A number of years ago we received a reservation from a couple from Switzerland.  Oh I remember how excited I was and remember thinking who needs to travel when the world comes to your doorstep.

I remember the middle aged woman, with beautiful skin and a quiet, gentle demeanor.  Her profession was to work with dogs in some capacity.  My memory escapes me at the moment, but I believe she trained and showed dogs.

During the time of the couple's stay we were having lots of problems with Luna and Trudeau's behavior when we took them for walks.  They would never listen and I found myself frustrated all the time.  In fact I would even go as far as saying that I disliked walking them.

Our lovely dog whisperer asked if she could join us for a walk one night.  I gave her Trudeau's leash with all the warnings; he pulls, he doesn't listen, blaa blaa blaa.  She smiled and we started to walk.  As she walked, Trudeau obediently walk along side of her with his full attention and not having to correct him in anyway.  I couldn't believe my eyes!

She gracefully explained that our animals (pets) are an extension of our energy field, if you are tense so are they, if you are agitated so are they.  The BIG light bulb went off in my head.  Of course why had I not made the connection before?  I was already teaching humans energy work and explaining how other peoples energy affects ours why wouldn't it be the same for our pets.

From that day forward my walks with Trudeau and Luna became much more peaceful, always checking and clearing my energy prior to my contact with them, and making sure that my awareness and mindfulness button was turned on.

Thank you to our Swiss friends!

In our 2nd year of business, Groupon had just hit the scene with their incredible discounts.  We had heard of numerous stories of how it had changed people's businesses for the good and the worst.

When we looked into the marketing opportunity, we decided that we could totally take advantage of their strategy.  We were very careful in our planning as we wanted to attract customers that were into wellness.  We put together an incredible retreat package that offered a stay in this lovely room (the metal room) with a Reiki session and a pot of herbal tea.  I don't remember the details of the cost, but it was an amazing deal.

Our goal was to sell 50 packages and we totally nailed it.  We offered upgrades to our package where the customers could add a night, turn their Reiki session into a hot stone massage and add pizza to their stay.  Wow what fun!

It was great and we worked hard!  But to be honest the best part was the beautiful souls who came.  Still to this day we are in contact with most of these customers with many of them who became really dear friends.  Truly that deal might of been wonderful for them, but for us it still enriches our lives.

To those 50 couples who came, you were amazing are are still amazing!  You helped us grow our business and our offerings.

YOU truly played such an important role in our success and for this we are forever grateful!

We are de cluttering at the Calder House, making space for something new in our lives.  What that is exactly we do not know.  But we are open to receiving.  So we are selling off some antique pieces.

In the photo to the left their are 3 pieces that are for sale.  On the left of the photo is a cute dresser with mirror, made of pine circa 1920 assembled with dove tale finish.  We are asking $125. The 2nd piece is the old captain's bed comes with head board, foot board, railings, metal frame and box spring.  Asking $400 OBO. The 3rd piece is the chair on the far left of the picture ($20)  Please reach out if you are interested.  First come first serve.

In preparation for the Calder House grand opening we decided to do a trial run with some guests.  I quickly put some feelers out and our carpenter mentioned that his wife and a few of her friends would love to be our first guests as they were huge bed & breakfast lovers.

In May of 2008 our first guest arrived.  Mariette came a day earlier than the "girls" to work on a project.  She was the most loveliest guest one could ask for.  Mariette shared some very, very funny stories  about her bed & breakfast adventures.  She had us rolled over in stitches with her animated story telling.  Who knew she was a comedian as well.

We became fast friends and she visited often for different occasions.  Mariette if you are reading this, we just want you to know that you set the bar high for all other guests to come.  You are truly very dear to our hearts.

Thank you for sharing your experiences, thank you for the many recommendations you made, thank you for your amazing sense of humor, and most of all thank you for your sincere wish to see us succeed.

On t'aime bien gros!

We didn't share our sad news on social media.  We didn't tell too many people.  In fact we forgot to tell a few.  The truth is we were still processing my mom's loss that we barely caught our breath and Alice's (mother in law) time had come.  She took her last exhale on June 20, 2019 at 3:03 pm in the Bethesda Hospital. Exactly 34 days after my mom's passing, and exactly 24 years to the day from her husband's death, Norm Milliner.

To me Alice was know as mum as oppose to mom.  This was the way she would sign her name in her greeting cards so that we wouldn't get the moms confused.  She was this short 5' tall, little bright blue eyed woman with spunk right till the end.  Lived a long life of 93 years.

The day before Alice's passing, she gave me a gift, one that I will always cherish.  I felt a strong urge to go to the hospital early on June 19th to spend some "alone" time with Alice.  We needed to chat and get a few things straight for I knew that she had begun the journey of transitioning.

That morning Alice shared with me that she feared she did not have much time left with us, and that she was tired of fighting.  She shared that she feared death itself, and did not understand it.  She expressed that she was worried about leaving us behind, and especially worried about Grant (her son, my husband). Alice felt awful that her timing was so off, as my mom had just died.  So many emotions, worries and suffering. I realized that I could give her my biggest gift, my blessings, and share some of my truths with her.

Alleviating Guilt

I took a deep breath and chose my words carefully.  I said: "Alice, you are not responsible for your timing in death that is up to the creator (God).  You were not able to participate in my mom's celebration of life with us for you were sick in hospital.  I can tell you that we "celebrated" her life.  We shared stories and lessons we learnt.  My mom's passing was filled with joy and peace.  There is NO grief for me.  My mom is in a beautiful place with the angels.  There is no greater gift, nothing that you should feel guilty about."  To this Alice continued to repeat that she felt bad and this is too soon after my mom's passing.  As this was always her way, to worry needlessly I spoke in a stern voice and said: "ALICE, listen to me carefully.  It is what it is.  Listen carefully, look into my eyes and SEE my heart...I have NO grief for my mom.  My heart is filled with JOY and PEACE.  There are no more excuses for you.  If it is your time to go, then you must do so with grace not guilt or worry."  We release you with love.

About Death

Alice had given us a few scares in the past 3 years of being rushed to the hospital by ambulance for breathing emergencies.   I always wanted to make sure that she was at peace with dying, this was important to me. I would approach the subject.  But she would ignore me, or give me that gazed look like I'm not talking about this.  On June 19th, the time had come, and her heart was opened to discussing the topic, well time was fast approaching!  I asked her if she'd ever given much thought to what happens after life.  She nodded no and confessed that she feared death.  I asked her if it would be alright with her if I shared some shamanic wisdom.  To this she agreed.  I shared: "From a shamanic perspective we believe there are 3 parts to the soul at death.  The first is your body soul.  We understand that the blood goes back to the ocean, the bones go back to the earth and the breath goes back to the air.  In essence the body decomposes and mother earth takes your body soul back and everything gets recycled again.  The second is your ego soul.  This is the part of your soul that has all your dual traits; you know the good and the bad.  Its the part of your soul that can often get stuck on the earth.  The one that has attachments to your loved ones.  It tends to hang around if it has some unfinished business.  We mostly recognize this one as "ghosts".  The third part of your soul is the divine soul.  The pure, source of light, love energy. What is important is that all 3 parts of the soul transition.  But often if there are attachments to loved ones the ego soul stays behind, and we don't want that.  This is not healthy for you or your loved ones.  It prevents your loved ones from moving on and living their LIFE!"

She looked at me with the sweetest look and a twinkle in her eyes and said:  "Thank you for sharing this with me.  I think I would like to take this perception, I like it!"

Worries About Leaving Us Behind

"Oh Alice, I believe you can reach out and let us know you are thinking of us!  Let's decide right now how you will communicate with us.  Some departed loved ones leave us pennies, white feathers, purple butterflies you know signs like that.  Dad still sends me the Pileated woodpeckers.  If I'm thinking of him, the next thing you know he sends me a Pileated woodpecker. How do you want to communicate with us?"  She looked at me and said:  "I want to be a cell phone!"  That was unexpected.  But the truth was that the last time she was in hospital we did a group chat with all the nieces and nephews on Messenger and she thought that was the cat's ass.  It was decided that she would reach out by cell phone, and she did not disappoint, as a few days after she passed Grant was speaking on the phone with one of her good friends and the cell phone went all wonky making these strange sounds as if someone else was trying to connect.

I thanked Alice for our heartfelt conversation.  I expressed that it was important that we were able to talk like this.  The conversation was a true gift one that my mom could not give me at the end of her life.  What a beautiful gift to be able to share wisdom, truths and love like this.

That afternoon Alice was surrounded by some of her beloved friends and family.  She was in "high" spirits, joyful and energetic.  Grant played the guitar and sang her all her favorite songs.  She kept asking for "Three Cool Cats" and "White Sports Coat".  Grant kept saying, but mom I just played that song.  To which I would reply, so play it again!  And he did.  We enjoyed ourselves so much that afternoon, it was the first time we "truly" saw mum, her true nature, happiness, joy and beaming with LOVE.

We miss you Alice, rest well now, no more suffering, no more worries, only peace and love.