague, friend or a loved one? Perhaps you’ve even done this? You wouldn’t be alone.
At the risk of sounding a little cliché, there is some truth to the saying ‘what you focus on tends to grow and expand’. If you’re not sure about this, what about a bad day that goes from ‘bad to worse’? What were your predominant thoughts?
As you start this month/year/season off and consider the changes you would like to see and create, I encourage you to pay closer attention to your thoughts, and for that matter, your actions.
Allow yourself to notice your own contribution to a situation, and then ask yourself, ‘What can I do to make it more the way I want it?’ This works for parents, kids and corporate executives alike.
Count your blessings every day, embrace the choices you do have; and reinvent yourself because you can.
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina Newspaper
All things considered and relative, which do you think is most important, the state of the union or one’s state of mind? I suspect you’ll at least agree that you have more control over one than the other.
When I reference the ‘state of the union’, I speak to external circumstances, whether it’s a downturn in the economy or unrest in a church or home.
Although it’s not my intention to negate or be insensitive to the challenges that have affected most of us this past year in some way; it is my desire to help you become more aware of the influences you do have in your life. This applies to us all, on the home front and in business.
Have you ever noticed someone talking a lot about what’s wrong in their life, about the things they feel are beyond their control, how frustrated they are with a boss, colleague, friend or a loved one? Perhaps you’ve even done this? You wouldn’t be alone.
At the risk of sounding a little cliché, there is some truth to the saying ‘what you focus on tends to grow and expand’. If you’re not sure about this, what about a bad day that goes from ‘bad to worse’? What were your predominant thoughts?
As you start this month/year/season off and consider the changes you would like to see and create, I encourage you to pay closer attention to your thoughts, and for that matter, your actions.
Allow yourself to notice your own contribution to a situation, and then ask yourself, ‘What can I do to make it more the way I want it?’ This works for parents, kids and corporate executives alike.
Count your blessings every day, embrace the choices you do have; and reinvent yourself because you can.
more...
Mar
08
2010
Article by Sheri Andrunyk, featured in SNAP Georgina NewspaperAll things considered and relative, which do you think is most important, the state of the union or one’s state of mind? I suspect you’ll at least agree that you have more control over …
more...
Mar
07
2010
The purpose of having the centre situated in a rural community is to alleviate barriers that limit access to higher learning. These include, but are not limited to, distance and cost. By examining the existing fee structures of colleges in Kenya, I hav…
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Mar
05
2010
Back when lunching with writers was part of my job, I booked a date with a humorist beloved across the land for her ability to crack people up. I was expecting to feast on wit. As it happened, I’ve met cabbies with more one-liners and accountants with less gravitas.
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Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...{ 0 comments }
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Mar
03
2010
Cliff and I just returned home from another cruise, this time on the beautiful Celebrity Millennium for a 10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise. As many of you know, Cliff and I could spend the majority of our lives in the Caribbean and travel the world! …
more...
Kalista Zackhariyas
Carrie Mullings
Anna Cyzon
Mary Tripi
Jana Webb
Patricia Bebia Mawa
Annisa Holmes
Jodi Goodfellow