Dianne Chisholm Autumn Diva

Tell us about your life, career, workplace:
I was married at 19, worked as a receptionist, then at 21 my first child arrived.  Four children (two boys, and two girls) rounded out the circle and I was able to have a career during that time as a homemaker. Crafts, bedtime stores, exploring the outdoors, helping out a nursery school, my family was my life.  Evenings I took University and Business courses towards the time when the children would be in school all day.  After 13 years at home I embarked on new path  "the business world". An opportunity became available in plant accounting and that became my focus. Starting as a cost clerk, then manager of plant accounting, and I ended that path at 59 as the Plant and Head Office Controller for a large paint company. Month ends, plant inventories, budgeting, year-ends, but always there were changes.   Mergers, downsizings, new accounting systems to implement but I persevered and grew from each new road. There were clouds along the way.  Deaths of close family, friends, Breast Cancer at 39, but life went on.  My four children grew up, married, and embarked on their own paths. My husband and I presently have 8 grandchildren with a ninth on the way.  Hard to believe we have our own ball team.  With just the two of us, in the year 2001, we left our corporate careers, re-tired (put on a new set of tires), and began a new business career "The Chisholms in Stratford" 3 rooms Bed and Breakfast, in Stratford, Ontario.  This is our life now, welcoming people into our home, working to ensure their time in Stratford, at our first class theatres, the many fine restaurants and tourism opportunities in this city and area, give them a respite from their busy life’s, and a chance to rejuvenate.  We are truly blessed to be part of this community.

What is your Passion in Life:
To embrace life with enthusiasm, commitment and joy. Recognizing that life is mix of laughter and tragedy, but that learning, growth and maturity come through all of life's experiences.

What do you do in life to do to relax:
Volunteer with local groups, Friends of the Festival, Huron Perth Canadian Mental Health, Stratford Community Theatre, and Zonta Club of Stratford.  My relaxing is in connecting with others.

What is your favorite story of rebellion:
I have never looked at myself as a rebel. For me it has always been to look at all alternatives. Life offers many opportunities for us to take new paths.  It is in the ability to keep oneself open to these opportunities, and not be closed in by our past experiences.

Tell us about a relationship that means a lot to you.
All relationships.  I hope to be available to each one as the situation
arises.  How could I ever choose one over others?

What do I do to release my pent up stress:
To work through the stress, I run.  Issues, and their solutions become
clear, and the fog lifts.

What helps you feel more energetic:
Physical exercise.  Running, biking, working out at the gym energizes me. I find with  just a little more push you will reach the finish line.