I have such a routine now that I am back and it is the New Year (lucky number 13). Well, in between the unpacking and getting rid of Xmas recycling….I have started to pin down a routine. Which is exciting because normally I am the most unorganized and frazzled person! Mornings. Husband wakes up with the kids. They start breakfast and make coffee and then come wake me up. I take about ten minutes to wake up fully. I need to adjust my eyes, pet my cat (Paul) Simon, move around, stretch, sit up, stretch, get my fuzzy housecoat on…
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Last night I had a very entertaining dream. I was me in an alternate universe. I had the freckles I always wanted, and my hair had grown to my waist. I sat in my open concept, farmhouse-inspired city home and wrote the most eloquent blog. I woke up wondering how to make the blog topic even more sweet in the light of a real day for all of you out there. But in the midst of wiping my kids snotty noses and setting up breakfast, taking down breakfast, crafts for the kidlets (as we call our kids sometimes for no…
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Yesterday I went to McDonald’s. I have been to several in my life, and until I was 25 years old, it never bothered me. Then I started to get sick. Food poisoning sick. I would do nothing new all day except eat McDonald’s. I even went to several different locations in case it WAS food poisoning. But the next 10 times, without fail, I would eat McDonald’s and about 30 mins to an hour later it would start. I would feel awful, my stomach churning around. A little while later it would feel like I ate a bag of broken…
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This weekend my Husband and I had a misunderstanding. I run, sometimes. I am trying to make it a habit but it’s hard starting a new …well, a lifestyle really. I had intended on going 3 times a week, around my 2 times a week Karate class. I just started so it’s really just ten minutes of prep (dressing, stretching, shoes, music ) and then a half hour of running. ( I always shout in my head “Half Hour Of POWER!” before heading out and inevitably start humming a Sum 41 song from that album). My intentions were good but…
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Dear Son. There are many, many things I should teach you. Most of them I haven’t even thought of. The most competitive you should be with any person is with yourself only. Never mind what anyone else is doing. Challenge yourself and always set new goals. There is no such thing as cool, or uncool…. Some of the coolest people were horrible “nerds” in school, and vice versa! It’s all relative. Be patient with people’s differences. You are who you’re supposed to be. Don’t try to be someone else. Whether you are straight or gay, respect the one you’re with.…
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We have an ant infestation. The mini black ants have taken over the playroom thanks to the poorly sealed basement window, and now have moved up to the kitchen. The other day I moved a toy bin in the basement playroom and the stupid things had made a nest under it! Carpet is not dirt and not a proper nest. Seriously. So I disturbed them last night and this morning they are in the kitchen. When a horde of them ran over my bare feet I was jumping out of my skin! I forced myself to stand there until I…
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What do I feel strongly that my daughter must know to make her world her own, her heart strong, her head successful? Be a compassionate listener. Do not sit there waiting for your turn to speak. Do not think you know everything about that person’s situation or relationship based on one emotional conversation. Truly listen to people and they will for you. It’s good advice for both personal and business conversations. Good leaders have been good listeners, trust me on this. Do not assume that the person wants advice. Maybe they just want you to listen to their opinion. Maybe…
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I love my job as a stay-at-home mom. And yes, it is a JOB not a life choice etc. I’m not (whisper, whisper “just a stay at home mom”(whisper, whisper); but a STAY AT HOME MOM (job title shouted proudly). When I was in Grade 11 I had to go see my guidance counselor and pick a career path so I could prepare for graduation. When I said my only dream ever was to be a stay at home mom that wrote on the side she laughed at me a little. She was very much a “strong, independent lady” that…
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I was asked…. “Most influential person in your world?” Tough question. For many reasons. Fictional or real person? Past or present? This is the kind of question that changes every year. Or day sometimes. I could say for past people it could be my Grandmas on both sides. My Grandma Gillespie taught me to be strong and carry myself with dignity; and in an indirect way how to defend my opinions when the other person isn’t in agreement; but in an old school, classy and respectful manner. My Grandma Salmond taught me how to be frugal not cheap and how…
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Once upon a time…. there was a little girl growing up in small town Saskatchewan. She grew up watching and believing in fairy tales. Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty” was a favourite, as were ballets such as “The Magic Flute”. She daydreamed that someday her prince would come. She was a bit of an awkward child. Small in her preteens; with a long body, short legs and wavy hair that insisted on sticking up everywhere when not in braids. She had buck teeth before she was graced with braces around age 11 or 12, and was afflicted with glasses. Her fashion sense…