Life with Chere Michelle

Inspirational Rambles by one Veggie girl trying to live happy & healthy.

Posts Tagged community

In My Neighborhood…

Jul 20

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living | No Comments

I love Mount Pleasant. I truly do. Tonight on a walk back from the library I took a slight detour and noticed a little shop across the street on Broadway. The window proclaimed; mygoodnessglutenfree.com. I thought, ‘we have a gluten free place in the neighborhood? Huh. I never knew that.’ So yes, apparently we do and I checked out their website and wow- it’s JAM PACKED of goodness. I have met so many people lately who suffer from Celiac Disease and it pains me to hear the ordeals they go through to find quality, tasty food items. I haven’t gone in My Goodness yet…but trust me, I will. If the pics and descriptions on the website are anything to go by, I’m soooooo there.

I picked up a copy of the Diary of Anne Frank for Moops as well over at Pulpfiction Books tonight. We’ve been wanting her to read the story, and since she watched the made-for-TV movie, we think she’s ready. Pulpfiction is the kind of bookstore you can seriously get lost in. It does used and new, but it’s for serious book lovers only! You know those places with really high shelves stacked with so many books it makes your head spin? The scent of ink and paper in the air, the only sound is people turning pages…that kind of place.

When was the last time you explored YOUR neighborhood? Take a walk this weekend and look close because you never know the hidden gems you may find…

A “real” blog post to come soon…I promise :-)

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Do You Love Where You Are?

Sep 4

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

I’ve lived in quite a few cities…it’s not like I just moved from town to town…ok well maybe I did…but hey, I got to discover my country. I lived in several of our wonderful provinces, but I never for one moment, lost sight that British Columbia was my Home. I always knew deep down my travels would lead me back here, to the Island or the Mainland- that wasn’t the issue, it was just the ‘coming home’ part of it.

In all the cities I’ve lived in, I never hated any of them; they each had a certain charm…but there was this invisible string that somehow kept me connected to BC, to Vancouver in particular, so that I never felt far from home.

I can say with 100% honesty and clarity today, I love where I am and where I live. I wouldn’t trade living in Vancouver for anything….this city has the best of everything and, it’s unbelievably gorgeous to be in. It may rain alot, and our winters are often ‘green’, not white…but to any Vancouverite, that’s part the charm. If we want ‘white’, we can go up any of the many mountains and ski hills that are on the North Shore.

The cuisine is varied and eclectic, the neighborhoods diverse and the range of entertainment available- astounding. Vancouver truly is a world class city. I’ve moved to the suburbs and to the Valley over my years back home and never was I as happy and fulfilled, as I was when I lived IN the city itself. I’m relishing a move back now, into the trendy Main Street area and My Guy and I are lapping up all this funky neighborhood has to offer. Just walking down the the street awards us with endless heritage homes, one-of-a-kind cafes, fascinating characters and the tantalizing aromas of local patios offering up lunch…

I’m happy where I am. My Guy and I are about to begin an exercise regime that will take us both walking/running up into a local park…we have both made a promise to support one another in this…and just the simple act of walking through my new neighborhood brings a smile to my face. This is what I’ve talked about people; loving where you are NOW and making the most of it. Get up and move! Get out and see! What is outside your door, is literally there for you to walk into and discover.

If you don’t like where you are, or what you see when you look out the door- how can you change it? What steps can you take to get to where you need to be?

Answer me that. Wait, no…you owe yourself the answer to that…

Love CM

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Home Sweet Home

Aug 9

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | 2 Comments

I’m home. I arrived last week, and My Guy followed a few days later. It’s great to be home and in the place I grew up in, on the Island, but it’s also tinged with sadness at the place it’s become. It’s quiet. Like a ghost town actually…and that’s not how I remember it. Big Industry moved out of the town some years ago, and with that went a good deal of the population- in came retirees from all over North America to replace them…

This is still the sweet village I remember, just a little frayed around the edges and a little less people out and about. What hasn’t changed is the natural splendor of this small hamlet nestled in a valley surrounded by tall mountains, some still capped with snow. The pristine rivers still flow and the swimming holes remain as idyllic as I remember. What amazed me yesterday as we were out hiking and taking in the sights, how few people were out in the sun. I realized it’s not because they don’t want to- it’s because there is HARDLY ANYBODY to be out! We had the river to ourselves, took the Peppercorn trail through the still glistening wet forest, stopping at every rocky beach to behold the perfectly clear green water. You could all the way to bottom and count the rocks there…it was that pure and clean.

My Guy couldn’t believe the stunning beauty or the fact we had it all to ourselves. We didn’t talk much as we sat on the rocks and looked out over the river; there weren’t words to describe the colors and the tranquility we were experiencing.

There truly is no place like home. This is West Coat living at it’s finest- did I mention cell phones don’t even work here? (of course there is the Internet though, phew!) I’m so happy right now, and so content but with each moment I can’t wait to get back to The City and get on with The Move…new changes are a-comin’!

I hope this post finds everyone happy where they are in life, and if not, that you have the means to start making the changes to being where YOU want to be. Where you NEED to be. Now I’m going to go out t0 my parents back yard, sit on the swing in the sun and watch the blue jays play in the garden. And the best part? Zucchini from the garden for dinner.

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A Jumbled Mess of Thoughts

Jul 23

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Inner Happiness | 2 Comments

I’ve had trouble sleeping the past few nights. I don’t know if it’s the warmer weather (OK those of you in Vancouver, know I’m probably grabbing at strings here….) or the fact My Guy has been away all week. It’s something. I’m on the brink of some new changes in my life, and it’s as if I’m balancing on the edge of a cliff- knowing the slightest move could upset the delicate balance I’ve achieved; but yet knowing I must embrace the fall with open arms.

There is a move in my future. Soon I will have the green space I once had and again, I can flourish in a garden as I did many years ago in the Heights. I can let The Boys out to roam in the grass, and enjoy drinks on the patio…it’s been a long time coming. I’m not worried about that move. I feel in my heart it’s a great thing to do- I’ve missed being a part of a lively and active community so the fact I’m heading to an extremely funky neighborhood has me tickled pink. While it’s not my West End, it’s damn sweet…I feel there are only positive things to come from this move.

I do worry about age…I worry about never getting the opportunity to be the wonderful Mother I know I could be. I worry about not sharing my creativity and watching another human being blossom into their own person…but I can’t worry. Do I not tell people, life happens this way for a reason? We’re where we are FOR A REASON…and everything we did to get to this point, was what we NEEDED to do? Taking a dose of my own medicine is sometimes akin to getting a kick in the head. I don’t know what tomorrow has in store for me, let alone a couple of years down the road. I need to take my own advice to heart and just enjoy…

Acupuncture is helping alot with allowing my mind to slow down, and my body to heal. I have had 4 sessions now, and I truly feel refreshed once the session is over. I don’t fall asleep during the session (I can’t sleep well at the best of times) but I do feel my mind drifting and my thoughts are not the jumbled mess they usually are. I don’t know if the sessions are helping my bowels at all YET, but I do feel an overwhelming sense of calm and peace- and positivity. That’s gotta count for something right?

A trip home to the Island is in my cards as well next month. I still say “home” when referring to where I grew up. I didn’t appreciate it as a teenager- I just wanted to get to the CITY- but I get all warm and fuzzy inside when I think of the journey back…

You are always welcome at home.

This post has been all over the place; but to try and sum up my thoughts I’d have to go with: It’s a season of change for me, and I must let go of my fears and worries and let life simply, run it’s course.

Love Chere Michelle

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The Community of Bloggers

May 25

Posted by Chere Michelle in Healthy Living, Inner Happiness | No Comments

This morning, an amazing fellow blogger named Melissa, posted something in response to my Self-Esteem post from several months ago. I find it neccesary to write about her blog because it struck a note in me, and I have only read 3 of her entries so far. I think we need to remember we’re all struggling, and if we can gain some sort of inspiration or empowerment from another persons story- then we need to grab on to that. And hold on for dear life.

Melissa’s blog is called Sugar Filled Emotions and this link will take you to her story about self esteem and how she battles with finding it and keeping it. I never judge what someone else is going through and everyone has a story to tell.

Thank you Melissa, for sharing your story and I welcome the opportunity to read more, and for my readers in turn, to embrace your story.

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So why do I blog anyway?

May 25

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Weight Loss | No Comments

I was sitting here tonight thinking, “what on earth can I write about?” It’s not that I don’t have ANY ideas, it’s that I simply have too many ideas floating around in my head and I’m unsure of where to begin, or what topic to pick.

I was reading a post entitled Why Blog? from Melissa over at Sugar Filled Emotions and like her, I originally started blogging as a form of creativity and to let my emotions out. I’ve always been a “writer” and the written word is so much more eloquent and descriptive than words could ever be. Of course I had other reasons to start blogging, and that was to share MY story. It took me a long time to feel confident about the weight loss and how I did it; but once I did I wanted to shout it from the roof top!

Simply put: I love reading blogs because they are real and they are full of raw emotion. I realize everything I read I need to take with a grain of salt if I’m doing specific research, but I could never judge another person’s feelings. It takes guts to open yourself up and expose your inner soul (and mind!) for the entire world wide web to critique.

Nile Flores, over at blondish.net  put down some of her thoughts on blogging and I found these hit the nail on the head. What resonated the most was these words: “Blogging should not be a chore. Write about what you want and when you want to.” I thought about that and it’s so true. If a blogger is finding the whole process tedious and mundane- it’s probably time for them to to put their blogger hat away and take a break. I get excited when I have something to share…I get excited when I receive emails from others who are on their own journey to lose weight or to just be happier in their lives. I love this! One little problem? My blog isn’t nearly how I want it to look…and I’m struggling with that. It will get there in time…I must trust in myself and *be patient.* Right???

Blogging inspires me to keep going on my own journey because it is one, that will not be over for a really long time. Sure the weight may have come off, but the doubts, the insecurities and depression are still present. Those are the things I take ONE DAY AT A TIME and learn to conquer day  day. Blogging helps me do this.

So why do I blog? I blog specifically to SHARE…and inspire others. This in turn reminds me daily of where I am in this life, and how I want to proceed down the road. Ultimately I want:

- To inspire others to be the person they truly want to be
- To help people lose weight
- To help others learn to live healthy and as a result, to live happy
- To help myself as I continue on my own journey to being the person I have always dreamed of being
- To connect, communicate and share with the others around the world

I am ever thankful to those who read me and continue to email and support me through their words.

In a sort of nutshell, that’s why I blog.

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I feel pretty, oh so pretty!

May 25

Posted by Chere Michelle in Blogging, Healthy Living, Inner Happiness, Nutrition, Weight Loss | No Comments

Since I’m always bumming around the Web, when I come across articles or blog posts that catch my eye I want to share them. That’s what happened with this post entitled What it Feels Like for a Girl that I stumbled across this evening. The author tells us about  the lengths a friend of hers go through to be attractive to her partner. I urge you to read the post because the style is really engaging and you will get a definite feel for what women feel they MUST do in order to be attractive.

I believe women fall into 2 categories: some do it for themselves and some do it for their partner or mate. I do think there are benefits to both…let me explain. I’m not saying you should do everything your partner wants you to do (in regards to your look) but if you know they like a certain ‘something’ it’s great to throw that into the mix every once in awhile right? But women should also be going through their lives looking HOW THEY WANT TO LOOK because they have to be comfortable in their own skin. This is so important and again, ties to the whole self-esteem issue I’ve talked about.

The post I read largely focuses on makeup. It got me to thinking about what I do on a daily basis. I like to think I’m low maintenance. Basically I tip my head upside down after I shampoo my hair and aim the dryer at it….no fussy styling. I will usually run the straightener through it if I have the time, only because it smooths out the frizzies my somewhat curly hair has. That’s it. As for makeup? Eyeliner. I need to wear it or my eyes disappear into my face. Seriously. I like a bit of color on my cheeks too because, the silly little girl in me, thinks it makes me look younger.

But other than that I’m pretty plain and I’m happy with that. I can’t imagine putting on face make up and powder every single day…I can’t imagine putting on full eye make up and choosing shadow colors every morning! It’s just not me. I think if a woman is happy with wearing make up daily, with wearing lingerie, or with getting waxed…then by all means DO IT.

Do it for yourself.

I shave my legs when I’m single…and I always paint my toenails, but never my fingernails….this never changes. There are certain things I do for myself…such as wear perfume! I need my scent. I’m lost without it.

Going back to feeling good about ourselves, these are the little things I do to feel good about MYSELF daily. Think about what you do daily, weekly or monthly, and WHY? Are you changing yourself for someone else? Or are you simply doing what you need to feel good?

Love life. Love yourself.

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