under the weather

The one good thing about getting sick is that it forces you to slow down.
Or in the case of this latest virus- completely grind to a halt.
At first I was feeling resentful, after all, I had a full week planned and lots going on.
Not to mention that this is virus # 7 since the start of school in September. But who's counting?
Great I'm stuck inside. Again.
Fortunately the weather was on our side, being rainy and kind of dreary.
The perfect kind to snuggle, sip homemade chicken noodle soup and just rest and recover.
I know, I complain constantly about being sick, but for once, I'm trying to find the positive in all this excess mucus.
Okay the mucus not so positive...but being stuck at home with my girl isn't the worst thing in the world.

The last few days have kind of forced me to think.
Really think.
About life, how quickly it flies by, the fragility of it all, what I still want to accomplish, who I want to surround myself with and how I can be a better mother.
Lord knows there is always room for improvement in that department.
After a bit of reflection, I was reminded of how lucky am I that it's me who gets to take Lulu to the doctor, rub her back, read her stories and give her the extra comfort and love that she needs when she's not feeling well.
And hey there's always the Internet to keep you busy while being stuck on the sofa all day, right?
After sifting and sorting through cyber space, I came across so many new and inspiring blogs and got reacquainted with some that I had forgotten.
I feel kind of rejuvenated, and maybe even a little inspired.
Being forced to stop, slow down, and breathe (albeit with extra effort due to congestion) has helped to recharge me.
I have all kinds of creative ideas brewing and look forward to get some new projects started.
Sometimes life has a way of giving you signs and nudges you in directions that you might have overlooked otherwise.
I guess you just need to slow down long enough to take notice and do do something about it.

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.
Wayne Dyer

edited to add: Okay, so after 12 consecutive days of having to cross my legs so I won't pee my pants from coughing so hard, I give in. I'm Miserable.
If only I had done more of those kegel excercises in the second & third trimester..argh..
Currently on antibiotics for an inner ear infection & bronchitis. Add in chronic severe headaches, nausea and sinus pain = one extremely cranky momma.
Trying to be positive...trying really really hard...but finding it increasingly difficult due to far too much Phlegm & other unpleasantness.
Calgon take me away!....

gung hay fat choy

I love celebrating the beginning of a new year.
Whether its' Rosh Hashanah, the Chinese new year, or "New Year's New Year".
It means the chance for new beginnings and also a time for reflection on the previous year.
A reminder of what to be grateful for, what new goals to set for yourself and just an overall sense of renewal.
What's not to love about that?
So in honor of my brother and his family in Asia we have embraced the Chinese New Year whole hearted this year.
Lulu went to the Lunar festival on the weekend here and made lanterns, crafts, learned calligraphy, and saw a cute puppet show from Taiwan.
Of course we had to go for dumplings and our favourite noodles after the show here.
Yum...it's our happy place.
We were supposed to go skiing but opted to stay close to home and enjoy all that this awesome city has to offer.
That, and guess who's sick again?
First Lulu and now me.
We seem to be on a 2 week sick rotation this winter. Good times.
Anyhow what are you going to do aside from slurp back some nice, hot medicinal Chinese noodle soup?
ummm could go for some right now.
Alas, my ginger lemon tea will have to suffice.

So being the year of the dragon, it promises be a lucky one.
Let's hope! (especially when it comes to good health)

Gung Hay Fat Choy

like riding a bike

So we finally bit the bullet this winter and decided to outfit the entire family with all new ski gear.
All I can say to that is, Cha-Ching $$$.
Ouch.
Who knew how much things had gone up in price since the nineties?
Anyhow we have been hymning and hawing about it for a few years now so I'm glad we finally got around to purchasing new skis and all the cute accessories that go with them.
And I have to say it was worth every penny.



But in all fairness Lulu really hasn't expressed any interest in hitting the slopes (save for tobogganing) until this year.
We tried last year but she just wasn't ready.
I don't think big daddy or I started skiing until we were both around 9 or 10 years old, so she's already got a head start on us.
Then again I saw a ton of little mini people (as in 3 years old) on the hills.
They were all so cute and SO Fearless!
Lulu is much more cautious, and that's completely okay by me.
I never like to push her into anything until she is ready.
With the exception of bed time. I'm ruthless when it comes to that.
It's non-negotiable around our house.
Some nights I practically push her into bed. Literally.

So we ended up going up north for the weekend, stayed at The Westin which is always fun.
They are even dog friendly so the whole family got to enjoy.
I could have completely done without the minus frickin' 25 degree weather though.
I had hot shots in my boots and mitts and was pretty close to shoving a few down the back of my ski pants.
Why is it that the older you get, the colder you get?
I totally don't remember ever being that cold when skiing as a teenager.
Then again, that might have to do with the wine skin stashed under my bright Kelly green Ispo Ski Jacket.
Oh I looked cool people...so very cool....;
It was all fun and games until "someone" fell and broke their ski horizontally at the binding.
Not mentioning any names or anything...
Lesson learned.
Nothing but hot chocolate while hitting the slopes from now on.

Anyhow it was super fun and a great way to spend the weekend.
Lulu and big daddy even took a dip in the outdoor pool and hot tub.
I chickened out and opted to sit by the fire with Chelsea and read my book instead.
I love that Lulu is finally at an age where we all get to do things as a family that is fun for everyone.
I LOVE six.
Six rocks.
I just wish she could stay this age forever.

And did I mention how happy we are that she is totally over playing princess?
If I had to wear one more tiara I might have gone off the deep end.
Then again I did like it when she dubbed me "Queen Mommy."
I kind of miss that part actually.
Either way I'm pretty proud of my little princess and how great she was, especially for her first time on skis.

heavy heart

I've been debating whether to write about this or not, but I feel like I just need to.
It's certainly not what I would have liked my first post of 2012 to be about.

Unfortunately during the holidays one of Lulu's classmate's mother was killed.
It is tragic and absolutely terrible.
She was a loving mother of three children. Our class parent and an overall good person.
It's a complete shock to our entire community.
I see all her emails in my inbox and I can't even imagine hitting delete.
Her life has been snuffed out.
Three children no longer have a mother.
The worst part is the manner in which it all happened.
Horrible tragedy is an understatement.

Lulu knows that her classmates mommy died.
I've kept the main details from her.
Regardless of all the news trucks in the neighbourhood.
We've kept the T.V. and Newspapers out of her sight where ever possible.
She made this classmate a card and said that she feels so sad for him and his sisters.
I'm not really sure what else to say or do.
Definitely not something I've ever experienced before.

The really sad part is that the week before all this happened, the mom emailed me to say that her and the kids made special cookies and that they each were allowed to pick one person in the class who is always nice to them to give one to.
Lulu was really impressed and thrilled with the special treat and to be chosen as "the special friend".
I'm not sure what compelled me to take a photo of it before she decided to eat it.
But I'm so glad I did.....