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Oh the Babies!

There is a huge influx of new babies arriving at our office. The first arrived last week. A beautiful little girl, who arrived early at just over six pounds. And I saw her. I touched her little toes. Oh my ... And there are more babies arriving! Three more on the way, to be precise. I can clearly remember being a young 20-something gal and rolling my eyes so hard it hurt when the women at my office would rush out to greet a colleague … [Read more...]

Free Money Monday! (and Canada’s Children’s Arts Tax Credit)

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It's Sunday, but I've already got the Monday blues. It's not that I don't like my job, it's just that the longer winter goes on, the more I just want to do nothing but curl up with a book and a fresh pressed coffee. A beach sure sounds nice right about now. But I digress ... I'm actually here to write about the taxes. I kid you not. I really am. Specifically, Canada's newly introduced Children's Arts Tax Credit. You've already likely heard … [Read more...]

Let’s Get This Party Started

Dear Cassie, Okay, so it's no party. Or at least, it's a party no one wants to get invited to. And it kicks off today. But let's get this chemo started up and get that cancer out of you. The sooner you start, the sooner you can "Ring the Bell." The tradition of ringing a bell when your final chemo treatment is complete is something I didn't know about. But I watched this short docu-video created by a Andrea Ross and Mark Blevis, a local … [Read more...]

Day 2 at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Vermont

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This is a post is a continuation of a short series on Smuggler's Notch. To catch up, you can find the first post in this series here, and the second one is here. Our family's accommodation and activities were provided by Smugg's, while extras like food and whatnot were paid for ourselves. (Image below, credit: Smuggler's Notch, Vermont.) Gooooood morning Smuggler's Notch! In contrast to the first morning, when the kids had been up early and … [Read more...]

The Wealthy Barber Returns: 5 Takeaway Tips

Yes, my eyes are closed. What of it?

Have you ever read The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton? The year before I graduated from high school, this book on personal finance hit the bookstands with a storm! Over two million copies have been sold in North America, and I think that’s because of its unique fictional format. Here’s how Wikipedia describes the book: The book is structured around a story of three people in their late 20s visiting Roy, the title character, for lessons in … [Read more...]

Day 1 at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Vermont

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This past weekend, we were hosted at Smuggler's Notch Resort in Vermont. The whole family had been eagerly looking forward to this trip -- some family time is always welcome, and Hubby and I were very keen to share some great outdoor winter experiences with the kids. Since Smugg's is known for its award-winning children's programs, we thought this would prove to be the perfect place to be able to do so. Below, I've tried to note down as many … [Read more...]

Dear Grammys: What message are you sending?

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Dear Grammys, I'm not sure what message you're trying to send. But I can tell you what message I received from your show last night. For all the young and impressionable young people watching the Grammy's yesterday, one thing was made clear: If you can dance and sing, we're willing to turn a blind eye. Well, at least if you're a man. Dancing and singing trumps all, people. Chris Brown, who in 2009, was brought in on criminal charges (and … [Read more...]

Stay Strong

Cassie, this is for you. Stay strong; keep your faith alive. I know you love this song, and when you listen to it, always remember there's strength in numbers ... think of all of us behind you. We've got your back -- so you just focus on looking forward. You'll get through this. xoxox … [Read more...]

Things I’d like to Bottle-Up Forever

As I sit sipping a coffee and enjoying some mellow time on a Saturday morning, I take in a deep breath and recall how much I have craved this -- and for so long, it seems. The kids, now 9 and 3 1/2, are so much more independent and are happy doing their own thing until we leave for Stella's drawing class at 9:30 this morning. The days of early wake-ups and diapers to change are now in the past. And knowing that they are in the past, makes me … [Read more...]

Cancer Sucks. And so does Pink-Washing.

Back in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I shared my thoughts on pink-washing in a post called "Don't Drink the Pink Kool-Aid." In it, I questioned all the pink ribbons being slapped on everything from cell phones to chocolate bars; and wondered out loud about corporate profit-teering from an illness that is hurting so many of us. I didn't have any easy answers, and instead decided that rather than promote one of the many pink … [Read more...]