If you hang around with parents of young children long enough, you're bound to hear complaints about homework. I've been hearing this kind of chatter well before I had a child who was in school and I think I've finally hit my threshold on it. (And so I shall inflict my rant upon my unsuspecting blog readers. Evil laugh.) ******** Here's the scene: I'm at a playdate/get-together at a friend's house. I don't know any of the other parents … [Read more...]
Invasion of the vibro-bots
January 6, 2010 by 7 Comments
The favourite after-dinner storybook at our house lately is this: Basic Electronics by McWhorter & Evans Remember how you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover? As if! Judge away! I think this cover says it all, actually. As my mother-in-law would say, "boring as batshit." But not to hubby and Stella. The dining room has been covered with all sorts of mechanical pieces and manuals and tools. I've been keeping my distance, but … [Read more...]
Tipping makes me nervous
December 30, 2009 by 8 Comments
It feels silly to admit that, at the age of 38, I still don't understand the nuances of tipping. I find the whole custom so uncomfortable. If I leave an enormous tip, then it feels like I'm saying that I'm wealthy -- so pompously rich that I can freely dispense with my money and share it with those working in the service industry. But if I leave a meagre tip, then I'm not just a working-class person -- I'm cheap. So I'm always trying to figure … [Read more...]
When going to work feels like a holiday
December 29, 2009 by 6 Comments
As I was scrolling through facebook updates last night, I noticed one of my friends admit that she was looking forward to her kids going back to school and then added "is that really wrong?" I reached out immediately and made my own admission that I suspected that going back to work today is going to feel like a holiday. This friend and I never see each other. We're facebook friends in the pure sense. But I find this kind of supportive and … [Read more...]
Christmas stories to warm your heart
December 24, 2009 by 1 Comment
Although the whole house seems to be sick (again), and hubby and I are exhausted from rotating night visits to children, I've been warming up my heart to Christmas by reading the memories of other bloggers. These are stories that touched my heart and resonated with me in a strong way. I hope that they may have the same lovely effect on you too. Merry Christmas to each and every one of you and may tomorrow be the start of some special … [Read more...]
I’m in love with a gay man
December 22, 2009 by 2 Comments
I've tried to get him out of my head. But I just can't. It's been months now that I have gone to bed, and then allowed myself the luxury of letting my thoughts drift off towards him and his life. Sure, my husband thinks I am going to bed earlier than usual, but hey, winter's here and it makes a girl tired. The thing is ... he's gay. I'm spending hours upon hours loving someone who will never love me back. I know, I'm surely not the only … [Read more...]
LeapFrog Toy Review: AlphaPet Explorer
December 19, 2009 by Leave a Comment
The AlphaPet Explorer Toy Test LeapFrog age guide: 2-6 years Price point: Approx $25 The result? None of the children who tested this toy with me took any kind of lasting interest in the AlphaPet Explorer. Although the concept of the toy seems well-founded, it just doesn't seem to execute. We found the games too complex and the buttons too small for children up to 3 years of age, and for over-3 set, the toy seemed too "baby-ish" or … [Read more...]
Daily madness
December 17, 2009 by 6 Comments
So, what's up with you guys? Are you caught up in holiday parties, or credit card bills that have skyrocketed, or any good gossip? Come on, help a girl out ... As you know, I've started a new contract. Usually, I work on a whole bunch of small contracts all at once and juggle them about. In other words, I'm used to multi-tasking like a mad woman, then sometimes looking at the clock at 3pm and wondering if there is anything in the cupboard … [Read more...]
Should I change my name to Julian?
December 15, 2009 by 1 Comment
If I want to be a successful writer, then yes, maybe I should. James Chartrand of Men with Pens -- an extremely successful writer and blogger -- has "outed" himself as a woman. A single mom, to be specific. Why would a 30-something Canadian feel the need to adopt a male pen name? It's explained in this Copyblogger guest post "Why James Chartrand Wears Women's Underpants." It's definitely worth a read. Especially if you think feminism is an … [Read more...]
Isn’t it ironic.
December 12, 2009 by 3 Comments
A traffic jam when you're already late A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife It's meeting the man of my dreams And then meeting his beautiful wife And isn't it ironic...don't you think A little too ironic...and, yeah, I really do think... Yes, Alanis I really do think. Yeah, I really do. Like when I did all my Christmas shopping online to avoid the mall. Only to have to … [Read more...]
A note from Ottawa’s Youville Centre
December 9, 2009 by 5 Comments
Here's something to make you feel warm on a cold, windy day. This note just arrived from the Youville Centre -- your charity pick from the Ho! ho! ho! ribbit! ribbit! ribbit! post. Hello Julie, Just to let you know that we received the parcel from LeapFrog today and to thank you and everyone who chose Youville Centre's Moms and children to be the lucky recipients. In the package we found 5 boxed Tag Junior book pals, an additional 5 books … [Read more...]
LeapFrog Leapster 2 toy review (gift idea for children aged 3 to 5)
December 7, 2009 by 3 Comments
LeapFrog's LEAPSTER 2 Multimedia Learning System If you are hunting down a toy for a special preschooler in your life, this review may be of interest to you. (Disclosure details and other LeapFrog toy reviews can be read here.) What is it? It's a hand-held multimedia system for preschoolers that offers game-play, reading, drawing and videos. The focus is on educational fun. You can try a demo here. Price point: Approx $70 (see Toys R … [Read more...]
3 super-easy ways to make things merrier
December 7, 2009 by Leave a Comment
I'm lazy all about keeping things quick & easy. With the snow sprinkling outside my office window, the Christmas spirit is starting to take hold. Here are 3 super-easy ways to share the Christmas spirit: #1. Christmas stamps Most of us end up sending at least a dozen Christmas or holiday cards out at this time of year. Instead of buying the Christmas-themed stamp, consider the Mental Health stamp. This domestic stamp is sold in a … [Read more...]
The Winter Resolution
December 4, 2009 by 13 Comments
Although I gave up New Year's resolutions ages ago, I have made a winter resolution for this year. I've got a terrible track record with resolutions, and thus why the New Year's ones were deemed a fruitless exercise. But I am hoping I can make some progress on this. For my own sanity as well as for my family. My resolution is this: Find a way to enjoy winter. I just don't like winter. My husband finds this "cute" since I am the Canadian … [Read more...]
LeapFrog Tag Reading System (toy review)
December 3, 2009 by 12 Comments
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In follow-up to my "Ho! ho! ho! ribbit! ribbit! ribbit!" post, I am happy to share this toy review* with you -- just in time for Christmas. It's for the LeapFrog Tag Reading System. What is it? The Canadian Toy Testing Council awarded this toy with the Children's Choice Award in 2009 and since then the company has continued to expand its library of books to accompany the system. It's a unique system and I think the best way of really … [Read more...]
Gift ideas for Mom/Grandma
November 29, 2009 by 13 Comments
Sometimes getting gifts for my parents can be challenging. For instance, if there is something out there that my mother wants, at this point in her life she has likely already gone out and gotten it. So, in the spirit of my last post about getting ready for Christmas early (let's hear it for avoiding stress, the zoo in the stores and the over-spending that can happen when you're feeling frantic!), here are a few ideas I thought I'd throw out … [Read more...]
Ho! ho! ho! ribbit! ribbit! ribbit!
November 26, 2009 by 10 Comments
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*** at the bottom of this post you can vote for which children's charity will receive a LeapFrog donation of toys -- please voice your suggestion! *** It's time to get serious about Christmas! Like many things I used to scoff at, shopping early for Christmas is something I now do. I used to think that people who shopped early for Christmas were either too organized for their own good or just plain liked shopping far too much. Now I know … [Read more...]
The things I didn’t know when I was 15
November 25, 2009 by 7 Comments
When I was 15, I didn't have an inkling of what my future would be like. In fact, I don't ever really recall envisioning it at all. I never dreamed of a future marriage, a life as a mother, or a particular career. And it was at this time that I met a girl named Jackie. I had signed up for a drama class. You might think that a girl with the biggest hair known to man might stand out, but not in this class. Jackie blended in nicely with all … [Read more...]
My daughter, the scientist
November 25, 2009 by 6 Comments
How a future scientist views the experience of vomiting: Stella: That was the first time I've ever thrown up. Me: Yes, I think you're right. You haven't been sick much in your life. Stella: The difficult part is that when the throw-up is coming up your throat, it blocks your breathing. Me: It does feel like that. But, don't worry, people throw up all the time and their breathing always comes back. Stella: The interesting part … [Read more...]
Crib recall
November 24, 2009 by 6 Comments
An important note for all readers with children still in cribs: There's been a recall of a crib sold in popular stores such as Walmart, Sears and Babiesrus. The brand name is Stork Craft drop-side crib and Stork Craft drop-side crib with Fisher Price logo. I feel sick to my stomach thinking about this because four infants in the United States have died from suffocation, while other incidents involved falls from the crib. On this press … [Read more...]
Lovin’ the Lego
November 22, 2009 by 7 Comments
One of the absolute best things about living in Ottawa, particularly if you are a parent, is our museums. It's something a lot of us take for granted, but they really are fantastic and make entertaining kids sooooo easy. Yesterday we did a long-overdue family trip out to the Canada Science and Technology Museum. This museum is a perennial favourite at any time, but until January 4th, Ottawa is host to the Wheels, Wings and Waves - A LEGO … [Read more...]
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