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Archive for July, 2010

July 29th, 2010

Mama got her groove back

I’ve been having a great vacation. Lots of relaxing. Hanging out. Laughing. All that sort of thing.

But for some reason, I’ve been feeling a little, well, blah. Not a lot. Just a bit.

I wondered why … then I realized that I was spending a lot of time on the beach watching people walk around in bikinis while I was wearing a bathing suit that was handed down to me by a friend who’d lost weight and gave me all her “fat” clothes.

Now, let’s be clear: I’m a realistic person. A practical sort. So, logically, I understand that once a stomach has been stretched out like, say, for example this:

It just makes sense that it will never again look like, oh, say this:

But it didn’t change the fact that I was feeling a tad blah, nonetheless. I decided that a change was in order.

So what did I do?

Well, I lost 10 pounds! Yes, I lost 10 pounds on vacation … pretty amazing, eh? And how did I manage this … by chugging liquid meals? Signing up for a Cape Cod boot camp?

No, no. I simply went shopping! Have you heard of the “MiracleSuit”? The slogan for this bathing suit is “Look 10 lbs lighter in 10 seconds.” And you know what? It’s true. I really did lose 10 lbs just by putting on one of their suits. (Yes, of course, I bought two!)

After my shopping trip, I returned to the pool where my family was hanging out waiting for me. I had a bounce in my step and a smile on my face. And did they notice the new swimsuit? Comment on how flattering it was … how great I looked?

Yeah, as if.

But they did notice that Mama had gotten her groove back. (Thanks Miraclesuit, I owe ya one!)

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July 27th, 2010

Snapshots from Jonesport, Maine

Early morning fog on Jonesport Beach

Every day is a chance to make a monster castle!

Stella rockclimbing in Roques National Park area

Hubby with Max in hiking backpack on Beals Island

Me and my boy Max

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July 25th, 2010

Postcard from Jonesport, Maine: Are Fishermen Lonely?

We had had only one criterion for our holiday: an ocean view.

So I simply searched the internet for all cottages that met this criterion and then booked the one at the best rate, which happened to be in a small fishing town called Jonesport …

[to read more, please click here to read the full post on Life As A Human]

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July 23rd, 2010

A “downeast” meal

After spending a beautiful day in Bar Harbour, Maine, we decided to treat the family to a downeast meal. The restaurant was literally on the pier, and we sat happily looking out at the lobster boats and the sea.

First on the list was clam chowder. As a kid living in Nova Scotia, I can remember running about the beach and digging up clams with my brother. Then my mom would make us all a delicious clam chowder. I don’t know which I enjoyed more … the actual chowder (pictured below) or the memories.

Then, of course, was the lobster. The only one of us brave enough to actually try it was my husband. He really enjoyed it and gave me a taste of the meat, which tasted almost sweet. Oh, and buttery of course. Because you need to dip it all in a heavenly liquid butter!

Half-way through our meal, we found out that the Obama family had eaten at the table right behind us less than one week ago. Although exciting, my husband and I both muttered the exact same thing after hearing this news: “Hope the Obamas got better service than us!”

Our server was hopeless and never seemed to be around so we ended up eating half of our meal parched, with not a single drop of drink on the table. A bus-girl could see the obvious and ended up chasing after him for us. So when we left, I returned the favour and gave her the tip instead.

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July 18th, 2010

When will he learn?

We’d hardly cut into the long drive ahead when my hubby asks if we could pull into the Canadian Tire he’d spotted.

I knew what he wanted. “Oh, come on,” I pleaded, “We really don’t need a bike lock. Your bike is the only one worth anything and we can bring it into the hotel room if we have to.”

He countered saying that it would be really quick — he could just run in while I drove to the Tim Horton’s for a caffeine fill-up.

“No … these things always end up getting drawn out. We’ll end up killing 20 minutes just to get a stupid lock. We have a long drive ahead. Let’s just go,” I whined said.

He looked at me.

“Okay fine.” I turned the car in to the parking lot to drop him off.

Then I pulled out into the intersection towards the Timmy’s.

But: Oh crap … I can’t over! And this lane is taking me right back onto the highway! Crap! Crap! Crap!

Now I am driving on the highway, heading right back to Ottawa. Good stuff.

I’m sweating bullets. The children, on the other hand, are completely oblivious in the back.

I don’t see any exits coming up soon. None.

And I don’t even know where I am so this GPS isn’t going to help me one bit. Gah!

And hubby doesn’t have his cell phone with him. Double gah!

Okay wait … what’s this … an authorized U-turn zone? Done! Consider me “unauthorized.”

I finally get back to where I’d started from and turn off the highway. Then I pull into the Timmy’s drive-through and get us our double-doubles.

As I approach the Canadian Tire, I check the clock. It’s been at least 25 minutes since I dropped him there.

I can see him flagging me down out front. I pull into the parking lot and he’s looking concerned. He probably thought I totalled our new car while he was buying that $20 lock. But a quick once-over, and he can see that the car and its contents are unharmed.

“What happened? Are you okay,” he asks.

“Look, I told you that it would waste 20 minutes if you went to get that lock!”

When will he learn that I am always right?