mrrnice2

Congratulations Nicki. Keep up all of the posts. Use this when you need it. :)

Congratulations Emily. Well deserved.

Congratulations Sara - To a really fun, and smart and very awesome Cerb lady.

One renovation is coming to a close and I have finally called in the professionals - the carpet is being laid on Thursday. So, not wanting to be bored, the stripping down of the old bannister and newell posts on the staircase is now underway. A test of patience, but a good way to spend a day while listening to music.

Well, I'll tell ya. I am NOT from Alberta. I am NOT familiar with Danielle Smith. What I AM one is of those voters terribly frustrated by the rote, mechanical, uninspiring, politically correct, crafted responses by politicians in general. Politicians that are not scared to let their personality show through and who cannot laugh at themselves are a rare breed indeed. So, I HOPE that this was an intentional decision by someone who is willing to show that she has a sense of humour and recognizes that people in general are tired of those who speak nothing but a party line as if they were uninformed and unintelligent robots. I like it!

The fact is that sometimes the truth hurts. Plain and simple. To be in a position of having to be the deliverer of that truth puts one in a position of having to choose the best way to do it. We can choose to be blunt, concise, short, decide not to temper anything and simply disregard the feelings of the person to whom we are speaking. Depending on that person this can be construed as someone being mean, rude and hurtful, even though they do desire to know the 'truth'. Or, we can choose our words carefully, convey empathy and concern and deliver exactly the same message in a way that may still upset the recipient, but will leave the recipient with an ally or someone that they feel they can commiserate with. Your knowledge of self and your connection to and knowledge of the other person will determine what manner is best to approach a topic that can cause worry or pain to another person. We all respect those people that we consider to be honest and straightforward, but we respect even more those who can be that way but who are also considerate of the feelings of others. The choice is for each of us to make.

Yes mistakes are easy to make and in more than one way. Indeed one wants to be certain that you are posting in the correct area, but as well, and this is the voice of experience, it is always worth a second read before hitting that submit button. It is also very true that the words that one selects, unless measured carefully, can sometimes be misinterpreted. Try to ensure that every reader will get what it is that you are trying to say. This place can be complex enough without making life difficult for yourself on top of everything else. Welcome to CERB.

Like many others, I have to comment on the amazing weather that ushered in the first day of spring. A beautiful day here in the Maritimes. I got to spend a large part of my day outside puttering in my greenhouse, and that brings the real highlight of the day. - being so fortunate to have a large, private rural property, I get to pee outside. The joys of country living. :)

Happy Birthday mrgreen, our good man with the dry sense of humour that we all appreciate. :) Have a great day.

You know of course how you always hear of lottery winners helping out other people. So if you wanted to help me by inviting me to the party I can come wih one single lonely little tattoo. :)

J'adore Emma parce'que elle est une Cape Bretoner who has become a Quebecois. She has a great sense of humour, and I know that she has great taste because we have some common friends. She is a very hot duo partner :) and she knows how to tease and flirt with a waiter if you ever get a chance to take her out to dinner. :) Vive la Emma.

As you describe things Soleil I cannot see where you are doing anything incorrectly at all. Persistence usually pays off in the long run, and sometimes for whatever reason everyone has a period of time that things just don't roll in their direction. My instinct would say to keep up your good communication methods, just as you have been, and the tide will turn. I probably have a cliche for every situation and for right now I say, patience is a virtue.

Who the heck IS this backrubman guy? LOL He has a great name, but I shall look elsewhere for my backrub, thank you very much. :) I think I sorta like this guy. Hey is he a fellow Maritimer? Maybe that's it? I do know that he had a good sense of humour and is a great addition to CERB.

I think Meg that I would let them know that I did not particularly like it. I would never say straight out that it sucked, but they would know that's what I really mean. It would become a joke about who has the best taste in entertainment or who makes the best use of their time for good purpose. :)

I have been reading it seems way too much about cancellations and no shows for SP's, and it is clear that this is not simply restricted to one city. Is it becoming more common or just that I am noticing it more? This morning I got my daily email from Groupon and wondered to myself is there a similar thing that an SP could do that would solve the cancellation problem and also help good clients. I am not sure how this would work, and perhaps someone smarter than I could figure it out, but imagine an SP planning a tour whereby she offered perhaps a somewhat better financial deal to the client in return for a guaranteed prepaid donation. Like groupon, if there were not a minimum number of guaranteed appointments then the offer would be cancelled and funds returned. This would alleviate concerns for the SP who invests time and a great deal of money into airfare and hotels while also it gives the client a financial break. Might it also encourage more SP's to travel, knowing that there is less risk of financial loss? Maybe a crazy idea, but food for thought for an enterprising woman.

Inginish in beautiful Cape Breton

I read a comment left on an entry that I made earlier today in the Highlights of the Day thread that caused me to think a bit more about our CERB family. CERB - the more that I get involved with it and the more that I read contributions that are made in its forums has many of the characteristics of a family. This does not refer to a 'traditional' family, but also to the dysfunctional family, the family divided, the extended family and probably any other sort of family that one could devise as well. There is certainly a common denominator for all of us that explains our initial presence as a part of this family, but once involved, I see so often how people begin to interact with each other in ways totally apart from that commonality that we all have. These differences are many but I am thinking today of the ability of CERB members to support each other in the same way as families members might do. I have seen so many examples of this in the past year where people who have never met each other, and in all likelihood never will meet each other have gone out of their ways to help another member. I have seen the genuine welcomes made to new members. I have seen the assistance provided to those who are finding their way through this maze called CERB. I have seen the authentic best wishes sent for birthdays and milestones. I have seen people reach out to those who are in trouble, be it those who are fighting an addiction or those who are trying to cope with a death in their circle of friends or family or those who are fighting an illness or other personal trauma. Something as simple as sending a hug when it is deemed necessary, or sending a personal PM or email at just that "right" time can make a difference to someone else. I can see or sense how the determination and ability of individuals members to cope in certain situations can and has inspired others. For myself, CERB has become a family in its own right. There are only a few here who truly know how much they have helped me. In many cases members probably cannot even think that I might be referring to them when I say that or be able to think of what they said or did that impacted me in such a profound way. Sometimes we as individuals do not realize or are never made aware of just how important a little personal gesture can be in making someone feel better or even how that simple gesture might turn a persons life around for the better. Do you recall the young fellow who got that hot air balloon ride, largely due to the CERB members and the initiative of Chanel Reign with her Random Act of Kindness thread. That is something that he shall always remember. The CERB family makes a difference in so many ways. Good on the CERB family.

I have been 'dealing' with a rather major issue now for close to a year and a half, and finally decided that my way of dealing with it has not really gotten me too far, so I decided that it was time to call in professional help. I KNOW it is early days in this new approach, but am wishing I had not waited so long. So my highlight is simply recognizing that I needed some help and more so perhaps was my positive response to the start of that help. And a huge thank you to those who have had faith in me (CERB members included, as well as family and friends) - I shall do this!

Stop complaining John. All I have is the steak! :)

The strike continues and it is dreadful, as within PEI and NB there are no or few other transit options besides automobile. In NB the train does not go to Fredericton or Saint John, so flying from city to city is available, but I believe that all flights back and forth route through Halifax first. Not really an economically viable option! It really appears as if both sides are not interested in settling. The last news item I heard was yesterday, saying that they would start talks again - at the end of April! Unbelievable.

The old, "Two steps forward and one step backwards," syndrome. But then, it could be worse. Could be one step forward and two steps back! :)

Hmmmm, makes me think of the time that my wife came home and told me she was stopped by the Mounties. They had her for speeding, passing on a double line and a brake light was out. He gave her a warning! My God, if that was me I'd have been in jail. All I could say to her was, " So, just how short WAS your skirt? " So Lee, just how short was your skirt?!

All I can say is that with Gabriella, every experience is different. I have been fortunate to be able to meet with her on several of her visits to the Maritimes, and I am each time struck with her ability to sense moods and needs and she did not disappoint on this visit. She is an intelligent, well spoken, curious, adventurous, and caring person with so many different aspects to her, and it has been a delight for me to have met and spent so much time with her. For those who have the opportunity to meet her on her next visit, then do so and I am confident that you will be treated royally and enjoy your time with a true courtesan. It has been my privilege to have met her.

I had a good weekend away - a great visit with my kids, an educational experience at the planetarium, an entertainment experience at the CIS Mens basketball semi-finals, a chance to share cheesecake with a multitude of people, and I had a really good experience in between. I am learning a lot about myself as of late. I got home last night, got the gyprock on the ceiling and the first seam filling is done as of this morning. Beautiful sunny day so it is time to relax and enjoy a bit. :) Yay me. :)

TY theliquor for sharing this information on her behalf. Some things and circumstances can seem insurmountable yet I know from experience that CERB friends can make a difference. I shall be dropping her a note.