Snippets and Around Town

Today I was over at the 'shopping centre' drugstore loading up on Lipitor, contemplating the price/performance differences between Gillette Mach III, Turbo and the Fusion ( I know-exciting life!) when I bumped into our old friend Jacquie Ross. She, as always, looks great.

Do you remember Jacquie in high-school?
I do.

I used to enjoy her rushing about on a waves of humour and smiles. She had this long thick hair, short skirt or tight jeans and personality plus.
I smile when I think of Jacquie.

Today she had people in from Saskatoon -husbands at the Grey Cup and wives out shopping, with all to meet up at the Montreal Casino.

You never know who you're going to meet when over at the old shopping centre -now referred to as 'Mall".

If I am not mistaken, I breezed by Carol Mates a few weeks ago. I was focussed on some unimportant errand that I was running and it only clicked a few minutes later. I went back but she was gone. I guess she (if it was her) had come in for the HSB 40th Anniversary.
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Two weeks ago, Cathy Gulkin came to meet me at the Saint-James Club to chat about markets and life. Now there is someone who has talent. Did you know that Cathy is an ACTRA award winning film editor for movies and TV? Her daughter is very talented too. Her brother Jimmy, has done well. After leaving Montreal for the oil fields out west many years ago, he saved his money and went to Thailand and started a food exporting company -exporting to Canada and the USA. He stayed in Thailand, married -has a son now. Very successful!
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I understand Roddy McManus is working on the Montreal Canadians celebration with George Strompobolous of The Hour. They were with Justin Trudeau three weeks ago and Celine Dionne shortly thereafter. The show will be televised in January.
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As we all know, the stock market has presented a wonderful opportunity for those who have not saved up for retirement. Prices for banks, rail and basic good solid value (Cash flow producing systems) Canadian infrastructure, is at a 5 year discount. Thursday I put in another $100,000 for one of my clients and then Friday the market went up 400 points or more. I hope it tanks again and stays down for the next three months or so. But I think the prices are already factoring in Canada's 'Recession' which if not here now, will be here in a week or so.

Conversely, I expect weaker businesses will have to cut employment to keep their heads above water and therefore, it could be a rough Cristmas for some of our friends.

My business is tied to the value of people's portfolios rather than commissions. This allows commissions to stay with clients and grow for them rather than me. While I am not at severe risk, the income side is taking a hit as values decline ...so I will have to cut back some.

Hmmmm Barry Jones called to see if we want to go skiing up North the week before Christmas...well, I guess that's a "NO".
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My sister Gaye McConnell had a very successful vernisage/Art show last weekend where her water-colour paintings were on display. Wow! Talk about talent. Jane and I bought two new pieces (it was either that or the skiing...choices). I believe my cousin Greg Holden bought one too. There was quite a turn out. I wonder if she has a web site where her work is shown? Have to check.
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Anyway, here we are in Chateauguay. It's getting cold again. The ground is crunchy but we haven't been hugged by snow yet. Soon. Have to get Don Reid out of his house once again. He's got a great business in the Winter season, zipping around our old town with his plow getting our driveways done . (I just can't stand driveway tents- sorry, no offence ...) He also thrives in the summer trimming all the trees, shrubs, grass and maintaining gardens. He still looks like a million bucks. I know the day will come when he's discovered by Hollywood.
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Oh yes -speaking about looking good, - I bumped into Janice Goodfellow over on Victoria street, in town the other day. How is it, that some people just don't seem to age or change shape?
Well- preserved comes to mind.
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I received a very nice e-mail from Anja Michielson a couple of weeks ago. Now there's another one...OK enough of that.
Suffice it to say she is still an airline stewa... do they call them service people or 'hostesses' now? I should check with Debbie Hillock who is married to Kevin Lyons -one of those flying 'nice people'. (Bring me another Champaign please.)
Anja was off to Europe for a few days...imagine. I saw her last spring in town also. Tall and graceful, lovely coat and beautiful eyes. Some people actually grow smoothly into their beauty as they age.

Oh yeah!- speaking of Airline people, Marianne Peacock is also one of those. I saw her picture on Facebook lately as one of the attendees of Billings 40th. You still 'got it' girl!

Which reminds me, if you have not seen those pictures, get onto Facebook and somehow become "a friend" to Sue Davis Worth or one of the Gurholt girls, (speaking of looking great Davis Worth and Gurholts) -then you can check out all the photos. ...
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How are you sleeping lately? Have you turned 55 yet? I did -in October. I find that every night I have to get up at around 4:00 a.m. and do yoga stretching for 15 minutes or so - 'Downward Dog and such(- no, not dirty dog) and then go back to bed where I do diaphramatic breathing for two minutes and thankfully submerge back into heavy duty dreamland.

Welcome to upper middle age. At least everything else is just fine ...knock on ..uh, well whatever.