Proving that, yes, my hair is longer than a yard stick.... Come February 12th I am going to cut off an inch of hair for every $100 raised in donations to the Canadian Cancer Society. I will be donating my hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program, where it will be used towards making wigs for cancer patients. If you'd like to support me with a pledge, … [Read more...]
Just a rambling update on what I’ve been up to…
So, let's see, my December looked something like this: First, my Dad died. And no matter how much you might imagine it may suck to lose a parent, you just don't really know until it happens. The reality of it is so much crappier then anything my vivid imagination ever cooked up. And then I got this horrible earache, and I ignored it because I thought it was probably just from … [Read more...]
On losing my Dad…
I am a writer. I love to write. I've always loved to write. I love to tell stories. I want to preserve and remember everything. It's who I am. A week ago my father died. His health has been poor the past few years, but this was still unexpected. I am so sad he is gone. I am so sad that I didn't get to say goodbye to him. I would give anything to be able to give him a hug and … [Read more...]
The Best Part of Coming Home….
Just found these photos hubby snapped at the train station (when I got back from Blissdom a few weeks ago), which capture the best part of coming home... … [Read more...]
Steven and Chris, Live in Toronto
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Toronto was attending a live taping of Steven and Chris.... … [Read more...]
Bug Ugly ~ It’s a Cicada Year!
So I've been seeing these strange looking bugs for the past few weeks now. They are quite large, with bodies as big as the width of the palm of my hand. The fact that they were so large, and that I didn't remember ever seeing a bug like that before had me a bit weirded out. A few days ago I happened to have my camera on my and snapped a picture of this fellow, who I think … [Read more...]
Geek with Maple, When Bloggers Meet
A highlight from TBEX Toronto, a photo with the elusive and wondrous Aeryn Lynne from Geek with Style. … [Read more...]
On Winning The Golden Ticket and Pursuing My Bliss
I wrote a bit yesterday about how in 2011 I took a leap of faith and bought a ticket to Blissdom Canada. Well the following year I again took that leap and bought a ticket to Blissdom Canada 2012, not really sure how it was going to fit into my plans. I had signed on as an Ambassador for the ShesConnected Conference which was set to take place on overlapping dates. Yet I bought … [Read more...]
We’re Off to See the Foodies… #FBC2013
About a month ago I won a ticket to the Food Bloggers of Canada Conference. It was my birthday, we went out for dinner, got home to a late bedtime with the kiddos. Once they where finally in bed, I dropped in on the end of the Twitter party and won a conference pass. Best birthday gift ever! A full conference pass, which includes tasty meals (Hello, it's the FOOD Bloggers … [Read more...]
The One in Which I Covet Dead Trees…
This is the sort of thing I covet; expensive limited edition books. Pretty books. Books with leather binding. Books that come in slipcases. Books with tipped in illustrations. Books printed on creamy paper. And the wondrous words inside that can transport me to other worlds. It's also about the words. But mainly it's about the feel, the smell, of a fine or old book, which for … [Read more...]
On Deodorant Negotiations and Smelling Like the Promised Land
Hubby really likes the Old Spice line because sometimes his work can get a little active and he finds the Old Spice antiperspirant actually keeps him covered all day long. His new favourite is Old Spice Matterhorn. He's actually really fond of the Old Spice Fiji, but I can't stand the smell of it. What I'm visualizing is not this guy.... but this rather, … [Read more...]
M is for… Maple Leaf, Mask and Mother
My mother made this maple leaf image in pastels. She didn't make it just for me, but just after I started this blog she gifted me with the original and gave me permission to use it for my logo. So this picture, I have all sorts of warm fuzzy feeling for it both because my mom made it, and because for over two years now it's represented me online in this grand adventure that is … [Read more...]
Winter, I am SO done with you.
I am one of those freaks that dislikes Summer. I hate the heat. I don't like beaches or lounging by the poolside. Even when I was a young kid I would think, "Wow, thank God for air-conditioning. How the heck did people live without it?" Autumn is my favourite time of year, because YAY it signals the end of Summer! Colourful leaves, crisp cool days? Sign me up. Spring is … [Read more...]
So I went to this Procter & Gamble event in Toronto…
As I mentioned previously, I was honoured to be chosen as one of forty-some bloggers from across Canada to be a P&G Mom. The kick off for their newly launching blogger program was a day long event in Toronto at the new Four Seasons in Yorkville. First, I have to tell you... Do you know what my favourite part of any trip to Toronto is? The train ride there on VIA Rail. … [Read more...]
Post Conference Blues…
Two weeks ago I went out of town for the ShesConnected conference, which was an amazing experience, but I came home from Toronto exhausted, in every way possibly. Mentally, physically, emotionally, completely exhausted. Utterly spent. I have never felt so blue. I am overwhelmed by my blog. Utterly paralysed. Is this what writer's block feels like? It seems ironic, I get a … [Read more...]