Stella, my 9-year-old daughter, and I are going to Jamaica next week. I know ... awesome, right?! We are really excited, despite the realization that we actually know very little about this country. So, won't you join us as we teach ourselves a touch of geography, history, and social studies? Where in the world? First of all, the WHERE! Below is map showing the island of Jamaica in red. From our home town of Ottawa, if you were to catch … [Read more...]
Love. Your. Body. Now.
March 7, 2012 by 10 Comments
When I turned 40, I had a celebration with my girlfriends. There were no gifts allowed, but a girlfriend gave me a gift in what she wrote in a birthday card. She wrote: "Remember when you were 30 and looked back on the photos of yourself when you were 20, and thought - wow, I looked great. You will be thinking the same thing when you're 50 looking back at yourself now." At first at thought ... "Gee, thanks for the reminder of how much I am … [Read more...]
Oh the Babies!
February 29, 2012 by 5 Comments
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...]
Day 1 at Smuggler’s Notch Resort, Vermont
February 13, 2012 by 7 Comments
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...]
Things I’d like to Bottle-Up Forever
February 4, 2012 by 7 Comments
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...]
What is the appropriate way to celebrate 15 years of marriage?
January 13, 2012 by 18 Comments
Last week, Hubby and I passed a pretty major milestone -- 15 years of marriage. When we celebrated our first anniversary, we went to a bed and breakfast in Kingston. Although it sounds peaceful and romantic, and that was certainly the intention, it really wasn't. A couple staying above us came in really late and made a whole lot of racket laughing and stumbling around drunk, which was followed by some other, ahem, "noises" that kept us up half … [Read more...]
The Homemade Gift
January 2, 2012 by 4 Comments
Us busy folks just love a homemade anything, don't we? Marketers, of course, know this and like to use the word to advertise their wares any chance they get. But the truly homemade gift is a special thing indeed. Some of the most cherished homemade gifts I've received include a quilt from my mother-in-law for each bed in the house, a quilt from my special Aussie girlfriend Nat, and a scrapbooked collage from my mom. As for gifts from Hubby, I … [Read more...]
Christmas Gift Wrapping
December 21, 2011 by Leave a Comment
I never would have thought of using paper doilies for anything except snowflakes (remember making those as a kid?). But I happened to have seen Guilia's wrapping and then happened to see red doilies in the dollar store. So here is how I've wrapped Stella's teachers' gifts this year. I love how they turned out! If you want to try it, you'll need: Brown paper bags (Michaels) Paper doilies (The Dollar Store) Glue for sticking the … [Read more...]
Multi-tasking is the bane of my existence and also my life bread
November 9, 2011 by 3 Comments
It's all the rage these days to talk about how multi-tasking isn't really a good skill to apply anymore. That you are better off focusing all your attention on one task and in doing so, you will actually get it done quicker. In other words, you'll save more time and get more done if you just line all your tasks up in row and knock them down one by one. That, my friends, is not how multi-tasking works. As any mother knows, multi-tasking is not … [Read more...]
Beautiful Book Stores: Spoonbill & Sugartown Booksellers, NY
November 8, 2011 by 7 Comments
I can remember my father telling me that when he was young he dreamed of having a house full of books and art. I can also remember the look of contentedness he had on his face as he sat in his own home telling this to me. You see, I can never remember us living in a home that wasn't full of books and art. Granted, there were always far more books than art. Much of the artwork that we had on the walls when I was a kid was of his own creation. … [Read more...]
Cue the Scary Music …
October 31, 2011 by 5 Comments
... Help we've got grubs!!!!!!!!!!!! What was once the pristine lawn that welcomed us to our new home in July is now quite a big mess. We wondered why bits of our lawn were all of a sudden being upturned, and a neighbour explained that the raccoons come out at night and pull up the top layer of the grass to get to their treats -- grubs! Yuck! We've never had grubs before. If I pretend I never saw them, will they freeze off and die over the … [Read more...]
“Month of Me” post #11: Time with My Hubby
October 26, 2011 by 5 Comments
When this whole crazy "Month of Me" concept started to solidify, I started to consider "what exactly would I want to do if there was no one else influencing the decision?" At first, it was easy: I would accept an invitation to She's Connected even though that would mean booking time off work that I wouldn't be spending with my family and even though my only real reason for wanted to go was curiosity and a bit of "fun factor." Same for the … [Read more...]
“Month of Me” post #10: Splatter Paint Party at 4 Cats Art Studio!
October 23, 2011 by 9 Comments
The Invite: I'm turning 40 in October, but I sure didn't get here alone ... each of you gorgeous women has played a special part in my life and as a little thank-you, I hope you can join me for a fun get-together! We'll be literally be partying like it's 1984 ;) since we'll be acting like big kids as we do a SPLATTER PAINT PARTY! Details: You need to wear old clothes AND shoes! There is a refreshment room so if anyone is up for bring … [Read more...]
“Month of Me” post #09: It’s my party, so I’ll wear sweats if I want to
October 21, 2011 by 5 Comments
“Month of Me” is a little ol’ wild and crazy concept: In October, the month I celebrate my 40th birthday, I will do a whole slew of things that I love. Just because. You can read the kick-off post here. Hubby: Sweetheart, it's your 40th. You should have a party. How about I organize a party for you. Me: Uh, remember, I don't do fun. Hubby: But, it's your 40th. Me: I'm having an entire "Month of Me," so it's not like I'm depriving … [Read more...]
“Month of Me” post #08: Did I tell you I had my birthday?
October 18, 2011 by 7 Comments
“Month of Me” is a little ol’ wild and crazy concept: In October, the month I celebrate my 40th birthday, I will do a whole slew of things that I love. Just because. You can read the kick-off post here. No, I haven't told you yet, because -- gosh darn it -- I haven't blogged about so many things yet from this awesome "Month of Me" ... But I did. And I have. As much as I would prefer to be younger in body and energy, I am 40. But I am … [Read more...]
A Thank-You for a Random Act of Kindness
October 11, 2011 by 2 Comments
Every now and then on twitter, you'll see someone post a little something with the hashtag #bekind. The most recent one I saw was a photo of someone putting extra money in a parking meter for a stranger to save them from a ticket. There is something about these acts that really warms my heart. They are not monumental, but they're within my reach to do. And apparently to receive as well. ******* Last night, I was driving to the movie theatre … [Read more...]
“Month of Me” post #02: Celebrating with my Mom
September 22, 2011 by 6 Comments
The "Month of Me" project that I first told you about here is coming together mighty nicely! On October 5th, I will be toasting a happy birthday to my mother in New York City ... here's a little more on the that ... On this day 40 years ago, a young woman was seven days overdue to give birth to her first child. Due on September 15th, there was no doubt in her mind that this baby was conceived during her husband’s short break during army boot … [Read more...]
I used to have ambitions
September 21, 2011 by 5 Comments
This just about sums it up, doesn't it? … [Read more...]
DIY Design: A Reading Nook In Progress
September 18, 2011 by 1 Comment
In continuation from the DIY Design of Stella's Bedroom, I've been trying to create for her an awesome reading nook in her bedroom. It is taking a long time to find just the right things for it though. Here's what it looks like so far: For the lounging part of a reading nook, I was originally thinking of bean bags. But I've found them to either be crazy-expensive (seriously, $400 for a beanbag?!) or perfectly priced but not the right … [Read more...]
In my arms
September 12, 2011 by 10 Comments
Each morning, early, you tumble into our bedroom. You do a long route around to the far side of the bed, and stand for a moment waiting. Waiting for me to raise my arm, to welcome you in under the covers. I don't need to open my eyes. I can feel you there; I can feel you looking at me. This, almost more than anything, makes me feel like a mother. You are a big boy. I know that big boys won't want to do this forever. Your sister could never lie … [Read more...]
DIY Design: Stella’s Bedroom
September 8, 2011 by 4 Comments
I really never understood people's fascination with home decor and design. I scoffed at the prices people would pay for hip furniture. I rolled my eyes at my mother's love for Home Sense. But I am now "in the club." And let me tell you ... it's fun! Since we bought our new home, I've spent every free minute dreaming of ways to decorate it. I just love it and I just love dressing it up (let's face it, it is way more fun than trying to dress … [Read more...]
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