Global Blog

What defines a true friend?

2010-03-19T01:26:40Z

LOST: Recon

2010-03-18T19:42:54Z

You will never hear complaints out of me when a Sawyer-centric episode happens, especially when he is both shirtless and partnered-in-fighting-crime with Miles. LOVE. While not much happened this week in terms of revelations (methinks there are some big answers coming next week in Richard's episode), there were some aha moments and, as always, more questions.

PS. SAWYER IS A COP.

So, by far, the best thing to happen in this episode actually had nothing to do with Sawyer at all. It was when Claire went full force on KateAttack and Sayzombie just sat there, completely indifferent. Clearly, dude is NOT okay. Also? Why did NotLocke tell Claire that it was inappropriate...seems like a strange, and probably significant, choices of words.

I also appreciated NotLocke's deadpan and honest "I'm the smoke thing." He is not trying to hide who he is...he killed everyone at the temple and totally does not feel bad about it. Kill or be killed, he says.

So, wose side is Widmore actually on? NotLocke's? Jacob's? What was his whole deal? He got kicked off the island, right? By Ben, yes?

So, this Zoe (aka NotTinaFey) person pulls a Henry Gale and Sawyer knows it right away, or at least when she started asking questions about how many guns Sawyer's people had. Loved his, "TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER." What's behind the double padlocked doors? DESMOND? That's wishful thinking, Brutha...but this season is missing a whole lot of Desmond.

OH MY GOD. The code word was "LaFleur" and that pretty much made my entire night.

Interesting. NotLocke tells Sawyer that he's sending him over to Hydra Island because he's the best liar he knows. And then Sawyer, for the rest of the episode, seems to be conning everyone with the truth.

PS. Have I mentioned that Sawyer is a cop?

I read somewhere, actually a long time ago, that people think that NotLocke/smoke monster is actually Aaron. Which, if you were paying attention when he spoke about having a crazy mother, adds some validity to this theory. Thoughts?

The Brian's Song of kids books!!

2010-03-18T12:33:33Z

Do you have nights where you just want a good cry? Do you have a go-to flick for this purpose? Mine would be Brian's Song. Football, cancer, best friends, true story...sigh. How about Something For Joey? I dare you to watch the speech at the end without going through a box of kleenex.

I never knew that kids books would have the same effect though. Well - one does for me. My sister read an excerpt from Goodnight Moon at my mother's funeral. When I got pregnant with Will - I received and promptly regifted - about three copies. I couldn't even open them. Lately though, I've come back to it and can read the whole thing through without crying...woohoo!

I may have found the replacement though. Last night - for the first time - I read Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. Umm...hellloooo - this should have come with a warning label!!! I was sobbing at the end of it and Will was looking at me like 'dude, what is the issue here'. My response - 'Just hug me kid - all right...and yes, I'll love you forever.'

I've been sourcing some books to help Will understand his paternity. There are a couple books about being the child of sperm donation that he can read when he's older but I really want to just make it a non-issue by talking about it now. I found the most awesome book - The Family Book by Todd Paar. It's for everyone but talks about some families having two moms, two dads or just one parent. It also tossed in a line, 'All families are sad when they lose someone they love.' WHY? Todd - why did you have to do that and with the cute pictures of the fish??? It seriously hurts my heart. The best page, 'All families love to hug each other.' In an instant Will reaches up behind him and hugs me - his sitter must have taught him that move but it's a good one - he can get anything he wants with that one.

You know - maybe I should just enjoy the Go Dogs Go or Big Bird's Animal Game book more because at least they won't require my kid entering therapy to talk about his mother's emotional breakdowns.

**sidenote - if you want to cry at work today, read the Munsch link I posted to find out where the idea for the book came from. **

What books get you?? Are there others I should be mentally preparing myself for?

Here's the boy playing Golden Tee while his mom and aunt got their St. Paddy's on...maybe I should just enjoy the time that he'll read books!!!

If I Had a Million Dollars...

2010-03-17T20:37:41Z

Having a baby has become such a consumer-driven endeavor in recent years. There are so many trendy accessories, modern crib bedding choices, baby-wearing options and designer diaper bags to choose from, most of which are all astronomically priced. In today's economic climate, few us of are able to partake of such delicacies, but I'm going to let my mind dream about all the things I would buy for this next baby-raising experience, if money were no option.

This Petunia Pickle Bottom Diaper Bag. It's so classy and big and vintage looking! Love it!

Some amazing crib bedding and furniture from Dwell.

A post-baby boob job. I'm not kidding. Nothing porn-starry, just a little life restored to the tired crepes. I've got the bottom half of an hour-glass figure, I just need the top to balance it out a tad.

A complete J. Crew wardrobe, starting with some really nice fat pants, then buying smaller sizes as need be, as those post-baby pounds just melt away (ha!).

A MAID. If I had help with my (lousy excuse for) housekeeping, I would be a much happier woman, and thus a better mother.

And so ends my list of things that shall never be. It's fun to dream, though!

What would you add to your mothering experience if you had all the money in the world?

American Idol: Top 12

2010-03-17T18:11:00Z

So, I realize that Rolling Stones night might be a problem for some of the (very worst) top 12 (in American Idol history) who only know who Mick Jagger is because of the Ke$ha song (just like my own daughter), so my only tip for them going into last night would have been to sing something that people actually know. I mean, no one is going to think you are trying to copy The Rolling Stones. But a song people know will at least make people connect with it, and remember it.

Is anyone else taking a drink every time the judges say "A MOMENT" or "SLEEPY" or "PITCHY"? No? Just me? Well, you might want to join me!

Michael Lynche sings Miss You. I love him and I love that he can handle a big song and make it look easy. It was definitely NOT my favorite of his performances. The falsetto was awesome; the dancing was not.

Didi Benami sings Play With Fire. I'm a Didi fan. I always have been. I'm glad she's stepped up a bit and Randy was right, she was on fire, and this was her best performance yet. FINALLY.

Casey James sings It's All Over Now. Casey stays too safe for me. He was good last night...but not good enough.

Lacey Brown sings Ruby Tuesday. She gets points for picking something that people know, but, I really can't stand her. The only word I can use to describe her is SHRILL.

Andrew Garcia sings Gimme Shelter. Simon says he think that Andrew gave it 100% but, dudes, if that's him at 100% he is probably not going to be in this game for very long. Three words: PEAKED. TOO. EARLY. Danny Gokey he is NOT.

Katie Stevens sings Wild Horses. Okay, I LOVE this song, and she sang it beautifully, but oh my god, what's the word the judges have been using this season? Sleepy? She needed to sing something a little more exciting.

Tim Urban sings Under My Thumb. I love him. I hope he makes it to next week. I was definitely not loving his Jimmy Buffet-y, reggae version of this song. I'd really like The Comeback Kid to get another chance, but unfortunately, I think this might be the last we see of him.

Siobhan Magnus sings Paint It Black. I love her. I am getting a little tired of the screamy scream, though. I hope she doesn't do this every week.

Also, you know, she put on her giant glasses.

Lee DeWyze sings Beast of Burden. He IS John Mayer. or possibly Elliot Yamin. He needs to step up his game and stay away from safe.

Paige Miles sings Honky Tonk Woman. I usually don't enjoy her, but I thought she did great tonight. She seemed really comfortable on stage, which, at this point in the show, is huge. She needed this performance tonight.

Aaron Kelly sings Angie. I was not expecting to like this as much as I did. Holy cow, he picked a good song for his voice, and he sang his little heart out. He has the whole Archuleta Factor working against him, but I kind of like this. I hope he sticks around a bit.

Crystal Bowersox sings You Can't Always Get What You Want. I like Crystal and her Lilith Faith, subway-station-singing style. But, unfortunately for her, I don't think she wants to win. I think she's happy to just get up and sing and be who she is. PS. Loved her Lilly shout out!

Prediction: Going home? Tim Urban. Should be going home? Lacey Brown, with Andrew Garcia following closely behind.

Where Do We Find The Time?

2010-03-17T13:00:16Z

Okay...so where exactly do we find the time? Between homework, pre-teens, housework and everything else on a working mom's plate, how can we possibly make the perfect, healthy supper every night for our kids?

I really didn't see how much time it saves me on my really busy days. McDonald's has always been our "treat spot". The place we went to every once in a while as somewhat of a reward I guess. Now it just seems like we are being rewarded a lot lately. Being a busy mom is rough at times. At least now I can stop at McDonald's on my way home from work and grab a salad big enough for all of us to at least go with last night's leftover chicken.

Always on the go...McDonald's seems to be the right choice for quick, somewhat healthy options. We love the Grilled Chicken Snack Wraps! I do want to find out more on how to bring those whole wheat veggie burgers back and the whole wheat wraps too!

Canada's gone crazy with healthy and this time crazy is a good thing!

Car Woes

2010-03-17T01:19:00Z

This is my car. Correction: this is my van:

Or rather it was my van? Maybe? (This is where the woe part comes in, fyi.)

It is a 2001 Sienna XLE. It's actually a pretty sweet ride (for a van). It's totally loaded - to the gills - with features. JBL speakers (which apparently means something really cool), leather interior (love), heated seats (LOVE), power sliding doors (DOUBLE LOVE), sun roof, 6-cylinder engine and so on.

The problem is, it needs a new engine. And a new radiator. And when they install a new (actually used and "rebuilt", with 137,000 km on it) engine they "might as well" replace the water pump and timing belt. Oh, and when they get it, they will most likely have to swap out some parts. All of this will add up to (most likely) $4800. Before GST. And just to give you an idea, last week the estimate was $4000. It seems every time I talk to the dealership the price goes up.

I should also point out that the black book value for a 2001 Sienna XLE (in good condition, mind) is about $4500. So you can see my dilemma: do I put up money for repairs to the tune of the full value of the vehicle? Or should I get a new one?

Here's the thing. I own this van outright, and I can afford to fix it. I don't really want to be taking on a monthly car payment, but I also don't want to put $5k into a vehicle that will have only a 90-day warranty and might just break down in some other way very soon. It is 11 years old. I also have this thing about replacing so much integral stuff on a vehicle. It's like, the ENGINE, people. Not a broken door latch (been there, done that) or brakes (you expect that). It's the things that make the van go, you know?

And maybe that's just dumb womanly-like worries. Maybe some guy who's worked in a garage and does his own oil changes wouldn't be intimidated by a ~~new~~ refurbished engine. But I am. Also, I just accepted a job as a substitute teacher, and that job will depend in part on me being where I'm assigned when I'm assigned.

And to add to the dilemma, the people I ask for advice seem to be split between the "oh totally fix it and then drive the wheels off it" camp and the "don't risk it: get a new car" camp. And it's not chump change we're talking about either way, so I really need to make sure I make the right decision. And that's where you come in: tell me what I should do!

Add your comments below, and when I've decided what I'm going to do (with all of your helpful advice), I'll let you know.

Maple Syrup = Pancakes

2010-03-17T00:36:20Z

I just had to continue the theme!! Hope you don't mind.

All I could think of after I posted "March=Maple Syrup" is...PANCAKES.

Which is what I made for dinner tonite and what I'm now writing about.

The pancake recipe is taken from a cookbook my mom sent to me while in University, when I realized I needed some help cooking. (well before anyone had computers..LOL) It was the only recipe I used from that cookbook. So one day, I threw out the cookbook and only saved the pancake recipe, so I'm unable to credit anyone.

Here's the recipe for the most delicious pancakes:

Sift together:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1-2 tablespoons sugar

3 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt.

Combine:

1 egg, beaten

1 3/4 milk

Heat Griddle (I bought one and its the best purchase I have ever made...next to the KitchenAid mixmaster which is another story). Add a bit of oil to the griddle.

Blend dry ingredients together. Blend liquid ingredients together. Then add liquid ingredients into DRY ingredients.

Spoon onto griddle. When there's bubbles around the edge....flip over.

Serve hot, with MAPLE SYRUP

note: if batter thickens, add more milk.

MUST GO EAT MY PANCAKES NOW FOR DINNER (who said pancakes were only for breakfast).

Contest: Blo into Spring with Blo Blow Dry Bar

2010-03-16T21:57:31Z

As you know, I have my name on a lot of email lists. Last year, I received an email announcing the opening of a Blo Blow Dry Bar and guess who just HAD to go test it out.

So off I went...curly hair and all.

I walked into a fabulous pink/white space and was greeted immediately. (I love happy staff, don't you).

I asked if I could have my hair straightened and of course, the answer was "yes".!! So off I went to a chair for a consult.

I was given a laminated HAIR MENU (how genius is that) and was able to choose from 7 styles. ..i.e razor-straight to executive sweet!!

I then had my hair washed, and straightened in about 30 minutes for about 30 dollars.

Blow is a Blow DRY Bar - which means, no cuts, and no colors.

Just WASH BLOW AND GO!! You should know that they are Canada's ONLY Blow Dry Bar. Kewl eh?

I was given a bottle of water (again, with a lovely pink/white label that said "blo" on it) and relaxed as I had my hair straightened.

I left with a smile on my face of course my hair looked awesome.

I signed up on their facebook page (www.facebook.com/bloheartsyou) and I follow them on twitter too (http://twitter.com/bloheartsyou). They love social media as much as I do.

Here is the scoop about the contest. All you have to do is answer the following question:

Do you have curly hair and want straight hair? OR do you have straight hair and want curly hair? OR are you happy with the hair you have?

The winner will win a Blo gift card (on a cheeky pink post card of course), charged with TWO blo outs. Approximately a $65 value.

We can't wait to blo you away!!!

P.S.For further info about Blo Blow Dry Bar...check out their website at www.blowmedry.com .

March 16th, 2010

2010-03-16T16:45:47Z

shirt: anthropologie
jeans: Abercrombie & Fitch
shoes: Steve Madden

]]> View image

Spring is in the air...you know what that means...no not cleaning!

2010-03-16T13:16:50Z

Ah Spring. Spring is in the air. Birds are chirping, mud puddles are overflowing and a girl's thoughts turn to ... well boys. Admit it! Spring brings a certain 'randyness' to mind - no?

Every time I write an entry, I see a select list of categories to choose from and 'Dating' is the first one that Jen set up for me. I never check it off. And I mean NEVER. And it glares back at me daily, a constant reminder that my 90 year old grandfather is currently getting more action than me.

Dating scares me. It brings me back to being a terrified fifteen year old girl with a bad anxiety disorder. My first 'date' was a lunch with an older guy at school. We went to Apache Burger where all the cool kids hung out and I promptly threw up from nerves. It hasn't really gotten better since then. I'm sort of a dicotomy - I'm outgoing and confident in regular life but give me a first date and I'm a nervous wreck doing vodka shots when the doorbell rings.

In my pre-baby life I used to write a blog that was carried on radio station sites across the country. It was called WTF and it basically dealt with my ridiculous life - part of it was dating. People turned it to read deets of the guy who looked like Franklin the turtle and asked to watch hockey in his undies; the writer who humped my leg like a poodle; or the guy who filmed me bowling. I may have not had a typical 'relationship' for the past decade but I had been having fun.

I've been on one date since I've had Will and I have to admit it my nerves were a little bit better. I'll attribute this to my care factor of success being much lowered.

Face it, if the night goes bad...I no longer go home to my empty house and bemoan about it. I can go home and open Will's door and see the greatest guy ever sleeping like a champ.

So I've decided to take matters into my own hands and set up an online dating profile. The thought makes me cringe as I thoroughly believe that 'my type' of guy doesn't do online dating. BUT - let's face it has my 'type' been working - yeah not so much. I figure if nothing else, it's fodder for the blog right?

Oh and if anyone knows a long-haired jesus looking guy who gives foot massages, cooks and plays the guitar - send him my way will you?

Kate Winslet and Sam Mendes split; Katherine Heigl not coming back to Grey's Anatomy.

2010-03-15T23:43:30Z

This could also be titled: Things that make me sad; Things that make me happy.

I am saddened to announce the ending of the almost 7-year marriage of actress Kate Winslet and American Beauty director Sam Mendes. In a statement, their lawyers say, "The split is entirely amicable and is by mutual agreement. Both parties are fully committed to the future joint parenting of their children." The couple has a son, Joe, who is 6 and Kate had a daughter, Mia, 9, from a previous marriage.

I am so very pleased to announce that Katherine Heigl seems to have been let go from her role as Izzie Stephens on Grey's Anatomy. She had been scheduled to take off 3 months of maternity leave to care for her daughter Naleigh, the baby that she and husband Josh Kelley adopted from South Korea. And she was supposed to report back to work on March 1st. Only she, just, well, didn't.

Rumor has it that Grey's creator Shonda Rhimes - probably happily - agreed to let her our of her contract. However I felt about her character (which was HATE), Heigl sealed her fate for me when she announced that she wasn't submitting anything for Emmy consideration because the writers hadn't written good enough material for her.

these are the good old days

2010-03-15T22:16:13Z

You know the one about the priest, the minister and the rabbi discussing the beginning of life. The priest says it begins at conception, the minister disagrees saying it begins at birth. They look to the rabbi for the tie breaker-'when do you believe that life begins?' The rabbi gives a shrug 'when the kids move out and the dog dies'.

This reminds me of marriage where after all the good that comes from being with the same person close to two decades, you can be stuck in a mentality that leaves a lot to be desired. In effect you might be reserving the attention to what is most important to when there may be more time.

We all have things we put on hold with handy excuses-

"I'll get in shape when I have the energy"

"I will pursue that career change I really want to make when we have enough money"

"Let's take that trip together when everything else is taken care of"

"I'll take my health seriously when I have the time"

"Hobbies are for retirement"

"We will have sex more when life is not so busy"

It is difficult to make things important when they are not on fire. Today is an imprint for the future. Without small or big steps now, whatever we hope to see by year end, as a part of a 5 year plan or even by the end of our lives likely will never happen.

Or from a different perspective, think of the line from that old song, "these are the good old days".

Not to sound too morose but it is worth remembering that we may die before the dog.

FIsher Price Giveaway!

2010-03-15T21:03:55Z

Get ready for fun! Sarah from Mom Without a Map has a fabulous giveaway for you! Laugh & Learn Peekaboo Cuckoo from Fisher Price has loads of enjoyment for your baby. A friendly light-up birdie pops out with a greeting, and lots of songs and activities will keep you baby busy.

Not only is Laugh & Learn Peekaboo Cuckoo lots of fun, it also incorporates some educational tools. Learn numbers, time, and opposites with this great new toy!

All that you need to do is post a comment on Mom Without a Map - How we fill our days and a Fisher Price GIVEAWAY, and let Sarah know what you do to fill your days/hours with your little one.

Contest closes March 29th, 2010. Remember only UrbanMoms members are eligible to win so don't forget to sign in. Not a member yet? Click here to join!

†See full contest rules and regulations for details.

So You Want To...Deliver Some Deliciousness

2010-03-15T19:26:37Z

I have kind of an interesting request. Our very good friends in Toronto have just suffered their third miscarriage. My husband and I are far away and want to do something, anything really, to just lift their spirits a little bit and let them know we are thinking of them. I would prefer to stay away from something like flowers...maybe something edible? Thank you so much.

In my eyes, delivering something edible is definitely the right way to go. When my dog was sick recently, a friend sent me some cupcakes in the mail. They got delivered right to my door, and I totally was not expecting them. They really lifted my spirits!

I looked into a few possible delicious goodies and found some great places that will deliver in Toronto. Now, please note that I will not be able to SAMPLE all of these options until I am back in Toronto this summer and I will tell you this right now, I will be sampling all of them.

But here are a few places that got excellent reviews AND were nice when I spoke to them on the phone (i.e., the ordering process is pretty easy and painless)

1. Babycakes. Call 416.406.5910 to order.

These not only have awesome names like The Great Gatsby (pistachio cake with lavender icing) and Lemony Snickets (lemon cake with ginger icing), but they get major bonus points for having a red velvet cake with cream cheese icing cupcake. These are hard to come by in Canada.

2. The Cupcakery. Call 647.430.7409 to order.

These sure are a delicious looking cupcake! There are so many flavors I want to try from the Principessa (vanilla cake with pink buttercream icing) and the After Eight (chocolate cake with mint icing) but there's also an extra bonus: You can TOP IT UP! Add any of the following to make your Cupcake extra yummy: Skor, Oreo, Colored Sprinkles, Pop Rocks, Smarties, Sweet Hearts, Chocolate Chips, Gummi Bears.

YUM.

3. The Cupcake Shoppe. Call 416.322.6648 to order.

This one gets bonus points for creative names...like Yonge N' Eligible (vanilla or chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream) and Sleepless in Toronto (vanilla or chocolate cake with coffee buttercream)

4. Eini & Co. Call 416.899.3168 to order.

Wow. These are quite possibly the most beautiful cupcakes I have ever seen. These mini cakes use royal icing which give the flower toppings an almost candy-like texture. Gorgeous and delicious? You can't really beat that!

I really hope this helps!!!!

It has certainly made me hungry!