Stop the World I Wanna get off

Things in my head have been spinning. I need some time to step back and evaluate. Hope to be back soon. K and O are doing great and are the light in my life.

I made it myself, O was Uniqua from Backyardigans for Halloween. She loves those guys.

We Are More, by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada

you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building

or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall

and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities

might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few

Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things

like zippers

electric cars

and washing machines

when defining Canada

it seems the world's anthem has been

" been there done that"

and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true

we've done and we've been

we've seen

all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine

and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada

don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories

about the one that got away

we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines

and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines

off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us

is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome

well we say that too

but we are more

than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process

of being realized

we are young

we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry

and the design

is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change

with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee

we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those

who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own

knowing now that so many of us

have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have

when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great

someday we'll be this

or that

someday we'll be at a point

when someday was yesterday

and all of our aspirations will pay the way

for those who on that day

look towards tomorrow

and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set

and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails

we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across

we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour

of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers

uncles and nephews aunts and nieces

we are cousins

we are found missing puzzle pieces

we are families with room at the table for newcomers

we are more than summers and winters

more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay

because we are more than what we say or do

we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are

we are students

students who study the studiousness of studying

so we know what as well as why

we don't have all the answers

but we try

and the effort is what makes us more

we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for

so keep exploring

go far and wide

or go inside but go deep

go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss

and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out

to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water

and you went deep

keep exploring

because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

we are more than hills to ski

or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes

a country that is all the ways you choose to live

a land that can give you variety

because we are choices

we are millions upon millions of voices shouting

" keep exploring... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you

it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"

so don't say "been there done that"

unless you've sat on the sidewalk

while chalk artists draw still lifes

on the concrete of a kid in the street

beatboxing to Neil Young for fun

don't say you've been there done that

unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit

for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends

and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back

next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time

but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently

and experiences are what make up

the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north

strong and free

and what's more

is that we didn't just say it

we made it be.

Last nights poet at the Olympics, Shayne Koyczan, made me proud to be a Canadian. Good Luck to all the athletes.

So you’re glad for the mild winter, eh?

[Warning – the statements made below are not to offend anyone, rather they are my personal opinions. If I offend you with how I feel I’m not sorry.]

Today’s post is completely out of the norm for me. It has nothing to do with décor, my friends / family or the Bunny. It has to do with the fact that I have been able to wear a fall jacket the entire winter. Here in Canada that’s just not normal. I should be feeling the cold, and cursing all the snow banks. The streets should be filled with brown slushy snow and the pond near our house should have kids skating on it. Global warming and it’s effects have only impacted our lives for what most people see as good. No backbreaking shoveling, no double layers of gloves, no getting your car stuck in the snow banks made by the plows on the highway. Well I say it’s not right. Today’s edition of the Metro (a small paper handed out on the train line), reports several tourist attractions that have been already affected and are at risk of disappearing.

Victoria Falls – The basin which feeds these falls are at risk of drying up. Not only will the falls suffer, but all of the wild life and vegetation around it that feed off of the mist will start to disappear

Florida’s Everglades – A complex eco-system and home to wildlife are facing rising sea levels. This puts not only their homes at risk but their very existence, like the Florida panther.

Maldives – 22 atolls less than 1 metre above sea level will be uninhabitable and possibly erased from existence by the end of the century. Rising sea levels post the same issue for many other islands.

Mount Kilimanjaro – in 1936, Ernst Hemmingway wrote the famous short story “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” since then 80% of the snow has melted. One of the most spectacular sites in Africa, scientists predict it will be void of all snow by the end of the decade.

Great Barrier Reef – 3,000 reefs stretching 2,600kms is being attacked by over-fishing, tourist abuse, industrial pollution and global warming.

Venice – This historic lagoon city has flooded 4 times as much as it was at the start of the 20^th century destroying priceless buildings. It is estimated that St. Marks Square could be under 7 feet of water and deemed uninhabitable by the end of the 21^st century.

So you’re glad for the warmer winter, well I leave you with this; It takes 250-500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose. Chemical filled products that we use everyday and pour down our drain are polluting the waters making local beaches not usable. In 60 years, our grandchildren will face an Earth much different from ours. The pollution and garbage will fill their lungs and parks. Many of the islands we vacation to and tourist attractions we visit will no longer exist. Are the choices you make today only for the benefit of your pocket and convenience, or do you consider the future of our children’s lives and our own before you act? Lastly, if you don’t like the snow, then frankly live somewhere else. We live in a country where snow is a norm. If you want sun and heat all year round, live somewhere where that is normal. It’s not normal here in “North” America.

*I warned you*

What did you just say???

My nephew has gotten to the talkative stage where you wonder where they got this stuff from...

To my cousin "Well the pees didn't come out so maybe I need a diaper."

she said "The packages for diapers only have babies on them."

To which he responded, "Mom underwears are for big boys and diapers are for babies...do you get the point?!"

or

"Mom do you have a pee pee?"

"No Hunny, I'm a girl, girls don't have pee pees"

"You're a gwirl?"

"Yes"

"You mean you're not a boy?"

"Nope"

"Mom, do gwirls have bums?"

Interview with a Temp replacement and a Fabric Igloo

On Tuesday we interviewed our first candidate for my mat leave replacement. She was very talented and seemed professional. Just like when they hired me, there is a 3 hour Word and PowerPoint test that is given. It's all about formatting and making two documents using a few instructions and a print out of what the document should look like. It's not about getting both documents done. It's about the quality of what is done, and what formatting techniques you use to do so. She has almost 10 years of experience using PowerPoint, however she didn't score to high on the test. I was a bit disappointed. Our HR head assured me that most people don't score very high on the test. I'm not to concerned with the score more than I am concerned with the person's ability to not only do the everyday job, but act as a support for the rest of the department. Often they ask me to help them do something when they don't know how. If I don't know I tell them I will look for an answer and get back to them. Good old Microsoft help. I know this is something they could do, but they don't have the time. My replacement should be able to at least pull up the help window and get more of the test completed. So the search continues.

In other unrelated news, here's Milo on Sunday and his fabric igloo. While my sister drew the mural, Milo played with our Ikea futon cover. He rolled and burrowed in it till we could no longer see him. He slept there for a few hours peacefully.

30 Before 30

[Me at my cousin's wedding last Saturday]

I was reading one of my favorite blogs today and Meg really inspired me to make a personal list of my own. So here goes [in no particular order]

30 Before 30

1. Take a photography class

2. Learn Photoshop

3. Create and maintain digital scrapbook

4. Complete scrapbooks of K & Me growing up [along with dating, wedding and baby scrapbooks]

5. Digital categorize all photos and make CD backups

6. Go for a walk at least 3 times a week

7. Host a cousin's game night

8. Have our neighbours over for dinner

9. Get an iPhone

10. Go to a museum / art gallery with K

11. Paint and put up my birdmansion [really large bird house]

12. Make my Bunny a quilt

13. Find an easy and quick everyday casual updo

14. Take swimming aerobics / exercise

15. Create "A day in the life of..." digital scrapbook for Bunny's first year

16. See a show in the theater [not a movie, but a play or ballet]

17. Redesign my Blog

18. Spend an afternoon reading in a cozy chair, doing nothing else

19. Plant an herb garden

20. Do something for a charity

21. Start a "GT" family tree

22. Loose the baby weight

23. Join a "Baby and Mama" class

24. Speak with my friends on a regular basis

25. Take a sewing class [clothes altering]

26. Get a pedicure every month

27. Finish the Master bedroom

28. Create new business cards and flyers, and distribute

29. Set aside time each week for creative time

30. Trip to New York

**Bonus participate in a quilt-a-long and complete a quilt

Parenting #101

Now you can't judge, but I have to post this. One of the blogs I read is about a lovely lady Karen, her husband and their 4 kids. The youngest being a little 4 year old named Annie. Annie is precious and sweet, she has the cheeks that just make you want to grab her and kiss them. Now here's the part where you can't judge. Annie is going through a stage right now and Karen is doing a great job dealing with it. Today however, I read about one of Karen's parenting moments that I'm sure to find myself in. I can just see me now, and in the back of my mind I will be thinking "so this is how Karen felt" With that said, click on the link below and discover why parents although can be seen as saints for the most part, they aren't always "saintly".

http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/2009/09/3.html

Hitting the Books

I know I've been away for a few days. I've been studying for my exam this Saturday and organizing my art studio. I will be back in a few days with lots of pictures to share :) Wish me luck, better yet - pray for me!

Oh where oh where has this blogger been?

(K bought this for me at HomeSense a few weeks ago. It is totally me!)

Hello everyone ( if there are still readers out there),

I know it's been a while since I've posted. Three weeks actually. It's been really crazy around here lately. My dad retired, and my parents moved. My best friend had her baby shower, but still no baby. She's due next Friday, so you never know. I better be all caught up blogging by then.

Our good friends had a great BBQ, and we had one of our own to celebrate K's mom turning the big 6-5.

In between all of this, we finally finished the reno of our powder room, I quilted a baby blanket for my best friend's baby, I've been studying for the medical admin course I'm taking and I had a high school reunion.

So you can see how one could get so busy that I've fallen off the blog world. I've spent the last week catching up on everyone's blogs. Meg's done some fun stuff with her kids, Dusty and her husband are having a baby - Congratulations! Liz is taking a well deserved break and so much more!

I hope to catch you all up on what has been happening with me over the next few days. I'm also going to do something I've never done before, I'm going to blog this weekend just so that I have a few posts rather than one big long one.

So for those of you that have been regulars and have been wondering where I've been - I'm back. If you're new to the blog, welcome. And if you are any of my friends or family that have been heckling me about my lack of blogging - bugger off you know how busy I've been *raspberry*

The world we once knew is definately changing

As we get older we never seem to look into the entertainment industry and think that one day an icon of our era would be gone.

In the past few days we have lost 3 major icons. As painful or contreversial as their last days with us may have been, I think it is important to reflect on the positive influences they had on our lives.

My prayers are with their children and families. In the end we can not choose our time, rather answer when we are called by God.

Michael Joseph Jackson

August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009

Ferrah Leni Fawcett
February 2, 1947 - June 25, 2009



Edward Leo Peter McMahon
March 6, 1923 - June 23, 2009

The arm bone's connected to the hand bone...

I have something to share with you. I'm going back to school. That is I am taking a 9 course program at my local college.

I have been thinking long and hard about my career. Where I am today is not where I thought I would be. To be honest, I never had a visual of where I wanted to be. In high school I had a hard time choosing a path to study in. So I took everything, Chemistry, Biology, Photography, Visual Arts, Creative Writing, Geography, History, Math, Spanish, and French. Funny I never took the accounting, business or finance courses, but the last 6 years I have spent in a corporate environment. When it came time to select my focus in college, again I was torn. My parents wanted me to steer away from the creative stuff because they were worried what kind of job I would find. So I did the next best thing. I found a somewhat creative job where I could make money - Interior Design. I spent 2 years at a private academy for ID and graduated as a certified interior designer. That's right folks, I'm certifiable (yuck yuck yuck). After spending 2 years in the industry I came to the ugly truth - I loved interior design, I wasn't a fan of the "professionals" in the industry. Other designers, contractors, tradesmen, vendors, suppliers, all of them. I just couldn't do it. So what to do? Well I was really lucky when my father-in-law helped me get a job at the Staples head office. I thought I would work in the visual merchandising field for a while until I could figure out what I really wanted to do. Fast forward 6 years, I am still in an office, not doing anything creative, and feeling like the work I do really doesn't make much of a difference in the world.

So now what? Well first I took a look at what interested me. Teaching, how I would love to be a teacher. Unfortunately I have a mortgage and bills and can not afford to go back to school full time for 4-5 years. Next, look at what skills I have and where I could make it work. Hmmm? anyone need an interior designer who hasn't been practicing for 6 years? Oh what's that - I could be an intern at your design firm, yeah no thanks, that's not going to pay the bills. I thought about taking my interior design and applying to teachers college. However you need a degree from a university and because I went to a private school, teachers college doesn't recognize it - tell that one to your kids!

Option 4, look in the professional world, see where there will be a need for professionals and take the necessary steps towards it. Auto industry, not doing so well, housing industry, not that great either. And then it hit me, well actually it shuffled up next to me an nudged me. My father is retiring! No I can't have his job :) However, my father is part of a very large generation - the baby boomers. If he is retiring, that means shortly there will be a lot more people retiring. That means a larger part of our population will be aging and in need of medical care. I remembered all of my biology classes in high school. I loved it! The human body, the cells, the bones, all of it was fascinating. Let's not kid anyone though, I'm not doctor material, not even nurse material (well maybe this will lead to being a nurse) I have years of office experience and I'm pretty good on the computer. I am a great communicator and love people interaction. I love to organize, colour code and have great time management skills (okay Kenrick stop laughing I will work on that last one). I searched all of the online correspondence options in the medical field and found a number of options. I selected Hospital Nursing Unit Clerk.

"Develop office management and business communications skills for the health care environment. Clerical and administrative support for a hospital unit or health care institution. Set up records for patients, transcribe physicians, orders from patient files. Requisition forms for labs test, therapy, drugs and supplies for unit. Record diagnoses on medical forms, arrange for transfer of patients."

So here I am, 2 weeks into my first course, Medical Terminology. I'm remembering so much from high school. I'm also able to relate some of the diseases to life experiences that I have been through. Studying the human body systems, bones, muscles, major organs and their functions, disease and disorders. It's a lot to take in, but I have to say, I am enjoying it. So wish me luck. I got my pens, paper, binder and textbooks ready - here I go!

Oh did I mention one other perk - Scrubs and Crocs would be my new work wardrobe! I've always loved the comfort of Crocs, and how cute are scrubs in fun colours like raspberry, chocolate and indigo. Professional and comfortable, can't wait. It's about 2-3 years away - or maybe sooner ;)

He faught the good Fight, RIP Axel

Eternal Lord,

I ask you to grant the courage

to bear the loss of Axel to all

who knew and loved him.

He gave his love freely to Denise and Pete.

Protect they're loving friend

and companion Axel in your

loving hands.

Amen

The story of Axel's last day brought tears to my eyes. He looks so much like Milo. I am very sorry for your loss Denise and Pete

Where have I been???

I know I've been away for a few days. Wednesday was totally busy. Work was crazy and then I had Easter dinner grocery shopping to do. Thursday was just as busy, along with a quick stop in the GAP where a bought a few items. We also finally used wedding gift cards for Pottery Barn [3 years later] and got some really great dishes [more to come later]. Friday we were off and I got some sewing and cleaning done. Saturday we did some running around and had a wonderful dinner at K's aunt's house. Sunday was 8:30 Easter mass, a visit to my grandparents grave site, a family casual buffet brunch and then Easter egg hunt and dinner with my parents, sister and her boyfriend. K and I took Monday off. Boy were we glad to. We did some shopping, paid a visit to his parents and started some laundry. Boy am I pooped! I finally got to catch up on some blogs last night and today. I haven't been in the blog world since Tuesday! Yikes a whole week. Well boy do I have some updates for you. More to come.....

K Said today....

This is my new Quote...

"There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort"

He's such a homebody

LOL

Celebrity Look Alike

Freckles Chick posted today about an old post she did. It was a celebrity look alike post. She askes if anyone has ever told you that you look like a celebrity. When I got these black frame glasses my dad always used to say I looked like Nana Mouskouri. Now that I look at the images of us both side by side I can see the resemblence. I've also gotten Janeane Garofalo and Lisa Loeb. What about you?

Comparing Apples to Apples

In light of the market conditions, and in the effort to save money K and I tried grocery shopping this week at No Frills in stead of our normal Superstore. I have always said I would never sacrifice the quality of the food I bought, but wanted to see if there was really a difference. The produce wasn't as big and the selection wasn't as great, even in among the PC brand itself. I had heard rumors that shopping at Superstore was much more expensive and I wanted to see for myself. So Tuesday I made a grocery list of all the items we normally buy [in excel which will now be our new method of making a grocery list] I put the price that we normally pay in one column. I was careful to write down the brand, size and even flavour, as sometimes these details can make a difference. While shopping at No Frills, I recorded the price of items.

Yesterday I entered the prices for the items at No Frills and I did a comparison. Well what do you know. Superstore worked out to be $2.50 cheaper! Not to mention you can also get clothing, housewares, or electronics there. They have a dry cleaners, a photo lab and a pharmacy. If you go to the gym there is a GoodLife there and the Superstore is closer to our house. So it looks like we will be sticking with the Superstore, it really is super...cheesy I know.

xoxo = Socks?

Last week I sent K a text message. To be funny I signed it xoxo Gossip Girl. Blackberry spell checked "xoxo" to be "socks" Cute. Now K and I will type socks.

Screaming on the inside, smiling on the outside.

(K shouting back at a dragon in Thailand)

To the guy who doesn't give his seat to the pregnant lady on the train, you need to scream and smile.

To the person who you hold the door for when going into the train station or mall and they don't say thank you, you need to scream and smile.

To the parent who ignores their child's constant calling and doesn't discipline their children, you need to scream and smile.

To the neighbour who parks their car on the street infront of your driveway making it almost impossible to reverse out of your driveway, you need to scream and smile.

To the guy in the church parking lot honking at the elderly driver infront of them, you need to scream and smile.

To the boss or co worker that always seems to need your help 5 mins before you are supposed to leave, you need to scream and smile.

And to the deli worker handing out free coffee, you need to scream and smile. Why, you ask. Well here's the story.

Picture it, a somewhat busy deli in the Financial district of downtown Toronto. Two "brown-skinned" girls [yes this matters for the story] sitting enjoying the sandwiches and drinks they just bought. Three tables around us just happen to be filled with corporate "non brown-skinned" women. The deli worker asks the table to our left,
"would you care for a complimentary coffee?"
"yes thank you, the lady replies"
He asks how she takes her coffee and goes off to make it. He returns, looks at our table and then asks the table to the right of us the same thing. They reply yes and he gets their coffee. He goes to the table directly behind us and offers them complimentary coffee and returns with a smile and their coffee. He doesn't look at our table again, infact he doesn't even make eye contact. Instead he turns and walks to the other side of the deli and starts offering the other "professionals" complimentary coffee. WTF? Sorry for my lanuage here ladies and gentlemen, but are we not in the 21st century? Does this stuff still really happen?

So as I was saying,
To the deli worker handing out free coffee, you need to scream and smile.

There's a fox in my head....

Just surfing around today and found this post from BrOwN EyEd fOx...

"i am curious today about something...

something that tends to roll around every so often for me.

usually tends to be when i feel overwhelmed... weary... or just plain confused.

do you ever wonder if you are on the RIGHT path?

doing what you SHOULD be doing?

there are times when i feel like i am flying by the seat of my pants.

i kind of get FROZEN!

there are SO many things... DIFFERENT things that need attention.

i get to where i don't even know WHERE in the world to start...

"JUST STARTING"... can seem too much...

between it all...sometimes it feels like something's got to give...

WHAT is that something?

being a freak of an A TYPE person...

i don't want to let ANYTHING go!

when things get this way... off kilter... i feel like maybe there is a REASON...

maybe there IS too much on my plate.

so much passion INSIDE... wanting to get out... but it gets SQUASHED...

squashed by important AND unimportant things.

is this a sign... is HE trying to tell me something?

or is this normal hubbub?

you wonder...

do other people feel this way too?

do you EVER feel like you have too much enchilada on your plate?

do you find your head spins ALL THE WAY AROUND sometimes?

do you think you are on the RIGHT... meandering it can be... path?"

Wow, who let her into my head and told her she could write all my thoughts down? I feel exactly like this. It almost feels like all the time. Really it's most of the time. I wonder if it ever goes away or if it's just the result of being a Type A person?

Grocery store fresh and sparked bugs

Remember this post and images like the one below?
They have sparked some laundry room renos at our home. I was over at Just Beachy and Cris had a recent post titled Recessed panelling 101. Cris is really handy and she gives you easy step by step instructions how to install molding and trim in your home to make it look like recessed panelling. So since we are tearing out the closet and all the trim around it, I thought why not do the whole room. It's really only 8'x8' [at least it feels that small]. Stay tuned for update posts on that project.

Just a quick reminder, those ever so convenient and cute baby carrots you can find in the bag, stop buying them. They are washed with chlorine to help preserve them. That's why they go white when the get dry. Better to buy the real deal and wash and cut them along with the healthy guys below.

Here's a helpful and healthy tip. When you buy all those wholesome snacks from the grocery store, wash and cut them as soon as you get home. It makes packing lunch and grabbing a healthy snack easy.

While I'm on the topic of great things at the grocery store, once a month, treat yourself. These pretty blooms were in the grocery store in the 2 for $10 bucket. It's always nice to look at fresh blooms. They take your mind off the cold and heaps of snow outside.