Jessica Biel -- eat your heart out.

Wow. That's all.

ps. I just checked out Lainey gossip and note that she ends her post relating to the above picture with "that's all" as well. Can someone please tell her to stop copying me?

Earth Hour - check

Ty and I took part in Earth Hour on Saturday, and I have to tell you, I feel pretty good about it. It’s an important cause. At first, as 8 p.m. was approaching, we were both hesitant to stop what we were doing and shut it all down (in fact, we actually asked each other – what are we going to do? Should we go out for dinner? Does eating out constitute an earth-friendly activity? Should we play crib by candlelight instead?) but as we turned off the lights, the television, the computer, we realized just how nice it was to have an un-interrupted hour of just talking and lounging.
Go earth, go.
Listening to talk radio this morning, heard a looo-ser of a guy talking about how not only did he not participate in earth hour, but he actually intentionally turned on more lights. Excuse me? Really? I get not backing the cause; I understand not participating. But negative participation? Do not get even one bit.

Earth Hour -- let's do this.

Tonight at 8 a.m., it's earth hour. For all of us that love the lake, the mountains and everything else that makes Canada, Kenora, Canmore, West Hawk, etc. unique and beautiful, we should show our respect and solidarity and turn off the lights for one hour tonight.

Back by Popular Demand

Based on the many, many requests I have received for an update to my blog (read: 2), it appears that you are all waiting with bated breath for a new installment. As I am certainly not one to disappoint, I will bow to the wishes of the masses and respond to my peeps. (And yes, I am THAT intelligent that I am now using Shakespearean language in my blog. This blog is reaching new levels.)

First off, some administrative tasks. I must offer “props” to one Calvin Hammett for his review blog. Hammy – love the review blog. You know your blog has made it when another blog is reviewing your blog. I intend, once I become more blog-savvy, to include a link to young Hammy’s blog. Secondly, please note that my SB mug collection has doubled. My lovely sis came bearing gifts from Calgary and I now own a “Stampede City” mug.

Wow has this week gone FAST. I can hardly believe that it is already Thursday. I suppose that is partly due to the fact that I have Andrea staying with me – time always seems to go faster when you have something good happening, no? If anyone is looking for that one-of-a-kind wedding gift, I would love a time machine, please and thanks.

I also want to mention what a great Easter I had. Andrea came home, Haney came home, and I had two fantastic, home-cooked family dinners. One at Shaun's family's place in Lockport (with all his sisters, kids, grandparents, etc.) and one at Haney's (with all her aunts, cousins, Ben, Clarke, her mom and Terry). Thanks to both for including us in your family plans. So lovely. I should mention that haney made a stellar egg hunt for Ben. Too funny. She lost count of the eggs, so a few "bonus" eggs were found. Never a bad thing, those bonus eggs.

And speaking of family, my parents start the trek home from Florida on Sunday, and I can’t wait to see them. Along with the fact that I haven’t seen them since Christmas and I miss them, I also have many, many things that I need my dad’s help with around the house. Why oh why wasn’t I born more handy? For any of you that have been over lately, you’ll have noticed that we still don’t have the electrical outlets all done, we still haven’t dealt with the closet doors, we still don’t have blinds. Every person on our street now knows that we have a dance floor as opposed to a kitchen table, because anyone that walks by has a full view right into our kitchen / living room. All in good time, right?

So, I am interested in hearing opinions on an issue that I am currently dealing with at work. Consent. And if you think a minor should be allowed to consent to a medical procedure if they are “mature”. If someone has been raised a certain way (in a certain culture or religion, or with a certain set of beliefs), are we able to tell them their beliefs are wrong, regardless of their age? Or -- how do you separate what someone actually believes, from if they are able to offer an informed decision? I mean if someone is telling you that they absolutely do not want to consent to a medical procedure that a doctor has recommended (and it may be a matter of severe injury to them if they do not get the procedure), how can you look at it and separate “them” from their beliefs? Am I getting this across correctly? To put it in a way I don’t really want to (I am only using this language to try make myself clear), at what point do you say, that belief is coming from brainwashing or indoctrination?

And on a completely different note, I attended a Norwex party last night. Interesting. Main selling technique – fear. And it works, let me tell you. You truly start to believe that there are millions of scary chemicals churning around at all times. Which I am sure there are, however, I somewhat prefer the ignorant bliss I was living in. The woman giving the presentation tried to make a link between the levels of autism in our society now versus ten years ago and the chemicals we use in everyday life. Me, as an uninformed lawyer, thought – wow, that sounds bad. On the way home, Andrea and Haney pointed out that, although she may have a point, there is also simply more autism diagnosed, there is not necessarily more around. We also got into a discussion about autism and vaccinations, and in particular the family in the states that sued because her “normal” son was diagnosed with autism after receiving certain vaccinations. Definitely something to think about when we start having kids of our own. http://www.nvic.org/Diseases/autismsp.htm

Also at the Norwex party -- I put my foot in my mouth in the most MASSIVE way. I can’t even begin to tell you what a dumbass I was. I am more than embarrassed and my stomach is churning just thinking about it. I was really nervous to be there in the first place, so I of course start talking loudly and fast (no surprise there) and then I make an idiot of myself. Oh, Winnipeg. When oh when am I going to win you over?

Three is the New Four

So, last week, on Thursday, when I was patiently waiting to see if we were going to be able to jet off to Montreal, I went outside to go for a mini-run in my neighborhood during the day (on a weekday! I felt like a decadent lunching mom!). AND – wait for it – I met a (gasp) neighbor! Not a next door neighbor, mind you, but someone that lives in the East Charleswood ‘hood with me. And she was walking a three-legged dog; a dog that had just recently had it’s little leg amputated. It was one of those tiny creatures, and it had a mini jacket on. At first I thought, sad (not about the jacket, more about the leg). But the more I watched the dog wandering around being generally pleased with herself, it struck me that the dog had already adapted to the fact that she was going to have three, as opposed to the traditional four, legs from here on in. And really, I don’t think “adapted” is exactly the right word. I mean, that little dog was WORKING it. Like Lainey would say about Rumor Willis, she was working her good angles. At one point, I am quite certain she was judging me and MY jacket.

Anyway – my point – I have not done the best job of adapting this year, albeit I’ve had a lot of change in my life, but from today on (and you all have permission to remind me that I wrote this) I am going to be more like the three-legged mini-animal.

Oooo –on another topic entirely -- tomorrow, when I go to Starbucks for an earl grey tea with lots of room (one teabag), I am going to buy the drink for the person in line behind me. Because wouldn’t you love it if someone did that for you?? And speaking of SB, I went this morning with Ty on the way to work and there were 2 (2!) cars running in the parking lot while people went in to get their morning bevie. Really? (Please bear in mind that the temperature is in the pluses today). People, people, people.

Just because this is my third post in as many days, don’t think for even one second this is going to become a regular day-in; day-out thing. You guys know me – my bet is that in ONE month (or less?), this is going to be very, very sporadic. But for now, it is certainly a FANTASTIC way to take a mini-break from the battle I am currently having with the JW’s.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Girl of Summer

Tomorrow is officially the first day of spring. This has been a long, long, cold winter. Needless to say, I have been looking so forward to spring and then on to summer and cottage season. I absolutely cannot wait to try living in Winnipeg in the summer, because, to be honest, so far I am not all that impressed with the Winter Winnipeg (in fairness, I think it was simply this winter).

You know, in some ways I am envious of those in T.O. (yes, I did just write that). People I know from Toronto generally do not ever end up leaving Toronto, and thus they are always surrounded by people and family that they have known and loved forever. Now, I know some people would point out that this is not necessarily a good thing (the not leaving part, anyway), but my thought process is this: I like the idea of having roots in a community, having a strong sense of belonging, and being able to be close (as in down-the-street close) to friends and family. And when you stay in one place, this develops. And when I have children, I want to be surrounded by them. I want all of us together at the family cottage, at the Easter dinners, at the baseball games (Ellis' womb just shrivelled up a little bit more after reading that).

As per my comment last night, I went directly to SB and bought my first mug. However, it is not a “city” one. It’s a Canada one. Apparently Winnipeg does not have a big enough market to have their own Starbucks mug. Hmmm. I’m going to leave that one alone for when I am feeling more charitable towards Winnipeg. In any event, my collection has started. I started a list here to keep track – so far, very easy.

And – also in the news of my life -- I went online today and purchased a game of Wizard, which I am tres excited about. I do not remember how to play the game at all, but I have vague recollections of absolutely loving it (for those who are not familiar with the game -- it's a card game that, if I recall, you try and guess the number of tricks you have in your hand. It would also be unfair if I didn't give credit where credit was due -- this game was introduced to me by the Kyle / Johnson clan who are very, very big wizard players). Anyhow, for me, it’s a game that is associated with fun and summer, so I ordered it. I really have this picture in my mind right now of being at the cottage with a glass of wine in my hand, playing wizard. A thought such as that could certainly never lead me astray.

Started a new book last night -- In Cold Blood, Truman Capote. Thank-you, Doug Richardson. I am only ten pages in, and already I am impressed.

ps.

If you were hoping for some deep thoughts in this blog -- please forget about it. I seriously contemplated discussing Tori Spelling's cleavage here today.

Starbucks

And I totally forgot!

Anyone who knows me knows exactly how much I LOVE starbucks (I just can't help it), so today! today I am starting a Starbucks "city" mug collection. Yes, I am.

Take that, Second Cup.

Day 1

Ok -- here I go!

Rather than spend my time completely unproductively (which I vehemently feel I have been doing as late), I thought I may turn away from the celeb gossip (gasp) and put some of these random thoughts that are floating around in my head down in a blog.

Where to start? Well, perhaps by explaining why a blog...

Short answer -- no real reason at all; which I suppose doesn't really get us anywhere. Longer answer -- this is something I've always thought about doing; something that I have always thought would be cathartic. I have attempted keeping a diary, but have always ultimately failed miserably -- I am a slow writer and I hate my handwriting. So, this appears to be a solid alternative.

And, also, as a side note, I was ridiculously inspired by a blog I just read. Thank you, thank you, thank you, EB. I really needed to read what you wrote -- tonight especially.

And one note away from the new blog topic:

I am eternally greatful for my wonderful, intuitive friends. I have the most amazing friend who figured out I was having a terrible day over a few one-line emails. Thank you, love you, owe you. I absolutely miss you like crazy. Wish I was heading out for a run with you now!

Ok, wish me luck. It has begun. Please bear with me while I navigate this blog world as a "fresh" blogger.