I realise this winter has been one of the mildest ones on record, in the history of all Canadian winters EVER, and it's been downright balmy, all told. There have been some super sunny skies overhead too. Just lovely! Truly wonderful. But I have to tell you: it's still totally blows. I do not enjoy the winter time. I just don't. (And you can't make me.)Two weeks ago, The Groundhog said we have (only) six weeks left of winter. Well, whoop-ditty-do. *twirls index finger in slow circles* Let's be serious - this is Canada. It's cold. It's cold until June-ish.... More »

My kids were getting ready for bed on Sunday night, just as the Grammy's were starting, but I promised Oliver I'd tape them for him, and we could watch the next day. Indeed, I did record it, and we've been watching (and re-watching) a lot of the performances together ever since.I have to say, Bruno Mars was excellent. That charming boy with the beautiful pearly whites sang his heart out while being backed by a gaggle of his handsome cronies in golden jackets with matching tuxedo pants all getting their James Brown on? Wicked. Ava Scarlett said she liked his... More »

If there's one thing I won't stand for in this house, it's bellowing at someone from another room when one wants something.I will. Not. Have it.Because besides being just too damned loud, (and a bit rude - I mean, really!) invariably, half the request will not be heard properly the first time, then requiring a long, Paaar-duuun meee? echoed back, meaning the asker will have to shout his or her request all over again. There is, in fact, a good chance the request will need repeating yet again. The lengthy duration of an exchange like this could have (and should... More »

Oliver got busy turning EIGHT last week (holy crap, didn't he just turn seven?) and the festivities have been drawn out over the last bunch of days, which suits me just fine. Having a birthday time, feels like more fun than just celebrating on a single day anyway. Spread... it... out... yo.     He wanted to have sushi for dinner, and a chocolate cake. And indeed, I did bake him a cake about an hour before the sushi arrived, but he was so full, he asked if we could just have cake tomorrow instead? That's cool with me, my love.... More »

When I was about fifteen years old, a kid I went to school with committed suicide. I didn't know that kid terribly well - we weren't in the same year, so we didn't share the same friends. But besides the dreadful thoughts and feelings that hang in the air around suicide, there's a sadness that lingers. You've lost one of your own. Though I didn't really know this kid, we were of the same world which just felt so sad. And disheartening. And confusing to feel so, when I didn't even have much of connection to this person in the first... More »

I need to sleep more.Actually, what I need is to go to bed earlier. And I know I'm not alone...This late-nights-for-no-reason phenomenon is so common among so many of my friends with young kids, it's almost comical. Or, it could make you cry.I know LOTS of (smart) women with kids who are usually in pajamas, lying horizontal between their sumptuous linens, with a book in one hand, and with a tall glass of water placed at bedside, all before 9 PM. Their children are abed and slumbering, their kitchens are washed up for the night, and their laundry is folded... More »

In the mornings, I throw on my game-face pretty quickly. I've been doing it for years... it doesn't vary much. Fill in brows, rim eyes with black liner, a little colour on the cheeks, and some on the eyelids... maybe a bit of shimmer in the brow bone... a light dusting of powder, and then some lip gloss.Hmmmm. Wait.Sometimes I look in the mirror and feel... kinda... not right. Like there's something missing.Upon closer inspection, I sometimes realise my skin doesn't look as bright, and I just need to wash it exfoliate. I make a mental note to treat my... More »

There are many, many items for sale out there, but I sometimes wonder if some of these things are a joke. (Also, I think I might need to stop watching television.)One day I'll scan the business section of the newspaper and see that something called "The Bumpit" has sold a bajillion units, and I quickly feel like I'm in the wrong business. I mean, who buys these things?!In the interest of not making your house fat, I thought I'd give you some examples of items to avoid buying or to destroy immediately if you already own them.Things like the infamous Snuggie, which... More »

Yesterday as I stood on the curb, waiting for the light to change, I spied a man in uniform across the street from me, also waiting for his turn to walk. There's a four-way walk signal on this corner now, so the wait can be long. He kept wanting to take a step when the light changed, but he was always premature - it wasn't our turn yet - he'd smile sheepishly at me, like he'd made a foolish mistake. I smiled back.He had deep, boyish dimples on both cheeks, but I think he was close to fifty in age.... More »

We all know how quickly kids grow and change... another year has flown by, and my little Madame turned four on Saturday. My mum and my sister came to visit for a few days, which makes a birthday feel rather special indeed!We took the skinheads bowling. (Okay, they're not skinheads. They're knuckleheads.) Ava Scarlett + three of her school friends, someone's baby sister, and her own brother, Oliver = hilarious times at the Rose Bowl.I wish I had better pictures of the day, but the lighting is extremely low in arcade-style places. Besides which, these children never hold still long... More »