I've brought my kids on a family vacation to Florida twice now. Twice we've visited Orlando as a family. And I'm finding that I feel oddly guilty about it. See, when I was a kid we would visit Florida and stay with relatives. We'd fly down, or drive (24 hours straight, my dad was hardcore) to Bradenton, or Sarasota, stay for a week or two and head home. We chilled. A lot. We … [Read more...]
That time my 2nd Grader brought Whiskey to school…
I let my kid bring Whiskey to school. It didn't go well. To be clear, Whiskey is a cat -- a stuffed cat. I had reservations about Gigi bringing Whiskey to school, but apparently not for any of the right reasons. I was worried that her favourite doll might get ruined, that her long soft orange fur would get dirty from playing outside during recess, and that if I had to … [Read more...]
No Wifi? Netflix to the Rescue!
A bit over a year ago now, Netflix unleashed this new download feature where instead of streaming as you watch you can preload shows into your device. Last summer, they pointed out how handy it would be for road trips or for stays in cottage country. You can download a show before you hit the road and you’ve got a handy distraction for the kids. At one point they even had these … [Read more...]
What Exactly Does an Optician Do? Let’s Meet an Optician…
Okay, so I am totally guilty of this... for the longest time I thought that the people that helped me pick out frames and sold me a pair of prescription glasses were just sales clerks. At one point I actually thought an optician was another word for an optometrist or eye doctor. Nope. Wrong answer. So, who are those people working in the eyeglasses department? What … [Read more...]
Mama, Give Yourself Some Grace – Tips For Dealing With Serious Illness
A year ago I wrote about my experiences living through a bout of severe anaemia. I made it through to the other side, and I feel 210% better than I did a year ago. I think you probably have to have a debilitating experience like that to know just how absolutely fantastic it feels to NOT be ill, because, seriously, not having anaemia is pretty much the best thing ever. I'm … [Read more...]
7 Life Lessons Learned While Kayaking with the Dolphins in Sebastian Inlet
I spent a morning kayaking in Sebastian Inlet Florida State Park, and it taught me a bit about motherhood, about being a caregiver, and about surviving my "sandwich generation" moments. Stick with me here guys. Life happens. It just keeps on happening. Kids. Aging parents. Health issues. STRESS. Non-stop worry and stress. I feel like my life has devolved into some sort … [Read more...]
When It Comes To Vitamins, Mothers (and Daughters) Know Best
My mom has been hounding me to take vitamins. Vitamin D in particular. Family genetics seem to indicate that taking a Vitamin D supplement would be a good idea. That plus the fact that I spend 90% of my time indoors. I've been taking an iron supplement for my anemia (which is getting much better, thanks for asking). Then, because iron can block calcium absorption, my … [Read more...]
On Being Ambitious…
Photo of Erik Fidel from The Fab Four, as Ringo Starr. "Of course I'm ambitious. What's wrong with that? Otherwise, you sleep all day." ~ Ringo Starr … [Read more...]
Learning How to Enjoy the Journey…
Starting the new school year off with a quote from one of my fav Canadian authors, Charles de Lint. And my kids will be off tomorrow, with a hop, and a skip and smile. Excited, as always, to start a new year. Whatever path they take, whatever adventure they are off to next, it's always with a jump and twirl and a giggle, these two. Miss 10 has grown bunches since I … [Read more...]
Comfort and Convenience with Douglas Mattress {Plus Mattress GIVEAWAY!!}
There is definitely something to be said for the convenience of ordering a mattress online and having it show up at your house. Poof. Magic. It arrived on our front porch in a box which was both somehow smaller and larger than I thought it would be. As I stood there eyeing it my 10 year old came up next to me,"Wow, that's a big box." she said. "It's bigger than Gigi. Both of … [Read more...]
Shhhh… A Little Sneaking is Good For Your (Mental) Health….
The kids are home for the summer. My mother-in-law just moved in with us last month. Time to myself? Ha. The very idea is ludicrous. It's non-stop go-go-GO over here. Like every mom (or at least every mom that is still holding on to that last shred of sanity), I get creative with finding ways to fit in slivers of me-time. My current trick is to wake up late. Yeah, you … [Read more...]
True Courage… Cowardly Lion Style
"There is no living thing that is not afraid when it faces danger. The true courage is in facing danger when you are afraid." ~ L. Frank Baum … [Read more...]
The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places…
The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places. But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater. ~ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring … [Read more...]
Mom Guilt and the Magic of Childhood — Little is Enough
With Summer Break just starting I've been thinking back on how much I hated March Break this year. For about six years now, ever since my eldest first started school, I've watched on social media as other parents complained about summer break (or March break, or Christmas break, or whatever), saying how it drove them bats to have their kids home for x many days... but I just … [Read more...]
The Secret Society of Blogging, What Our Readers Never See
There is a secret underside to blogging, one that our readers never see. A secret virtual room where we all meet and sit around the water cooler and chat. From the outside, there's a lot going on that you as a reader may not notice. We make blogging friends and connections. We meet in person at conferences. We email each other back and forth. We have private Facebook … [Read more...]
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