Merry & Bright

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year...

sad state of events

I'm not really sure how to begin this post.
There are no words really to convey the shock and horror over the tragedy that took place Friday in Newtown Connecticut.
It's beyond comprehension how someone could do what they did.
My heart goes out to all those innocent children and the families whose lives are now completely destroyed over such a senseless act.
The children were mostly the same age as Lulu and all her class mates, and I can only imagine how devastating it would be if had been her school.
I keep thinking of the gifts already wrapped and under the tree that will never be opened...
It's so very sad.

I've been trying to shield Lulu from any of the news about it.
I just don't think I want to jolt her sense of innocence and security when she goes to school each day.
Not sure if they will be discussing it tomorrow or not.
It's really not something I want her to know about really.

I was originally going to rant about the teacher's strike and how infuriating it is that they are walking out on the kids the week before Christmas, but I don't feel it's right to complain given the latest turn of events.
At least she has a class and teacher.

It makes me hug her a few more times each day and tell her how much I love her even more than I did before and really appreciate the moments that we share together like making special decorations for her little tree in her bedroom...

decking the halls

Well I guess we are officially into the holiday season.
I usually don't start to think about Christmas until my birthday is over and done with on December 3rd.
sigh....yes...another year has come and gone...and now unfortunately I can no longer say that I just turned 40.
There's no way around it, I'm full-on in my forties.
42. How the heck did that happen?!
Anyhow, despite my middle age...I feel great. Or at least for the most part.
Trying to ignore the fact that I now have to hold things away from me when reading.
(time for reading glasses I guess..sigh..)
I feel like such a cliche.
Also the perpetual aches & pains that tend to pop up here or there at any given time.
Lately the here or there being my knees.
Should they be making that sound when I bend down?....yikes....
Sadly it maybe time to ease off on the kick boxing classes for a couple of weeks.
But to help remedy all that, I spent my B-day at the new 4 Seasons Spa.
Best. Massage. Ever.
What a treat!
The spa is so lovely and relaxing I honestly didn't want to leave.
Did I mention, Best. Massage. Ever. already?
90 minutes of pure bliss.
I also had a nice dinner with my family and bonus that one of my favourite uncles happened to be in town.
So all in all, it was a fun way to deal with getting yet another year older.
I mean celebrate...

Anyhow as is tradition, as soon as all that nonsense is out of the way I like to get the house all festive and start to decorate.
First things first- send big daddy out to get our Christmas tree aka Hanukkah Bush.
We thought about heading up north to cut our own, but I figured I might have been pushing my luck a bit with Big D.
Seeing as we only started doing a tree in past few years when Lulu could get into it.
Before that, we would just have Christmas at my parents.
But I really do like having a tree, falling needles be damned.
It's so nice.
The smell, the twinkling lights.
It just feels so official.
So now we just need to decorate it.
Planning on making a bunch of homemade decorations with Lulu this year.
She is beside herself with excitement over the prospect of being able to glue, glitter and glamourize the tree with her mamma.
It really is adorable how excited she is.
and I confess...I think I'm even a little excited too.
Having a seven year old is THE best.
Bonus that she can now read the baking instructions until I finally break down and get myself a pair of reading glasses...

Thankful days

I know it's American thanksgiving this weekend, and we had ours weeks ago, but I'm feeling particularly thankful these past few days.
Every so often I kind of have to remind myself how fortunate I really am.

First of all, the weather for the month of November has been absolutely fantastic.
There's something about blue crisp skies, sunny days and above seasonal normal temperatures that always puts a bit of extra pep in my step.

Speaking of a little extra pep in her step, I'm so incredibly grateful for my beautiful daughter.
I try to be thankful for her everyday, but lately I am just so happy to watch her in action.
She is just so full of joy.
It's contagious..
Always happy and full of energy.
She is excelling in school, has lots of great little friends and has been pretty healthy so far this school year.
Knock wood.
When she is happy- I'm happy.

I'm also so incredibly appreciative for my amazing husband.
The past few years have not been without their challenges, but I feel like we weathered the storm and made it out okay.
16 years and still standing side by side.
He is such a hard working guy and I'm so lucky to have him as a partner.
You could not find a better provider or anyone more loyal and caring than Big Daddy.
He does so much for our family so selflessly and I'm just....well.....verklempt....

Anyhow just wanted to put it out there.
It's good to talk stock of all the good things in life when you can.
Because life really is beautiful....

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone south of the border...

last leaf standing

                                                                The one red leaf, the last of it's clan,
                                                                That dances as often a dance it can.
                                                              Hanging so light, and hanging so high,
                                                             On the topmost twig that looks up at the sky.
                                                                      ~ Samuel Taylor Coleridge ~

Or in this case..yellow...

Almost all the leaves have fallen from the beautiful old trees surrounding our house.
That is, the ones that are still left standing.
We spent the better part of the day yesterday raking and in big daddy's case- blowing them all away.
The man sure does love his leaf blower...
What an incredible day to be outside, the weather could not have been nicer.
It was like a contrite gift from Mother Nature after the wrath of Sandy last week.

It's sad to say good-bye to yet another autumn.
It always seems so fleeting.
Just when you start to get used to the fall, the local hardware store has the shovels and tobogans displayed front and center.
Let's just hope we have a few more weeks though.
I'm not quite ready to say good-bye to Autumn 2012 just yet...


Oh and one of my favourite children's books, perfect for this time of year is 
Fletcher And The Falling Leaves by Julia Rawlinson.
Lulu & I just love the story and the sweet illustrations.

4 more years....please.

Wow time certainly does fly.

I posted this four years ago.

Wonder what will happen tonight.
I so wish I could vote.

Oh and if you haven't read this, check it out.
So touching. Now that's a great leader.

And for a good chuckle read this while your'e at it.

Or this.

And also this.

Anyhow fingers crossed...

watch a little girl grow

The past few weeks I've really been reflecting about how quickly life is flying by.
Maybe it's the change of season..or perhaps it's the fact that my little girl is growing up so fast.
It's hard to believe I have a 7 1/2 year old daughter. (as of today- happy 1/2 birthday Lulu!)
I just can't get over how much bigger and more mature she gets every day.
That being said, she is still so small, sweet and innocent to me.

Big daddy & I are also in a bit of mid-life reassessment period at the moment.
Trying to figure out what our new goals and aspirations are for our future together.
Because let's face it, at 40 (well 41 to be more accurate- at least for the next month or so...)
We have accomplished most of the things we wanted to achieve by this point in life.
But both of us are ready for a change and some new challenges.

One of the things that we seem to be endlessly discussing these past few months is our home.
We've been here for eight years now and we either want to renovate or move.
It's really time for a change.
The frustration is that we absolutely love our neighbourhood and have no desire to move from it.
But the house prices are still so ridiculous.
Plus to be honest, we already have a home that really fits all of our needs, so really..why move?
Aside from our egos.
I guess we both thought that we would eventually be in something more like what we both grew up in.
ie. Bigger and nicer.
Then again, neither one of us grew up in the city- especially not in one of the most desirable and expensive neighbourhoods in the city.
And if we are being realistic, we already have a bedroom that we don't even use.
(aside from housing stacks of dusty books and outdated magazines- must deal with that room sooner than later)
So do we really need a bigger house with more rooms?
There are only three of us after all.

I'm pretty sure we have made our decision.
We are meeting with an architect tomorrow so at least the wheels are in motion.
Because let's face it- mama needs a new kitchen..
but note to self- must refrain from checking out MLS listings and going to open houses every weekend.
Once we commit- there's no turning back.

And seeing as time really does fly by so quickly, at least we won't have to downsize when we are empty nesters..right?

So don't even want to think about that yet though.
-shudder-

and speaking of time flying by check this out.
I can't believe Lulu is half way there already....sniff sniff...

west coast whirlwind

I can't believe it's already mid October.
The weeks have just flown by.
Big daddy was away for almost three weeks.
Yes that's him on the red carpet at the Emmys...



Then as soon as he got back we were off to San Francisco for a family wedding.
We had a really nice time despite waking up at 4 am all weekend.
What is it about that 3 hour time difference? it's such a killer.

Anyhow we stayed in Berkeley at this hotel.
It was in a nice location and Lulu got to swim in the pool which was a bonus as usually this time of year can get a bit nippy.
But the weather all weekend couldn't have been more perfect.
I'd never been to Berkeley before and we really enjoyed it.
It's a very laid back town and we really enjoyed exploring the University campus and the cute neighbourhoods surrounding it.
What a fantastic place to go to school.

The first day we decided to go to the Lawrence Science center which was a great way to spend the afternoon with a 7 year old (and a 42 year old)


it was such a treat to have some quality family time with just the three of us, it felt like it had been forever since we'd had that chance.
My favourite part was just sitting at the top of the hill overlooking the entire bay area with my two favourite people.
We also went to a few good local restaurants for lunch and went to the "gourmet getto" on Shattuck.
Our main destination was to see if we could get a table at the famous Chez Panisse one of Alice Water's very well known restaurants.
Unfortunately we did not (maybe next time) but we did stumble upon a fantastic Jewish Deli called Saul's. Best Matzo ball soup- ever.

We also checked out the goods at the Cheese Board. Another local favourite.
The cafes and casual sandwich shops along College St. were also really good.
Our dinners were spent doing family stuff, so no really extraordinary meals out to report about, but it was all good and we still had a fantastic time.

But we did  luck out and found a really cute farmers Market in downtown Oakland.
Lulu loved it, especially the free hula hoop lessons and the wood oven pizza.

Again, the weather was spectacular and it was so great to just wander from stall to stall checking out all the produce. (though I have to say we are pretty spoiled here in Toronto - I dare say our veggies actually look better than in California at the moment...I know....crazy)

But the real highlight was spending time with family and watching Lulu with everyone and seeing her connect with all of her relatives.
The wedding was really fun and Big Daddy's brother has such an eclectic and interesting group of friends who we really enjoyed getting to know.
But the best thing really is his new wife.
She is such a sweet and genuine person.
I'm so thrilled to have her as a sister-in-law.
Not to mention Lulu who is over the moon about having her as an Aunt.
He hit the jackpot, she's definitely a keeper.

So all in all, a lovely long Thanksgiving weekend.
Feeling very thankful indeed.

Puppy Love

We've had Chelsea for over a year now and I can honestly say that she is the best dog I've ever had.
She is so sweet and well behaved that I can't really believe our luck.
I just love having her around and I've become so attached to her.
The feeling is mutual I would say because she pretty much follows me every where I go.
If I run upstairs for something, she runs upstairs.
If I sit (which these days feels like never) she sits.
If I'm in the shower, she waits on the bath mat. Slightly annoying when trying to maneuver around her and not slip and break my neck each morning.
When I eat, she gets her bone and starts chewing. That part is a bit disgusting, a quiet chewer she is not.
And trust me...the nickname Lulu came up with "snorter" isn't for nothing.
But I love her despite all the funny noises she makes.

I really love walking her and taking her to the dog park, especially when the weather is this amazing.
Bonus that I've met some really great people at the dog park. Who knew?
Big daddy has been away now for a little over two LONG weeks, but my little frenchy has really kept me company at night.
She even snores just as loud as big daddy, so it's kind of like he's not even gone..

Speaking of being away...we are going to San Fransisco in a week and my usual dog sitters aka. my parents are not able to take Chelsea for us.
I asked around and unfortunately no one else that I know is able to either.
So I asked my vet and they mentioned a woman who is great with dogs.
So Lulu & I went to interview meet with her to decide if we felt comfortable leaving our precious pup with a stranger.
Well we walked in her house and I did everything in my power from not just turning around and running for the door.
The overwhelming smell of cat pee was disgusting. Do people not notice things like that? crazy..
I guess having 15 cats and 2 chihuahuas might have had something to do with that...ugh...
The dogs kept yapping and growling at Chelsea (and poor Lulu).
So needless to say there is not a chance in hell that I would leave her there. Ever.
I would rather cancel my trip.

Anyhow I did finally find someone. Thankfully someone we know and trust.
She'll be in great hands and I'm so relieved.
I just can't believe how picky I am when it comes to who I'll let look after our pooch.
I'm not sure I was even this fanatical when looking for babysitters for Lulu. ;

But really, having a dog is so great.
No regrets at all.
If you are a dog lover like me you can always pick up a copy of this.
Sounds interesting..

Why do people who have dogs live happier, longer, and more fulfulling lives? Sociologists and veterinarians have spent years investigating the positive effects that dogs have on people's health and happiness yet their findings are inaccessible to ordinary people, hidden in obscure journals to be shared with other experts.

Now the international bestselling author of the 100 Simple Secrets series has collected the most current and significant data from more than a thousand of the best scientific studies on the profound relationship between humans and our canine companions. These findings have been boiled down to the one hundred essential ways dogs positively impact our lives. Each fact is accompanied by a inspiring true story. If you love your dog, and science tells us that you do, this book will inspire and entertain.

Communicate Better: It sounds odd to say a creature that communicates with barking and body language can have such a profound effect on human communication. But by providing a common point of reference and concern, dogs help us to feel a connection to other humans. That connection makes us feel more comfortable communicating with each other. When meeting a new person, the presence of a dog reduces the time before people feel comfortable while talking with each other by 45 percent.

Live Longer: There is perhaps no better gift that dogs offer us humans than this simple fact. People who care for a dog live longer, healthier lives than those who do not. On average, people who cared for dogs during their lives lived 3 years longer than people who never had a dog.

No Monkey Business: Primates are genetically more similar to humans than any other creature. But try to tell a chimpanzee something and you will be hard pressed to get your message across. Dogs are uniquely attuned to the messages we send. Dogs study humans and have evolved to build social skills that help them to function around us. Dogs are 52 percent more likely to follow human cues such as pointing toward a source of food than are primates.

Around the Block: Good habits are often misunderstood as difficult or unpleasant chores. But there is tremendous value in the simple act of taking a walk. Walking not only burns calories, it also decreases stress. Having a dog means regularly talking walks – it's something you do for your dog but in truth your dog is doing for you. Dog owners walk 79 percent farther in an average week than non–dog owners.

fall fashion

This time of year I find it so hard to figure out what to wear.

It's not cold enough to start wearing earth tones,wool and dark denim.
Yet it's no longer hot enough for my very tired summer wardrobe.
A.K.A. white jeans, misc tops and havaianas.
I am so sick of all my summer clothes and can't wait to wear my favourite cashmere sweaters and fall shoes.
I love fall fashion.
But it's still too early to put all the summer things away and I keep jamming new stuff in my closet until I swear the bar is going to break in half.
Oh how I wish I had a huge walk-in closet with one half dedicated to spring/summer and the other for fall/winter....
A girl can dream..
Until then I need to purge.
Out with the old and in with the new.

Speaking of new, did a little retail therapy last week and picked up "a few" new shoes.
So comfy and so cute..
At least my feet will be happy this fall.