This, That and The Other Thing

If I Were Part of the One Per Cent

2012-01-27T06:38:00.001-08:00

The Occupy movement, which is against economic and social inequality, tried to enter the high-security venue of the World Economic Forum today.

I wish I was part of the one per cent of the world’s richest people.

If I were, I would:

• Pay someone to clean my house.
• Hire a personal shopper to help me with the dreadful task of clothes shopping.
• Hire someone to do my ironing and make sure my clothes match before heading out the door.
• Go on a vacation when I felt the need to escape winter or just because I felt like getting away.
• Become a stay-at-home mom.
• Buy a hobby farm with acreage.
• Trap-spay-neuter cats to decrease the feral cat population. Please people, fix your pets.
• Volunteer, likely with animals or children.

On a serious note, there are all sorts of rich people just like there are all sorts of middle-class people.

Often you hear the super rich helping out during a crisis and long after the crisis has slipped the mind of every day people. Many of the super rich use their names to encourage people to donate time or money to a cause.

I think most of the one per cent look beyond themselves and help others. I am sure there are a few of the one per cent who only look out for only themselves. But then I am also sure more of the 99 per cent do the same.

Thursday’s Ramble

2012-01-26T05:11:00.001-08:00

After our son’s recent skate, the instructor commented to us that our guy is quite the negotiator.

My husband and I laughed out loud because as E was skating, we could tell he was trying to make a deal with the instructor and we were pleased to see she wasn’t buying it.

Our guy is a master negotiator often starting his sentence with “I have an idea.”

Bad Drivers
I was cursing the other drivers on the road recently but when I arrived in to work and attempted to do some writing, I noticed my fingers appeared to be on the wrong keys and everything was going wrong.
Sorry drivers, perhaps it wasn’t you but me.

Seasonal Affective Disorder
I have noticed that since I had my son and received fantastic hours at work, I haven’t been that affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

It might be the combination of having someone else to worry about and returning home when it’s still light outside that has help. However, I still find I am more tired than normal.

Bring on the cold, maybe
SAD might also be kept at bay because of our weird weather this year. The temperature changes often - sometimes warm, sometimes cold.

The bad part about the not-so-cold weather is the chance of freezing rain increases. I would rather deal with a blizzard than freezing rain. So bring on the cold?

Now That Is Taking a Need For Routine Too Far

2012-01-24T04:59:00.001-08:00

Routine, it is said, is important for children. Adults, too, get stuck in routines.

For example, I drive the same route to get to work and I when I get there, I turn on my computer, check my voicemail, change my message, start up all the programs I work with, get my water, do some reading and then check emails.

But recently, I ‘met’ a woman who takes her routine a tad too seriously. I think she may have a problem.

After dropping my guy off at daycare, I went to the local gas station to fill up my tank. I went inside, paid the man and then got in my car. I looked up to see a woman in a SUV impatiently waiting for my spot.

This would make sense if the gas station was full. It was not. It was about 6:20 a.m. and I was the only person at the station. All other gas pumps were empty.

I organized myself, put my seatbelt on and drove away. The woman immediately pulled into my spot.

What makes this story that much funnier, in my opinion any way, is that two days later I pulled back into the gas station parking lot and who is at that same pump at the same time – the woman in the SUV.

In the case, this woman needs to learn to change up her routine. Life must be so limiting for her.

Worth a trip to downtown Belleville

2012-01-23T05:11:00.001-08:00

Saturday, we visited my stepdaughter in Belleville where she lives while attending Loyalist College.

We have been to Belleville several times in the almost two years she has called that city home, but have never strayed further than the big-box store part of town.
As A. now owns a car, we were able to spend our Saturday checking out the town rather than grocery shopping.

On Friday, I looked up ‘What to do in Belleville’ and came across various trails that could take you along the Bay of Quinte as well as the Moira River in Belleville. Visit http://bayofquinte.com/directory/tag/belleville-trails/ for details.

I opted for the trails that lead along the river as I noticed there was a playground.
When we arrived at my stepdaughter’s place, A. suggested we instead visit downtown Belleville as it has old buildings and beautiful stores – my kind of place.

Not knowing how her brother would do shopping all day, and after spending more than two hours in the car, I thought a walk would do us all well.

We parked downtown for free, then headed to the paved trail along the water’s edge. (Note to self, next time have A, who has a sense of direction, look at a map before heading out.)

The Moira River was moving fast and furious. And close.

I not sure how the City of Belleville can get away with the design of the barrier along the water’s edge.

I appreciate my child is my responsibility, however, the walk along the river was a stressful experience. Our guy kept getting close to the barrier – if you could call it that – that literally sat on top of the river and offered zero protection from falling into the cold and fast-moving water below.

The space between each post of the barrier would fit an adult in some parts, more like four shoulder to shoulder near downtown. As such, I kept our guy between the concrete barrier protecting us from the road and myself.

We checked out an old mill and then walked downtown where we had an enjoyable afternoon checking out the shops in downtown Belleville.

My favourite places were Greenley's Bookstore, which had two levels of books, including a bargain shop at the bottom; Scalliway Toys (what a great name), which had a fantastic selection of unique and brand name toys at reasonable prices; and Stephen Licence Ltd. Bicycles & Hobbies, which had a great selection of trains, bikes, unique games and an owner who has seen it all when it comes to toys.

We stopped by a local coffee shop for a hot chocolate but I was disappointed. Why is a good cup of hot chocolate so hard to find? I am sure it was made with water. My guy liked it for the whipped cream and chocolate drizzle ton top.

We passed by L'auberge de France - Authentic French Bistro, which claimed to offer baked goods.

A said it was a sit-down restaurant so we didn’t go in. A mistake because I read they offer straight-from-the-oven chocolate croissants Saturdays. I bet they would have had a great cup of hot chocolate.

So if you are ever passing by Belleville, a trip to their downtown is a worthwhile experience.

And if you have children and you feel the need for a daredevil trip along the water’s edge, you will find a playground, which apparently is in the shape of a pirate ship.

I Hate Shoes

2012-01-20T05:15:00.001-08:00

There I said it.

I hate shoes. I would probably like shoes more if I didn’t have to shop for them, or at least if it wasn’t a chore to shop for them.

The only good thing about this week’s boot shopping excursion was that it was easy. I walked into the store, was passed a pair of boots, tried them on and walked out. If all shoe shopping trips were that easy, I would love shoes, too.

Sadly my shoe shopping trips are never that easy. Just ask my mom who bravely purchased me work shoes for Christmas. Almost a month and three pairs later, my kind mother has given up.

The last pair of shoes (too big on one foot, too small on the other and not nearly as comfortable as the pair before) are going back and my poor, patient mom is giving me the money to buy my own shoes.

The last pair of work shoes I purchased was many years ago.

My brave coworker, a shoe fan, took me to the mall where I dismissed more shoes than I tried on – too tall, too much heel and ugly. Finally I found ones that were similar to my old ones and that fit.

I purchased them, got into her car and promptly threw up.

Coincidence? I am not sure.

I do know those same shoes were finished two years ago (they have a large crack in the sole) so it’s time to brave the shoe store again.

Wish me luck.

Ode to Sorels

2012-01-19T05:54:00.001-08:00

It is with sadness that I announce the end of an era.

My brown leather and rubber Sorel boots walked their last step yesterday.
The boots, which I bought in high school (more than 20 years ago) and have worn every winter since, owe me nothing, yet I wanted them to continue serving my feet for years to come.

I could handle the fact the top of the boot was looking a little tattered. I could also tolerate the tinkle sound the boots made as the lace holders clinked against each other with every step.

Instead, it was the slice in the rubber near the bottom of the boot that concerned me. I could see my sock through the small cut, which means cold air – and water – could reach my foot.

It was with a heavy heart I went to Sears and asked the lady if she had Sorels just like the ones I was wearing. I was disappointment to hear she sold out of Sorels and only had Columbia ones left.

And while I bought the brown suede and rubber boots Columbia boots and like them, I haven’t yet thrown out the boots that have seen so much.

I have heard that Sorels offer a lifetime warranty.

However, the sales woman at Sears told me the company I purchased my boots from so many years ago no longer exists.

Sorels are no longer Canadian made and the company now belongs to Columbia.

So I hold on to my Sorels in hopes that perhaps Columbia honours the lifetime warranty that was in existence when my boots were purchased.

And if not, I will say goodbye to my trusty boots and hope my new Columbia boots can live up to the standards I set all boots too.

Note: These are not my Sorels. They do not exist, but they are similar in look and size. LisaDay

Everyone Should Have a Set

2012-01-17T04:53:00.001-08:00

Winter tires that is.

I have had two driving accidents in my life, each one taking place on my street and each one occurring in the winter, making me a fearful winter driver.

That is until this year, when I purchase a set of winter tires. What a great decision, and one I would recommend anyone who drives in weather that reaches 7 C to make.

Learn more about winter driving here.

Some of This and Some of That

2012-01-16T04:47:00.001-08:00

When my dad and I were driving to the restaurant for the annual Dad and Daughter Dinner Saturday, we noticed that at 6 p.m. it was not yet dark. In the mornings, light has broken the night by about 7:20.

So while today may be Blue Monday – the considered the most depressing day of the year – the fact that it is not dark all the time, makes me quite happy.

Helping pass the winter blahs is the fact our ice rink is everything we had hoped for.

While our guy still has no interest in using it with skates, he has discovered the joy of being pushed around on a chair.

You can get great speeds, particularly if Daddy is pushing while he is on skates.

We are trying to get out as often as possible. Last night we went for about a half a hour before my toes got cold and bed called my name.

I have decided the sound of blades on ice is one of the most wonderful sounds.

I am not much of a skater but I certainly have improved. I can now slow down and do little twirls without landing on my bum.

And I purposely slide my skate across the ice just so I can hear the sound of it.

During our bathroom break at the Real Canadian Superstore, I discovered cooking classes for children.

I am so excited. There are three I am considering signing our guy up for. I think he will love it.

We made Oscar the Grouch Garbage Pail cookies Friday night.

The recipe was found in a Cookie Monster cookie book we bought for our guy for Christmas.

Oh how times have changed.

According to Cookie Monster, cookies are a sometime snack and you should always eat your fruits and vegetables first.

It seems sad to mess with Cookie Monster’s diet of cookies, lots of them, all the time and eaten at an incredibly fast pace.

I Love This Mop

2012-01-13T05:37:00.001-08:00

I hate house cleaning. I can list a dozen things I would rather be doing than spend time cleaning my house. But each Saturday morning, while my boys watch TV in the shed, I clean the bathroom and vacuum the floors.

Prior to Christmas, I saw an advertisement (where I am not sure as I don’t watch TV) for the Vileda ProMist mop. And I wanted it. I wanted it so much I put it on my Christmas list.

What I liked most about the mop was that I could fill the container with my own cleaning solution – vinegar and water. And it sprayed rather than requiring me to use a bucket.

I didn’t get the mop for Christmas but I found it on sale after and picked it up last week.

I LOVE THIS MOP.

Can you say that about a mop? Well, I did – often – as I cleaned all my floors.

In addition to loving that I can use my own cleaning solution, the microfibre clothes (which I also love) are attached with Velcro so they do not pull off in mid-clean. The head swivels so I can get into corners and the spray is oh so fun.

The only thing that didn’t occur to me is you do need to buy the microfiber cloth refills. But the mop does come with one cloth that can be washed 100 times and a second cloth, which the company says is for messy cleanups, three times.

It’s floor-washing time.

My Heart Swells With Pride

2012-01-12T05:19:00.001-08:00

Last night my son wore skates on the ice for the first time in his life.

At 6 p.m., I put him in the arms of one of his skating instructors. He was pushed to a spot in the middle with other children who obviously had more experience on the ice than he did.

While the other kids were getting up and falling down (ouch), our guy stayed close to the instructor - on his bum.

For the rest of the class he stayed close to one instructor who held him and skated with him around the ice.

Eventually, she started teaching and he started learning.

She let go. Our guy stayed standing. I am not sure he even realized he was doing it.

He fell down. She showed him how to get up. She pushed him around the ice with her arms around his middle and he was using his feet. He stood with his arms straight out.

And then, he was skating.

She let him go and he would take several steps on his own before losing his balance and falling into the instructor’s arm.

Then it happened. He skated several steps into her outstretched arms and he arrived there without falling.

In the course of a half hour lesson, my guy was skating – and having fun.

You Can Do It, Sam

2012-01-09T04:42:00.001-08:00

Santa brought my son a bunch of new books including You Can Do It, Sam by Amy Hest.

It was a hit the moment we first cracked it open, reading if about five times that day – and three times in a row.

You Can Do It, Sam is about a little bear and his mom, who makes cakes for their neighbours on Plum Street.

On Saturday after the nap that didn’t happen, my son and I baked chocolate cupcakes.

And just like Sam, my guy waited impatiently for the chocolate goodness to bake, then waited until they cooled so we could ice them and decorate them with the dinosaur sprinkles we got from my aunt.

We then placed them on plates, put on name tags and, like Sam, delivered cupcakes to our friends on our street.

If You’re Happy and You Know Shout Hooray

2012-01-06T05:44:00.000-08:00

I am also stamping my feet and clapping my hands that it is the weekend.

My son, for the first time, is also excited about Friday. I think it has been a long, short week for all of us.

We were off for more than a week for the Christmas holiday so it was hard getting back at it.

This weekend there will likely be some baking. My son requested to make both cupcakes and cookies and wants to use the new dinosaur sprinkles my aunt gave us.

I hope it also involves some backyard skating, some outside walking and some indoor playing.

Happy Weekend.

And We Have Ice

2012-01-05T05:05:00.001-08:00

It wasn’t frozen by Christmas but two days later we were skating on our ice rink.

At least Jamie and I were skating.

Our guy gets as far as attempting to put his helmet on, then deciding skating isn’t fun and asking to go inside for hot chocolate.

That attitude is a little concerning considering he is signed up for skating lessons beginning Wednesday.

What our guy thinks is really fun, however, is sitting on his new sled from Nana and Poppa and having Daddy send him flying around the ice.

I must say it does look like he is having fun with a grin that reaches from one side of his face to another.

Welcome to a winter of fun.

A Tradition – Evolved

2012-01-02T14:28:00.001-08:00

That's what the nieces and nephews called it - a tradition evolved.

My grandmother died in October. As Christmas approached, my sister-in-law and I chatted about a New Year's tradition that has been taking place since before I was born – New Year's oliebollens.

Oliebollen are Dutch deep-fried doughnuts that we dip in icing sugar.

As a child, every New Year's Eve, we would go to my grandparents' house and bring in the new year by eating oliebollen, skating on the pond and hanging out with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

When my grandfather died more than 10 years ago, the tradition changed and we celebrated New Year's day at my grandmother's house, eating oliebollen and clementines and chatting with my aunts, uncles and cousins.

Yesterday, the tradition changed again.

The nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews hosted a New Year's Day celebration at my brother and sister-in-law's house with oliebollen, clementines, munchies and soup.

There was sledding, snowball fights and snowman making in the rain.

There was talk about – mainly by me - how my grandmother should be have inducted into some sort of hall of fame because another tradition evolved this week. The tradition of making oliebollen on New Year's Eve day.

That fell to me and, while delicious, oliebollen is a lot of work and takes a lot of time.

But I can see why Grandma continued doing it after her children grew up. It's one Dutch tradition we actually do and I am happy we are continuing the tradition – evolved.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T04:41:00.001-08:00

Wishing each of you a magical Christmas filled with wonderful memories and happy times. Wishing each of you a Happy New Year and a healthy and happy 2012.

LisaDay

You Don’t See This Much Anymore

2011-12-22T04:52:00.001-08:00

Yesterday I was dusting my knick-knacks and books in my library when I pulled out my husband’s shoes from when he was a toddler.

The shoes, more than 40 years old, still look good and if I didn’t know that those hard-soled shoes were actually bad for children’s feet, I would still use them.
I flipped them over when I discovered this:

Yes, these beautiful shoes were made in Canada. It’s rare to find items made in Canada these days. And that is kind of sad.

Never Doubt a Salt Truck Operator

2011-12-21T05:15:00.001-08:00

This morning on the way to my son’s daycare provider, a town truck was spraying the roads with sand.

The temperature was zero degrees and I thought to myself that it was a waste of resources sanding a road that was wet.

As I got out of my car to walk over to my son’s side, I slide across the driveway only catching myself by grabbing onto the door handle.

I should never doubt a salt truck operator. I believe they may know what they are doing.

Sarah’s Key

2011-12-20T05:49:00.000-08:00

I just finished reading Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay.

What a fantastic book. I couldn’t put it down. I can’t stop crying. I can’t get Sarah and her story out of my head.

I can’t stop thinking about all that was lost during the Holocaust. I can’t stop wondering how we can be so cruel to each other.

A New Toy

2011-12-16T04:54:00.001-08:00

My guy is a big drinker. Since he started eating, he has also been drinking water from a sippy cup.

When he first went to daycare, I told his provider he was to only have water and milk. No juice. Other than juice at Nana and Poppa’s and in the morning, we drink only water.

Yesterday I received a press kit from Brita. In addition to a red Brita pitcher in celebration of Chinese New Year Jan. 23, I also received a Brita bottle with a built-in filtration system.

I was most excited about the Brita bottle.

At home we drink water from our well. It’s delicious water. However, when we visit my brother-in-law in the city or friends who are on town water, we hesitate drinking their water because of the strong chlorine taste.

According to the Brita, the filtration system reduces the taste and odour of chlorine. The other bonus is the bottle is dishwasher safe, BPA free and reduces the amount of water bottles produced.

And my guy loves the bottle. Last night he drank an entire bottle and this morning brought it to daycare to show it to his friends. A system that reduces the taste of chlorine is good for the environment and is a fun, new toy.

Perfect.

This Is What a House Should Look Like

2011-12-15T05:25:00.001-08:00

It might have been the request to see a new one on this blog or the fact the kit was there waiting for me, but whatever the reason I again attempted to build a cookie house with my son.

In December 2009, I thought I would test my skills and my patience and make a gingerbread house for my son.

It was a disaster, and that is being generous.

This year, through work, I interviewed a woman who suggested people should have a gingerbread house making party rather than a traditional cookie exchange.

It would be more fun, she said, to gather your friends together, provide created gingerbread houses and decorate as they wished.

Once the interview was posted, KS said she would like to see a new gingerbread house picture posted on my blog. I didn’t think it would happen this year.

But then, this weekend, we went to the local apple orchard’s customer appreciation event and what did I spot – an apple spice cookie cottage kit. I bought it.

And this year I was smart enough to let my husband do the building and my son do the decorating.

So here you go, K, this house is for you.

Christmas Wish list

2011-12-12T04:44:00.000-08:00

This Christmas, my husband and I would like -10 C weather with no snow and no wind so the swimming pool in our backyard will turn into the skating rink it is supposed to be.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

2011-12-09T05:03:00.001-08:00

I received an email from a colleague who said he is a cynic at this time of year.

I replied that I love the Christmas season and it’s not so much about the gifts but the memories and traditions that come along with the season.

It’s listening to Christmas carols in my car and watching Christmas movies at home. It's reading Christmas stories about love and redemption.

It’s going to get our tree the first weekend of December, pulling out the ornaments and decorations I haven’t seen in a year and placing them throughout the house.

It’s making cookies with my family and making more cookies at home.

It’s finding the perfect gift for everyone I love and then wrapping those presents beside the twinkling tree.

It’s deciding what to make for Christmas Eve, Christmas morning and Christmas dinner.

It’s hanging out with those I love.

Merry Christmas. I hope you find beautiful memories, too.

Now That Was A Parade

2011-12-08T05:37:00.001-08:00

At the last moment, we decided to take our son to the local Santa Claus parade Saturday night. I am so glad we went.

Now that was a parade.

The last parade we went to was OK. I was disappointed about the lack of effort parade participants put into their floats.

I didn’t feel the same way about this parade.

Wow, what a great time.

All but two local businesses had great floats, lit up with hundreds of Christmas lights. The local Home Hardware had four floats, which each had a live band with great musicians. A local towing company also had four floats, each different from the other.

There were lots of local service clubs such as the Scouts, the Kinettes, who were collecting for the food bank, and the Optimist Club, and there were bands, both local and from Toronto.

Local businesses were open late and handed out hot chocolate and other treats and the food bank had a barbecue going by donation.

The street was closed off so my guy could run up and down it while waiting for the parade to come to us.

I want to commend the organizers of this Santa Claus parade for creating an event that celebrated what the season is suppose to be about.

Merry Christmas.

Here’s Something You Don’t Want For Christmas

2011-12-02T04:53:00.001-08:00

Last week an illness struck.

Two visits to two different emergency departments, three X-rays, a half-hour long ultrasound, some IV fluids, two types of painkillers, including morphine, and a week lost with my son later and it turns out I had some sort of viral infection.

You do not want whatever I had this Christmas. Nor do you want another virus that is making its rounds in this part of the world – it affects your breathing for four weeks.

Santa Came to Town

2011-11-21T04:42:00.001-08:00

Santa came to the nearby town on Saturday. It was E’s first parade. He loved the people who gave out chocolate and candy canes.

He waved to the firefighters and police officers and he fell asleep to mommy rocking (literally rocking not rocking out) to the music.

He stayed asleep through the marching bands, to driver blowing his big rig horn and to Santa wishing each of us a Merry Christmas.

The parade itself was OK.

I was disappointed by the local stores that used the parade as a marketing vehicle rather than a Christmas parade to get us into the spirit.

If people can’t put effort into their floats, do not bother attending. So to the local florist, the larger grocery store and the trailer rental place, don’t participate next year. Find another way to advertise your business.

It’s Mittens Time

2011-11-18T05:07:00.001-08:00

My little guy hates bundling up for the snow. I don’t say I blame him.

Last year he was moving much better than the year before but it’s hard to walk, never mind play, when you have bulky snowpants and jacket, boots and mittens that never stay on.

Summer is much easier.

As the temperature has dropped this fall, my guy refused to put on his mittens despite cold hands and fingers.

He told me he wasn’t going to wear mittens until there was snow.

Well little guy, it snowed last night. Welcome back mittens.

Move Over Chinese Pre-Folds, There is a New Cloth Diaper in Town

2011-11-17T04:49:00.001-08:00

Readers of this blog will know I love using cloth diapers, and I don’t hesitate to tell anyone I talk to that they, too, should go cloth.

My guy has been toilet trained for months. He does, however, still use diapers during naptime and overnight. And because E is a heavy wetter, he uses disposables during those times.

So when I received an email from Mohammed at Lil Helper asking if I still used cloth diapers and if I would be willing to try his version, I jumped at the chance.

If Lil Helper’s diapers would keep E dry, I would buy a set.

I wish I could have captured E’s expression when I put on Lil Helper’s charcoal bamboo cloth diaper.

Super soft, the diaper and its two bamboo inserts with seven layers of absorbent cloth, stayed in place with snaps.

Mohammed also provided me with additional cotton inserts that went inside the diaper. Snaps are also used to keep the diaper on.

Once on, my guy jumped up and paraded in his new blue diaper. ‘Look, Mommy,’ he said before dancing around in the house. Cloth diaper bum is the cutest thing around, but Lil Helper cloth diaper bum is even more fantastic.

Sadly, E didn’t make it through the night with the Lil Helper diaper, but in fairness, he often doesn’t make it through the night in disposables either.

Last night, while getting ready for bed, he asked to wear his Lil Helper diaper. We plan to try it during naptime on the weekend.

I think for a child who is not a heavy wetter, these diapers would work wonderfully. If I discovered Lil Helper before E was potty trained, I would have bought them. If we ever have more children, Lil Helper is where we will turn to.

In addition to being beautifully made, Lil Helper’s diapers are:

* All In Ones. You do not need to buy an additional diaper cover.

* One-size fits all. The same diaper will fit your baby from seven to 35 pounds.

* The outer layer is made from waterproof, yet breathable materials.

* Through Lil Helpers Baby Do Good program, for every three diapers purchased by its customers the company pledges to gift a new cloth diaper to a family in need.

* Mohammed and his family are down-to-Earth, easy to talk to and funny. Nader is also an owner and founder of this company. Both men and their families live in Toronto.

Since you Asked...

2011-11-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

I have started listening to Christmas music in the car on the way to and from work.

I have started Christmas shopping and have started to think of creating new Christmas traditions for my family.

I think I may watch a Christmas movie with my guy, who has already watched a Christmas movie at daycare.

I love Christmas.

Giving Credit Where Credit is Due

2011-11-03T05:24:00.001-07:00

You know, you have to give Canadians credit. If I saw someone like this walking down the street, I would do a double take:

Instead, most people just walked by me on Halloween. Some looked past me; some glanced and then looked away like I wasn’t dressed in a Maleficent costume; some people smiled; some people stopped to talk or let me know I looked fantastic; and one little boy gave me a wide berth while never looking away.

I hope you had a happy Halloween, too.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T05:21:00.000-07:00

Pumpkin picked. Check.
Pumpkin scooped out. Check.
Pumpkin decorated. Check.
Pumpkin seeds roasted. Check.
Costumes ready. Check.
House decorated. Check.
Count down over. Check.

Happy Halloween.

Happy Birthday Little Boy

2011-10-20T04:57:00.000-07:00

It was three years ago tomorrow my little guy arrived bringing me as much joy as I had imagined.

It was three years ago tomorrow that my life became more complicated, but in a way that I am thankful for every day.

It was three years ago tomorrow that me time, means us time and for that I am grateful.

Tomorrow my little guy turns three. It doesn't seem that long ago that we drove to the hospital and my little guy was placed into my arms bringing with him daily joy and often worry.

Happy Birthday, little man. Guacamole and a campfire with marshmallows and hot dogs await.

Love Mommy

Dear Grandma,

2011-10-10T02:37:00.001-07:00

Dear Grandma,

Despite my professional, words often escape me. Or at least words I think are good enough to honour a woman such as yourself.

Instead I will list some memories:

Accented names; red check; brown; sleepovers; warnings about Teddy; dislike of chickens (yours); those same chickens pecking at my shoelaces; oversized boots; straw hat; working Grandma; getting in trouble for sleeping in; the Look; handmade sweaters and skating outfits; church; Thanksgiving blessings; large family gatherings; laughter; oillenbollen on New Year's; Dutch hail both fruit and chocolate; chocolate letters; gas stoves; your laugh and smile; your acceptence and love for extra people; holding little boys; love; short jokes; silly bands.

I love you my Holland-travelling partner.

Love Lisa

My grandma, Geesje ter Steege, passed away Oct. 7. The head of the family, the one every child used a a marker for trying to be taller, was 85. As a note, the only one who almost didn't make it - other then the great-grandchildren of course - is my full-grown cousin S. Bad luck with the gene pool there, S.

OK, Now I am Ready For Fall

2011-09-26T04:46:00.001-07:00

Before I can accept it’s fall and love the season for it’s beautiful colours, crisp days and woodsy smells, I have to mourn the loss of summer.

And this year I have been particularly sad to say goodbye to hot days, long periods of sunshine and a more relaxed pace of life.

But this weekend I have accepted summer is over and welcomed in fall.

It could be that this weekend was fantastic. The prediction of rain didn’t come true and instead it was blue skies and warmer temperatures.

Welcome fall.

Cinnamon Lovers Take Note

2011-09-23T05:46:00.001-07:00

Finally there is a product out there that claims it has cinnamon in it and delivers.

I love cinnamon. When a recipe calls for cinnamon, I at least double it. I put cinnamon in my hot chocolate, cinnamon in my apple pies, cinnamon in baked goods and as I child I enjoyed it on toast.

You can never have too much cinnamon in my mind.

But apparently not everyone feels this way; particularly companies that claim to make cinnamon products but only but small amounts in.

I have not found a cinnamon raisin bread that actually tastes like cinnamon. I enjoy a coffee cake that claims it is cinnamon and while the topping succeeds, that cake does not.

But a couple of weeks ago, I discovered Oatmeal to Go Cinnamon Roll granola bars.
I was hooked after the first cinnamon bite and have gone through two boxes since.

Way to go Quakers.

It Must Be Fall

2011-09-22T05:11:00.000-07:00

Because I am beginning to go into hibernation mode. I just want to sleep.

A Great Weekend For A Wedding

2011-09-19T05:17:00.000-07:00

My brother-in-law got married on the weekend, and what a wonderful weekend it was.
The wedding was at Patterson-Kaye Lodge, a fantastic place for a weekend or weeklong getaway; kudos to the family who owns it.

The wedding took place on the beach, with my now sister-in-law arriving by boat. Of course, I didn’t notice this happening as I was busy chasing after two little ‘ring monkeys’ who thought running toward the water in their suits was much more fun than staying with their aunt and sister.

With toys and sand and little boys in the sand, the wedding, I am told, was as beautiful as the day – warm, but fall cool and lots of sunshine.

The reception was lovely, the food was fantastic and the details were perfect.

By 10 p.m., my guy was ready to go back to our cottage after an evening of playing with his new friends, and was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

The next day included more visits to the park, more turns on the zipline and 45 minutes spent in the hot tub with his dad.

Congrats to the happy couple. And congrats for creating a beautiful wedding.

Weekends are fun

2011-09-12T04:41:00.000-07:00

I love weekends.

This weekend we had a friend and her son over so my guy had someone to play with.

We also:

• Went apple picking. It's that time of year again. This year we are dehydrating them and I may try canning them, too.

• Dug up my neighbour's flowers and planted them in my garden.

• Went grape picking at the same neighbour's house. My guy liked using his shovel to bury the grapes in my garden.

• Played tennis, soccer with a hacky sack and went for a walk.

• Tried out our new slide courtesy of my brother.

• Made cookies for my brother-in-law's upcoming wedding (only 20 more to go).

• Made tomato sauce with tomatoes and basil from our garden.

• Napped, played, read and laughed.

Another great weekend.

That’s Dedication

2011-09-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

I saw a man pushing a golf cart this morning. He beat the sunrise – it was only 6:30 a.m. Now that is a man who obviously loves to golf.

Now This Is A Haircut

2011-09-08T04:49:00.001-07:00

I am not one of those women. I don’t need to spend a hour in front of the mirror before I leave for the day; I don’t need to spend a small fortune on the latest fashions; and I don’t need to have a shoe collection.

Before my hair was more grey than blond, brown and red combined, I rarely went to the hairdresser. But when I went, I went in with two rules – I am 37 years old and I am a wash and go kind of girl.

After that, I gave the hairdresser free rein – she could do whatever she wanted as long as she remembered those two rules.

Most hairdressers, in my experience, err on the side of caution, like they really didn’t believe me when I insisted I really wanted them to do what they want (they are after all the professional) and if I really hated a cut, it was hair and it would grow back.

In April when I got my hair cut (and my first colour), the hairdresser cut off half an inch. I told her I once had hair half way down my back and shaved it off and that, really, should could do whatever she wanted.

The end result of that day was a few inches off, no real style and highlights that looked exactly like my original hair colour including the grey.

I went to a new place Friday where I met Debbie, who could be my new favourite person.

Not only did Debbie understand my love of a wash and go cut, she explained to me why I shouldn’t have really short hair (it would make my giraffe neck look longer than it does already) and had a vision, which included chopping off a good six inches and razoring the rest. And the colour is beautiful. My roots were coloured by natural colour and the highlights include more red and blond.

I came out with a new look that actually had style and is – as promised – wash and go.
Thank you, Debbie.

Note: I attempted to take a photo of myself but it made me look old and tired. I do have some pride so I deleted those photos. You’ll have to trust that my haircut is great.

Poor Kids

2011-09-07T04:28:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first day of school for kids in this part of the world.

For my little guy and I, it meant we had to get up earlier and be on the road earlier so I can miss the rush-hour traffic. As we were nearing the end of our long street, at about 6:10 a.m., I noticed a school bus.

Where are these poor children going to school that they need to be picked up at that ungodly hour? I hope the school is worth it.

Summer Vacation Recap

2011-09-06T08:41:00.000-07:00

Summer vacation was great.

One week was spent camping with my family, which created great memories for myself and my little guy. He is asking to go again.

New Room
My 'baby' now has a big boy room. The crib is down, the big boy bed is against the wall and a garage sale has added some needed storage to his room.

Summer Holidays

2011-08-12T04:41:00.001-07:00

My summer holidays usually fall in July.

Pre-child, I liked taking time off around my birthday. Last year, my daycare provider took her holidays in July so I did as well.

This year, my holidays are just about to begin and continue for two weeks.

While any holiday is a fantastic one, I am a little sad with the change in winter.
People, it’s cold in the morning. The outside temperature in the morning is about 15 C (59 F). I have been putting sweaters on my little guy in morning and am thinking of bringing my cape along for the morning ride.

While I will be happy if I have sun, I also want heat – July heat.

Welcome on summer vacation.

Oh Summer Traffic, Why Did You Stay Away?

2011-08-11T04:58:00.001-07:00

I live about a hour away from my work. During the school year, particularly in the winter, it often takes at least a hour and a half to get to work in the morning and just more than a hour to get back home again.

While I like the commute less than I used to, I tolerated it because of what I call the summer traffic break when my 50-minute commute is 50 minutes with no stopping from the time I get on the highway to the time I pull into my workplace.

But the summer traffic season has only three weeks left (Labour Day is Sept. 5) and I have yet to see smooth sailing.

I have been stuck in traffic every morning. At night, if I have had to work late, I have been stuck in it as well.

My stress level never lessened and my wonderful summer traffic has been non-existent.

I think the time of summer traffic and easy commuting is no more.

And that makes me sad.

Ancient Tree

On a happy note, we discovered this ancient tree on a walk we took yesterday afternoon.

My camera’s battery died as we made this discovery so the pictures just don’t do it justice.

But the tree, likely an ancient pine, is huge. There is no bark left and the tree itself has tattoos – lines were the ants and other bugs ate it.

The stories this tree has to tell would be amazing.

Is it Wrong to Be Sad?

2011-08-08T05:07:00.001-07:00

My little guy is now in a big boy bed. The first night we set it up, he went to sleep with little fuss.

Yesterday, he started out in his big boy bed for his nap but then we heard all this noise. When he called us to get him up from his afternoon nap, he and all his toys were back in his crib. (He didn’t want this crib taken down, so his bed is currently set up beside his crib.)

Last night he again went to bed with little fuss.

While it makes me smile that he seems happy in his big boy bed, it makes me a little sad of another obvious sign my baby is now a little boy.

I Like Summer Best

2011-08-04T04:43:00.000-07:00

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2

2011-07-29T05:07:00.001-07:00

I saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 on opening weekend.

I think it’s the first time I have watched a movie on opening weekend and it was worth the hour and a half my Dad and I stood in line for.

It was also my first 3-D movie experience. My Dad loves 3-D. I thought it was neat, but I am not sure I think it’s worth the extra money theatres charge.

But back to Harry Potter.

I was so excited to see the final instalment of JK Rowling’s piece and I was not disappointed.

I am not going to say anything more than if you loved the book, you will not be disappointed with the movie.

I want to see it again.

Happiness Is…

2011-07-28T05:14:00.001-07:00

New appliances.

On Friday, after a large grocery shop and as I was getting ready to host a shower for my future sister-in-law, our fridge died.

There was panic and indecisiveness but at the end we were able to put our food in our neighbour’s fridge until time would allow us to deal our dying one.

Thank goodness for the Internet. How did we ever survive without it? This week has been spent online looking at various companies and their fridges.

Wednesday night I looked on kijiji, a free advertising site, and discovered someone in a town close by was selling never-used Samsung appliances for a fantastic price. Last night my husband and his friend picked up our new appliances.

We now have a working fridge and to stave off Murphy’s Law, which says things always happen in threes, a new stove and dishwasher.

Is it sad that I am excited about new appliances?

I am Going to See Harry Potter!!!

2011-07-15T04:26:00.000-07:00

And I am so excited.

My Dad has ordered the tickets and we are going Saturday. I can't wait.

Summer is Here

2011-07-14T06:15:00.000-07:00

Summer is here, which explains why I haven't posted for a while.

I thought I would show you what we have been up to. What about you?

It’s Time To Say Goodbye (Ode to a Towel)

2011-06-30T05:01:00.001-07:00

About 20 years ago, my high school friend went to Disney World with her family. She bought me a towel. Not just any towel, but a Little Mermaid towel.

The Little Mermaid is one of my all-time favourite Disney movies. When I purchased the VHS tape when I was 16, my friend best friend over at Moments of Clarity and I watched it daily, often while eating these delicious, pure fat, chocolate chip bars we made in the microwave.

I could recite The Little Mermaid word by word – although my niece would tell you I am doing it wrong.

I was estatic to receive this towel in the ’90s. For the first many years, I didn’t use it. Instead I attached it to the ceiling in my room so I slept under Ariel and crew nightly.

Once I went to college, I began using the towel, which has accompanied me on more moves then I have fingers for.

Fast forward to the 2000s and my beautiful Little Mermaid towel has dried its last body.

I have realized the end of its life was coming for some time. But when I used it last week, I realized it was time to let it go. No longer bright and fluffy, it’s now faded, almost see-through and holey.

Thank you, Barb, for my beautiful towel. Towel, you’re still my favourite, but it’s time to say goodbye.

On a happier note, last weekend my boys wore matching sweatpants and slippers (requested by our guy) and went for walk and picked flowers. It was lovely Sunday morning.

This Blog Posting Changed Three Times Today (And Still Changing)

2011-06-24T05:48:00.001-07:00

I was originally going to blog about a certain towel but I forgot to take a picture so it so changed direction.

As I sat by the computer, starring blankly at the screen, I decided to tell you about the book I am reading – The Host by Stephenie Meyer.

As I haven’t finished reading the book, and I really don’t know much about it, I logged onto Meyer’s official website to see if I could find some information to share.

Instead I was dragged into Meyer’s world and didn’t resurface for some time.
Let’s just say, wow. You could spend hours reading that site; there is so much information and so many extras.

While I wouldn’t consider myself an author, I do think of myself as a writer. As a writer, I am in awe of authors and the skill and dedication they have. And Stephenie Meyer is no exception.

What impresses me most about authors is the act of writing. I paid attention in English. I have written my share of stories. I even attempted to get one published. But I never understood – or could do – the details.

In class we were always taught that everything was planned. True authors, we were told, sketch out their books so the plot and the details are exposed before the writing begins.

Christine Lee posted a letter by Alan Rickman to JK Rowling about Severus Snape, his Harry Potter character.

Paraphrasing Rickman, he mentioned it didn’t seem so long ago that Rowling told him there was more to Snape than an unchanging costume. I found that fascinating.

Obviously, Rowling knew from the moment she put pen to paper the end result of her series and all those moments from Book 1 was planned out before she got to Book 7.

And Meyer is the same way. Thank you, Meyer, for letting me get into your brain to see how a real author works.

Poor Thing

2011-06-23T05:14:00.001-07:00

Cosmo, the cat, was looking quite intently in the backyard this morning. I opened the curtains, thinking he was interested in catching a shadfly or two, when I realized he had his eye on something much bigger – a deer.

While there is a forest about 10 minutes down the street, I am far enough away that deer usually don’t make a foray into our yard (except once before).

I locked Cosmo in the bathroom and opened the patio door. I tried to talk in a calm manner to the scared creature while also taking its picture. It was only after I attempted to take video that I realized it was hurt badly.

I woke up my husband and suggested we call someone but he said realistically by the time anyone got here, the deer would be long gone. Instead, I opened the side door and the deer found its way out.

My pictures and video are awful – too dark out and too far away but here they are any way.

Happy Monday

2011-06-20T05:46:00.001-07:00

It was a glorious weekend.
I hope yours was, too.

I hosted a tea party last weekend. The bugs and rain couldn't keep the fun at bay.

Even My Two Year Old Doesn’t Think I am Funny

2011-06-16T05:01:00.001-07:00

The other day on our way home, I was telling my son a story, which ended with ‘wasn’t that funny.’

He looked at me and screamed, “Mommy, I am not laughing with you.”
Oh.

And then he said it again: “Mommy, I am not laughing with you.”

Are you laughing at me? I asked him.

“Mommy, I am not laughing at you.”

Well that is a relief.

Other funny things this week:

• When my son was yelling about something else, I told him not to scream at me. The next time he was yelling, he told me “Mommy, I am not yelling at you.” He was yelling at the iPod, apparently for not working right.

• His new thing is to tell me what to say so he can respond the way he wants. So he tells me, “Mommy, say, ‘Spiders are yucky, E’.” So I say it. Then he responds with “No, spiders good. They eat squitoes.”
It’s nice to know that while my son doesn’t think I am funny, he is at least listening to me.

• “Mommy, you ran over my foot.” Yes, I did run over my son’s foot with his own high chair, why do you ask? I felt so badly particularly since he looked like he wanted to cry but was trying to be brave.

• “Mommy, what did you call me?” I had called him Baby. “I am not baby. I am big boy.” True. How sad.

• “Mommy, you can’t have bubble gum, you’re big. I’m little. I like bubble gum.”

• I had the flu this week and my little one was a good nurse. He was eating porridge and he said to me “Mommy, you eat breakfast to make your tummy feel better.” I passed. Later, he insisted raw mushrooms, gross at any time, would make me feel better. “Choo, choo, Mommy. Eat it. It will make tummy feel better. Eat it. Eat it.” He didn’t believe me when I pretended to take a bite. I can’t fool this little guy.

I Hate…

2011-06-10T05:32:00.000-07:00

Money. I hate the necessity of those bills and coins. I hate that I making the same money, but everything – gas, groceries, insurance, food – is going up.

If it weren’t for flushing toilets, communication devices and religion, I would become a Mennonite and live off the land.

Pee, Pee, Everywhere Pee

2011-06-09T05:34:00.001-07:00

We started potty training our guy Sunday. We bought Kushies training pants, the reusable variety of Pull-ups.

Past readers of this blog knows my guy drinks a lot so therefore he pees a lot, too. For us, this means we spent a lot of time asking and taking him to the potty. For the record, he goes each time he sits down.

So far he hasn’t had any accidents but that may be because I take him every 15 minutes or so and I can only assume the daycare provider does so as well.

The daycare provider must have one of those freestanding potties. Prior to real potty training, my guy would prefer (thankfully) to go on the one that fits on our toilet.

But since Sunday, he requests the freestanding variety.

After he finishes peeing, he loves to empty the contents into the big toilet and flush.

Before heading off to the library yesterday afternoon, I asked my guy if he had to go. He said no, so I suggested we go together – E on the freestanding potty and me on the normal one. He finished first.

I think you know where this is heading because I saw it coming but didn’t react fast enough.

My guy stood up, grabbed the potty and dumped the contents all over me. I was covered in pee – a lot of pee.

‘Sorry, Mommy,’ he told me. ‘I clean you.’ And he did. He took toilet paper and wiped it off my wet jeans. I cleaned up the rest and changed before we went out.

It’s Book Season

2011-06-08T06:18:00.001-07:00

There is something about the lazy, hazy days of summer and the desire to sit outside and read.

I don’t read nearly as much as I used to, but I still love books and losing myself in them.

My stepdaughter has been kind and has lent me several books she brought home from her recent visit with her mom.

I re-read the Twilight series as well as novella from the series called The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. The Eclipse short story was a good one, although it hard to read because you knew what fate laid in store for Bree, who seemed like a good person who had a tough life.

I am currently reading A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray.

When looking up the author, I read this is actually the first book in a trilogy. I am enjoying it. It’s a quick and easy read although I have to keep skepticism at bay.

Yes, I can believe in fairies and dragons, wizards and vampires but I have a hard time with realms and the magic found within them.

I also have a Mary Higgins Clark, a John Grisham and various other not-popular fiction books sitting on my shelf. I also recommend Anita Shreve.

Her books, to me, scream out summer reading.

Summer is Here

2011-06-06T05:08:00.001-07:00

Officially summer doesn’t arrive until June 21 but unofficially it’s here.

I am finally warm. I can go outside and feel the heat of the sun seeping through my skin and right into my bones. I feel completely relaxed, flittering from one activity to another – going high on the swings, flipping over on the monkey bars, watching my son play in his new mini pool, going for a walk and throwing stones in the lake.

We are eating watermelon and spraying bugs with the hose. We are planting our vegetable garden and hanging clothes on the line. We are watching robins build nests and orioles and hummingbirds emptying our feeders.

I am counting down the days until summer driving season and weekends full of fun plans.

Welcome warm weather.

Happiness Is

2011-06-03T05:00:00.001-07:00

It's Friday, which means two days happiness.

My husband, the guy on the left, made this playset (and the shed) for our guy. We still need a slide and various other rope devices. The sandbox is on the deck. We love it.

Now that there is heat, there are also water fights with big sister A.

After a water fight, there is a hose shower.

And if it rains on Saturday, there is always rubber boots and umbrellas and no pants.

E received this old Tonka jeep (complete with spare tire and a gas tank) at someone's garage sale.

My garden is the best in the spring. I have no idea what these pretty flowers are. I have no idea why this sentence is hyperlinked.

After five years of growing, our apple tree finally has blossoms. Hee, hee. I just realized I flipped this picture the wrong way. Notice the tree in the background.

Lilacs are my favourite. My husband cut these for me to put in my car on the drive to my parents'.

My guy is getting a hang of his balance bike.

Helping Daddy wash his Harley.

Riding a skateboard.

'Sleeping' on the wagon with my niece.

I hope you have a weekend filed with happiness.

He IS a Killer

2011-06-02T04:51:00.001-07:00

It turns out that Cosmo the kitty really is a killer, and I can’t be more excited.

I mentioned in this blog before that Cosmo was able to hunt and catch the mice in our house, but he seemed to be the type of cat who liked to torment and play with his finds rather than just killing them.

But this morning I went to the bathroom and there was a mouse – dead – on the floor beside the toilet.

I am lucky I didn’t step on it.

I am also lucky Cosmo didn’t decide to drop the dead mouse on me while I was a sleeping.

Way to go, killer.

It’s Ironic

2011-05-27T05:57:00.001-07:00

Readers of my blog will know I try hard to keep my son’s image and personal information out of this space.

So when I received a message from a representative from Ornge, the world’s innovator in the emerging field of transport medicine to speak at a launch of their program in Markham, ON, I hesitated.

I hesitated because by agreeing to attend their event, my guy – and his story of survival - would no longer be private.

While we would love to donate both to Ornge and to the Hospital for Sick Toronto for saving our son’s life two and a half years ago, we, at this time, cannot. So instead, I figured by making myself available to tell E’s story, it was a way to tell the world about the great things Ornge does for sick children.

Yesterday was the event.

We listened to speeches from Ornge and Markham Stouffville Hospital people as well as someone from Ted Rogers Foundation, which donated $250,000 to bring a branch of Ornge to Markham Stouffville Hospital.

There was also a slideshow of pictures when E was sick, but on the mend, and from now when he is considered cured.

A representative of Ornge read E’s story and my belated letter of thanks to the team that ensured E survived the journey from Markham Stouffville Hospital to SickKids.

I confessed I sobbed, sobbed when I thanked – via letter – the Ornge team for ensuring E made it to the hospital safely and for ensuring he wasn’t alone. It still makes me cry.

E had a blast. The Flying Lion (thanks A) mascot was a hit; the stuffed flying lion toy that each child who is helped by Ornge receives is still being carried around; and E got to check out a critical care land ambulance; sit in the front seat; talk through the sound system; play with the siren; sit on a stretcher; go in the elevator; check his lion’s blood pressure and heart rate (sadly it was flat lined); kiss a baby; be interviewed; have his picture taken; and basically be the star of the show.

His story – and his picture – was on CityTv and Global TV. His photo was captured by Canada Press and therefore can be in newspapers and websites across the country and therefore can be viewed by millions of people.

Yes it’s ironic I have been so careful about Ethan’s information, but I am so glad we went and hopefully helped out a program that Canadians are so lucky to have.

Spring Showers Do Bring May Flowers

2011-05-20T04:51:00.001-07:00

Last night I drove home to a black sky. As we pulled onto our street, that sky opened up and brought with it rain that fell fast and hard.

So hard that when it had rained itself out and the sun decided to show itself after almost a week of wetness, the cedar leaves that litter our driveway were pushed down, leaving what looked like waves of debris all the way down to the road.

As I was driving my stepdaughter and her boyfriend to his cottage later that evening, I noticed another thing the rain brought – apple trees full of flowers.

Welcome spring.

Rain, Rain Go Away, The Long Weekend Is Almost Here

2011-05-19T05:03:00.000-07:00

It has been raining since Saturday. Saturday itself was a heavy rain from mid-morning all the way into Sunday.

This week has been rain most time with a few sunny breaks and then more rain.

Saturday, the beginning of the first unofficial long weekend of summer, is supposed to be the best day of the weekend – sunny and warm. It is likely more rain for Sunday and Victoria Day Monday.

But rain or not, a long weekend is nothing but a good thing.

Bring it on.

This Sucks

2011-05-10T05:30:00.000-07:00

This sucks - this being the price of gas.

Gas prices jumped six cents a litre overnight, bringing the cost at the pumps to $1.39 a litre.

Sadly, my rise won’t even cover the increase at the pumps to get to work each day.

This sucks.

Common Courtesy

2011-05-09T05:12:00.001-07:00

I am not sure if it’s arrogance or just a complete disregard for people other than oneself, but I thought it was time to speak up and perhaps encourage people to think about others first.

What has surprised me – although not shocked me – recently are people who go to real estate open houses.

My brother and his family recently sold their house and currently two of our direct neighbours are in the process of selling theirs.

While I appreciate people need to look through closets, attics and tiny spaces to get a scope of the layout of a house and turn on appliances and fireplaces to ensure they work, there are certain things you do not need to look through or touch such as inside dressers drawers or, in the case of my nephew, baby monitors.

And until the keys are in your hand and money is in the seller’s bank, this house is not yours and you need to treat it with respect.

Take your shoes off so you don’t track dirt through the house; if you turn on an appliance, such as a gas fireplace when it’s warm outside, turn it back off before you go; don’t touch things that don’t belong to you; and leave your pets at home.

Yes, on Saturday I watched a potential neighbour get out of her car with a dog on a leash.

I realize people treat their pets as people – I do, too. But this is not your house. Regardless if this house seller has a dog, you have no right to bring your pet into someone else’s house.

I am disgusted with the potential homebuyer and even more so with her real estate agent. I realize the real estate agent has the potential to make a lot of money, but she should have insisted the dog stay at home or in the car.

Is It Wrong to be Happy When I Should Be Sad?

2011-05-06T05:20:00.001-07:00

The other morning as we were getting into the car, I heard the haunting sound of the loon as it flew over our house.

The loon, the beautiful black and white bird that graces the face of our loonie, a $1 coin, is a symbol of Canada’s north.

The loon is usually found in the lakes of Muskoka or Algonquin Park, three to eight hours away from our house.

For the last couple of years, I have heard the cry of the loon on Lake Simcoe and have been lucky enough to see it swim by us.

While the seeing – and hearing – the loon bring brings me joy and happiness, I am also sad. Why is the loon traveling so far south? Have we destroyed our majestic north and the birds now have come here? What can we do to ensure this wonderful creature thrives in this country?

And as I am so pathetic, I do not know how to get a YouTube video here. Instead, I am attaching a link that will direct you to a YouTube video so you can hear the sound of a loon yourself: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ENNzjy8QjU

He’s Not A Killer, Unfortunately

2011-05-05T05:12:00.001-07:00

There was some action at our house yesterday.

My son was playing playdough while I was getting ready for work. I looked down and Cosmo, the cat, was running through my guy’s bedroom. After asking Cosmo what was up, I realized he was chasing a mouse.

I calmly picked my son up and put him on the chair and joined him there as Cosmo chased the mouse around my son’s desk, under the chair, down the hallway and into our bags I set at the door.

My guy wanted to see the mouse. I wanted to make sure the mouse wasn’t in my work bag. I told Cosmo to get the mouse, not to play with it but kill it.

The mouse ran out, through the banister and into our couch.

Great.

I pulled off one of the cushions and the mouse ran to the next one. I told Cosmo to be ready as I lifted off the second cushion and the mouse ran under the stairs and I can only assume down the stairs and into the basement.

Damn.

Our cat – the chaser and torturer of mice. (The first time this happened, the mouse was hurt. I have never heard a cry like that. I could hear it outside. It was awful.)

I told Cosmo that I expected to see a dead mouse when I got home, preferable sitting in the hallway and not in my shoe.

Sadly that didn’t happen.

Mouse traps are next.

Well Done, British Airways

2011-05-02T05:50:00.001-07:00

I must say, the full-page ad from British Airways made me laugh out loud.

The back-page ad suggested there was one prince left and offered a $429 ticket to England.

Genius. Well done, British Airways .

Last Piece of Virginity Gone

2011-04-29T05:34:00.000-07:00

It’s been years of thought and consideration. I have had a freelancer write a story about the pros and cons of each method. I have asked questions. And yesterday I did it.

I am no longer a virgin – or least I no longer have virgin hair, hair that has never been dyed.

I am a little sad about the fact I no longer have virgin hair. I am more sad by the fact I noticed I still have a lot of grey/white hair on my head.

Tell me non-hair virgins is this normal?

And of course I watched the royal wedding

I tuned on the TV at 5 a.m. and watched until about 6:20 a.m. I listened to what was happening on the radio on the way into work.

As soon as I walked through work’s door, I made my non-royal-fan coworker turn on the royal wedding coverage while my computer booted up.

In hindsight, I should have taken the day off.

Idiosyncrasies

2011-04-28T05:08:00.001-07:00

As I removed a second knife from the drawer to make peanut butter toast for my guy and I this morning, I realized some of my stranger idiosyncrasies still exist.

Take for example the knife.

I already made a peanut butter and brown sugar sandwich (try it before you say ewww) this morning, but I did a few other things before turning my attention to the toast.

Because of that break, I required a new knife.

My guy, thanks to hand-me-downs and generous family members, has a lovely wardrobe.

Despite having favourite pieces, I have to be fair to everyone – or in this case every shirt and pant. Everything has to be worn once before I can go back to that beautiful sweater, my favourite shirt or those nice-coloured pants.

When I was a child and purchased knick-knacks, if there was more than one left I couldn’t choose one over the other – one would be lonely – so I bought both.

When pumping gas, I have to pump to an even number – and I consider multiples of fives even, too. It can’t be $17.17. It has to be $17, $17.20 or $17.15 for example.

How about you, any weird feelings toward inanimate objects or other idiosyncrasies?

‘You Stay Here, Mommy’

2011-04-25T04:12:00.001-07:00

He’s two and a half and already he wants to go off by himself.

My guy insists he can do it ‘by self’, wander away and not get into trouble.

But as he wandered all the way over to the next street, up two giant hills and into two deep puddles, he must excuse me for not believing him.

Welcome Long Weekend

2011-04-21T04:42:00.001-07:00

Despite the fact I was off Thursday and Friday two weeks ago and last Friday because of an illness that is just beginning to let go, I am ready for a long weekend.

I am ready to spend a day doing whatever we want – painting eggs, digging in dirt, playing in the water, jumping in puddles maybe with new rubber boots, racing cars and sculpting playdough.

Happy long weekend, everyone.

Lion is Crying. He misses Nana.

2011-04-20T07:54:00.001-07:00

My son’s imagination is fantastic. It’s amazing how he has taken what he sees on TV and brings it into his play.

Caillou, Rosie and Sarah, Dora and Diego have all eaten dinner at our house, gone on car rides, had their bums changed and cried and been comforted by my guy.

Right now, E is finds it hysterical when I discipline Lion who apparently bites a lot. Lion has had timeouts and has been banished from whatever room we are playing in.

Lion often feels so badly he got in trouble that he cries.

Last night while in the bath, my guy said Lion was crying. When I asked why, he told me Lion misses Nana. So after explaining to Lion we would see Nana on Sunday and that was five days away, Lion stopped crying and started biting.

When asked, E said he, too, missed Nana.

Other cute kid speak:
‘But I have to’ when you say no to chocolate cake for dinner; to adding more soap to the sink; to opening and pouring water everywhere.
‘Say yes to me, Mommy.’
‘Don’t pull me.’
‘A little bit more’ complete with finger to face showing me just a little bit more.
‘Just one, Caillou. Just one,’ which leads to maybe one more and then another.
‘Cosmo didn’t attack me. Just a little bit.’
‘I took Cosmo’s toys’ with hysterical laughing. Poor Cosmo.
No wonder he attacked. Just a little bit.

What Is It?

2011-04-19T04:41:00.001-07:00

For the last 10 years these flowers have appeared in my garden in early spring, often before the purple blooms of the crocus. Any idea what they are?

My grandma and I have decided they are not snowdrops as these bulbs have multiple flowers on each stem rather than one. They also have lines of blue through them, which makes them, in my mind, absolutely beautiful.

Freezing Fun Weekend

2011-04-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

The weatherwoman was right – it was cold on the weekend. With snow. That stayed on the ground.

Blah to April snow and April snowstorms.

But despite the frigid temperatures, we took our guy on an Easter egg hunt Saturday. We found eggs, decorated a sugar cookie bunny, had hot chocolate, planted a sunflower, made a craft and received a free book.

Thank you, local Kiwanis Club.

It’s Been More Than a Week. How Have You Been?

2011-04-14T04:55:00.000-07:00

Me? I have been sick.

Two weeks ago, my guy and I were off so I took him to a playgroup. When we arrived he saw a mass of children and tons of toys. His whole face lit up and he said ‘Mommy, I go?’ With my permission, he dashed into the fray and played with giant soccer balls, walked on top of turned over buckets, talked on a cellphone, moved a bus and played with various other pieces of equipment.

Several days later, I remembered why I usually avoid those types of places. My guy picked up a new bug complete with a hacking cough, of which he shared with me. I got a killer sore throat Thursday and Friday, hit with a cold Friday mid-morning and have also been hacking every since.

Last night, for the first time in almost a week, I slept more than a hour at a time. Good news.

Happy Birthday

Today is our kitten’s first birthday. Cosmo received three new toys and will receive a tag with his name and address on it. My guy wants to celebrate this evening with cake, candles and ice cream – for him, not that cat.

Boo to snow
I hear there is snow in Sunday’s forecast. In my heart I knew winter wasn’t finished with us yet but I am still sad. However, the warmer weather and the burst of colour popping through my garden makes me believe winter’s return will be short lived.

Happy Thursday, everyone.

Is It Bad...

2011-04-06T06:19:00.001-07:00

...That I have had breakfast, eaten two pieces of fruit and am still hungry and it's only 9:19 a.m.?

Probably.

There Was A Time

2011-04-05T04:20:00.000-07:00

There was a time when I was never late.

I was always early – really early.

Because I get anxious when I am going to be late – and grouchy – I always leave myself plenty of time to get where I need to go.

I think it’s rude to be late. I think it shows the person you are keeping waiting that her time is less valuable then yours. I would rather plan for variables – traffic, accidents – leave at least a half a hour earlier then necessary, bring something to do and wait in a parking lot until it’s time to meet the person. If it’s an appointment or an interview, sitting in a person's waiting room for 15 minutes shows you valuable their time and are punctual.

Then I met my husband and I was often late.

He likes to do those last-minute things, you know, water the garden, check to make sure everything is locked, those kinds of things, 15 minutes after we were supposed to leave. It ticked me off every time. So then I started telling him I wanted to leave a hour before we actually did. And I wouldn’t get in the car until he was heading that way himself.

Then we had our guy. If it’s just the two of us, I can get him and myself ready, load the car and feed the cat and be on our way in time for almost everything – except daycare.

This morning I asked our daycare provider if I could drop our guy off early. She said she would get up 15 minutes earlier then normal to take us. And then we were late – by 10 minutes. I felt awful when I dropped him off, terrible as we were driving to work and not that great now.

My apologizes again.

New Favourite Season

2011-04-04T04:59:00.001-07:00

It used to be I would say summer was my favourite season of Canada’s four.

I still love summer – the hot weather; the sense of freedom, albeit shorter now that I am not in school; the books to be read; the water to be played in; the trips to attend; the traffic that has disappeared. Yes, I still love summer.

But I think I love spring.

This weekend, temperatures soared to double digits in the celsius world. We went without jackets, mittens and snowpants, and didn’t fuss too much when my guy pulled off his hat.

Yesterday, we spent almost the entire day outside playing on two different swing sets, pulling out our outdoor shovels and pails and loading them up with rocks. We gathered twigs and raked the grass, putting it on the fire. We burned our Christmas tree. We ate our snack outside. We threw rocks in the lake, which is beginning to melt.

It was a fantastic weekend full of sunshine that had heat and enjoyably long days.

I love spring.

I’m Unhappy

2011-03-28T04:57:00.001-07:00

Canadians are going to the polls – again – to vote for the prime minister of this country.

While I appreciate we live in democracy and we have the right to vote for who we feel is the best person to lead, there has been too many federal elections these last few years for me to feel remotely happy about the fall of Parliament.

Sigh personally. (Oh, who to vote for.)

Double sigh professionally. (About the amount of work a federal election will mean to journalists across the country and the thought of listening to the promises made by politicians for the next two months.)

Sigh.

The Pickup

2011-03-25T05:04:00.000-07:00

We live on a street that dead-ends into a lake. The closest town to us – about a 15-minute drive away – is a small place of about 6,000 people. I have lived on this street for 10 years in May. Despite the length of time we have lived here, we do not know a lot of people, although I do recognize people I have met at the grocery store or the library, for example.

Yesterday, the Focus needed some work so after picking up my son at daycare, we drove to the garage, located about five minutes outside of town. My son and I decided we wanted to go to the library to ‘pick books.’

My guy almost made it until the end of the garage’s driveway when he said ‘Mommy carry E’ so I did.

It was cold yesterday, below seasonal. My guy, who doesn’t like mittens, tucked his hands into my shirt and put his head on my shoulder. And we walked, mommy carrying the almost 30-pound babe, a purse and the diaper bag.

We got almost to town, when a wonderful woman, driving a recognizable reading program van, pulled over and asked if we wanted a ride.

I was grateful but taken back and unsure what to do. Part of me thought a ride would be lovely. The other part questioned if I was crazy excepting a stranger’s ride.

The part of me who apparently is more trusting then I thought said yes and I began to put my guy in the car seat. My guy decided he didn’t want to go in and hung on tight. The smart me took the escape. I said thank you so much but would just walk.

A hour later, we made it to the library and my son picked books, played with the computers and rearranged the chairs.

We also met up with the lady who I again thanked.

I do thank this kind woman who saw someone in need and offered her a ride. But I must remember to always listen to that inner voice when it says ‘Don’t accept rides from strangers’ particularly when it will soon be time to teach my son the same lesson.

Pretty Good….for Crackers

2011-03-24T05:24:00.001-07:00

As most children do, my little guy loves Goldfish crackers. He was introduced to these cheesy cracker delights by my parents, but he must also get them at daycare because he can spot the ‘fish’ package half way down the grocery aisle.

I like crackers. I try to buy the most nutritionally dense, lower in fat variety and I try not to eat them too often.

My son often asks for the ‘fish’ crackers. At the grocery store I have picked up the Goldfish package, looked at the nutritional information and put them back down. They aren’t awful, but they aren’t that great either.

Saying that, we have both Goldfish and the President Choice’s Penguin variety in our house.

We now also have Bear Paws Crunchy crackers.

And they are pretty good. They are the same amount per cracker as the Goldfish and Penguins but they seem bigger and have a nice crunch to them. I thought they were shaped like moon, but my son said it was a hand – more accurately a bear paw. (Yes, I am blond, why do you ask?)

And in the nutritional department? There is one per cent more saturated fat and 10 mg more sodium than Goldfish and Penguins, but the Bear Paws have more vitamins and minerals — vitamin A, calcium, iron, folate (15 per cent), thiamine and niacin.

Dare Paws Crunchy crackers also come in original and vegetable, but I think the cheese is my family’s favourite.

So while my son will still only get crackers as a treat once in a while – usually for long car rides – I may reach for Bear Paws for him and me.

Happy It’s Friday

2011-03-18T04:57:00.001-07:00

I wonder if anyone is every unhappy that it’s Friday?

Does anyone every wake up Friday morning and think ‘Man, it’s Friday. I wish it was Monday.’ I am thinking probably not.

But I am extra happy it’s Friday. It’s been a hectic, unusual week and today's Friday means fresh beginnings and hopefully things getting back to normal.

Happy weekend, everyone.

And Happy upcoming 30th birthday, SK.

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Spring (to the tune of It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas)

2011-03-17T04:47:00.000-07:00

Bulbs are pushing their way up through the garden; we saw – and heard – about a hundred honking Canadian geese flying in formation; the house was set for 68 degrees but with the sun, it was at 70; and, of course, lots of rain.

Welcome back Spring.

Vacuum Cleaner Challenge

2011-03-10T05:04:00.001-08:00

I challenge you, vacuum cleaner companies.

We have lived in our across-the-street-from-the-lake house for 10 years this May. In that time, we have destroyed four vacuums. I am currently borrowing my brother-in-law’s standup vacuum and it’s not cutting it.

Each of the vacuum cleaners we have destroyed have been about $300 plus. Two were standups, two were canisters; two were bagless, two were not.

To be fair to the dead vacuums, we are a house of windows and doors and red carpets. We, the people, are also rough on our carpets. People – and I am not mentioning names here – often walk through the house with their shoes and boots on. The dining room is carpeted and the babe likes rice.

The carpets are old and are in desperate need of replacing.

However, three dead vacuums in 10 years seems excessive to me.

And the fact is even when the vacuums were in their primes, they didn’t do a fantastic job, just a mediocre one.

So I am issuing a challenge. Vacuum cleaning companies take note: do you have a vacuum you think can conquer my floors? Will your vacuum cleaner do what no vacuum cleaner has done before?

Let me know, vacuum cleaner companies, if you accept my challenge.

It’s a Diaper Miracle

2011-03-07T05:38:00.001-08:00

People who have read this blog know I have had no shortage of troubles with disposable diapers.

I use cloth during the day, but at night I have to use Cruisers size 6 with a cloth diaper inside in order for my son to stay dry through the night.

But on Saturday, a friend gave me Fisher-Price nighttime diapers, size 5. I tried them Saturday and Sunday night.

My son was dry – not even a wet spot – for 12 hours.

It’s a miracle, people. It’s worth the cost to switch to Fisher-Price.

Happy Friday

2011-03-04T05:50:00.001-08:00

Well, it finally happened and not a moment too soon.

Another sleepless week and a start of a cold ends the first week of March.

But the weekend includes visiting and hanging out with my guy. It also includes warmer temperatures and rain, followed by colder temperatures and snow.

Ah, spring.

Happy Weekend, everyone.

Important question

2011-03-03T04:50:00.001-08:00

Will. This. Week. EVER. End?

Morning or Night?

2011-02-28T05:25:00.001-08:00

Since my son was born and I have returned to work, I have had to shower at night.

I hate showering at night.

My husband and my friend both prefer to shower before bed. They figure that extra half-hour of sleep in the morning is more important than having a hot shower before going to work.

I disagree.

If I am getting up in the morning to go to work, I might as well get up and have a shower, too.

Then I am awake, warm and clean before heading to work.

By showering at night, I am loosing a half hour of my time – my time to write in my journal, read a magazine or a book or simply go to bed a little earlier.

Friday Fragments

2011-02-25T05:18:00.001-08:00

It was an awful drive in this morning. I am going to blame it on an accident that happened further down the highway rather than the few snowflakes that were falling.

But it’s Friday and it’s the weekend and we don’t have much planned. I am hoping for a whole lot of sleep seeing how mine has been disturbed nightly this week.

I am hoping good night sleep all weekend long coupled by some afternoon naps. Who doesn’t love a good two-hour nap in the afternoon?

This week, my guy has started uttering a couple of phrases that make me laugh, usually out loud.

“Daddy says yes to me.”

This means my guy is saying his Daddy says it’s OK to play with razors, eat chocolate for breakfast, watch TV and a bunch of other things that I can’t prove because Daddy, conveniently, isn’t there.

“I’m busy. Five minutes.” This is good for anything from avoiding a diaper change to coming for dinner. This one might be my favourite.

Happy weekend, everyone.

Oh No!

2011-02-24T05:16:00.001-08:00

I was really hoping my son wouldn’t get my sleeping issues. I have sleep parasomnia. I have self-diagnosed myself with REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

I like to call what I have action dreams, in that I play out the scenes running through my brain as I sleep.

I have been known to clear off dressers in search of missing items, walk throughout the house searching, in late, for my son who has disappeared and hold conversations with whoever likes to listen.

The worst is the terror. I have these realistic dreams, which cause me to shoot out of bed and when I eventually wake, my heart is racing. I figure one of these days, my poor heart is going to stop.

So I had hoped, even though I know these issues are hereditary, that my son would not experience the fear.

It’s awful.

But Monday night, I heard my two-year-old call out to me through the monitor. I came into his room and he was pointing to his stuffed animal in his crib saying ‘No Cosmo. No Cosmo in bed.’ I reassured him Cosmo, the kitten, was not in his bed as Cosmo was sleeping with me.

But the damage was down. It took me three hours to settle my guy back down and convince him he needed to sleep again.

I gave him the advice that, sometimes, works for me – think happy thoughts and tell yourself no bad dreams tonight.

Tuesday night, he was again up for several hours and a hour last night, but I think it was association rather than bad dreams.

For me, these terrors are worse when I am tired (a known trigger). My guy had a shorter nap Monday so I will be doing what I can to ensure he gets enough sleep so his dreams are peaceful.

Music Bits

2011-02-18T05:27:00.001-08:00

Music isn’t my thing. I would rather listen to silence than much of the music I hear on the radio these days.

I have an iPod and it’s filled with Disney tunes, musical soundtracks, Christmas selections and children’s music. My CD collection isn’t one that would be stolen.

There is currently one song on the radio that is driving me nuts.

I have no idea who sings it and I have never listened past the beginning line: “Do you ever feel like you’re a plastic bad, floating on the wind?”

Journalism 101 says you never lead a story with a question because if the reader answers no, they will turn the story.

The same should apply to a song. No, I can’t say I have ever felt like a plastic bag floating on the wind. What does that even mean? I can’t get over how stupid that sentence is so I immediately flip the station when this song comes on.

My husband, who isn’t as literal as I am, said perhaps the artist meant allowing yourself to be taken where the wind blows, allow yourself to be free.

Pretty impressive really.

I still hate the song.

Lady Gaga
A couple weeks ago on the radio, a broadcaster was talking about how Lady Gaga told an interviewer that she was an excellent, talent performer who gives a great show.

The DJ said in a world where everyone brings you down, good for Lady Gaga for standing up for herself. The DJ said Lady Gaga is right, the artist is fantastic and Lady Gaga deserves to say so.

My husband agreed with the DJ and Lady Gaga.

I completely disagree.

If you are a fantastic performer who gives a great show, the show, the ticket sales and the fans will prove this. You do not need to say it.

I hate arrogance and to me, that ‘I am the best’ attitude pisses me off and really turns me off.

Thursday Thoughts

2011-02-17T05:02:00.001-08:00

Potty updates
On Feb. 2 my little guy peed on the potty, on purpose. He ran up to it, straddled it, strained and out came some pee.

We clapped and we cheered.

But when I suggested to my guy that he was sitting on the potty backwards, he informed me that no, he wasn’t.
Who am I to judge?

On Sunday, my brother asked if he could tickle my guy, but E said no because he was pooping.

On Tuesday in the bath, he started to pee. I told him we don’t pee in the tub and passed him a cup. His face lit up with delight when he half-filled the cup, which Daddy then poured into the toilet and flushed away.

Are we potty training? No, but we will get there eventually.

Disturbing Content Warning
Several weeks ago, my husband was watching a show about various ways to die. Most of the episodes were things like a woman had a thing for eating dirt. Sadly, she chose to eat the dirt in her neighbour’s garden.

Even more sad – and disgusting – was her neighbour was putting his feces in the garden. She died of E. Coli.

Another woman thought consuming a tapeworm to help her lose weight was a good idea. You can imagine what happened there.

In with situations such as a javelin thrower running into his stick and a S&M guy who had an anaphylactic reaction, there was one situation that I am disgusted someone included in the 1000 Ways to Die.

While all of the above ways to die are sad and unfortunate, I disagree the producers of this show added a tragedy in its lineup.

The video showed an airliner crashing into the ocean close to a Caribbean resort. According to the announcer on the show, the airline was hijacked and the pilot crashed his plane into the waters, killing most people on board.

While this is indeed a way to die, the victims had no choice.

The producers of this show had no right to include this tragedy in a show that mocks people’s stupidity.

Bring on Spring
It’s going to be warm and raining today and tomorrow it’s going to be double digits.

Sadly, the weekend is suppose to be cold and snow. But Monday is the Family Day holiday in Canada. Bring on the long weekend.

Beautiful

2011-02-14T05:07:00.001-08:00

This morning, in between buildings, highway overpasses, hills and tractor-trailers, I had a glimpse of a giant red-orange ball of fire to the east.

It was so breathtaking, I almost missed my exit and I had to cross four lanes of traffic in order to get off the highway in time.

A beautiful sunrise, coupled with mild weather, makes today a great day.
Happy Monday, everyone.

The Best Feature on a Car Ever

2011-02-11T04:49:00.001-08:00

The first vehicle I purchased was a two-seater Mazda B2200 pickup truck. It was a base model, with a cassette player, manual windows and locks.

It was also missing cup holders and a clock, two features I insisted on when my truck died too early.

My next vehicle was a Honda Civic SI. The entire Honda experience was disastrous and I will save my I Hate Honda rant for another blog posting. But the Civic did come with all the bells and whistles – power windows and locks, power and heated mirrors, power seats and my favorite – a sunroof.

When this car died, I bought a Pontiac Sunfire. My first four-door vehicle. This car went back to the basics – manual doors and windows, but a remote with a button to open the trunk, which I loved.

Sadly, one of the speeds on the fan didn’t work, which meant, in winter, it looked like I was in a sauna, with moisture dripping from the inside or, if I turned the fan down, ice. It had a CD player, but it didn’t work.

When this car was written off, I test-drove a number of cars before purchasing the Ford Focus Wagon, which I still have.

So far, I love my Ford. It is also basic – CD player that works, all fan speeds that work, manual windows and doors, but a remote, and my absolutely favourite feature – heated seats.

I will take heated seats over a remote, power any thing, and even the sunroof. On cold days or when you aren’t feeling well, it’s like being wrapped in a blanket right from the dryer.

Baby ‘Goshua’ (Joshua)

2011-02-10T04:54:00.001-08:00

I picked up Baby Goshua, as my son likes to call my Cabbage Patch Kid doll, last night and realized Joshua's soother is broken. The ring has snapped.

Although saddened by this, I suppose I am not all that surprised.

Joshua has seen a lot. I received him as a Christmas gift from my aunt the year of the Cabbage Patch Craze in 1983.

I wasn’t expecting to get one but was so excited when I opened the package and saw his blue eyes starring back at me. (My aunt was hoping I would hate him so she could keep him but it wasn’t to be. Joshua is unique. He is smaller than a full-sized doll but is not a preemie.)

While Joshua was the perfect baby, I was much older than my son is now when I received him. And while I did leave him in the car once, causing his head to get super soft in the sun, I never threw him down the stairs, hit him, laid on him or bashed him on the floor because he was crying too much.

As a note, my guy is made to apologize when he does such things and I tell him we never throw babies down the stairs. Try saying that in a serious voice when talking about a doll.

So while I am sad my Baby Joshua now has a split soother, I am glad he is being loved all over again.

How About That Super Bowl

2011-02-07T05:04:00.001-08:00

I dislike football. It’s likely because I don’t get it.

I went to a Toronto Argonauts football game once with my husband who, as a youth, went to the games weekly with his season-pass holding dad.

Last night, my husband and I watched the Super Bowl half-time show, which was surprisingly short, and then started to watch the game.

It was like trying muddle through my Cantonese lessons – or math. I was completely confused.

I know the Canadian Football League (CFL) is differently than the NFL but wondered if it was so different my husband couldn’t follow what was going on.

J. explained the differences between the two leagues but I must confess that my eyes glazed over and I had no idea what he was talking about.

I must have sounded quite rude when I cut him off and said ‘So you can follow the game then?’

And for the record he could.

I spent 10 minutes that I will never get back watching that game. I was confused, I had no idea what was going on, I kept losing the ball, I watched the wrong person and missed the action and toward the end of my Super Bowl watching experience, I realized I was looking without seeing.

So I went to bed.

I hope you enjoyed the game.

Light At The End of the Snow Tunnel

2011-02-03T05:17:00.001-08:00

People, there is hope.

I noticed this morning it was getting light out at 6:45 a.m.
Tuesday, when I was driving home at 5:45 p.m., it wasn’t yet dark.

It is possible spring is coming.

I hope our neighbours to the south made it through the storm.

My guy and I had a fabulous snow day yesterday.

The Honours Keeping Coming

2011-02-01T05:38:00.000-08:00

Annissa Rae from A Page in My Book let me know during my SITS day that she honoured me with an award – the Stylist Blogger.

Thank you, Annissa.

Here are the rules:
1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself.
3. Award this to other bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award.

Seven things about myself….
1. I was the Feature Blogger Friday and I was a nervous wreck at the beginning. Did I write something that was offensive? Did I misspeak? Did someone read one thing when I meant the other? After a while, I just enjoyed the ride and it was, and still is, lots of fun. Thank you, everyone.

2. One blogger commented how clean and crisp my blog looked. I forgot to mention my good friend Jo at Coconut Palm Designs combined my photographs to create the banner. She even installed it for me seeing as how I do not know how to do code. So if I am a Stylist blogger in looks, this award should actually go to her.

3. I used to require at least seven hours of sleep a night. I should say I likely still require it, but for the last two years I don’t think I have received it. However, I will take no sleep and the babe any day.

4. I used to be hot – temperature wise. I would wear T-shirts in the middle of the winter. Now that I am much older, I wear multiple layers and it’s not unusual for me to wear my jacket inside at work.

5. I am first-generation Canadian on my mom’s side. On my dad’s side, we have been Canadian forever. I consider myself Canadian. Not Canadian-Dutch.

6. I used to love winter. I once went winter camping. In a summer tent. Not smart. I think I still love winter if I don’t have to drive in it.

7. Jan. 28 was the first-year anniversary of my head-on crash. It’s also the first anniversary of the passing of Robert B. Parker. I had a dream about Parker last week. My thoughts to his family.

Share this award:
I have found some really great blogs. In no particular order:

http://mz-cellaneous.blogspot.com
http://home-shabby-home.blogspot.com
http://lady-mama.blogspot.com
http://rainforestmommy.blogspot.com - This is my friend Jo’s other blog. She hasn’t posted in a while but when she gets back at it, it’s interesting to see how one lives in a jungle.
http://thekatherinewheel.blogspot.com

Thank You! American neighbours

2011-01-31T04:47:00.001-08:00

Wednesday, my parts of the world are expecting a major snowstorm.

According to news reports, we can thank our American neighbours, particularly Texas, for this latest snowstorm.

So thank you, neighbours, for the likely really crappy commute Wednesday morning.

But on a non-sarcastic note, if the snowstorm pushes out this incredibly cold weather, I really do thank you. I will take a three-hour one-way commute over this bitter cold any day.

Thank you, SITS
Thank you SITS for featuring me Friday and thank you to everyone who popped by. I have responded via email to everyone who commented and plan to visit each of your blogs soon.

LisaDay