Friday Fragments - Mundanity & Artistic Brilliance

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Don't forget to check out the home of glorious Fragments( Mrs. 4444)

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Yes, that was me, the insane woman who had her tan minivan windows wide open, radio blaring, as she swatted at a dozen Drosophilidae, trying madly to get them to fly OUT through the window. I was feeling particularly charitable by not automatically squashing them. I hadn't even yet had my coffee.

Such safe driving. Stupid flies. Made it look like I was waving my hands like I just didn't care.

Another gratuitous opportunity to post another danceable tune:

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Have I ever told you that I can't draw a straight line if my life depended on it? Unlike the rest of my family (Dad, sister, brother, and now I found out my Mom as well, since she started taking watercolour classes)... I don't have an artistic bone in my body. The one time I accompanied my sister to her interior design studio during an all nighter way back in our university days, to try to help? She asked me to cut a straight line. Fail. She sent me home.

I do, however, love original art. So what's a girl to do? Thank her lucky stars that she has a friend who is an artist.

Yes, I guess my cool factor shot up a bit. My good friend, super guy, fantastic father to two cutey-patootie (sp?) kids - who also happens to be married to someone with her own cool cred in the entertainment industry...is a true artist - Jonathan Dunkelman.

We had dinner at his place last weekend, and he shared his studio/man cave with us - the place where all the genius happens.

A number of years ago, we commissioned some portraits from Jonathan. We treasure these pieces, as they capture the essence of our kids at such a wonderful age, when they were really just starting to discover the world around them. Both kids were about 18 months old at the time of the paintings:

Jonathan has created some even more wonderful masterpieces since that time - I particularly love his landscapes. You can even see some of his work at the Art Gallery of Ontario, for sale or for rent. Be sure to check out his gallery.

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Both kids were off sick from school this week. Back to school viruses - not out of the ordinary. So I worked from home. After picking up some files from the office, I stopped at Costco to get some cough syrup for the boy. The moms with coffee in hand, wearing trendy yoga pants, while pushing the carts full of Christmas decorations, groceries, fidgety children, whatever they could fit in there... and I realized that I had popped back into my former world. Just for those 15 minutes.

What a strange feeling it was. It wasn't that long ago that THAT mom -was me.

Amazing.

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You know your kids have totally taken over when you end up spending $25 on elastic bands.



But they are pretty cute and kinda cool.

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I'm going to Europe for work again - traveling on Sunday, yes, Thanksgiving weekend. So that's not so nice.

I've got a couple of presentations to work on and present while I'm there. And strangely, I'm not nervous.

That in itself, is pretty amazing too.

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Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. Fantastic weekend to everyone.



(There's been a paucity of good material here of late. I've found a blog wave that I will have to join - 30 Days of Truth which I stumbled on at my friend Nancy's. Who linked to Adam's and Terra's. And so on, and so on... and I can't wait to get into "real" blogging again. Stay tuned.)

Friday Fragments - What I am is what I am

and what I am is a SOCCER MOM!!!!

(And I thought I was flashy... I guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Those are pretty sick, aren't they? And well deserved, after all he's now officially in the rep league. He's gotta glow.)

The soccer DAD is over the moon. We're waving goodbye to our weekends and anticipate some touring, but this is exciting for us. Something new, right?

The biggest thing about this? The boy wanted it. He worked for it.

And he made it.

My baby is no longer a baby.

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Does this song not make you just wanna break out and DANCE?



At the wedding a couple of weeks ago, I was so ready to hit the dance floor and party. After all, I wasn't driving and the DJ was fantastic! But alas, it's difficult to get into the party mood when you've got a tired 5 year old and 10 year old wanting to get back to the hotel, wedding'd out after 5 hours.

I need to find a dance floor.

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In useless celebrity information, is anyone else shocked that Nancy Wilson and Cameron Crowe are getting a divorce? I'm still gobsmacked because I didn't even KNOW they were MARRIED!!!! For over 20 years, no less!

I loved Heart when I was a kid (a baby, really - and honestly still do) and although I was mesmerized by Dreamboat Annie's unbelievable rock voice, I was in awe of Nancy's high kicks while she whipped her guitar around. The blonde Wilson sister - can she ever play guitar. (So many links, I know - remember, I still love them....)

Married to Cameron "Say Anything-Almost Famous" Crowe. And now divorcing. So sad.

I used to be on top of these things. My family would call me Ms. Entertainment Tonight. As a teen I could list any trivial celebrity gossip- who was married to whom, who was starring in which movie, who was dating the sister-in-law twice removed from the director.... that sorta thing. I could have out Perezed Perez.

I guess I've just lost my touch.

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Speaking of talented young women, for those of you who caught Glee this week, were you not amazed at the triple threat that is Heather Morris? She out-Britneyed Britney, as far as I'm concerned. I've honestly never been a great fan of Britney. After Tuesday's episode, I've got to admit the songs are pretty catchy, if a bit overtly sexual.

And yowza on the guest appearance of John Stamos. I wasn't a big fan of Uncle Jesse either.

But now I'm beyond a total Gleek.

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Two weeks from now I will hit a semi-milestone birthday. Smack dab between 40 and 50. I don't know why, but for some reason this is hitting me more than turning 40 was. Perhaps it has something to do with the advancing grey hairs and sore knees after my workouts.

Oh to be young again. I'll just have to remember to take my Tylenol with me to the gym tomorrow.

Peace out.

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Don't forget to check out the home of glorious Fragments( Mrs. 4444)

Friday Fragments - Post of the week

...because this is the only post I've been able to eke out.

Check out my girlfriend's place for Friday Fragging( Mrs. 4444)

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For those of you who are curious, this is the song that I got my last blog title from:



Pretty cool video, eh? Jacob Hoggard, was my fave to win Canadian Idol Season 2 - he came in third, but I'd say he did okay. I don't even remember who won that year.

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We've spent the whole week sniffling, recovering from a cold that we suspect was passed to us by a 3 year old cute-as-pie passenger on my trip to Montreal last weekend. My niece, who hasn't yet learned to cover her mouth when she sneezes. No matter, it was a great weekend of family. And I love weddings. More on that in a less fragmented post.

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Have I mentioned that I joined a book club? I may have, but I don't remember. I'm really feeling the mid-40s milestone - hitting me especially since when I took a closer look at my hair the other day I noticed that I had all sorts of white underneath. That's the pain of black hair - the grays and white are just so difficult to hide. Well, except from the person who's in major denial and probably needs a vision test that will likely end up resulting in * gulp* bifocals.

Back to the book club. I just finished reading "The Book of Negroes" - I believe it's called "Someone Knows My Name" outside of Canada. It wasn't chosen for my next club, but since I've joined, my passion for reading has been ignited and I'd been looking at this for a while. (a side note: the author, Lawrence Hill, comes from fairly famous Canadian heritage, and is the brother of Dan "Sometimes When We Touch" Hill. Just thought I'd mention it as I have a thing for trivial information.)

When I was a child, I used to read under the bedcovers until late in the night. Hiding.

Now I'll stay up well past midnight, and then sneak into the bathroom to catch a few minutes here and there.

Still hiding. Some things never change.

But it was well worth it. What an epic read. Loved it.

Next, "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".

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Nothing majorly up for the weekend, and that suits me just fine.

Wishing you a great one.
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Friday Fragments

It's been a bit difficult to put together seamlessly coherent thought lately.

What a perfect day for fragments.

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Remember a while back when I was asked to be a Bodyjam Superstar - my 45 seconds of fame during the newest disco released theme at my regular workout? One of my workout pals took a picture, and because I love you, here it is...





That's me on the left, Hoochie-mama-ing. And when is it good for a 40-something woman to wear ponytails , a sparkly top and spandex? Likely never. So I won't be posting this type of thing again in future.

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One more week before school starts and I haven't taken the kids back to school shopping yet. I've need new Lululemons (hear that, NEED :) So I'll start with me.

But honestly, I think both kids have grown more than a few inches over the summer, and with shorts it doesn't matter. I can't send them to school in floods though. Cannot.

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I took my Mom and kids to watch "Nanny McPhee Returns". I need a Nanny McPhee, at least according to Mom. She lectured the kids, as a cautionary tale, about how things can go so wrong if you don't help your Mom out (*spoiler alert* - such as losing your Dad to war, losing your farm, possible divorce...)

My Mom - she's got my back!

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We've got an anniversary coming up. With no sitter this year, we've decided to bring the kids with us. They're pretty good in restaurants, so it should be fun.

Sappy Anniversary post to follow.

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Oh, and I found another fabulous Friday blog hopping site ... check it!



Great weekend to you all!