Dining Out: Makimono

I love going out for sushi and ever since my sushi partner moved to New York (she's back now, yipee!) I have had more of a craving than ever. My husband isn't a fan and neither are many of my friends, that is until my friend Christina let me in on a little secret -- she likes sushi too! I've known her for over four years now and it took this long to figure out, shesh! We only see each other, oh, I don't know, almost EVERYDAY!

I grew up in Toronto so finding a good restaurant wasn't all that hard. There are tons to choose from in the big city. Out in the 'burbs, finding a good non-chain restaurant used to be like finding a needle in a haystack but not so much anymore. We have some fabulous restaurants out here including Makimono in Ajax, ON.

Not too long ago, Makimono introduced their all-you-can-eat menu so Christina and I decided to take the never ending supply of sushi ride. This was Christina's first all-you-can-eat sushi experience and she was pleasantly surprised, so was I. At this restaurant they bring the menu to you so there is no getting up from your seat to walk to the big buffet. You an check off as much as you like from the menu. It's made fresh so there's no wondering how long it's been sitting around. We ordered a bunch of different rolls and tempura, just enough that we were able to finish all of it. It was simply delicious!

We will definitely be back soon!

Drawer Organizers

When I had to leave work four years ago, I had a vision that I would organize this house from top to bottom, room by room (when I had the energy, of course). One week I would do the office, another week would be our bedroom, and so on and so on. I have yet to do this. Slowly but surely it will get done.

I've been in an organizing mood lately. I was at HomeSense the other day and found these cute fabric boxes that fit perfectly in my bathroom vanity drawers. There are lots of little sections and now I can find everything a lot easier than I could before.

My Little Helper

Lucas, my five year old son, is the kind of big brother any sibling would be proud to have (most days anyway).

Yesterday morning while I was having a shower, the kids had a bath. Our bath is attached to the stand-up glass shower so I can see them (just had to clarify that so someone doesn't freak out thinking I left my kids alone in the tub).

My hair is covered in shampoo as Lucas announces he wants to get out of the bathtub. I try to encourage him to stay in (I like being there beside them to help them out) until I rinsed the shampoo out of my hair but he insists he can do it himself and is out in a heartbeat. Then of course Isabella wants to get out too and while I'm trying to tell her I'll just be a minute, I hear her foosteps on the tile.

"Don't worry, mom. I helped her out", Lucas says as he wraps her in a towel and then wraps himself in one as well.

They're both fine so I let them be so I can finish conditioning my hair.

Lucas grabs the blowdryer and starts to dry his hair. He calls for Isabella to come over and then starts drying her hair too. He puts the blowdryer back on the counter and both of them start walking out of the bathroom.

"Don't worry, mom. I'll take care of her", he says.

I tell him that Isabella needs a diaper on. He comes running back in the room with the diaper I had left on the bed with the rest of their clothes.

"I have one, mom", as he waves it into the bathroom.

"No, Lucas. You'll have to get a Pull-Up. There's one on the stairs. Bring it here and I'll put it on her", I tell him.

"I found it!", he says.

Lucas has left the bathroom door open just enough so I can kind of see both of them through the crack in the door. He's talking so sweetly to his sister as he helps her into the Pull-Up.

"Bella, lift your leg," he says to her softly as he helps her into her shorts.

He picks up her shirt and checks the tag to see which way it goes and then puts her shirt on over her head, as she reaches through the sleeves with her arms. He quickly gets himself dressed and finishes just as I 'm opening the bathroom door to let them know I'm done.

"Lucas, did you help get your sister dressed?", not letting him know that I had been spying on them the whole time.

He looks at me with a proud look in his eyes and then tilts his head back with a smile.

"Yes, Mama, I helped her. I even got her diaper on."

And then both of them start chasing each other around the room.

My heart melted right then and there.

I have two wonderful kids!

Living with Multiple Sclerosis: night

The first installment of what my life is like daily living with Multiple Sclerosis (as I mentioned in this post)...

It’s 9:50pm. Both kids are finally in bed. Steve is watching TV on the couch. Even though I’m exhausted, I feel a bit wired. I find that it always happens around this time. I don’t even know how to describe this wired feeling. My body and mind are exhausted yet I just want to sit here for a while, take a moment to wind down, a moment for myself, a moment to forget about how drained I feel. I find the computer to be my one good distraction these days.

My forehead, cheeks and side of my nose start to tingle. My body has been buzzing all day – a constant buzz that never seems to go away. There’s a burning sensation rushing under my skin and over my entire body. My elbows feel sore and brittle. There’s a piercing pain in the flesh between my thumb and index finger. I start to push on the area, almost pinching it, hoping it will go away but instead my palm starts to feel numb and then my whole hand becomes painful and stiff. As I look at the computer screen, my eyes feel like they are jittering, like a very rapid vibration, as they move from side to side. It’s not noticeable, but I can feel it.

The tingling, how do I describe it? Hmm. I guess the best way to describe it would be to think of when your foot starts waking up after it has fallen asleep. You feel tingling, pins and needles and vibrations that go away quite quickly. Now think of it lasting all day, every day.

It’s almost 11:30pm. Where did the time go? I shut down the computer and, using both hands to help push me up, I stand up from the chair, my joints feeling stiff and hot. My hips, knees and ankles crack as I walk out the spare bedroom door. My body feels a lot older than it really is.

I get on my pyjamas and then head to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. The TV is on and Steve is already in bed sleeping.

It’s time to lie down.

I let out a deep sigh as I sink deeper into the mattress. My body is overcome by a wave of pain. The rush is so intense. My chest tightens and my heart starts to pound making the rest of my body beat with it. The beat becomes irregular or so it feels. I’m sure I’m just imagining it.

I try to sit as still as possible to help my body relax. I take a deep breath and let it go.

My feet, ankles, knees, elbows, hips and hands feel like they’ve grown three times their size. They feel swollen and hot but they aren’t. The pain makes its way to the back of my calves. The muscles feel tight and hot, like they are about to explode.

As I steady my breathing, I start to feel something pushing on the top of my head, like I’m balancing a book. It’s a feeling I have throughout the day, along with the pain, fatigue and tingling, but I’m just remembering it now. The warm tingling sensation creeps down my forehead, cheeks and sides of my nose, down my neck, back and arms. My legs become restless. They want to move and I can’t seem to get them to stop. My left eye suddenly feels pressure and pain starting from the inside corner next to my nose. I leave the tv on as a distraction. I wonder what’s on HGTV? My upper back starts to feel like it has been lit on fire.

Steve wakes up but only for a moment to give me a kiss goodnight. I flinch, not because I don’t want him to touch me but because his hand touching my arm feels like a burning inferno on my skin. My skin feels like it’s melting, like a hole is burning right through to my bones. At that moment I feel sad and sorry. Sad that there’s nothing I can do to change the way my body feels and sorry that he has to deal with all of this too.

I close my eyes.

Please let me fall asleep soon.

In the works

So I don't leave you hanging (read here), I have started writing about what my life is like daily living with Multiple Sclerosis. It's still a work in progress. I've decided to write it out in sections -- kind of like, morning, noon and night. I'm not sure if I should post the sections I have written now or wait and post each section in order. So far, I have morning and night done. I would love to write about every little feeling, every little thought but then I would have myself a novel. I don't like to dwell on the negative which is why I don't write about my MS too often but I figure I'll get it out now and maybe I help someone in the process.

I've been living with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis since I was 21 years old -- that's 12 long years. Yes, long or it feels that way sometimes. When you live minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, time can go by quite slowly but then you think back and wonder where has the time has gone.

In those 12 years I have learned to take all my symptoms -- all my pain, tingling, numbness -- and push it aside to deal with at another time so I can enjoy my life for as long as I can. I try not to focus on how crappy I'm feeling because , really, who wants to hang out with someone who's complaining all the time? I never want others to feel bad just because I feel bad. Enjoy life! Be happy! Stay strong!

I'm warning you now, you'll probably feel a bit drained after reading my story (so make sure you have some caffeine at hand). I'm sure you'll be wondering how can I be so positive, how am I able to get up each morning knowing what's to come, how do I keep going day after day, how the hell haven't I ripped my hair out, banged my head against a wall and called it a day (because trust me, there are days that I would love to do that but then I realize there's a bottle of wine in the fridge and life is good).

There is a reason I try to stay positive day in and day out. It's fairly simple -- because I have to, because I want to, because who the hell wants to feel like crap all the time.

I'm still a living human being. I have a family who needs me and is there to support me. And I have a voice. I didn't go out and find Multiple Sclerosis, it found me. I feel like I've been given the job and responsibility to teach others and help others understand what Multiple Sclerosis is all about because just like cancer, we need to find a cure for MS.

So, as you read what I go through on a daily basis, I hope you learn something because then I know I'm doing my job and doing it right! Knowing that I've given MS a voice is what helps me stay focused. It's what helps me get through the day. It's what helps me stay positive.

To be continued...

Fave rave: Olay

I'm an Olay girl -- always have been, always will be.

My all time favourite Olay product is the Quench Body Lotion. I'm a sucker for moisturizing from head to toe. This lotion makes my skin feel so soft and never leaves my skin dry or flaky. It also has these teeny tiny little specs of shimmer -- not a lot but just enough sparkle without looking like a disco ball.

Olay Quench Body Lotion

One of my other favourite products is the Olay Total Effects Touch Of Foundation. I had been using the one without the foundation for a few years until the foundation one recently came out. I am totally loving it! I'm not one to wear foundation but these days (post-pregnancy) I'm noticing I could use a little coverage. It makes my face look a little less blotchy and keeps my face feeling smooth. I'm all for that! It also contains SPF 15 -- another added bonus. My little bottle of moisturizer has lasted for awhile now. A little goes a long way!

Olay Total Effects Touch of Foundation

Happy moisturizing!

Montel Williams on Multiple Sclerosis

Montel Williams was on Oprah on Monday (a repeat). He opened the show trying to hold in the tears, and then he let go. At that moment, I knew exactly how and what he was feeling.

I keep coming back to this post I started on Monday, trying to find the words to express what I want to say, but I'm finding it hard and a bit emotional.

Montel pretty much said everything for me on Monday.

Once I collect my thoughts and write it all out, I'll post. I think it might take awhile though.

I am...

enjoying some Chocolate Covered Jujubes. Mmm!

Manhattan memories

Steve is a big boxing and UFC fan. Every time there's a fight on he always claims it's the biggest fight of the year. I get a chuckle out of this and it has become a running joke -- wasn't the last fight the biggest fight of the year?

For Chrismukkah back in 2001, I decided to be all daring, spur of the moment, non-plannerish and buy two tickets to see Arturo Gatti fight at the Theatre At Madison Square Garden in New York. Little did I know (or maybe I did know but, hey, it's New York) this would be a contributing factor to Steve's obsession of watching people get punched out, ripped open, blood dripping welts -- I will never understand the joy and fascination one gets from this sport. Two guys beating the shit out of each other only to shake hands at the end and train all over again for the next fight. The poor parents who have to watch this. Oh, wait. We were sitting right behind the mother of Vernon Forrest at the match, cheering her son on -- it didn't seem to phase her. Now that's what I call support!

Anyway, we had a blast in New York -- all three nights, four days of it.

It was only a few months after 9/11 so the charred, soot smell still lingered in the air. The memorials on the street were still up in front of St. Paul's Church and parts of New York were still closed to the public.

We used the double decker red tour bus a lot to get around. I think we were too nervous to venture underground to the subway or too chicken to try to flag down a taxi without getting run over. I seriously wonder how many people get run over daily in New York. It must be the jaywalking capital of the world. I also had it stuck in my mind that flagging down a taxi in Times Square was pretty much impossible, even in the movies it seems like a daunting task unless you're smokin' hot in heels and have a whistle as loud as a freight train.

Our first day in New York was the best. We walked over to the International Soup Kitchen -- you know, the one from Seinfeld (it has since closed). It reminded us so much of the episode -- we were Elaine hum-ing and ha-ing over what to get while the guy behind the counter gave us an evil look like we were going to hell if we didn't quickly decide on our order and move along in an orderly fashion -- keep the line moving, chop chop.

We brought our brown bag of soup to Central Park and found a bench. It was one of the best soups I have ever had. It was thick and rich and hardy and warm and filled with lots of mushrooms and barley. Mmm! It's a lunch Steve and I remember fondly. Anytime someone mentions New York Steve and I look at each other and we both know what the other is thinking -- soup in Central Park.

My birthday fell on the day we left to come back home. The day before we left, Steve surprised me by taking me to Le Cirque -- a reservation he made before our trip. Since the temperatures in New York were hitting record highs for January, we were able to walk there without freezing our butts off.

The food was wonderful and we couldn't stop raving about the water. I have no clue why the water was so good but it was, kind of like the water you get at a Chinese food restaurant, it always seems to be the right temperature. We had two wonderful desserts. One was white chocolate clouds floating in vanilla cream with raspberry coulis. The other was a sample platter of everything chocolate. They were both heavenly. It was all worth the $200+US for the two hours that we were there (and when I say that it cost more, well, the Canadians who are reading this will probably understand the cursing and swearing I muffled under my breath as the thought of the damn exchange rate crossed my mind) -- two hours that included two main courses, two desserts, a glass of pop and a glass of white wine. I don't want to imagine what the cost of our meal would have come to if we had ordered appetizers or more alcoholic bevies.

Oh right, the fight -- The fight wasn't all that bad. I think we took the red bus there and then we were able to walk back (I still can't believe how warm it was while we were there).

I had a hard time picking out seats for the fight but they ended up being pretty decent as we were sitting right behind the family of Vernon Forrest (one of the boxers fighting that night). He ended up winning his match (I was told this was a big deal, or a huge upset as it is called in the world of sports or so I'm told)-- his mom and wife screaming at the million dollar plus win. We just watched someone win the lottery!

Arturo Gatti won as well.

It was a win-win situation for all of us that night, that weekend.

Over the last few weeks we have seen the end of these two boxers -- Arturo Gatti and Vernon Forrest. Steve is not a fan of reading or watching the news. The Sports section is all that he takes out of the newspaper when it comes in the morning. I mentioned to him the other day that the paper said something about Gatti's Will. Steve commented about how the reporters are so interested in Gatti's life now but rarely did they ever cover Gatti's boxing life as it was happening -- rarely a story on his win, hardly every publishing the results from his fights. Steve is right. This is why he doesn't like the news. It really is a pretty big downer to read over and over again about all the negative happening in the world.

Anyway, I started this post because I was looking at a few of my favourite pictures from this trip that I have hanging on the wall in our living room. I get compliments on them often and I'm quite happy with how they turned out. Who says you need to spend tons of money on artwork -- just make your own!

Here are the pictures. I took them while we were riding around on the red tour bus. The one on the left is the entrance to John Lennon's apartment (I think), the middle one is the place where we got our soup, the one on the right is a church in lower Manhattan (I can't remember which one though).

I am...

taking a moment for myself.

The kids are at the grandparents, Steve is taking a nap, the couch is comfy and HGTV is great company.

Now if only I could get my ass up off the couch to get a glass of wine.

I guess I didn't plan this very well.

I did manage to remember the laptop though -- the slow dying laptop but, hey, I managed to type this much. Let's see how long it takes to load.