Friday Fragments "I'm Back" edition

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

***I've got a few more posts coming regarding my NYC trip, but in the mean time here we are with some fragments.

I haven't done this in a loooong time, so glad to be back. I didn't realize how much I had missed blogging - looking back at previous posts over the holidays I realized that this space is where I've described so many amazing things about my life, my family, everything around me - things that made me laugh, cry, and think. Blogging doesn't seem to be the "it" thing to do anymore [(not sure that it ever was ;), but yeah, since you're reading this you know that we're still the cool kids, however old school this may be...]. It's incredible to me, though that I've been doing this for over 6 years now, and a lot of what has happened and changed is captured right here. And I really missed my bloggy friends.

***My husband bought me a Kobo Touch for Christmas. Well, more like I bought it as I couldn't decide what I wanted before hand- thought about Kindle Fire while in the US, but it's not available yet in Canada, and I worried about support, and access to the ebooks etc...So I stayed Canadian.

Since I'm now in a book club and reading things outside of work, it seemed like a good idea. So now I'm pumped with my Kobo and hot pink book cover - and at a loss for what to read! I have the "Virgin Cure" by Amy McKay sitting on my bedside table but I'm looking for something a bit more uplifting at the moment. Any suggestions?

***** The girlie tried gymnastics camp over the summer and I think she's discovered her passion. I can't believe the strength in that petite little body of hers - especially her pipes! With her little toothpick arms she works those bars incredibly. She's asked (and been asked by the gym teacher) to be moved up a level. I'm not sure if she's good enough for competition, but I guess we'll see.

Between her and her brother's intense soccer schedule, it may just do us in. But when you're a parent you can't not explore when your kids show such a keen interest. Regardless of how much stress it will add to our daily lives - that's what I signed up for when we had the kids, isn't it?

***** It's Chinese New year weekend coming up. We're getting together with my Mom and brother (sister will be away) on Sunday, New Year's Eve, for a family lunch. I'd forgotten that the 22nd will also be the 3rd anniversary of my Dad's passing.

Three years. That went by fast. I still "see" him sometimes whenever I see a fellow with a Kangol cap on. Dad, you were so cool.

***** I was driving the boy to his soccer game last Saturday and forcing him to talk to me - (backgrounder - apparently he doesn't talk much to his Dad in the car, and Ian asked me whether he's the same with me. To which the boy replied: "I always talk to Mom in the car, Dad. She FORCES me to, bullies me with questions so I have to answer back!" Hey, no apologies for trying to keep in the loop with my kid).

So back to the car. I was talking a bit about my week because the boy wasn't sharing too much about his. Then I started talking about my Dad and all that he accomplished in his life, how proud I was of my Dad after I found out what he did, and how proud he should be of his Grandpa (and how proud Grandpa would be of him). Yadadadada. While I was chattering away, trying to engage the boy, he cut through it all and said,
"Mom, can we just stop talking? This work stuff is just BORING!"

Can't blame him. The boy is just 11 years old, and coaching him as if he's a first year MBA student. Good job, Mom.

*****
Have a great weekend, all.

Friday Fragments - Stuff

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

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My glasses broke yesterday. Not just the screw part - the plastic elbow.

Has anyone ever caught that "Twilight Zone" where the earth was pretty much crumbling and a librarian, who had been in the bowels of the shelves in the building while this was happening - came out to discover that no one was alive - except him. And that was all he needed - himself and all those books. And then he tripped, his glasses fell off and they shattered. The world became a huge blur.

Sing it with me: "Doo-doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo"... Yeah, deep doo-doo's.

That's what I felt like.

I krazy glued it, but now am a little concerned. I don't have a spare (except an old pair of "Mrs. Beasley" looking vintage, which are pretty beat up by chlorine from swimming lessons with the kids), and only about 3 pairs of disposable contacts left.

I've been putting off going to the optometrist (well, not putting it off, just couldn't find the time and didn't want to admit that I couldn't really see too close or too far anymore...DANG the small text on children's medication!!!), but now I can't.

I need new glasses, and fast. I can't afford a twilight zone moment after next week when I'm travelling again.

Doo-doo-doo-doo...

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Costco is evil. I said it before, and I'll say it again.

Does a family of 4 really need this:



to finish off in 3 days? 15 for the price of a dozen?

Apparently yes.

8 microwaved seconds to paradise each and every time.

*****

Why, it's a soccer-game free weekend - yippeee!!!! Only Sunday, Monday, Wednesday practice this week. Rejoice, (well, until Friday when it's back to back with Saturday).

Those Rum and Cokes that hubs has been making have helped.

****

Speaking of travel, isn't this lovely?


Stereo Love - Edward Maya & Vika Jigulina - Official Video found on House

*****

Have you ever contemplated eating right from a pan - just so you have one less dish to wash? Not a small pan - like a friggin' wok?

The depths that I have sunk to...

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That's all she wrote for now. Neither quality or quantity today, but c'est la vie...

Friday Fragments - Simple Things

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

*****
Well that was certainly cathartic.

The boy's face is fine. He's all smiles again, with a bit of a shiner and a story to share.

Today is another day. Let's celebrate the simple things.

*****

I noticed something the other day. Something quite wonderful.

My daughter doesn't just walk. She skips - everywhere.

Oh, the pure joy of being a happy 5-year old little girl.

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Speaking of stories, the one thing that I look forward to when my husband comes home from his work trips, (other than seeing him, of course) is the colourful tales he has to share about his adventures.

After boarding his flight last Friday, and getting settled into his seat, he noticed this odour in the cabin. The odour of someone who'd had beans or something unsettling for breakfast, apparently. The passenger in front of him turned to his wife and made a grimace that showed his displeasure of the stink as well. My husband just tucked his nose subtly into his elbow as his defense mechanism.

You would think that would be the end of it, after all, one expects some level of dissipation at some point.

However, throughout the rest of the flight, the smell was relentless. The wife of the passenger in front even took out a small spray bottle of perfume/deodorizer and gave it a couple of pumps. My husband kept his elbow close.

After the plane landed, the pilot announced: "Welcome to lovely Chicago, folks"...

and the fellow in front of my husband piped in "... and whoever has been shitting their pants the whole flight, let's have another just for good measure."

My husband could barely contain the guffaws. Even while telling me the story.

****

Colourful number 2:...

After the man had settled into his hotel, he headed over to the convention centre to check things out. He looked to his phone, to see if there were any messages any of his colleagues. On his Blackberry screen he saw a trail from one of the guys from his office, and decided to continue the text conversation (in blue below):

Hi, you all settled in?

Yeah.

So do you want to meet for dinner?

Actually, I'm meeting some friends for dinner later on.

So do you want to meet for a drink before, maybe?

No, I'm running a bit short on time.

And then he noticed this colleague way over on the other side of the auditorium...

Hey, I see you over there, don't want to shout across the room...

No, you don't see me.

Yes, I do.

I'm in my workout gear in the gym at the hotel.

No, you're not. Is this Mike?

No, this is Jane.

JANE, his FEMALE colleague from the U.S. office.

Oh my frickin' gawd. She probably thought this guy was going middle-aged conference crazy. My man, he's smooth, isn't he?

****

The girlie promptly had a tea party with her Daddy last night, just before bed. And she brought it over and shared it with me as well.

I don't really play with my kids. I just realized this - I shop for them, I feed them, I bathe and I clothe them, I talk with them... but I don't play with them a heck of a lot.

But my husband does.

So I've resolved that I need to make the time to play.

Simple things. Wonderful things.

Let's play.

Friday Fragments - A little bit o'this & that

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

Well it's a fragmented kinda day, so here in no particular order...

*****

I survived my first weekend as a "real" soccer Mom of suburban Canada. How did we do it last weekend, by the way?

Gaga in the morning, soccer league game #1 Friday night; followed by workout on Saturday morning, soccer league game #2 in the afternoon, Gaga resurfaced again at night for a party that night.

I think I know why I was shouting my age at everyone at the party. Because I was probably definitely feeling it, and then some.

About the soccer, the Boy was nervous but he held his own. He's still a little timid (I would be too - the size of the 11 x 11 field was massive for these guys...) but he'll get the hang of it.

After all, we're starting it all over again tonight.

*****

I had a bit of a meltdown this past week. Everything is catching up to me again. The kids were fighting over the TV over breakfast (it's a bad habit, I know, but we've fallen into this as a way to keep them out of my hair while I get their stuff ready for the day). I had to yell at them to get their bags packed, deal with the girlie wanting to change coats and wear different shoes at the last minute, yell at them to bring their dishes back to the kitchen so that the family room would stop looking like a hoarder's lair....all of this after my husband had basically rolled out of bed, poured a coffee and left for work.

I felt badly for my poor cleaning lady as I unleashed my issues to her in Chinglish (she speaks mostly just Cantonese).

I know the Man had promised to help out a bit more, but the weather has been giving him migraine-like headaches. Although he did step things up a bit when we had this talk a while ago, it's petered off again with the level of work commitment and travel for him. He does things when I remind him to. I'm honestly sick of having to remind everyone of everything.

Yeah, he's off again for a week, with another couple of trips scheduled within the next few weeks.

I've got to figure out how to cope better. I think I need to travel for work again. Pretty sad coping mechanism.

*****

Enough bitchy me. I asked the kids who would want to see the NKOTBBSB concert next summer. NOOOOOOO -Who? I know, I kid. I didn't like them much the first time around but with age .... I'm also thinking of going to the Heart concert in the new year. Gah, I am getting on.

*****

Mom is coming home from her trip to the US on Saturday. She's been there for a week with 3 other widow friends, to the Boston area. None of us know what return flight she's on. She's arranged her own transportation home - we each thought the other knew.

What lame kids. Thank goodness she's so self-sufficient. I hope I'm like that in 25 years. We're planning a Dim Sum visit with her Sunday. It's the least we can do, right?

******

Well, I intend to have a good weekend, so hopefully you will too.

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:

*****

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.

*****

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.

*****

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.

*****

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.

****

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.

*****

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.

*****

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.

******

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.

*****

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.

*****

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)

*****

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.

*****

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.

*****

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".

****

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

Wishing you a great one.
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Friday Fragments -I'm not perfect, but I keep trying

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

*****

I always struggle a bit with the title of my posts. I remember when I was intensely into the blog world, thinking about things like SEO, tag lines that would attract readers, etc. Nowadays, I usually just pick something out of my virtual hat.

The title of this one came right from the radio, at the tail end of a song that I've usually tuned out because it's been so over played. It struck me as perfect for this morning. Can you tell which song it was?

*****

We got up early yesterday morning to rush off to Cross Country practice. The boy was visibly a bit slower than usual - after all, he's never before played almost two straight hours of soccer at the intensity of the previous evening. I asked how he felt.

"Great, Mom. That was so much fun. But I think I should pass on the cross-country this year. I want to focus on the soccer, and save up for tonight. I don't want to be too hard on my body. I'll try out for cross country next year, if I don't make it into rep. "

And off he scampered, to log on to Xbox Live to chat with his overseas best friend.

Hmmmm, I suspect the Xbox had something to do with it. But I think 4 hours of soccer over two days is enough physical activity to balance that. I breathed a bit of a sigh of relief. I could do the shuttling, but it's great that he's taking charge of his own schedule and making his own, logical, decisions.

I am so proud of him for his dedication and ambition to make this soccer thing work. He's been finishing his homework at the after school program, making sure I sign his agenda, keeping me apprised of what's going on and then eating, getting himself ready with his soccer gear, even helping me get his sister ready in between. If he makes it on the team, the excitement will carry us into the crazy schedule.

You must be feeling the glow from me beaming through your screen.

*****

What kind of commenter are you? Because of time constraints, even if I get to most of my fave blogs, I either don't get a chance to comment at all, likely because I have nothing cheeky or clever to say. And I think "great post" is somewhat lame. For me anyway.

Or I'll write comments of epic proportions. Crazy, eh?

I wonder how I had the discipline to work from home, when I was blogging with greater intensity. Oh yeah, I didn't really - explains why I was often working into the wee hours of the night. I suspect that a lot of bloggers blog while at work. I've made a decision not to do that, even during my lunch break. Just my own rule - not judging, or anything. It'd be easy enough to do as I have an actual door (yeah, big thing... I had an office for years, then went to open concept, which was tough after having a real door... so when I took this job it was imperative that I got my door back. How Les Nessman of me. Speaking of which, didn't you just love WKRP?
Oh wait, you're too young to remember.)

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I must, must, just say: Jon Hamm.

He was in town for the TIFF. Sigh and double sigh.

Hey, I still love my husband. But this guy, he's even Jon Stewart's "free pass".

So, I can be forgiven for just looking.

Come to think of it, I think I love Jon Stewart too.

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We're going to a family wedding tomorrow. My family on my father's side.

This will be the first time that we'll be together with our family, our larger extended family, since my Dad's funeral.

Weddings and funerals. Family time.

Wish me luck. I think it might be a bit of an emotional weekend.

*****

Thank goodness I'll be seeing my husband again tonight.

Yeah, he's been away all week playing "surfer dude" at a work event down in San Diego (remember the Bruno wig... yeah, I'll let you imagine that in your mind...)

And I can't wait. Boy do I miss him.

Friday Fragments - I need a Bruno Wig#

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

*****

"If you've ever wondered whether you made a difference in someone's life, consider this as one time that you have".

Wow. I guess things are going pretty well for me at work. And I am so humbled.

*****

As I was driving out of the parking garage last night, I spotted a fellow walking to his car. There was something in his gait, his profile, the way he wore his hair, that was so familiar. He looked a lot like a good friend of mine from highschool and university, who I hadn't seen in over 10 years. Curiosity got the better of me, so I slowed down my oh-so-sexy minivan and with a smile on my face, peered at him as he turned to face me (he must have felt my eyes drilling into the back of his head) ... and of course it was SO NOT him!!!!

Gahhh!!!

So I put the pedal to the metal and I shot out of the garage like a bat out of hell.

Wonderful. Now he thinks he's got this old lady Asian cougar who will stalk him every night.

Yay me.

*****

My boy announced last week that he wants to try out for competitive soccer. Which is actually great news - I mean, at this point, if he shows a passion or enthusiasm for anything, I should be thrilled right?

Looking at the schedule though, we've found out that the time commitment is incredible. We're talking a minimum two to three 2 hour practices a week, plus 2 league games a week. FIVE days a week? When would he do homework? When would the girlie have time for her activities? When would we have a life?

I want to encourage him, and certainly the man does too, but with hubs' work and travel schedule, and with me working full time and likely traveling to Europe four times a year, how can we deal? Or more likely, how will I deal - because this will fall on me. That's the way it is, that's the reality.

I'm the one close to home.

I'm the one who does the scheduling, the pickups, the schlepping...and I'm freakin' out a bit at the prospect.

If I were a SAHM of course, this would be a non-issue.

Shit.

I'm such a selfish thing.

We can't discourage him, though. I guess we'll have to see how he does, and take it from there.

If he's good and he loves it, we will manage.

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How was the first week of school for everyone? For my Grade 1 (full-time school-ager now, don'tcha know) girlie, the first day was "awesome". Her teacher is young, pretty and nice. You don't need much more criteria than that! The Grade 5-er was thrilled that he's got his best pals (well, with the exception of a best bud that moved to Switzerland now) in his class. And his teacher does not believe in full class punishment if one or two bad apples spoil things. Which was a huge deal for him last year (and something I was actually pretty pissed about myself, but never got around to raising with that teacher before the year ended-- my bad ...)

So far, so good.

For Mom, well, there's the adjustment of having to make double the number of lunches and snacks. But at least both sandwiches were gobbled up every day.

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I've been wanting to get to the Gap for weeks now, ever since I noticed the line of "perfect black pants" that hit the magazine stands in August. And since I'd bought up pretty much every major fashion magazine in August, I was totally suckered in by the advertising.

Today I managed to get there, while I was having my car emission-tested.

And lo and behold, they were on sale for $25 off!!!!

Even better, I took sizes 4 and 6 into the change room with me, thinking that this was, well, wishful thinking.

Can you believe that I was swimming in the size 4?

What up with that???

The sales girl walked by and said, "Oh boy, those are way big for you. You need to go down a size. What do you have there, a 4? I'll pick you up a 2..."

And off she went.

A TWO???? The last time I was a two, I think I was 12 years old.

Something is definitely up with the sizing these days.

But who the hell cares.

I'm a frickin' size TWO!

I love the GAP.

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Hope you all have a wonderful weekend.

#PS. I know the title of this post is totally nonsensical, but yeah, the hubs bought one for some reason, and it would likely serve me well now with my underground parking situation and all...

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!

It's all about the kids - Fragment style

Don't forget to check out my gal pal's place, add some comment love...


I had a wonderful post to recap my 8 hours of unadulterated bliss that was my date night last Friday ... but alas, it remains in my head. I've got to get it just right to capture the moments properly.

So in its stead today, I bring you fragments brought to you by, who else... my kids.

*****

At the grocery store produce section:

"Mommy, Daddy leaves his apples courts all over the house. It's not very healthy and dirty. I don't think he should do that, do you? He needs to set an example for me and L-boy, after all, he's not a BABY, is he?"

Totally unsolicited, I swear.

Poor Dad, he's not only got to deal with a superior wife, he's now got a superior daughter in the house too.

*****

In the minivan when reminiscing about past summers.

"Mommy, why do some people have babies before they go to university, and THEN they get married?"

Uh, is she trying to tell me something? Perhaps not as she's only five years old. Let's probe a bit.

"Well, some people do that, but that's not the easier way to do things."

"But that's what you did, Mommy!"

HUH?

The Boy piped in: "What do you mean, G? Mom went to university way over 20 years ago (I must interject, not WAY over, maybe a couple of years beyond...but I digress) and I'm only TEN!!!

The Girl (obviously upset, you know how 5 year olds get because after all, they know everything now...): "But don't you remember, when Mommy and Daddy went away to UNIVERSITY, and Yee Yee and Uncle Fibb-itt and baby J took us to the island and we buried you in the sand? That was last summer!"

Now I got it.

"Oh sweetie, Mommy and Daddy were away celebrating our ANNIVERSARY and we went away and left you with your uncle and aunt."

"Oh."

And I thought 'Whew'.

*****

Remember my suspicions about a conspiracy theory? Well I was RIGHT!!!! I dropped the boys off, and looked around for other kids... and other than the birthday girl, there was one other girl invited. That was IT. It was a freakin' double date!!! Birthday party = Two 10 year old boys plus two 10 year old girls (+ a Dad, at least) = Double date in my mind.

The Boy thought it was funny though. And he suggested that we check out the ice cream and crepes at Cafe Demetrie, and that Despicable Me was a wicked good movie.

Nonchalantly. Perfect.

And he was right - about Despicable Me. It was wicked good.

*****

Have a great weekend, guys.

PS. One other milestone that I forgot. Remember my MAD PASSION for all things BODYJAM? Well, geez, wouldn't you know it ... my instructor asked if I would join her on stage for the new release next week as they're going to be featuring BodyJam superstars! Whoot! Now I just have to dig something up from the disco era ...and yeah, I'm that old that I might actually have some remmants available. Sigh.

A 10 year old wants to FB friend me and other freaky Friday Fragments

(say hi to my Pal Mrs 4444 while you're there)
I'm likely one of only a handful of Canadians who has to go into work today, in middle of the Canada Day long weekend. I've been trying to take the shine off the "L" on my forehead. Needless to say, I don't have a lot of time to scratch these fragments out . You can call this pseudo dedication to this long neglected blog.

*****

Despite my reservations about letting my boy baby (humour me) have Facebook, it's happened. His best friend is moving out of the country, and this is the sole method of keeping that relationship alive. He struck this deal with his father, of course. It just does NOT cut it that his mom is FB friends with his friend's Mom, uh, sorry, that doesn't count. Nor does regular e:mail, or the fact that he's got Xbox interactive (also a deal he struck with his Dad).

Within 24 hours of signing on, he had 63 friends. It took his Mom 24 months to accomplish the same.

Now I'm sitting with 11 new friend requests from the under 10 set. Dilemma.

*****

More boy news: the little girl who technically asked the boy out on his first date via post-it (a little mini SJP situation in reverse?) has invited him to see yet another movie, this time under the guise of a birthday party. He really wants to go because he really wants to see the movie, and guess what, she's conveniently also invited his best friend (male) to the party. Oh I know it's all fun and innocent, and it will be a matinee ... but I'm all about conspiracy theories. I think I may have to admit - there is a little twinkle in his eye when he talks about her, and he did hang out with her at the recent community BBQ a couple of weeks ago. She's a cutie.

Help. Me. I am so NOT ready for this.

*****

Speaking of dates, one week from now, DATE NIGHT!!!!

I am so excited.

We are going to see a concert - you know, that's our "thing".




Cannot wait. Squeeing as I type.

What to wear? Another dilemma.

But one I think I can handle. Shopping anyone?

*****

And I must add this. I love Alex Wong. He's cute, humble, Asian, Canadian ... and dancing genius. He's the only Canadian who's ever won the coveted Prix de Lausanne.

He's killing it on this seasons' SYTCD.

Check this ballet dancer out here.

*****

A shout out to my Canadian and American friends for the long weekend, and a great "regular" weekend to the rest of my bloggy peeps!

Friday Fragments - So many posts, so little time

(say hi to my Pal Mrs 4444 while you're there)

I have so many thoughts and ideas floating around and wish I could capture them as soon as they appear. Usually by the time I get some blog time, though, I draw blanks. Or fragments, so here we are...

*****

I still feel the uncomfortable weight of my lardy beef tourtiere dinner from last night, in the bottom of my gut. It was so good that I couldn't stop when I should have.

The bonus was that I didn't even cook it. Anything tastes better when you don't make it yourself.

So it was worth it.

*****

We had a wonderful weekend away last week. We travelled north to stay at the lovely resort that we stayed at over Labour day last year. I was in such a different place back then - and I can't believe it was only months ago. Months! It seems like it was light years.

What a great time to connect with my kids, though, and more importantly, with my husband again. Our business travel these past few months has been absolutely crazy. Ships passing in the night, that's what we are. And then the nights that we are home together, the kids are staying up so late that we pretty much pass out as soon as they're in bed as well. To sleep. So sad.

The weather was gorgeous, the hotel was gorgeous, the food was great, I attended a Yogalates class and I managed to read a BOOK! An almost 500 page book, by the way, that I picked up on Friday to read in time for my book club meeting on Wednesday.

(image from amazon.com)

It was probably not a great a read as I thought it was at the time. But for me, just to have had the time to spend lying by the pool to get through it, was heavenly.

*****

Speaking of pool, I was lamenting the fact that my ass now looks flatter than ever. I guess buoyant butt is not synonymous with 40-something mom, even on the best of days. But I've always considered that one of my best features (without any hint of conceit, of course), and I had to mention my dismay to my husband.

Geez, gravity is really hitting me, and my best feature too! *Sob*.

My husband replied, "What is my best feature?"

Hear the crickets?

He laughed.

"Well, I was thinking! I don't know, it's a tough one to narrow down!", I laughed back at him.

A little too little, and a lot too late.

But we had a good laugh over it. After all, we both know what we looked like in our heyday, so at least we have the memories.

Sigh.

*****

So my favourite, Lee DeWyze won American Idol. His reaction was priceless - he seems like such a sweet boy.

But what a disappointment his performance was on Tuesday - I guess the nerves got the best of him. Crystal really outdid him, big time. And I'm not sure "Beautiful Day" is the best song choice for his new single - Bono he is not.

I guess at the end of the day, they both win. With Simon being the biggest winner of all, of course.

*****

The weather has been just scorchers, so we're hoping for some relief. My mom's birthday is this weekend, and we'll have a celebration. I got her 4 boxes of her favourite crispy thin crackers. If her reaction to her Mother's Day gift is any indication, (5 of her most favourite, hard-to-find- non-scratch kitchen sponges! "The best gift ever!") I think she'll like her birthday present too! No Chanel perfume for this one!

Have a good one!

Friday Fragments - Reality Bytes

"This milk tastes like the farm!"

"Yeah, this tastes funny, Dad."

Every night before bed, the kids have a glass of milk. And the parents, walking around robotically on auto-pilot, go through the motions pouring, preparing and serving their kidlets, around the same time every evening.

So on this night, the Dad went back to check the milk bag, and sure enough, it smelled like it had come from another part of a cow. He poured the kids another cup.

"Actually, when I drank my tea it smelled sort of funny. But I thought it was just the mug, and there were no curdles, so I just drank it! "(I was just happy that someone else had made it for me, if we're to be perfectly honest).

"Well, I DID think it tasted sort of like A-S-S," he said as he sat down.

"What's A-S-S?" asked girlie.

"Um, that's another word for farm."

*****

Speaking of ass, can you believe what I bought at our local Costco? Rock & Republic jeans - not kidding!

I was going on and on about the great deal while the boys were sitting at the kitchen island. And the man said," I like those jeans that you have on now".

And the boy said, "Dad, are you checking out Mom's butt?" with a mischevious giggle.

The man had to admit it- "You got me" and we all burst out laughing.

I guess I've still got it, according to the one who counts anyway. And that's a good thing.

*****

So yes, I'm still standing after a very stressful week. There's nothing quite like waking up at 5 AM every morning, before the sun rises. A colleague told me that might be a sign of menopause. How lovely - hot flashes during one of the most important meetings of my career.

I think I'm good now, though. Back to a regular sleep schedule and looking forward to a lovely long weekend. Summer can't come soon enough.

*****

My guilty pleasure continues to be reality TV: hooked on American Idol and Celebrity Apprentice. I know to some that this season's American Idol may be the season of suck, but I am a really big fan of Lee DeWyze. Something about that cute crooked smile and raspy voice - but I remain particularly touched by his supportive parents. I imagine how I would be just over the moon proud of my kids if they were in that situation. I think I'm getting old, and not so much cougar old - how cool is he to perform classics from Simon & Garfunkel and Lynyrd Skynyrd?



Do you think I've sunk to a new low having my son PVR Oprah's interview of Bret Michaels? I've become a huge fan of his since his appearance on Trump's show. I've never been a heavy metal, Poison chick - but I guess you can never say never :). Go Bret Go.

****

Happy Victoria Day to my Canadian friends - happy planting and fireworks and all that fun long weekend stuff! And a great weekend to everyone.

Friday Fragment Brain Dump

I heard the phrase "brain dump" at work the other day. I found it appropriate for today's post. There's all sorts of stuff that needs dumping.

****

Guess what I'm doing every five words? I'm flipping pancakes. Yes, because I am making fresh pancakes for the kids this morning, a busy weekday morning, because of guilt. I am traveling for work tomorrow and won't be able to do this on a weekend morning. And whether they really want them or not, they're getting them. Yes, I'm being selfish. Making these flapjacks is more about me than it is about them.

Excuse me while I flip... literally and metaphorically, of course.

*****

The boy freaked before his piano lesson on Tuesday. Do you think it was because his sister freaked LAST Tuesday? (You know, they do schedule these events, don't they?) Turns out he isn't feeling particularly musical and was getting bored, and felt he wasn't making progress... which he shared after tears and after his music teacher pulled it out of him. I told you she was wonderful, didn't I? She told him she'd be bored too if they stayed with the book he was on and she's moving him up next week.

The girl freaked before swimming lessons last night. And even after I talked her into it, got her dressed, brought her to the pool, onto the pool deck... she started bawling and freaking again. I pretty much lost it with her.

I mean, seriously? After a stressful day at work, rushing to pick them up before the 6PM deadline at daycare, getting her home and dressed for a 6:15 lesson, getting her there at 6:17 PM and having her cry on the pool deck that it isn't fun for her and she doesn't feel like it? With another 20 things to do before I get on a plane tomorrow.

Who is this not fun for?

So I dragged her back into the change room, the boy met us outside, we piled into the van, and I took them to do my errands, including filling my gas tank so we wouldn't run out.

I subjected my kids to a bit of a be-atch rant in the car. I mean, honestly, could they not let me have one night where I wouldn't be stressed to the gills beyond the already sky high work-induced pressure? "Well Mom, that was Wednesday night, right?"

Where did my kid learn how to be such a smart-ass?

By the time we got home and I got dinner on the table, it was already 8 PM and the hubs walked in the door. Yeah, he'd been gone all week of course.

*****

So on the rest of today's agenda...packing the kids' snacks, the boy's lunch, rushing to the office to make the last minute arrangements for my trip (and holding my breath for the next thing that will hit today, it's been one of those months), making the virtual grocery list in my head, trying to figure out what birthday present to get for the son's friend for TOMORROW and for the next 3 parties for that matter, and fitting a hair appt in there somewhere, as my head is a total wreck...

*****
Yes indeed, I really had time for this post. But it was cathartic.

Thanks for reading, if you managed to get through my maniacal ramblings.

Wish me luck. On the hair, I mean.

And I guess a few other things too, while you're at it.

Have a great weekend.

Five Minute Friday Fragments

Why five minutes?

Because that's all I've got.

*****

My 9 year old's take on the whole Woods' scandal: "He's not a Tiger, he's a Cheetah."

*****

I went to my first book club meeting, and to be honest it felt like more of an excuse to have some wine, cheese, goodies, and get caught up with friends, and make new ones.

We discussed "The Help", which, by the way, I found to be an excellent read. I'd actually purchased it to read on the plane for my last work trip - but I was so engrossed that I ended up getting to the last few chapters before I got to the airport.

The evening was eye-opening in a way that was a little discouraging. Even in my more liberal neck of the modern day woods, the attitudes that were portrayed in the book (which was written about the 60's in Jackson, Mississippi and dealt with the lives of black housekeepers/maids and the white ladies of the house), still seem to persist albeit in much more subtle ways.

I'll leave it at that.

*****

Have you caught "The Marriage Ref" produced by Jerry Seinfeld yet?

It's absolutely hilarious. The premise is that couples present their marital issues to a panel of celebrities (usually including comedians), and the host of the show makes a decision as to which spouse he will side with in the dispute. It's all fun and the issues are quite trivial (last night, a man refused to eat his wife's green bean casserole which she's been trying to get him to try for 10 years ...) and my husband and I are usually howling like hyenas throughout the show.

Ironically it's become our couple's thing to do on Thursday nights. Go figure.

*****

As a quick catch up, I've managed to hit the Bodyjam circuit with a vengeance.

This is my favourite release so far, Bodyjam 50.

I can't wait for my gym time tomorrow morning.

Don't forget to visit lovely Mrs. 4444's.

Have a good one!

Friday Fragments - Hats, Lies and Packing Tape

You can always tell when me or my hubs are having a bad hair day. We wear hats.

Hubby came back from a recent trip to Prague with one of these:

I sent him on a milk run this morning (because we ran out of milk - this week he's off at home with the kids on spring break, living a bit of the dream that I lived for 5 years but forgetting the grocery shopping part...). I dared him and he did it - yes, he wore the hat!

A couple of people looked at him, made quick eye contact, and then looked away very quickly. He wouldn't let me take a photo of him, darn.

*****

I'm trying to get the house in order before I head out for another work trip this weekend. So in the past few days I've been ordering people (ie. my husband) around like a drill sergeant. My son has been asking for a room without a train border since the beginning of the school year. We'd promised we'd get to it done over Christmas; then over spring break- which is NOW. I don't want the poor kid to wait until he goes off to university. So I've been taking things apart, packing things up and barking orders like it's the end of the world. Or at least moving the world. (In actual fact, moving the boy into the existing guest/junk room, and the guest room furniture into his ...).

From IKEA land, we ordered the MALM bed and dresser for his big boy room ... along with the most comfortable mattress ever. It was delivered last night, and by all counts, he will never have to buy another bed again. He couldn't even wait for the bed to be up - he just slept on the mattress.

While I was at the office today, the man called me to say that none of the hardware had come with the furniture and he'd have to go back to IKEA. I asked him to doublecheck, because those items get hidden sometimes in all the packaging. He said he already had, triple-checked through all of the boxes, but I told him I'd look when I got home.

So I got home and went to the first box - and found the hardware in half a second.

Let's say it together... MAN SEARCH.

The bed goes up hopefully tonight.

*****

As an icebreaker at the meeting next week, we'll be playing the truth/false statement game. Not my idea this time, because I've got to think about some more.

Let's see how well you know me - two of these are false, two are true (I know at least one reader who will see a lie):

1. I won first prize for a piece I wrote for a Young Creative Writers contest in 6th grade.

2. I have an obsession with hats which started in high school. I now have 278 in my collection (that's a lotta bad hair days).

3. One of the best sushi meals I ever had was prepared for me by Olivia Chow and served to me by Jack Layton.

4. I passed out at an Iggy Pop concert.

Happy weekend friends!

Friday Fragments - The "Yes I'm still around" edition

I took a look at my sidebar and noticed that I only blogged twice in February - only TWO times! That is a new low for me. I mean, I have posted over 650 times since I started this blog in 2005. I miss it, but more importantly, I miss the "me" who used to be on here. The one who was passionate, who wrote from the heart, who had a creative spirit, and who could even on the odd occasion be a little funny. Where is she? Where can I find her again?

*****

I spent last week with my family in sunny Mexico, at a lovely beach resort called Azul Beach Hotel. Half an hour from Playa del Carmen, twenty minutes from Cancun airport, a small boutique all-inclusive resort complete with BEACH BEDS, BEACH BUTLERS and a KIDS' CLUB (yes, I was shouting.) The only thing less than perfect was the weather - normally this time of year it's in the mid 30's C - but we never got warmer than 26, and it was windy. They don't heat the pools there in the Mayan Riviera, and normally the ocean would be lovely, but both were quite cold.

Nonetheless, dedicated family time is priceless. Laughing and playing with the kids, actually getting through a paperback, enjoying a drink with the hubby on the balcony while we admire the moonlight through the palm leaves...we even witnessed a wedding on the beach. It already feels forever ago, but at least we had it.

*****

I don't know what the heck is going on with my lips. When I was a young girl, I remember seeing all these ads for older women, touting solutions to lipstick that would bleed into the cracks on your lipline. I used to think it was so inconceivable and gross. However, now that I'm the older woman, it's happening, and even worse, I wonder if I have a weird allergy - my lips are chapped, and the edges are sort of swollen but not in a sexy way - more like how a bad Botox job would look and feel. Yeah, gross. So we should file that under TMI.

*****

How old do you think is old enough to have Facebook account? My almost 10 year old is wanting to have his own and I'm not so sure. Ironic, given how "open" I am with my blog and all. But there's a part of me that thinks he's just a bit young. Yes, me, the old school blogger, social media expert in this family. But it's different from a mother's perspective.

Discuss.

Postcards from the minivan and other fragments

Why yes, I'm still here, and I present to you my first February Friday Fragments edition. Say that fast five times. Please do also visit my blog gal pal Mrs. 4444 at the home of Friday Fragments.

*****

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post. We did have a nice family get together - I can't say it's been exactly easy, but we are dealing. It's great to know that I have so many friends out there in the blogosphere - your support is a big part of my healing process.

*****

Do you know when you really start feeling old? It's when your 9 year old starts teasing you.

I've got a 9 year old going on 30.

I'll be the first to admit that I've got some issues once I'm behind the wheel. I've worked on it a lot over the years, and I actually consider myself a pretty good driver these days, a few four letter words notwithstanding. I'm not the most patient driver, to say the least. And often I'll forget that I've got minors with big ears in the back seat.

On one of my regular "why the heck am I always late even when I get started half an hour earlier" days of lessons and errands, I had the misfortune of being behind a car in the left lane, going at about 40 km/h in a 60 zone. I don't normally like to pass on the right, but this was getting a bit ridiculous, so I signalled to go to the right...only to have this car in front drift toward the right lane but not into it. Okay then, perfect, I could pass now. But wait, no, not just yet because this doofus has decided to drift back into the left lane. Straddling, I think is what you'd call it. Hmphhhhh!!!

"Pick a lane, any lane, and then get outta my life!" I muttered under my breath.

Eventually the driver did, but not until a couple of lights later when he made right turn. Geez. Finally.

While I breathed a sigh of relief, the boy behind me growled,

"GETOUTTAMAHLIFE, GETOUTTAMAHLIFE!!!!!!" with a giggle.

Great. Way to give your 9 year old a teenage primer.

*****

The other day as I was driving the kids (yes, again), I thought I'd make some conversation with the boy. (The girlie was sitting and humming along to the top 40 hits on the radio, not really in the mood to chat -unusual, yes, for a 5 year old).

" You've probably got the oldest mom of all your friends. I think a lot of them are just turning 40 this year, or a couple of years from now. What do you think of that?" I asked him.

He paused for a minute, and then said, "Think of it this way, Mom. It's good to have younger friends, because when you get old, they can take care of you!"

Good answer, but I had to clarify:

"Well, that's not exactly true. That's YOURS and your sister's job"

"Oh yeah you're right! Darn!"

*****

Have you seen Jersey Boys yet?

If not, you must. Just do it. Go.

This is coming from an alt-girl who used to dye her hair midnight blue and wear checkered skin tight leggings and Docs in university.

Yes, that was me hootin' and hollerin' during the standing ovation.

It's THAT good.

And I'm getting THAT old.

*****

I guess you've noticed that I haven't been around these parts very much lately. It's been hard to be as committed to this blog. The situation is so different for me now, with work travel not just for my husband but for me as well. Single parenting, to a certain extent. Some days I don't know if I'm coming or going. It's a good thing we already have our kids because with us two ships passing in the night as we have been for the past few weeks and for the foreseeable future ...well, it wouldn't be happening. Even if we were young enough to still contemplate it.

I've lost a bit of passion for this. It's not the same for me anymore. This time last year I was so looking forward to BlogHer Chicago, and after the fantastic July with my bloggy peeps, I was looking forward to summer 2010 in NYC with a major vengeance.

But today, I'm just not sure. I suppose it's because time with my family is so much more limited now. I no longer feel that I need the time for "just me"...although ironically I probably need it more than ever before. A girls' weekend (mind you with 1000 girlfriends) in Manhattan ... it is still attractive. That is, if there are any tickets left. Things that make you go "hmmm..."

Do you remember...

Just slippin' in under the wire, but I'm here! Please visit my blog gal pal Mrs. 4444 at the home of Friday Fragments.

*****

Well you know that I've been totally crushing on some young men lately - I should know better, but maybe that's what happens as you get older. The fact that I've convinced myself that my husband has an even slight resemblance to one of the hottest young actors around right now, has certainly proven that I'm living in my own fantasy version of reality.

*****

I don't know if you've heard the latest frothy dance tune from Jay Sean, but it has a distinctly reggae dance-hall influence due to the contribution of Sean Paul. I'm not one to really analyze lyrics, especially many of those from today's songs ("Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" it ain't...)

But listening to the catchy tune...

"I’ve been thinking about you
And how we used to be then
Back when we didn’t have to end we could start again"

I can't help but think of the trips that we used to take as a couple before we had kids. Fun in the sun and more fun ...just the two of us. See this? This was our first trip together about 20 years ago.


And with the advent of the kids, that part of our life did end.

*****

Last weekend the husband got this mad urge to go shopping for clothes. For himself- can you believe it? He needed a nice wool coat, and new dress pants. And he wanted my input. Of course I was only too happy to oblige. After all, my husband hates to shop, and I have what you might call a shopping "problem". To give you some perspective, he actually wore a pair of pants to work with pleats in them - they were nice pants, Hugo Boss, but shall we classify them as "vintage" as in he looked quite at home doing the "Can't touch this" dance down the hall. A colleague got the period bang -on as he pinned them as circa 1995. Carbon dated it. Yes, it's been a couple years since he's bought himself a really nice suit.

So off we went, with kids in tow. We put ourselves in the hands of a true professional salesman. He had the man try on a couple of nice wool coats. The first coat fit like a dream and the man didn't want to take it off. He did look great in it. The second one he tried on had a Euro look which brought to mind Chris Martin. Now that's more like it. They didn't have his size though.

Then he brought us over to the suit section.

Shall we say that Hugo Boss has certainly improved in 2010? Uh, YEAH.

The man slipped on a three piece charcoal number, broad shoulders, straight slim legs, no pleats in sight...he looked seriously hot. At one point I thought I could have merrily had my way with him... well, if it weren't for our kids who were using the stroller and the comfy leather club chairs to build a fort and the salesguy who would have been there to bear witness to some middle-aged crazy.

You see, the man, he still has that effect on me. Even when we're bone tired, stressed to the max with the jobs, the day to day of getting the kids into their routines ... there's still that spark even if we're too exhausted to do much about it most of the time.

But maybe that's the secret to the success of our relationship.

Our ability to remember what we were like, what we had, and to know that we've still got it.

"do you remember
All of the times we had
Let’s bring it back "