Kali J Desautels

If you don’t have a lightsaber battle with wrapping paper tubes, is it even Christmas?

#christmas #cardboardlightsaber #wrappingwar #wrappingpaper #battlefront #battle #myson #myguys #love #holidayseason #lovethem #kalidesautelsreads

I’m so sick. But I am also on a new job. I can hardly sit up, but I am sitting on the train. I will make it through my work, and then I am off for week of Christmas vacation. So to remind myself to try to function, I am wearing a chin up T-shirt, and will do my best.

Also – remember that people show their highlights on social media. Swipe to see the real face that wasn’t making the cut, because it too accurately represents how I am feeling today.

#chinups #canyoudiefromtheflu #sickselfie #sick #train #publictransit #transit #lookingatthehighlights #love #family #holidaygift #restneeded #theflu

I KINDLED my eight little candles, My Chanukah-candles–and lo!

Fair visions and dreams half-forgotten To me came of years long ago.

I musingly gazed at my candles; Meseemed in their quivering flames

In golden, in fiery letters I read the old glorious names,

The names of our heroes immortal, The noble, the brave, and the true,

A battle-field saw I in vision Where many were conquered by few.

Where trampled in dust lay the mighty, Judea’s proud Syrian foe;

And Judas, the brave Maccabaeus, In front of his army I saw.

His eyes shone like bright stars of heaven, Like music rang out his strong voice:

“Brave comrades, we fought and we conquered, Now let us, in God’s name, rejoice!” “We conquered–but know, O brave comrades, No triumph is due to the sword!

Remember our glorious watchword, ‘For People and Towns of the Lord!’” He spoke, and from all the four corners An echo repeated each word;

The woods and the mountains re-echoed: “For People and Towns of the Lord!” And swiftly the message spread, saying: “Judea, Judea is free,

Re-kindled the lamp in the Temple, Re-kindled each bosom with glee!” My Chanukah-candles soon flickered, Around me was darkness of night;

But deep in my soul I felt shining A heavenly-glorious light.

Source: https://www.familyfriendpoems.com/poem/chanukah-lights-by-p-m-raskin

#hanukkah #chanukah #happyhannukah #hannukahpoem #menorah #gloriouslights #holidayseason #holidays #lovequotes #kalidesautelsreads

“I’ll have a blue Christmas without you

I’ll be so blue just thinking about you

Decorations of red on our green Christmas tree

Won’t be the same dear, if you’re not here with me

And when those blue snowflakes start fallin’

That’s when those blue memories start callin’

You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white

But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas

You’ll be doin’ all right, with your Christmas of white

But I’ll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas”

– Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson (1948)

#santa #bluechristmas #blownglass #artknapp #christmassongs #christmas #antique #vintage #christmastime #holidayseason #glitter #love #happychristmas #happyholidays2019 #blue #kalidesautelsreads #decor #decorations

This song has been on my mind for the last 24 hours, so when it played to open my flow class today, I took it as a sign that this is where I needed to be in this moment. Thank you, Bri. Thank you so much. “When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be

For though they may be parted, there is still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Yeah, there will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

And when the night is cloudy there is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow, let it be

I wake up to the sound of music, Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be”

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: John Lennon / Paul McCartney

#thebeatles #letitbe #vinyasaflow #yoga #myhappyplace #oxygenyoga #paulmccartney #johnlennon #lyrics #rednails #mothermary #myfriend #mypractice #myasana #goodbye2019 #thanksforthelessons #kalidesautelsreads

As 2019 closes, I am grateful to be spending time with my beloveds. I am grateful that I have family and friends who understand that working through chronic migraines can lead to frustration and anxiety. I am grateful to the inventors of Ativan for the quick relief of anxiety attacks that hit suddenly when I am in a space filled with love, family, and rich, creative, magical joy. I am grateful to my parents for the experience of a life time watching Luzia by Cirque du Soleil (our very first cirque experience). I am grateful to my husband for placing a cool, calming hand at my chest reminding me to breathe deeply. I am grateful for my baby boy cuddling and kissing me, grounding me. I am grateful for my meditation practice that allowed me to draw into myself as I waited for the pharmaceutical intervention to kick in.

If ever there was a time when the magic and wonder of Cirque du Soleil could have a spellbinding effect, I am grateful that it was today, and that I was in the audience to receive that energy.

#luzia #cirquedusoleil #ativan #gratitude #grateful #family #anxiety #familytime #panicattack #panic #myboy #thebigtop #circus #christmas #holidayseason #festive #learningtocalm #meditate #medicate #kalidesautelsreads

In 2020, I am letting go of the pain of 2019 and embracing the beauty of the new year. In 2020, I am taking the lessons learned in 2019 and building on them for the new year. In 2020, I am no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop, and instead watching for the next rainbow. In 2020, I am honouring the people and things that showed up for me in 2019 and bring them my energy in the new year. In 2020, I am breathing in and expanding into the new year. In 2020, I will continue to return to my mat, I will continue to cuddle my kids, I will continue to read my books, and most of all I will continue to practice gratitude.

#2020 #happynewyear #welcome2020 #letgo #lookforward #rainbows #yoga #oxygenyoga #gaiam #gratitude #grateful #family #friends #lovequotes #love #goodbyecancer #breathe #lookdown #kalidesautelsreads #stagethreestudio #100daystoslay #fitlifestylelosetheboozeandmove

Every year, at least once (usually at least 3 or 4 times) I post a gushy, I love you post about this woman. January 2nd is always… but this year, she has crossed the international date line, and while it is Jan 1st in Vancouver, it is Jan 2nd in India, so this is not early. It’s just on Danielle’s time, and I have worked really hard to not be late over the last 2 years.

Happy birthday, Danielle. I am trying to write something eloquent that tells you how much I love you and am grateful for you, but for the first time in a decade and a half of friendship, there aren’t enough words. I am tearing up thinking of all the times you helped bring me back to the surface and to life this past year. Coming to rescue me when I was let go from work; bringing cake when I hit a 2.5 year goal on KDR; bringing to only toques that felt comfortable enough for Dave to wear through his cancer treatments; celebrating the little wins of the year; sitting with me in the maddening of the year. Following a year of saying good bye to Hera, celebrating a decade of marriage to my brother (and by extension my family), wine tours, spa days, yoga, Everest climbs, new jobs, competitions, and lots and lots of lipstick, I know that 2020 will be the most amazing year, and I cannot wait to cheer on your victories, read your mind playing Blockbuster, and just being family and the best of friends with you. Happy birthday, and I love you more than I could possibly express.

#happybirthday #soulsisters #33FTW #thisis33 #2020 #empoweringwomen #lipstick #putonsomelipstickandhandleit #bestiesforlife #sisterfromanothermister #believeinyourselfalways #hbd #happybirthday🎂 #birthdaygirl #lovethislady #kalidesautelsreads #flylikety

Welcome 2020! Today, I have my desk and was encouraged to make it my own. Working in an office where coworkers have crystals and salt lamps on their desks, intermingled with posters reading “cubicle, sweet cubicle” and pictures of their kids, I am feeling at home, not like the odd person out.

Now if only the internet would realize that the holiday break is over and stop taking a nap every 15 minutes, I might actually accomplish some do-gooding!

#newdesk #newyear #2020 #ccs #nonprofit #mybabies #believeinyourselfalways #newyearnewgoals #newyearnewstart #canadian #cancer #cancersociety #canadiancancersociety #work #yvr #vancouver #january #january2020 #kalidesautelsreads

What do you call the first day back to work of the new year, when you find out there is a free gym with showers in your office building?

Apparently, the same thing everyone else in the building thinks – a really good way to start the new year. 😂

#newyear #2020 #workout #fitlifestylelosetheboozeandmove #100daystoslay #cardioishardio #walkingismynewrunning #health2020 #gym #sweat #sweateveryday #dalhousie #kalidesautelsreads #dreadmill #treadmillworkout