I thought you might find this little snippet from the Canadian Business Special Issue: Outlook 2011 inspiring as you begin your work week: The country's best-paid CEOs earned an average of $6.6 million in 2009, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. The average salary fell from $7.3 million in 2008, but is still far above the typical Canadian income of $42,9888. And ... wait for it .... By 2:30 p.m. on the … [Read more...]
I may not be writing, but I’m always reading
February 3, 2011 by 2 Comments
Between work, and illness and, oh ... that little time-consuming thing called child-rearing, my moments of blogging bliss have been very infrequent. But just because I'm not blogging, that doesn't mean I'm not reading blogs! Blogs are perfect for snack-bites of exquisite writing. And one of the best things about blogs is that you can find writing that is not found anywhere else -- topics that mainstream media simply doesn't cover. The intimate … [Read more...]
I am geek.
January 25, 2011 by 9 Comments
I was so excited to get my little package in the mail today! You see, I treated myself to a pretty little sparkler from Blend Creations. And here's a close-up: Um, yes, that is an "at" symbol. No, not for email, silly! While it's true that when I first joined twitter back in January, I really wasn't so sure I liked it ... or even "got" it. But now? Total addict. Yes, I am geek. Hear me roar tweet! … [Read more...]
Just do it!
January 25, 2011 by 9 Comments
You may have noticed that in my right-hand column, there is a lovely advertiser by the name of "LVS Consulting." This consulting practice is run by someone I've know for quite some time now: Lisa Sansom. In fact, Lisa introduced me to the whole big wide world of organizational development, and then more specifically, change management. We both used to work in the same company, but long ago went our own ways and have kept in touch over the … [Read more...]
An eight-year-old’s views on marriage
January 24, 2011 by 2 Comments
The other day my daughter Stella walked into the room while I was watching television. On the screen was a very pregnant woman who was trying on wedding dresses. This sparked a few questions from her, which led to me re-iterating the whole spectrum of choices that are available to folks. Then there was a slight pause in the conversation, so I asked her what her thoughts were... Me: So, what do you think about marriage ...do you think it might … [Read more...]
2011 National Home Show ticket winners!
January 21, 2011 by 2 Comments
And randomizer.com tells me the winners to the 2011 National Home Show are .... #8 - Melissa: who loves her character home but is keen for organizing and space-saving ideas #10 - Beth: who moves A LOT, so really, a home show with some girlfriends is a must-do trip, right? #12 - Vivian: who dreams of that magazine-worthy kitchen (I don't even cook and I would love that too!) #13 - Niki: who, like me, would love to have an enormous … [Read more...]
Get creative and “re-purpose” to reduce consumption (Guest post!)
January 18, 2011 by 5 Comments
I am really excited to bring you an awesome guest post today! You might recall that about a week ago, in a post titled "Consumption to the point of destruction," I wrote: I need your help. I’ve got a couple of ideas brewing for posts, but I want to know what things irk you about our over-consuming nature? Tell me (either in the comments or by emailing me directly) and together we can look at those things and dig a little deeper into them. One … [Read more...]
Confessions of a Real Estate Junkie (and a giveaway for the National Home Show!)
January 15, 2011 by 16 Comments
When I was a kid, I can distinctly remember being in the car on a weekend afternoon, usually in the spring, and asking my parents "What are we doing -- why are we driving around like this?" And the response of "Oh, we're just looking around at these neighbourhoods" never ceased to perplex me. I'd ask "Are we moving?" But, no, we weren't moving, we were just looking. Now, I am following in my parents mother's (let's face it, my father was … [Read more...]
On the topic of new year’s resolutions
January 11, 2011 by 4 Comments
In yesterday's National Post, an article titled "America is losing the war with itself" spun out a number of topics we've been discussing here related to the obesity problem that Canada is facing (I first wrote about this here, then again two days later here, and then because the comments gave me so much food for thought, a third time here.) Of particular interest to me is the connection that the author, George F. Will, makes between North … [Read more...]
The lady sitting alone in the movie theatre
January 11, 2011 by 4 Comments
When I was younger, there was no way I'd walk into a movie theatre alone. Because ... What if someone saw me? What would they think? And I would wonder to myself about that lady sitting alone in the movie theatre ... Is she lonely? Does she not have a partner or friend to come with her? And despite having a house full of love and a pocket full of wonderful friends, I am often that lady sitting alone in the movie theatre. When I have a night to … [Read more...]
Consumption to the point of destruction
January 9, 2011 by 15 Comments
Okay, so I've spent two posts complaining (first that the "obesity epidemic" in Canada was not really an epidemic, and second, that if it is really an epidemic, it's downright embarrassing when you put it in perspective to other epidemics around the world) and now I think it is probably time to do something helpful. Your comments on my post have been particularly insightful and have given me lots of food for thought (pardon the pun!). Many of … [Read more...]
The obesity epidemic: Maybe I’m just embarrassed
January 7, 2011 by 7 Comments
In my last rant post, I belittled the obesity problems that we are facing in Canada. I can certainly acknowledge that the prevalence of processed foods in Canadian diets, with ever-growing package sizes and salt and sugar quantities, is concerning. I can also acknowledge that most of the children I know likely do less physical activity that what is considered the healthy norm. But throwing the term "obesity epidemic" about just feels wrong to … [Read more...]
Canada’s has an obesity epidemic on its hands!
January 5, 2011 by 13 Comments
Extra! Extra! Read all about it! If you believe the headlines, Canada is in the middle of a serious epidemic. One of such enormous proportions that 1 in 4 Canadians is already affected – and the number is rising! *yawn* Yeah, that’s right, I’m tired of hearing about our so-called “obesity epidemic.” From public service announcements, to newspaper headlines to CBC’s latest “Live Right Now” series … please! Sure, we might be a little … [Read more...]
Starting the year on a high note!
January 1, 2011 by 11 Comments
I am utterly thrilled and gobsmacked to share some exciting news with you! Coffee with Julie has come through the juried process at the 2010 Canadian Weblog Awards with the following honours: Thank you, universe. And thank you Schmutzie for being the brains and the brawn behind this national effort. It means a lot to us mad keen bloggers. … [Read more...]
The year that was
December 31, 2010 by 4 Comments
Don't ask me how another year has flown by. It's downright spooky how time seems to be speeding up with each year that I get older. One minute, my children are pudgy little babes, and in the next, I can barely carry them they are such big kids. I've decided to look back through my blog posts as a reminder of all the things that we've shared this year. (It makes the time not seem so fast to do this, somehow.) And I picked one highlight from … [Read more...]
Teenage idols
December 30, 2010 by 9 Comments
Putting up a poster in your bedroom as a kid is like putting up a stamp of your own personality. Sure, your mother may have painted your room a colour you didn't like or put up flowered wallpaper everywhere, but with a few posters, it was all good. It's kind of a right of passage, isn't it? When I was my daughter's age, I had my bedroom plastered with ballet posters. And likely a (young) John Stamos in there too. But after spending most of my … [Read more...]
Five resolutions for 2011
December 28, 2010 by 6 Comments
I certainly don't need any new resolutions to keep for the year ahead because I am finding it hard to keep the ones I've already made! They are: 1. Make time for girlfriend time This is a resolution I made back in a post on November 9, 2010. At that time, I called it a "small change" but it is remarkably difficult to maintain since my girlfriends and I have all generally have young families and jobs. But I will keep at it! For example, … [Read more...]
Christmas and the Marshmellow Test
December 26, 2010 by 6 Comments
I was driving into work a little later than I normally do a few days ago and the CBC radio show "The Current" was discussing reader feedback to a piece they had aired. In the piece, a "famous marshmallow test" was discussed. I had never heard of this test, but it is really interesting and directly related to my post on giving my kids the gift of anticipation. It was an experiment conducted by Stanford University in the 1960s with children on … [Read more...]
Why do kids love Christmas so darn much?
December 22, 2010 by 6 Comments
The excitement in our house is really building ... My 8-year-old daughter is a believer and my 2.5-year-old son doesn't really know who Santa is but he sure likes all the sparkling lights and chocolate! Is it the same at your house too? I've been thinking about why kids love Christmas so darn much and I've decided it's really not the gifts. It's the anticipation of the gifts. This and a few other thoughts are being shared over at Life … [Read more...]
My friends are making me fat.
December 19, 2010 by Leave a Comment
Or at least that's my story -- and I'm sticking to it -- over as a guest blogger on Losing it in Ottawa today. If you'd like to deflect my blame, head on over to this great (and supportive) site and tell me it's actually my inability to get off the couch that is keeping me chubby! … [Read more...]
What does it mean to innovate?
December 16, 2010 by 3 Comments
I thought I knew the answer to this one. Easy. In my sleep. But actually, I had the pleasure of getting into a really engaging discussion on this last night. One of those rare adult conversations where your brain is thinking and excited (as opposed to the usual mundane ones of car repairs, car-pools and what to eat for dinner). Okay, let me back up .... I got in late last night. I put in my full-day at the office, then drove to meet my husband … [Read more...]
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