I have one. It’s not something I usually broadcast, and the kids definitely don’t know where it is, but I’ve come to realize that it’s okay to have one. And I always share with D. I’m a good wife like that.

There are all kinds of reasons for having a stash:

1. It makes you feel good. To some degree we’re all creatures of comfort and pleasure so feeling good matters.
2. Research says there are many health benefits when used in moderation. Google it.
3. It can…

I was stopped at a red light this morning after dropping Bou off at school, the same longest red light in the known universe that I always get stopped at, and I got that feeling. You know the one…the strange eyes boring into you and creeping you out feeling. You want to look, but you don’t all at the same time.

It’s morning and as usual I was playing catch-up and didn’t exactly make myself camera ready. Because that happens so often. So there’s that reason for not turning around,…

Monday mornings are difficult for everyone. Not just for those heading to an office, but also the WAHMs and the SAHMs. I’m too sleepy to write out the acronyms. Kids and parents are tired. Did we party too much? Nope. We just quickly got used to the weekend routine of not rushing, sleeping a bit later, staying up, playing with friends, dinners out, and then reality…alarms, school, work, making lunches, morning commutes. Grumble grumble. There are smiles buried here, stay with…

Saying good-bye

Apparently I need to expand this series to include wives and oversights that they we may have. These are not deficiencies in any way. It’s just that we’re busy. We have a lot on our minds. It’s not our fault. Do I sound defensive?

I once heard an analogy that women’s minds are…

Following a mad exchange of Tweets with Momfaze about our tweens’ and teens’ post shower rituals, the consensus was that somehow along the way they never learnt how to hang wet towels. They’re great at leaving them lying around in creative places, but the part where we don’t appreciate that talent hasn’t sunk in yet. Take a peek at …

I went out wearing a battered pair of old running shoes. In public. I’m just coming out and admitting it in case anyone saw me, aside from the dozens of moms at my daughter’s school and the mobs – totally not exaggerating – of shoppers in the mall I went to afterwards.

Yesterday afternoon I was not projecting professional entrepreneur. at. all. What I looked like was this:

Windblown woman who has just come back from an expedition and is slightly bedraggled and dusty…jeans,…

We planned no March Break camps for the kids this year for the first time in years. It was a purposeful decision to allow them more time to chill with family and friends and get theGrandparent fix they need. Secretly we were also looking forward to not running every morning to stick to a schedule.

Plans changed because all 4 of…

Texting your loved one

Let me preface the explanation by assuring you that while I was a) texting in the car, I was not b) driving. I was stopped at a red light. The longest red light in the universe or maybe just my town; so I had time to read and respond to the message I heard dinging at me several minutes earlier while I was driving.

When texting your wife/spouse do not do this:…

Two years ago this week I began running. It started with a hard look at what I was and wasn’t doing and the realization that I needed to change something. I had passed the 40-year milestone and being out of breath by the time I got to the top of the stairs wasn’t on my life goals. Nor was feeling frazzled by a sometimes over-scheduled and hectic life. I needed an outlet.

I enjoy yoga and Pilates and they are both great exercises as well as stress-relievers, but something was missing.…

Despite what D may say my needs are simple. I keep telling him there’s a difference between high maintenance and high standards, but whatever…another day. What I need is some no-kids time. I say that with love.

I gave up any chance for privacy – pronounced with an English accent because it’s more fun that way – once I had kids. That’s partially true; there’s still freedom from an audience when you can park them in the crib or on a play mat and make like an …

Papi et Mamie au parc

These are my mother’s parents…Papi and Mamie. They’ve been gone now for over 20 years and I miss them with an intensity that makes my chest ache. Their loss still sits closely and I accept that it always will. I cry unexpectedly when I think of them, but that’s followed closely by goofy…

I was one too. I still am, but now I choose my battles. And a mouse in my house is going to lose.

While our house is only 40 years old, that’s enough for cracks to have formed on the foundation and basement walls just big enough to allow those tiny rodents in. Slits the size of a dime. Which is apparently all they need to squirm their bodies through.

Pzzzzt – rewind – like the sound records made when you dragged the needle across.

I rescued so many…

I am the Editrix in our home. Sounds a bit like dominatrix minus the leathers and chains and whips and freaky game playing. Never mind…it just ends withix.

Which is not to say I consider myself perfect and have never made any mistakes. I’m not and I do. So when I screw up, like yesterday, I will fixate on it for hours. Because that’s just the way I am. Slightly obsessive with a hint of neurosis. It’s what D finds so darling about me.

The danger of…

Some things you should never leave the house in. I never wear grungy t-shirts or track pants. Not even the kids are allowed. That’s a simple public courtesy.

I hang my head in shame.

Voila the shirt that I wear while painting or refinishing furniture and other household décor accessories. Makes me…

For all of its questionable music, technicolour clothes and cheesy movies I loved the 80s. And yes I’m dating myself, but, like, whatever. Anyone who knows me has my birthdate and those who only know me from this blog; I’m sure you can do the math.

Married + two kids + university + jobs = I was a teenager in the 80s.

High school and crushes and teen dances.

Preppy clothes and trips to the beach and illicit…

Not proud of this, but in an all out coffee drinking competition I would win. Later I’d get the shakes and vomit, but first the coffee would run dry.

I keep making vows to reduce my caffeine consumption and then fail miserably because I am weak. Like right now. Another late night where I forgot that my brain and body don’t wake up peppy, bouncing out of bed, and ready to rock the next morning like they did afew years ago the other day.

I gave…

I read a story today about Catriona Le May Doan. She spoke of never quitting or risk living with regrets as a big motivator for her success. We’ve all heard that dozens of times and yet today it resonated. And then I came across this quote which felt like a left hook to the jaw. I bruise easily.…

Several weeks ago we had two 12-13 year old boys over for a sleepover, not including our son. This isn’t a rare occurrence, but it was a special one. Special in an *I would happily have banished my own kid to the brig* kind of way. If we had a brig. It’s an idea for future renovation plans.

The…

Date nights are those moments when couples get to [re] connect…what’s that? You need a reminder? Back of the line. We all need a reminder.

Last night D and I had a date. It was the first time that we left our kids alone. With each other. Maybe now you’re thinking, “Oh non, this isn’t going to end well.” But it’s okay. When we returned the house was still where we had left it, the kids hadn’t dyed their hair blue, and the dog had all her limbs. That’s good,…

I meant to post tonight on the weighty topic of parental decisions with regard our kids’ secondary school educational options. It’s near and dear to me right now and I’m pleased with how the write-up is trucking along. I’ll finish tomorrow. When I’m not hungry. Now I just really need food.

Me – tonight

It’s the fault of that greedy woman sitting next to me at the dance studio.…