Wordless (mostly) Wednesday - Fishing

They are SO eager to go fishing at the cottage, begging me to pack the rods and asking almost as soon as we arrive.  I don't do fish.  But I am an awesome mom so grab gloves, net, and pliers to handle the unlucky catches anyway.  Laura doesn't actually want a hook on hers.  Um, ????  Owen does about five casts and is done.  Score!  They are content, I have no fish to deal with.  Another contrived memory at the cottage.  Priceless.

Monday Moments: Alike

This is a thing Brie does at Capital Mom, writing on a theme word and seeing what comes of it.  Here is my spontaneous first attempt.

Alike.  It seems I have a mini-me in my daughter.  She looks like me, like how I looked at 8.  Our hair is very similar and our eyes.  She is even cursed blessed with my personality – part shy and quiet, part curious, seeing humour in daily things, happy alone but also liking being with others.  We are not perfectionists but see the big picture, solving problems but sometime overwhelmed into inaction.  It is all part of the package that comes with this genetic bond and our family ways.

At this stage in her life, she doesn’t mind that we are alike.  She looks up to me (and I to her).  But I know what is coming.  Those teenage years when we try so hard to forge our own identity.  Saying “I know, I understand, I’ve been there” will fall on deaf ears as she struggles to find her individuality.  It will not be me to whom she talks about her problems.  We are too close and I may be that problem.  There will be times when she will deny much about herself that is like me.  I hope I have the strength and wisdom to get through these times. 

After these rocky years, I hope she embraces the person she is, exactly as she is. She is amazing, quirks and all.  I know, I understand, I’ve been there.  For I am a bit of a mini-me of my mother.  It is something I appreciate now, all the ways in which we are alike.

KMKY July 2011

Knowing me, Knowing you - July 2011


Thank god someone's mind has not turned to summer mush.  Shannon's monthly interview project yanks me out of my lazy zone and back into writing something.  Here she goes.

1. It's less than 6 months until Christmas, have you started your shopping yet?

Bahahaha!  Really?  Why I am the queen of procrastinators and will not be doing this until about the second week of December in a cold panic.  That's why everyone gets gift cards or things you can get at the grocery store. 

2. What's your guilty pleasure?

Where to begin that I can actually post on my blog?  I am totally hooked on Nature Valley Sweet and Salty Dark Chocolate granola bars.  I lurk on facebook at least 10 times a day, trolling for friends.  Amazing Race hour is an pure me-time and heaven help the poor soul who interrupts me. 

3. Are you on Pinterest?

I had no idea what this was until I looked it up just now.  Looks interesting, but another way to spend too much time of my life on the computer.

4. Popsicle or an ice cream cone?

Ice cream cone, preferably sugar cone with a single scoop of something decadent like Death By Chocolate or something on it.  Yum!

5. Are your toes painted?

Yes.  Purple right now, rather chipped.  Love it when I get a spa pedi to make it nice but I'll slash away at my own toes in a pinch, remover close at hand.  I love having colourful toes - usually pinks, purples and plums.  One day I'll leap out of my comfort zone and do something more dramatic... on my way to my tropical island holiday with tropical drink in hand.... 


Happy July! 

Thrill of an evening out and the agony of da feet.

Only two more sleeps!  BOLO is coming and it will undoubtedly be a wonderful evening out with fantastic Ottawa bloggers sharing their stuff.  I’m ridiculously excited, partially ‘cause I don’t get out much and partially ‘cause I get to be a grown-up for a whole evening. 

So what to wear?!  I have the dress, jewellery and even toenail polish worked out, but I’m stuck on my feet.  You see, there is just not much you can do with my size 10 puppies.  I used to just go into the store and ask for whatever they had in my size.  Now the stores are so much better at stocking for big feet.  Thank you cross-dressing fashionistas!  So now I have choice.

In my mind, my feet are elegant and I can rock the three-inch strappy heels with style.  I even bought some on a whim:

And I must have been way too happy, elevated on a double low-fat latte or something when I got these at a vintage store:

I have a hard time not tipping over in them.  In either case, my feet are telling me that I can’t actually rock these and expect them not to complain after fifteen minutes.  All very well as my next career as a super-model but I’d really rather enjoy the evening than whine about my feet and twisted ankles.

So then there are the comfort options:

Both extremely fetching comfortable… a little too causal perhaps.  Hmmm.  Well, there are the old stand-by options.

Um, no. Stunning as they are, I will have to work a little harder on the look.

Not bad.  They have a bit of bling and I can wear them all night.  I’m just not sure. 

Well, whatever.  Seriously, who is going to be looking at my feet while so many awesome bloggers share their amazing work anyway?  I’ll be the one in the fuzzy slippers and a huge smile on my face.  Perhaps I’m a trend-setter!