In the spirit of Halloween, I wanted to share some cute pictures I found, hoping they will bring a smile to your face.
Can you tell I’m a dog person? Having said that, I am warming up to being “allowed” to be part of a couple of cats lives recently as they seem to have deemed me as “appropriate” to spend time with.
Please be cautious of the kidlets running around tonight while they are Trick or Treating, with all their natural and sugar-induced excitement. Have fun and be safe!
Happy Halloween!
Day 29- Who has gotten you through the most?
My mom, KG, and my kids. I don’t know how I would have gotten through my separation without the support of my mom and KG, and HAVING to get out of bed to look after my kids. The local Womens’ Centre and my doctor’s office were also amazing resources to help me through.
I spent the first year after the end of my marriage purely in “survival mode”, and now that we are settled into my hometown and are coming up on two years of separation, I’m able to “breathe”, start focusing on my mental and spiritual well-being, and healing from the breakdown of my marriage. I still have to ensure we are fed, clean and clothed, but I’m also able to do daily reflections, journaling, just plain “being”, listing daily “thankfuls”, and asking Spirit for guidance.
Who has gotten you through the tough times?
1. When I was a kid I wanted to be a teacher, a news anchor, a cancer research and/or a professional speaker when I grew up. In contrast, I now can’t stand the politics of being a teacher (so my teacher friends tell me), I don’t think I’ve watched the news in years, I dated a guy who is a cancer researcher but that’s as close as I got to that one. I did however use to make a living where my duties included public speaking – it’s perfect for me. I’m as comfortable speaking one-on-one with someone as I am speaking in front of hundreds. Crazy, I know.
2. As an adult, my dream job would be one where I can write and speak, and still be available to continue volunteering at my kids’ schools, and whenever they need me to be there for them.
3. When I was younger I wanted to be just like every successful corporate woman who was recognized for her abilities and accomplishments…and had the huge corner office with all the benefits that came along with that. Having kids changed that…and I wouldn’t change that for anything.
4. The childhood Halloween costume that I remember most was when I was a car-accident victim. I had just broken my arm in real life and, it didn’t “match” my planned Halloween costume so I changed it. Had some other great costumes as a kid too: Anne of Green Gables (ok, as a redhead, it was kind of mandatory to do that at least once), a present (my brother and I decorated huge boxes as presents and popped out of them whenever someone opened the door), Pierot the Clown, etc.
5. My favorite childhood toy was Tonka trucks. Although I had the stereotypical Barbies and dolls, I remember playing with cars and trucks more often, and chasing after insects with my friends. Yup, I was a tom-boy, despite being trained in figure skating and classical ballet. I did however have a Raggedy-Anne doll I slept with every night. What can I say? I’m complicated.
6. The time I got into the biggest amount of trouble when I was a kid was when I spilt a big can of paint on the back porch when I was painting the door. Even that wasn’t “big trouble”…too much of a goody two-shoes.
7. I get daily inspiration from my kids. They are my greatest teachers, and help ground me when things don’t seem positive.
Happy Halloween!
Day 28- What’s in your purse, backpack or computer bag?
I rarely use a purse anymore so I have to pack it whenever I actually have to use one. In the diaper bag (it’s actually a one-strap backpack so my hands are always free) however, there are the following items at all times:
What’s in your purse?
Cute discussion with my 6yo daughter this morning while we were waiting for her bus. Her school has a Hallowe’en dance tonight and she’s been counting down the days for the last week or so.
Me: (Jokingly) Hunny, are you going to dance with a boy tonight?
Daughter: Maybe. T may be going tonight. (Mental note to self: There has been lots of talk about T recently so I need to find out who his parents are and set up a playdate)
Me: Is T your boyfriend?
Daughter: (Rolling her eyes) No mommy. M is my boyfriend.
(M is a childhood friend of mine whom she’s met once but if you ask her why he’s her boyfriend, she’ll happily tell you it’s because he calls her “princess”)
Me: Do you have a boyfriend who is your age?
Daughter: No, but when I get older, M and I will get married.
Me: Really? What happens if M is already married?
Daughter: Then he will have 2 wives.
Me: Hunny, that’s not allowed.
Daughter: Yes it is. It’s allowed on Sister Wives. (Doh!)
Me: How do you know about Sister Wives?!!
Daughter: I saw a commercial.
Me: Well, having more than one wife or husband isn’t allowed here in Canada.
Daughter: That’s ok. I’m still marrying M.
And then the bus arrived. Sigh.
Day 27- Worst Habit
My worst habit is emotional eating. If I’m bored, lonely or stressed, out comes the food…usually Jalapeno Cheddar Doritos. With the end of my marriage, I should have bought stocks in Doritos! Not sure how I did it but in the first year after the end of marriage, I somehow LOST 20lbs while eating primarily Doritos and pizza…go figure. Start feeling better and more stronger, start eating healthier and gained the weight back so I’m back at a healthier weight for me again.
Thankfully, over time, I’ve discovered that I can substitute Doritos for carrots and spicy hummus. I still indulge in Doritos occasionally, but try to stick with carrots and spicy hummus…healthier and cheaper too. 
What is your worst habit?
Day 26- Favourite clothing store.
I’m not really a “shopping” kind of girl. I don’t find enjoyment in shopping, especially for clothing. I only go shopping when I need something. Those damn mirrors don’t reflect reality!
My favourite clothing store is Reitmans (hint, hint PR people at Reitmans!). Their tagline “Designed for real life” is so true! They actually fit my curves, AND the “tall” clothing is actually tall enough for me!
Having said that, I ONLY buy pants and jeans at Reitmans. Everything else, I get at Salvation Army…and my little secret is that I look for the Reitmans label on each item. It’s amazing what people give to the Salvation Army, sometimes only because it’s no longer the fashion for that season. I don’t keep up with fashion anyway so, if I like it, I buy it. Plus, if I don’t like it after a season or two, I don’t feel bad donating it back to the Salvation Army. Shoes are GREAT there too. Some of my most complimented shoes were from the Salvation Army and I only paid $5 – $10 for them! Who would have thought?
The “trick” though with buying second hand is to go back often and not to rush. Don’t go in when you have only 5mins as you won’t have time to try anything on and, because the items are second hand, you need to try it on. Someone else has washed them, shrunken them, broken them in, so you need to test it out first.
Now, if only I could find yoga pants that fit properly…anywhere…
My son and I had our first VERBAL disagreement last night…EVER! I didn’t recognize the enormity of discussion until reflecting upon my day last night. It was a very simple discussion:
My son stood in the doorway of the kitchen and said “Bedtime”
Me: “No hunny, it’s bathtime for you.”
My son: “No. Bedtime.”
Me: “No hunny. First bathtime, then bedtime.”
My son: “Bedtime”
Me: “Sweetheart, I’m glad you’re using your words, but first bathtime, then bedtime” and off we went for bathtime.
Very simple. Not a huge deal necessarily BUT this was a discussion between me and my amazing 6 year old son who has Autism, and up until at least 6 months ago, fell under the “non-verbal” classification. Not only was he initiating conversation, he was stating his preference and trying to convince me to follow through with his preference.
I don’t think I will ever be so happy as I was last night to “argue” with anyone…especially my son!
This post was written in response to Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop prompt:
“Follow the template I copied from The Pioneer Woman without her permission and list 22 things you’ve never done.” So, here goes…
I’m in my mid-thirties and I’ve never…
1. Done my own taxes
2. Visited the Canadian prairies (well, other than a couple stop-overs at Calgary airport – it was nice…Starbucks…)
3. Been to the Canadian Maritimes
4. Had really short hair – the shortest I’ve done is chin-length. Mistake.
5. Ridden in a hot air balloon
6. Fired a gun – although I wouldn’t mind trying it some day, at a shooting range though
7. Played golf (mini-putt doesn’t count) but I would like to learn
8. Surfed
9. Gone to prom
10. Skydived, and I’m ok with that
11. Gotten a tattoo but I’ll admit I’ve thought about it
12. Read the Bible. I did a project in high school where we had to select multiple books and relate a passage from the Bible to those books. I asked a girlfriend what passage would best “fit”, she told me, we looked up the passage (I couldn’t even figure out how to look it up!) in the Bible and used it. To this day, that is the closest I’ve ever come to reading the Bible.
13. I have never eaten caviar…nor do I plan on it.
14. Gone on a cruise, but I would like to!
15. Ran a marathon, and I have no intension of taking up running. I trip over my feet walking, why would I complicate things with running? Stiletto heels however…no problem!
16. Won the lottery…dammit!
17. Attended high school graduation – I was on the other side of the country at university, and just couldn’t “validate” the expense of coming back for a weekend, compared to coming back for a week over Christmas.
18. Worn skinny jeans. I don’t want to see my curves in them!
19. Ridden on a mechanical bull – I have posed for a pic on one, but haven’t actually ridden it.
20. Been married in a church
21. Dyed my hair
22. Received over 200 comments on a blog post – one day…sigh…
What haven’t you done?
Day 25- Who is/are your best friends?
My BFF and I “split up” at the end of my marriage so that title obviously wasn’t as “earned” by her as I thought it was.
With the end of my marriage however, I found out who my true friends are, and who I can confide in the most. To respect their confidentiality (and so they can deny knowing me if they wish…LOL!), I’ll just list their initials:
I have no idea how I’ve made it through the last two years…good and bad times alike…without each of these wonderful people who have blessed my life in so many different ways.
