We've been using Sigg bottles for ages. And that really says something, since we don't spend our money lightly on fads. We're talking $30 for a water bottle to put in a child's lunch box. When there's a plastic alternative that's less than $5, we've clearly drawn a line in the sand. Why? It's enviro-friendly not to be constantly purchasing plastic water bottles all the time. Sigg bottles are also extremely tough and survive even the worst … [Read more...]
Food for Thought
September 5, 2009 by 5 Comments
My husband never fails to be disappointed with the produce from our local grocery store. Well, to be fair, it's not just our local store -- it's any grocery store. After dinner, he'll look longingly at some peaches he picked up that day at the store. He'll pick one up, roll it around in his hand, maybe even give it a sniff. Then he'll sink his teeth into it. "Ugh," he'll pronounce, then put it down and push it aside in disgust. "It looked … [Read more...]
Would your husband notice?
September 2, 2009 by 2 Comments
In More magazine's September issue, a writer gets her face pumped up with injectable filler and bets that her husband won't notice. Or at least she hopes, since he's philosophically against these kind of "youthenizer" treatments. Her article "Is my epidermis showing?" reads a bit like a sad commentary on modern family life. When her husband arrives home after work, she's on pins and needles wondering if he is going to notice. Instead: He comes … [Read more...]
Awesome autumn daytrip
September 2, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Pssst! Got kids? Then you won't want to miss out on this awesome autumn roadtrip. It's an easy daytrip -- or an overnighter, if you please -- so pack up some roadtrip snacks and get the kids ready! Pick up a copy of this Saturday's Ottawa Citizen (Travel section) to get the details. … [Read more...]
Letter from South Korea: Part 2
September 1, 2009 by 1 Comment
In my first "Letter from South Korea," we covered off the basics of who, what, when and why Meaghan Harrison chose to leave Canada and teach English overseas. Now, in Part 2, we can learn a bit more about this experience on a personal level. You’ve been in South Korea for six months now … what’s been the most challenging aspect so far? The most challenging is just the day-to-day life. The majority of Koreans don't know English, so … [Read more...]
Letter from South Korea: Part 1
August 30, 2009 by 4 Comments
How does a recent graduate stay hopeful? The unemployment rate for youth climbed to 14.9 per cent in May, says Stats Can. One in five young adults have moved in with a friend or relative, says Maclean's. Most are suffering from recession anxiety, says the Calgary Herald. If you're graduating soon, recently graduated or a parent of one of the former, I hope you'll take heart with this "Letter from South Korea" post. Below, you'll find Part 1 of … [Read more...]
4 Ingredients
August 26, 2009 by 5 Comments
The only thing that Julie from the movie Julie and Julia and I share is a name. I have never lived in New York City (although I certainly would if opportunity afforded it), I am not a newly wed (we're clocking 13 years over in this corner), and perhaps most critically, I do not enjoy cooking. I just don't understand how people love to cook. It's sort of how I just can't understand how people love to go running. It's not that I wouldn't want to … [Read more...]
I blame Dora
August 22, 2009 by 4 Comments
Although I like to blame Dora the Explorer for my daughter's pinata fascination, the truth is that it's become a bit of a cherished tradition around here. It all started on her fourth birthday (yes, that time when all children exposed to a shouting girl in a jungle become madly infatuated and start learning Spanish at amazing speed). We were in Australia at the time and the only thing that Stella requested for her birthday celebration was a … [Read more...]
Travel with Baby
August 20, 2009 by 9 Comments
There is many a parent I know who choses not to travel when their child is a baby. I completely respect this decision. But this post is for those who would like to continue travelling, even after baby, and might be looking for some tips. The tips here are a combo of practicality and inspiration ... 5 Tips for Travel with Baby Tip #1: Try and keep your bedtime rituals going for the evening, but flexibility is the name of the game during the … [Read more...]
Thursday's Thought
August 20, 2009 by 1 Comment
It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? ~Vita Sackville-West … [Read more...]
Thank-you
August 19, 2009 by 5 Comments
Just after 5 am this morning, I flipped my eyelids open and standing before me was my daughter. "Hi Mom! Is it time for me to open my birthday presents?" she whispered. "No hon, it's a bit too early still. Lay in bed for a bit," I mumbled. She dutifully returned around 6 am and we all hung out on our bed together and watched as she gleefully opened each gift. She was thrilled with everything -- even her cards. Every so often, as she was … [Read more...]
Sunday morning in my house
August 16, 2009 by 1 Comment
Daughter: Mom, will you play with me? Mother: What do you want to play? Daughter: Pokemon. Mother: Um, okay. But first you have to brush your teeth. Daughter: Okay, great!! Thanks for bribing me, Mom!!! … [Read more...]
Santa better start saving now!
August 14, 2009 by 6 Comments
Daughter: Have you noticed I haven't asked for very much for my birthday? Mother: Yes, I did wonder a little about that. Daughter: Well, I've been keeping a few things from you. Mother: Oh. Daughter: See, I didn't want you and Dad to have to spend all your money on my birthday presents. So I'm going to save up all my wishes and ask Santa for them. … [Read more...]
Thursday's Thought
August 13, 2009 by Leave a Comment
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss … [Read more...]
On (not) educating other people's children
August 10, 2009 by 2 Comments
I'm at Jiu Jitsu with my one-year-old and we're watching and waiting for my 6-year-old to finish her class when bounding-in for the next class come a sibling pair aged 5 and 7. They immediately approach me (as us Moms know, babies attract the hoards!) and start ogling and asking questions: "What's he doing?" and "Can he walk?" and "Does he have teeth?" but "Can he talk?" Their interest is so genuine, so adorable. Then out of the blue, the … [Read more...]
Robson Rambling: A Recap
August 3, 2009 by 4 Comments
My "baby" brother Adam (he's 26) saved me from some expensive life insurance after I posted "His Next Great Adventure." The four of them were not, in fact, climbing Mount Robson, but instead were hiking Berg Lake Trail. They are all back safe & sound now, and thrilled with their adventure-filled time together. Even though Adam is supposed to be sweating it out on some kind of graduate computer-y thesis-y thing, I badgered him into … [Read more...]
How fast can you blow through $1,000?
August 1, 2009 by 6 Comments
Tired of budget, budget, budgeting? Let's have some fun! Someone just handed you $1,000 in cold hard cash. It's all yours, but you must follow the rules to keep it. The rules: 1. You must spend it. No savings, RESP and responsible things like that. 2. It cannot be anything you actually "need." It can only be spent on "wants." 3. No big ticket items. No individual item can be more than $200. 4. No time to waver - you must develop your list in … [Read more...]
Dear Convenience Food Marketers
July 27, 2009 by 5 Comments
Dear Junkfood Convenience Food Marketers, In this economy, I feel it is my duty to provide you with some valuable feedback that can help you cut your costs. You see, I've noticed some changes to your packaging. Lately it includes copy intended to market to someone looking for a healthy meal. Consider the following two standard favourites: Kraft Dinner Original and Chef Boyardee Ravioli. The Kraft Dinner package is now sporting a substational … [Read more...]
Out of the mouths of babes.
July 24, 2009 by 7 Comments
Me: So ... did you hear Mommy on the radio yesterday? 6-year-old Daughter: Well, yes I did. But I didn't recognize your voice. Me: Yes, people can sound different on the radio. I think it's because of the microphones. 6-year-old Daughter: Oh, I see. It really didn't sound like you at all. Because I heard the voice of a really calm lady. … [Read more...]
You know you're not the next Martha when …
July 21, 2009 by 6 Comments
...before your husband leaves on a trip he fills the fridge and stocks the freezer with casseroles. If I'm lucky he'll leave me a little stash of cash and some take-out menus too. We don't want the children to get scurvy now, do we? … [Read more...]
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