Halloween 2010

Introducing...

Father Time and Mother Nature!

Happy Halloweeny!

Mommy's Skills in the Kitchen

Having graduated with a double major in psychology and sociology and a major love for research... I often find myself thinking about correlations. In sociological research we often can't say X+Y=Z but we can say that X and Y together often coincide with Z. 

Whenever I go home and my bestie happens to be there too we have a solid, set-in-stone plan that always happens if we have time (I realize that sentence conflicts itself). We meet up for lunch at our favourite Greek restaurant in town. Greek food is probably one of my favourite ethnic food categories (obviously... I have a love affair with feta!). This weekend I was delighted to learn she was going to be home too! On Saturday I met up with her and her sister for lunch. I ordered the usual: French Onion Soup and Greek Salad. yum. 

While eating our meal and discussing our love for food, how our thought processes are often consumed by food and what the next meal will be, and our crappy ability to have self control...we came up with a little correlation about loving food.

Our correlation:

Great Mommy Cooking Skills => Love for Food => Problems with Food

We all have Mom's with amazing cooking skills. We all love food. We all have some issues with self-control around food. 

We noted people that had Mom's that don't really make a big deal around dinner, or aren't exactly the best cooks. These people could care less for food, it's fuel, it doesn't matter much to them, and thus they have no food issues.

This food for thought (pardon the pun) sparked a little flame in my brain and got me thinking more about meals and my personal food history.

My mom worked a lot (and still does). Owning and operating your own business does that to a person. It makes you work a lot. Work doesn't stay at work, work comes home. Work is always there. When I was really little my mom actually ran the restaurant and worked for an accountant. She told me I once asked her why she worked so much so she quit the second job.

Fish and chips from my mom's restaurant. Yum right?

Even though my mom worked a lot I had an amazing childhood. We were blessed to live less than a 5 minute walk away from the restaurant, and having a mom that had flexible enough hours that she was always home after school and present. I didn't really notice how much she worked. I mean sure she worked, but I never though, "Why isn't mom around?" because she was always there in my memories. She just always has work on the brain, is frequently visiting the restaurant even when she isn't working and always doing bookwork at night.

Getting to the point... my mom always had a home cooked healthy dinner on the table. Every night we sat as a family, talked about our day and ate together. It was my favourite part of my day. Clearly somewhere along the way while eating my mother's delicious meals, I began to associate happiness with food.

As a society we do this... everything is focused around a meal or food. Thanksgiving dinner. Christmas dinner. Birthday cake. Celebrating something? Let's go out for dinner! Having a party? Let's all bring h'orderves. Food is always associated with happiness. Why do you think we serve triangle sandwiches at funerals? To comfort people.

When food makes us happy... it's a difficult thing to learn to disassociate those two things together.

Food is fuel. I know this. I want to follow this. But somehow making unhealthy more tasty choices has proven to be a more difficult task in the last couple years.

What do you think of our correlation theory?
Are you a comfort eater?
Do you eat food for fuel?
What's your food story? 

Birthday Money

*Forewarning: I am forewarning you this is a bit of a woe is me post... proceed with caution*

Responsibility. It's a big word. It's an annoying word. It's one of those words that gets bigger and bigger as we age. Responsibility. Fourteen letters of bleh. 

I've had a very hard time with my approaching birthday over the past year and haven't exactly known how to handle it. I don't like it. It's icky territory and I don't want it to come. Nobody understands how I feel, and as much as I'm sure they can sympathize... nobody knows.  

In 10 days I will officially be 23 years old and older than my older brother. I actually officially am last week because he was killed 2 weeks before his 23rd birthday. But still. Every time I answer the "How old are you going to be?" question it's like taking a knife to the heart. It's painful. 

Although I have said I went crazy the year after my brother died, I actually handled it really well if I do say so myself. When I say I went crazy, I am saying, the year was a blur and I was quite emotional. I handled it okay. I accepted it. I miss my brother everyday. I yearn to talk to him, to hug him, to fight with him, to party with him, every day. That being said, I've handled my grief well. It has gotten better with time... but this last year, every time I think about my ticking time bomb approaching birthday I hurt. 

Back to responsibility. What did I ask for this year? Money. As any twenty-something knows, with time we have more and more financial responsibilities, and spending a little money on ourselves starts to feel more and more guilt-ridden with time.

I should save that.

I should put that on my credit card.

I should be spending that on something responsible. 

My idea was that with my birthday money I would spend it all on myself. It's not an easy year. I don't like my birthday this year. I wanted money to buy myself things that I want. That I don't need. 

I am at home right now visiting my parents for a bit of an early birthday weekend. They gave me birthday money, and so did my grandmother. I will still be getting some elsewhere (from other relatives). 

How much do I have so far, plus the Thanksmas money I still haven't spent? 

Enough for this:

{from here}

I have wanted this coat for years. I know about 5000 people with this coat, but I don't care. I want it. You can dress it up... you can dress it down. You stay warm and classy all in one go. I heart it. A lot. 

Upon this discovery last night I was so very giddy and happy that I could finally get it. It's my birthday money! I don't have to feel guilty about this purchase. WRONG.

Last night Superman and I were sleeping trying to sleep, but Miss Vada is in heat for the third time. She's noisy. She's annoying. She's loud...and at 6:30am what did Superman say? "You should be spending that money on spaying Vada." 

I know he's right. I know that's what I should be spending my money on. Responsibility. Why must you rain on my parade?

She's my cat. She's my responsibility. I love her and I want the best life for her. I should have spayed her a long time ago. It's expensive. It's not fun. Not to mention I'm nervous about her having surgery. However...I should be spaying her. It's my responsibility. 

I just think with all my guilt around spending money, I don't know if I'll buy this expensive coat for myself unless it's from my birthday money. Money I wouldn't have unless it was given to me. 

So my bloggy friends... I riddle you this...

What would you do?


{update: I know what I have to do. Spay Vada. It's the responsible choice and the best one. I will buy a reasonably priced coat in a Large size, and hope to buy the TNA coat in a medium next year!}

Fire Hose, Super Mario Brothers and Bears

I've always loved Halloween. It's one of my favourite times of the year, and nothing beats a great costume. Superman is the same as me. 

I'm the Princess, and my brother is the super scary beast. I was actually afraid of that mask when I was little... I wouldn't even go in my parents room because it was in there.

 Superman and I started dating in October 2006. We had been on one date and a group hang out, then went out together to a party on Halloween, and after that night we were pretty much inseparable. My friends and I dressed up as Fire Hose (fire women) and Superman attempted to look like a ninja.

Our first picture together

I skipped dressing up Halloween in 2007 because it fell in the middle of the week, and we couldn't figure out what weekend people would dress up. When we went to the bar in regular clothes... we found out it was that weekend.

 In 2008 we decided to do it up in style since we had missed the year before. Given Superman's complexion I decided he would make the perfect Mario, and me? naturally, a perfect Princess Peach. This costume will forever go down as my best costume, I just don't think I could top it. 

I even found blue teardrop earrings!

Last year we had a lot happen right before Halloween and had to do last minute costume planning after we had already planned a big birthday party. Since my birthday is 3 days after Halloween, I have tried the last few years to make it a birthday party and Halloween party two-birds-one-stone idea. Superman loves bears, and was going to be a bear, and I was going to be a goblin (an early nickname for me in our relationship). When I found two bear masks (Panda & Grizzly) we both decided two bears was the best option. It was super comfy and fun! 

Grrr!

Given my issues in dealing with my rapidly approaching birthday I originally decided to nix out on Halloween because the past few years, I have had fun, but in dealing with late comers to the party and party poopers I didn't want to have a big party and be disappointed. If I am going to celebrate my birthday - it has to be celebrated in style and be big and awesome! So I didn't want to do it. After a bit of rational thought, I've decided to separate my birthday from Halloween, and just celebrate the holiday I love. 

This year? We're going to be...

Father Time and Mother Nature!

What are you going to be this year?

192

Sunday marked three and half years since my brother passed away. 

We've talked about the dimes before, and last night I took a new picture (as per request of my mom). 

The last time I took a photo of them was nearly two years ago.

And now... two years later after three and a half years I have 192 dimes.

This Place.

There's this place.

A place where you can smell the romance in the air.

The love is palpable. 

The honour is great.

This place is called Dyer's Memorial.

Tucked away far from the busy streets...

and the rustle and bustle of society.

 This place is among nature and beauty.

Upon arrival you are at the foot of a hefty hill (shown above)...

and once you reach the top,

this is what you see:

Clifton Dyer built this place in memory of his wife Betsy.

His love created this place.

It's beautiful in the summer, and pictures can't do it justice. 

Paths, ponds and garden fill the space and all you feel is peace and love.

"As a permanent tribute to her for the never-failing aid, encouragement and inspiration which she contributed to their married career, and as a final resting place for their ashes."

This place is romance and true love to me.

It's a place where your heart swells and a smile curls.

It's a place where you can see the impact their love had on their lives.

Can you feel it?

Burning the Midnight Oil

Since I started my blog and began actually blogging on a consistent basis I don't think I've been this absent. I have been here, still reading blogs, but I just haven't found the time to write one. I have a wonderful post in draft but it only has about two lines. Unfortunately, it takes a lot more brain power to write than this one, hence you've been getting notta.

I actually have about 12093 shows to catch up on from this week, because I feel like I haven't stopped... and when I do stop, it's after midnight, I get some shut-eye and have to get up early and start all over again. It's Friday and I am ready to collapse and fall asleep on my computer. Seriously.

Whenever I go back home for a weekend it takes me over a week to recuperate from the go-go-go and the amount of driving...and that's when I relax all week. I still haven't stopped. 

On Monday I didn't get home until later, after an abnormally long four hour drive that turn into about five hours with holiday traffic.

On Tuesday it took me a ridiculously long time to get home from work with traffic, and then Superman and I went out for dinner, I came home and worked on my resume for over two hours. Late. night. 

On Wednesday I came home from work and got ready for my Frisbee game. I ran my butt off, and went out with team members for some dinner. I still hadn't been grocery shopping yet, so after all that I had to hit up a 24-hour grocery store. I didn't get home until 11... after a bit of relaxation and winding down, I still ended up in bed after midnight.

Last night I really wanted to go to the gym, but a super long and tiresome day at work left me there until later than usual, and I knew that last night was the last night I had to work on my application. I got home, relaxed, made dinner, watched a little television and went to work. Somehow 8:30pm turned into 1:00am. I finished it though (phew!).

My buddy and I working the late shift.

 After a week of a lot of computer screens (do it all day, don't want to do it all night)... I'm so tired.

Today... I'm exhausted. I really want to go to the gym, but I know going on little energy probably isn't the best idea. I still haven't tried out my brand spanking new running shoes I bought last Friday. What can you do when you really want to go somewhere but don't have the time or energy? I know time is the worst excuse, but I really haven't had any downtime in the past week or so.

Worst part? I don't get to sleep in ONE day this weekend. Tomorrow I'm finally going to do the zip-lining adventures that I was supposed to do months ago, and Sunday I have Frisbee. All of which is in the morning. Yay life (actually non-sarcastic yay life because I am excited about both).

I'll just have to plan for lots and lots of naps!

Happy Friday everyone! 
Maybe I'll find time to write the blog I've been writing in my head since last weekend...this weekend!

Oh, Hello!

Who's that? It's me.

I realize I've kind of disappeared off the face of the planet.

In reality I was busy not only eating two delicious turkey dinners over the weekend... but making one.

My mom ended up having to work (the joys of owning her own business), and I had to prepare dinner for 15 people. Not a small feat. 

I also have been busy sorting out some stuff and getting my super awesome resume and application together. 

I promise a better post that I have in the works very soon.

I haven't forgotten about you dear blogging world! 

P.S. I was thisclose to caving and weighing myself last night but Superman stopped me (good man!).

Feeling Festive

Vada wanted me to share the festivity today (okay she actually really didn't want to...but I'm a super awesome fur-Mommy)

Happy Saturday!

Thanksgiving aka Thanksmas

I received plenty of comments from my American friends about Thanksgiving in Canada. I must say, I really like the fact that Thanksgiving is in early October here in Canada. The only thing I wish we didn't miss out on was Black Friday.The shopaholic in me is very jealous.

Thanksgiving in October works well for me (and probably most other Canadian's). I couldn't imagine it being so late.

Thanksmas 2009

However, in my family Thanksgiving gets a whole different spin on it. We have Thanksmas.  My grandparents move to Florida every winter right after Thanksgiving, and do not return until the snow is gone and it starts getting warm again...thus they miss Christmas. In order to make up for this, Thanksgiving becomes Thanksmas in my family.

So, after a fabulous turkey dinner, we open presents. Yes!!! Presents. I know, be jealous...now! We exchange gifts with my grandparents. The rest of the family waits until Christmas, but it's a nice little spin on an awesome enough holiday.

The parents at Thanksmas 2008

 My grandma even puts up a Christmas tree. This year it's at my parent's house, so I don't know how Christmasy we'll get, but we'll still be opening presents!

So to my fellow Canadian's... Happy Thanksgiving!

And my my American friends, Enjoy your regular non-long weekend!

The Itch

We all get itches... 

Itches to shop 

I have an immense pang to shop right now - if only I didn't have to pay for a speeding ticket and save to spay my kitty. 

Itches to move

I think we are going to wait until Spring because I so do not want to move in the Winter

Itches to clean

Yah... this is what I'm here to talk about today.

Last night, I had to do laundry. I had pushed it to the ultimate limit. Something I always do because living in an apartment with no in-suite laundry sucks. A big shout out to any parent that does it, because I can't even handle it myself. I hate laundry. I hate folding it. I hate putting it away. I just hate it. I also hate dressers and drawers. So... I often live out of laundry baskets until Superman freaks out and catches me, and finds my overflowing filled laundry baskets of clothes, clean, dirty, random things like pens, and bags, water bottles, younameit's. Last night while preparing to do laundry... he caught me. I was stuck in a corner, and had to say, "Okay... I'll clean it up." I'm a messy girl, but when I get an itch to clean, I CLEAN. While, Superman triggered an itch, and I went nutso. I emptied every drawer, and began organizing. After exploding the insides of my bedroom onto the floor... I stood back and looked around and said to myself, "Oh shiza, what have I gotten myself into." I mean... look...

Don't mind the cell quality please :)

 This is the content of the dressers and my secretive baskets. This is also about 1 hour into my little project. It took 3 hours. You might ask, "Amy where is the after shot?" Well, you don't get one, because by the time I was done, I was starving and exhausted, so instead you get a close up of the glowing beady eyes that can be found in the left side of the photo :) 

I must say it looks b-e-a-utiful though!

Yes... those are paper hole clippings.

 What kind of itches do you get?

Have a fabulous weekend!