tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123205922024-03-06T23:21:57.321-08:00Truth Be ToldHaleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.comBlogger462125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-32390705416284217842021-03-03T12:36:00.003-08:002021-03-03T12:46:16.893-08:00Kids Corner with "Aludi"<p> Looky who is back, with ANOTHER KID under her belt, during her almost 9th month of maternity leave.. It's me, I'm back. There's a lot of catch up to do, but instead I wanted to add another installment of "Alina's Corner" to the blog, with an addition; her brother Rudi who is now going on 3 and a half. I will rename Alina's Corner to "Aludi's Corner".. Clever? Stupid? A possible future name of a great grandchild of mine? "We don't like real names like Joe or Marie so we combined the names Rudi and Alina and think this just has such a special ring to it...." (Yikes!) Okay, Aludi is definitely not going to work. I'll keep it simple; "Kids Corner", since we have 3 little stinkers now and the third guy might want to be added to this 'corner' of conversation and funny little anecdotes one day! </p><p style="text-align: center;"> The original posts from Alina's Corner can be found by clicking on the links:</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.com/2018/02/introducing-alinas-corner.html" target="_blank">Alina's Corner 1</a> <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.com/2018/04/alinas-corner-belles-fate.html" target="_blank">Alina's Corner 2</a> </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD3ciU9whwVym1fjdZIEn4nXrpkfvgigsZbM3HypvknytSeqyXDwUIaMbtNU_XLOa1osjPS3pqCU1-Ev1uEXtQkPpesxrFH7vNZmatBnp9djsjLftae5eA6AvjvkYO2diffUA/s723/KidsCorner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="723" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLD3ciU9whwVym1fjdZIEn4nXrpkfvgigsZbM3HypvknytSeqyXDwUIaMbtNU_XLOa1osjPS3pqCU1-Ev1uEXtQkPpesxrFH7vNZmatBnp9djsjLftae5eA6AvjvkYO2diffUA/w400-h328/KidsCorner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p style="text-align: left;"> In the first "Alina's Corner" I asked her a list of questions that she answered to the best of her ability. She was 4 at the time and is now, six days shy of 8. Rudi isn't quite 4 but I thought it would be fun to compare his answers with her 4 year old answers. Plus, it's so fun to interview kids to see what they think of us, truly? (Or how hard they will try to get out of answering questions they don't care to answer or know the answers to..) I have to add, that I was in my nighty (yes I wear a nighty) and had my stained Lulu Lemon hoodie that I live in on, drinking a pretty chilly coffee, while rushing through these questions, in the morning before school and daycare. Both children were minding their own business; Alina on her game pad and Rudi on the Ipad playing Moose Math. So, each child would both rather I just shut up and leave them to their screens. However, I persevere and get my damn answers! <br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">1/ What is something I always say?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Put your stuff away. Or clean up.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: Spider!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Well Alina got that one right... I am a mom, we nag. What can I say? If I didn't remind them to flush their poop then we are piggies living in our own poop smell.. (Insert shoulder shrugging emoji here.) As for Rudi, he just says random things sometimes. I feel like this is one of those situations because I'm pretty certain I don't just go yelling, "Spider!" all of the time. </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"> "Mom, what day is it today? " "Spider!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">"I'm hungry, can I have something to eat?" "Spider!"</p><p style="text-align: center;">"Where's dad?" " Spider! "</p><p style="text-align: center;">(You get it.)</p><p style="text-align: left;">2/ What is something that makes you happy?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: My family. </b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: When Daddy tickles me. I mean, when I kiss Tony.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Nailed it in the family department! Phew, our kids love us and we make them happy. Or at least Tony and Daddy are specifically delivering in the happiness department.</i> </p><p style="text-align: left;">3/ What makes you sad?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Seeing my family hurt.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: When "Weena" goes away.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Alright, we are still riding on the family wave. I especially loved that Rudi is sad anytime Alina goes away, in general. He does love his sister but even when he yelled at her this morning; "Weena! Go away!" She did and then the little 3 year old overrun with feelings and emotions he can't understand burst into tears because she did what he asked. </i></p><p style="text-align: left;">4/ How do I make you laugh?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: By calling me "monkey butt".</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: Tickle.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>This is so cool! In the first Alina's Corner, I ask 4 year old Alina and she says I use funny words. Then I go onto explain that I like to say 'monkey butt' to get her to smile in pictures. Four years later she says the same thing, basically. Again, Rudi is just wanting to get rid of me so he's giving some pretty simple answers at this point and to warn the reader, it gets worse...</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">5/ What was I like as a child?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: This is going to be kind of offending, but you were kind of a scarredy cat.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: Umm, I don't want to do this. I just want to play my game.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>She's
not wrong! I believe I used to run away from birds. Rudi, well he
doesn't care to think about me because he's 3 and has better things to
get after.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">6 + 7/ How old am I? How tall am I?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: I forget.. 36? Short.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: A baby. I don't know.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>It's cool, Alina made me a year older plus she was into her game as well. Little buggers. Apparently I'm a baby, which is interesting and maybe that's why he doesn't listen to me...</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">8/ What is your favourite thing to do?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Hmmm.. eat food.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: I'm so tired... Play!</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Eating food answer makes perfect sense because Alina, like most kids is a steady snacker. Rudi says he's tired when he's bored or tired of my relentless questions.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">9/ What do I do when you're not around?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Play with Tony.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: I don't know. (His answer to questions 9 through 11..)</b></span><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Oh, yes for those that don't know; Anthony AKA Tony is our third addition to the family. He's pretty cool and Alina's pretty right; I do play with Tony when they're not around. He is the third child and suffers from being put off to the side to deal with the much louder, needier children first. When I'm home with him, it's his time to shine!</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">10/ What am I good at?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Reading</b>.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Well, she's not wrong. But I'm slightly offended that this is her first thought. How about TAKING CARE OF YOU A-HOLES!? </i></p><p style="text-align: left;">11/ What am I bad at?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Jumping off of a roof into a pool.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>For the record, I did jump off of a floating cabin into a lake with her last summer. I was scared as hell but I wanted to show her I was brave. She instead, walked passed me and jumped in before me... But we have a pool with a little shed beside it and she jumps off of it when her Dad lets her. I think I would probably fall through the little shed and I'm also not big into standing on roofs of sheds to look down into our neighbour's yard while they entertain family...</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">12/ What do I do for work?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: Teach kids.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><b>R: At Tony.</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Both correct! I usually work in a daycare with children. At Tony is definitely my profession right now, as I'm on maternity leave.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">13/ What is my favourite food?</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>A: Butter chicken.</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>R: Spaghetti!</b></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><i>Well, I like both of those meals. I have so many favourites, they couldn't really get that one wrong. I'm more of a snacker, appy kind of lover. Charcuterie board type foods are amazing, theater popcorn, Chinese Food, Sushi, ribs, wings, all chips. You get the idea.</i></p><p style="text-align: left;">I think my mistake was asking the little buggers while they were on screens because they're simply at their worst when there's a screen in front of them. But- it was fun and it was also so nice to get back to blogging. I'm hoping to return regularly before I get back to work in July. I'll update on news of Mr. T in future posts. He's pretty amazing...</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p><br /></p>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-3881640711486680162018-12-27T13:02:00.001-08:002018-12-27T13:02:18.306-08:00The Holidays To me, Christmas really is the best time of the year. It's full of silly traditions, when I reflect on it. Getting a tree, decorating it and leaving it in the house for over a month seems a bit ridiculous when it gets broken down like that. But, we do it, year in and year out. Humans are starved for tradition and for reminders of the past. I love Christmas because it fills my heart and soul with memories from a simpler time. A time when Rudi (Sr) would take us out to the bush in his work truck and we would hunt for two trees. One tree was for our household and the other would be for Grandma and Grandpa. Mom and Rudi would swear and argue about getting the tree into the house and then into that damn, difficult tree stand we always used and never replaced. We never decorated the first night, but mom would always put the lights up without help and she took forever and did a bang up job, every year. So each year, as an adult we hold onto old traditions and create new ones. The one tradition I carry with me is to make a nauseating amount of crab dip throughout the whole Christmas season. I started on Friday, December 21st and plan on making my last batch today. I love Christmas so much, that I actually get sad on Christmas Eve because I know that Christmas and all the lead up will be over by Christmas evening. I am already sad that Christmas will be over, before it has even truly begun.<br />
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I always find that December 27th is the toughest day. The 26th still feels like a holiday, because a lot of places are still closed. The malls are filled with people searching for deals and the overall feeling is still festive. But December 27th is the day after Boxing Day and two after the Big Day. I still feel like I'm in lazy mode but know I should be at the grocery store stocking the fridge with healthy choices again. I know I should be buying more milk because I'm nearly out again. I know all of this, yet I can't get my festive, slightly bummed ass off of the couch and away from Netflix. Rob and I discovered a new show called "You" and we can't stop watching it. Thank goodness, because I really need an excuse to stay in my pajamas and to have those left over cabbage rolls from Christmas, for our lunch again today. The overall feeling I get from today is morose, but I do cheer up at the thought that I still have a lot of time off this year. That, I could never write negatively about. Time off is amazing and a true gift after how busy we've been since returning to work in September. I imagine I'll continue to be lazy, drink too early and eat poorly until New Years, although I know I shouldn't. Once we ring in the new year; I'll have to get off of this couch during the day and start my workout regime once again. I'll have to start getting back into the idea of work and planning up new circle time ideas and fun crafts for the little ones. But, until then... I think I'll continue to put Bailey's in my coffee and I'll eat chips before noon.. Until then, I'll embrace this lovely, lazy, excuse to not adult we all know and love as 'the holidays'.. <br />
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.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-13725134085759377742018-09-19T13:43:00.000-07:002018-09-19T13:43:24.517-07:00Changes My timing is a bit awful, getting back into writin<span style="font-family: inherit;">g. Today is Wednesday and it is the middle of my very last week on maternity leave. I have been so busy with life, that I have completely failed to keep up with my blog. But the best party about having this blog for the last thirteen years, is that it is always here when I'm ready to return. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> For the last ten years I have been working in pharmacy. I first left my cafe job to work for quite a cruel man with a baaaaad reputation. He gave me alot of money to start but in return I owed him my soul. I swear he made me so nervous, I burned a hole in my stomach from the stress. After bravely leaving him, I turned to a man who was quite the opposite. He managed a local pharmacy in town and he was willing to put in a good word for me with the owner. I ended up getting a job with The Medicine Shoppe and have been working for that company for the last nine years. I was married, had my first and second children while working for the husband and wife duo. But, it was apparent that my time was coming to an end there too. It was time for me to break up and move on...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Of course I knew this leaving on maternity leave last September, but I didn't know when or what I was going to do next. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Let's go back to 2004; the year I graduated from high school. I finished school and started dating someone from my grad class. We convinced my parents to let him move in with us. We played house for a bit and convinced ourselves that we were 'grown up'.. or something like that. He worked in construction and I was a maid at a Best Western hotel. On graduation day, the teacher will read aloud what each student plans on doing for his education when he's called up to receive his diploma. I didn't have any plans, other than to continue to live with my boyfriend, in my parent's house, while being a maid. (I know; very ambitious....) But to avoid sounding as pathetic as I was, I said I was going to Grande Prairie to begin my studies to become an ECE. Early Childhood Educator. I bring this up, because it has taken me thirteen years to realize, that I always wanted to become an ECE. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> My daughter has been enrolled at a local daycare in town since she was two and a half. We fell in love with the structure of this daycare and the people that ran it. Over the years, we've formed friendships with the ladies. Sometime this summer, the subject of my wanting to get into the same field as them came up. The rest is history and I was offered a position at the daycare! I made the decision to quit my nine years at the pharmacy and instead of returning to work there, I start working at the daycare next week! Talk about changes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Back to the subject of changes... September has brought on major changes for everyone in our family. Our girl Alina, started kindergarten the first week of September. We were all quite excited and a little nervous but mostly excited for this change. I, of course was feeling sappy at the end of August knowing that our days together, lounging around painting and watching Netflix were coming to an end! But, she's transitioned nicely and seems to be enjoying herself. Rudi turned one this month and this week he has been going to his new daycare. This one has been a bit harder on him and I. I feel so sad knowing that he cried for the first two, half days. But today, his report was better. He didn't cry as much and when I came to pick him up, he was eating quite happily. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I am so looking forward to getting started at the daycare. It did occur to me that I am going to be a total rookie, having never worked at one before. But, challenge accepted! I'm very much looking forward to working with little ones. I love making a difference and I can't wait to start making a difference, even if it's just making someone feel a little bit more comfortable.. or getting a smile from a grumpy not-so morning person. I'm excited that I don't have to endure another flu season filled with impatient customers piling in for their shots. I'm ecstatic about the idea of playing, colouring, teaching, reading and singing and being silly with a bunch of little kiddos. I imagine I'm going to be exhausted physically and mentally for a while, while my body and mind gets used to days spent with children. I'm hopeful that I am like my daughter and my transition will go smoothly.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've been practicing my 'play' skills in preparation for my new career...</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> I so appreciate the chance I was given in pharmacy. I value the friendships I made working alongside some pretty hilarious, ridiculous and entertaining individuals. I will always cherish those friendships going forward and will remember what I have learned from all of you...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-21406828742536361642018-04-27T11:12:00.002-07:002018-04-27T11:12:10.745-07:00Alina's Corner- Belle's Fate<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I just started Alina's Corner just a little while ago. The first Alina's Corner post can be found <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2018/02/introducing-alinas-corner.html" target="_blank">HERE</a><br />
Since then I've been making sure to record anything funny or cute that she's said. One of my favourite things about Alina is that she is a colourful kid. She is extremely compassionate towards children, or animals or her family and friends. She has a lot of love to give and she's not afraid to give it. She's silly, so she does or says ridiculous things that make Rob and I laugh out loud at the best and unexpected times. She's also a little sick... As in, she's a bit morbid. I'm not sure how normal this behaviour is. She likes being scared and takes an interest in death and has a lot of questions about it. But I feel like most people are a bit odd deep down.. Or maybe I just am...? She has a very articulate way of describing how she feels and I find that refreshing and intriguing. She makes me want to jot down a lot of her explanations for things. She's insightful at five and I admire that. Oh man! I'm sorry- I try to make a rule not to go on and on about my own kid because I find it to be obnoxious! I'll let her quotes speak for herself instead of me..!<br />
- Gloating, Obnoxiously Proud Mother<br />
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Alina talking to her baby brother (usually through gritted teeth because she can't stand how cute he is!) <br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>"I love you buddy. Even when you scratch me and pull my hair. Even when you kick me in the throat. I love you when I pour water on you in the bath and you pee like a fountain."</b></span></div>
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<i><b>Well I'm glad she doesn't mind taking the abuse... for now. I'll have to teach her that that shit isn't acceptable in a relationship......... </b></i> </div>
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I asked Alina on her birthday in March how she felt about turning five:</div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b> "Well I kind of felt like five once because when I went on my tippy toes for a second. Then when I went on my 'down' toes I felt four again."</b></span> </div>
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<b><i>Ah yes, I hate being on my down toes- it always makes me feel like my actual age. I would much prefer to live life on my tippies.</i></b></div>
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Alina had her little friend Tom over to hang out this week. I could hear them discussing things in the basement. My ears perked when I heard them talking about Rob. Tom started by asking her if the scary masks he politely asked me to put away were Rob's. She said yes, that he just purchased them at a garage sale over the weekend. </div>
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T: Rob is so weird. </div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">A: Yes, Rob <i>is</i> weird. He always throws pillows at me. He's always trying to scare people. He drags me all over the house and he throws Rudi up in the air twenty-thirty-seventy times.</span></b></div>
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T: Laughs and agrees. </div>
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<i><b> Well I don't blame them for calling Rob weird. He IS. And he's crazy fun and I think that's why they both got giggly when he stopped by from work to grab some lunch. Tom told him that Alina said he farts a lot and Rob replied with a departing fart before returning to work.... I also love that she referred to her own dad as 'Rob'.</b></i></div>
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Another discussion between Alina and Tom happened shortly after Rob's departing fart. They were drawing pictures and Tom insisted that I draw him a heart so he could colour it. </div>
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T: I'm not good at drawing hearts. </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: YES you are. </b></span></div>
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T: NO I'm NOT! (He got a little upset that she insisted he was good.)</div>
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Me: Okay Alina. If Tom doesn't think he's good at drawing hearts just leave it at that. (Me not wanting to upset the little guy.)</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;">A: I think you're better than you think you are. (She says quietly to him.)</span></b></div>
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<b><i>Um... yes! Why didn't I- THE adult think to say that?! That was a moment I was proud of.</i></b></div>
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<i> </i>Alina is surrounded by lovely woman at her daycare. They not only are good at their jobs, as people that care for children but they genuinely love Alina. There's nothing better than being a full time working mom and being able to confidently and happily drop your prized possession off with people that are good for her and love her. SO! It was Valentine's Day and one of the lovelies that take care of her gave us a Valentine's gift. She's always giving such thoughtful gifts and this one had a great message. It was a book that was all about a young girl asking animals what they love about themselves. For example one says they love their legs because they get a kick out of her! Or a giraffe loves his long neck because they can reach the stars together, etc. So I asked Alina what she loves about herself. She replied she loved her brother and I said that was nice but she needed to say what she loved about herself. I didn't give her any examples because I wanted her to come up with something and I was curious to hear what she would say... </div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>A: I love my ... chest ... because my heart is in it. I love my heart... because my heart loves my brother and my family. </b></span></div>
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<i><b>Wow... deep. I mean, really! I was going to say- your eyes, or your smile or your pretty hair. Talk about an awesome answer. She answered slowly so when she said her chest I thought she was going to end it with - I love my chest because I'm going to have boobies one day. Of course I go there and I wonder why she can be odd.</b></i></div>
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So I decided to introduce the silly and sweet things Alina said over the last few months first. I wanted to butter up the readers before I exposed them to another side of Alina. One that maybe some parents don't want to share with the world wide web. But me, I think it's especially hilarious- so brace yourselves...</div>
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<i><b> </b></i>Alina was in the bath for some time before I came in to wash her hair. She had that cup sitting on the edge of the tub, so I moved it and realized that Belle was inside floating. I gently moved it to the counter and asked Alina what was going on with Belle.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #e06666;"> A: Oh, the mermaids drowned her.</span></b></div>
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<i><b> Those effing mermaids. You can't trust em! Especially in Alina's little, twisted mind. I just love how it wasn't good enough to put a cover over the cup, she also put a weight on top of the cover just in case Belle got clever and found a way to push the cover off........... Proud moment? Hmmm.</b></i></div>
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<i><b> </b></i><b> </b>Well, that's my girl! She is full of all kinds of interesting anecdotes or recollections and opinions. It's fun to share her little quirks because I hope to publish this blog one day into books that I can keep forever. I'm sure Alina will appreciate these when she's older....</div>
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-84157176014349908172018-04-20T11:40:00.001-07:002018-04-20T11:40:36.427-07:00The gOLDen Years I am going to be 33 in July. It's not a big deal. I'm not freaking out about it or anything. I'm still in my early 30's. I'm the youngest of three and the other two are nearing their 40's. I feel alright. But it doesn't take away from the fact that sometimes I just feel... old. Outdated. Irrelevant. Uncool. Old.<br />
I know, a lot of people are older than me and I know that saying I feel old at 32 is grounds for a collective eye roll.<i> But</i>- it doesn't change the fact that I feel it sometimes.<br />
It starts slow. I make a mental note of something and then later on I make another mental note until all of a sudden I have serious proof that I am in fact getting old!<br />
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1. I can't sit with my legs crossed for very long or I can't sit on a hard floor without getting up and making a bunch of grunting, groaning sounds. I used to be able to sit 'criss cross apple sauce' (that's what Alina calls it) for hours and just jump up after like no big deal. I was so limber and flexible.. Now, not so much the case......<br />
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2. I find myself complaining about the artists on Saturday Night Live. The other night I was all critical saying that the band playing better get their act together because they sucked. Rob looked at me in disgust and said it was "Arcade On Fire." Which most people know is a pretty successful, well known band. (Insert smack to old lady forehead here.) Or I will be watching the Grammy's and exclaim that bands now a days aren't talented. They just dress up all ridiculous, with their boobs and asses out and sing along to some pre-recorded nonsense. <br />
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** Side Note: I left my mistake in because it just proves how 'not cool' I am. The band isn't Arcade ON Fire. It's Arcade Fire. (Insert another smack to old lady forehead here....) **<br />
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3. I have mentioned in numerous blogs that I live in a retirement community. (Which makes this post all the more hilarious.) I am surrounded by many, many senior citizens. The town I live in could be compared to Pleasantville it is so pleasant and beautiful and not full of any sort of vandalism or<br />
thug-ery. (I made that word up because I'm an old lady and we do what we want.. ) So when I go to our neighbouring town it's like I'm going to NYC for the first time at night, alone. I went to get Rob his coffee from this grocery store around 8:00 pm. I got into my car and locked the doors immediately because I am a paranoid ninny. (Or Nanny- since I'm a grandma now. Get it!?) Rob was trying to Facetime me but we were getting disconnected. I was leaving the store and walking to the car. My 'street smarts' kicked in and I was looking all around me in case I was 'jumped'. I actually thought to myself, I have a brand new cell phone, the criminals around here would definitely attack me for it. So I made sure to stay alert, lock the door once I got into the car and then focus my attention on my phone. Ridiculous!<br />
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4. I think I'm over this now, but it took some time for me to be.. The movie "13 Going On 30" is a good example of my mind set. The 13 year old girl inside her 30 year old body acts 13, is attracted to boys instead of men because she is still 13 in her mind. Now I'm not attracted to teenagers. But I remember it took me awhile to not care what teenagers thought of me. I would pass a group of teens and wonder if I was considered 'cool' still. Or if I was thought of as older, but possibly a good looking older chick? How ridiculous- I know! But it's that young mentality that is difficult to shake. I remember feeling that way constantly when I was in my teens or early twenties. Now, I don't feel that way so much. But like I said, it took me awhile to shake that paranoid feeling or curiosity.<br />
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5. The first time I saw pictures of kids I used to babysit on Facebook with their own Facebook Accounts. This one certainly made me feel incredibly old. Our neighbours in Hinton had three kids. I used to babysit the older two. The girl was a baby when I watched her. I remember the one thing that made her so happy was swinging in her swing. So when I saw her graduation/prom photos on Facebook I couldn't believe my eyes! Graduated? I remember traits about her when she was a baby!!! Old. Old. Old.<br />
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6. Technology is getting away from me. I am okay with social media. I have my Facebook, Twitter, Instagram accounts that are fairly active. I feel like I get those okay. But it's music. If it wasn't for Rob subscribing to Spotify I would have no way of finding and listening to music on any sort of media. I have no idea how to <i>have </i>music now. We used to burn cd's or buy cd's. Obviously I don't do that anymore. ( I wouldn't even know how to burn a cd today.) This world is progressing so quickly I'm really beginning to feel outdated and left behind...<br />
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7. I have this strange desire to tease or embarrass Alina. It's such a parent thing! She gets all giddy and silly about a boy at daycare. She kind of likes him. So she told me casually that she held his hand on their walk. I could have been mature and left it at that. But no, I was all like.. "Here that Daddy? Alina held Ethan's hand on her walk today.. Ooooooooh." Which makes her blush and jokingly scold me. So there it is. I can't help be uncool because I'm a parent. Being someone's parent automatically makes you OLD and immediately 'less cool'...<br />
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8. I remember when a pack of cigarettes cost $5.00. Enough said.<br />
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**Side note: The fact that I uttered/typed those words makes me old. "I remember when ____ cost..."**<br />
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9. We have younger friends and older friends. We are acquaintances and friends with a young lady that is 19. We're also friends with people that could be our parents. Now that we're older it doesn't matter how old people are. In high school hanging out with people two or three years older was a huge deal. I remember my brother was in grade 12 when I entered high school. Just being related to him instantly gave me credit. I knew and had connections with someone older and cool. Was I allowed to hang out with him and his friends? Not really. But now, it wouldn't even matter if I did or didn't. What makes me feel old is when I find out a friend is a lot younger than me. It happened the other night. I was like, "I know you're young. But what year were you born?" 1992..! I was in school already crushing on my first crush.<br />
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10. Wrinkles! I don't mind wrinkles one bit. I think they give a person personality. I remember referring to my dad Rudi's wrinkles as his 'smile lines' or 'laugh lines'. I have noticed in the last little while that I have them! I have 'smile lines' but I totally accept them. Still makes me feel old though...<br />
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There it is folks! I feel an immense amount of pressure has been lifted off of my shoulders. (Which is a good thing because my shoulders can't handle that much weight.. I am 32 after all!) I feel like having dug up all of the reasons (and I'm sure there are plenty more) that I feel old has given me some unspoken permission to go on and on about feeling old whenever I like, or something like that...<br />
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Does anyone else out there agree with me? Do you feel old and what makes YOU feel like an old Grannie OR Gr-pa!?</div>
Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-52423054394626737232018-04-18T16:30:00.000-07:002018-04-18T16:30:22.351-07:00Support For Make A Wish My sister in law Erin is an adventurous type. She's always challenging herself in all sorts of creative ways. Lucky for me, she asked if I wanted to join her in the <a href="https://the5kfoamfest.com/canada/" target="_blank">5K Foam Fest</a> coming in June. Basically you run 5K with foam, mud and fun and exciting obstacles. I was in for sure! I have never participated and thought it would be great for me to get out and do something both exciting and challenging. I contacted some friends and another of mine is joining us as well!<br />
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We came up with a clever name, LunaChicks and we were all registered and set to have some fun come June. I received an email back in February informing me that Make A Wish Foundation was the official event charity partner with the Foam Fest this year. I instantly contacted my team members and they agreed that we should register our team to be able to receive donations from supportive friends and family.<br />
<a href="https://makeawish.ca/" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://makeawish.ca/" target="_blank"> Make A Wish Foundation Canada</a>'s mission is to restore a child's innocence, sense of fun and adventure if only for a day. With medical procedures and permanent hospital stays, the lives of sick children become intensely chaotic, scary and repetitive. Make A Wish can make dreams come true and in donating money to their cause can assist in creating life changing opportunities.<br />
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The goal we set for our team is $300. We figure that is an attainable number for the three of us to raise. I have personally never done anything charitable and I'm excited to be part of something like this. I don't like asking for money but I think this is for a good cause. The beautiful thing about social media is that I don't have to put people on the spot by asking one on one for money. If you wish to donate please do and if not, that's okay too!<br />
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We appreciate any donations and are excited to do our adventurous, foamy and muddy run come June!<br />
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Please visit our LunaChicks Fundraising Page <a href="https://makeawishca.donordrive.com/team/5616" target="_blank"><u><b>HERE</b></u></a> to support the cause!<br />
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. Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-46358155724487768822018-04-12T22:57:00.000-07:002018-04-12T23:08:56.253-07:00#JerseysForHumboldt<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOvzzeWHXZY61gXoD_ykQx53qF5gWzql_LX86yJlNbIiBqfeLq6qQczWb3O1YP8y37dwWJkGFH22EOIHihGJO6g0xvNR6XlQNlE1Ktpqbb23SdIYKMUy0BZ518qErgPFL4dkV/s1600/humboldt-broncos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="536" data-original-width="804" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKOvzzeWHXZY61gXoD_ykQx53qF5gWzql_LX86yJlNbIiBqfeLq6qQczWb3O1YP8y37dwWJkGFH22EOIHihGJO6g0xvNR6XlQNlE1Ktpqbb23SdIYKMUy0BZ518qErgPFL4dkV/s400/humboldt-broncos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mjwarriors.ca/article/whl-statement-on-humboldt-broncos" target="_blank">Humboldt Broncos</a></td></tr>
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A great tragedy occurred last Friday around dinner time just 30 km north of Tisdale, Saskatchewan. There were 29 people riding on a charter bus to Nipawin where the Humboldt Broncos hockey team were to play Game 5 of their semifinal series with the Nipawin Hawks. A semi truck crashed into the front part of the bus killing 16 and injuring 13. Among the 16 killed were the coach, the assistant coach, the team's athletic therapist, 2 employees from Humboldt's FM radio station and the bus driver. The other 10 were from the Homboldt Bronco's hockey team. Their ages ranged from 16 to 29. (A full article about the victims and a little information about each of them can be found <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/humboldt-broncos-crash-victims-1.4609856" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)<br />
The country seems exceptionally shaken up over this accident. <i>We </i>certainly were. We hear of shootings, terrorist attacks and natural disasters all over the world claiming multiple lives and it is all truly awful. But for some reason the Humboldt Bronco tragedy is staying with us. I think it's because it was a hockey team involved and we have experienced hockey in some way or another.<br />
My boyfriend and my friend's brother were on the same hockey team for a couple of years. I remember riding the bus to tournaments alongside her and being part of the excitement of a hockey team. A lot of my girlfriends growing up played hockey as well. Humboldt is a town of nearly 6000 which is smaller than my hometown. So I know that small town mentality. Everyone knows everyone. Everyone goes to those hockey games because <i>that </i>is what is going on on a Friday or Saturday night. Hockey guys are a different breed entirely. In my experience, they're cocky but lots of fun. They're sure of themselves but they all share a deep bond with one another. I also have a little nephew that lives and breathes hockey. It hits home..<br />
Rob, my husband was a goalie in Thunder Bay, Ontario growing up. He was on a AAA team and rode the bus to and from tournaments. He grew up with a lot of guys that went on to the NHL that played on teams like the Broncos before making it big. These players lived with billets in different towns all over the country for their chance at the show. He is also in our local fire department. It hit him on two levels.<br />
Each night since the accident we found ourselves discussing the Broncos. We shared stories we heard on social media of the young men, we've talked in length about the Nipawin Fire Department that answered that life changing call. We were supportive of each other in putting up green lights in our daughter's room and leaving the porch light on for days. We silently supported the other because it matters to us.<br />
So it was the other night that I read <a href="https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2018/04/11/thousands-remember-humboldt-broncos-players-for-jersey-day.html" target="_blank">an article</a> that Thursday, April 12 would be Jersey Day. People were encouraged to wear a jersey of any kind to show love and support for those that were left behind and those that have passed on. As soon as I read about it I knew I wanted to take part in it. Being on maternity leave has left me with the time to go on Facebook and Instagram often and I started to see family and friends posting their pictures of them wearing jerseys. I was touched. I love the unity of it all. It warms my heart to see what an impact these young men have had on so many lives. It's inspiring and devastating, encouraging yet heartbreaking all at once. That's why it is so special. <br />
While I was getting ready I had this whole daydream that I was being interviewed by the news while walking downtown with the kids in our jerseys. I wanted to explain why it was so important to us to participate... (This is my little speech I had for my fake interview..)<br />
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My daughter asked me this morning why we had to wear our jerseys today. I explained to her that a lot of people, a lot of young men were hurt in this accident. People always want to help in tragedies but they don't know how to. Today is about unity and showing support. By wearing the jersey we are telling the people and families involved that we are here for them. That they are not alone. And not just the families and friends of those hurt or killed. The Nipawin Fire Department that helped rescue and remove people from the bus is comprised of everyday people. Our fire department is made up of people in a rainbow of professions. We have a hair dresser, a stay at home mom, a bus driver, an electrician, a paramedic, a young man fresh out of high school,etc. Those were the kinds of people that heard a page and went to a call that changed their lives forever. So I want to say that we appreciate and honour those individuals that put their own lives on hold to help, assist and rescue those in need. If anything, I hope people find comfort in the thousands of pictures of porch lights left on, with hockey sticks left out front or of smiling faces wearing jerseys being posted. I know I have. <br />
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Thank you to those of you that participated in Jersey Day and for giving me permission to post your pictures to my blog.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alberta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vancouver Island, B.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturgeon County West Wing</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ontario</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispC_1OuQiqaXKeyaqKkIFIk1bkXWuf4I-8BQG-iH3EJwScBS3TFnWy0UmuOSRUrFze7XvdY_cm9w_RbDrYTHehgrZtqiQLJBnpPWilE2ZjSnt6vYiqEqhtwITXdOtCospTw_B/s1600/edson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="640" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispC_1OuQiqaXKeyaqKkIFIk1bkXWuf4I-8BQG-iH3EJwScBS3TFnWy0UmuOSRUrFze7XvdY_cm9w_RbDrYTHehgrZtqiQLJBnpPWilE2ZjSnt6vYiqEqhtwITXdOtCospTw_B/s640/edson.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edson, Alberta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqmzGWI3DLBZCEn0bZH_9EAeW5LoL_CHk4fMTftvAZaOw5ARXIuxvQcDicdqhHh1JDSfHtwMPKufkhUP6DAelI_AMofxDK_gnqCx7pSpJ-vu9lj7eSxp4W4oO3iQfI2kjwhFT/s1600/Jesse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="359" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkqmzGWI3DLBZCEn0bZH_9EAeW5LoL_CHk4fMTftvAZaOw5ARXIuxvQcDicdqhHh1JDSfHtwMPKufkhUP6DAelI_AMofxDK_gnqCx7pSpJ-vu9lj7eSxp4W4oO3iQfI2kjwhFT/s640/Jesse.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killam, Alberta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy_BGPwESqSL6NhUIWidz5n1ET7eU1inJWXWyT2_LPLlYnbrR7vPzAKvT5TehZDzXMZHb8kKbWZ4-DjDbrvlt6gxI_Og64S_XgOZ6J665FIQJZcdy76cFnX6NyVMvioHTaz-_/s1600/miramichi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="719" data-original-width="1280" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy_BGPwESqSL6NhUIWidz5n1ET7eU1inJWXWyT2_LPLlYnbrR7vPzAKvT5TehZDzXMZHb8kKbWZ4-DjDbrvlt6gxI_Og64S_XgOZ6J665FIQJZcdy76cFnX6NyVMvioHTaz-_/s640/miramichi.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miramichi, New Brunswick</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8yPnWyxyBKoqO01WlZ2Me7OZJLup3muZYKmcc-9Em7XBf8ZmKshFdylixFxNl_8ze_J-237kjXoluJv-h7WuqinPj47PLq05i6mqvV9LWue222yoGcgOvBQmYrGSFybezKuX/s1600/nonna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb8yPnWyxyBKoqO01WlZ2Me7OZJLup3muZYKmcc-9Em7XBf8ZmKshFdylixFxNl_8ze_J-237kjXoluJv-h7WuqinPj47PLq05i6mqvV9LWue222yoGcgOvBQmYrGSFybezKuX/s640/nonna.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thunder Bay, Ontario</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDCZiYv33vduHRcWajFZfcVVSv_38OYQw5DhyphenhyphenubRnkilxYM7VhDu9LnZwyRQw-GaXVGdZ9ft5DdQWtWwOWvgiuL1BIVq2aAExPK12kMkY09Kcv5_iBN0FEBG5jeibDaNhXJqm/s1600/kerri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUDCZiYv33vduHRcWajFZfcVVSv_38OYQw5DhyphenhyphenubRnkilxYM7VhDu9LnZwyRQw-GaXVGdZ9ft5DdQWtWwOWvgiuL1BIVq2aAExPK12kMkY09Kcv5_iBN0FEBG5jeibDaNhXJqm/s640/kerri.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vancouver Island, B.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQuGLaAqSRJcapedSZ7EnYb7rF64sj8pygx1fvydWrqGNIXn6pDaNIpJl_0Q4pgKO3r-O_3SXcpxV82AU7p_G-46z5QhIY47oSO11SMVGazr25nG1rUtJhuNmcAHwVrPJw7s/s1600/katie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DQuGLaAqSRJcapedSZ7EnYb7rF64sj8pygx1fvydWrqGNIXn6pDaNIpJl_0Q4pgKO3r-O_3SXcpxV82AU7p_G-46z5QhIY47oSO11SMVGazr25nG1rUtJhuNmcAHwVrPJw7s/s640/katie.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edson, Alberta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbiHPxco9ZORTeZPD7k9MZjcNv8ibYY-8aHRmQOoqg08-O_RldhLNd4zI1Td37WhMKOyXHVCcKKRjEPr1xX4Vh2kmgWzl0KZJbowtt79VHhZ63FsqGFYwjtoedooPoF_byKA/s1600/shelly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8EbiHPxco9ZORTeZPD7k9MZjcNv8ibYY-8aHRmQOoqg08-O_RldhLNd4zI1Td37WhMKOyXHVCcKKRjEPr1xX4Vh2kmgWzl0KZJbowtt79VHhZ63FsqGFYwjtoedooPoF_byKA/s640/shelly.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bon Accord, Alberta</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHM4GjKweCecyatOtP9t23OoKEScyvPW57DjQoToT8_um0EmfRq-drjv-jOhAlCKi9fiFN2CxlgnbGJwBtPyxK0Rp64k7gbgR16PBDdPoEcOmWMg-q0Y2-gGeaAVTxnCTTGbu/s1600/lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="719" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHM4GjKweCecyatOtP9t23OoKEScyvPW57DjQoToT8_um0EmfRq-drjv-jOhAlCKi9fiFN2CxlgnbGJwBtPyxK0Rp64k7gbgR16PBDdPoEcOmWMg-q0Y2-gGeaAVTxnCTTGbu/s640/lisa.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vancouver Island, B.C.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD25FzdhwSAjPAN_chKWJ3De7Klgkq9cA1vAP1Ap_wTcrQSsPGOihawNQErCoE_cAkQrGbczZH8Llk9K6sR0vGiFZEXDKcHOB9aZMZ0MEF3JkQLRvPxcV2rdcAiIUUd4CWil1K/s1600/rob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD25FzdhwSAjPAN_chKWJ3De7Klgkq9cA1vAP1Ap_wTcrQSsPGOihawNQErCoE_cAkQrGbczZH8Llk9K6sR0vGiFZEXDKcHOB9aZMZ0MEF3JkQLRvPxcV2rdcAiIUUd4CWil1K/s640/rob.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My boys- Vancouver Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjlUYMvLyWGACEbuA93VoHSM7hC23yKuPsToXEMSLh0aBNLKz0wOEhf5Ybb_86sibnikhozRq9rzq0MC50saEbJj1naHGUHWRfp7vFxx9fKq7QpsxxI4RBi3igfzVhj7gEIgh/s1600/alina.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBjlUYMvLyWGACEbuA93VoHSM7hC23yKuPsToXEMSLh0aBNLKz0wOEhf5Ybb_86sibnikhozRq9rzq0MC50saEbJj1naHGUHWRfp7vFxx9fKq7QpsxxI4RBi3igfzVhj7gEIgh/s640/alina.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At swimming- Vancouver Island</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#JerseysForHumboldt #HumboldtStrong #HumboldtBronchos #NipawinFireDepartment #YouAreNotAlone</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">#HumboldtBroncos #NipawinFireDepartment</td></tr>
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.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-49728718345305462582018-03-01T21:19:00.000-08:002018-03-01T21:19:03.260-08:00Traveling With A Babe I feel like my trip went by in a blur... I know that Rudi and I were all packed up and ready to go Thursday and before I knew it it was another Thursday and I was unpacking...<br />
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Traveling with a five month old alone is not easy. There are a lot of things to potentially drop or forget. I discovered that there always seemed to be a neverending abundance of considerate, kind and helpful strangers around to aid me when I needed it. There was the young man that was sitting right beside me on my last flight to Halifax that asked to move to an empty seat so "she can have more room for her baby." There was a gentleman that seemed uncomfortable with me having to breastfeed (covered and always discreet) a few feet from him yet he asked if I wanted him to grab my bags from the overhead storage. People constantly helped me pick up dropped items and offered to help me carry items (because I had so much with me!!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rudi luring strangers over to say hello to him. It worked! He lured three to come over and talk to him!</td></tr>
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West Jet. A-mazing. On my first flight the flight attendant said she would hold Rudi if I needed to go to the washroom. She said I was one button away from her help and I took her up on that offer. I would never normally have asked anyone to do that but because she offered, I did. Once I was off of the plane she insisted on carrying my diaper bag and pillow to my next gate. She even stopped to help a couple from our flight find assistance getting a wheel chair. I believe her name was Brooke, she was from Calgary. She had dirty blonde hair and chunky white or lavender coloured glasses. She was a model West Jet employee. I adored her.<br />
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On my way home, my flight from Toronto to Vancouver was five hours long. When we landed I had to head straight to my next gate because it was ready to board when I arrived. We hurried and made it with time to spare. While Rudi and I sat in our seat waiting for the flight to load our flight attendant approached us. She had Rudi's white bunny blanket from when Alina was a baby, Alina named it Bunny Wunny. Apparently the attendant from my five hour flight saw that we had left it and tracked us down. We were boarding, the flight was a small plane so we had to take an elevator to these indoor/outdoor gates way the hell out of the way. It took some serious effort for that West Jet attendant to track us and physically return Bunny Wunny to Rudi. I mean seriously. Best.Airline.Ever.<br />
I have nothing but great things to say about West Jet and their staff. Thank goodness we invested in a West Jet Mastercard because we will be guaranteed to fly West Jet from now on. (No, this isn't a promo blog to promote West Jet Mastercard. I am just <b><i>that</i></b> impressed!)<br />
People always go out of their way to slam an airline for doing them wrong. I totally get it, there are some serious horror stories out there. But my experience was super positive and I felt like it needed to be shared. There is just so much hate and negativity in the world these days. Internet trolls sitting on top of their soap boxes bitching and blaming and saying negative shit about anything and everything seem to be taking over the comment field of everything I read these days. Sometimes it's just refreshing reading about something going right every once in awhile...<br />
Rob upgraded us to first class for my long flight on my way to Halifax and he upgraded us on both of our long flights on the way home. First class is certainly roomier with a baby and there's a constant stream of drinks, free snacks and a meal on each flight. I was grateful to Rob for his consideration of the upgrades. I had very little time in between each flight to change Rudi's diaper and use the bathroom never mind find food. Rob made a good point that yes, it does cost a bit more money for each upgrade but, how often do I plan on traveling alone with a baby ever? It was certainly worth every penny.<br />
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There seems to be a certain level of magic surrounding a pregnant woman or a woman and a baby. People are genuinely kinder, more considerate and patient. I didn't experience a single negative look or feel like I was being criticized or judged for having (at times) a crying baby in a small space. It was an enlightening experience. I shared my thoughts with a friend and she made a good point. She said, "People should be kind. He's a person too and he has every right to travel." Touche'.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flying is so easy for a baby... </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-40297803915245849692018-02-14T09:31:00.000-08:002018-02-14T09:31:09.455-08:00Mr Mom As I've mentioned before I am going on a trip to visit my sister and her family in Nova Scotia tomorrow. I'm bringing my little sidekick, five month old Rudi Tootie. Alina is staying behind with her dad. So she is going to be in daycare full time for the week I am away. Which means; daddio has to step up his game.<br />
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<span id="goog_680496539"></span><span id="goog_680496540"></span> As a mom we just do a long of things without much thought or that aren't really noticed by dads. We make mental notes of items we see around the house. So when Alina asks where her 'credit card' is I can easily reply; 'in your owl purse on your peg in your room where you keep your house coat.' I know where everything is because I make tiny mental notes whenever I see her with items. 'Credit card' is going into the owl purse. She had the purse out for a day where she left it on the floor by the couch and then when I told her to put it away I noticed it hanging on the peg where she usually keeps it. It's kind of insane how many of those little scenarios are going on in my brain. Dads have their own qualities, like being insanely fun in any occasion, even stressful ones. But, they don't know how to answer those 'where is my....' type questions.<br />
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Alina is used to me and how I parent. So she'll have to crack a whip when it comes to getting her dad ready for her in the morning. She already ran him through what needs to go in her lunch bag yesterday at dinner time. The mornings will take them a day or two to get into a nice groove but I have no doubt that they will accomplish it.<br />
I imagine Rob will do what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. No unloading the dishwasher in the morning (because he will forget to turn it on in the evening..), no feeding the fish (because he won't remember the fish exists until that evening when he's tucking her into bed.) or closing all the doors so that our Rumba "Gary" can clean the floors. It will be all he can take to have all of her things organized, packed and her dressed, hair done and teeth brushed in time for daycare and work. I guarantee Mr Mom will be able to pull off having her ready each day by doing the very bare minimum. And there's nothing wrong with that. I'm not writing this post to slam him by any means. It's just human nature of men and women. Moms and Dads are just very different kinds of people. The best part is that most families are designed to have one of each so that there is a nice balance to the parenting.<br />
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I imagine the kitchen will be left in disarray and he may forget a few items of his own before he gets a good routine that works. Dads! They always pack A LOT of food in kid's lunches and the chunks of food are almost always cut really big. **Side Note: Does anyone else's husband or partner ever go to share a piece of steak or a scoop of food and it's always huge pieces or scoops?! I always have to get him to give me much, much less..!**<br />
But I do think Robert will do just fine without me. I know he's going to have a new found appreciation for what I do, which is always healthy for the relationship. We are rarely ever apart. I'm trying to think of the longest we've been away from the other and I can't see it being for more than a week. Rob is an exceptional husband and a complete treasure of a dad. He had Alina brainstorm ideas of what they were going to get into while Rudi and I are away. I looked at the list and it is impressive.<br />
- Go swimming<br />
- Go shopping and shop for a new bathing suit for her swimming lessons starting next week.<br />
- Have a fire in the front yard and make s'mores.<br />
- Ride her bike at the beach.<br />
- Go to the movies of her choosing.<br />
- Have a sleep over in our bed. This includes a fort that hangs from the ceiling and hovers over them like a canopy. He's already told me how he's going to do such a thing.<br />
- Tubing at Mount Washington followed by clam chowder (Alina's favourite) and hot chocolates.<br />
- Go out for wings on Wing Night Wednesdays.<br />
- Go to the library. (I left her the library card and she has it in a safe place "so daddy won't lose it." Good idea Alina!)<br />
- Watch hockey and eat pizza in the basement. (Her idea. She loves watching hockey with her dad during supper because that means she can eat in the living room.)<br />
- Go to the park.<br />
- Go out for brunch on the weekend.<br />
- Go skating.<br />
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He mentioned that he wants to do everything on the list because he wants to keep Alina happy and busy while I'm away. He also said that I do such a great job of keeping her entertained when he gets home from work that he's usually off the hook to watch hockey or complete projects or fix things around the house. He wants to make sure she's entertained and content. I like that. <br />
Which means these two are going to busy. Alina keeps bragging to me that she's going to have so much fun and what am I even going to do in "Ova Scotia" while they're having such a good time. I assured her I would manage... somehow.<br />
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To assist Mr Mom I'm putting together a guide to help him get ready with Alina in the mornings. I am going to switch to pure wife mode and write to Robert directly. (Feel free to skip over, this is really for his own personal use.)<br />
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<b> You have breakfast figured out just fine. Just keep on her about eating in a timely fashion because that girl can take foooorever to eat some days. </b><br />
<b> For her main lunch I always pack her left over supper. However, this could be challenging with all of the dining you plan on doing. SO! If you go out for wings - try to bring a few home and then throw together some cucumbers and snap peas or peppers chopped up along with it. If all else fails you could always whip up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a peanut butter pinwheel. (Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLCUsGTSlDo" target="_blank">HERE</a> to see what a pinwheel is and how to make it!) For her morning snack at daycare she has fruit. I usually cut up two to three different kinds of fruit and put in a container. (We have nectarines and plums that should be ripe by Thursday..!) In the bottom of her lunch bag she gets a yogurt tube or cheese stick. (Depending on her breakfast. If she gets yogurt for breakfast give her cheese.) I usually pack her a bar (granola or fig) but she's getting pretty sick of the fig bars. I pack something savoury/crunchy in a ziplock like a rice cake and seaweed or crackers and almonds. I bought yogurt covered raisins to pack as a little extra treat. Pack her a water bottle but don't fill it with water because it leaks when it's tipped over. In the front pouch of her bag there are extra socks and panties as well as a toque and mittens. (If they're not there then check her cube in your closet for spares.) If she's wearing short sleeves make sure she has a hoody or sweater packed. Her muddy buddy is sometimes left at daycare because she never uses it on the weekends. And Sheepy..! Try to remember to bag him as soon as you think of it. Alina usually reminds me about Sheepy as we're pulling out of the driveway so I imagine she'll do that to you and cause you to be late!!</b><br />
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<b>Once she's at daycare I always put her shoes on with her. Those are hanging from the back of the door going towards the bathrooms. Put her bag and coat on her hook. She has to put her name up and wash her hands before she gets to play. And yes, there is a sign up sheet that I sign her in and sign her out each day. They don't care that much if you forget (obviously since this is new to you, hehe.) She will be so excited to have you do all this for her at daycare. It should be cute. </b><br />
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In all honesty, Rob doesn't need such an in depth explanation but I figure I have the time to write it out, I might as well. I think the lunch making guide with pictures would be informative and kind of humorous. Rob is a total Super Dad and he'll have his own system figured out in no time.<br />
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I am beyond excited to go but I'm also especially content knowing that Rob and his Mini-Me will be busy having a blast doing all the things on their list. And my Mini-Me and I will be having an equally fun time whooping it up on our adventure to 'Ova Scotia'...!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Rudi is all ready to fly his first plane..</td></tr>
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.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-26791826971334294032018-02-09T17:11:00.000-08:002018-02-09T17:11:38.321-08:00Building On That Sister'shipIt will be two years in April since I last saw my best buddy, my big sis Kyli. Now for normal sister relationship that sounds fine. But our sister'ship is much stronger, much more intense than any average sister-sister relationship. I recently asked Kyli if we were kind of sick because we love each other so much. She said we must have been soul mates in a past life. She's probably right if such a thing exists.<br />
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The last time we reunited Kyli came to me all by herself! So she got one on one Alina/Kyli time which was incredibly special. Plus I took off the entire week she was here and we just enjoyed the hell out of each other. I was still blogging back then - so the lead up to her visit can be read <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2016/04/lets-be-mermaids.html" target="_blank">HERE.</a><br />
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For Christmas this year my sneaky, AMAZING husband got me a plane ticket to Nova Scotia to see my sister and her entire family ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! It was THE best present I have ever received by far. To prove that it is by far THE best present I have ever received I have a list of valid reasons; <br />
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Let's go back to the time when I saw Ky's entire crew. It was waaay back in August of 2013 and that visit can be read about <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2013/08/a-little-recap.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>. It was also the first time ever that I met my niece Sophie Shea who has my middle name. So basically my little namesake has only met her super cool, fun and best friend to her mom once. (Insert unsatisfied/unimpressed emoji face here.) She was only a year and five months old. I haven't seen her since and she is five turning six next month! It is time! Quinn, my nephew was born in Victoria and we had a strong bond with him from day one. He was our first baby. Rob and I slept at Ky and Joe's place the night they had him and I remember driving home all the next day and for days to follow we would say, "Remember Quinn!!?" Then we would both smile and say, yeah.. So it is time to see that grown up Mr as well!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our girls</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us with Quinn</td></tr>
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Ummm.. I've NEVER been to the East Coast. I've always wanted to go for obvious reasons. (It's beautiful! It's on the other side of the country- so that's cool!! Halifax has a crazy good music scene AND the people are fantastic! To name a few...) Plus this will be my first big girl trip all on my lonesome. (With the exception of Master Rudi, my plane and trip companion. What can I say? He needs me!)<br />
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The people! Kyli and Joe lived in Victoria originally. They moved to Joe's old stomping grounds in July of 2010. Joe's entire family lives there. I was lucky enough to have met most of his relatives when Kyli and Joe were married in our town in 2008. We hosted their engagement party and our house was like the central hub for their friends and family to meet up at. It was a total blast and I can't wait to reconnect with Joe's people after nearly ten years!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ky and Joe's wedding</td></tr>
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Joe and the kids! I've known Joe since I was sixteen years old. He was living in Jasper and we lived in Hinton. Joe and Kyli met and shortly after they moved to Victoria. Joe and I have always had this little sis- big brother teasing kind of relationship. I did things to annoy him and he would make fun of me. It was our schtick, our act, our thing. But I'm not sixteen or in my early twenties anymore. I look forward to talking with him again, from an adult level. The kids! My niece and nephew. I get to see one of Quinn's hockey games while I'm visiting. I hear he's really, really good. I also get to see one of Sophie's dance classes which is also very exciting. I live for that kind of family stuff! I want to rekindle or recreate a better relationship with those kids. I'm a sucky auntie because of the distance but I can do better. Once I get a bond with those two I'm holding onto it and I'm never letting it go again. Ky and I did that the last time she was here. We both vowed to be relevant in the other's life. So I text her before I go to bed every week night and she returns that text every morning. It's a great way to stay connected in busy lives with a four hour time difference!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joe abuse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids</td></tr>
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Kyli- duh!! She is taking the entire time off for me. She has an itinerary of fun things for us to do while I'm there. I get to be a tourist, a foody at all the great food places. I get to meet friends I have yet to meet but know are awesome. (Cough, cough, <a href="https://www.arbonne.com/pws/jenniferdthompson/tabs/about-me.aspx" target="_blank">Jennifer!</a>) I get to see friends I met here that moved back there. (Cough, cough <a href="http://happyfit.ca/" target="_blank">Lisa!</a>) Kyli has a good ol' East Coast Kitchen Party planned for me with Joe and his dad's band performing. (Check them out on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Twist-of-Fate-168923817135/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.) It's going to be a big East Coast sing song and I can hardly wait. I am beyond excited for this entire trip. It is going to be... something to be remembered.<br />
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-21115473225407051592018-02-07T20:04:00.000-08:002018-02-07T20:17:15.329-08:00Introducing- Alina's Corner<br />
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Alina has been the star of my blog for several years now. I thought it would only be appropriate for her to have her own featured post called; Alina's Corner. I found this questionnaire through Facebook. I made a mental note to try the questions out on Alina to see how she would answer. There isn't filter on these answers. So what I write is exactly what she said. (Her answers are in <b>bold</b> and I have comments in <i>italics</i> afterward.)<br />
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Set the Scene: Alina, Rudi and I were sitting in the Acura waiting for Rob to come out of the hardware store in December. On most occasions we wait in the car for him because it is such a hassle bringing us all along for such a seemingly simple chore. Most questions were asked in the car and the last few were asked in a nearby bathroom. Kids! <br />
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1/ What is something I always say?<br /><b>A: No you can't. Alina can you stop doing that.</b><br /><br />
<span style="color: #e06666;"><i><span style="color: black;">Hey- at least I'm direct and somewhat polite...</span></i></span><br />
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2/ What makes you happy?<br /><b>A: This is a secret... I like Rudi and I like when he smiles really nice. And I like when you buy me toys. </b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">Oh that's my girl! Right when you think she's the sweetest little thing, you drop your guard and BOOM- she reminds me that she's a greedy, little turd!</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">3/ What makes you sad?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: When you give me a time out. Really sad. And when I hurt myself. Or if one of my friends dies or Nonna and Papa have to get out of town. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> <i>I hope the order in which she answered isn't the order of what makes her the most sad...</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">4/ How do I make you laugh?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: When you say funny words. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> I always go for 'monkey butt' to make her smile when she's getting her picture taken. She just informed me recently that 'banana pants' is the funniest. Hmm.. monkey butt vs. banana pants. I think it's obvious which is more hilarious. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">5/ What was I like as a child?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: Probably sad when Baba took away all of your toys. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> Oh this story is forever going to haunt my mother. Once upon a time there was a little girl that didn't clean her room properly. Her mother threatened that if she didn't clean it good enough one day she would come home to a room without toys. Well one day that little girl came home to just that. That's right. My mom threw all of my toys away and I was horrified. I forever shame my mom by sharing that story and scare Alina with it. I say- time out isn't so bad when you consider I lost all of my toys.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">6/ How old am I?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: I have no idea. 43?</span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> That's okay. This is the same person that says she has so much money, "five-eleventy-seventy dollars." </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">7/ How tall am I?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: I don't know. How you say... 45?</span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> Again, numbers. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">8/ What is your favourite thing to do?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ea9999;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: Have fun. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> This is clearly the point in which sh begins to lose interest in my little question game. </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">9/ What do I do when you're not around?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: Have fun and make wreaths. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> There was a point back in December when I was getting out of the house as much as I could. I signed up for a sign making class, a wreath making class. I even made up a night called, Hot Tub Tuesdays and invited my girlfriends over to hot tub with me after the kids went to bed. All of these things made Alina quite jealous and a little resentful of my time away. (Even though every other waking moment was spent with her, serving her, loving her, paying all of my attention to her.) </span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">10/ What am I really good at?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: Painting and making wreaths. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> Well at least she didn't say having fun for the third time!</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">11/ What's something I'm not good at?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: You're pretty much good at everything. Except what daddy does like fixing lights and putting up Christmas trees. </span></span></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"><i> Hmm.. her dad pretty much does everything so technically she's saying I'm not good at anything..</i>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">12/ What do I do for work?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: You sell cookies and medicine.</span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> Well I sell medicine but the cookies are there to lure people into the pharmacy...</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">13/ What is my favourite food?</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">A: Chai lattes are your favourite drink. Is it cheese and potatoes?</span></span></span></b><br />
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<i><span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> I think what she really meant was cheese and wine. I believe the cheese and potatoes were chosen because she hates potatoes and really only likes cheese sticks. Such a funny child! I may have tried to convince her on a few occasions that she's really missing out. Hence those being my apparent fav foods.</span></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;"> Alina is constantly saying crazy things. Or she has very interesting ideas. She currently aspires to be a hair cutter and a mom or a grocery girl and a mom. Either way, the girl is convinced she's going to be a mom! She loves her little brother almost too much. I have to peel her off of him, she smothers him with wet kisses and loves 'booping' his nose. The kid sure has turned into someone I'm pretty fond of- imagine that! We have our moments where we're arguing over something and I have to remind myself that she's four and I don't have to argue my point. She's good at trying to strike deals or find ways to compromise and it's a little scary coming from such a young kid. I imagine I'll have to be strong for her teenage years... </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><span style="color: black;">. </span></span>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-44988403365418092862018-02-02T21:31:00.001-08:002018-02-02T21:31:55.429-08:00Head FirstHow do I jump back in?<br />
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How do I return from taking what feels like years off from blogging?<br />
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I feel like I have betrayed that little girl inside of me. The dreamer that always imagined that she would become a successful, full time writer.<br />
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I was talking to my hairdresser the other day and I explained that one day I would do it. I would write that story, that novel that has been brewing within. I feel like I am fortunate because anytime in my life that I've been asked, What do you want to be when you grow up, my answer has always been and will always be the same. I want to become a writer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiMB4uG9VucDqVyqg3vs_yitHFhCNjmMJ-C7kvmBZ2bh9-z4XOT0DwEyQUoAiY08OfQcMRVEK5FSWUTG3d-jiIGpNKvPML9NKmvzZgoFzrmYytdrhb_dFM0qvXdKmZ2G4xHxc/s1600/Baby-Typewriter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="325" data-original-width="461" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOiMB4uG9VucDqVyqg3vs_yitHFhCNjmMJ-C7kvmBZ2bh9-z4XOT0DwEyQUoAiY08OfQcMRVEK5FSWUTG3d-jiIGpNKvPML9NKmvzZgoFzrmYytdrhb_dFM0qvXdKmZ2G4xHxc/s1600/Baby-Typewriter.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.spitjournal.com/news/means-balance-words-children/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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It's been over a year since my last post. So much life has happened! But it occurred to me that what I need the most in my life right now, is to get back to some form of writing. I reflect on what has kept me from what I love to do and it is simply the people I love. Even as I write this, after putting the baby down for his nap, my oldest wakes from her sleep. I am reminded that moments to myself to write are very few and far between. It's not like it is difficult to open the computer or take pen to paper and write. It is the time and quiet thinking that is hard to come by.<br />
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As anyone that writes knows, it is crucial to be able to let the ideas flow when they are there. Being interrupted instantly puts an end to that beautiful symphony of thought. I think that is the biggest reason I don't write. The fear; or wariness of starting and always being stopped, left only to feel frustrated and discouraged. Besides this isn't the time for me to shine as a writer. But it's my moment to excel at being a mom.<br />
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I mentioned a baby. He is four months old and his name is Rudi. It was difficult to imagine loving a second child as much as the first. Rudi certainly put an end to any tiny voices of doubt the very moment he took his first breath. He's a gift, a treasure, a perfectly sweet namesake to my late dad. But that is for another post.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G01x5xyto6gaZDYYVc02rkp88U7WFfKILg2bR2hVUYG_PKmdGCNjEugRWcwQjRePMQzpNOO6HZ1bB6IS_6AChOImHYygTHkQPQz7vu3QqFrAi7T3ApGa3EVrQuwYxB-au5cv/s1600/Rudi05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9G01x5xyto6gaZDYYVc02rkp88U7WFfKILg2bR2hVUYG_PKmdGCNjEugRWcwQjRePMQzpNOO6HZ1bB6IS_6AChOImHYygTHkQPQz7vu3QqFrAi7T3ApGa3EVrQuwYxB-au5cv/s640/Rudi05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://timeandtidephotography.ca/" target="_blank">Photo Credit to Time and Tide Photography</a></td></tr>
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I plan on writing more frequently in my blog. I want to introduce some ideas I have for future posts. It's a way to entice any followers that still may be out there to continue reading. But it's mostly a way for me to return and be accountable for what I say I am going to write.<br />
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My almost five year old Alina has grown into quite the character. I'd like to interview her from time to time without filter, for her to both entertain and likely embarrass me all at once.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8PN9hA2tlNOQjzcrruBghm5FjjquAvl7aCvhXY6TY5ZLZXB08kGsuiRQPp9czd1vPZzKd28xijw29TMld_riFd1eyyyBsvMMleNQeJKThib38EVAnOlrxPaz2wSSlAklZA5s/s1600/Rudi12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq8PN9hA2tlNOQjzcrruBghm5FjjquAvl7aCvhXY6TY5ZLZXB08kGsuiRQPp9czd1vPZzKd28xijw29TMld_riFd1eyyyBsvMMleNQeJKThib38EVAnOlrxPaz2wSSlAklZA5s/s640/Rudi12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://timeandtidephotography.ca/" target="_blank">Photo Credit to Time and Tide Photography </a></td></tr>
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In the past I have featured my husband Rob. The post was titled <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2014/03/crazy-shit-rob-does-chapter-four.html" target="_blank">Crazy Shit Rob Does</a>. Believe me when I say with all the time that has passed, the number of stupid, crazy things he's done has certainly piled up.<br />
Another common post I have done was to do with my fitness. After having Rudi I didn't bounce back to my pre pregnancy weight as quickly as I would have liked. I just started watching what I eat and running regularly again. I will post my progress, more for me as motivation to continue to keep up with the hard work. Take a look at my last <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2014/07/mhb-week-29-stand-by-your-workout.html" target="_blank">MHB post</a>. (And forgive me, I don't remember what the MHB stands for!)<br />
I am a Pinterest recipe making fanatic. I love making new recipes every week and when they come out exceptionally well I pin each recipe to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.ca/hjunks/my-go-to-meals/" target="_blank">Household Menu Board.</a> I will start to record my experiences with the good recipes and create posts to share on my blog.<br />
Rudi is relatively new around here, so I'd like to write about him. I'd like to write updates on how he's developing and share funny stories. I would also like to write about my experiences being a mom to a baby again and about the changes that our household faces with a little one going into kindergarten in the fall, to name one.<br />
I also enjoy being relevant with what happens to be going on. I wouldn't mind highlighting the <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2014/03/haleys-favourite-oscar-moments-2014.html" target="_blank">Oscars</a> or the Winter Olympics this month, if something should spark my interest.<br />
I am a huge fan of Netflix and have seen SO many television shows. I'll have to weigh in on some of my favourites and see if my readers share my opinions. I really enjoy discussing characters that I love and hate and see how others feel about them. Here are a few series that I've watched on Netflix; Grey's Anatomy, Vampire Diaries, Pretty Little Liars, Shameless, The Fosters, The Good Place, Nashville, Switched At Birth, Grace and Frankie, Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, The Crown (currently watching) and more. <br />
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There's much to look forward to and I'm feeling inspired to get started.<br />
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-3354886002948960472016-07-08T21:57:00.001-07:002016-07-08T21:57:45.763-07:00Be Accountable I remember writing a<b> <a href="http://haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2016/03/a-day-in-life.html" target="_blank">post</a> </b>about feeling super busy. I didn't find enough time for myself, to be who I wanted to be. But I managed to find some time to do something for me that made me feel really, really good every single day.<br />
Back in December my co-workers and I were complaining that we were all a bunch of monsters. Our customers were relentless, coming in with a variety of endless Christmas treats for us to devour. We decided that once Christmas was over, that we would compete to see who could lose the most weight in a three month period. We would do weigh ins every Monday and record our results on a chart to be compared later. We all threw in twenty dollars and the 'biggest loser' would win the money at the end.<br />
One thing I've discovered about myself is that I am quite competitive. If I'm being honest, I think I always knew that I was. But after having competed in this little competition I can certainly see that I am. I remember being in Thunder Bay at the end of December and weighing myself in the evening. I weighed in at 136 pounds. Besides when I was pregnant, that would definitely be my heaviest. Once I weighed in at work, that January morning for the first time, I believe I was at 133 pounds.<br />
At the beginning, I was very determined to lose the weight. I was very strict with my diet having learned that that is the key with losing weight. I also started running and using our elliptical every morning. I would say a few weeks into the bet, I discovered an app called <a href="https://www.myfitnesspal.com/" target="_blank">Fitness Pal</a>. Fitness Pal is amazing because it helps you log in your calories everyday, it trends your weight,it even calculates roughly how many calories you burn in exercise. In the beginning, I would say I was borderline obsessed with logging in everything. Even on Alina's birthday, we planned to go out for supper at Montana's. Hello ribs! I researched before what to order so that the calorie count was not ridiculous.<br />
Some things that I did learn along the way, was that menu items at restaurants can kill your calorie counter in a few bites. Beware of Boston Pizza Quesadillas! I believe one quesadilla is 1200 plus calories. I couldn't believe it! At my lowest weigh in, I came in at 127 pounds, but I couldn't stay at that weight. I did lose the most weight and won the prize money, which was fun. After our bet was over, I kept calorie counting and I increased my cardio and added weight lifting and many, many exercises to get my body into better shape.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPcgSph7tOBlfonGuUUG7M8A0ZU2J-jk57I5LOIvOk9L1Zu2-2-nHxd5clLTOBfeIVAnUyqLgyIKhUr2454BcMXMlJ8DW2m0CEu7tEAL3lytrP-LQYu90omrAb_fM1VWyRLw/s1600/amontana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjesPcgSph7tOBlfonGuUUG7M8A0ZU2J-jk57I5LOIvOk9L1Zu2-2-nHxd5clLTOBfeIVAnUyqLgyIKhUr2454BcMXMlJ8DW2m0CEu7tEAL3lytrP-LQYu90omrAb_fM1VWyRLw/s640/amontana.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How could I resist this food? (Alina with the antlers on getting happy birthday sung to her. A Montana Tradition..)</td></tr>
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I have discovered many helpful things along the way, in my journey to looking and feeling better about myself. I now know that I can stop stressing about the act of <i>losing </i>weight. There's a lot of emphasis and obsession on losing weight. I find that I'm not being hard on myself about losing pounds. I work out in the gym every weekday and I'm building muscle. I know that muscle is heavier than fat, so I have to keep that in mind when I get on a scale. I also have eased off on the calorie counting. However, what I really take away from my experience and want to share with the world or at least my few loyal readers, is that you have to be accountable for what you eat. That's what the calorie counting has taught me. I have to know what I'm eating and understand and give myself an idea of how good or bad it is for my body. I don't have to obsess, I don't even have to feel all that guilty. But it's important to understand. I still calorie count and when I get into the negative numbers (which means I've gone over my 'allowed' calories for the day) I make a point to try to stay within them the following day. A mental note is made and I move on.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxf7AR_-_9yR7eSs9dImgrZdnOM6_jMip7L8QqWZzXBH__yDBYGSsgwmCNc6AzwWWCS605bm5-m_j8JWNRl7R9c_YtZX9r2aGeugH3Bqn3cPkqs3Lp_1hovKhBnr-nfK_HuR1/s1600/progress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxf7AR_-_9yR7eSs9dImgrZdnOM6_jMip7L8QqWZzXBH__yDBYGSsgwmCNc6AzwWWCS605bm5-m_j8JWNRl7R9c_YtZX9r2aGeugH3Bqn3cPkqs3Lp_1hovKhBnr-nfK_HuR1/s400/progress.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My progress.. and the shot of me is a bit lame.. but I'm proud of what I've accomplished.. so I put it up..</td></tr>
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One thing I do have to work on, is feeling guilty. I feel guilt if I don't get up and work out. I am the type of person that is in all the way or not in at all. I'm very strict with my exercising because I know that if I start saying I'll get up every other day, I'll realize how cushy and soft my bed is after 6 am and I will find other excuses to stay in bed. I also need to work on allowing myself a day off when my body is telling me so. Overdoing it is also not healthy.<br />
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I'm the smallest I've ever been. Rob commented that he just thought I just always had bigger calves. But now we both realized that my legs are capable of being smaller. I am in love with the way that my body looks and feels. It's fair to say that I'm drunk with fitness. I get why people that do it keep doing it. I understand that it's a huge commitment but the pay off is really worth it in the end.<br />
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I haven't battled weight fluctuations like some people do. I've been very fortunate in that way. One thing that has always discouraged and annoyed me is that people always say, Ugh, you're skinny. You don't have to worry about weight. It is my choice or not, to worry about my body or my weight. A customer the other day said, "There's nothing to you.. you're tiny." And she said it in kind of a critical way. I replied, "Thank you, I actually work really hard for it." I think my reply may have caught her off guard. I wanted her to know that I look fit because I've put a lot of effort and heart into achieving just that. I've been watching what I eat and have been dedicated to exercising so that I can maintain this healthy look.<br />
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My step dad Rudi was really big into fitness in his 30's and 40's. As he grew older, his work outs slowed down. But up until the last few years of his life, he still went to the gym as much as he physically could. I think my desire to be healthy and fit come from being his daughter. I feel closer to him somehow, when I'm pushing myself to my limits. </div>
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-7078154604585639552016-05-21T08:35:00.002-07:002016-05-21T08:35:36.679-07:00Keep Up I come from a time when computers were present in my schools growing up. However, they were certainly not a source of information until I was in high school. Even then, the internet was dial up and extremely slow. I remember that it sometimes took half of my class to load the page I wanted and if it wasn't the right page, then my entire class was spent waiting. Then I think about generations before me and can see why they are intimidated by using computers. In the last ten years the internet has really become our reliable and main source for information. I feel like I'm part of a generation that researches everything. <i>What movie is that actress in? Oh I'll just check IMDB. </i>Or, I was almost positive that <i>accusatory</i> was a word and that I used it proper in a sentence. Rob thought otherwise and within seconds he was proven wrong. It's mind blowing how much information we carry in our pockets, in our phones. I notice though, that generations before us can be hesitant to embrace it. My mom for instance comes from a place where if she doesn't know something, she jots it down on a piece of paper, to remember to ask me or someone later. She doesn't automatically think -- I'll just look it up. She bought a present for my nephew on Amazon. She was concerned that the transaction didn't go through because she didn't get a confirmation email. She texted me her concerns while I was working. I quickly messaged back that she should wait and see if it's just a delay in the reply, etc. Then I suggested she contact Amazon. She immediately asked how she would do that. That question alone floored me. I couldn't believe that a 59 year old woman wouldn't know how to contact a company. To me it's quite simple. You look it up. You can literally look up, <i>"How to contact Amazon if I didn't receive my confirmation email."</i> But because of her generation (and in her generation some are worse than others and she would be considered one of the worse than others) she wouldn't automatically think to do that.<br />
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A downside to having all of this information at our reach is that we are less inclined to contact people in person. I work with two people. One is a 34 year old and the other a 45 year old. I find that the 34 year old would rather look up all of his information online and text rather than speak to a person. The 45 year old looks for a contact number right away and finds it much more effective to speak to people in person. I find that the ten year age gap truly makes a huge difference. However, they both have their positive and negative effects. Sometimes it makes more sense to simply phone and speak to a person and there are other times when looking something up online can be so much faster, etc. I think the key is knowing how to adapt to both ways. I most definitely lean towards the no contact side and Rob, my husband always wanting results right away will revert to phoning and speaking to someone in person.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16qD1MiaRtWHRYOqxmLUowqhcmrztdGrbIDH6A8AKbItPVaK_8p_rQeTAwLdyrAB_wCi2VNb-wkTke2-isUOWd6VsuC4gV9HZEOAYOSda36_jOFmLK-b3X2t86vMOHFBkeR85/s1600/IMG_6374.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16qD1MiaRtWHRYOqxmLUowqhcmrztdGrbIDH6A8AKbItPVaK_8p_rQeTAwLdyrAB_wCi2VNb-wkTke2-isUOWd6VsuC4gV9HZEOAYOSda36_jOFmLK-b3X2t86vMOHFBkeR85/s400/IMG_6374.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
What really gets me thinking is what will the world be like in another 10-20 years? Alina will be so much more advanced than me for sure. Will she scoff and secretly laugh at my inabilities to adapt to that current world? Will my way of doing things be a touch outdated? Of course. I just hope I can adjust to the rapidly changing times.<br />
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Just some thoughts I've been thinking. As for me and my life- all is well! We are already doing a lot of camping this summer. We stared in April and have gone three times already. We have a big camp out planned for Rob's birthday weekend in Tofino. We are really looking forward to this summer and all of the fun it has in store for us. Alina's at a great age and we are enjoying every minute of her.<br />
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-20561416987204377552016-04-21T22:24:00.002-07:002016-04-21T22:24:32.501-07:00Let's Be MermaidsFive words.....<br />
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MY SISTER IS HERE TOMORROW!!!!</div>
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It will be three years this summer since I last saw my sister and I am beyond excited that she's coming to see me tomorrow. My sister lives on the East Coast of Canada and I live on the West Coast. So we're on opposite sides of the country. Think back to the Sleepless In Seattle map when Annie goes from New York to Seattle to visit Sam. That's basically my sister and I but north a bit. </div>
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My sister and I are incredibly close at heart. I never expected us to be this connected as a kid. Kyli often wanted me to get out of her way and was quite annoyed with my antics most of the time, but as she grew older, I grew up. She moved away first and I ended up near her and things really progressed from there. Our husbands got along really easily which helped more than I realized. I feel as though she is my friend version of a soul mate. It doesn't matter how far away we are, or how little we communicate on a daily basis, nothing and I mean nothing comes between our bond. </div>
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So I sit here, Thursday evening with a glass of wine, anticipating my big sister's arrival tomorrow. She is coming solo, so I not only get some very deserved one on one time with her, but Alina-girl gets to know her Auntie all on her own. I think that's pretty special. </div>
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So here's to my sister and the week of us catching up and having some well deserved fun!! We are a couple of moms that live for our kidlets and every once in awhile we deserve to kick back, drink some wine, eat great food, watch classics like Dirty Dancing, The Mermaids and old episodes of The Gilmore Girls and best of all talk until our mouths are sore! </div>
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(Did I mention a weekend in Victoria to soak up the live music scene and for Kyli to see her old city again..?) </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Ky shared this on my Facebook wall a few days ago. This is why we are soul mates....)</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-54620922483907284452016-03-13T17:56:00.003-07:002016-03-13T20:06:31.409-07:00A Day In The Life Well it happened.. I officially neglected my blog. I stopped reading my fellow bloggers' posts and have also lost contact with everyone. I thought with my schooling being over, that I would have more time for these sorts of things but it was quite the opposite. I think because I took so much time away from my family when I was studying and stressing with school all last year, I think subconsciously I feel like I have to make it up to them. I don't take the time for myself anymore because there just isn't any of it. Time, that is.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://alaneadams.com/writing-life-time-running/" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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Here's a taste of a typical weekday for me. Wake up lazily around 7 once Alina cries out that she's awake. I used to bring her into bed with me to snuggle but now she has a big girl bed and I will go to her and jump in her bed and snuggle. We talk and I ask her how her night was. I get her dressed which usually consists of her saying she wants to do everything herself and then half way through she wants me to help. I get her her breakfast of cereal and milk and I plop her butt in front of an episode of Sesame Street. This gives me a chance to make my one cup of coffee, do my make up and hair. I make up my lunch and Alina's and a lot of the time I am preparing a crock pot meal or something for supper that evening. I always empty and reload the dishwasher before I leave, it just makes me feel better to come home to a tidy-ish kitchen. I pack Alina's back pack with her lunch, spare clothes in case and her sheepy that she sleeps with. I have my lunch and purse at the door alongside her things. I get her to pick up all of her toys (we have a Roomba named Gary that I threaten will eat all of her toys if she leaves them out. ) I struggle to get her focused to put on her shoes, boots and hat most mornings. I get her out the door with all of our stuff and she sloooowly makes her way to the Jeep. Sometimes she surprises me with the fact that she has to poop or pee and that always sets us back. I have her at daycare at 8:40 most days. Once at daycare I stick around to have her put her name on the tree, put her inside shoes on and to wash her hands. Once she's done all of those things, I give her kisses and head straight to work. The pharmacy is a minute away from daycare, so that's super helpful. I work 9 until 5 every day and that has been a blessing. Having a job where I can work those hours that consistently is what keeps me grounded and happy. Once I've finished my day, I head back to Alina's daycare to pick her up.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alina's new bed set. New drums. Helping in the kitchen.</td></tr>
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I get her in the house, empty lunches and get started on making supper by about 5:30. Alina is really into puzzles lately so that has been a good distraction for her while I busy away in the kitchen. Alina is a mama's girl and really likes to hang around me wherever I am. So she is usually nearby when I'm making supper. Once supper is eaten and put away, Alina will bath. Rob baths Alina most nights. Once Alina goes to bed by 8:00 I go downstairs to the gym and do my thing until 8:35ish. I shower and get my 'watching t.v. snacks' and settle in for the first time I get to relax. By the time we finish watching a show or two, it's 10:30 and pretty much time for bed.<br />
The blogging suffers, phoning friends suffers and I find myself looking back at months, wondering when I ever do things for myself. Someone always requires my attention and I know that with more kids this will intensify. But I also think of a life without a husband, or a family and I feel very lucky. I don't always have time to watch an old episode of Gilmore Girls or to read a book on the couch, but I do love my little family. I feel accomplished at the end of the day and I feel needed and that's a fulfilling feeling too.<br />
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So that's my day to day song and dance. I am too busy doing completely ordinary things everyday to write about them. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(Alina took this picture..!)</td></tr>
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So what takes up your time everyday? Same kind of stuff, or are you way more interesting?!</div>
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-89555506348757877712016-01-14T21:31:00.002-08:002016-01-14T21:31:50.801-08:00You're Still Here<div style="text-align: left;">
It seems like it's been a long time since I've felt you near. I know that I can't just ask for you and you'll be here. It doesn't really work that way, does it..</div>
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It would be a lie to say that I think of you everyday because there are days when I don't. But there are many, many days that you cross my thoughts and it could be the tiniest thing. It could be as simple as making Alina porridge in the morning to working up a sweat in the gym. Your face flickers in my thoughts and I don't always think much more about it. I simply feel comforted knowing that you're still in my head and my heart.</div>
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Tonight when I finished my work out, I walked past the dart board to go upstairs and even started to ascend the stairs. But something made me hesitate and I don't know if it was the spotlight that hit the board just so or the fact that I still play with your favourite set of darts.. But something made me turn around and take our darts out of the board and tossed one ... 7 and as I was throwing the second it occurred to me that I feel like I'm communicating with you somehow when I play. I feel closer to you somehow. I threw that second dart and as I wondered if I would ever throw significant numbers, the dart plunged into the 16. Before I could think too much into it, I tossed my third and final dart and hoped it would complete my little wish.. It was a bullseye and I started to laugh and choke up as I took two stairs at a time to the top. It's my birthday- July 16 and the bullseye was what I hoped to hit when I threw the third. </div>
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You're still here. And you're still letting me know it. I'm still here and I still love you.</div>
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.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-61873558425095610022015-12-22T12:18:00.002-08:002015-12-22T12:18:26.109-08:00A Thunder Bay Christmas III I think my favourite part of Christmas is the preparation for it. It's the days leading up to the big day. People are shopping and baking, leaving for holidays, arriving in hometowns to visit family and friends. It's the hustle and bustle that I love the most.<br />
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We arrived in Rob's hometown, Thunder Bay, Ontario over the weekend. We were greeted by Uncle Peter, Grandma Marlene, Nonna and Papa. We let Alina go around the corner on her own and we heard a very excited Nonna yelling "Hiii Alina! Merry Christmas!" She was wearing a Santa hat with a tiara on it. It was the cutest thing I've seen in a long time. From that moment on Alina was whisked away, checking out Christmas lights, the snow, the decorations on the houses leading up to Nonna and Papa's. Once we got to the house, she was taken upstairs to her very own bedroom, that was decorated and completed with a colouring table and chairs, Frozen bedding, stuffies and enough toys to keep her busy until next year. Oh and her very own Christmas tree that her and Nonna decorated together that night. It was pretty incredible. To say that Alina is loved would be an understatement. It definitely warms my heart coming here.<br />
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I've known Robert for over ten years now. I've been to Thunder Bay five times and this will be my third Christmas spent here. I was explaining to Rob that I appreciate this trip the most. I appreciate coming 'home' to a home, whether it be mine or Rob's. I appreciate being able to go out and leave Alina without worrying about her. I appreciate the family and the friends I have been adopted by since I met Rob. It's just nice to be apart of his bigger picture.<br />
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We've only been here for a few days and we've already finished our Christmas shopping. We went skating outside last night and today, after Alina's nap we're going to plunk Alina in a sled and take her for a skate. I've been appreciating the evenings, when Alina is tucked in bed. I sit on the couch in the living room upstairs, surrounded by the glow of the Christmas tree and decorations all around me. I sit and relax with a drink and some company. It's been great.<br />
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What part of Christmas do you like the best? </div>
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-8047177667229809982015-12-13T13:57:00.004-08:002015-12-13T13:57:49.108-08:00Evolution Of Alina &Santa<b>Year One- </b><br />
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<b> </b>As you can see, Alina's first experience with Santa didn't go so well. She was less than impressed at nine months old. That year, we went to Thunder Bay for Christmas and Alina was thrust into many laps and she got used to seeing new people by the time our trip was over. She even sat on Thunder Bay Santa's lap, with her folks and she didn't cry that time.<br />
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<b>Year 2 </b><br />
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Last year, Alina brought her baby with her to see Santa and let dad hold her, while she attempted to be brave. Unfortunately I tried to sit her on Santa's knee and she lost her cool pretty quick. So we took some photos of her on the stool by Mrs. Claus' leg. She did high five him which we took as a small victory. She talked a lot about Santa that year but couldn't quite make the trip to his lap.<br />
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<b>Year 3 </b><br />
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This year, Alina has been rehearsing what she was going to ask Santa. Every Santa hat or bearded man was pointed at and named Santa. Let's just say that she's a big fan of the guy. There was a wait list to see him so by the time it was our turn she was pretty excited to talk to him. She told him exactly what she rehearsed; ponies (purple and a pink one), more peoples (Little People princesses) and a unicorn. Santa also convinced her that she wanted some new things for colouring. Now that's been added to her wish list. She was very quiet and still but in the end she was totally thrilled that she was brave and asked him for everything she wanted.<br />
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Christmas was pretty damn brilliant before but now that we have a kidlet, it is so fantastic. Every moment is memorable and she appreciates everything!! Before she understood that she could have presents for Christmas she told Nonna that she wanted a Christmas orange for Christmas. I mean, how cute... and simple. <br />
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<b> </b>Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-82856663530704007302015-12-05T13:14:00.000-08:002015-12-05T13:14:51.215-08:00He Won't Bite My Hands ... Visions of sugar plums are dancing through my head and it's barely December! It was probably two weekends ago that I found myself watching Christmas With The Kranks on t.v. Normally I would hold off watching any Christmas movies until December. But for some reason, I am eager to get right into it!<br />
Earlier in November Alina, Rob and I were at the mall. Alina saw her first Christmas tree of the year and ran over to it to inspect the snow and see if it was real. We saw that Santa was already there taking Christmas wishes. She watched in awe and wonder for a moment, staring as he talked to a little girl. She broke her Santa trance to say, "He won't bite my hands.." Kids are so funny. I reassured her that no, Santa wouldn't bite her hands and that I would like to hope that no person would ever bite her hands. What a goof. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob's infamous light display that is our house!</td></tr>
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Even my staff Christmas party was in November. We always get a great meal, fun presents and a kooky gift exchange. We have our party at an oceanfront beach resort so it's a great excuse to dress up too. We had a photo booth this year which was also a very nice touch to the night. Another reason for me to have those Christmas tunes forever playing in my head. That's another thing, I am so ready to listen to Christmas tunes every time I'm in the Jeep. I don't normally feel this warm and fuzzy about Christmas, but this year is different. I have a feeling it's going to be a good one!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only photo of us all dressed up at my party. </td></tr>
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We're headed to Thunder Bay mid December for Christmas. I imagine my mom in law is just vibrating with excitement at the thought of having all of her kids and her grand baby under the same roof at the best time of the year. I'm looking forward to all of the goodies she bakes and cooks in preparation for the holiday. She's probably going to have the house the most decorated it's ever been in anticipation for Alina's arrival. Rob's parents are definitely the best grandparents I've ever seen. Obviously they love her but it's shown in their adoration for her, their attention and commitment to making every minute with her a fun and memorable one. We Facetime with them all of the time and they were showing us that it snowed. Andrea was in her pajamas and rubber boots and had Rodney record her outside, building a little snowman for Alina. Now that is love. Best. Grandparents. Ever.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eating supper, watching her grandparents build her a snowman in Thunder Bay. </td></tr>
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My excitement for Christmas started early this year and now every weekend leading up to Christmas is an exceptional one, filled with Christmas traditions. This weekend we got our Christmas tree and will be decorating it tonight. Alina and I went to the family swim this morning and Olaf and Elsa were there with fun pool games for the kids to play. I hope everyone else is getting into the spirit because there's nothing like this time of year. Everyone is a little more cheery and generous.<br />
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What is one Christmas tradition you can't live without!? I have a lot but one food tradition I have to keep up with is Mom's Crab Dip! </div>
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-70335344468194960222015-11-19T22:33:00.003-08:002015-11-19T22:35:54.626-08:00"I Okay Mom"<div style="text-align: left;">
It was Monday evening. I knew that there was a chance my results would be posted that night. The Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada is based in Toronto. (3 hours ahead.) People were posting on the Bridging Friends Facebook page all day the different times that the results would be posted based on passed exams. I was reloading the page on my phone, anxiously looking for a new column to pop up. Monday night came and went and I felt deflated by Tuesday morning. Rob and I have been getting up to work out in our gym in the mornings. I went on the elliptical and the tread mill, taking only one peek. Our workout ended, still no news. Rob decided to shower before me, so I was hanging in bed with Alina. Then, one reload later a new column appeared; Recent Exam Results. My heart began to pound in my chest. Alina was watching a morning cartoon and I found myself in my closet fumbling to hit the link to my fate... I searched through hundreds of numbers, knowing mine by heart; 312118. As I neared similar numbers I slowed down and my heart picked up its pace. 312116... 312117... 312120. Wait... My number wasn't there. Just as I realized that my number wasn't among the newly licensed pharmacy technicians', Rob entered the closet. I whispered, <span style="font-size: x-small;">"I didn't pass."</span> I'm surprised he heard me I said it so quiet. </div>
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This is not the post I wanted to write, this was never part of the plan. But, this is my reality. Bad things happen and what I've learned from those bad experiences is that you always have to take <i>something </i>out of it. I needed <i>something </i>to remind me that it was worth it. My co-worker J. was also going through the same anxious waiting as I was, so I figured I should text her to let her know that the results were in. I showered in hot water and tears, feeling sorry for myself. Alina came into the bedroom as I was getting dressed and asked me why I was sad. I told her that I didn't pass that big test I had been studying so long for. She simply said; "Aww.. I okay Mom." She crawled up my legs and hugged me. She hugged me for a long time, patting my back. The best part about that was that she actually consoled me and I let her. It felt really good to be held by her. And she was right. She was going to be okay, no matter what the results and I would be too. J. replied with happy,crying emojis and the word YES. She had passed. My friend J. has had a tough year and to be honest, if anyone deserved damn good news it was her. I was happy for her even if it made my wound sting a little more.</div>
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Rob told me that this licensing exam was my Super Bowl. He said that it was really hard to even get to it and that winning the Super Bowl ring wasn't for everyone. Right again. (It would have been so much cooler if I had though.) Later, I packed my make-up knowing that I would need to reapply at some point in the day and headed out to face it. I got to work and J. gave me a long hug. I had e-mailed my bosses, wanting them to hear it from me but also not wanting to have to say the words to them. The phone rang and I was summoned over, it was one of them. I was touched that she had phoned me so quickly. She reassured me that I was still important and she lifted me up and genuinely made me feel better. It wasn't just the words she was saying, but it was the act in her phoning me. I was really touched. </div>
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The people I work for have been encouraging me not to give up. They think that there still is a way for me to get certified. I have looked into other options; taking the OSPE again in April and then going to another province that is still offering the bridging program and registering there. That would include more fees, money to travel, finding a place to stay, finding a store to work at that would offer me a short stay to get my 500 prescriptions checked and of course, writing the Jurisprudence in their province. (Learning the other province's laws, etc.) Rob and I decided that that would be too much. After the year I had, I don't think I have it in me to do all of that. But I'm making peace with it.</div>
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So the big question is; what have I taken from this experience? I'm more valued than I ever realized. People care about me and it is a surprising and pleasant feeling. I wasn't meant to be a registered technician, so I won't be. Simple. I was recently inspired by Michael Strahan's book "Wake Up Happy". In it he mentions waking up inspired and excited to start the day. So I'm exploring the idea of my first attempt at writing a book. I don't know what it would be about yet. But I took one entire year to educate myself in pharmacy and it was really, really challenging. I took on doing something that interests me but is most definitely not something that I'm passionate about. It was an opportunity. But imagine what I could do with something I love? I imagine that if I just tried and dedicated some time into writing <i>something</i> I might just come up with <b><i>something</i></b>. I think I would wake up very happy and very excited about my days if I knew it included writing...</div>
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And I can't help but listen and believe the wisest words that came from one 2 and half year old;</div>
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<b>" I Okay..." </b></div>
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-57037977280046726622015-11-12T05:30:00.000-08:002015-11-12T05:30:15.080-08:00Inside Out - Spoiler Alert<br />
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Inside Out is an animated movie by Pixar that showcases an eleven year old girl name Riley. The movie is primarily from Riley's mind or the workings of her mind. From day one she was simply influenced by Joy or Sadness. Shortly after, Disgust, Anger and Fear join forces. Each emotion that Riley has is depicted by a character. Each character takes a turn at running Riley's reaction for each situation she comes across. She forms memories which are later stored into short term and then long term memory banks. She has five core memories that fuel her major personality traits. There's Goofball Island, Family Island, Trust Island, Friendship Island and Hockey Island.<br />
The movie itself is cute and entertaining for sure. But it goes so much deeper than cute and entertaining too. Riley represents every single kid out there. She starts out with simple emotions but then life starts to throw her twists and turns. She can't simply feel one thing.. As the movie goes along, Joy who runs things in 'headquarters' begins to realize that Riley needs more than happiness in her life to get by.<br />
I can't help but think of kids today, dealing with grown up situations and not totally knowing how to deal with them. The movie really spoke to me maybe because I grew up in a divorced home, but maybe more because of a young lady I know. She struggles with her emotions, much like most kids but I think more so because she is going through some adult, tough experiences at eleven.<br />
I loved the message Inside Out sends. Life isn't always easy but bottling up strong emotions like sadness doesn't make it any easier. It's okay to be sad. I have always felt compelled to reach out and help people, kids especially when advice is needed. If I could go back in time, I would have loved to study psychology to learn how the mind works.<br />
Another interesting part of the film was when Riley's personality traits (or islands) start to fall apart because she isn't happy and she doesn't have the chance to express her sadness she so strongly feels. It's true that as you grow up, those parts of you fade away. Her silly, good nature is shadowed by sarcasm and anger. We all go from innocent kids to awkward pre-teens to complicated, emotional teens.<br />
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The relationship between Riley and her parents slowly gets tainted by Riley's unhappiness, her father's distance from his new job and her mother's pressure to stay positive. As viewers it is maddening watching Riley's dad disappoint her or react in the wrong way at the wrong time.<br />
I loved this movie because not only was it entertaining for my little buddy Alina who is pushing three, it was also really enjoyable for me. I feel like parents should watch this movie with their children of Riley's age and soak it all in. I bet everyone would learn a little something or at least be reminded of how life can get for kiddos out there, struggling with being a kid <i>and </i>coming into their own at the same time. It reminded me that Alina is currently in her <i>simple </i>emotions stage but that there will come a time when she will struggle within herself and I can only hope that we are there to do the right things and be aware of how much of an impact we have on who she becomes.. (Wow, that's deep and terrifying.)<br />
I love when a movie does it for me. I have thought about this movie after seeing it and I've spoken to people about how cute it is. I figured I made such a big deal about it, I had better write a post dedicated to my new favourite Pixar movie.<br />
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.Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-62727665548114619132015-11-04T05:00:00.000-08:002015-11-04T05:00:00.393-08:00Tick Tick Currently I live my life as normal. This week I started running and using our elliptical machine first thing in the morning. I get Alina and myself ready for the day as I always do. I drop her off and head towards the pharmacy in my ordinary way. But the difference is that there is this <i>tick, tick</i> ticking faintly in my head. It was hardly there in September, in October it was faint but today, this month, this pressure is beginning to weigh me down. Two weeks until I get the results from PEBC, releasing my fate. Do I get to burst into tears with relief and excitement and a true sense of accomplishment for doing what I set out to do over a year ago? Or will I simply search and search for my PEBC number only to be left with nothing.. Like Jeff Probst from Survivor says to the losing tribe; "I've got nothing for you.." I imagine both scenarios in my head often. One makes me feel elated, too giddy and excited to let my mind go there. It's too good to be true. The other makes my heart beat quickly and I have to squash the sick feelings I get.<br />
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Work is getting more interesting too. Meetings are being set up to discuss my possible new role as a regulated pharmacy technician. Yet, the meetings are set up for one week before I find out my results. The pressure builds as my role expands, as plans for the store are set into motion. The<i> tick, tick </i>goes from an irritating unknown, to a pounding, deliberate, taunting drum.<br />
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<b><i>TICK </i></b><i>(Did) <b>TICK </b>(I) <b>TICK </b>(Pass?)</i></div>
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<i><b>TICK </b>(Was)<b> TICK </b>(It)<b> TICK </b>(Enough?)</i></div>
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<i><b>TICK </b>(Can)<b> TICK </b></i>(I)<i><b> TICK </b>(Pull)<b> TICK </b>(This)<b>TICK </b>(Off?)<b> </b></i></div>
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<i><b>TICK </b>(What)<b> TICK </b>(If)<b> TICK</b> (I)<b> TICK </b>(Didn't...) </i></div>
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I am being patient because I have two weeks until I find out. I am not getting too worked up but check back with me next week and it could be a different story. </div>
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<i> </i>On a lighter note, Alina started at a public daycare this week. She's doing well, getting along with the ladies and engaging with the kids. I'm proud of her and feel that tear in my eye when I think of how big she's getting. I love my girl and even though I'm feeling the pressures of my results, all I have to do is think of her little face and I feel better, no matter what my fate.. I'll have her either way and that's pretty cool. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got her hair cut! </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taken last night, keeping baby warm in her shirt and pretty proud of herself. </td></tr>
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Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-18540555893617180682015-10-14T22:25:00.001-07:002015-10-14T22:25:45.693-07:00The Dream Team I have been wanting to write a post about the beloved Blue Jays but didn't know how to go about it. I loved playing baseball as a kid and I still get the itch to play every spring. We played on a slo-pitch team for three years and then the team sort of fell apart and we had Alina and that was the end of that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/08/21/toronto-blue-jays-logo-trademark_n_5697789.html" target="_blank">via</a></td></tr>
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In 1993, the last time the Blue Jays won the World Series I was eight. I remember playing Legos and my parents were jumping up and down whooping and hollering and I just joined the party. I had no idea why everyone was freaking out but it was fun. The series us Canadians just finished watching was so intense, so fun.<br />
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I believe that if you're a baseball fan in Canada, you are also likely a Jays' fan. Canada has one team and it is the Toronto Blue Jays. This <a href="http://www.haleyspace.blogspot.ca/2015/09/my-flurry-of-thoughts-have-been-evicted.html" target="_blank">summer</a> Rob and I watched the Blue Jays play the Mariners in Seattle. July 26th was their last game and it was their second loss out of a three game series. On July 28th big changes occurred within the franchise. The Blue Jays acquired Troy Tulowitzki and LaTroy Hawkins from the Colorado Rockies for Toronto's Jose Reyes and three other minor league pitchers. Days later on July 30th, another trade was made for the Detroit Tigers' pitcher, David Price. Another few minor league prospects were sacrificed. On July 31st, the last day of the trade deadline the Blue Jays made another gutsy trade with the Philadelphia Phillies' outfielder, Ben Reveres. This basically decimated the team's minor league system. It was quite the trio of deals that had Rob's twitter feed buzzing. Soon after the trades they had an eleven game winning streak and deemed themselves a force to be reckoned with.<br />
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The sports world is vibrating with talk of this Blue Jays team. The batting line up is something to be feared if you're the opposing team and celebrated time and time again if you're a fan. I know a lot of my readers aren't necessarily baseball fans but believe me when I say; we have a killer team. From the all star outfielders, infielders, pitchers and batters.. It's a true dream team to cheer for.<br />
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Today, was the fifth game in the American League Division series against the Texas Rangers. Game 1 and 2 were in Toronto and the Jays lost both games. Rob was sure that it was all over. All of that time watching these boys win again and again and then... this. Two back to back losses. Games 3 and 4 were in Texas and the Jays came back giving the fans that glimmer of hope. Today, the game was at 1:00 and of course I was working. I streamed the game while I 'worked' and that's when the game got intense. From Pillar's all star dive in center field to Texas' stolen third run to the three major back to back errors made by the Rangers. Once the bases were loaded with none out hope really started to flutter in our hearts. One out and two runners and Joey Bats was up to save the frickin' day. Crack goes the bat and we had ourselves a 6-3 lead in the 7th inning. Roberto Osuna, the youngest pitcher at 20 closes the game with ease and grace. The sports world is talking non stop about this game and to be fair, it's 9 pm and Rob and I are still watching replays on Sportsnet.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdNjB7IlKmQ" target="_blank">WATCH GAME HIGHLIGHTS HERE</a></div>
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The Toronto Blue Jays are scheduled to play the Kansas City Royals on Friday for the Championship series. The winner of this series battle for the Commissioner's Trophy in the 2015 World Series.<br />
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The baseball Gods were surely shining down on our Jays today and we can only hope for more love from the big guys.<br />
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. Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12320592.post-22783303257731973582015-10-10T17:03:00.000-07:002015-10-10T17:03:21.974-07:00Fighting Old I'm thirty.. I know some people have a difficult time turning different ages, whether it be 30, 40, etc. I didn't have a <i>hard</i> time turning thirty but it meant something. It was a pivotal moment in my life, where I suddenly became more aware of little things. Little indications that I am starting to - dare I write the words- .... <i>get old.</i><br />
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<i> <b>Wrinkles. </b></i>Yes, it's a thing. I remember my sister in law mentioned that she was getting them maybe a year or more ago and I thought- pfft, who cares about wrinkles? Then, I started to notice when I was applying my concealer (the one that hides the dark circles under my eyes) that the skin under my eyes wasn't the way it used to be... It was getting more difficult to apply that makeup, I had to blend it in more or it would cake to the lines under my.. wait. Those <i>lines</i>, are the wrinkles! I have wrinkles. Okay, that's fine. But even those dark circles are getting more and more difficult to hide. I used to wear that concealer because it brightened me up but it wasn't something I had to have. Now, I don't feel comfortable without it and mid-day, I'll go to the bathroom and feel like I need to reapply.<br />
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<b>Solution:</b> I've been looking for the right make up to cover up my dark circles and feel hopeful that I found the right stuff at Wal Mart of all places. <br />
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<b><i>Embarrassing Temptations. </i></b>So the other day, I was at Costco and I saw a three pack of ladies underwear. For a split second I thought how nice it would be to have a three pack that I could buy instead of sorting through tiny La Senza underwear that is intended for sixteen year old butts.. However- I'm not there yet. I can't do it. The day I begin buying three packs of women's underwear from Costco is the day I can officially say that I am old. (Sorry for any offended birds out there that jump at a Costco three pack. I envy your uncomplicated panty shopping.)<br />
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<b>Solution: </b>I will actually put some time and effort into buying a decent few pair of underwear from La Senza and I will continue to keep an eye out for those sales of the Costco three packs....Just in case.<br />
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<i><b>Strange Shopping Goals. </b></i>Rob and I were talking the other day and he may have mentioned that we need to update our lounging around the house clothes. As he was telling me I was shamelessly sporting a red waffle shirt with a pair of blue, plaid pajama pants. Now I justified my outfit because my pj pants that match the red top were ripped.. Normally I would never wear something that completely didn't match. He said we should shop for nicer looking lazy clothes so that we could throw out the ugly stuff. I don't know.. His lounging clothes aren't all that bad. I have a feeling he didn't really think he was the problem. I told Rob that what I really wanted, was a pair of black joggers with pockets. But the most important thing was that the joggers had to have pockets. If they didn't, it was a total deal breaker. Sweat pants with pockets. That's what my clothes shopping priorities have turned into.<br />
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I took way too long trying to find a picture of sweat pants... Just use your imagination.</div>
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<b>Solution: </b>Consider it done. Wearing my black joggers WITH pockets, as I type these very words. Nailed it!</div>
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<i><b>Varicose Veins. </b></i>I was at the mall and thought I'd sneak a look at some sexy bedtime wear. So I found a couple of nice ideas and took them to the change room. The moment I dropped my pants, I gasped. I don't know if it was the unflattering lighting, or the three way mirror but I was horrified to see that my one leg was completely overtaken by my unsightly varicose veins. To my already established horror, I discovered that a long, thick, corded vein has invaded my other leg, the good leg I used to call it. So sad. I didn't even finish trying on the outfits. I abandoned my shopping and left the store deflated. What a total bummer. I never want to wear shorts, skirts, bathing suits or short dresses ever again. <br />
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<b>Solution: </b>This issue is the one that makes me the most nervous. I have to go to my doctor and get a referral to a specialist and have them collapsed. Once I've collapsed them perhaps it's compression stockings for me! (Another reason I'm getting old, to add to the list!)<br />
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<i><b>Tired, even for me. </b></i>I am one of those anomalies. I can stay up really late, get up really early, feel tired but never complain. I almost always get away with little sleep and I never usually have a problem with it. I don't know if it's because Alina gets up so early every morning, or the fact that I stay up late reading, but lately I have been feeling pretty tuckered. I used to be able to stay up quite late, going out and having a good time then get up four hours later and work for eight, without much of a problem. The very thought of doing that is enough to make me want to take a nap.<br />
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<b>Solution: </b>I think my solution to being tired is to let in every once in awhile and make sure it's with someone worth napping with...<br />
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Sometimes it's okay to order off the senior's menu...it's cheaper because there's less food! </div>
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Complaining about Justin Bieber and the nonsense he keeps coming out with is fine because his songs are actually terrible to young ears too, right?</div>
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I don't know why the air is so cold during a movie at the theater, I think next time I should just bring a small blanket in my purse to avoid the shivers... </div>
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It's okay that I looked EVERYWHERE for our coupon book this morning so I could save $4 on the second breakfast item at ABC Restaurant... </div>
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Ahh crap... I'm old. </div>
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<br />Haleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02893160520460426467noreply@blogger.com4