Skripper Time

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. 

 

 

Exit Through the Gift Shop, Please

This morning, at 4am, I was awoken with a spectacular cramp in my calf that sent me sitting straight up in bed, while yelling "Ow ow ow ow" along with some other choice words.   After the drama had passed, I lay in bed thinking "wow, that really hurt" and then thought "yeah, but not as much as labour will, right?".  And then I thought, "I don't really care how much it hurts (insert subconscious thought: that's what drugs are for) - let's get this party started".

I am now officially 4 days past my due date, and while I recognize that 'due dates' are pretty much a guesstimate, it is interesting how many things have changed in the last couple of weeks.  I've been keeping busy since leaving work - taking walks, baking, visiting friends, cleaning, getting my life in order, etc., so it hasn't been that bad. 

And make no mistake - I've has a great pregnancy.  And I do mean great - no complications, felt great, ate too much maybe - but that's about it.  However, in the last couple of weeks, I've finally begun to feel uncomfortable. Yesterday at a pedicure I looked down at my feet and ankles, swollen like a balloon, and wondered who they belonged to.   Sleeping is getting a little more difficult - my hips hurt from lying on my side, and my hands randomly fall asleep during all hours of the night.  The man will wake up to me with my hand up in the air, wiggling my fingers and ask me if I have a question, or whether I'm doing an intricate move from a Thai dance.

Somehow I've managed to avoid the pregnancy waddle - but I have a feeling it's coming on.  I get these weekly emails from www.whattoexpect.com (the famous "What to Expect When You're Expecting" people) that give you the update on what's going on with your pregnancy (your baby is the size of a strawberry!  a papaya!  she can blink!) and this week it's all about how baby is developing the fetal stress hormones that will help her rapidly adjust to the outside world.  What they fail to mention is that as I approach a full week overdue, she's also probably gaining a pound, which means I am going to give birth to an Amazon-child, who will have a 50% chance of having a huge head like her mother.  I'll let you all figure out what that means.

You know what I expect?  I expect this baby to COME OUT.  And I'm drinking raspberry leaf tea like a madwoman, have been going for walks, having spicy food, driving like a maniac over bumpy roads and having hot baths.  And for the people who wink and say "don't forget lots of sex!"...well, I'm on it people.

A number of people (interestingly, all strangers, and mostly in restaurants or grocery stores) have asked me if I'm nervous - which I'm  not.  This kid has to come out either way.  And then there are the people that say..."oh, just enjoy the time you have now, because you won't be able to:
watch tv-go to a movie-out for dinner-sleep-shower-eat-read-blowyournose-brushyourhair-functionlikeanormalhumanbeing for MONTHS" (yes, thanks for the optimistic outlook) but as I sit here with my laptop, with 2 fingers falling asleep because I've bent my elbow leaning on the couch, with the baby kicking the crap out of my ribs, I think I'd be ok if she decided to make a move today.

Friday Night Lights Series Finale - The Lights Go Out in Dillon

For those who read this blog regularly - you know that I am a huge fan of the TV show Friday Night Lights.  Despite never really gaining a broad fan base - I truly believe that FNL is one of the best TV shows ever produced.  And last night, some friends and I gathered to watch the last three episodes of FNL, including the series finale.

The finale didn't disappoint.  After five seasons of the Panthers, Lions, Taylors, Riggins, Garritys, and all of the other brilliant characters...Matt, Landry, Tyra, Vince - the show did what it has done all along - painted an intimate portrait of a town and its people.  Coach and Tami Taylor remain the most realisitic portrayal of a couple that I have ever seen on TV, and as corny as it sounds, I look up to them as an exemplary relationship.  Seriously.  One of the most beautifully written, acted and filmed series ever.

Not everything got wrapped up neatly, but enough was resolved that I felt that I could leave my Dillon family without regret.  There wasn't a dry eye in the room when the credits rolled.  For those of you who haven't ever seen the show - once again I encourage you to get on it.   Get the DVDs, and start from the beginning - my bets are that you won't be able to stop watching even if you try.  See below for a quick promo for season 5 to get you started.

So thank-you Peter Berg, Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton and the whole team behind Friday Night Lights for having the creativity and skill to bring such a unique show to small screen - and for maintaining its integrity throughout five excellent seasons.  Quality show, quality actors and an incredible story.  Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose.  Dillon forever!

 

2010 Back and 2011 Forward - Both Look Pretty Great.

About a year ago, I wrote a post called "(Not Resolutions) Merely Strong Suggestions for 2010" where I mapped out what I wanted to acheive over the year.  So a year later, I'm taking  a look to see how I did. 

Turns out that 2010 was quite the ride.  I did many of the things on the list - kicked butt in the Ride to Conquer Cancer, tried out a number of new restaurants, read some more books, and even did a 10km.  I also did a half marathon (run/walking for the first time - and setting a personal best record).  Nicely done Skripper, right?  Right. 

So let's revisit the last resolution, #11, which was added after the official list, and somewhat flippantly:

#11: All the requisite non-stated personal stuff:  Exercise more fall in love get married have babies move to a bigger house get a CR-V go for massages walk more breathe more laugh more relax.

This is where the story gets interesting.  Exercise more: check.  Get a CR-V: check.  Fall in love: check.   Have a baby: check.  Move to a bigger house: check. 

Whaaaat the...?

That's right people - check out the below.

Le CRV

 

 La nouvelle maison

La Skipperette (due mid-Feb)

Serious life fast forward.  So how did I get from there to here?  Mid-Jan I reconnected with a guy from high school that I hadn't seen or talked to in over 20 years.  And I liked him.  A lot.  Turns out that he liked me too.  Many good times later, I was renting my house, moving in with him and his 3 boys (8, 6, 3 - holy insta-family) and I woke up one day with most of the pre-requisites of #11 answered. 

To say it has been a whirlwind is an understatement - and it hasn't always been easy - there has been a lot of adjustments (going from a house all to myself, to a house full of testosterone, noise and limited closet space).  Trying to combine 2 households (thank god for Craigslist).  Waking up with kids crawling all over me, alternatively asking for breakfast, peanut butter spoons and to watch Teletoon.  I've watched more Baby Einstein than I care to mention.  Spent the holidays cleaning up puke as we each got the flu one by one.  Dealt with renting a house, moving, buying a car, selling a car, then buying a van, selling a van...all while dealing with being pregnant.

No marriage plans yet (much to the chagrin of my mother) but that will come eventually.  For all the craziness, it's been an amazing ride.  Everyone asks me how I'm feeling about such massive change, but all I can say it that it feels right. I'm looking forward the adventures that motherhood will bring in February - and as I sit on the couch cuddling with the G and the boy, fire roaring, cheering for the Team Canada to win the Juniors, there is no where else in the world that I would rather be.