Argos Exhibition Game

Garth and I took our two daughters to see the first pre-season game of the Toronto Argonauts this year. We went with our neighbor/friend and his daughter. It was an exciting game as Ricky Williams made his Canadian Football League debut. Judging by the hundreds of fans with Miami jerseys featuring Williams’ No. 34 at the Rogers Centre last evening it was clear who many had come to see. We were made to wait, with John Avery starting as tailback. A loud ovation erupted midway through the first when Williams, who is wearing No. 27 with Toronto, was shown on the Jumbotron patiently waiting his turn. Williams said the biggest thing for him was being able to see the game and get a feel for the tempo. That was the big thing for me as well. I wanted to see the game and feel the tempo. The kids had a blast going onto the field after the game and my youngest had her backback signed by every Argo cheerleader she could. Brooke wanted the autograph from the Argos themselves and hunted down her favorite Argo, Defensive Back Clifford Ivory ....It was a fun night!!!

Class Trip: Black Creek Pioneer Village

Toady, my husband and I went with our daughters grade three class to Black Creek Pioneer Village. We went on a guided tour of old buildings with interpreters of the pioneer days inside acting their parts as demonstrators and instructors. Afterwards we took a group of kids on a non-guided tour and visited some other buildings, one being the kitchen. We learned that to test the temperature of the oven, a woman would roll up her sleeve and stand next to the stove and place her forearm into the oven. If she could not hold her arm in past nine seconds then the oven was hot enough to bake food with. Despite the heat and humidty a good time was had by all.

Delicious Words

Swirling...Twirl.....Whimsical.....Gypsy...Mist.....Scrumptious...
..Spirit....Bohemian....Sass...Love.......Tender.....Bloom...Peace...
Serendipity...Blessing...Mystery...Effervescent....Imagination...
Magnolia...Cuisine...Twilight...Justice...Ambiance... .Seduce....
Gloss...Calliope....Soliloquy......Sizzle......Felicitations...
Voluptuous...Epiphany.....Entice.....Willow....Vixen..
Mahoghany...Intuition...Lilac..Nurture.....Destiny....
Tranquility...Passion ....DejaVu ......Luminous....Quintessence....
..Aqua.....Paradise.....Zamboni.....Melodic....Mesmerize.....
Sunshine...Ethereal...Soothing.......Twinkle.....Bliss...
Extravaganza...Delicacy......Loquacious....Lullaby...Mimosa...
..Sashay....Vivacious....Renaissance....Peruse....Poinsettia...
Moxie...Illusion..Luscious.... Thrill..Facilitate....Enchanted...
Radient....Haiku.... ..Patchoulli.......Snuggle.......Loving....
Coffee........Merci....Turquoise.. ...Inspiration.....Glimmering...
...Delicious

There are some words you just can't help but fall in love with--the meaning and the images they evoke, the way it rolls off your tongue, the way it dances on the corner of your mouth. There are some words that are pure magic. There are words that make people smile when they are tossed into conversation. And then when you take them and string them together, they take on a whole new meaning and begin a brand new dance. They are delicious to savor and your mouth waters with expectation.

INXS At The ACC

Sunday Night I headed into TO to see INXS at the ACC with my husband, my galpal Heather and her neice Rita. I have always been a fan of INXS and the last time they did a big tour it was the fall of 1997 which I missed. Sadly, Hutchence was dead 3 weeks later and INXS was no more. But in the summer of 2005 we got "Rockstar:INXS" on TV and my guilty pleasure became the star-making machine for JD Fortune and INXS was back. I must admit, initially I was never JD's biggest fan on the show but the boy can sell it on stage. He had so much energy bouncing around from one side of the stage to the other. JD loves being a rockstar. He has gotten to the point where his confidence has become seductive and he works it. He is a genuine frontman he does the upbeat tracks really well. I couldn't have asked for more,they sounded fantastic. Their new material fit in really well with the classic hits. The original members of INXS had huge smiles on their faces all night, and lots of energy on stage. Great concert all round.
Stabilo (Formerly Stabilo Boss) was great as an opener, by the way. A Vancouver band worth checking out. I found them endearing as they thanked us for our appluase many times, knowing that we were tolerating them on stage, and the real reason we were there was behind the big black curtain. As it got closer to show time, there was a projection of a switch up on the 2 side screens, which eventually changed to a countdown to when the show would start. When it got down to one minute left, the place went nuts. We counted down when there was ten seconds left, and everyone was up on their feet cheering. I loved the feel of the energy in those couple of seconds. The lights went down, came back on, and the band was up on stage, JD front and center. They launched into "Suicide Blonde" right away, the whole place going nuts. When they went into "Devil's Party" next, JD yelled; "Welcome to the party,Toronto!"

Set list:

Suicide Blonde
Devil's Party
Mystify
Hot Girls
By My Side
Afterglow
Taste It
Original Sin
Hungry
Never Let You Go
Kick
Need You Tonight
What You Need
Devil Inside
Pretty Vegas

Encore:
New Sensation
Amazing Grace
Never Tear Us Apart
Don't Change

To My Daughters On Mothers Day....

I will always try....
-To recognize that as children, you are people too.
-To laugh with you, instead of at you.
-To admit my mistakes.
-To validate your feelings.
-To be patient.
-To respect your choices.
-To cherish you
-To hug you and kiss you at every opportunity.
-To love you unconditionally.
Forever.

Happy Mothers Day Mom.....I Love You!!

Having four Children meant her days were filled with silly songs, diapers, birthday parties, soccer games, music recitals, homework, and school dances. Mom would spend sleepless nights when the curfew had come and gone. She would pace hospital corridors after my heart surgery. She would fill stockings and Easter baskets at midnight. She would run here and there between extracurricular activities, spend countless hours repeating spelling words and helping with homework assignments. Dinner was always on the table, followed by snacks and televison time during the evening. Small tiny things were done, barely noticed, but all with great care. The ''thank you's'' were usually few and far between.
Then the day came when her young grew wings and left the nest. The cycle continues now as her children have children of their own and learn what Mom had so selflessly done over those many years. A mom puts down her life to raise her children to help them reach dreams, achieve goals, be joyful, and have good character. Alot of my childhood was spent living in various places throughout Canada and other places of the world. Throughout it all she was my constant. Whether we were living in Ontario, Alberta or Venezuela, dinner was on the table and we were still bathed and read to and loved. The heart of a mother is a place to call home. Mom means security, trust, care, and unconditional love.
As I've grown older our relationship has matured, and I've grown to appreciate her in different ways and even though our attitudes and opinions don't always match up, I respect the way she approaches everything with kindness. Thanks for everything, Mom...you're the best!
Love, Jill

Your favorite daughter in the whole wide world.

102 Movies You Must See

The films highlighted in Orange are the ones I have seen.


"2001: A Space Odyssey" (1968) Stanley Kubrick
"The 400 Blows" (1959) Francois Truffaut
"8 1/2" (1963) Federico Fellini
"Aguirre, the Wrath of God" (1972) Werner Herzog
"Alien" (1979) Ridley Scott
"All About Eve" (1950) Joseph L. Mankiewicz
"Annie Hall" (1977) Woody Allen
"Apocalypse Now" (1979) Francis Ford Coppola*
"Bambi" (1942) Disney
"The Battleship Potemkin" (1925) Sergei Eisenstein
"The Best Years of Our Lives" (1946) William Wyler
"The Big Red One" (1980) Samuel Fuller
"The Bicycle Thief" (1949) Vittorio De Sica
"The Big Sleep" (1946) Howard Hawks
"Blade Runner" (1982) Ridley Scott
"Blowup" (1966) Michelangelo Antonioni
"Blue Velvet" (1986) David Lynch
"Bonnie and Clyde" (1967) Arthur Penn
"Breathless" (1959 Jean-Luc Godard
"Bringing Up Baby" (1938) Howard Hawks
"Carrie" (1975) Brian DePalma
"Casablanca" (1942) Michael Curtiz
"Un Chien Andalou" (1928) Luis Bunuel & Salvador Dali
"Children of Paradise" / "Les Enfants du Paradis" (1945) Marcel Carne
"Chinatown" (1974) Roman Polanski
"Citizen Kane" (1941) Orson Welles
"A Clockwork Orange" (1971) Stanley Kubrick
"The Crying Game" (1992) Neil Jordan
"The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) Robert Wise
"Days of Heaven" (1978) Terence Malick
"Dirty Harry" (1971) Don Siegel
"The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" (1972) Luis Bunuel
"Do the Right Thing" (1989) Spike Lee
"La Dolce Vita" (1960) Federico Fellini
"Double Indemnity" (1944) Billy Wilder
"Dr. Strangelove" (1964) Stanley Kubrick
"Duck Soup" (1933) Leo McCarey
"E.T. -- The Extra-Terrestrial" (1982) Steven Spielberg
"Easy Rider" (1969) Dennis Hopper
"The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) Irvin Kershner
"The Exorcist" (1973) William Friedkin
"Fargo" (1995) Joel & Ethan Coen
"Fight Club" (1999) David Fincher
"Frankenstein" (1931) James Whale
"The General" (1927) Buster Keaton & Clyde Bruckman
"The Godfather," "The Godfather, Part II" (1972, 1974) Francis Ford Coppola
"Gone With the Wind" (1939) Victor Fleming
"GoodFellas" (1990) Martin Scorsese
"The Graduate" (1967) Mike Nichols
"Halloween" (1978) John Carpenter
"A Hard Day's Night" (1964) Richard Lester
"Intolerance" (1916) D.W. Griffith
"It's a Gift" (1934) Norman Z. McLeod
"It's a Wonderful Life" (1946) Frank Capra
"Jaws" (1975) Steven Spielberg
"The Lady Eve" (1941) Preston Sturges
"Lawrence of Arabia" (1962) David Lean
"M" (1931) Fritz Lang
"Mad Max 2" / "The Road Warrior" (1981) George Miller
"The Maltese Falcon" (1941) John Huston
"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) John Frankenheimer
"Metropolis" (1926) Fritz Lang
"Modern Times" (1936) Charles Chaplin
"Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975) Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam
"Nashville" (1975) Robert Altman
"The Night of the Hunter" (1955) Charles Laughton
"Night of the Living Dead" (1968) George Romero
"North by Northwest" (1959) Alfred Hitchcock
"Nosferatu" (1922) F.W. Murnau
"On the Waterfront" (1954) Elia Kazan
"Once Upon a Time in the West" (1968) Sergio Leone
"Out of the Past" (1947) Jacques Tournier
"Persona" (1966) Ingmar Bergman
"Pink Flamingos" (1972) John Waters
"Psycho" (1960) Alfred Hitchcock
"Pulp Fiction" (1994) Quentin Tarantino
"Rashomon" (1950) Akira Kurosawa
"Rear Window" (1954) Alfred Hitchcock
"Rebel Without a Cause" (1955) Nicholas Ray
"Red River" (1948) Howard Hawks
"Repulsion" (1965) Roman Polanski
"The Rules of the Game" (1939) Jean Renoir
"Scarface" (1932) Howard Hawks
"The Scarlet Empress" (1934) Josef von Sternberg
"Schindler's List" (1993) Steven Spielberg
"The Searchers" (1956) John Ford
"The Seven Samurai" (1954) Akira Kurosawa
"Singin' in the Rain" (1952) Stanley Donen & Gene Kelly
"Some Like It Hot" (1959) Billy Wilder
"A Star Is Born" (1954) George Cukor
"A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951) Elia Kazan
"Sunset Boulevard" (1950) Billy Wilder
"Taxi Driver" (1976) Martin Scorsese
"The Third Man" (1949) Carol Reed
"Tokyo Story" (1953) Yasujiro Ozu
"Touch of Evil" (1958) Orson Welles
"The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948) John Huston
"Trouble in Paradise" (1932) Ernst Lubitsch
"Vertigo" (1958) Alfred Hitchcock
"West Side Story" (1961) Jerome Robbins/Robert Wise
"The Wild Bunch" (1969) Sam Peckinpah
"The Wizard of Oz" (1939) Victor Fleming

Movie Review : Match Point

I am not a fan of Woody Allen films and interestingly, this did not seem like a typical Woody Allen film. Instead what you get is a straight forward thrill-ride of a tragedy. Jonathan Rhys Meyers assumes the role of leading man with considerable comfort and style. The character interactions and dynamics are intriguing. Scarlett Johansson is sexy as the ultimate object of desire.The movie's ending twist is a classic that Hitchcock would love. It can take your breath away, if you weren't already holding your breath

Birthday Celebrations For Sheila

This weekend I am headed into Toronto to experience some female fun, frivolous adventure, entertainment and shopping galore. I am sooooo....looking forward and grateful for this retreat because I get to spend some quality girl time with Sheila.
Girlfriends are so important -- I'm realizing that more and more everyday, and I'm grateful for the ones in my life. There are girl friends, and there are girlfriends -- those that you can say anything to and know that they won't think you're insane. I'm grateful to have Sheila, because with her,I can say things I couldn't say aloud to others and I know she's thinking the same thing, feeling the same way.
I'm lucky to have that comfort with my girl, Sheila.

Toronto Science Centre

The place was very busy due to the rainy weather. My husband and I noticed that alot of the simulator things were broken and needed repair and a lot of the stuff was pretty old. The kids seemed to overlook this flaw and enjoyed the place. It was nostalgic for hubby and I. My youngest daughter liked trying out all the hands-on exhibits like walking the balance beam, trying the rowing machine and so forth. A new feature for us at the Science Centre is Kids Park. It is a hands-on area where Children can play with water, dress up, play with a crane, and so on. All the kids loved the part where you would launch a ball down a track with loops. I liked the grocery store complete with real scanners and cash register. It is an area designed, I believe, to teach children how to select from the four food groups to achieve a balanced diet, but my girls of course ignored the educational 'grocery lists', and just stuffed their basket with random items. We spent lot of time in this area.

Happy 9th Birthday Brooke... You are Beautiful Inside and Out

Today we are headed to the Toronto Science Centre to celebrate my eldest daughters 9th bithday. She is stubborn, hard headed, emotional, she yells and stomps, she holds a grudge, and her heart breaks so easily. It is a constant test of my patience to find ways to parent her that are effective. It can be really hard to remain calm in the face of a high spirited child, especially when you know that they are upset about something that doesn’t matter at all, or when she just “thinks” that something has happened, or is going to happen, and it never has or will. It is like talking someone off a ledge. If you don’t approach her just the right way, then she jumps….you have to calmly try to explain what is happening and why. I am sure that parenting her is teaching me all kinds of wonderful skills! She is the best teacher of "life" that I could ever have.
She is so pretty! I love her blue eyes. And her laugh just warms my heart. I love that she loves her Daddy. (I at least have Alley who hasn’t gone traitor on me…yet.) She loves music, she's ornery, she's sweet, she's a charmer, and she is a messy slob.
She's mine, lent to me for a short time to try to guide and impart what wisdom I might have aquired over the years and through my lifetime of experiences.. Hopefully she will carry the heart of my words and teachings onwards and perhaps pass them on to her children. Hopefully she will do great things in her life, and if that means being safe and happy, content and secure, compassionate and fair, then I will be happy with the job I've done.

Hoppy Easter

Today was the traditional Easter Egg Hunt. It was cute watching the kids run from egg to egg and getting so excited about their find! Afterwards the kids enjoyed a eggs+tra special breakfast that their Dad made. I'm working nights so it was off to bed for me.

Easter Baking

The Kids and I were busy, between soaking up the sun and having fun baking. Happy Easter Everyone!!

For Hilary : "How in the world can the words that I said send somebody so over the edge?"

Mark May 23 on your Calander. Arriving in stores will be, the new Dixie Chicks album, "Taking the Long Way", produced by Rick Rubin, primarily a rock and rap producer who also crafted Johnny Cash's last albums. The record has been described as more rock-oriented, featuring musicians from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Petty's band, the Heartbreakers.
I have been following the Dixie Chicks controversy very closely since it first happened. In 2003 Maines told a London audience on the eve of the war in Iraq that the group was "ashamed" the president was from their home state of Texas. Natalie Maines was just exercising her right to free speech (and let's not forget that many Americans died trying to protect this right, and not on foreign soil, either).
What resulted was a witch-hunt against the Dixie Chicks with many country stations boycotting their music. The Chicks said they received death threats,leading them to install metal detectors at their shows. Maines later said she regretted the phrasing of her remark, but remained passionately against the war.
I think a lot of these pro-Bush people were shocked, that a good country girl from Texas dared speak out against their glorious leader, Lord Bush. I think a lot of these people don't like opinionated women and when they do speak up, well they feel they must shut them up. The chicks have stood their ground and they have came back swingin'! Their new single "Not Ready To Make Nice" has reached No. 36 on Billboard's country singles chart in it's first week. Most stations have completely refused to play the song, though. It is only getting frequent airplay in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Cleavland, And Minneapolis. Historically, many musicians have spoken out against the war and despite the reactions of radio stations and right-wing media personalities, all deserve our support. Lets strike back this time by listening to these musicians’ music and by making the Chicks’ new single number one on the charts. Lets support the rights of socially conscious musicians by attending their concerts and purchasing their albums. It’s the right thing to do. It’s important for citizens – whether musicians, actors or ordinary people like you and me – to be able to express our political views without censorship or violent reactions.

"Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting

I’m through with doubt
There’s nothing left for me to figure out
I’ve paid a price
And I’ll keep paying

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I know you said
Can’t you just get over it
It turned my whole world around
And I kind of like it

I made my bed and I sleep like a baby
With no regrets and I don’t mind sayin’
It’s a sad sad story when a mother will teach her
Daughter that she ought to hate a perfect stranger
And how in the world can the words that I said
Send somebody so over the edge
That they’d write me a letter
Sayin’ that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

I’m not ready to make nice
I’m not ready to back down
I’m still mad as hell and
I don’t have time to go round and round and round
It’s too late to make it right
I probably wouldn’t if I could
‘Cause I’m mad as hell
Can’t bring myself to do what it is you think I should

Forgive, sounds good
Forget, I’m not sure I could
They say time heals everything
But I’m still waiting"

Movie Review : Stay

Stay has its strengths and weaknesses, but I’m not too sure that it will appeal to most. The camerawork in Stay is terrific. The story of a psychologist (Ewan McGregor) trying to unravel the twisted trauma of a suicidal young man (Ryan Gosling) and convince him that life is worth living. As I watched this movie, I wondered where are they going with this. The movie can be confusing at times, but it all makes sense in the end. You have to stay with the film the entire time or you will get very frustrated. As the credits begin to roll you'll begin to take in what just happened and piece some things together. It's a puzzle that tells you not to blatantly trust what you see. It just asks you to trust in your imagination.

Capote Review

"Capote" is set during the five years that Capote spent researching and writing his most famous and last finished book, "In Cold Blood," about the true life story of the senseless killing of a Kansas farm family of four. Hoffman truly immerses himself in this role. He becomes the gay, peculiar, eccentric, self-absorbed writer complete with mannerisms, vocal inflections, and facial expressions. The film's mystique comes from the bond that Capote forms with the murderers. He forms a weird attachment with them, yet, when he gets all of the information he needs, he readily abandons them. He's a master manipulator at getting people to open up to him. I also really enjoyed the background progression of his friend Harper Lee who during these 6 years has "To Kill A Mocking Bird" published. Though not many can recall the name of her book at this time, it will become one of the most famous novels of all time and one of my personal favorites. Over the course of writing "In Cold Blood", Lee's novel is published to great acclaim and made into a film starring Gregory Peck. Capote attends the New York premiere, but he is still so wrapped up in his own book that he can't come to terms with Lee's success, putting a strain on their relationship. This movie will stay with me for some time........

This Is Not A Meet The ParentsType Film.

Watched this movie over the weekend and I am conflicted on how I feel about it. Junebug can be described as quirky, sweet, frustrating, and mildly depressing. A story about returning-home that is centered on a artsy newlywed couple from Chicago visiting their Southern family of dysfunctional, uncommunicative, bump-on-a-log suburban rednecks from which the husband left behind several years ago. The acting is the strength of this film and the entire cast gives very convincing performances and are able to bring us to a place where we've lived or at least passed through.
My favorite character was George's father, Eugene, a man whose quiet wisdom is constantly overlooked. It often felt like psychological torture spending 107 minutes (which feels longer) with these folksy people.

Magic Shuffle For Garth

Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle.
Say the following questions aloud, and press play.
Use the song title as the answer to the question.
How does the world see you?
Coward Of The County by Kenny Rogers

Will I have a happy life?
Hammer To Fall by Queen

What do my friends really think of me?
Beverly Hills by Weezer

Do people secretly lust after me?
Hide In Your Shell by Supertramp

How can I make myself happy?
Addicted by Simple Plan

What should I do with my life?
Fall To Pieces by Velvet Revolver

Will I ever have children?
Don't Stop Me Now by Queen

What is some good advice for me?
Loser by Beck

How will I be remembered?
King Of The Road by Roger Miller

What is my signature dancing song?
Learn To Fly by Pink Floyd

What do I think my current theme song is?
You're My Best Friend by Queen

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
Come On Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners

What song will play at my funeral?
Oh My Love by John Lennon

What type of men/women do you like?
Heart of Gold by Neil Young

What is my day going to be like?
Echoes by Pink Floyd

The Magic Shuffle For Jill

Go to your music player of choice and put it on shuffle.
Say the following questions aloud, and press play.
Use the song title as the answer to the question.

How does the world see you?
Full of Grace by Sarah Mclachlan

Will I have a happy life?
Keep Yourself Alive by Queen

What do my friends really think of me?
Behind those hazel eyes by Kelly Clarkson

Do people secretly lust after me?
We'll never know by Lifehouse

How can I make myself happy?
Smile Like You Mean It by The Killers

What should I do with my life?
Soak Up the Sun by Sheryl Crow

Will I ever have children?
Oh be Joyful by Matthew Good

What is some good advice for me?
Pump it up by Elvis Costello

How will I be remembered?
I won't back down by Tom Petty

What is my signature dancing song?
Not your average girl by India Arie

What do I think my current theme song is?
Saturday Morning by the Eels

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?
The Long Day is Over by Norah Jones

What song will play at my funeral?
Wish You were Here by Pink Floyd

What type of men/women do you like?
Basket Case by Greenday

What is my day going to be like?
Vindicated by Dashboard Confessionals

Walk The Line

Walk the Line is the story of Johnny Cash and June Carter's tempestuous courtship. The movie reveals that it was a relationship that spans many years. During these years the film provides some back story on Cash's life. Joaquin Phoenix gives an amazing performance as Cash and Reese Witherspoon turns in the best performance of her career. The movie also presents two questions that can alter the course of our lives. Who are you going to be during your time on this earth? And who are you trying to touch with your work? I also like how the movie doesn’t let us forget that all of this took place in another time, when music from stars like Cash or Presley was not widely accepted and viewed by some as evil. Evil music like theirs led to drug use and divorce, which was also frowned upon. All of these are elements woven in and out of the movie and make this story almost a modern-day fairy tale. We want Cash to beat all the bad guys and get the girl in the end. I enjoyed this movie because it made Johnny Cash look incredibly human with faults, dreams, and desires just like anyone else. I enjoyed this movie because it is about friendship and staying with a person through the good and bad.

Enjoyable Weekend

We had a wonderful week-end. Friday, the kids stayed home as they had a PA day and spent the afternoon with Garth. I spent the afternoon with my girlfriends enjoying lunch and celebrating birthdays. Friday evening we rented movies and watched "Just Friends" starring Ryan Reynolds and Amy Smart. It had some funny moments. I also watched my new favorite Friday evening drama, Injustice. Saturday was a beautiful day weather wise and we spent time in the morning watching the birds out the window, and listening for spring as it tried to come early. During the morning we ran some local errands and came home to go for a walk and tour some model homes in the neighborhood. My eldest daughter and I decided we would try out a new recipe and made killer chicken quesadillas for dinner. After dinner we enjoyed another rental "Prime" starring Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep. I really enjoyed this movie. Today my eldest daughter had a playdate and I spent some quality 1:1 time with my baby. We read, coloured and played her new Princess Game that she got from her birthday celebration earlier this month. Together her and I baked a Peanut Butter Pie and we pretended we had our own cooking show.
Did I mention how nice this week-end has been?

My Baby Turns 6!

We had my youngest daughters birthday party today. It was at an indoor playland. All in all, the party went very well. We had 8 kids in total and except for some minor injuries there were no major war wounds. All the kids had a great time, proof of which was the difficulty the parents had in getting them to leave. My baby is thrilled with all her gifts - everyone was too generous. She got so many great things she doesn't even know where to start. Lucky girl!
Happy Birthday, Baby!
I cannot believe you are 6 already. How did that happen? I just want to freeze time so that you can stay 6 forever. What a joy you are. Let me count the ways…

1. Your laugh comes right from your belly. And you laugh often.
2. You are so huggable and kissable. There are times I can't stop myself from kissing you all over your face. And you don’t mind – too much. You love to snuggle. Especially with your Mommy.
3.Your big sister is your best friend. You might not admit that because you’d say “B gets me soooo...mad.” But you love her very much. When she’s not around you ask a million times when she’s coming home. Oh, and B loves you, too. Sometimes she talks to you with such softness in her voice that resonates love and adoration. My wish for you two is that you will be best friends always.
4. You love to reenact things – like characters or dialogue in a movie. You are a great performer. A show off. You’ve always loved to be the centre of attention.
5. You are a miracle. Imediately after birth, upon entering this world we had a terrible scare. Your tiny little heart stopped and you stopped breathing. Your Daddy and I watched as the medical team revived you and then you were rushed up to the Neonatal Intensive Care. You had another moment like that while there. You were a strong little being and stayed strong. I think about how lucky we are.


I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living,
My baby you'll be.
Robert Munsch

My Hubby Is A Good Man

Garth has become a collecter of Vinyl lately and went out to browse at some of his favorite suppliers and just returned with this treat for me. Yeah!!!!!

Saw 2 Review : You Can't Top The Original

I would give this movie a 2 out of 5. In this sequel, the writers chose to use more victims, more story twists, more gore, etc. Instead of two people trapped in a bathroom, we now have eight victims wandering about in a house attempting to figure what their connection is before their demise. We have the increasingly violent muscle man, the frightened young boy, the mysterious Amanda who we recognize as a survivor from the first Saw, plus a slew of other minor characters that you realize early on aren't going to be making it very far. The main issue I have with this sequel is that we don't learn very much about the characters and therefore don't care quite as much when they are violently offed.
In any case, there are definitely some stomach churning moments.

Click on the image to see this awesome view of the Toronto Skyline taken from Centre Island.
Source: http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/

Warm Winter in Toronto

Toronto is having an unusually warm winter so far.I am not complaining, but it's strange.

This will be added to my wishlist.

As well as loving celebrity gossip, friends and family know that I'm a bit of a trial junkie. I've got a thing for the criminals and the law. In 2004- 2005 I followed the trials of Robert Blake, Michael Jackson and Scott Peterson. I am still amazed at how a seemingly normal looking guy who everyone seemed to love and had no criminal record could end up murdering his wife and unborn baby. Since the trial a bunch of books have come out about the Scott Peterson trial.Of all the books this one appeals to me the most. It is not written by someone that a reporter, former lover, former lawyer or distant relative trying to make a buck. It's called, "For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss and Justice." It is written by Laci Peterson's mother Sharon Rocha. It's the first time an immediate family member has spoke in detail about the disappearance of Laci. Sharon says she plans to use money from the book to start a fund for search and rescue in memory of Laci and Conner.

Sharon Rocha will have her first in-depth interviews in more than a year with: Katie Couric on Sunday, Jan. 8 (7 pm, ET) on "Dateline NBC," and on Monday, Jan. 9 (7 am, ET) on "Today," "Larry King Live" (CNN) Jan. 9, and Nancy Grace (Court TV) and Greta Van Susteren (Fox) Jan. 10.

The shooting on Boxing Day outside the Eaton Centre deeply disturbed my husband and I. This act of violence was committed in areas we frequent. This election season when the parties in each riding call to ask if we are going to vote, maybe we should ask, "Convince me why we should." I think that politicians have absolutely NO understanding of what is going on. I feel that politicians, often, live in their own bubble, much like anyone of us. Their needs, are not the needs of the single mom who has 3 children, and needs to work 2 jobs to survive and can't afford to send her children on field trips or pay for tennis lessons they have always wanted because the rec centre in the neighbourhood closed down due to government cutbacks. It is these government cutbacks from youth programs that has affected youths of today. I believe the violence we are seeing today is a result of youth boredom in impoverished communities. Educational curriculum for children needs to include problem solving and conflict resolution skills, build on values of mutual respect and nonviolence. We all need to live less in our bubbles and work together to strengthen community cohesiveness. Secondary factors, include access to weapons and the responses to violence, including policing presence, access to social services, courts and corrections. We need changes to our legal system. We put the politicians in office to speak on our behalf. We employ them, insist they make changes to our legal system. Every time a gun is fired on our streets, it's not only the shooter who is to blame, it's us for not putting a stop to this behavior.

Another great holiday has come to pass. We had a Chrismakuh full of family and friends, good times and way too much food.
My plan for the next few days is to get the house back in to shape.


A few things I have in mind for the next few days besides sitting here in front of the computer:
1. Learn to use my new I-POD
2. Watch a few movies or some really bad T.V.during the day.
3. Take my Daughters out to lunch and an afternoon movie.
4. Cook a few balanced meals for my family, you know like a real mom.

How Blessed Are You?

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following:
57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
89 would be heterosexual
11 would be homosexual
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
1 would be near death
1 would be near birth
1 would have a college education
1 would own a computer

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, the need for both acceptance, understanding and education becomes glaringly apparent. And, therefore . . .

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep ... you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace ... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ...you are more blessed than the million who will not survive this week. -If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation...you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful...you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them, or even touch them on the shoulder...you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

I could have used this the other night

Last Thursday as I was travelling home after a 12 hour dayshift at the hospital I got caught in a traffic jam. This was due to the construction taking place along the 401 highway during the evening and night hours. Of course as all nurses do, I neglected to relieve my bladder thoroughly through the day. Well let me tell you, I was sitting in traffic with so much pressure building in my bladder and no bathroom in sight for quite some time that I was actually contemplating trying to pee in a water bottle. (yes I know it is not possible that it would have worked out as well as I imagined) My temporary lapse in sanity passed and I was able to stay strong and focused until I made it home. How I could have used one of these items.......

I just quizzed my daughter

After reading this, I just turned to my youngest and asked her if she knew what "Pringles" were made from. She replied, " I don't know French Fries." I probed a little more and she told me that French Fries were made from mashed potatos. I've always know she is brilliant.

We are back

Leslie and I headed out Sunday morning and arrived in the falls by noon. We were able to get early check in at the resort. When we arrived in the front lobby there was quite a bit of energy buzzing about. It ended up that we were staying at the resort with 300 kickboxers from the U.K. who were in town to attend the world kickboxing event. We spent a brief time checking out the resort, our room and where the RNAO conference was being held the next morning. We then headed out to spend the afternoon shopping in Niagara-on-the-Lake. What a quaint little area with beautiful shops. It was a fun afternoon. We went back to the hotel to freshen up and get ready to go out for dinner. Enroute to dinner we were able to see the fireworks over the falls. It was spectacular. We had a nice meal at the Keg. We headed over to the new Fallsview Casino after dinner. I am not a fan of gambing and never have been but I thought I would throw caution to the wind and risk $20. I left with a profit of $ 30. It was no big win but I was thrilled. I must say that I did not sleep well that night and missed my own bed. The mattress was too soft. Today we attended the Conference and it was interesting networking with other nurses and clinicians who are working on similar projects within their facilities. My hope was to return home after this brief excursion feeling refreshed both personally and professionally. Mission accompished!!!!

Look where I am going

I am leaving on Sunday to attend a conference with the RNAO on Monday. I am so excited. A mini vacation courtesy of my place of employment. This is the first perk I will be enjoying since taking on this new project. Simple Pleasures keep me motivated.

Happy Halloween!!

My little Go-Go dancer and Kitty Cat had a great time trick or treating. Their friend is dressed as Herimone from Harry Potter. It was a perfect fall evening.

This was predictable

My family and I went to see Zorro II this past Saturday. My husband and girls enjoyed it and I found it painful at times. Wait until DVD.

What......Racheal McAdams starred in Mean Girls?

I watch this movie with my girls often and never relized that the blonde beside Lindsay Lohan was Racheal. She looks as if she is saying to Lindsay, "After this movie, I am going to have the career that you wanted.....and you'll be making Herbie Fully Loaded."