• Giveaways - Health - parenting

    Win $25 K for Your Park – Kraft Celebration Tour #KCT

    June 1, 2013 - By 

      It might not have made front page news, but the day they unveiled Mayor Norm Jary Park in Guelph, the world shifted just a little bit for my brother and I. First of all, we had our pictures in the local daily, The Guelph Mercury (local section). That in itself was an event – and pretty cool for a grade schooler. I recall the photo opp with the mayor. I think I might have been nine or so standing in the background and my little brother was cute as a button perched atop a slide. Aside from the school playground…

  • family

    What You Miss Most When A Loved One Dies

    May 23, 2013 - By 

    After a loved one dies the things you miss surprise you. Small sucker punches all day long to the heart. They creep in the week after the funeral and you think I had no idea I would miss that.          Sensory Things After a Loved One Dies Of course you miss her smell, and it is visceral, the way you seek it, find it lingering on her shirt, a blouse, a blanket, even on a pair of sunglasses. That was my Mom. That was how she smelled and I never really noticed it until right this second.…

  • family

    But I Am Not Done with You Yet

    May 5, 2013 - By 

    In the end, you think about the many times she danced through the living room holding the cat, with those tiny cat antlers it used to hate. The times she dressed at the vanity in her room draping jewelry on and your eight-year-old eyes thought it was magic. You dreamed she was beautiful and then wished years away so you could grow fast forward. You asked her to twirl. She did and spun you around. She held your hand and said I love you and then she gave you a kiss before heading off to the dance with a friend.…

  • family - Health - special needs - Travel

    Five Ways to Save Money on Summer Camp #MuskokaWoods

    March 13, 2013 - By 

    Dear Mom: Remember last month when I reminded you all about how we needed to book my summer camps now! Well, I am really hoping you did that Mom. I want to get into the same overnight summer camp I did last year with my BFF. It was the most fun event of my entire summer. Oh I enjoyed Canada’s Wonderland too, but nothing will ever top staying up late, crafting all week long, singing songs and making my own dolls and then swimming in a lake and sleeping on bunks away from home. My counsellors were incredible. In fact,…

  • the changing face of family
    Health - Parenting

    What is the New Normal #FamilyDay? #ohip4ivf #onpoli

    February 18, 2013 - By 

    On Family Day I wanted to spend my one thousandth post talking about family and the new normal and the changing face of family. Today, people will spend the day with their children, or their parents. Some may celebrate new births, a few may go out for dinner, sledding or to the movies. In our family we often take the afternoon to go skating on Family Day. It’s a fun tradition here at our house, one my daughter reminded me of today.  I spent a lot of time thinking about family here lately, and policies that impact family. On Family…

  • family_day_AB
    Health

    On the Eve of Family Day #ABHC4IVF #ABPOLI

    February 15, 2013 - By 

    Updated – for Family Day 2017 On the eve of Family Day 2013 I asked infertility patients a question. The answers were emotional and many were heartbreaking. For those who do not yet have a family many holidays are reminders of loss and grief and health care struggles. That could change if Alberta started to fund IVF in the province. There are currently in 2017 four provinces funding the procedure. Alberta is not yet one of those provinces.   A couple of short weeks ago I asked the question on Generations of Hope Facebook page I help manage. The question was this:…

  • family - Health

    Five Triggers of Alzheimer’s Disease #Health

    February 5, 2013 - By 

    This year was a hard one. We have been doing our best to help my mother manage her diagnosis of dementia. Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease are heartbreaking and it can be devastating to watch. As words disappear and memories start to fade your loved one, can often end up being explosive. It’s not uncommon at all and is completely understandable. Over the last couple of years I have noted numerous Alzheimer’s Disease triggers. Here’s a bit more about what Alzheimer’s Disease triggers look like and how to cope. Alzheimer’s Disease triggers This past year was, at times, a glorious mess.…

  • Health - Parenting - parenting

    This is Who She Will Be #tweens

    January 17, 2013 - By 

    I am always proud of my kids. Every day from the second they joined our home, their tiny hearts beating in sync with mine. I love them beyond measure, like many Moms the world over, and yet, sometimes parenting is dull. It is magical – ephemeral – a little unbelievable – and then it is exhausting. Draining. Bone weary hard work. The older they get, the further and faster they speed away from you. Daily. You can see it when they wake up and walk down to make their own cereal. And it is good and welcome and even a…

  • Food

    Cooking With Kids – Turkey Stuffing Pot Pie

    January 17, 2013 - By 

    TURKEY stuffing pot pie is a recipe I’ve had my eyes on for weeks. Yesterday we decided to give it a try. At one point somebody sent a flyer around with the usual Dempster’s promotions in it and I found this recipe for Turkey Stuffing Pot Pie. I thought it looked so yummy that I had to make it. The ingredients and instructions are perfect for tweens who like to help cook and Payton was eager to help. We ended up with two versions. The Turkey Stuffing Pot Pie can be served in individual ramekins so everyone has their own…

  • Parenting

    Are They Real Sisters? – National Adoption Day Bloghop

    November 17, 2012 - By 

    These are my girls, Ainsley and Payton. Sisters. Daughters. Great friends. They love and fight and play and hug and eat and drink and dance and dream and share part of our lives, our home and hearts.  They are the reason we wake up and breathe and do – pretty much everything. There was a time when we didn’t know if we could be parents. There was a time I didn’t even know if I wanted to be a parent, if I am being 100 % truthful. I wanted a career – writing was my passion – and many days…