365 Days of Gratitude - Day 18

Go ahead, try it. If you can't do 5 minutes, start with 1. Then 2. Then 3. Trust me you will be amazed at how different your life will be become just by doing this simple (and FREE) activity every day. what have you got to lose?

Here's a sample of my early morning gratitude list. Today I am grateful for:

*A really good cup of coffee. Make that 2.

*Memories - of time with son Richard, and daughter Sydney.

*Memories - of time with the family.

*Good music and a fun evening out with good friends.

*Inexpensive/small concert venues.

*Did I mention a good cup of coffee.

*Rolling the fattie yesterday (fat tire biking)

*Seeing my lil munchkins today (I teach Nordic skiing to 3, 4, and 5 year olds)

*Waking up in our wee chalet, warm fire, snuggle blankets.

*Facebook, yes Facebook and it's ability to keep me connected with friends all over.

*Evening plans and walks with my sis-in-law.

*Morning texts from my besties.

...

...

...

(My lists always continue throughout the day)

Feeling grateful,

Louise 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 17

A hot bath. Oh my how thankful I am for a hot bath after rolling the fatties in -25 degree weather. (Rolling the fattie is bike lingo for riding fat tire bikes)

Marion and I had a blast helping Sara from Ride Guides (www.rideguides.ca) shoot a lil video. Not even a flat tire deep in the back woods slowed down our enthusiasm, even if our fingers n toes were a tad numb.

Great morning. Feeling blessed and grateful.

Much love,

Louise

Not for one single second did I consider posting a photo of ME in a bath! Lol

Cold but awesome shot of Marion in the sunlight.

Our 'ussy'. We've been told a selfie is only for yourself. So here's our ussy.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 16

After 2 lovely weeks of slumber my darn kidney stone is on the move again. Argh. Those things are a pain in the arse. Saying that there ARE things I am grateful for.

1. That it stayed quiet and did not move while I was on vacation. Super grateful for that.

2. Pain killers. I am ever so grateful for those.

3. A good sense of humour. Yup, I am grateful for that too.

Cheerio,

Louise

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 15

I am grateful for holidays and grateful for returning home. 

Missing my kids and western family already, but happy to be back in the arms of my loving man and in our comfy wee chalet.

Yup, feeling immensely grateful.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

My wee chalet (this past summer)

Me plowing the snow in front of the chalet (last winter with the record amounts of snow)

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 14

Today I am grateful for adventure. And for having the courage at my age (52) to say 'to hell with what the other folks my age do, I'm going for it!'

I hiked up a mountain today. Because it was there. And because, damn it, I can. My legs work. My body works. Age is only a number, and the moment you accept that and take life head on with guts n gusto, is the moment your life opens up to amazing possibilities.

Special thanks to my 'French son' Mickael for taking me on this incredible adventure. I. Am. Grateful.

Much love,

Louise 

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 13

Today's gratitude post is a bit of a long story. For those of you who have read my book 'Death and the Lessons I Learned' you will recall the story 'Jack' which is about my brother Mark.

Mark died suddenly at age 49 of a massive heart attack while skiing at Lake Louise in Alberta. 

Today I skied Lake Louise with his wife Mary and son Adrian. It was a perfect day in the mountains (spring skiing conditions in January).

I have always said if you must die then dying fast, with little pain, and doing something you love is just about the best way to go, which is exactly how Mark went to the Other Side of Life. So the day at Lake Louise wasn't sad, or sullen. We aren't the mopey type of family. 

Instead we laughed, shared stories, revelled in the scenery and enjoyed every moment. And I am ever so grateful for that.

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 12

Today I got to do this. Dog sledding. In the Canadian Rockies. With my daughter the professional musher, and my beautiful niece Brianne. 

I keep looking at my pictures and playing the memories on rewind, thinking to myself how lucky I am and how grateful I am.

Adventure and travel feed my soul. New sights and sounds stoke the fires within. I am truly grateful for these experiences. I can only hope my good fortune rubs off on others. 

Much love,

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 11

Sister time. Today I am feeling ever so grateful for sister time.

We live on opposite sides of Canada, and have for most of our adult life. The older I get the more I treasure our time together. This weekend my daughter and I traveled from Canmore Alberta to her ski/bike home in Fernie BC. 

We had a couple days of wonderful adventure, mountain skiing and snowshoeing, good food, laughter, and love.

I'm always a tad weepy when our time together ends and this visit was no different. So, yes, I am ever so grateful for those moments we do have together.

Love you Geor!

Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

My sister

on the mountain

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 10

Today I am feeling immense gratitude for all my amazing nieces and nephews. Between my side and my husband's side there are plenty!

My heart swells when I receive emails or little notes. And I am always honoured by being included in their adventurous plans, be it mountain biking, hiking, canoeing, dog sledding, skiing, or simply cuddling the wee babies.

Thank you to all my nieces and nephews for always making Auntie Louise feel so special. My heart is full.

Much love, 

Louise

P.s. This is a photo of a painting my mom did,a few years ago. It's of nephew Brian, niece Jamie, and I skiing the Lizard Range in Fernie BC. 

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 9

Waking up to this sunrise, throwing on a coat and going for a solo stroll to enjoy it. Life doesn't get much better than a beautiful sunrise. So grateful.

<3 Louise

#365daysOFgratitude - day 9

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 8

Mother daughter days. I am so very grateful for mother daughter days.

Once my daughter finished university she tucked her business degree under her arm and headed west to become a professional dog sledder. Naturally I am incredibly proud of her and love her zest for life, but I would be lying if I didn't say I miss her being a part of my day-to-day life. We now live a few 1000km apart.

So, yes, today I spent the entire day hiking and enjoying the good ole outdoors with her, and I am grateful for every last second.

Much love,

Louise

#365DaysOFgratitude

Sydney and her retired sled dog Poseidon on Lake Minnewanka in Banff National Park

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 7

It's a super new moon today and I am grateful for the energy that goes with it. 

I've always been highly affected by energy. It took me years before I knew how to shield myself (thanks Asha) so that I could control the types of energies that bounced off and/or entered into my very human body. Learning this simple skill has made it much easier to wander through life without becoming attached to all the drama. Observe but not absorb - a much easier way to live.

Happy new moon everyone. 

Love Louise

#365daysOFgratitude

365 Days of Gratitude -Day 6

Today I am grateful for modern technology. 

Oh sure there are things about society these days that drive me batty, and yes I live a simple life and have dreams that the whole world will turn in that direction...

but...

I am also very thankful that the industrial revolution brought us to this stage where I can be anywhere in the world and I can communicate with my sweetie (hubby of 28 yrs), my mom, friends, kids, family, etc., via email, text, FaceTime, Facebook, and Instagram.

Well, almost anywhere. Lots of no reception spots in the mountains. And I am okay with that too.

Much love, 

Louise

P.s. Too funny. As I clicked the  'publish' icon the internet connection was lost. I can't stop giggling. 

#365daysOFgratitude 

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 5

This morning I am grateful for a good cup of java. 

I love coffee, good coffee. I prefer small, local roasteries, dark blends, full flavour, organic and fair trade beans. I love grinding those beans myself and topping my cup(s) off with a splash of cream. Ahhhhh, bliss.

This is a local roastery from Revelstoke BC (Canada), where I am currently couch-surfing. My son's house is quiet, I'm enjoying a little IPad time, watching more fresh powder drop from the sky and dreaming of how we will spend our day.

Enjoy yours.

Love from Louise

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 4

Today I am grateful my kids don't coddle me. Nor I them. 

On the mountain today they were patient, yet pushed me to colour outside my lines of comfort. I am proud to say I skied all 5,000 feet on black diamond runs. And in the famous Revelstoke powder.  Woo hoo. Feeling good.

According to my son, #moedershreds #moederisapowderhound (he has called me moeder for years. It's the Dutch word for mother)

#365daysOFgratitude

Above the clouds

In the clouds

Grateful to spend 2 days on the mountain with these two. 

365 Days OF Gratitude - Day 3

Today I am grateful my children are nature driven, outdoorsy, and active. 

I am also extremely grateful they were so willing to dial things down in order to hang with their mother (and coach me through my virgin day at Revelstoke Mountain Resort in 20cm of fresh POW.)

#mylegsareburning

#365DaysOFGratitude

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 2

Today I am grateful for being able to do kennel chores with my mountain daughter. All. Day. Long.

Background: my daughter is a professional dog sled musher who lives in Canmore Alberta (Canada). I arrived early this morning with every intention of grabbing a quick kiss hello and commandeering her car for a relaxing solo day in town. Maybe even a ski. 

A quick kiss hello turned into work. I cleaned poop. A lot! I assisted with nail clipping (even dogs deserve a mani/pedi). OMG the feeds. We fed over 100 dogs - who all get a very personalized meal specific for their needs. More than once. I cleaned poop. Again. And I LOVED every minute of it. 

Check them out: www.snowyowltours.com

Pic 1. Me dishing out the morning bowls of hot chicken soup

Pic 2. Spa time with daughter Sydney. Mani/pedi for all the girls. And boys.

365 Days of Gratitude - Day 1

Day 1.

Grateful for this guy, my hubby of 28 yrs. We are like peas in a pod, always knowing what the other needs. Today he will drop me off at the airport so I can see our kids that live in the Canadian Rockies. He always knows when I am missing them and this trip to the mountains is his gift. 

Xoxo my love. Thank you!

Louise