just percolating...
He can surf, play cricket and kick a footie. But, softball? That’s just not part of an Australian boy’s childhood. And yet, this year, at the friendly urging of a mate, my husband joined a softball team. To them, this group of Canadian men, my husband, the Australian, must seem like an innocuous mascot that they’ve good-naturedly adopted onto the team. My husband, for his part, can’t think of a better way to spend a summer evening than with a … [Read more...]
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Generally, I give a book about 25 pages, maybe 50, to hook me. After that point, I just close it up and move to the next book in my pile. I don't look back. I have piles everywhere -- in the dining room, on my bedside table, in my office. I just can't live without a good book on the go. Emphasis being on good. So when you hear of a book that is impossible to put down, that is racing off the shelves and impossible to get at the library, well, you … [Read more...]
I keep hearing about the popularity of the "staycation." The idea is that because of tightened family budgets, we're choosing to stay home instead of travel on our vacation time. I don't know about you, but if I have to sit around my house and look at the do-it-yourself projects we have yet to do and the growing clutter caused by two growing children, well, I'd rather stay at work, thank you very much. Plus, I do work from home so the allure of … [Read more...]
More breaking news to add to the "do not host a party where you intentionally hope your children catch an illness of pandemic proportions" that I reported on last night. This time ... okay, are you ready? Here it is: moms have power. Gee, moms rule the nest? Who knew. Okay, in all seriousness, I do think the article is note-worthy even though I already know that I am all-powerful. Here's why: it suggests that online marketers are not tapped … [Read more...]
Breaking news from the CanWest News Service: Experts warn that hosting a swine-flu party for your children is NOT a good idea. Geez, NOW they tell me. I spent all last night preparing the kids' goodie bags for this weekend. I guess I can save them for the next pandemic party circuit. In case you choose to ignore the experts, the Pig Party Deluxe Pack shown here is available from Birthday Express! … [Read more...]
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As you know, I love to chat-up Canadian businesses. This morning I came across an awfully cool ad agency via LinkedIn: Revolution Strategy. And no, they're not located in Toronto! Nope, not even in Vancouver. They're out East, in New Brunswick to be precise. How great is that? In fact, they're so cool that I'd even move back East (I was born there, did you know?) from my lovely little spot here in Manotick. [*hint*hint*wink*wink* Ms. … [Read more...]
Television's Law & Order: Criminal Intent has a character named Capt. Danny Ross. But it turns out that this actor, Eric Bogosian, is actually the author of a criminally addictive novel: Perforated Heart. I was stuck in bed for two days with the flu and had randomly picked this book up from a library shelf, as I tend to do, and I just couldn't put it down. As I got sucked into this novel, I checked out the dust jacket picture, and lo' and … [Read more...]
I have a girlfriend who takes an annual vacation by herself. Nothing fancy ... she just picks a nearby city and books herself into a hotel room. Sometimes she meanders about the local sights and sometimes she just hangs out in her room, watching movies and ordering-in her favourite foods. She's a big believer that this kind of break is not only good for her, but for her marriage and for her energy as a stay-at-home mother. After exactly one day … [Read more...]
Daughter: I really miss having a dog in our family. Mother: Me too, honey. Daughter: I wish we could get a puppy; get a new dog for our family. Mother: I do sometimes too, honey. Daughter: Oh well, at least we have my baby brother. He's like having a puppy, isn't he? … [Read more...]
One year ago today, a dear little fellow joined our family. Our world will never be the same. Happy birthday dear son. … [Read more...]
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I'm old. There's just no denying it anymore. Three things happened in one day to slap this fact right into my face. First, my daughter comes home yesterday singing "School's out for summer!" She starts to repeat this refrain, and I join in with her. She goes quiet and looks at me with surprise. "How did you know the words?" It is hard to explain that these lyrics are far older than she is. That once, a long, long, long, time ago, Mommy … [Read more...]
I'm not much for formal religion, but this prayer came home in my daughter's school bag yesterday and I just loved it. It seems like a perfect wish-list for a child's summer, doesn't it? A Prayer May no cats get in your sandbox May your frisbees always spin May your fridge be filled with oranges May you love the life you're in. May your teddy be fuzzy May your rainy days be wet May your teacher tell your stories That you never will … [Read more...]
In past years I've struggled with the obligatory thank-you gift for my daughter's teachers. I say "obligatory" not because I don't feel genuine gratitude for the work and passion that my daughter's teachers bring to the classroom every day, but rather because of the sense that a gift is a form of standard etiquette. And I don't want to be the set of parents (i.e. the mother) who hasn't followed etiquette. (Why I even care about etiquette is a … [Read more...]
I found it curious that last Saturday two of our national newspapers had below-the-fold cover stories on the topic of suicide. Suicide is something that rarely gets discussed among family members, let alone in our mainstream media. In this case though, both stories covered the suicidal deaths of soldiers. The Globe and Mail investigated the death of Major Michelle Mendes, who killed herself in Afganistan at the age of 30. The Ottawa Citizen … [Read more...]
Dear Son, Not only are you adorable, but you are clever. Since my last letter to you, it is clear that you have chosen not to be sold to the highest bidder on the black market. And further, you are considerate. You ensured that you communicated this wish to us before we had begun the tedious work of developing marketing copy and securing advertising space. It's been at least a week now that you've slept-in until the requisite humane time of 6 … [Read more...]
You know how they say that little girls grow into women who marry men just like their fathers? I think there's alot of truth in that. And that's why I'm especially glad to have you as my father. It means that not only did I grow up with a kind, generous man, but that I now share my life with one too. Thanks Dad. You're the best of the best. … [Read more...]
Kevin Jungel did what many of us will never do in our lifetime: move to a foreign country. He moved more than 6,000 kilometres from home. Into an environment with a different culture, a different language -- heck, even a different side of road to drive on. He moved from Germany to Canada to establish a North American headquarters for WEICON, a manufacturer of specialty products used in industrial production. That was 2008. We all know what … [Read more...]
Mother: So, have you picked a theme for your birthday party this year? Daughter: Yes, actually. I've decided on mythical creatures. Mother: Mythical creatures? Like, Pokemon? Daughter: No, like centaurs and the sphinx. Mother: Um, okay. I'll see if they carry that theme at the dollar store. … [Read more...]
Dear Garry at SoHo Portal, Did you ever know that you're my hero, and everything I would like to be? I can fly higher than an eagle, for you are the wind beneath my wings. It might have appeared to go unnoticed, but I've got it all here in my heart. I want you to know I know the truth, of course I know it. I would be nothing without you. Did you ever know that you're my hero? You're everything I wish I could be. I could fly higher than an … [Read more...]
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