I am...

thinking how can I still be hungry after eating enough for an entire month over the last two weeks! I better grab a snack before bed.

I'm also sitting here thinking that I have missed the blogosphere and really need to get back into the swing of things. I hope all is well with everyone and that you have been enjoying the holidays as much as I have. I've been trying to keep up to date with all of your blogs and wonderful writings. Reading your blogs gives me the down time my body needs.

But for now I better go eat something before my grumbling tummy really starts getting pissed at me. I think it just grumbled a swear word, is that possible? Off to the kitchen I go!

My Very First Blog Award

I just opened my email and what did I see? My very first blog award! Thank you, Herrad! I needed a little pick me up today and this sure put a smile on my face!

I have been so busy and tired these days that I've been slacking on blogging. But, don't you worry. Once the chaos of the holidays subside, I'm sure things will be back to usual around here.

Chanukah is done (well, with the family anyway), Christmas to go! And might I add, I got some wonderful cozy warm slippers and fantabulous leather gloves for Chanukah! I'll have to show them off soon.

I am...

watching Glee -- my new fave show that's going on hiatus until spring. I finally find a me night for TV again and then the show decides to take a break mid season? What's that all about? Totally not fair! Humph!

I am...

thrilled with how the Blurb books turned out this year!

I'll post pictures soon.

Flower Ring

I popped into Pier 1 the other day in search of a rattan lamp. My friend has one that I love. She thinks she got it from Pier 1, Bombay Company or Bowring but that was awhile ago and, of course, no where to be found now. Anyway, I was at the Pier 1 counter purchasing some wonderfully smelling apple cinnamon candles when I glanced over and saw this flower ring. The sparkle caught my eye. So did the price -- only $6! Score!

Family Photos by Alana McClure

In October we spent a wonderful morning on the shores of Lake Ontario with Alana McClure, a very talented lifestyle photographer in the Durham Region area. She has a way of capturing each moment so perfectly -- moments we will cherish forever.

Multiple Sclerosis: The Liberation Treatment

W5 (a program on the Canadian television network CTV) aired a documentary tonight on Dr. Paolo Zamboni and The Liberation Treatment.

Check it out...
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20091120/W5_liberation_091121/20091121?s_name=W5

Holiday Decorating

I was at HomeSense yesterday looking at all the beautiful ornaments and holiday decorations. It inspired me to start my holiday decorating. I usually decorate in red, green and gold. I'm getting tired of the same look year after year so this year I've decided to tie in silvers, whites, pale blues and glass.

Centre Piece





Mantle (Excuse the mirror. I'm still searching for the perfect one.)







Now to figure out what to do with the tree!

Have you started your holiday decorating?

Crazy Busy

I thought I better pop in so you don't think I've jumped ship!

The last week has been quite busy. We spent a few days in Montreal visiting Steve's family. We stayed with his cousin who has two kids -- Jack is a year older than Lucas and Kate is a year older than Isabella. The kids had a blast! It was all day entertainment for the kids for three straight days.

The main reason we went to Montreal was for the unveiling of Steve's Bubbi's headstone at the cemetery. There was also an unveiling for his Uncle's headstone. Steve's Bubbi passed away in March 2008 and his Uncle passed away at the beginning this year.

I've been trying to get things ready for the holidays. I'm feeling a bit rushed, as usual. Chanukah is creeping up so fast with it being two weeks before Christmas. I think I've spent, oh, about 1000 hours making my Blurb book this year. OK, maybe not 1000 hours, but it sure seems never ending. I have filled just over 120 pages and still have some of October and a few pictures from November to add. Next year, I am definitely starting the book in January and working month to month. Wasn't that my plan for this year? Well, it's for sure my plan for next year. This is the third year I've been making Blurb books to give to the grandparents as Chanukah/Christmas gifts. Here's sample from last year's Blurb book. I can't believe how many pictures I take. It's crazy. I'm obsessed! I always have to have my camera close by which isn't a bad thing, just a lot of work when it comes time to make the Blurb book.

We have a few Christmas parties to go to so I've been shopping around for something to wear. I'm trying to find a cute top (to wear with a pair of black pants or I can ditch the black pants and find something else), fun accessories and a fantabulous pair of shoes but nothing has jumped out at me yet. I get so tired shopping especially when I can't find what I'm looking for or nothing seems to work. This is the time of year when I need a personal shopper. I can dream!

If anyone has some ideas for some fun holiday attire, send them my way. I'm in need of some inspiration!

I am...

enjoying a Starbucks Gingerbread Latte and a White Chocolate Blueberry Scone! Next time I'm getting the Caramel Brulee Latte. YUM!

Cue The Tooth Fairy

At the age of 5 years 10 months old, at approximately 2:45am on the day before Remembrance Day, my first child lost his first tooth. As I lay in bed, not being able to go back to sleep (for over an hour and a half I might add), a slideshow of memories from years gone by played in my head. Another reminder that my little man is growing too fast -- sniff.



Now to figure out how the Tooth Fairy works these day. I remember getting some nickles and dimes or a quarter or two but I'm sure that just won't fly these days. Steve and I have started the discussion on how much the Tooth Fairy should leave. He asked me what I thought and I drew a blank. His suggestion, $5 for the first tooth and $2 for every tooth after. My mouth dropped. Holy crap, that sounds like a lot! But, when you think of what the cost of gas used to be when I was 5 years old, I guess getting a few dollars from the Tooth Fairy is keeping in tune with inflation. At this rate, my grandchildren will be rich from loosing teeth!

OK, I just realized me talking about gas is like my mom taking about bread and milk. The "I remember when" stories are starting. I can hear it now, "Mom, not again. We've heard that one already, a bazillion times."

Do you have any memories of losing your first teeth?

Miche Bag

I noticed a new vendor at Costco today and decided to find out what the excitement was about -- that is when I discovered the Miche Bag (you can view the Canadian site here).

These handbags are cute and fun, and the person who designed them was thinking!

The Miche Bag has an outside shell that can easily be swapped for a different shell to change the look. Instead of transferring stuff from one bag to another, simply change the shell. What a fantabulous idea!

[Image from Google Images]

You can check out all the shells here and here.

Halloween at our house

We had a spooktacular Halloween!

Lucas had a blast being Batman and Bella had a roaring good time as a lion. I managed to fit into my wedding dress again. I decked myself out in some of Bella's dress-up jewels and handed out candy in princess style. I think everyone got a kick out of me being dressed up too.





I'm loving the white pumpkin this year! Hopefully they'll be around again next year.






Now to put all the Halloween decorations away and start thinking about Christmas and Chanukah. Thankfully, Thanksgiving was last month. I don't know how some of you manage to fit another holiday in before Christmas. I feel full just thinking about it!

Multiple Sclerosis In Style

I'm still not feeling all that great but I'm chugging along and keeping upbeat!

The left side of my face (from my forehead to my chin, down my neck and even into my ear), down the inside of my left arm from my shoulder to my pinky and all along the left side of my torso, wrapping around my left rib cage feels like I've been injected with some kind of freezing agent like Novacaine. I don't remember having this feeling in my ear before. It's a bit weird. The feeling also wraps around my left eye but it's not impairing my vision thank goodness.

My whole body feels worse when I'm sitting still. I guess because when I'm moving, I'm busy and therefore don't have time to think about it. It's hard to stay busy when you don't have the energy in the first place. The whole episode is quite draining. The perfect excuse to veg out!

I spent a short while yesterday having some me time. I picked up this necklace at H&M for under $6!



And these boots from Sears were on sale for 40% off -- a perfectly flat, yet stylish, mom-friendly boot!



Enjoy your weekend!

Multiple Sclerosis Attack/Flare-up

I'm pretty sure I'm having an MS attack, a flare-up. My left side of my body feels weird -- a numb, tingling feeling all across the left side of my torso (rib cage), under my left arm to my pinky finger and now I feel it in the left side of my neck, jaw and cheek.

I usually just ride it out but wondering how others deal with their attacks/flare-ups?

White Pumpkins

No, you're not seeing ghosts. Those really are white pumpkins, and not painted white either. My Mother-In-Law happened to spot these at a grocery store called Longo's the other day. The kids think they're spooktacular and can't wait to carve them!

Don't Lick The Ice

Finally, a moment to myself. I'm sitting on the couch watching the movie The Devil Wears Prada with a glass of red wine (can you believe it? I think I've finally come to like the stuff. Don't worry white wine, you haven't lost me yet) and a box of those little mini Kit Kat and Coffee Crisp bars that are supposed to be for Halloween but, oh well, I can always buy more.

Sorry, I haven't posted much in the last little while. Things have been hectic lately. Doing what? I don't know but when you have two kids everyday seems to be busy. Good busy, for the most part, but busy none the less.

Steve is out doing some sports pool thing with the guys and watching UFC because I'm sure it's THE BIGGEST FIGHT OF THE YEAR yet again. Bella has been sleeping for the last hour and a half and I just finished watching the movie Beetlejuice with Lucas. Now I'm waiting for him to wake-up in a cold sweat yelling BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE, BEETLEJUICE. His last words before he fell asleep, "If I had three blades on my skates it would make skating much easier."

And why might Lucas have skating on his mind? That would be because we decided it was about time we all go to the local rink together as a family and enjoy an hour of Public Skating. While I haven't skated in almost 15 years, I thought it was about time to prove to myself that MS hasn't turned my legs to jello just yet and that I can still stand on ice and glide around like a true Canadian. I actually didn't do too bad. No broken hip. No fingers sliced off by some speed demon on skates. No burnt tongue hot chocolate accidents. It was quite enjoyable.

To add to the excitement, it was Bella's first time on the ice. We put on those little Bob skates (the one's that strap onto your boots) and held her up under her arms as her legs flailed on the ice. She had a blast!

I heard myself more than once tell Lucas "Don't lick the ice". He thought it was fun to scrape his skates along the ice to create snow, touch it with his hand and then lick it off his fingers. Dude, haven't you heard of yellow snow? Shesh. Then he decided it was more fun to toss the snow down daddy's hole in his jeans. The giggles were infectious. Innocent child's play at its best.

I didn't skate long and it was exhausting but I had so much fun being out there with my family. Something I hope I can still do for a long time to come!

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Eye Shadow

I'm always looking for a good neutral eye shadow that I can wear all day long -- one that looks good both day and night. I was reading another blog where she mentioned an eye shadow she had started using so I decided to try it out too.

The line is called Physicians Formula Organic Wear and I picked up the eye shadow right at my local Walmart. I've also come across the line at drug stores and grocery stores too.

The shadow comes in a few different shades but I decided to try the one that's for brown eyes (I have blue eyes) since I was looking for a mocha colour. The round container fits in my palm perfectly and I love how the two colours, a mocha and lighter cream colour, are shaped into leaves -- just that little added something. The powder shadow blends smoothly and can be layered to intensify the look for night.

The bonus, it all comes in recycled packaging!

30 Bunches Of Celery In A Box

30 bunches of celery -- that's how much celery I cut up today to feed almost 750 students for part of tomorrow's Healthy Snack!

Thank goodness I like celery because after washing my hands a few times now, they still smell like celery.

Wedding Dress Princess Costume

Halloween 2008

Last year, my son asked what I was going to be for Halloween. I'm not one to dress-up but I'll do anything for my kids so I asked what he thought I should be.

"A princess," he replied.

So there I was, the day before Halloween, thinking how am I going to come up with a princess costume with so little time -- when I got an idea.

I ran upstairs to my closet pulled out my wedding dress that had been wrapped in plastic for years and tried it on. OK, it didn't fit as well as it did on my wedding day (it has been over 8 years). It was a bit loose around the top and a bit tight around the waist but, hey, it could work. I found a tiara I had from my stagette and pulled out one of my sparkly necklaces.

It worked out perfectly!

There were a few little girls that came to the door who were absolutely stunned. Their moms said they thought I was the real deal. They were just too cute!

If you never thought you would ever wear your wedding dress again, here's your chance! I had a blast wearing it that night and I'll definitely be wearing it again this Halloween!

We will end MS

Every so often I'll see an awareness message on TV about Multiple Sclerosis -- the one of the mom sitting in bed while the daughter brushes her mom's hair comes to mind. The other day I saw one for endMS.ca. One of the features on the site is a scrapbook (here) of videos, photos and stories filled with inspiration and determination -- some positive words to warm the heart!

Pink Jacket

I was never a bright colour person when it came to my wardrobe. I always played it safe -- gray, brown, navy, jeans. Slowly, I've been coming out of my shell. During my trip to Brooklyn to visit Sheba, she took me on a wonderful shopping adventure through the streets of New York. I can't remember the last time I had so much fun shopping! To add to the excitement, I saw this fuchsia jacket. I decided it was time to be daring and add some much needed colour to my closet. I'm so glad that I did! Now that the weather is cooler, I've brought out my little gem to add too the fall colours that seem to be in full swing everywhere this week.

Jacket: Forever 21
Striped Top: Forever 21
Pink Tank Top: H&M
Jeans: Le Garage



And that's not all. The inside is dotted with cute little flowers -- that little added something that made me love this jacket even more.

I am...

getting frustrated that all the wonderful things I see on blogs lately are only available in the US. Gah! We need a Target, damn it!

A beautiful Fall evening

Have I mentioned how much I love where we live? Of course I have (here, here, here, here and here and I'm sure a few other posts have me beaming with glee about our neighbourhood) but I must tell you again -- I LOVE IT HERE! Close to the lake and not too far from the city.

One of my favourite spots in our neighbourhood is along the Waterfront Trail that runs along Lake Ontario. There is the path to follow along, benches scattered along the way to sit and pause at the spectacular view of the lake and big trees surrounding you. It's breathtaking!

I was driving by today and just happened to have my camera with me to capture a beautiful fall evening.

If you click on this picture to make it bigger, in the distance you can see
the CN Tower in downtown Toronto

Keep on going!

One of my worries -- if I stop, I might not start again.

I take a break when I need to and do as much as I can, when I can.

Always look forward and keep on going!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Multiple Sclerosis: Together, we can beat this!

The day I lost who I was, was the day I found who I am.

Multiple Sclerosis has brought out strength in me that was hiding and determination I never knew I had.

It could be your mother, father, sister, brother, grandparent, aunt, uncle, cousin, friend, friend of a friend, teacher, caregiver, driver, delivery person, the person sitting next to you on the bus -- even if you aren't currently aware, someone you know has Multiple Sclerosis.

Yesterday's curse is today's blessing. For me, having MS has brought out the fighter in me. It has taught me to not let things get in my way, to stay strong and not look back. I'm not sure who said it first but as the saying goes I may have MS but MS doesn't have me.

If I can keep going, so can you!

Together, we can beat this. Together, we can change the face of Multiple Sclerosis and be the voice it needs. Together, we can make it happen!

Rockin' Out

I feel like I've been running around in a million directions lately. School is in full swing, the kids activities have started, they seem to have outgrow all of their clothes so I've been clothes shopping like crazy, Christmas is coming -- way too much to think about and not enough energy to get it done in a timely manner. I know it will get done, it's just a bit overwhelming especially when I start writing out my To Do lists. Atleast the lists help keep my mind organized.

Steve's parents came over on Sunday. The kids decided to put on a Michael Jackson concert -- a much needed treat to push all the chaos aside for a moment.

Fave Rave: Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte and Scone

A friend and I went to Starbucks the other night for some good ol' girl chat. Instead of getting my usual Vanilla Caramel Latte, I decided to be adventurous and try the Pumpkin Spice Latte. I'm glad I did. It was super yummy! My other favourite at Starbucks lately has been their Pumpkin Scones. They are simply delicious! Fantabulous Fall treats to ring in the new season!

I am...

lying on the couch downstairs as I listen to the laughter of Steve and the kids playing upstairs.

I wish I had the energy to join in.

My feet and ankles are tingling. My back is burning. My body is tired yet restless.

MS is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're going to get.

Monkey Bread

I've been going through my countless photos trying to organize what pictures to put in this year's Blurb book. I came across a picture of the Monkey Bread I made just after Christmas last year. It is so ooey gooey good and really easy to make! The recipe doesn't call for it but I sprinkle on some chopped candied cherries and chopped pecans before putting it in the oven.

1 package Pillsbury Country Biscuits
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/3 cup butter
2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons brown sugar (or 1/6 cup)

Take the package of biscuits (10 per roll) and cut each biscuit into 6 pieces. In a dish, mix together cinnamon and sugar. Roll biscuit pieces into the mixture to coat. Drop sugar-coated pieces into a well buttered loaf pan (don't squish roll pieces when placing them in the pan).

Put 1/6 cup (or 2 tbsp and 2 tsp) of the left-over sugar/cinnamon mix and the packed brown sugar and 1/3 cup of butter into a small saucepan. Bring this mixture just to a boil; remove from heat immediately. Carefully drizzle over the roll pieces.

Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes.

Cool slightly in an upright position, then tip pan over onto a plate to remove monkey pull-apart bread.

Enjoy!

Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider

I was watching The Bonnie Hunt Show yesterday morning and was completely blown away by the unique talent of Sam Tsui and Kurt Schneider. I seriously fell for it. For a minute I thought there were five of them!

Enjoy your weekend!

On The Bonnie Hunt Show


Michael Jackson Tribute

Desk Makeover

In the upstairs hallway sits a wonderful desk and mirror that once belong to my grandmother along with many other pieces that are scattered throughout our house. I adored her furniture growing up. The dark wood, the timeless lines -- that little something you can only find in an old piece. I was very happy to inherit these beautiful pieces. The desk is a bit worn in spots and the mirror is aged which makes me love them even more. Every time I walk past the desk and mirror or our bedroom furniture or the dining room table, or the letter desk in the front room or any of the other pieces here and there, fond memories come back of when we used to visit her in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

The desk has been sitting naked, looking sad and dreary, since we moved in to this house four years ago. That is, until my eye caught this lamp in HomeSense (my favourite store that I've only mentioned, oh, a few times...here, here and here).



I'm a big fan of finding affordable ways to make things look great so I found a few things I already had around the house to add to the arrangement.

The lamp cost $60 and the package of wicker balls cost $8.

What was once a dark, dreary desk...

Before



is now shining with life...

After