Family fun in our new pool!

 A warm greeting to all Jewels across this wonderful country.

I hope this finds you well and enjoying the beauty of summer in Canada.  It took some time coming in many parts of the Maritimes but has settled in nicely for the next while.

Many of the Jewels in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick enjoyed an event titled "Happy Happenings", held in Fredericton, NB, in June.  The theme "Canadian Eh" was well honored through the extensive and elaborate decorations depicting our country from coast to coast and pointing out our diversity.  The Saturday afternoon parade was made up of many costumes representative of Canada, with one person (Bonnie Russell of the Uniacke Jewels - see pictures below) dressed up as a Tim Horton's coffee cup!  Bonnie said the costume was easy to wear but it was a little difficult fitting the hoop in the top through a doorway!  What a creative lady.  This event was not without challenges though.  The first surprise for the organizers was on Saturday when they received word that their guest speaker for Sunday had been taken to hospital for emergency surgery.  Then, after dinner Saturday evening, it became apparent that the DJ was not going to show up.  It was later learned that he had been involved in a car accident earlier that day.  As an observer I was very impressed with how calmly these surprises were handled.  Another means of music was provided and nothing stopped the participants from having a wonderful time.  Well done New Brunswick ladies!

Queen Riki Bagnall's Summerside Pearlie Girlies (PEI) have an interesting way of having a fun draw for money.  Next month Cheryl Gingras will host a box lunch.  Everyone will put their culinary talents to work and contribute a lunch for auction.  All participants bid on the lunches and have their name entered in a draw for the pot of money accumulated from the winning bids. 

Queen Lynn Loftus and her Tea Tarts, from Stratford, PEI, have planned their annual outside general meeting for August 13th along with a car rally/scavenger hunt topped off with a seafood fest.  Since this event will be over as you read this, we hope the weather angels were kind to them and the sun shone brightly. 

Queen Bev Cornish and her Luscious Lupins of Summerside, PEI, will be showing off their elegant colors at a Tea in Borden.  They are taking along several guests including Jodi DesRoches, a Jewel from BC who is spending the summer in her home on the Island.  Bev also reports that Chapter members, Joanne (Lady Magnolia) and Gail (Lady Sweet Allysum) are hosting the Chapter at a swimming pool/hot tub party.  Bev says that most of the girls are no longer eligible to wear a string bikini and the only thongs there will be on their feet, but all will enjoy the company of their Jewel sisters and the warmth of the sunshine.

Queen Judy Nickerson and her Precious Gems, Halifax, NS, have been very busy trying out a number of restaurants sampling everything from Steak to Seafood and attending a number of Teas.  In fact, two of the Teas were in honour of the Queen Elizabeth's 90th birthday.  Then there was mini-golf (2 ladies got a hole in one) and of course the annual Strawberry Social at Parkland which is a retirement/personal care facility in Halifax.

 Loretta Clouter and her Greenwood Valley Pearls, NS, made one of their outings a visit to a local winery and dining establishment - Luckett Vineyards in the beautiful Gaspereau Valley, NS.  They enjoyed good wine, good food, the company of each other and of course, a little fun interaction with the owner, Pete Luckett.  That is Pete in the photograph below, lying on the ground in front of the group of ladies.

Several members of the Uniacke Jewels are venturing out on the Halifax Harbour on the 15th for a Cruise.  Hopefully the sun will be shining brightly. 

Like all of you across the country, we in the Maritimes do our best to soak up the sunshine and enjoy all that summer has to offer because, before we know it, the leaves will be falling and we will be preparing for the onset of winter

Respectfully submitted,

Linda Cummings - Regional Representative, Maritime Provinces

 

1. It's time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don't feel bad spending your money on yourself. You've taken care of them for many years, and you've taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.
2. This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof.
3. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.
4. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy.
5. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, so enjoy it together. If you don't have a partner at this time in your life then indulge and spend some of your money on yourself. You deserve it!
6. Don't stress over the little things. You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past drag you down and don't let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
7. Keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor.
8. Be proud, both inside and out. Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.
9. Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There's nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You've developed your own sense of what looks good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It's part of who you are.
10. Stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of the social networks. You'll be surprised what old friends you'll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.
11. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice when asked, not criticism.
12. Never use the phrase: "In my time." Your time is now. As long as you're alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.
13. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it'll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.
14. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you've lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.
15. Don't abandon your hobbies. If you don't have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it. Join the CJCS! Write your autobiography or family history.
16. Even if you don't feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Go out - don't sit at home alone. Connect with people you haven't seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). It's important to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there. Enjoy the sunshine, dance in the rain. Stop and smell the flowers.
17. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That's a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don't go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well. Give a compliment!
18. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we're all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
19. If you've been offended by someone - forgive them. If you've offended someone - apologize. Don't drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn't matter who was right. Someone once said: "Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die." Forgive, forget and move on with your life. You'll be happier!
20. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don't waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them.
21. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what's not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation. Appreciate how lucky you are to have reached this age!
22. Take no notice of what others say about you. Have pride in yourself and what you've achieved. Let them talk and don't worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you've lived so far. There's still much to be written, so get busy writing and don't waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!

Are you aware that on the Jewel Box under the pull-down tab "How To & Fun Stuff" that there are free graphics you can download to use? Just one of the many perks for our members. The one on the right won't sparkle when you print it in the newsletter but if you're looking at it online it's a "gif" and it "shimmers."
There are also over 80 games and ideas for your chapter activities on the Jewel Box. Remember to hover your mouse over the tab and look for all the sub-titles that you can click on. 

   

The Darling Daredevils and other CJCS Jewels from the Okanagan in B.C. came out to cheer on their Ducks at the Second Annual CJCS Amazing Great Canadian Duck Race on August 11th. They picnicked and partied at Herald Park then hiked up to see Margaret Falls before returning to take part in the Duck Race.
  

CJCS Members: Chat with members from across Canada:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/2cjcs/ 

Royal Court:  (you must be a Queen or VQ to join)

CONTACT Info:  office@cjcsmembers.com