Skripper Time

I Run Therefore I Ran

I was talking to someone at work today about exercise and trying to stay fit and the conversation turned to running and they said "oh, well...you're a runner".  To which I instantly said "oh, no... I'm not".  To me a runner is that gazelle-like creature that floats effortlessly by me on Lawrence Avenue while I plod up the hill.  I'm the tortoise that doesn't ever really catch the hare.

Yet, as I rounded kilometre five on my run tonight, I started thinking about the conversation.  At the end of May, I'll be doing my 10th half marathon.  The first couple I walked, then I did walk/run..and then mostly run/walk.  I do my races so that I will train - without a goal, the couch will win everytime. I can find a million excuses as to why I can't or won't or shouldn't go.  It's the thought of running 21km without any training that gets me out the door. 

I read a headline on the Toronto Women's Half Marathon Facebook page (my next race) that said "How to get that elusive runner's high".  I didn't bother reading it. I don't get runner's high.  The best I can hope for is feeling moderately good in the middle of a run.  There is no doubt I feel better afterwards - it's the before and first 5 minutes that I don't love.  The after is always good.

When I was younger, I ran in my public school's Kilometre Club, which was essentially a bunch of kids running around the school yard before school started.  We got popsicle sticks every 500 metres that we redeemed to count our mileage every day.  I ran my heart out every morning and amassed (what I remember to be anyway) hundreds of kilometres. I think it was there that I began my journey with running.

I've run in Quebec, Namibia, Kingston, London, Toronto, England, Florida and many more places. The great thing about running is that you can take your shoes anywhere.  I've run when I'm mad (makes for a fast run), sad, happy and bored.  I've run in rain, snow, sun, sleet, hail and wind (and in one special run this spring - all of the above). 

So maybe I'm not the fastest, the most elegant or certainly not the most fashionable runner.  My face goes flaming tomato red and after really hard runs I get a layer of salt on my face (attractive, I know).  My knees hurt and if my shadow hits the right exact angle I can sometime see my cellulite jiggling.  Oh yeah, baby.

But I get it done.  I huff and puff up the hill on Blythwood Ave all the while doing finger dancing along to the music coming through my iPhone.  I convince myself not to take shortcuts (keep going keep going keep going) and play concentration games to make the time go faster (run to the mailbox, then to the green car...keep going past the red bush).  Sometimes I feel fast, and other days I feel really really slow.  But at the end of the day, most days anyway, I get the run done.  And I guess all of that makes me...a runner.

A Year in the Blink of an Eye

Baby A, 10 minutes old

A year ago, if you told me that my year of maternity leave would seemingly disappear into a time warp, I probably wouldn't have believed you.  With a newborn on my arm, a year seemed like a lifetime.  Yet, here I am on the eve of my return to work, in mild denial, experiencing mild anticipation and feeling some pretty major mixed feelings.

Some people told me that by six months I would be dying to get back to work.  Not this Mama.  I loved every minute of mat leave.  Upon reflection, I think mine was a little different than most first-time mothers.  With Avery's three brothers part-time at home, I had little down time over the past year.  When I would tell the new mothers in my Mommy groups that we also had three little guys I would be met with wide-eyed stares, murmurs of astonishment and a few glances of something between awe and pity.

Avery and I had a great year - watching her grow, change, define her personality - it all amazed me at every step of the way.  She made friends...Jacob, JJ, all the babes at our Mom's groups.  We travelled to England, Edmonton and Orlando. We walked and walked with Auntie Sarah, Avery joined me in training for my half marathon, and she met all her friends and family along the way. 

For the most part, she was an easy baby, which I know is a gift, and I know made my life somewhat easier, and for that I am thankful. Because she slept, I was able to get things done:  laundry, showering, baking, cooking, cleaning and more. She would hit the pillow and I would go into overdrive.  Sometimes more than I should have...I regret not having taken a little more time to relax while she was sleeping.  Live and learn.

Things I am going to miss when I return to work:  The daily sweet cling of my baby after her morning nap, the way she clamps onto her spoon at lunch and holds it in mid air, laughing her head off.  I'm going to miss seeing her discover something new and laugh in delight.  And yes, I know that I will still have a million moments with her and lifetime of awesomeness, but it is the daily wonder that I am already missing. 

She is at a wonderful daycare and will be nurtured and cared for there, and I will return to the world of digital marketing, and have grown up conversations and make very-important-strategic-decisions but oh how I will miss being my baby's daily and constant source of comfort, fun and joy.  It is a hard hard thing to relinquish the development and safety of your child to a group of strangers, no matter how competent and excellent they are.

It will all be ok - and I know that I'll find a new routine that works, and this is just how it has to be (mortgage, retirements, bills...all those pesky things that require income).  I'll put away my yoga pants and stretchy tops in favour of heels and business attire.  I'll eat more than just peanut butter and toast, chunks of mangos and cheerios for lunch.  But the damp, hot press of Avery's cheek against mine after waking, the sudden tight squeeze when she throws her arms around my neck when we walk downstairs, and her delighted screech after she opens and closes her door for the twentieth time...it is so hard to leave that behind.

 

So Long, Farewell.

 

So long, sweet house

Yesterday I went down to my old house and cleared out the few remaining things that I had left.  A few weeks ago, I sold my house (while on a girls trip to Vegas - in between In-N-Out Burger and Nobu, I frantically faxed signed agreements from an Office Max).  My house stopped being a home a year ago - when I moved up to Yonge and Lawrence with my Baby Daddy and his 3  (now 4!) kids.  I rented it for a year, and when my renters gave notice in November, it just seemed like the right time to sell.

 

As I walked through the house, opening cupboards and checking closets for the last time, I found myself surprisingly emotional.  I loved that house, that home.  It was all mine - purchased with my hard earned money, and loved and cared for by me alone.  I love (loved!) my garden that I worked so hard on, moving plants and trying new things every year.  I love the way the sunlight streamed in my bedroom window in the mid-afternoon, making it perfect for an afternoon nap.  I love my kitchen, that I designed and renovated, with shiny stainless steel appliances and my amazing island.  And my porch, renovated and painted with soft greens and yellows that made summer evenings a delight. I even will miss my slightly dilapadated  'garage' that stored my beloved VW Silver Sam.

Some of the things that the house went through with me:  three employers, too many mediocre dates, lots of Rockband, five years of Love Actually at Christmas, the introduction of my PVR (iloveyouPVR), Gatsby getting grey, a kitchen reno, painting hallways precariously perched on the upstairs railing, a backyard reno (i will miss that patio!) and so much more.  It was my second baby (Gatsby first, Avery third) and I am having a hard time imagining some else in it.

But - it's sold.  I signed the papers and handed over my shiny hardwood floors and slightly crooked staircase to someone else.  It closes at the end of February, but yesterday was the real goodbye.  I shut off the light and  closed the door and walked down the porch for the last time and said a word of thanks to 4 Murdock, for keeping me safe and helping me create a life that led me to where I am today.  I hope that the new owner loves and cares for it as much as I did.  

The Best Year of My Life - 12 Goals for 2012

Yesterday we had  motivational coach Susan Zelikovitz come in a help us set some personal goals for 2012.  The theme was "The Best Year of Your Life" and the jist was that rather than setting resolutions, you should set goals.  Her belief is that people who set goals and take small steps to acheieve them have a greater chance of success and ultimate happiness and reward.  
I belong to a women's group called Girls And the City - we get together once a month to do some networking, learning and professional development.  We each take turns 'teaching', or bringing an expert to teach the group.  It's a great group of women and we spend a couple of hours every 4th Monday of the month sharing, laughing, eating and filling each other in on our lives.

Each month of the year has a theme - and you can work on the goals in any order (all at once, monthly or as you are able).  It was a very interesting session and we all learned a bit more about each other, thought about our present and what we wanted our future to be.  

Here's my list for 2012 - maybe it will inspire someone else out there to think differently too.

January: Connectivity

• Spend less time on my computer/iPhone when I am relaxing on the couch at home, and more time present with my family
• Try to call/email two far away friends per week.

February: Prosperity

• Bring lunch everyday to work for a month, and put $10/week into Avery's RESP

March: Credibility

• Continue my learning in digital and social marketing

April: Creativity

• Wear something that makes me slightly uncomfortable (less black, more fun!)

May: Opporunity

• Find one way to simplify my life weekly

June: Selectivity

• Nurture relationships with people who add something to my life
• Be careful and selective about who and what I say yes to

July: Simplicity

• Eat less prepared foods
• Clear out clutter

August: Authenticity

• Focus on being genuine and speaking the truth, take time and care about what I say

September: Productivity

• Write down 3 things that I have accomplished daily
• Blog at least once/week

October: Community

• Get involved at Avery's daycare

November: Positivity

• Be more open with my partner about why I love him, why he is special

December: Generosity

• Buy extra cans of food at each grocery trip and leave in food bank bins at the door
• Give honest feedback at work

January 2012 Midseason TV Update

It's that time of year again - TV shows start up again, some new ones come along and some old ones disappear.  And sometimes shows move around (argh!) so courtesy of theTVaddict.com, there's a great calendar of all the new, old and changed shows.   It also has some award shows kicked in for good measure.  Keep in mind this is US information, so some shows will not be availalbe, but it is still good info.

Download the PDF

Download the JPG

I myself am excitedly awaiting the premiere of 'Alcatraz' - courtesy of my main entertainment creator, JJ Abrams (January 16th!).  Also, I have to start watching 'Downton Abbey', because all my cool friends do.  Good times ahead on the couch - happy watching peeps!

 

 

10 Things New Moms Need to Know

Why hello there!  As I was lying in bed last night, I started running through a list of things that I wish someone had drilled into my head when I was in the first 6 weeks of babyland. So here they are, plus a couple of extra for good measure.

1. Pre-Moistened Facial Wipes. Get some. When you are standing bleary eyed, exhausted in front of the bathroom mirror before something previously known as bedtime (which now will be anytime between 7pm and 4am) you will feel slightly more human because you have cleaned your face. Forget the exfoliator, cleanser, toner nonsense. Just swipe and fall into bed.
2. Get Outside Everyday. Even if it is just to the end of the block. Take the baby with you - in a stroller, in a sling or in your arms. You will both benefit from the fresh air, and you will remember that the world is still going on outside your front door.
3. Say Yes to All Help. Someone offers to walk the dog, make you dinner, clean the house or tidy your closet....whatever. Someone offers to help, the answer should always be YES.
4. Witch Hazel. Get some. It works wonders.
5. Rest. I did more than I should have in the first 6 weeks and twice my body reminded me that I had just had a baby by completely shutting down. Most of the time I felt pretty good and I had a pretty well behaved baby. As a consequence, I was up and running around more than I should have been until WHAMMO! full body meltdown. So even if you feel good, take it easy.
6. Bake a Lot of Muffins and Freeze Them. Or better yet, get someone to bake them for you. Do this before you give birth. If you are breastfeeding you will hunt down food (especially carbs) like the folks in Clan of the Cave Bear. At all times of the day and night. Having semi-healthy food handy is critical.
7. Drink Lots of Water. Especially critical for breast feeders. After every feed, drink a big glass of water. Pursuant to #6, you will also have the thirst of the desert. I got carpal tunnel badly in both wrists and had to wear splints to bed - armed with those I would chug a huge bottle of water just before bedtime, gulping like a dehydrated hockey player. So sexy.
8. Get Some Digital Entertainment. Your Kindle, iPhone, iPad, etc will be your new best friend. Breast feeding for hours on end is so much better with digital entertainment. I have played more Scrabble on my iPhone in the last 8 months than I care to admit. And by the way, Kindles, iPhones and iPads make GREAT push presents. You listening, Daddios?
9. Take Lots of Photos. Everyone told me this and it is true. Babies are tiny for an instant and then suddenly they have 8 teeth, are yanking on your hair and blowing raspberries full of puréed chicken and sweet potato on your face. Take a million photos the whole way through.
10. Learn to Say No. This goes back to #5. Everyone wants to see your baby - but most of the time in the early days the baby will be sleeping which means you will be the one entertaining. No dice, mama. If you're tired - decline politely and don't feel a bit bad about it. Or better yet, tell them that you have some laundry they can do while you have a nap.
11. Enjoy. It's amazing, tiring, confusing, wonderful and all together incredible. And it will fly by - so treasure every moment.
    
    That's certainly not the whole list, but it is a good start. Hopefully it will help some of the new mamas out there. Anyone have anything to add?

2011 Fall TV Premiere Schedule

 

Hello lovelies!

Get your PVR's ready! It's that time of year again - Fall TV premieres.  Oh, the joy.  Yes, I've made your life easier by compiling the fall premiere schedule - this year, a special treat from TVGUIDE.com in the form of a visual calendar.  Red text is new, blue is returning.   Scroll to the bottom to see it...perhaps you would like to print it out and put it on your fridge.  Or maybe tape it to your coffee table - it's up to you. 

I've put the regular text version of the list at the top (thanks to dose.ca for getting me started).  And you can download it and print that too if you so desire.  If I've missed something (very likely!) let me know, but hey, cut me some slack - I've got a baby now.  Happy watching peeps!

Download Fall TV Premieres 2011

Tuesday, September 13 (Note: *=new show)

- 90210 (CW)

- Parenthood (Global, NBC)

- Ringer (CW, Global) *

- Rick Mercer Report (CBC)

-  This Hour has 22 Minutes (CBC)

- Camelot (CBC)

Wednesday, September 14

- Survivor (Global Regina, CBS)

- Up All Night (CTV Two, NBC) *

- Free Agents (CTV Two, NBC) *

- America's Next Top Model (CW)

- Dragon's Den (CBC)

- Free Agents (CBC)

- The Debaters (CBC)

- Michael: Tuesdays and Thursdays (CBC)

Thursday, September 15

- The Vampire Diaries (CW)

- The Secret Circle (CW) *

Friday, September 16

- 20/20 (CHCH, ABC)

Sunday, September 18

- Archer (Teletoon)

- Heartland (CBC)

- Battle of the Blades (CBC)

- Cover Me Canada (CBC)

Monday, September 19

- Castle (CTV, ABC)

- Dancing With The stars (CTV, ABC)

- Hawaii Five- O (Global, CBS)

- How I Met Your Mother (Citytv, CBS)

- The Playboy Club (Citytv, NBC) *

- The Sing- Off (CTV, NBC)

- 2 Broke Girls (Citytv, CBS) *

- Two and a Half Men (CTV Two, CBS)

Tuesday, September 20

- The Biggest Loser (Citytv, NBC)

- Glee (Global, Fox)

- NCIS (CBS)

- NCIS: LA (Global, CBS)

- New Girl (Citytv, Fox) *

- The Biggest Loser (NBC)

- Unforgettable (CTV, CBS) *

- Raising Hope (Citytv, Fox)

- Body of Proof (Citytv, ABC) *

Wednesday, September 21

- The Middle (Citytv, ABC)

- The X- Factor (CTV, Fox) *

- CSI (CTV, CBS)

- Harry's Law (Global, NBC)

- Kitchen Nightmares (Global)

- Law & Order: SVU (CTV Two, NBC)

- Modern Family (Citytv, ABC)

- Revenge (Citytv, ABC) *

- Criminal Minds (CTV Two, CBS)

Thursday, September 22

- Charlie's Angel (CTV, ABC) *

- Community (Citytv, NBC)

- The Big Bang Theory (CTV, CBS)

- The Office (Global, NBC)

- Parks and Recreation (Citytv, NBC)

- Whitney (CTV, NBC) *

- Grey's Anatomy (CTV, ABC)

- Person of Interest (Citytv, ABC) *

- Prime Suspect (Global, NBC) *

- The Mentalist (CTV, CBS)

Friday, September 23

- A Gifted Man (Global, CBS) *

- Dateline (CTV, NBC)

- Blue Bloods (CTV, CBS)

- CSI:NY (CTV, CBS)

- Fringe (Citytv, Fox)

- Nikita (CW)

- Supernatural (CW)

Saturday, September 24

- Rules of Engagement (Citytv, CBS)

- 48 Hours Mystery (CHCH, CBS)

Sunday, September 25

- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)

- The Amazing Race (CTV, CBS)

- The Simpsons (Global, Fox)

- CSI: Miami (CTV, CBS)

- Desperate Housewives (CTV, ABC)

- Family Guy (Global, Fox)

- Pan Am (CTV, ABC) *

- The Good Wife (Global, CBS)

- American Dad (Global, Fox)

- Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Monday, September 26

- Terra Nova (Citytv, Fox) *

- Gossip Girl (CW)

- Hart of Dixie (CW) *

- Mike & Molly (CTV Two, CBS)

Wednesday, September 28

- Suburgatory (Citytv, ABC) *

- Happy Endings (Citytv, ABC)

Thursday, September 29

- How To Be A Gentlemen (Global, CBS) *

- Private Practice (Citytv, ABC)

Sunday, October 2

- How To Make It In America (HBO)

- Hung (HBO)

Monday, October 3

- House (Global, Fox)

Tuesday, October 11

- Last Man Standing (ABC)

Tuesday, October 18

- Man Up (CTV Two, ABC) *

Wednesday, October 19

- Bored to Death (HBO)

Friday, October 21

- Chuck (NBC)

- Grimm (NBC) *

Sunday, October 23

- Once Upon a Time (CTV, ABC) *

Sunday, October 30

- Allan Gregory (Global, Fox) *

Thursday, November 3

- Bones (Global, Fox)

Wednesday, November 23

- I Hate MY Teenage Daughter (Global, Fox) *     *= New Show

 

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

Hugh Jackman's One Man Show: Wolverine, I Love You.

Colin Firth, we have a problem.  I've just returned from Hugh Jackman's one man show at The Princess of Wales Theatre, and I think he has just ousted you from my #1 slot in my Fave Five. 

Honestly, I can't say that I have enjoyed a show more in the last few years.  That man has more talent in his pinky (especially when said pinky is being wagged in very enthusiastic 'jazz hands') than most people in Hollywood have in their entire botoxed and buffed bodies.  The show was spectacular - he charmed the audience with stories, interspersed with show tunes, singing, dancing and gushes of handsomeness.

The songs ranged from pop songs to a whole medley from "The Man From Oz"  - completely in Peter Allen fabulousness, sequined shirt tied neatly around Wolverine abs (Hugh won a Tony for that role), to a whole tribute to musicals (Singing in the Rain, Sing Sing Sing. etc).  He also did a lovely tribute at the end to the Aboriginal people of Australia, narrated by Olive Knight, a leader in Aboriginal politics and causes in Australia. Complete with a backup orchestra and two foxy female singers, he owned the stage - prowling around it with energy, joy and absolute abandon.

And that's really what I love about Hugh Jackman - whether hosting the Oscars, the Tonys, or slicing and dicing as Wolverine, you really, truly get the sense that he loves what he does.  And he does everything with gusto and heart and pours himself into it.  He told a story about how his main philosophy is to "have a go" at things.  So far so good Hugh!

Did I mention that I was in the 4th row?  And that meant when he came into the audience, I could basically have flung myself into his arms?  It was only for the sake of the show that I remained in my seat - it was so entertaining, even my passion for him couldn't stop it.  I seriously considered chucking my bra at him, but as most breast feeding mothers know, spontaneously removing your bra in public is never a good idea.

There was a moment, yes a MOMENT, that Hugh was singing right to me.  Stared right in my eyes, grinned and belted it out.  Swoon.

My friend Oprah told me that Hugh Jackman is one of the nicest celebrities that she ever met, and I don't doubt it for a second.  Rock on Wolverine!  Have you seen the number he did with Neil Patrick Harris at this year's Tony Awards?  See below - fantastic!

 

Goodbye to the Old, Hello to the New

This is the scene on any of a given number of streets near my house.  It's par for the course any month to see at least one old house (usually 2 or 3) per street being torn down to put up a new, glamazon abode, with towering roofs, pot lights, granite countertops and fake grass (ok, that is only one house, and it looks ridiculous).

I'm a fan of the older home - the charm of slightly crooked doorways and oversized baseboards.  The creak of the old hardwood floors that make it impossible to sneak around at night.  The gorgeous stained glass windows and old wooden porches that let you sit and watch the world go by.

So when Baby A and I strolled by this place as they literally ripped it apart in front of our eyes, I was struck by the history that was being taken down - a house that has seen almost a 100 years of living has a lot of stories to tell.  Births, deaths, joys, sorrow - all imprinted on the wallpaper and rubbed into the floor.  Growth charts scribbled onto door frames and basement beams with secret messages carved in them.

I don't know whether a house has a soul or not, but something tugged at me as I watched another grand old maison get torn down that day.  I'm sure the new house will be lovely - and I will envy their smooth drywall, gleaming hardwood and built in A/C.  But I will enjoy my old house and the stories it tells me all the more.

For This I am Thankful

Ok, so it has been months since I last sat down at my computer to make a blog entry.  I've had a million different topics fly through my head, but since the arrival of Baby A, there doesn't always seem to be enough time.  I have a minute - a sacred minute - where I am ignoring the 3 giant piles of laundry downstairs, and have just emerged the victor in the "i don't want to nap mother, so I am going to scream for 20 minutes like you just stabbed me in the eye with a hot poker" battle. 

So here are some the things that I am thankful for, July 2011 edition:

1) Epidurals.  It might be 4 months since I had one, but seriously ladies, why would you go through labour without it?

2) Healthy Choice bars:  2 points on weightwatchers, 5 minutes of pure heaven (3 if I am starving).

3) The fact that my baby sleeps.  To all you mothers out there with babies that battle you through the night, my hat is off to you.  I don't know how you do it.

4) My garden.  A never ending source of pleasure (despite the raging battle I have with the remnants of a sumach tree and goutweed.  Curses!!)

5) Podcasts.  Terry O'Reilly and the Age of Persuasion, The Moth, and more make walking around the city pushing a stroller up the hill so much easier.

6) My amazing friends and family.  They made the first three months so much easier - food appeared, dishes got done and I stared at wonder at Baby A. 

7) Air conditioning.  I am thankful for that RIGHT NOW.

8) Rogers on Demand.  Yeah, I work for the company.  But you know what?  On Demand is serious gold.  A nursing mother's best friend.

9) My iPhone.  I love you iPhone.  You and your smart photography apps and to do lists.  Your podcasts (see #5,) your google maps and Scrabble app.  And yet I covet your sister the iPad.  Continuously.  Someday I will have her - but until then, you are my first Apple love.

10)  The BabyVac.  Hook it up to your vaccuum and suction out your baby's nose.  I am not kidding.