Packing lightly... with kids!

The term 'packing lightly' and I really don't get a long. There's 'packing lightly', and then 'packing lightly with kids' - two very different things!

For a few weeks, I have been saying things to PC like... 'I plan on packing lightly' or 'the plan is to pack lightly', or 'if we pack lightly...' or 'by packing lightly we can...'. Its one of those... who are you trying to convince type conversations, and clearly the answer is ME, because today I broke out the kids bags and started my quest for 'packing lightly', and I came up short... by. a. land. slide.

Seriously. I started with E's clothes, and I am pumped that his summer stuff from last year still fits him, so I thought this packing lightly thing would be in the bag (no pun intended), because, I know his clothes well, and what goes together, and what it practical, etc. But, apparently, what I don't know is that I love everything I kept from last summer, and I don't need his entire summer wardrobe with us for a measly 8 days in the sun.

You should have seen his bedroom floor today... I had matchy-matchy outfits everywhere, then play wear, then swimwear, and lets not forget all the accessorizing hats and shoes. I mean god forbid if he had an outfit without the proper matching hat and sandals.

This is seriously how I think. I'm *ahem* trying to get better at not caring what my kids are wearing, but frankly I am so far from letting that ship sail, that I'm about to be tossed overboard.

I want them to look nice pretty much all the time, and I'm picky when it comes to what they wear (and I have a hard time letting anyone else but me dress them, but that's a whole other post).  So basically, having a variety of clothing that looks nice and packing lightly are NOT the best combo.

I managed to get E's wardrobe paired down to a few - okay... ten eight six - decent outfits, with options, and matchy-matchiness still entact. I was admiring my nice little pile of clothes for him when it dawned on me... I haven't even packed pajamas or long pants. Insert 'a few choice words' here and I basically called it a day on the packing lightly challenge.

I didn't even begin to tackle H's wardrobe, which *should* be easier given that he has a lot less to work with, and then there's myself. Given that I haven't had to wear regular (non-maternity) summer clothes in two years, I won't have much to pack, so maybe... just maybe, I can pack light for one of us!

The good news is... now that we are traveling by air with two kids, so in addition to PC, we get two extra bags and two extra carry-ons. I'm thinking packing lightly with kids must mean packing what is necessary and then having a little extra room just in case we decide to... SHOP!

Do you have any tips for packing lightly with kids? As you can see I will take all the advice I can get on this one!

Digital negatives please!

I read a post on photography the other day on Postcards from the Mothership about what some photographers are willing to work for, and while I didn't take the time to comment over there, it got me to thinking a lot about the price of photography and how hard I think it is to find affordable good photography these days that includes some of the digital negatives as part of the package.

I am definitely not out to discount any one photographers talent ... as I think that the art of taking good pictures is definitely a skill that one can benefit financially from. And who am I to say what your skill and talent as a photographer should be worth? No one.  But why can't most photographers include at minimum, low-resolution digital images, and a couple high-resolution retouched images as part of their overall fee?

It seems the more I look around for a photographer, the harder it is to find one that:
A. has an affordable sitting fee,
B. offers a few digital negatives,
C. is in the Ottawa area.

I get that by providing the digital files of the shoot, I have no reason to come back to you if I have the goods in hand, ready to copy and print as many times as I want, in as many sizes as I need, but here's the kicker for me... if you're a good photographer, and the pictures are as good as you advertise, I'll be back... every year, if not two or three times for a family session (and any other big occasion in between).  I have young children and young children change rapidly, and if you are charging $175 or $225 for a session, plus tax, and I'm happy with your services, you are going to get anywhere from $500 to $750 dollars out of me in a year. In addition, I'm going to tweet, and facebook my network of friends and colleagues, and recommend your awesome photography skills to everybody. and. their. dog.

I don't so much mind a steep sitting fee, as much as I mind the $50 charge for an 8 x 10, when you and I both know I can go to Shopper's, or Costco, or Walmart and get it for under $5. I know that its not going to printed uber high-quality paper, or with premium ink, but I could care less about that because I'll have the digital negative to print it again in 15 years when it fades, for probably less than $5 - which will still not be anywhere near $50.

I get that photography can be a competitive and time-consuming business and making a living off my $750 dollars/year is probably not going to pay all the bills (or even some of the bills) but put me together with 30 of my friends and 30 of their friends, and we're starting to make some headway I would think.

As you know, recently we had a friend of ours, Greg Snyder, take family photographs as a favour to us. We paid him minimal for his work, but now I am out recommending his work to my network, and in the future, when we need new family photos, we will be calling him and paying his full session fee because he was great and I was really happy with the results of the shoot. I have the digital negatives in hand, and I'm planning to use his services again!

I have also used the services of Cherie Lynn Buchanan in the past when she too was just starting out.  At the time (2009) she offered the digital negatives of the session, and I loved this about her. She takes amazing photos ... but now she doesn't offer affordable digital negatives and this honestly has deterred me from using her again - because it goes back to me not wanting to pay $50 for two 8 X 10s when I've already paid $225 or more for the photo session. These days she does run specials that includes print credits of $50 or 15% of her a la cart gallery, but no high-res digital images (unless you want to pay $400 in addition to your session fee). Like I said, her photos are AMAZING and she definitely has the talent to charge more money than average for her skills, but I still want digital negatives without breaking the bank.

In looking for local photographers (which I often do), I found this great looking website in the Ottawa area called Baby & Belly Photography, and I think that it is AWESOME - great pricing, great package, and great portfolio. I haven't had the time to try her out yet, but I have to say, she - Daisy, has definitely got the right idea when it comes to capturing the moments of young families and capturing the right price. For $135 you get an hour session, and a CD with 10 retouched images, and all your untouched images from the entire session mailed to your home within 2 weeks. To me, that rocks! I would have been satisfied with 10 retouched images, let alone all of the images from the session. For $135, I don't have to break the bank, I get great affordable photos, and I now have a photographer to call up the next time the family portrait is looking a little outdated or my boys are graduating from kindergarten, etc. (Note: a gift certificate from Baby & Belly would make a GREAT gift for any young family *ahem*).

Don't get me wrong... I really admire photographers who have a knack for shooting families and young children... it really is a skill to be able to get a young child to act themselves in front of a stranger, and to capture those special moments, we as parents see every day, but for the love of pete, please make it affordable to print those special moments and store them for many years to come.

Do any of you have fave family photographer that offers some digital images as part of the fee? From a photographer's perspective, am I being too unreasonable in wanting a couple digital images to keep?

Random decorative piece!

This is probably the most random thing I have in my house...

I've had it in my bathroom for over 5 years, it just sits on the back corner of the bathtub. Its ugly, its not my style, but yet its nowhere near close to death in this house.

The turtle trio was something that we bought at an auction, an auction that was selling the estate of PC's great aunt (Hilda). While there were many nice things at the auction, this was the piece that caught my eye. I think we paid $3.00 for it. I've always kind of liked it in an odd way because it had three turtles and made me think of PC and his brothers, and at the time I thought I wanted 3 kids too, so thought it might be a nice correlation down the road. I thought that because it was PC's great aunt that owned it, he might like to have it, so that's what I chose.

Turns out, he could really care less about the piece, and its me that can't bring myself to get rid of it! It's just one of those things.... an odd thing too, because I am the queen of decluttering, getting rid of any junk and sentimental clutter, but this piece for some reason has firmly found its place in our home, and because its not on display in any main room, I feel like it can stay.

Every time I look at it though, I kinda just shake my head because it is so odd... but yet its something that is part of this house, part of our family.

How's that for a random Tuesday post. Do you have any random pieces in your house that aren't your style but yet you continue to hold onto them?

Back from va-cay!

I'm back.

Back from vacation (yes even those on maternity leave take vacation contrary to the belief that maternity leave is a year of vacation!)... and back to reality.

I have been trying to figure out what to bl0g about... the first post back should be a good one, but every time I think about blogging, I just feel like I have nothing to say.

Yes... we had a good couple of weeks on the road. We did a lot and yet we did nothing too, which was why it was so good. I think we were glad to get home after being gone a few days shy of a month... I have pictures out the ying-yang of E and all of things he did... but I am not inspired to write about those things right now - maybe because I feel like I have to cover three weeks of our busy lives into a single blog post (I will get to posting the pics, but not today!).

There are a gi-zillion things on my mind right now... most notably returning to work, the transition to daycare for E, my work wardrobe (!!!), my eating habits, how PC and I will adjust to me returning to work full-time, the cost of daycare, our extra-circular activities, the state of my house... this list goes on, and on, and on.

To update on a few things:

• Daycare: we found a wonderful lady who is going to watch E, she lives not to far from us, and just seems like a great person. She only watches one other little boy, so E will have a playmate, but yet will still be well-cared for which puts my mind at ease.
  

• The cost of daycare is such an opener... isn't it? I know that I do want to work, and that working vs. staying at home is much more profitable for our family, but nonetheless to think what we could do with the money we will be spending on daycare is such a scary thought - and more reason not to have another baby in the short term!

• Returning to work... a scary thought, but its going to happen. Here's the kicker... my return to work date is October 5th... a Monday which is nice, but E's FIRST birthday. I was like: are you kidding me? I feel very lucky to have been able to be off his entire first year, but that's a little harsh isn't it - sending me back on my first child's first birthday. I am going to see if I can work out a deal with my boss to maybe go in a day the week before and get set up and then be off with E on his special day - I will keep you posted.

• Speaking of going back to work... I feel like I will be starting a new job with my return. I think I can count on one hand the number of people that are still there from last fall. A lot and I mean A LOT of people have since taken other jobs in different departments. I know when I show up 90% of the staff will be like 'whose the new girl?', and I am sure that will piss me off cause I won't be in the loop, I will have to earn my way into the loop! The bright side is... its a new job that I *should* know how to do, so hopefully it won't be that bad - and I am looking forward to feeling like an expert on something other than E's daily schedule!

• I am slowly learning that 'keeping house' with a baby on the move is virtually impossible. How can someone so small make such a mess! On top of that, since the majority of the time I spend picking up after E, I don't have the energy to file the mail, put my own stuff away, or organize my way out of a wet paper bag. I seriously need to get a handle on this, or else I will never allow any visitors in my house again!

• My work wardrobe is such a task. I haven't wore dress clothes in over a year. I think I may have put on a pair of dress pants for Christmas Eve mass, but aside from that - nothing. I hate trying on clothes from a year ago while having to cross my fingers that I can still get the button done up on the waist. I did this last night, and surprisingly there were only two pairs of my 'skinny' pants that just don't fit - unless of course I don't plan on sitting down the entire time I am wearing them. PC and I did some shopping in the states while we were away and I purchased a couple of things for work ... but beyond that I am left wondering if I am going to look like a 'Mom' when I return to the office, instead of the young, hip, cool team member I was before I went on mat. leave (*laughs*) - this one is to be continued, I guess!

Alright, E is napping, while I am posting this (which is why I don't get anything done around the house)... so I had better get something to eat before he wakes up or else those skinny pants will be fitting in no time.

Hoping to get back on regular blogging now (no promises though), so check back again this week and maybe I will have some pics up from our vacation!

Cheers, and thanks for coming back.

Wednesday Wrap-Up!

Nothing super fascinating to bitch blog about ... so thought I would go with a little Wednesday Wrap-Up to bring everyone up to speed on my fairly boring life!

• We recently got GOOD NEWS here ... E's test results from the VCUG came back along with his blood work, and everything is CLEAR - as in, his good kidney is functioning A okay... and should be for a long time to come. I was so relieved to get this news, you have no idea how much this was weighing on my mind - especially at night. I wanted to believe that everything was good, but until you actually get the results you can't let your mind rest. E will still have to have his blood pressure monitored and in the fall we will be seeing a neuphrologist to look into the condition of his right kidney, but most likely the right kidney will be left alone as long as it isn't causing any problems in its current multicystic state. Can we all let out a big 'pheeeeeeeeeeeeew' for E - THANK YOU!

• The ongoing saga of Jon and Kate plus 8 came to a head on Monday night's show... where the couple announced in separate interviews that they are divorcing. As much as I could see that coming, I am still saddened that it has come this. I absolutely love this family... watching them in the earlier seasons was a favourite past time of mine - now that they are struggling, I still want to watch because in my opinion, regardless of what happens with Jon and Kate as a couple, their children are still inspiring people.

• I am so freaked out about this coming summer. I am so excited for July to get here, but I also know that once July hits, September will come faster than I expect ... which means I have to start preparing myself for going back to work, the transition from home to daycare for E, his first birthday - all things that will happen way to fast for my liking.

• LCBO workers are still thinking about striking ... just when the nice weather is finally here! The news outlets are all saying its going to be a 'dry' summer for Ontario - but I will be darned if its going to be a dry one for me. I have waited much to long to indulge in some summertime sangria and slushy goodness - there is no way this new Mom is going without a drop after one looooooooooooong alcohol free summer last year! Screw that!

• Father's Day has been here and gone. And I just wanted to officially say 'Happy First Father's Day' to PC. He truly is an amazing Dad to our baby boy - he lights up at the sight of his son, and seeing their bond as father and son is something I will never get sick of witnessing. As well... a happy belated Father's Day to my Dad... who I didn't have a chance to speak with on father's day, but who I love dearly... and am always thinking of him - even when it's not Dad's day!

• I have been going to MomMeFit classes for a couple months now... and although the scale isn't really showing any crazy numbers for, I am just now realizing how much more endurance and strength I have from these classes. Every Wednesday and Friday morning, the instructors run us through the paces, while our babies sit on the sidelines and giggle. The classes are coming to an end for me next week (because I am away most of July), but I am really happy that I found these mom and baby fitness classes - thanks to MJ and Mel and MomMeFit for such a great experience.
  

• HOLY HOT! It's been sooooo hot here the last couple of days, and I am LOVING it. This is the kind of weather I had hoped for when I figured out I would be on maternity leave with an 8 month old during the summer. I hope this weather continues well into September.

• Belated birthday wishes going out to my Mother-in-law who celebrated her special day on Monday! We are getting together later this week for the official celebration, but wanted give her the bloggy shout-out since I didn't get a chance to see her on Monday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mom C!

• This past weekend, PC and I headed to Belleville to attend a 130-O wedding, one my roommates from University got married and we had a nice little reunion (minus one member who we missed dearly - Miss Texas). It was the first time we left E for two nights, and surprisingly it went well for E and for us! His grandparents watched him for the weekend (thank you to them), and although I missed seeing his smiling face, it was nice to get away for the weekend and have little 'us' time.

Well... that's it for Wednesday! I wish I had something insightful to say to wrap this up, but I don't! It's hot and muggy, and E and I are both ready for a nap! I will say to the working crew 'Happy Hump Day'... the weekend is half way here!

Fragment Friday!

So... I don't have time to flush out one 'GREAT' post today, so I thought I would go with the update around here, and random fragments of info that I feel like sharing. After all it's Friday, and nobody should work too hard on Friday, not even a blogger on maternity leave!

• So... earlier in the week, E had his weigh in with the family doctor and he is up to 12lbs, 10ozs! I was happy ecstatic, and so was the family doctor. The entire time we were in his office, E just smiled and giggled, driving home the point that he is A okay. The good news is that we don't have to report back in with this doctor until his 6 month shots in mid-May (although we do go back to see the ped in mid-April).

• I had my MomMeFit class today... and it was so much fun. E was the best baby of the group today... he didn't say boo, except to giggle at me during the circuit training. Its a crazy work out in an hour, and although I contemplate suicide about 20 minutes in, I feel fantastic when the hour is up! The instructor (MJ) is a GREAT woman, she is motivating, and fun, and really knows her stuff. She keeps the class pumped up and the intensity high. I can't wait for next week!

• Are you looking for a good chiropractor in Ottawa? My chiro, Dr. Keith Ellard of Glebe Chiropractic is holding his semi-annual 'Discover Chiropractic Week', which if you are at all interested in the benefits of chiropractic treatment - this is a MUST for you. He offers a free consultation, assessment, and X-rays if necessary... its $175 worth of services for FREE, and no obligation to commit to any further treatment. I actually did this a few years back when I was having real issues with tension in my neck... and I was so happy I did. Dr. Ellard is great, and if you have any reservations about getting an adjustment, you will quickly see that the bed he uses takes the fear of the 'crack' away, as you almost don't feel anything. If your interested, call the office at 613.237.9000 and ask to book a consultation with Dr. Ellard between the week of March 30th to April 3rd - you won't be sorry!

• PC and I joined the blackberry revolution last weekend. Our contracts were up and of course they lured us back in with offering us a free upgrade if we signed another contract. So we bit the bait, and since it was a 3 year contract, we felt the pressure to go with blackberrys as in 3 years time the lonely little cellphone may be non-existent! Well - not really, but of course this is how they sell it to you, and we all know PC and I are whores when it comes to a good sales pitch!

• E got an early Easter present from his Grandma & Grandpa C... a new jogging stroller! He loves it and so do we! It is so easy to push, and will be great for running, rollerblading, and off roading on some trails. Thanks G&G C!
• 

• Our PVR is still on the blimp... so I have resorted to tracking down the episodes I am missing of my fav shows... online of all places. I have even discovered a new series (thanks to Boyder for the rave reviews) that I absolutely LOVE. Its called... United States of Tara, it airs on Showtime, and its seriously GOOD! It's about a woman with multi-personality disorder. She is married and has 2 kids, and she transitions from this down to earth normal wife and mother, to 1 of 3 possible alters: Alice(the perfect wife), T(a crazy teenager from hell), or Buck (a hillbilly man). Its comicial, and fun, and entertaining. Toni Collette plays these parts so well, she really deserves an acting award of some kind. I really like the show, you should check it out if you want to kill a few hours. They are only 11 episodes into the first season, and trust me after the first two you will no doubt be hooked!

• Wow... it has taken me all day to get this post done. We BBQ'd steak and potatoes tonight with a huge salad that I put East Side's Signature salad dressing on - SO GOOD. E has been in bed for a good 3.5 hours now... and I think I may try to hit the hay now too as tomorrow is suppose to be beautiful outside... so will most likely take E out for a walk in his new ride.

I hope you enjoyed this installment of Fragment Friday. I wish each of you a fabulous weekend, and perhaps if mine isn't too hectic I may even get in another post before Monday!

Fragment Friday

Well I feel like its been a while since I have posted some random tid-bits about everyday life around here, so I thought I would do so this week, since I can't seem to find time to come up with a complete coherent post.

So here it goes... a few fragments from my thoughts:

*I couldn't be happier to be on maternity leave right now. All of this snow is lovely to look at, but this week I was so glad not to have to get up early in the morning and clean off the car, etc. to go to work. E and I have stayed comfortably in our beds and watched everyone else on the street slowly get out of their driveways. In addition to all of the snow and winter driving, OC Transpo here in Ottawa has decided to strike, leaving thousands of commuters out in the cold, and forcing them into their cars and onto the highways. I would imagine this would make for some major traffic jams in the city, but once again, I am watching all of this on TV from the comfort of my own home - I love maternity leave right now!

* Christmas is only 2 weeks away, and while I have my tree up and my house decorated, I am not done my shopping, and I am not concerned about it either. This actually concerns me that I am not concerned, because every year I usually have a little freakout about not being ready. In true procrastinator fashion, I just put things off until I absolutely have to get my ass to mall and get things done, and I figure this year will be no different, but I think I am just too exhausted to even get riled up about not being ready for the festive occasion!

*E was to the doctor on Monday for his 2 month needles. He was a pretty good customer... he cried, but not for long and PC was able to comfort him and calm him down pretty quickly. Before we knew it, he was sleeping comfortably in the car seat while we were strolling through the Timmy's drive-thru window!

*Slowly I am getting more untidy around the house. I think this is the result of being a new Mom.... I use to pride myself in having everything in 'its spot', but these days, I just don't have the time for that. I am slowly letting things go... and its really starting to bug me. Everyday, I say to myself, I should put this back and that away, but 15 hours in a day goes by really quickly and before you know it, I am exhausted and ready for bed, and things just lie around the house out of position. I know that no one but me really knows about where everything belongs, and if a stranger walked into my house they probably wouldn't say we are slobs, but it still gets to me that I don't have the time or the energy to keep up with my self imposed standards around here.

*The EASY routine that I reported on a few posts back, seems to be working better these days. E is going longer stretches at night and he sleeps in his crib now all the time, so we are definitely making progress around here. There are some nights where he will go 6 hours on his own, and when this happens I wake up in a panic thinking that something is majorly wrong, only to go into his room and see him still fast alseep. Other nights he goes about 4.5 hours on his own, and if I would just go to bed when he goes to bed at night I think I be a better functioning person too!

*I am loving the fact that people think that when you are on maternity leave for a year, its like you are on vacation for a year. I have heard people make jokes about being off for a year ... and I have to laugh as being a Mom is definitely not a holiday. Yes, its fun and rewarding, and I wouldn't change it for the world, but I actually find it more work that my former day job. At least at my day job, I could schedule things and follow through with my intentions. I could say I am going to be productive and actually BE PRODUCTIVE! At home, I have a couple of simple things I would like to get done in a day, but sometimes I just don't get to them because E does not allow me to.... and I seem to be up later and later every night just trying to keep on top of laundry and standard household chores. While it is nice to be off and at home with E, its not the free and easy schedule some people might suspect!

*Two weeks ago E received a piece of mail from our Conservative MP, Pierre Lemieux. I was rather impressed as it was a hand written note from him. Normally MPs and other government heads have someone write these types of notes for them and then they just stamp them with a signature, but this card was in his handwriting, welcoming E to the world and wishing him well. I thought it was a nice gesture on his part, and given that I am not pro conservative, I am now pro Pierre Lemieux!

*I am happy to report that the we got our brand new hot water tank last Saturday afternoon, and all is well with the world again. The piping that we needed ended up only being $130, which was a pleasant surprise from the $300 estimate they gave us! Although the dryer is still acting up, I am hoping that we can atleast get through Christmas before having to deal with it and the necessary repairs it obviously needs.

Well.. that's it for now! Hope you enjoyed Fragment Friday... and I will try to get some decent posts together in the coming days. All the best for a great weekend ahead.

License to Drive!

So... PC and I are nearing the time when we can post our little sign in the back window of the Escape... BABY ON BOARD (thanks Mary-Ellen for it!).

I have started to wonder about this little sign... ? Once we hang it in the back window... what does it actually mean?

Does it alert other drivers on the road to take extra caution when approaching our vehicle, or does it give me permission to drive like a mad woman and not piss others off because they will think 'Oh... she's got a baby in there - must be an emergency?'

I have to say... I have seen some erratic drivers on the roads with this sign in their back window, and I think a variety of things when I see them:

• A. What a piece of shit parent you are for driving like a maniac with a child in the car.


• B. I hope to GOD the baby is NOT in the car if your driving like that.


• C. I bet that guy doesn't even have a baby... he just has the sign so that people will let him in during rush hour.


• D. Okay... maybe something is really wrong 'the lady has a baby on board - let her in PEOPLE'!

I guess it will be the same for us... if PC is behind the wheel... people will probably think A, B or C, but if its me... then I am guessing folks will go with D.

Originally I was thinking I will have to give up my speeding and erratic driving habits once the baby comes, but maybe this BABY ON BOARD sign just gave me a whole new license to drive!

My horoscope today!

My mother... bless her heart, gave me a daily horoscope book in my stocking last year at Christmas.

I have it at my desk, and although I don't read it faithfully on a daily basis, I do pick it up from time to time.

My boss.... shares the same zodiac sign as me, and her and I were meeting in my office to talk over a file yesterday, she picked up the book to read a few days.... she was quick to point out today's horoscope, as she laughed and said I should be especially worried about it!

Capricorn
Thursday, August 21st

As one phase of your life begins to come to an end, new possibilities are all around you. Working out exactly what you are going to do next will form part of the excitement that comes in late August for you.

LATE AUGUST?

Nooooooooooo...... this can't be. I need to get my act together pronto...!! PC and I were planning on going to the cottage in LATE August with friends... for one last couple weekend, sans kids. I figure we would have 4 looooooong weeks afterwards to get everything together, and put the PREPARED stamp on things at home... well in time for the baby's arrival.

Perhaps the long weekend at the cottage is out of the question now, unless I want to have this baby in Parry Sound, which I don't (although I hear they have a fabulous new hospital up there)... I can just hear our son or daughter now... 20 years down the road saying:

Future Baby Coleman: Dad, why did you name me Parry?
PC: 'Cause it was a nice name.
Me: No... because your Dad was hammered when we got to the hospital (and I was sedated from the shock of premature labour), so him and his buddies said, let's name it Parry... were in Parry Sound... and then they all high-fived each other before crushing some beer cans off their foreheads.

Face it, I'm dooomed if this horoscope is correct!

Back from Vacation!

I guess I owe my faithful readers an apology! I took off on vacation for 10 days, and absent-mindedly forgot to inform you of this little blogging hiatus.

PC and I were in the metropolis of Thessalon,ON for the famous Community Weekend - PC played ball with the Bellerose family men's team.... and I spectated for the entire long weekend. Then on Monday afternoon, we headed to Parry Sound, actually Parry Island on the Georgian Bay, to the family cottage, for some relaxation and sunshine.

We couldn't have asked for a nicer week... the sun was out in full force the majority of the week, and I managed to get a tan on my pasty white skin (this is the whitest I've been in probably 20-some years!).

I didn't sleep the greatest at the cottage, the baby was awake through the nights, and I found it hot at times, and on top of that, I was the most restless person in all of Ontario I think - I couldn't sit still for 5 minutes. However, the water in the Georgian Bay was so warm, and refreshing - so I spent as much time as I could in the water... soaking up the sun and enjoying the little bit of summer we had!

We returned home from the cottage on Saturday afternoon, just in time to shower up and attend a wedding in the area, and then Sunday and Monday were spent doing laundry and some clean up at home, before returning to work today!

This week is shaping up to be busy... tonight PC and I are going to the hospital for a little orientation tour - so I am really looking forward to that. Tomorrow morning, I go to the doctor, so we will get the official results of the last ultrasound and see what the doc has to say about the final stretch (no pun intended!). Then on Thursday I am meeting with HR to determine my last day of work and fill out all of the necessary paperwork to get ready for my maternity leave.

I am looking forward to all three appointments! I will have to do a pregnancy update post soon - stay tuned!

P.S. Shout out to Double D who turns the Big 3-0 today... happy birthday Dal!

Hello from Thessalon!

Just a quick note to say hello!

PC and I are in Thessalon this weekend, and have been enjoying our time here. We came to attend a wedding in Sault Ste. Marie for friends and to visit family. I also had the pleasure of being the guest honour at baby shower my Mom and sister put on for me today! It was really nice, I got to see and visit with a lot of people from home and we received MANY very nice gifts for Baby C!

More to come on the weekend events later, but since we are on the road tomorrow travelling home, I thought I would post a couple pics my dad took as we were leaving my parents house for the wedding!

This week is shaping up to be a busy one for me, but I hope to get a few posts in on the wedding, the baby shower, and whatever else comes to mind!

Random Grocery Store Sighting

Earlier in the week I was picking up some groceries to make an appetizer for a spring potluck at work. As I was navigating my way through the my local grocery store in Embrun... I did notice a mother with her young son.

The little boy was being like what I am imagine any pre-schooler to be like... excited by the thought of all the colourful products at eye level... and wanting to touch and try everything in sight. As I observed this, I was thinking to myself 'get ready for this'!

As I finished up my shopping, I got in line and was waiting to pay while browsing through the weekly Soap Opera digest. The same mother and her son were in line ahead of me paying. Just as they are finished, the mother and I have the following conversation:

Mother: Excuse me? Do you have a blog?
Me: (totally taken off guard, and much to my surprise) Ah... yes I do.

Mother: I thought I recognized you.
Me: Ah... I guess you read it.

Mother: Yes...
Me: (speechless.... people in Embrun are reading my blog, oh god!).

Mother: By the way, Congratulations!
Me: (blushing) Oh... thank you.

Mother: This is pretty random eh...?
Me: (laughing) yes for sure.

And just like that she and her son exited the grocery store while I paid for my groceries.

What a random sighting it was.... I could not believe it. I was in complete shock that people (okay - one person that I know of) from Embrun are reading my blog... I will have to be careful now, as I like to cut up the neighbourhood every once and while - and hopefully when I have done that I haven't offended her in the past!

I think what shocked me the most was that.... when she asked if I had a blog, I contemplated saying no... as I thought she might put me on the spot on a certain issue I had covered... but thankfully she was super nice, and more complimentary than anything!

I feel so badly that I didn't even think to ask this woman her name. So... if you are by chance reading this post today random shopper lady, please do leave a comment and let me know who you are... perhaps you've commented before and now I will be able to attach a face to a name.

As a side note, when I got home to PC.... this is how the story went:

Me: Guess What?

PC: No idea.

Me: I'm a celebrity....!!!

Floating thoughts...

Some random things that have been on my mind lately, yet ones that I don't think will make a decent post on their own... so here are the snippets:

• Why do people purposely smoke in cars with children? I can't stand this... when I see a man or woman puffing away with the window down just peep (or not), and young infants in the back seat breathing it all in. I am not even sure that this point has to go in the 'Parenting for Dummies' manual, it should be a given - hello? common sense! My feeling in general is that people should not smoke in cars period, but if you really must, at least don't do it while your kids are in the car.

• Speaking of cars and driving... I can't get over the number of people I see driving while talking on their cell phone. I mean, I am not criticising anyone for doing this, as I have been known to talk and drive frequently, but it really amazes me, as of late, the number of people who are the phone while behind the wheel. We aren't just talking about young teens, but all ages, young Moms, business men, middle aged folks, seniors ... it's become the norm for everyone. Which leads me to my next question - is it legal to talk on your cellphone and drive at the same time? My friends and I have had this conversation a few times... and we all agree that when we see the cops and we are on our phones, we panic and immediately drop the phone, just in case - but I would really like some clarification on this - is it a criminal offence to talk on a cellphone while driving?

• Given that Halloween is only a week away, PC and I have bought our candy for the 400 + kids we will get next week (Embrun is a hot spot for trick or treaters!). We purchased Blow Pop Suckers, Double Bubble Gum, and a couple of mega packs of mini chocolate bars. The mini chocolate bars mysterious got opened last week... and seem to be disappearing rather rapidly. I not sure by who (although PC and I suspect old Mr. Beverage from Algoma Street East in Thessalon), but I would like to point out that in my experience with mini chocolate bars, 1 is never enough... you have to have 3 or 4 to satisfy the craving, and by the time you've had 3 or 4, you were wishing you just had a regular size bar, without having to deal with the process of opening all the individual mini wrappers. However... what is nice about the mini's is that you get have a variety of kinds: KitKat, Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp, Crunchie, Wunderbar... ya, did I mention I am still not sure who's been eating all the chocolate bars?

• Tim Horton's has some new items on their menu that I think are worth trying... the new chicken Fajita Wrap is one item I am a fan of... it's got some kick to it, but ask for a slice of cheddar cheese on it, instead of the disgusting processed cheese, and it will make it taste extra delish for you. As well... they've introduced a chai tea, and I must say - mmm mmm good. It's got a cinnamon flavour to it, and I absolutely love it. It doesn't even need sugar (aren't you proud Mom?)!

• Last night I got a call from some home security company in Gatineau offering to put a sign on my front lawn for three weeks to improve security in my neighbourhood - and then they also offered to install a home security system for free after the three week period. We already have a home security system (courtesy of the previous owners), so I immediately used that excuse to get them off the phone, but this got me thinking... they want to improve security in my neighbourhood? This would imply security in my neighbourhood needs to be improved. I didn't like the thought of this, because I am not at all convinced that home security in E-ville is an issue, and this company is implying that is. After I rushed the guy off the phone, I felt like calling him up and telling him - 'hey buddy... security in my neighbourhood is fine, just fine, so take your business elsewhere' - but now it has me wondering just the opposite.

• I am really looking forward to the time change... only because every morning this week I have felt like it was 3:30 am when I was getting up for work at 7 am. It's depressingly dark in the mornings... and although the time change will make the evenings darker earlier, it should provide some daylight in the mornings, which is easier to wake up to! As well... we gain an hour on the clock, and I could really use that hour to catch up on some sleep. I am so looking forward to the night of Nov. 3rd!

Confessions of a food waster

Yes... this is my confession, I, Sara Coleman, waste food, not just a bit of food, but A LOT of food. I have done this for so many years that I think I am beyond feeling guilty about it, its just part of my lifestyle now.

Each week I spend anywhere for $80 to $150 at my local grocery store, and I would hazard to guess that I probably throw out anywhere from $10 to $25 dollars worth of food every week (*gasp*) .

I know what your thinking, twenty. five. dollars. a week? That amount could send half-a-dozen third-world children to school, put clothes on their back, or even build them a decent home. And here I am tossing it out the window, like its my job.

Some of it is my fault, but much of it isn't. I mean, if fresh bread isn't fresh anymore and we haven't eaten it, it's going in the garbage. Or if sandwich buns develop blue and green mold while in my cupboard for a week, they are garbage too. My wasteful ways just can't be helped in the bread department.

However, when we move over to the fridge, I think my whole food wasting problem boils down to the due dates on food - if food companies just didn't put those damn dates on their products, I might waste a lot less.

When I see the past due date, and I determine I am clearly over it, I don't even bother to look in the container, I just toss it. Now, if it doesn't say PAST DUE: Oct 13, and instead is written BEST BEFORE: Oct 13 - I tend to take a peek at it, give it a smell, and observe it closely for a few seconds - but in the end, I don't want to take a chance, and I head over to the garbage and dispose of it.

PAST DUE to me, means there is NO HOPE IN HELL that it's good. BEST BEFORE to me, means that it tastes its best before the date specified, and after that date there is a slight chance that it still may taste good enough to eat (although I am very skeptical of that).

This has gone on for so long... I am even to the point now that if the BEST BEFORE date is written (for example) Oct 17, and I see today that my grocery item only has two days of its lifespan left, I really examine it well, before deciding whether or not it is worthy of living its last two days in my refrigerator. Often Sometimes my food items don't even make it to their due date... I get rid of them before their end date just to be on the super-safe side.

I know... there are thousand and one people who will eat food items that are well past their due date, but I can't bring myself to do it, I just can't.

Take yogurt or sour cream for example, I know that they probably taste good well past their due date, but if I get it my head that they are close to expiry, even though they taste and smell fine, I second guess myself, and when I do taste them I convince myself that the taste is a bit off, which means the items must go.

I really don't know how I got to be like this, my mother isn't like this... if you have ever seen her fridge, it's jammed full of items, half which are probably past their due date, and my dad is still alive to tell about the past due date food he's had to consume in his 33 years of marriage (Happy Belated Anniversary Mom & Dad - Oct. 12) . If he's living, eating past due items can't be that harmful to your health!

Due dates also go against PC's food policy... he will eat practically anything, and the due dates on food are just a guideline for him, not the gospel. He too, is still breathing and here to tell the tales of how he survived eating past due food, but even with his influence and encouragement I can't convince myself that past due food tastes good or is good for me.

Nope... I don't think there is any way to change my views on this one - past due is past due, and food that is past due belongs in one place only... the garbage!

What's your policy on past due and best before due dates on your food... do you test the waters and eat food that is past the due date, or are you a due date freak like myself, and don't take a chance with anything?

Giving Thanks

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I thought it might be nice to compose a list of a few things I am especially thankful for... of course this list could go many ways, so I will try to encompass all things without boring you too much.

Let's get standard stuff (although important and always at the top of my list) out the way....

• health and happiness - given that there is so many people in this world battling to have good health, I am very thankful to be in good health, and to have those I love nearly and dearly free from the harmful and infectious diseases that surround our world. Sometimes we over look good health in our list of thank yous, but it is an important thing that allows us to have so much happiness in life.


• love - of course... this one's also a given, to love and be loved is something that truly in a blessing, and I humbled to have this present in my life everyday.


• friends and family - for me these are two very distinct groups ... yet so important to have in my life, and I am thankful that these two groups exist separately, yet at times can be one in the same.

The mushy ones could go on forever.... food on the table, money in the bank, good paying job, etc... but they are not all that exciting, so let's move away from the mushy stuff, and onto more trivial things.... and I apologize in advance for the melange of topics here:

• I am thankful that I can afford to buy two-ply toilet paper. Seriously - it perplexes me why businesses insist on using the cheap stuff... if these places really appreciated their employees and customers, they would splurge on the good stuff.
• I am thankful for the invention of the dishwasher... life would be so much more difficult without it, and I think I would be one bitchy woman if I had to do dishes every. single. morning and night.
• I am thankful that the football season is short, compared to baseball and hockey. Honestly, I can't stand watching football or listening to the announcers (although I can listen to Jesse Palmer from time to time, or perhaps just look at him - but that's a whole other post!) Listening to PC go on about 'his picks' for the week... and 'the spreads', and the time it takes to make the picks, read the spreads, and then update me on how close he was to winning the week - nonsense, I tell you!
• I am thankful for fall colours.... nothing puts me in a better mood on my way to work than seeing all of the foliage in its vibrant colours this time of year.
• I am thankful that PC has put up with my relentless nagging constant yet encouraging attitude in motivating him to finish the basement. We are getting there, and we really couldn't have done any of it without his persistence and hard work all summer long.
• Finally (although I could go on), and I'll make this one worth your while - I am thankful for my bloggy readers and friends. The fact you come back here checking for updates on a daily basis - this has really blown me away over the last 18 months. Thanks for reading, and thanks for making me think that this little spot in the world wide web, has a purpose!

I hope each of you had a great Thanksgiving, and feel free to share anything you are thankful for in the comment section.

TV Show Frenzy

Good weather + good tv don't mix. This week is the start of sooooooo many season premieres.... and I am having a hard time getting into lazy winter tv mode, when its still 30 some degrees outside in the evenings.

Monday night was so hard to decide what to watch. Prison Break was on, Heroes, K-Ville, Journey Man, the Bachelor, CSI Miami, the Hills, Dancing with the Stars - it was pure torture. All I can say is thank GOD for the PVR. PC and I agreed to watch Prison Break, K-Ville, and then split up for the 10 spot... he watched CSI Miami and I went upstairs for the Hills.

It seemed like a full night of tv between phone calls... and yet on the PVR I still had 4 shows to watch to complete my Monday night tv date, not to mentioned my daily quick scan of General Hospital, Young and the Restless, and Oprah.

On Sunday night, we were at the in-laws for supper and didn't get home late, but when I scanned the PVR schedule for the week, I noticed that it also picked up the season premiere of Brother's and Sisters, another favourite of mine. So that makes 5 shows I need to watch before next Sunday.

I don't really like to watch too much tv.... in the winter I usually have one night a week I like to dedicate to the tube, but this year it seems I might have to adjust my rule given that their are 8 shows on Monday night alone.

Grey's Anatomy starts tomorrow tonight... followed by another intense episode of MTV's trashy Newport Harbor - and since I have dinner plans I will probably miss both shows, which means 7 shows on the PVR that will need to be reviewed in time for next week.

Looks like I am gearing up for an exciting weekend, one big date with my PVR... but if the weather is half as nice as it was this past weekend, I will want to be outside doing yard things before the weather turns crappy and I have been inside for the next 6 months.

Oh ... the life I lead is filled with so many difficult choices!

Break Time

That's right.... for the next 10 days, I am taking a break from blogging - not because I want to, but because I will be at the cottage on VACATION - sleepin', readin', maxin', and relaxin' with PC for 10 whole days.

So.... while I take a break, you should take a break too.... don't bother checking back until July 9th (or so).... take some time away from the Internet to do other exciting things! Instead of wasting valuable time checking out my blog, do something productive like purchase something online, email an old friend, or sell something on eBay - do whatever you have to do - but don't rely on me for the next ten days for anything, because I. WON'T. BE. HERE.

Enjoy the week.... without me (somehow you will manage), and if can't enjoy the entire week, at least try to appreciate the long weekend ahead of us.

HAPPY CANADA DAY EVERYONE!

Until next time....

P.S. If your still hanging around here.... I've added some videos from Tim & Faith at the bottom of my last post, so check them out - and if you still haven't found something more productive to do with your time, check out some of the blogs over here ---->, they ought fill the void for a few days!

CHEERS!

Making lunches

PC started a new job on Monday (felicitations PC), which means he is no longer working from home, but rather making an appearance in the real world, with the rest of the working class, during regular business hours.

He now reports to Head Quarters, as a subject expert (expert on what you ask...? well that's considered confidential, or too complicated to bother explaining, so I will just say confidential, which will lead you to think he's off EXTRA importance in the world... however...) - bottom line is... its a raise, its a promotion, and for the purpose of this post, it requires him to have a lunch 5 days a week, because he is tucked away in a piece of Ottawa we like to call ghetto-ville Vanier.

Talking about Vanier is a whole other post (and Vanier residents don't try to convince me that it's better known as upscale Vanier, or Van York, because it's not). Vanier is known mostly for it's hourly rate motels... if you know what I mean, so from that you can conclude it doesn't exactly have gourmet fine dining restaurants nearby, unless of course you count the Loblaw's deli counter down the street from his office.

Anyways.... moving on. Since I have been at Public Health, I am on a regular lunch taking kick (not by choice). Seriously... I pretty much hate taking my lunch because it requires advance planning, and being proactive, and basically all the things I don't do well in life. But, it only makes sense to pack a healthy lunch when you're eating with the people who work on Canada's National Food Guide (fast food and chubby chips are NOT going to cut it in this neck of the woods!).

However... when you aren't use to packing a lunch, it quickly becomes like a second job.

A. You have to have groceries in the house ALL. THE. TIME.
B. You have to have a variety of items to make it seem like you have options.
C. You have to have pack stuff that is portable, with portable containers that require washing at the end of the day.

I am finding that making lunches is easier if you make a decent supper, and then prepare the next day's lunch while cooking supper. However, this brings up another issue, in that we don't always eat a decent supper, especially with our busy schedules - we are on the go, all the time, which makes, making decent meals a challenge in general. If there is no supper on the table some nights, that definitely means there is no chance in hell of having a good lunch the next day, let alone a healthy one.

If I get a decent supply of groceries on Sunday, I seem to be able to get through Monday and Tuesday without too many problems, but when Wednesday morning rolls around, I am fresh out of ideas on what to put in my lunch bag. AND, if I happen to spend the weekend away from home, I am grasping for ideas on what to include in the lunch box come Monday morning - it's a vicious cycle, I swear.

I think I might be able to survive a bit more than PC, on minimal groceries, because a small supply of cheese n' crackers classifies as a meal for me, but PC sees that combo as more of a lame appetizer than an entire meal.

The other issue I have is with deli meats. I like a good deli sandwich, but I seem to be most attracted to the salty meats, like salami and ham.... and less into the fat free turkey and chickens. I like salami for the sheer fact that it doesn't get that slimy film attached to it after only 3 hours in the fridge, and in my opinion it just tastes better - so when I arrive at the deli counter, I am always asking for the same meat, and even I know its not particularly healthy to live off of salami all week long.

All of these little lunch box issues are leading me to ask for some help, some advice, in the lunch making department. Do any of you have lunch packing secrets... good treats or quick menu items that I could try, in an attempt to spice up my lunch bag? If so, please post your ideas in the comments section - I am dying here .... throw me a bone (or a sandwich), PLEASE.

Getting up to speed...

So it's been almost a week since my last post. You would think I was on some sort of crazy vacation... but the truth is, I haven't had a moment to post anything, because my calendar has been jammed full of activities. I am going to try to bring you up to speed slowly, starting with Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

As you know, Thursday was my last day CRA. Wednesday evening I stayed at the office very late, trying to put in order my career over the last five years. I had emails from 5 years ago stored away in a personal folder and it took forever to go through them, read them, and assess whether or not they were worth keeping. It felt pretty rewarding to walk out of the office on Thursday with only a few boxes of stuff - I felt like I droppeda few pounds just be leaving behind some files that had been follownig me for a few years.

After finally wrapping up my day on Wednesday, I rushed home to catch the Sens game, to which they lost 1-0 to the Ducks. I was not a happy camper, but I did not lose the faith - I am still convinced we are going to win the cup, and I want to give the Sens my full support until the very end! GO SENS GO!

Thursday, was my final day at the office. Somehow I got roped into doing work in the morning. It was hard to leave some files in the middle of production, while at the same time trying to leave behind some detailed notes for the next sucker lucky advisor coming in!

Finally towards the noon hour things quited down, and I was whisked off to a goodbye luncheon at my fave restaurant Blue Cactus. Many of my colleagues came out to share in some slushy drinks and to wish me well. They showered me with a huge card, and a few sentiments to remember the office by. I loved everything, and many of the warm words people wrote in the card won't soon be forgotten.

(The huge card!)

The Connaught Building , 555 Mackenzie Ave.

(A frame photo of the office, CRA Headquarters)

(A keepsake box from ZONE - another fave store of mine!)

(Gift certificates to Blue Oasis, a home store I love, and will miss dearly!)

It was not easy to say goodbye to such a great group of people on Thursday, but I know I will not lose touch with the close friends that I have made at CRA. It's very probable that I will cross paths with many of them in the future - that's the great thing about being part of a small, yet dynamic industry - you run into people you know all the time.

I left the office at 5pm on Thursday, and firmly closed the first chapter of my government career.... all I can do now, is look forward to what awaits me at the doors of new job on Monday, with a mix of fear and anticipation running through my mind!

So... it was... so long CRA... hello Public Health, this coming Monday!
YEE-HAW!

Thursday Night Update

Well... that quiet feeling didn't last too long. A bomb did drop itself on my desk, and I spent yesterday and today repairing the damage. Good times, good times.

Tonight, Grey's Anatomy season finale... I am geared up and ready for it.

Tomorrow... I have some emotional business to take care of at work, and then I will be heading off to the sunny city of Barrie, Ontario to visit my dear friend Jamie Ozerkevich (King). I am rather excited for the weekend. Its been soooooooooooo long since her and I have had a good visit, so I know a whole weekend of uninterrupted conversation will be just what the doctor ordered.

I am making the trip to Barrie alone, as PC has decided to dive into the basement project full speed ahead. He wanted to stay home and start it this weekend, and I didn't argue. The only way an argument will start is if I arrive home Monday to find out that it was sooooooooooo sunny out all weekend, he couldn't resist a few rounds of golf in between the hard labour - this is sooooooo something PC would try and pull!

Time will tell... and don't worry, if the basement isn't started by the time I get back, you will be the first to know.

**Editor's Note: I should add, if all goes well this weekend, I will be extremely grateful that PC is dedicating his entire long weekend to the basement project. I can't wait to share some photos with you, as construction progresses over the summer.

Happy Long Weekend!