Story Saturday

Since I love to read I thought this would be a great place to share reviews on books I've recently read and updates on what I am currently reading.

For this week's "Story Saturday" I wanted to discuss Canada Reads 2009. I heard about this from my monthly "Books and Breakfast" group at the local library. Basically, Canada Reads is a week-long show that has five celebrity panelists defend their favourite Canadian work of fiction. Day by day, books are voted off the list, until one panelist triumphs with the book for Canada to read this year. I am going to make an effort to read all five of the titles this year (I have already read one and enjoyed it).

The half-hour debates will air on CBC Radio One from March 2 to March 6, 2009 at 11:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and will be available online or via podcast.

I know I am going to tune in!

What's on your reading list?

Finance Friday

I set Friday's to file papers in the office and pay bills that have come up through the week. I am also working towards becoming more knowledgeable of personal finances, budgeting and investing.

I had CBC Radio One on today and they talked about an interesting challenge called Bank Town CBC explores "the history behind Canadian banks' stellar reputation and ask what the implications are for Toronto as a banking headquarters."

There is an exercise where you can "imagine that you're a banker with deep pockets and decide among three local companies" that you would invest in. Definately intriguing.

Let me know which one you voted for!

Toss It Thursday

It's overwhelming all the "stuff" in the house. I sat down with my calendar one day and decided I needed to break it down into manageable chunks. I took one room a week (sometimes 2 weeks for the larger projects) that I would declutter 15 minutes per day in that room and then deep clean (dust baseboards, ceiling fans, California blinds, windows and screens, etc.). So far it is going really well. I started at the front, top floor room and went down ward accordingly.

Thus far I have completed ...

1. Master bathroom


2. Master bedroom & closet


3. Upstairs Hallway (including linen closet)


4. Kids bathroom


5. Travis's bedroom


6. Ava's bedroom


7. Upstairs stairwell


8. Laundry room


9. Main bathroom


10. Hall closet


11. Family Room


12. Dining Room

This week I am to do the kitchen. I am procrastinating this project big time as it is the biggest so far. I just have to remind myself to breathe, start, and if I can only achieve 15 minutes at a time then that is all that will get done (it will be more than if I didn't do anything, right?!).

To do ...

1. Downstairs Hallway


2. Office


3. Play room


4. Furnace room

Workin Out Wednesday

Here I thought I was being an original and, after the famous "Google" search again, I found that someone has already started a Workin Out Wednesday program. So of course I am going to join (duh!).

So, in my quest to look and feel my best, here are MY GOALS:

1. Go to the gym at least 2 times per week
2. Workout DVD 3 afternoons a week
3. Create a quick stretch and exercise routine to do daily (either before bed or when I wake up)
4. Add more fruits and veggies to my diet and reduce the cookies and chocolate :(
5. Drink at least 8 glasses of water daily
6. This (hopefully) will result in my goal to lose 20 pounds

Somehow when you put it into words it seems more real and the commitment is there (especially since I'll be updating every Wednesday on this blog!).

Toddler Tuesday

I had a ton of ideas for my first Toddler Tuesday and wouldn't you know it but Ava is sitting here bossing me and distracting me with "I'm talking to you, Mommy!" and "Listen to me! Stop playing on the computer and change my bum!". When did three year olds get so smart? I'm off to change that poopie bum and if I think of what I was originally going to post I'll do two for today.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Thank you to Beth at My Simpler Life for inspiring this reflective post and to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for creating such a great journal idea.

Outside my window... it is dark

I am thinking... that I am proud of myself for making it to the gym even though I am dog tired

I am thankful for... my babies being asleep when I got home (versus them screaming of exhaustion but not wanting to go down for Daddy)

From the kitchen... a delicious crock-pot whole chicken with onions, sweet and gold potatoes. Too bad we already had a complete dinner in the fridge that I forgot about (sigh). Guess it will be even better tomorrow night!

I am wearing... my workout clothes (ew! I know but it's almost shower and bed time)

I am creating... a Christmas afghan that had better be done by summer, or at least Christmas 2009!

I am going... to bed after I finish this blog posting

I am reading... "The Moonlit Cage" by Linda Holeman (delightful!)

I am hoping... the kids sleep through the night

I am hearing... the furnace roaring

Around the house... the dining room got decluttered and deep cleaned yesterday (wahoo!)

One of my favorite things... watching my children sleep

A few plans for the rest of the week... ensure I get to the gym twice more this week and declutter the kitchen!!

Here is picture thought I am sharing...

This is my daughter who will be 3 in March.

Running, running - always running!

Menu Plan Monday

I'm joining the Monday Menu Plan bandwagon. The menu below is what I use for my home day care as well as our personal menu for dinners. Enjoy!

Morning Snack
Crackers & Fruit
Water

Lunch
Leftovers
Bread & Butter
Sliced Grapes
2% Milk

Macaroni &Cheese
Apple Slices
2% Milk

Cheese Burgers
Sweet Potato Fries
Orange Slices
2% Milk

White Chicken Nuggets
Cooked Carrots
Watermelon
2% Milk

Whole Wheat Pasta & Meatballs
Banana
Corn Bread & Butter
2% Milk


Afternoon Snack
1/2 Whole Wheat Bagel
Cantaloupe
Water

Yogurt Parfait
Water

Whole Grain Muffin
Water

Oatmeal Banana Bread
Sliced Grapes
Water

Home Made Oatmeal Cookies
Water

Dinner

(ideas & recipes from Leanne Ely's "Saving Dinner the Low-Carb Way")
Roast Brazilian Chicken

Nutty Oven-Fried Fish

Winter Sausage Soup

Pork Piccata

Homemade Pizza

Garlicky Seared Scallops on Greens

Southwestern Crock Beef Stew

Soaring Spirit Sunday

Googling is a wonderful thing. I just checked out ideas for moms to renew their spirit and this is what the wonderful iVillage had to say ...

Take a Break: 31 Mommy-Time Ideas for Busy Moms

Hmm ... I seem to only have found 12 ideas and not 31?

1. Ah... the Spa
2. Creative Outlets
3. Woman-to-Woman Chat
4. With a Little Help from Dad (to watch the kids)
5. What a Workout!
6. A Few Stolen Moments
7. Outside Interests
8. Giving Back
9. In Hot Water
10. Road Trip!
11. Comfort Food
12. Vegging Out

Blog Themes

I have previously mentioned that I thought it would be an interesting idea to determine "themes" for the day of the week to ensure that I'm getting regular postings or updates on consistent interests that I have. What do you think??

Menu Plan Monday
Toddler Tuesday
Working Out & Weight Watching Wednesday
Toss It Thursday
Finance Friday
Story Saturday
Soaring Spirit Sunday

Foiled by the Gym Schedule

All weekend I have been waiting to go to the gym. The children are too tired, they are hungry, they are asleep (and so am I) - sigh. Finally, after waiting all day I pop some Tylenol (so that my headache is no longer an excuse) and as I am about to gather my gym bag and walk out the door, I decide to double check the schedule. The time is 5:50PM. Having read the schedule earlier this weekend I thought it said the hours were until 8PM on weekends. Sadly, my sleep-deprived blurred vision misread and it is only open until 6PM. I suppose it's good that I checked before driving all that way. No wonder I can't drop any pounds! Argh.

Saturday Night

It's Saturday night and what are YOU doing? Probably not rejigging your blog layout!! The kids are asleep and I'm almost asleep also. I was reading Jenn's blog and saw her new fabulous layout so I decided to follow the links for where she got it. I was hoping she didn't pay and sure enough it was free (yay!) at The Cutest Blog on the Block.

Blogging Inconsistency

Some days I have so much to say and then others I'm starving for sleep. Does anyone else who has a blog feel this way? I really WANT to post daily but is it realistic? I'm going to consider daily themes so that at least I have something to write about or think of writing about most days.

Marketing to Moms Online

Thanks to Gem for forwarding this interesting article about Marketing to Moms Online. Although I am not marketing, it was interesting to hear about the terms and the accurateness of them for moms using the internet.

- The Self Expressor typically has a preschooler at home and is eager to chat with other moms about parenting and shopping-related matters. She spends a lot of time building her personal profile page, so marketers should explore ways to be included on her virtual real estate and take advantage of viral pass-along.

- The Utility Mom typically has the most children at home of all the segments, yet spends the most time online each week and enjoys relaxing with games and quizzes. To reach the Utility Mom, marketers should align with entertaining widgets and send brand messages through influential women in her circle.

- The Groupster is a dynamic builder of online communities and seeks purchasing information and advice from her wide social circle, which includes moms she does not know offline. Marketers can reach her by associating with groups, blogs and other message centers and enlisting her as a brand advocate.

- The Infoseeker usually has a young baby at home and is hungry for information on parenting and related products. Brands that can tie their messages into the information she is seeking, especially via the voice of other moms, will be the most successful at connecting with the Infoseeker.

- The Hyperconnector, typically the mother of older children, is no longer aggressively seeking parenting information and advice, but rather uses social media as a way to chat with others and learn about new products. As an active social network member, she is comfortable expressing her opinions and would be an excellent candidate for brands to tap in social marketing campaigns.

Feeling The Load Lift

After years (quite literally) of hanging on to brand new, unread and unloved books that were no longer wanted by consignment book stores, me or the library, I finally bit the bullet and posted them for free on Kijiji where I stipulated they must be picked up by this weekend. I have never had so many responses! I put the 5 bags of books on the porch before I left for my book club (books that I reserve from the library) and the gym and they were gone by the time I got home. At the library I also donated a bag of music CDs. I feel so much lighter! Fling Fling FLING!!!

Travis's First Birthday

I tried to post this slide show using the feature under "layout" on Blogger but I couldn't seem to figure it out. Anyone know how to work it?

Enjoy Travis's First Birthday... you will have to click on the title link of this posting to get transfered to it.