Well, the time has come for us to head up to Northern Ontario for our annual summer getaway. Thrilled, the Wee Ladies are running around aimlessly, putting in time as they knock over plants, make forts, and surprise birthday parties for their stuffed animals. As cute as this is, it makes packing and organizing harder and more last minute.
I will be offline for a while. But the great news is that Nenny With Twins will be on the site periodically working her magic. Love her. Thanks to her. I will be checking emails occasionally when I am not hanging out with the bears and loons. I am already a hairy beast in the nether regions and can't wait to see how beastly I will be after 10 days of not brushing my hair or shaving. There will be bathing suits but only with a pair of boxer shorts over top.
I should be packing. Haven't started and am hoping to leave in a couple hours. This is when my multi-tasking abilities are truly tested.
There will be no July Who's DDM until my return mid-month. Sorry about that. But I am sure to have some good material when I get home.
Keep coming back to see what Nenny With Twins is up to.
Congrats to J.C. who won the newly released Dora the Explorer: Super Babies' Dream Adventure! Thanks to everyone who submitted their name.
There will be more! Both giveaways and blogs. Today was an exceptionally busy day with the Wee Ladies and so I will be writing a regular blog post tomorrow.
I have posted some new reviews in DDM's Try Ons section. You can head on over to check them out. I will be posting a few more and will keep you updated.
I will also keep you posted on our next giveaway which will be happening soon.
As we have settled into our new digs, our schedules have shifted. There is good news and bad news with this.
We have become busier, which is a good thing. The Wee Ladies and I are doing more together, especially now that it is warmer and easier to get outside. They are wanting to be out all the time exploring and riding their bikes.
The bad thing is that I am sometimes struggling to get the blog written everyday. And so I am going to cut back in my daily blogs. I will not be writing 5 times a week, but will aim for 2 or 3. This way I can better balance our life in our new place. I hope you will understand.
I have a mountain of reviews to catch up on, so I am going to work on those over the next several days. I will keep you posted on when I get them up in DDM's Try Ons. Spark Plug's 3rd birthday is tomorrow and I will post as soon as I can after the festivities are over.
I love writing the blog and I thank you all for your ongoing support. I am not going away- I am just going to be posting a little less. This writing keeps me sane. I need to keep it up. I want to make sure that it is quality writing and not filler.
Thanks for reading. And keep coming back for new posts and reviews. There is an upcoming giveaway too!
Since she and my brother already had a place together, they didn't need to register for new toasters and dinnerware. And so they looked to see if they could register for their honeymoon. This is something that can make a good trip turn into an incredible trip. By registering for various activities, or fun couple things, the trip is guaranteed to be what all honeymoons are supposed to be- and then some.
They couldn't find any company in Canada that did this sort of thing. And so they made one themselves. I am so proud of them.
Buying a couple's massage, breakfast in bed, or a snorkeling trip for the couple is a great option for guests, instead of buying them another blender, or something they don't need.
It is a great idea and I encourage you to check it out and pass it on to anyone you know who is engaged or almost engaged. Even if you just want to see what it's all about, go for it.
In this day, when so many couples are living together and have what they need, this business provides people with more options.
It has been a most monumental day. After five years of hard work it is time to celebrate the completion of another step in our journey. We have finally signed on the dotted line.
Way back when, I mentioned how Hubby is an inventor. Five years ago he conceived an idea for an automotive product. And so over the past few years, we have (I helped out with this) researched, developed, filed for a patent, was granted patent pending, and then called on someone with more know-how to help out.
Today we signed a licensing agreement with one of the world's largest science based research and development corporations. Huge.
We are so excited. It has been a busy day and one that we have been thinking about for a long time. This project has been pretty exciting. It has been an amazing experience as we have gone through all of the stages necessary to develop a product and bring it this far.
It is only going to get more thrilling as all necessary parties get more involved. Next up is working with the manufacturer, distributor, and marketing. And media will also play a part down the road.
I will be able to get more detailed as time goes on, but for now, I can tell you that we licensed a product to a massive company today.
I have posted some more reviews in the DDM's Try Ons section. Just scroll on down to where you left off the last time. If you have never checked this area out, well then, head on over!
I have some fun news to share. I was interviewed by a journalist a few months ago who was writing an article on safety products and the way they are marketed to parents, and whether some of the alarms, tracking and surveillance software devices cross the line as far as privacy is concerned.
It is an interesting article. Take a read. You can click here to check it out. It was published at canada.com, the National Post, and the Vancouver Sun. DDM has gone national!
I was contacted by the journalist who was interested in hearing my thoughts on these products. I gladly obliged. In a nutshell, I told her that I feel some of the products have a place in some families; a family with a special needs child(ren), or if custody is an issue, but that it should not replace common sense. Parents should not rely on these products to parent for them, or to replace communication between family members. Kids eventually need to be able to show some sense of responsibility and independence and it is the family unit and family dynamics that will direct the child. I also told her that these products do not have a place in our family at this stage in our life.
These safety product companies use fear and anxiety as a tool to market to parents, no doubt. And it is not uncommon for parents to feel they have to have the best of many products to keep their children safe and well taken care of. Click here for one of the sites. And here for another, so you can see for yourself what is available out there and how it is marketed.
The question is whether or not parents cross the line by buying into these products when they aren't really necessary. Do parents cross the line in terms of their children's privacy? Is this marketing and accessibility perpetuating the so-called 'helicopter parenting', whereby parents hover over their child's every move and decision, allowing them to become increasingly dependent and needy?
This topic definitely makes for good discussion. If you read the article, please feel free to leave any comments or feedback.
I want to take a moment to thank everyone who has read and supported the blog this year. I am thrilled to have found something I love to do and also to have the opportunity to bring people together in some capacity. Thank you to all of you. I appreciate all of your continued support and hope you will return in 2009.
I will be taking tomorrow off as it is New Year's Day. I will also be offline Friday and Monday as we will have no access to the Internet. Perhaps Nenny with Twins can come to the rescue again. I will have to check with her first.
I wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year. May 2009 be good to you.
We are now in the throes of packing for our move. We are taking off in 4 days. I can't believe the time is here already.
This is me sitting in my PMS chair in front of the fire with some of my new mom swag that I received by courier today.
As you can see, it didn't take me long to tear the packages open and dive into the goods. It was like Christmas. I received a basket of house goodies from Proctor and Gamble and a bag of food products from President's Choice.
My PMS chair is a perfect place to cozy up when I am feeling tired, hormonal, and need to relax. It is a perfect place to snack. You can see that I am already into a box of salted covered caramel chocolates from President's Choice. I got through most of the first tray. I am surrounded by the bubble wrap that EvieG and I were playing with and a few other products that I received.
I will be trying out some of these products and will be talking about them on the blog. I can't wait to take some of these things for a test drive.
I think I will hold out and try some of it with friends and family. That way, it is more fun and will make for interesting discussions.
Stay tuned to find out what we sample....
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Sorry for the late blog. I was out of town today.
PPS I am out of town until Thursday and will do my best to get to a computer. If I can't I hope Nenny with Twins can babysit for a couple of days. I guess I'd better e-mail her to find out what she is up to...
PPPS I am working on December's Who's DDM? Stay tuned for that as well.
We have big changes going on right now. None of which I have blogged about before. But now I can!
We are preparing to move. We are heading north to a town 4 hours away.
Hubby is transferring to another office with the bank he works with. He is an Investment Advisor. We are thrilled about the opportunities the area has to offer. He starts in January.
This town we are going to is a big tourist/ski/retirement/beachy destination. It is beautiful, hilly, welcoming, and very community oriented. There are lots of people who live there full time and many who visit on the weekends. It is a progressive and happening place to be.
I grew up in the area and have some family up there. We also have very dear friends who live there. So we are going to a place where we are comfortable and know people. Hubby is moving somewhere new for the first time in his life. He is excited about starting fresh in a place that has a lot of growth, progress, and opportunity.
We are de-cluttering the house right now to get it ready for showings. We listed the house with a realtor yesterday. There is a sign on our front lawn. It is weird to see it there. There is no more squalor to be found in this house. I am going to have to be a tidy freak.
EvieG asked, "What is that sign doing on our lawn?"
Hubby and I reminded her of the fun she had here over the summer. She was so excited when she realized that she will be moving to a very large playground. She also had a few moments of sadness when she understood she would be leaving some family, friends, her bedroom, and house behind. But we made her understand that change is good, exciting, and fun. That there is a whole new world waiting for her to explore. She liked the sounds of that.
Kids are adaptable and resilient. The Wee Ladies are young enough to just go with it. They will meet new people and learn new things. They will be exposed to things like skiing and many other outdoor activities. It is a very active place to live. And we are active.
This is something we have talked about over time. The door has opened for Hubby to move within his company and we are all over it. We have to go where we will thrive. As someone we know has said, the move has been executed. We are taking the plunge, making it happen, going for it. We are assuming risk and jumping in with both feet. You never know until you try. And so we are going to try.
We will be heading up to find a place to live. We need to get acquainted with the area. We need to find EvieG a school.
We are so happy about what the future holds as we embark on this new phase in our life. We will be back to visit lots and will only be a 4 hour drive away.
There is lots to digest at the moment. It is not easy leaving behind loved ones.
We have to do what we have to do. And we feel that this is a very positive move all around.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS I will keep the blog updated of all new happenings and events.
It's easy to forget. To forget how easy it is. How easy it is with one kid to take care of.
EvieG is out this morning at her little I Can Do Fitness class for a couple of hours. Spark Plug is playing this morning too for a couple hours. All I have is the baby of the family, The Destroyer. And it is bliss. I am not ashamed to admit it.
I can go places with one. The world is at my fingertips with one. I am not at the mercy of the demands of the 3 Wee Ladies all at the same time. I can take my time as I run errands, as opposed to running in and out in seconds.
My senses are temporarily altered. They wake up. I can look around at my surroundings a little more. I can hear things instead of constantly listening for the whereabouts of the Wee Ladies. I can take time to smell what is around me. I can take some more time.
When you have one baby, you think, how do people do it with more than one? Well, I still ask myself that all the time. I don't know the answer either. Having one to worry about is a day at the beach. And I really realized this today as I am mucking about with The Destroyer.
This doesn't happen very often. It sure is a different feeling. I just feel my shoulders and heart rate lower all at once. It is way more relaxing with one. There is no commotion or conflict behind me right now. Peace.
And I get to blog in the morning today!
I got lots done this morning. But I can't wait to go and pick up the other 2 in a few minutes. I love the serenity of one, but am at home with all three. In every sense.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Guess what? Uncle Jeff is coming to visit today!! We are so excited around here. We have to make cookies, load up on OJ, and Lactose Free milk. We need to prepare ourselves from the whirlwind of the uncle's visit. EvieG said this morning, "Uncle Jeff is coming? Yay!! You know what he does when he comes to visit, Mommy? He asks me to pull his finger and then he toots!" This is what we remember best about Uncle Jeff. His visits are one of life's stinky highlights for the Wee Ladies. And for us too.
Dress Down Moms do not need an excuse to drink wine. It is nice to get out for a few hours to have some down time. So that is what we are going to do!
Stargazers on the Thames is a fab local restaurant. You can check out their web site by clicking their banner at the top of the home page.
On Thursday, September 18, we are going to host a night of fun and taste some new wines from the Colio Winery called Girls Night Out. We will have some appetizers to go with it. So 4 slugs of wine and 4 appetizers for $29.95. A good deal for a some fun and chatter. The good times will run from 6:00 to 8:00.
We are going to give away one free ticket. The name will be picked at random. If you are interested, go to the Contact Us page and submit your name and e-mail address. If you are coming anyway, reserve your spot using the same process. You can also call the restaurant directly at 519.351.9351.
We will e-mail and announce the winner on Monday, September, 15.
It has been a whirlwind of a day. And I can say for once, that I actually got something decent accomplished. This really doesn't happen very often with the Wee Ladies running around. I find it hard enough keeping up with basic things like laundry and meal preparation. Today was one of those days where it seemed like it was never ending and it was non-stop all at the same time. I for sure lost a couple pounds.
Our best babysitter came over this morning to mind The Destroyer and Spark Plug. EvieG had a sleepover at Grandma's and Grandpa's last night. I have to say, that as much as I missed her, it was good for Spark Plug to get some decent shut eye. And she even slept in.
So instead of getting groceries this morning, I went for a 3 mile run. Yep. I have decided that I am going to train for the Toronto Half Marathon in October. I did it last year and would like to keep the tradition going. The best part about that weekend is that Madonna is performing in Toronto. Wouldn't that be fun? Run a half marathon, get a massage, and then go see Madge? I want to make that happen.
I went to pick up EvieG and took her downtown to try on her flowergirl dress for my brother's wedding, which is October 4th. I informed her of what we were doing, but my Mom must have filled her in because she knew exactly where we were going. When she laid eyes on her 'wedding dress,' they became saucers. She was gobsmacked. We put it on and she spent about 10 minutes dancing in front of the mirrors. All of the ladies in the shop were watching and giggling. She was very dramatic as she envisioned herself at the ball, dancing with the Prince. She was singing under her breath and prancing about like she was surrounded by flora and fauna and all of her woodland friends.
So now it is all about the wedding all the time. "Mom, how much longer to the wedding?" and "Is it time for the wedding yet?" and "I've been waiting and waiting and waiting, but the wedding is not coming!" All of this on the ride home from the bridal shop. She was very heartbroken that she couldn't wear the dress out of the store today. But I explained that we have to make it fit just right for her and we can go and try it on again this Friday at 5:45. She was cool with that.
We went looking for shoes, but were unsuccessful. We will save that for another day.
After lunch I went into the horrid, mountain of a mess that is the state of our garage. It is a state of squalor all on its own because of the Great Flood of 2008 and Restoration Hardcore has yet to complete the reconstruction of our basement. Hubby and I decided that we were going to eliminate a lot of 'stuff'. We want to cut down on the crap. We want to reduce the number of Rubbermaid containers by a good third. Which meant parting with the baby clothes.
Most of the clothes from Newborn to 12 months are now history. I went through all of the bins, got rid of the stained pieces, returned some outfits to friends, kept the really special pieces for the Wee Ladies, and gave the rest away. I thought I could have made some money by selling it, or having a garage sale, but the amount you actually come out with in the end isn't worth the headache of pricing, selling some, and being left with most of it. And so I donated it all to the local Women's Center. I figure it would be put to good use this way.
I was having a bit of a hard time as I was sorting it. My womb cried and ached a little. And for an split instant- maybe a couple of split instants, I missed having a baby. But then reality hit hard- really hard, square in the jaw. No way, no how. Not going to happen. EVER. AGAIN. I was driving it to the shelter with a pang of separation anxiety; already missing the days of babies. I was mourning this stage of life with the van filled-to-the-top-and-spilling-over-to-the-front-seat with plastic bags. And it wasn't even gone yet. But after I dropped it off, I felt good. I felt I did the right thing. A good deed done for others who need help. I left without second guessing what I had just done. We are moving on.
We can move in our garage again. And on either side of the pile of junk too! We have garage aisles now. We have many full Rubbermaid containers still, but we now have many empty ones after today's clearance-returns not accepted.
I couldn't believe I did it. I finally let go. I decided that was it. No one I know is having baby girls right now and we need to downsize our stuff. So off it went. Last week we put an end to the bottles. This is another sign that the baby days are gone forever. I do miss it, but things are becoming more action packed every day with the Wee Ladies.
To almost end the day, I had an email from a writer with Readers Digest.ca. She wrote requesting an interview with me for an article she is writing about mom bloggers. HOW COOL IS THAT? I have never been interviewed before for something fun like this. Job interviews don't count. Oh, I was interviewed on the Kingston Cable Channel about a play I was in back in 1996. Oh, and Auntie Lisa and I were interviewed by some Brits while we sat on a beach surrounded by naked people, while fully clothed in the South of France back in 1998. They told me I was too pasty; that I needed to undress because I needed a tan. They were probably perverts looking to get some action. From the fully clothed Canadian tourists. Not the many naked people sitting around us. Scoff....
I can't wait to tell you all about the interview. It is on Wednesday.
Booty Bootcamp ended the day. Followed by this blog and a cup of tea.
After all the excitement today, I should most definitely be down a couple pounds. I will step on the scale tomorrow morning, only to realize that I have not lost any weight, but am simply 'retaining water'.
I have been frantically running around today. We are washing, packing, organizing, freaking, bitching, laughing, and trying to keep the Wee Ladies under control. As we prepare to drive up north, I am one moody mom. I can say I am a borderline lunatic right now.
We are leaving at an ungodly hour tomorrow morning. At around 4:30 am to avoid long weekend traffic through Toronto. And we want to throw the Wee Ladies in the Guzzler so they can continue sleeping....ask me how that goes later. Then we will stop mid-morning for some serious running for a couple hours followed by the last stretch of the trip. We should arrive at the cabin around dinner time. It will be a long day, but we are so ready for a break.
EvieG packed her bag. Take a look at this....
This is her Barbie attache case from Auntie Missy stuffed to the gills.
What did she put in it? I opened it to check out what she thought was essential in her mind.
She sure can pack it in. She would have to sit on it to close it.
I then took it all apart to see all of the items she had squished in there.
Don't forget the clock!
She included 3 bathing suits (we are on a lake), 5 of her 'friends' that she sleeps with (her equivalent of a blanket), 2 dresses, a cover up for her bathing suit (which is just another dress in her eyes), and an alarm clock.
Not bad! I'll just make sure I throw in a few pairs of underwear and her toothbrush. And a coat. Maybe some socks. Pajamas might help. A brush? Nah, I don't use one up there, so why should she? Pants perhaps? A few t-shirts?
I love that she is taking ownership of her own stuff and packing herself. I'll let her put this bag in the van and I will pack another one on her behalf. We will unpack it together and put everything away in a place she can access it.
On another note....as we will be away in the boonies for the next week, I will not be blogging. They don't have Internet access where we are. Heck, we don't even have a shower. Or a landline. Wi-fi would be just a little too much to ask for. I have access to dial-up in town. At Hubby's grandma's. We won't be in town though except for a Tim Horton's run every now and then. And groceries.
Things are going to remain up and running at dressdownmoms.com. My pal Nenny With Twins, who I have mentioned many times, is site sitting for the week. She will be guest posting and will maybe even a pick a previous post from the archives for you to laugh at again. Mamacita, who is a regular comment contributor has a couple of posts for your enjoyment. Both of these moms have twins. So it is exciting that they are going to share some stories about their lives.
So keep reading! Be sure to come back and check out what is in store for next week. It will be like I'm not even gone! You won't even miss me. But you know you will.
Thanks a bunch to Nenny With Twins and Mamacita for helping out this Dress Down Mom. I appreciate your support.
I will be back on Monday, August 11, with tales and pictures from Northern Ontario.
Here is some info about the local MRI fundraising mission for the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance.
The CK Homebuilders are planning a massive fundraising event in support of the MRI-Making the Right Investment Campaign. They will be building an 1800 square foot house in just 3 days!
A launch party is going to take place Friday, August 15, and here is a commercial all about it.
Happy Canada Day!! I am posting 2 clips today. One for all of those proud Canadians out there and a classic SCTV Bob and Doug McKenzie skit from many years ago.
Enjoy. And to all of those Canadians out there, have a great holiday. To any Americans reading, your day is coming on Friday!
Click here for clip one. It takes a few seconds to load.
The words I will hear this coming Thursday between the hours of 8 am and 5 pm are, "Caaaabbbblllleee Guuuuuyyy!" Sorry, friends, but except for right now, I am basically offline until Friday. I am experiencing major technical difficulties.
We had a thunder storm last night and our digital phones and internet went down. This morning service our was still not restored and I called the cable people. They did indeed confirm that there was a hydro problem in the area, but that it had already been fixed. Except my house. Of course. Lightening probably struck our modem and it surged the entire neighbourhood.
We wait. Until Thursday somewhere between- well whenever they feel like getting the asses over to my house. Probably at 4:55 pm. Because they just have to make me wait alllll day. Like I don't have anything else going on. Please.
I didn't realize how addicted I am to my computer. This surge is killing me. The house is so quiet during nap time. No sounds of typing. I am seriously experiencing some withdrawal. I find myself pacing. Maybe this is a good lesson for me and I will realize how much time I spend on the computer and not with the Wee Ladies. This has been and will continue to be a good slap in the face. A good shake. But we all know that I will pull a Lilo and say "EFF Rehab", and be back at it on Friday. Just like I never left.
I am at my Mom's right now. She agreed to look after the Wee Ladies while I blog. Thanks, Mom. Someone had to keep them occupied here. There are one too many crystal Mikasa frames on display. Along with other priceless breakable objects that call out to the Wee Ladies, invite them over for a pick up, followed by a drop and smash. It has happened. So far I owe my Mom one crystal Mikasa frame. That will put a dent in my already tight budget, so I will sign off and save the frames from another catastrophe.
I apologize for this, but please stay with me. If I can, I will come over here and post. But one never knows what the days will bring with the Wee Ladies. Especially now that I am expecting another visit from the Chicken Pox any day. One down, one possibly two more to go. Viruses, teething kids, and no where to turn!! No internet! No phone!
Have mercy on me.
All's I'm sayin's all.
PS Any guesses on what the cable guy will look like? Hot guy in uniform, or NOT?
I am inundated with the Chicken Pox and tending to the needs of EvieG, plus meeting the demands of the other Wee Ladies. So I will briefly talk about the new web site that is coming soon to a computer near you.
The new web site will contain the blog among other things. There will be a FAQ section, Who's DDM?, Contact Us and a couple other areas. There will be ads promoting local business. The site has a whole new look and I am very excited about it.
I want to thank everyone who is reading. The support means a lot. I am looking forward to helping out Moms and businesses. It is a new challenge for me. I also hope that you continue to be a part of this cause, because without you, it wouldn't work. Thank you.
I am going to try and keep EvieG busy. We have another oatmeal bath on the agenda, followed by some reading, and painting.
I just hope the other Wee Ladies will be okay!
All's I'm sayin's all.
Have a great weekend. Ontario is going to be H.O.T. this weekend. These are the greatest weekends because anytime is Miller time. Bottoms up.
I just want to thank everyone for reading and for helping me get started on this. I really appreciate the support and I appreciate your passing this blog onto others who would be interested in reading.
The goal is to involve businesses in a way that they can provide the readers with special offers. I am hoping that these offers will help families out and help Moms get out of the house and be able to do some things for themselves.
This will take time. I am in the process of having a logo designed for Dress Down Moms and I will be having a site built so to accommodate participating businesses. As I said, this won't happen overnight and I will therefore still require your support with your continued reading. The hits on the site will give businesses the incentive to work with me.
If you have any suggestions or questions, fire them off to me! I would be glad to respond.
