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Showing posts from April, 2013

X is for X-Files

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In my opinion the X-Files is one of those super awesome shows from the 90's.  (and there are so many of them)  I will admit, I only watched it through the seventh season and then I kind of lost interest, but it still ranks as one of my favorite sci-fi shows. (from the 90's anyways) If you haven't seen it (get your ass on NetFlix and watch it!  Watch it now!) it is about two FBI agents, Mulder and Scully, who investigate the paranormal.  It's one of those shows that has a wonderful blend of stand alone episodes and an over all story arc.  (this is why I love rewatching old shows, real story arcs)

W is for Workout

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Since I developed the habit of doing it, one of my favorite things to do is workout.  I get up extra early in the morning before the monkeys just so I can get one in before I start my day.  (it's what keeps me from going crazy) Like anything I do (slightly addictive personality) when I first started I went a little crazy with the workout videos.  I tried everything that looked even remotely interesting.  But I have now settled into a few favorite workouts that I just rotate through. Not being able to workout because of this whole stupid appendix thing has left me feeling a bit on edge.  (psychotic)  It's terrible and I can't wait to get back to my early morning workouts.  I have been walking but it's just not the same.  Favorite Workouts: 1) Turbo Fire 2) Yoga Booty Ballet 3) Turbo Jam 4) Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred 5) EA Active 2 6) Hoop Dancing What's your favorite workout?

V is for Verbatim

I am a huge fan of things that are fun to say, (dinosaurs on spaceship anyone?) and one of my favorite fun to say words is verbatim.  Meaning using exactly the same words. Repeating your remarks verbatim is something your children are particularly talented at doing when you you wish they wouldn't.

Public Service Announcement

As you may have noticed I kind of took a bit of a nose dive on the A-Z Challenge.  At this point I was debating whether to power through and finish it no more than a day late or to just quit.  I decided to fill you all in on what happened to put me behind, and then buckle down and finish.  I probably will still finish it off a day behind, but I will finish.  Last week I took Ace to the doctor to follow up on some tests that he had done and while I was there I mentioned casually to the doctor (our family doctor) that I was still having a fair bit of pain around my incision sites.  (I still can't sleep on one side because the pressure kills me)  Anyhow, the doctor was concern there may be something wrong, so he prescribed me some antibiotics which have pretty much knocked me on my rear end. I am also being sent for further testing.  (sound fun or what?)  That's why the drop off in posts, it has pretty much taken all the energy I have left to get through my days.  I feel awful

U is for Underwear

Wait, what?  Am I running out of post ideas because I am behind?  (maybe a little)  This is a serious post though.  One of my major goals this year is to finish my sewing course and start working my way through the massive collection of patterns that I have collected over the years.  Mostly I want to start making my own corsets but my sewing skills are not there yet hence the sewing course. You want to know where underwear comes into this right?  Well, one of the projects I have in my current pile of things to be sewn is underwear.  I bought this pattern last year thinking this is within my current sewing capabilities, and I will be able to make myself cute little under things and think of all the money I will save.  (okay, I was really thinking TARDIS underpants) My plan was to make a few pairs from fabric in my stash and then invest in some fabric once I got the hang of it.  Then I hit a snag...finding lingerie elastic.  You see, we used to have this lovely little place called

T is for Toddler Scarf

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This is the scarf I just finished up for Cat, I know she's not technically a toddler anymore but preschooler doesn't start with T.  I really love this yarn it is Red Heart's Bikini (weird name I know) and I just love how bright and fun it is.  Cat is in love with it as well and I am thinking about doing a blanket up in one of those wavy type stitches because I think it would look really neat.

S is for System of A Down

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I apologize for being late for this post (and the next three or so) I had some things come up that have made life a little (or a lot) crazier than usual. For a while in my early 20's System of a Down was one of my most listened to bands.  They still rank on my have to have on my playlist and I was deeply saddened that my scheduled conflicted with getting to see them play when they were in Toronto for Heavy TO last year as they are awesome live. I think what I like about System is really the same thing I like any artist that I like for more than one song, or one album, they have a range when it comes to their music.   It doesn't all sound the same, there are a variation to the messages that comes across through it.  There's something behind it in the first place.  Two examples of what in my opinion are vastly different songs from SOAD are Aerials and Prison Song:

R is for Random

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Sometimes when the kids stay home for the weekend we get up to some pretty random stuff.  Today we joined Richard of Muddy York Walking Tours for a Battle of York Battleground tour.  We then popped over and wandered around Fork York for a bit.  The weather was a bit blustery (or a lot) but apparently that is historically accurate for April of 1813.  The tour started at the western edge of Toronto's exhibition grounds, where Richard explained to us in detail how the American ships landed (west of where they intended due to the wind) in the harbor and around 1,800 soldiers ended up on the shore.   The Americans fought their way Eastward against the British and Canadians from there.  The Battle of York marked the first victory for the Americans in the War of 1812. The tour took us across the Canadian National Exhibition grounds which are littered with monuments.  We got to see Scadding Cabin which is the oldest building in Toronto.  It was originally built in 1794 for John Scaddi

Q is for Quinoa and Turkey

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I'm not sure what to call this dish.  It's one of those ones that my kids love that just jumble a bunch of random ingredients together in a bowl. 1 package quinoa 1 can corn 16 oz baby spinach 3/4 cup shredded cheese 1 tbs olive oil 12-16 radishes (chopped) 2 cups cooked turkey breast (cubed) 1 tbs minced garlic Cook quinoa according to package directions.  In frying pan heat olive oil over medium heat.  Add radish and garlic.  When radish starts to turn translucent begin adding spinach, stirring as you add.  When you have about half the spinach added to you pan, drain the liquid from the can of corn into the pan, add the rest of the spinach.  When the spinach has cooked down add the corn and turkey to the pan.  Take the quinoa and put it in a large bowl, when the vegetable and turkey mix is heated through, pour it on top and mix together.  Add cheese, mix again and serve.  Chopped Radishes Radishes and Garlic  Cooked Spinach Almost Done Mix

P is for Pen Pal

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As you may be able to tell from my super awesome new badge, I have joined an awesome new club.  They are called the International Geek Girls Pen Pals Club .  The best part, I get a pen pal.  (so cool, right?) When I was a teenager I had a few pen pals, (slowly over the years we lost touch) but I thought it was an awesome experience.  It was a great way to learn about how other people live, and make new friends.  My pen pals helped me get through some very tough times in my life. Anyhow, I am very excited about getting a new pen pal. (some might say a little too excited)  I didn't manage to get my name in until round three (bummer!) so I don't officially have a pen pal yet but I have been getting prepared. I haven't gone too crazy because I don't know what my new friend to be likes yet, but I picked up some tiny ponies to send with my letter because well...they are awesome! Also, I am well prepared with stationary. (for the next century or so) Round th

O is for Once More With Feeling

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So, this ranks in my top five Buffy episodes for sure.  Maybe even my top three.  Anyhow, with the overdose of musicals I have seen lately I have them on the brain so I thought I would get them out of my head.  The theme of Once More With Feeling is the characters being forced to express something they are hiding from the others through song.  It is really quite brilliant.  Some of Whedon's best work, in my humble opinion.  The songs range in style from rock opera to 50's sitcom theme and are accompanied by some pretty brilliant dance numbers as well. So, without further ado, here are my favorite songs from Once More With Feeling.  My number one is Giles singing this (unheard) to Buffy.  Anthony Stewart Head is so flipping talented.   My second favorite is Anya and Xander in all their adorableness. And of course, I couldn't forget my favorite person ever, in the whole world.  (he literally makes my knees weak *sigh*) Yup, lots of awesomeness of behalf

N is for Not My Kid

Ok, so being a parent I have to ask.  What's up with this thing where a kid does something mean, inappropriate, horrible etc and then when you talk to their parents it's all I can't see my kid doing something like that?  I mean my kids are a lot of things but p er fect does not make the list.  I am willing to own up to them doing things.  My daughter hauled off and slapped your kid?  While there's probably at least an 85% chance your kid provoked her in some way I have to admit, my daughter....she has a temper.  So she will be apologizing for her behavior.  And she'll be punished as well.  Now, if you tell me the same thing about my son and yeah, I will have a lot more trouble believing you.  The kid is just not that violent, you would have to push him pretty far, and even then he's more prone to hit an object than another person.  Either way they are pretty good kids about admitting that they did whatever it is that happened once asked their side of the stor

M is for Motherhood

This morning on my way to work I read this post from a YMC blogger and it got the wheels turning in my little brain.  First of all, why are people so mean to each other?  And second, the vast number of times I have want to set the  feral little animals  kids who call me mom at the end of the driveway with free to good home signs round their necks. The truth is though, in the moment, when there are a bottle full of snails loose in your apartment and sliming their way over everything while your son sleeps. (no lid, he thought they would stay in on the honor system)  Yes, I wanted to put him and the snails out to sleep in the yard.  After much, much yelling.  But it's a little bit funny no?  I have to admit it, then it wasn't, but now my reaction when I picked up his school bag and discovered it was writhing with snails....freaking hilarious.  The fact that he honestly thought they would stay in the bottle, adorable.  The little one, she pushes every button she can.  The fi

L is for Logic Puzzles

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Okay, so I am just going to show all my geeky tendencies in the challenge this year.  As far as things that keep your brain sharp go I am nuts over logic puzzles, always have been.  Basically a logic puzzle consists of a grid and a series of clues, you use the clues to mark off spaces in the grid and make a locgical deduction to solve the problem. 

K is for KerPlunk

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So, I am a day late with this post.  *sad face*  I feel really bad "K" was eluding me yesterday until after board game and wine night.  And trust me you didn't want me writing a blog post after that.  (although, who knows alcohol consumption may improve my rambling) KerPlunk was one of my favorite games as a child. (I like noisy stuff)  It consists of a hollow plastic tube, colored straws and marbles.  Basically the straws fit through the middle of the tube in a layered web and you pile the marbles on top of that.  Players take turns pulling the straws out and hoping that the marbles don't drop.  The player that dropped the least marbles at the end of the game wins. Super fun!    I have fallen in love with playing games again.  What are your favorites?  

J is for Jewelry Making

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Jewelry is one of the more recent crafts I have dipped a toe into.  I used to be very intimidated by it but last year I bought these gorgeous handmade beaded anklets at a street festival and I got very inspired to give it a try.  So far I have only made a few pieces because well, I do like a million things but I love how they have turned out. These are pictures of a set of earrings and a ring that I made for my best friend that somehow never managed to make it up on to my blog in all my bragging about neat stuff I make.  (it happens, I craft more than I blog sometimes)

I is for Inukshuk

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Picture I took of one by the lake in Toronto   This post was inspired by a conversation I had with Ace this morning about what he was going to do with the rocks he had in his pocket.  An Inukshuk is a stone landmark built by people, they have a long history in the Inuit culture.    They may have been used as markers for travel routes, navigation, or to mark a food cache.  The most common type of Inukshuk is actually a single stone place in an upright position.  The more familiar person or cross shaped cairns are thought to have developed with the appearance of Europeans explorers in the Artic.    With Vancouver using an Inukshuk as part of their 2010 Olympics Logo they are now pretty much recognized world wide.     

H is for Happiness

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      One of the big things that was on my mind at the beginning of this year was how to be happier.  I was very unhappy with how things were in my life and I was really searching for a way to change that.  It was something that I thought would be a lot harder than it turned out to be.      Turns out all I needed to do was stop stressing about all the shit I can't control and enjoy the little things.  (I'm not so good at that not stressing thing)  I am however getting fantastic at finding the joy in the little things in life.   Friday movie nights with my kids, impromptu coffee meetings with friends, mastering a new crochet stitch, all things that bring more happiness into my life.  A 5am workout, an hour spent studying for my course, a page written for my novel or a blog post written is another step towards a happier, saner me.     Everytime my kids want me to teach them something, make them something, do something with them is another chance for me to

G is for Gender

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Okay, so I don't know what it is with me and the letter G but there is something about it that make me want to get on my soapbox.  Please note anything said from here on out is my opinion, if you are easily offended you may want to stop reading now, as this may be considered well offensive. Something that really bothers me as a mother is how society in general spends all this time marketing things as girl toys or boy toys, marketing genres as girls or boys etc.  Mostly cause it's crap.  But more than that I'm kind of tired of how everyone always fights the girls side of it.  What about all the little boys out there???? I mean I have no worries about my daughter whatsoever, I feel sorry for the person who says anything to her about her Captain America action figure, cause the child has more attitude than she knows what to do with.  But my son?  He keeps to himself about his less than "masculine" toys and I notice that they stay in the closet when he's not p

F is for Friendship

I think as you get older you begin to realize that there are few greater joys in life than time spent in the company of a good friend.  I've always been one to opt for a few close friends over a crowd of acquaintances and while that doesn't always make for busy Saturday nights it does mean I know someone will always be there when life is less than peachy.  It's an important lesson that I would like to pass on to my kids.  That it is not the quantity of friends you have but the quality.  That they like you for the person that you are, that you can be yourself around them, because one true friend is worth a thousand acquaintances.  So this is a salute to my friends, for every word of encouragement, for everything.  You guys are awesome!  Thank you for loving me just the way I am. 

E is for Eeoyre

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So, this post was originally going to be about something else but when I went to take pictures for it I ended up buying this sad, lonely, leftover Eeoyre Easter stuffie.  (short attention span)   Isn't he a cutie?  I just couldn't resist his sad little markdown face.  Eeoyre is my second favorite Winnie the Pooh character. (after Tigger of course)   He's got that move along in life thing that just makes me feel inspired for some reason.  

D is for Dinosaur

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RAWR!! A triceratops and a t-rex walk into a bar... Okay, that's all I've got.  Telling jokes is not my strong suit, but I love dinosaurs.  When I went looking for pictures for this post I discovered I have almost a hundred random pictures of dinosaurs on my phone.  (weird right?) My favorite type of dinosaur is the triceratops which is a type of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period in North America.  They have a large bony frill and three horns in a rough triangular formation, they are the most familiar of the ceratopsid dinosaurs. Last year, the kids and I went to a dinosaur thing and I discovered another type of ceratopsid dinosaur that I had never heard of before that I thought was just gorgeous.  They are called Kosmoceratops and they also lived during the late Cretaceous period in North America.  They are one of the most ornate ceratopsids and their frills are covered with horns.     I have never come across a toy kosmocer

C is for ComiCon

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Yup, I am sooo cheating.  I meant to get my ComiCon post in before the challenge but life got in the way and since it does start with C... For those of you who don't know I am fan of (obsessed with) Doctor Who.  So for Toronto ComiCon this year, which took place in early March,I decided to take my first stab at cosplay (most fun ever by the way) and go dressed as the TARDIS. Waiting in line to get in Most exciting moment of my day, right here. :) Best Batman ever My doctor and I were discovered by this very scary nurse  All in all it was a fantastic day and we had a lot of fun.  I am already looking forward to Fan Expo in August.  Cat has decided I should probably be a pony. 

B is for Books

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When I was originally planning the posts for my theme I spent a lot of time thinking about the books I had read over the years.  (there were a lot)  Some stories stick with me but I can't remember the name of the book, some characters stick with me but I can't quite place their story and some books, some books are so burned in my mind that I could recite them in my sleep. The entrance hall into my apartment looks like that picture above, it's lined with bookshelves that are literally overflowing with books.  And still I seem to have books littering every free surface in my house.  (that's not counting the kid's books, theirs are beginning to need a house of their own)  Anyhow, the avid love of reading that goes on in my house has led to a mass number of "favorite books". So here in no particular order are my top ten favorite books (as in the first ten that came to my head) 1) The Time Traveler's Wife  by Audrey Niffenegger            - I jus

A is for Appendicitis

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Acute appendicitis to be exact, which is what it says on my hospital discharge forms as the reason I got to drop off the face of the planet and spend five days in the hospital.  SUPER FUN.  It's also the reason I drop my challenge theme as I only had some of the posts written and the ones I didn't at least required some research and my brain is still 90% ouch my tummy hurts. They don't really know what exactly what the appendix is for, while I was looking around at stuff for this post I saw the general theory that is does nothing.  I also read that it may be used to house excess good bacteria to flush through your system when you need it. (which makes more sense to me than having a useless body part) Anyhow, appendicitis is when your appendix becomes inflamed and you need to have it surgically removed.  (Ouch!)  According to my research, (which consisted of Google and a bunch of stories people wanted to tell me about themselves or family members) people statistic