Most of us have seen the video (and likely the spoof) of the new Real Beauty Sketches by Dove but this is one I hadn't seen before. It is a special version featuring mothers and their daughters. I found this video in the series especially touching because I lost my mom almost 4 years ago. As I watched the video I started to think about how I would describe my mom to the artist. Every word I thought of was a positive one - soft, bright, warm, sparkling. It made me remember her in a way I haven't been able... More »

I know I have mentioned our home renovation before but not in too much detail. Mostly because I knew that not only would it take over my life for the next 4 or 5 months but it would also likely take over this blog. I am pretty sure that everything I do or think about for the next half-year will be related to this project so get ready.When we moved into this house 13 years ago we knew it needed work. 9 years ago we began planning and now 4 years later we are finally ready to break ground. A... More »

I have spent most of my life in a less-than-perfect relationship with food and a self-sabotaging approach to eating, and in my quest to be "thin" have tried to deprive myself skinny. Since tweenhood and maybe even earlier, the way in which I have viewed my body is neither as gift nor temple but as something to be changed and improved upon. I am now on a mission to change this, and Weight Watchers is helping me. See, the problem is that when you have swung between overeating and deprivation for as long as you can remember, it is challenging to... More »

I remember when my children were babies looking down on them as they lay sleeping in my arms and feeling the most intense love. When they were small I worried about schedules and meals and sleep. Their basic needs were sometimes overwhelming, a physical burden carried but balanced and usually overwhelmed by the love of a doting mother. I was in charge, controlling their world. As they grew the intensity lessened and my worries and responsibilities became more of the counselling kind and the manager of schedules of a different sort. But the intensity of my love only deepened.Now, as one... More »

I'll reveal my secret to tween/teen travel a little later but, in the meantime, let me say that, I hate groundhogs. Well, at least the one that said we were having an early spring. Seriously, just yesterday I was looking out my window and there was a blizzard out there! This March Break was colder than I can remember in a long while. I really cherish those warmer, sunnier few days that often surprise us during the kids' week off as they help me to look forward to the summer fast approaching.So, what does one do to avoid wallowing in... More »

Week 8: Down 14lbs (Hooray!)In my opinion, late winter,, is the toughest time to be a Canadian. I know, it varies from coast to coast but, overall, this time of year can be downright ugly. The gloomy grey and the ongoing snowfall make me feel like curling up in front of the TV with a bag of chips and not coming out until spring blooms. This year, for the most part, I have resisted this urge. And, instead found ways/excuses to celebrate late winter. For example, this time of year has more days off of school than any other. Between PD... More »

This is a guest post contributed by a dad. Not a writer or blogger or social media guru, just a plain ol' dad. His thinking is inspired by the events of Steubenville but his perspective and the issues he introduces are far reaching. This post makes me think. I hope it does the same for you. ~ JenThe Steubenville rape trial is big news at the moment and I am constantly seeing opinion and comments on what has been happening but I choose to ignore it. People have asked my opinion and when I tell them, I don't think they... More »

I started to write a post about something else but every time I put my fingers to the keyboard all I could think about was this post I read through a Facebook update:I am so fucking sick of teaching our daughters not to get raped.I clicked on the links. I watched the videos. I felt sick that a girl went to a party and drank too much, like most of us have done at some point, and ended up the victim of a heinous sexual assault and then, shockingly, became the butt of everyone's joke. They nicknamed her "the dead... More »

My life has been a whirlwind over the last few months and I feel that I have finally come up for air. Last week I spent 5 days on a beach with an old friend with the goal of perspective-getting and it worked. Before arriving at The Crane Resort in Barbados I had been able to make little sense of everything in my head. I had recently sold my newly established business which had been my major focus over the last year so I was asking myself, "where do I go from here?" My toes at Crane Beach.Many of us never... More »

I often look at my children as they grow and am conscious of the people in their lives, especially the constant ones. The forever kind of folks like my daughter's pal across the street. They have been buddies since toddlerhood. And my teenage son whose best friend since grade 1 is a regular fixture around here. I love that they have these relationship. I know that, especially once they are older and are reflecting back, they will be so grateful for these longstanding friendships. No one knows you like the people who grew up beside you.I know this because I... More »

Four full weeks on Weight Watchers. Reflecting, this is what I see:Week One: I was very eager. Totally onboard. I researched recipes, tracked everything, ran three times in the week and resisted all cravings.I lost 5lbsWeek Two:I started to feel temptation creep in so I looked to Weight Watchers for tips on managing my environment and identifying my triggers. I rid my cupboards of trigger foods and found some options for my most vulnerable time; late afternoon. I ran 3 times in the week. I lost 2lbsMy destination after running in the rain!Week Three:I found this week tough. I was busy and... More »

Everything must come to an end.Well, that's what I have been telling myself. But selling a business you started is almost like saying goodbye to a loved one. I know that there will come a time when I will reflect on this experience and all of the lessons learned and it will all make perfect sense. But, for now, I have mixed emotions. I am excited to see what the future brings but a little sad that this period in my life has come to an end.Last year I started SheBlogs Media. One year later and I have sold my... More »

I have a 10 year-old daughter. If you know her or read my blog regularly you will know that she is not a typical tween girl. For example, today she wore a hockey jersey to school. Her wardrobe consists of what is comfortable (sweatpants) and what is sports related. This is a girl who when asked in art class, "What is your favourite creative thing to do?" she answered, "Sports." She plays competitive hockey and soccer, loves running 5k races with her dad, plays tennis and golf and skis on snow and on water whenever she can. She is an athlete... More »