Conan vs. Jay

So there's been a lot of entertainment controversy over the Tonight Show, time slots and who will host what show. I'm not sure why so much fuss has been made. As far as I can see, I think Conan is a sore loser by rejecting the offer made by NBC. It must be nice to go home and lick your wounded ego with $45million in payout. I think I could make the sacrifice too. Fact of the matter is that Conan O'Brien just isn't funny. I really don't know why NBC stuck their necks out for him and have gone to task trying to secure his Tonight Show position. Leno was the best choice and the ratings reflected that. Conan had his 7 months to "try" to capture the following but apparently couldn't cut the mustard. Time to wake up folks...Conan just isn't funny. And what's with that hair?

Grocery Conspiracy

I am convinced that stores who now charge 5 cents per plastic bag are conspiring against unsuspecting shoppers. It seems that in an effort to reduce plastic bags in landfills in Toronto, the government figures that if people have to pay for bags it will encourage them to bring their own. After all, why would anyone want to pay for a fresh new bag when they can bring their own plastic-type reusable bag to the store. Fish, meats, vegetables, dairy - all in the same bag...hey, no problem. Do we worry about contamination? No. Smells? No. Whatever. Convenience for the price we pay? No way. My theory is that by having consumers bring their own bags into the stores, grocery shops alleviate the need for their staff to work at packing the food people are buying. Thus, the consumer pays more and the checkout staff work less. When you bring your own bag to the store, suddenly the checkout help dismiss the need to pack the items and you are left to fend for yourself. So I think we should banish the 5 cent price and get some service (not that it ever comes with a smile if you shop at Zehrs) for all the money it costs to grocery shop these days anyway!

Dogs Just Know

I am constantly amazed at how "tuned in" my dogs are. This morning was nice and sunny (a rarity during northern winters) so I had decided that I would take my dogs on a nice walk. I am generally lazy in walking them but now that they need to lose some weight and it was good weather, I began thinking about the idea...but I hadn't mentioned anything out loud. As I finished getting dressed and putting my makeup on, both dogs were sitting at the bathroom door, which they usually don't do. It was as if they knew something was up. As I walked toward the door, both of them got supercharged and excited. They just knew we were going to do their favourite activity...a nice long walk. Sniff, trot, explore the country smells. So how did my dogs know that I was planning to take them out? Did they read my mind or sense my intentions via mental telepathy? Some people think dogs and animals aren't too bright, but I know full well just how amazing they are and how incredibly intuitive their natures are. I love my animals.

Organizing Me

It's a beautiful sunny day but still pretty chilly out. I have been trying to get myself better organized - my new year's goal, with tackling some project each day. Most days it's just something small, but I have to accomplish something each day. I have been realizing just how much time I have been wasting for some time now and it's not a good thing. So, filing many, many papers is my goal for the week - along with tidying up my desk area. It's frustrating because every time I get it looking just so, others come in (mainly my young son) and destroy my efforts in a minute amount of time. Oh well, c'est la vie. It's only paper and it'll get cleaned up one way or another.

Back in the Game

I've taken a long rest from blogging, but now feel motivated enough to "get back into the game." My initial thoughts this morning are about how messed up our North American society has become. I saw a clip on the news regarding the recent American Music Awards which had to do with some very controversial on-stage behaviours. I'm not going to mention the specific "acts" or the performers who did them, as I don't want to give them credit for annoying and offending me.

I just wonder why our society feels it is necessary to continue with such vulgar displays of lewdness. How much shock value do we need exposure to(especially our kids)? When a performer feels a need to use shocking behaviours to enhance their on-stage performances, perhaps they are not as talented as they believe. Here's an old-fashioned concept and suggestion to today's actors, singers and performers: try using real talent in lieu of pervasive vulgarity. You might actually find that people will like your "talents" and not just watch you because you made the latest headlines due to controversial actions.

Back to School

School is back in motion and it's been an adjustment getting everyone back into their routine. Fall seems to be coming early as there are a lot of red leaves and coolness to the mornings. In fact, this morning was only 8 C! It's way too soon for seeing your breath in the air. So it's back to making lunches, spending lots of time driving around and getting back into gear. September always seems to be a blur with lots of activity. Now, if only I could come up with some new and exciting lunchbox ideas!!

Happy Birthday

Dear Alessandro,

When you made your early arrival eight years ago today, you changed my life in ways I could not even imagine. When I think back over the time I've been lucky enough to share life with you so many memories come to mind. As an infant, I could not have imagined the number of sleepless nights or days of agonizing colicky cries. But all exhaustion aside, you filled my heart with your sweet sounds, blissful smiles and warm cuddles. I never knew that my heart could feel so full of love for you. My life before you had now become nothing more than a two-dimensional selfish universe so full of trivialities.

You've taught me how to be patient with life in general, how to laugh more and just enjoy the beauty of simple silliness. You continue to amaze me at how articulate you are and aware of your world. Your imagination is captivating and ever-changing with all your ideas. Your smile is still as beautiful as ever and the twinkle in your eyes is purely enchanting.

After a difficult pregnancy and your early arrival I remember this night eight years ago vividly in hospital, gazing at you in your bassinet wrapped up in your blanket and cap snoozing calmly while the food channel played in the background. I could not have imagined the journey that stood before me or the challenges that parenthood would bring me. But I would not have changed a minute of it because now I have learned the real meaning of life because of you. You continue to surprise me, make me laugh and fill my heart with pure love. For that I will be eternally grateful. I only hope that I can make you as proud of me as I am of you mi amore.

Love always,

Mommy xoxo

Lots of Worries

This summer has put me on an emotional roller coaster. I'm in the process of trying to sell a home which brings on an entirely new set of worries, challenges, expenses and heartaches and have been dealing with my husband's unsteady health for the past 3 weeks. Doctors think he has had a severe bout of vertigo, but it is still unconfirmed. Have I ever got some serious griping to do about the Canadian health care system! To see someone you love in an incapacitated manner just draws clear how thankful we must be to have each day of health. Simple things such as just being able to walk, talk and have a laugh are all gifts to be cherished. I'm looking forward to getting some "normalcy" stabilized in my life once again.

Watermelon

With summer here, it's time to enjoy some nice juicy watermelon. But how do you choose a good one? First, check to make sure the fruit is nice and symmetrical, free from bruises and dents. Take a look at the skin to see that is nice and waxy to the touch. Make sure the melon feels heavy for its size. It is after all, 92% water. When looking at the melon, there should also be a lighter patch somewhere on it where the fruit lay to ripen on the ground. Some people think you need to thump a melon to test its ripeness. If you are one of those folks, the flick the melon with your middle finger and listen to hear a deep thudding sound. That should tell you if your watermelon is ripe or not.

Want to make watermelon ice cubes to refresh your summer drink? Try this recipe:

6 cups cubed, seeded watermelon

4 tbsp. sugar (or to taste)

30-40 fresh raspberries

Bunch of fresh rough chopped mint leaves

Puree the melon in a blender. Add the sugar one tablespoon at a time, to taste. Place one raspberry in each section of 2-3 ice cube trays. Pour in the melon puree and top with a pinch of the chopped mint in each section. Cover and freeze until frozen solid.

Enjoying the Heat

It has been a nice hot weekend and we've been taking advantage in order to get the yard up to speed. Yesterday we assembled a netted cabana on the deck. Now we have not only a lovely outdoor "room" but also a space to sit in and not get attacked by mosquitoes. Today we've been gardening...digging flower beds, moving topsoil, planting and cleaning up. My hubby was cutting the grass with our new John Deere ride-on mower. Now it's time to park ourselves on the deck and enjoy a margarita, I think.

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

So I've mastered how to prepare the perfect hard boiled egg. First you place your egg(s) in a pot and cover them with cold water. Bring the water to a nice rapid boil. Once this has happened, place a lid on the pot and turn off the burner. Let the egg(s) sit in the hot boiling water for 10 minutes. Drain and run them under cold water. They are then ready to peel and turn out just great!

Time Flies By

I can't believe it is Monday once again. Where do the weeks fly by? As I write that, I am once again reminded of the cliched phrase regarding time flying by. When we are children we think that the days will never pass, we'll never grow older to that magic age and time in school will drag on for eternity. Then once we pass those "milestone" birthdays, all of that excitement starts to fade and the day to day grind of reality sets in. I suppose this is all part of the growing experience in adulthood. As we get caught up on the treadmill of life, I only hope that I'm still showing my son that there needs to be daily time to stop, take a breath and be quiet if only for a nanosecond. And yes, I do need to remind myself occasionally to take my own advice.

Plants and Flowers

After a terribly cold weekend, I must report that we got a lot of gardening completed. I ache in places I didn't know existed and had a really difficult time dragging myself out of bed this morning. Being that our soil is mainly clay, it required a lot of sweat and muscle power to just cut through the top soil and begin the process of making the flower beds. While I toiled in the backyard, my hubby labored in the front - digging and planting small shrubs and trees. I managed to get most of my plants in the ground but was disillusioned last night to hear that there was a risk of frost! I'm happy to say that all plants survived the night. I will really enjoy watching the plants and flowers come to life and hopefully produce a beautiful garden escape.

Planting Season is On

And so the first long weekend of the season begins. The traffic is piling up around the city and country roads. People are buying their fireworks - and more importantly their garden plants. We also went to the local nursery and bought some nice shrubs and perennials. I plan to build a flower garden around our deck. I ended up buying old fashioned bleeding hearts, yellow cone flowers, phlox, irises and several other varieties that remind me of my parents' and grandparents' old-fashioned gardens. And just now I saw our first hummingbird - so I must go and get the food to put in the little feeder by our window.

Cure for the Common Cold?

Colds are running virulently throughout our home once again. It seems once children enter school, everything and anything that's contagious finds it's way home also. I've had the worst sore throat for days now and sniffles and now a cough. My husband is fighting it too. My son, we'll he's over the worst of it. However, there is something that is like a magic bullet at fighting colds, bugs and whatever ails you. It is oil of oregano. This little "miracle" oil droplet is extremely potent and strong. It has been used for centuries as a remedy to cure sickness. I used it once before (albeit with skepticism) to ease and finally cure the effects of whooping cough. So I tried it 2 days ago and my sore throat is virtually gone. One drop under the tongue a few times a day is all you need. So if you don't want to load your body with pills and chemicals, this natural alternative works great.

Negativity

I think there must have been a lot of negativity in the air today. My son was really giving me the gears over absolutely everything and nothing. Sometimes I feel like we've reverted back to that early stage of parent/child power plays. I grew so frustrated that a time out for us both became necessary, along with chats from both myself and my husband and a ban on computer and TV. I think that negativity grows negativity and tonight was a prime example. I've been trying to explain to my son that you get back what you put out into the world. After all this, my young man stubbed his toe on the leg of the couch and whacked his hand on the doorknob.

Wilderness

The past few days has been the most incredible summer-like weather and we are just enjoying every minute of it. Cleaning up the yard, organizing the patio furniture and just being outside without shivering is a real treat! The early mornings are fresh with the sounds of woodpeckers, Canadian geese honking, frogs chirping and songbirds chanting their melodies. I even saw a coyote yesterday up close as I was driving and he was scampering into the woods. That was pretty amazing. My neighbor has even told me that she's seen the odd wolf coming out of our property in the past few weeks. This confirms my theory from months ago when I saw what looked like giant dog footprints across our lawn (and also the occasional pile of bird feathers dotted with blood left near the feeders).

Spring Has Sprung

Today was just the most beautiful spring day. The sun shone brightly all day and the color of the sky is now warming up. My woodland marshes are buzzing with a cacophony of toads and frogs. It's so loud by evening that they can be heard even with the windows shut. I've seen loads of lovely songbirds - orioles, finches, warblers. My son and I went exploring behind a large pond we now have, only to discover a large piece of quartz and an abandoned, rusted out personal vault. Go figure. It would have been nice to find a bag of money, but we didn't.

Rescue

The winter thaw has been continuing all week long which has led to creeks about to flow over, massively squishy earth and loads of mud. Not a good situation when you have 2 pooches racing through it all and dragging it inside. Into the shower they go several times a day now. Keeping my floors clean is an all-consuming job. But spring is in the air. Just this week alone right near my house, I've seen packs of white-tailed deer, a coyote with meal in mouth trotting through the corn field and loads of Canadian Geese (who like to rest in our marsh). It's wonderful to hear all the bird calls now. But late today I had to perform an emergency rescue from the marsh. Dixie, my big girl, saw the geese and took off - flying down the hill & with a leap she went right out onto the ponds (which are still partially frozen). But after she was done with that, she couldn't figure out how to get off the ice. So as my son cried in horror and my dog shook with cold and fear, I trudged down the embankment, into the icy cold marsh water and pulled my dog to land. I thought I'd have trouble getting out as my boots were then lodged in thick, heavy mud/water. It's hours later and my feet are still cold. Always an adventure here in the country.

Earth Hour

Last night was an interesting global experiment - have as many people and buildings as possible shut off all electricity between 8pm and 9pm. Being that my son's school was hyped on the topic, we also participated. And to my surprise, so did my 2 visible rural neighbors. We lit a bunch of candles, pulled out the Game of Life and played the old board game as a family. It was a lot of fun and the first time we all played a game like that together. Hopefully we saved some electricity, but more importantly it gave us a reason to all be together as a communicating family in quietness...that is a real rarity in today's modern world.