Some days I can’t hide anything from my kids.  They catch me sneaking a snack, hear me if I rustle a bag that I don’t want them to see; it’s amazing.  Other times I manage to hide a big cardboard box in my office for days, out of plain sight but easily visible to anyone who entered.

The delivery had come just before lunch a few days earlier but I’d waited for the perfect moment to bring it out.  I wanted both my kids home, with enough relaxed time to play and enjoy without suddenly having to head out somewhere or eat dinner.  The box I was hiding, you see, was our first delivery from Fisher-Price.

Well, Sunday rolled around and suddenly we had this window of time – afternoon snacks were done, dinner was a couple of hours away and things had been goofy, noisy and we all needed to find a way to slow things down.  But I didn’t want to ruin the kids’ fun, they were playing together, but oy, the running, the squealing, the games of tag.  We were all getting too tired for yet another tag wipeout.  I have two kids spaced four years apart – the three year old keeps up, and gives back plenty but collisions are usually dramatic and tired kids don’t take corners very safely.

Enter, the big cardboard box.  I called the kids over and got their attention pretty quickly.  We unpacked their goodies and their eyes got wide.  Okay, mama’s work just got a whole lot cooler.  There was an adorable My First Dollhouse for my three year old, and an Imaginext DC Super Friends The Joker’s Funhouse for her older brother.

We got it all unpacked, and it just so happened that we were out in our living room rather than in the family room with the other toys and the television.  In the moment it seemed like an easier spot to unpack things.  It was kind of nice, just late afternoon sun, no other toy clutter to distract them, and they busied themselves with the new toys.

And there was quiet.  Oh, they were talking, and playing, and showing each other the toys, but the vibe was relaxed.  They played for a while, and we started organizing for dinner.  I realized after a while that they were playing together - not just side by side. They were curious about what the other was playing with.  I wanted to be in the same room as they were, listening in.

Seeing the sweeter sides of our kids is a good thing for all of us.  They enjoy each other, and we want to be around to watch them.  I always want my kids around, but some days they bicker, or play too wildly, or need interventions to keep the peace.  I love when they can just play, and the intensity dials down, just for a while.

Funny, the two toys are still standing in our living room, where I don’t typically allow them to keep toys.  They’ve added one more, and are calling it a neighbourhood.  And somehow it is neutral territory, free to either of them.  I can’t quite tidy them away, just yet.

Welcome to the neighbourhood, Fisher-Price.  Our first delivery, and opportunity to experience the new offerings, and so far they’ve gone over wonderfully.

“Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.”

No?  How about taking some of it off?  We’ll get to why a little later, first I want to talk about health.  Our health.  Women’s health.  You, me, your sister, your mom, your aunt, your best friend…and maybe someday, your daughter.

As we get older and start to own our health as adults, there are a few spectres that loom more than others. Heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and cancer, and most notably for women, breast cancer.

Why does breast cancer bring out our fear, our outrage, our anger so much more than other diseases? It’s not as though we can’t hear the warnings of heart disease in women, or that we don’t consider the threat of other types of cancer. (You may remember the last time I wrote about breast cancer…)

I think because a diagnosis of any disease, especially one as destructive as cancer, brings with it a loss of control that we so desperately want over our own lives. Suddenly what we do, how we do it and our very futures are threatened.  Breast cancer goes even further, threatening our physical and traditional ideas of feminine identity. We may recognize our facial features, our hair, the curve and sway of our hips as part of our female appeal, but there is no arguing that our breasts are an important symbol of femininity. Whether we are delicately or generously endowed, they’re ours and we are often paralyzed at the thought of losing them.

There are ways, however, to bring some of that control back into our lives if we make decisions to be proactive about our health before a crisis happens. This may mean adopting a healthy lifestyle and doing things we know are good for our bodies – eating good foods, staying active and avoiding habits that might raise our risk level. It also means taking action to monitor changes in our bodies; doing self-exams, seeing our doctors for annual checkups, and taking advantage of tests like mammograms as they become appropriate. Your doctor can recommend when you should have your first mammogram, as it relates to your risk factors: health, family history, breast density and more.

If there were a way to go one step further to monitor your breast health, a way that is actually more effective for those women whose breasts are considered “dense”, would you do it?  What if there were a screening tool that had a better chance of catching tumours in dense tissue, allowing earlier detection?  I hadn’t heard of a breast ultrasound until I saw this amazing video of a bold, brave woman I know trying it out for herself. Yes, on video. Yes, the whole thing. You may know her as the Cocktail Deeva, creator of Boobfest, promoter of “feel your boobies” t-shirts, and living out loud expert. Well, watch for yourself as she faces her worries about her own breast health, shares her story, and takes you along for an ultrasound, partnering with VIP Breast Imaging to deliver vital information into the hands of women.  Watch it, learn from it, share it – but maybe do that watching at home instead of work, and without the kiddies around….while gracefully filmed, the girls definitely got some camera time.

I’m amazed at her heart, and her willingness to face her fears and brave any awkwardness so that she can share her experience with us.  After watching, I feel this would be time and money well spent for those with a higher risk of breast cancer or breast tissue too dense for a mammogram to prove completely effective.  Does it cost money?  Yes, it does, as it is currently offered outside the public health care system. But the amount is less than I spend on coffee in a year (at home, or out, not even combined).  It’s less money than you spend colouring your hair if you do it in a salon, the equivalent of a couple of fancy dinners or few celebratory evenings spent at your favourite pub.  It’s one less shirt or other clothing item picked up while shopping each month.

It’s not a decision anyone can make for you, but I think we are always better off when we have more options for information, for better care, and to feel like we are in charge of our own health.  It is good for our bodies, hearts and minds to own our destinies as much as is possible.  I can’t tell you if I will ever be diagnosed with breast cancer, but I’d love to tell you I had done what I could for prevention, and early detection if the diagnosis came.

Here are some details you might want to note:

~ 40% of women have what are called “dense breasts”

~  the breast ultrasound is called an Automated Breast Ultrasound – ABUS

~ VIP Breast Imaging is the only company in Canada that provides this service

~ according to their website, ABUS is safe, radiation-free, non-invasive and painless

~ no doctor referral is necessary

~ there is a cost associated with ABUS, but I was pleased to hear there is a program in place to help underprivileged women

For more information about VIP Breast Imaging, their mission, their team and to decide if ABUS might be right for you, contact:

VIP Breast Imaging Toronto

525 University Ave
Toronto, Ontario
M5G 2L3

Phone:             647-350-2229

toronto@vipbreastimaging.com

Disclosure:  I was asked to share this video on behalf of Cocktail Deeva, and VIP Breast Imaging in Toronto, and as a courtesy, was invited to visit VIP Breast Imaging myself.  As always, you can be assured that impressions and opinions are my own.

When the mercury drops without mercy, and snow covers the ground, there are days when I wonder why I live in a province so well known for its unforgiving winters.  I’m not someone partial to cold, I don’t particularly embrace winter sports, so what on earth am I doing living in Saskatchewan?  And that’s not all – born in Ontario, I’ve also lived in Manitoba.  It’s like a buffet of cold weather.

Now before I had kids, cold days were a perfect time to cuddle up with a book, a quiet activity, or a movie.  It was nice to meet a friend over a steaming cup of coffee, especially if we could sit somewhere with a view of what I really love about winter – the beauty of a world covered in sparkling white.

Ah.  There it is, the reason why I stay and stay, though winter challenges me every year.  But now, with two young kids, how do I get from November to April without losing my mind?  I’m not going to pretend that it’s always easy, or that there aren’t times when my imagination fails and tempers run short.  We’re human – little and big, we have our limitations.

Most days go by pretty quickly though, and we just seem to find a rhythm that works.  I find it helpful to forget about facing a whole winter cooped up.  That gets scary fast, my friends.  No, for me, it’s all about taking things a day at a time.

When we feel slow and quiet, we read or build with blocks or building sets.  When they want to be close to me, but I have work to do, we gather at the kitchen table.  It’s become the space where we get to be creative together.  My laptop is parked there for writing, and each child has a generous stash of crayons, markers, paper, colouring books, activity books, and other supplies.  My oldest has more books and markers, of course, but the littlest has a magnetic drawing board and small chalkboard to use as well.  We keep everything handy in a hutch nearby so anyone can grab a project and come to the table to share creative time.

Rotating through our toys seems to help – my kids love toys that engage them and allow them to play in different ways, so we try to keep this in mind when buying.  Swords and costumes help them role play, toys that encourage open play help them have fun in different ways each day.  My youngest loves anything to do with food, so loves her play food, tea set, coffeepot and sandwich fixings.  Sometimes she cooks in her kitchen, other days they picnic on a blanket in the family room.  They also both love to help in the kitchen, so we got them matching personalized “Head Chef” and “Sous Chef” aprons for Christmas.  And if all else fails, we build forts or hiding spots out of pillows, or even just a big jumping pile for them to take turns leaping into.

There are some great ideas over on the Fisher-Price site in their Play & Learn Family Activities section that I can’t wait to share with my two kids, especially my youngest.  At three, she’s still home with me a fair amount, and loves anything new I can bring to the table for pretend play.

My final solution to cabin fever is to get out of the “cabin”.  Yes, we play, we pretend, we read, we snuggle but once in a while it’s time to brave the cold and go back to my roots.  I said I loved to spend time over a cup of coffee, didn’t I?  And I still do.  Only now my coffee dates are either or both of my kids, chairs pulled up close with milk and a cookie in front of them.  They love to be treated like grownups, and I love to have the time with them.  And amazingly, we all come home happier and ready to play.

What’s your favourite way to keep your kids busy when the weather outside is grim?  Do you find the winter days longer than summer?  Any survival tips to share?

Disclosure: I am a Fisher-Price Mom and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Sugar,

Oh, honey honey

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

~ Sugar, Sugar by The Archies

If you’ve ever had a little look around this blog, you may have noticed the long running tagline at the top that says “Sweet cravings and salty language”.  If ever I were to be accused of having vices, those two would probably top the list.  (Any of you waving your hands to mention my impatience and my tendency to stay up past midnight for no good reason can just zip it.)

Well, anyway, it’s no secret that I love me some sugar.  I stir it into my coffee, my tea and sprinkle it on my toast.  I like to indulge in public, and sneak it when no one is looking.  I once had a friend out me at a dinner party, to a room full of people I was meeting for the first time, that I like to sneak chocolate with my first cup of coffee, yes at 6 a.m.  That’s how you get a name for yourself, right there.  I also am known around certain circles (hello, Twitter!) as having a deep love of all things chocolate, especially Toffifee.  I am also a great enabler.

I named my blog for my love of coffee and chocolate, and one of my first published pieces was entitled “Chocolafession”.

Sugar and I are hot and heavy.

However.  There comes a time in every sugar lover’s life when they wake up and realize they aren’t 25 anymore, and that perhaps fueling themselves purely on sweet things is not just silly, it’s actually pretty foolish.  I can’t say I mind being known for my sweet tooth and chocolate cravings, but I admit, it makes me crazy that I have such a hard time saying no.  If it’s in the house, I want it.  My mood is instantly improved by it.  (And to be honest, writing this is making me want it badly enough my teeth hurt.)

And I just gave in.

See?  That’s what makes me so annoyed.  Don’t get me wrong, I will always love being the girl who loves her sugar, but I want to enjoy it on my terms.  Giving control of my brain over to something that doesn’t even have one doesn’t sit right with me.  And knowing that it’s a habit that must be affecting my energy, and worse, my health irritates me even more.  I’d rather enjoy my sweets when I really want something, and am taking the time to savour it than just using sugar and chocolate as easy fuel when I’m busy.

I’ve been invited to take part in something special that is starting up right away, and I would love some company if any of you have been looking for a way to battle this particular vice.  I’m going to dive in with the ladies from Domestic Diva and join their 28 Day Sugar Detox.  There are a few reasons why I think this will be a good way to move forward – first, I hate deprivation and just quitting cold turkey doesn’t work for me and second, I know enough about one of the founders of Domestic Diva to know that she’s smart and down to earth about this stuff.  And I know how busy she is, and that she has two kids similar in age to my own!  So I know she understands how busy some of us are, and how hard it is to juggle something new in.  She’s living it!  But she’s also been where I am and has made good changes to her own life with the resources they’ll be sharing.  I love the idea of learning why the hell I’m craving sugar sometimes all the time, and how to get to a point that I feel nourished and satisfied enough that I don’t feel the sugar crazies the way I do now.

You can check out all the details on their website, along with many more posts and articles they have been creating.  We’re starting Monday, Jan 23rd, and going for four weeks of learning, trying out suggestions, sharing our experiences with others and finally making the move to get sugar off our “vice” list.

Sweet wishes to you if you decide to come join in!

Disclosure:  I’ve been invited to join the 28 Day Sugar Detox compliments of the ladies of Domestic Diva.  However, I volunteered to share my story beforehand, and to share my thoughts after all is said and done because I really believe they have wisdom worth sharing.  All opinions are my own.

 Photo credit:  Jade Gordon

So how is everyone’s holiday shopping going?

I admit I’ve turned to doing more and more shopping online – perhaps you read my last post about WagJag, and how online is becoming easier with two little kids in the house.  Well, since then my husband slipped on some ice and cracked a bone in his arm so I am feeling the crunch. Suddenly two weeks just doesn’t seem enough time to do it all!

I’m thinking there may be others in the same situation, and seeing as I regularly chat with people from all over, I’m going to do something a little different today.  I’m visiting Wagjag again, but I’ve already told you about about some of my favourite deals in the Holiday Shoppe they’ve set up.  So today I’m going to tell you my favourite choice from each of my favourite cities’ current deals.  We are the nomads after all, and each city has its own great set of deals that are continuously updated.  So I’m going to have a little peek around and see what some of my friends and family might be able to enjoy (or what I could sneak, then take advantage of when visiting the city in question!)

So lovelies, here we go.  Treats for you, or those on your gift list, wherever they might be.  WagJag, across the country!

In my lovely hometown of Saskatoon, I think my top pick would be the Dermakore Chocolate Therapy Body Kit.  I mean, come on people, pampering and chocolate?  A match made in heaven.

And if I were in Calgary, as we’ve discussed lately, I think I’d be taking advantage of  the On-Site Computer Service from Tech 2 You Computer Solutions.  Some days I just feel like I need a magic wand to wave over my computers.

In Winnipeg, I’d be checking out this photography shoot, hands down. In Edmonton, this pedicure and foot massage package sounds heavenly. In Vancouver, you’d find me out for a three course dinner at Divino Wine Bar.  And my friends in Ottawa, this golf and wine tasting package sounds like a beautiful getaway for you or someone hard to shop for. And oh, Toronto area friends, you can find all kinds of deals depending on where you are located, but from all the spa treats, fitness classes and gift items I think I would choose these cooking classes.  A very cool experience type gift I’d love to receive!

So there you have it!  A little peek at all that WagJag has to offer around the country.  Consider one of the deals for someone on your list (many expiry dates are very generous so you have time to use them after the holidays) or treat your tired self once you are done shopping!  If you want to get to know WagJag better, pop by their Holiday Shoppe and check out their Facebook page.  Watch for details on their Win What You Buy Contest – just click the logo below!

Have fun shopping, wherever you are!

Disclosure:  I am participating in an influencer program with EverythingMom to explore and experience WagJag for the holidays. Although I have been compensated for my time, the opinions expressed are, as always, my own.

Well, it’s that time of year again.  Time to do all my shopping early, get everything wrapped in time to ship by December 1st…wait, what?

Imagine you could go anywhere in Canada…anywhere.  I’m talking about a $10,000 dream Canadian vacation.

Where would you go?

My mind races at the thought.  I love all points east and west and can name off people and places I’d love to see all over Canada.  My love for this country could be measured out by the number of places I’ve lived – add a generous dose of “I’d also like to visit x, y and z” and you have yourselves a true Canadian wanderer.

Born in Ontario, raised in Saskatchewan only to flee to BC, return home, then east to Winnipeg, then back to Saskatchewan and still eyeing tempting possibilities…oh yes we are – stay tuned!  The Mochas are on the move again!

I can’t help it.  I love the cities, the lifestyle, the terrain of so many areas that I can’t help but want to see them all.

What part of our beautiful country fascinates you?  Is there anywhere you’ve always wanted to explore?  A place you want to take your kids?

There is a contest that could help you make that dream come true.  And being the nomad I am, I figured I would share it.

CentrSource has a Dream Big Canada Contest with a grand prize that would put a travel voucher in your hot little hand.  Imagine winning, and getting to choose!  I love the people I know out east, I will always love BC and my friends in Vancouver, but I would be booking tickets for the East Coast and taking my family to all the places I have yet to explore on the Atlantic shore.  Halifax, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador…they all tempt me.

Want to enter the Dream Big Canada Contest?

The grand prize is $10,000 Dream Big Canada travel voucher to go to any dream location within Canada.  And there are 8 weekly secondary draws for $500 gift cards to be won.  Oh, in case you were worried, if you win one of those lovely weekly draws, you are still eligible to win the grand prize.  There are great offers available to you just for entering!

Here’s some of the details you’ll want to know about the Dream Big Canada contest:

• Contest runs October 11, 2011 – December 11, 2011
• Grand Prize $10,000 Canada Vacation Voucher
• 8 weekly secondary prizes of $500 gift cards to be won
• Travel Voucher must be redeemed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2012
• Open to all of Canada including Quebec {age of majority}

Disclosure:  I received compensation for writing this post.  But as always, the opinions on this blog are my own.

Photo credit:  stock.xchg

There are pumpkins everywhere, scarecrows and ghostly creatures share space in each room and I’ve been sneaking Halloween candy for a week.  Fall garlands with orange and red leaves add to the décor, and we are happily immersed in October fun once again.

This year, we’ve added a small fenced in area on the lawn complete with a tombstone and bones, and are having fun juggling spooky and cute decorations.  With a toddler and a seven year old, we need to find a balance!

One of the funny things about being a parent is creating new holiday traditions for your new family while reminiscing about everything that made holidays special when you were a kid.  Somehow I am the grown-up, buying costumes and candy, but I can’t help but remember candy in pillowcases, and the desperate glee of sorting through my haul of goodies.

I might still have that sweet tooth.  Okay, fine, I’m known for it, and even though I’m sneaky, my kids are showing signs of their own.  So we eat lots of healthy, fresh food, brush our teeth often and we’re all the happier for our treats.

We have always purchased and handed out candy, even before having kids.  It just felt like we should get into the spirit of things, and we loved seeing the costumes.  Back then we bought whatever happened to catch our eye for candy, and we always bought lots – heaven forbid we run out!

Then we started our own family, and the first year we took our son trick or treating opened our eyes.  He was just eleven months old, and we took him to the homes of just a few favourite neighbours.  Those neighbours brought their wee ones to our door as well, and we were faced with a quick realization – none of these babies or toddlers had tried nuts, nor did we want them to quite yet.  And while none of them needed more than just a taste of this or that, we figured out a plan.  From then on, we bought candy labelled peanut-free, and prepared little bags ahead of time for the smallest of our visitors.  That way, when they got home, their parents would be able to tell which candy came from us.

Now our kids are older, but new concerns still keep us buying peanut free.  Good friends have kids with allergies, and we figure the least we can do is keep up with the nut-free purchases and make our contributions to the holiday safe for all.

This year, we are taking a trip back down memory lane and have a bowl full of Allan candy to hand out.  It’s funny, I can remember the logo from when we would buy candy as a kid – two “L”s side by side looking like little rabbit ears – remember?  They’ve been around for 77 years, and who doesn’t remember Big Foot candies from when they were kids?  That’s a 25 year old memory, friends.  Very cool.

I’m always happy for the chance to get to know a company better – if I remember a name from when I was a kid, and I know they are peanut-free and made in Canada, you can bet I’m going to feel good about making them part of what we do for Halloween.  And that’s what making new family traditions is all about – careful choices that make the holiday all about what matters to you, your partner and your kids.

Our son has an October birthday, and for the last two years has chosen a Halloween theme for his party.  We love it as it gives us good reason to decorate even more and keep it festive for 2 or 3 weeks instead of just a day.  And loot bags get easier when we make them into little trick or treat bags, complete with a few sweet treats.

Halloween will find us handing out handfuls of candy, one of us heading out with the kids to knock on a few favourite doors.  My husband has plans to add more decorations to the front entry as well as to play spooky music through a nearby window.  Our youngest is turning three next month and this will be the first year she really understands all the excitement.  I can’t wait.

And that stash of Sour Grape Slices in my desk?  It’s all in the name of research, friends, and a sacrifice I’m willing to make.

This will be a fun week for us – hope you are enjoying all your Halloween preparations, and that your candy thieving is stealthy.  If you need some inspiration, I’m available for consultations.

Happy Halloween!

~~~~~

Cool stuff to know:  Allan Candy Halloween treats are all made in Canada and are peanut free – the line-up includes:  Allan Intense Jubes & Jellies, Allan Chewy Rascalz and Allan Fruit Buddies (look for Big Foot, Sour Big Foot, Green Thumbs and Hot Lips, as well as Sour Watermelon Slices, Peach Slices, Sour Cherry Slices, Tangy Wild Strawberries and Sour Grape Slices!)  You’ll find these selections at key retailers, including Wal-Mart and Loblaws.

Disclosure: I am participating in the Allan Candy Company program by Mom Central Canada.  I received compensation for my participation in this campaign.  The opinions on this blog are my own.

It goes without saying that I’m known for having a sweet tooth.  I have a reputation for all the ways I love to add a little sweet goodness to my day…and I can be shameless about it, I’ll admit.

Here’s one secret:  there is no happier magic than the application of heat to something sweet.  For all the goodness that a few simple ingredients hold on their own, there is no end to the delight they could create given a little dose of warmth and the opportunity to melt together into something ridiculously tempting.

So imagine my reaction when I was invited to check out Hamilton Beach‘s new Quesadilla Maker.  I’d already admired its shiny red good looks online, and imagined tasty quick dinners when with a simple suggestion it suddenly all became clear – what if we used it for desserts?

My imagination ran wild.

But first, let’s get the basics out of the way.  Yes, it’s as cute as it looks in the picture.  Yes, it’s as easy as tossing on a tortilla, filling it with whatever you’d like, covering with a second tortilla.  But the trick is in how it seals shut, intensifying the heat and ensuring a perfect melt.  Two minutes later, we’d pop it open and discover our perfectly melted quesadilla inside.  We tried chicken and cheese, then added tomatoes and salsa.  Our six year old decided he wanted to choose his own fillings – and he ate what we made and what he created.  This is a joy to see in any house.  And the next day, our kids asked for more and so our sitter volunteered to use up whatever we had leftover for fillings and she made fresh quesadillas for lunch – a welcome change from their usual sandwiches.

But back to my raging sweet tooth – and our knowledge that further potential sizzled within reach.

First, we kept it simple.  Marshmallows and chocolate chips, then we added a drizzle of butterscotch sundae syrup.

Sliced bananas with chocolate.

Strawberries and bananas, with and without butterscotch (warm strawberries made me feel like I was sneaking bites of homemade jam out of a saucepan.)

All melted together beautifully, all were delicious.  We had the most success with combinations that included something that would melt nicely together for a bit of hold (cheese, marshmallows, chocolate) but even the one I made that fell apart was delicious – just messy.

The recipe book suggests apple pie filling and cinnamon and it’s next on my list (this one makes me drool at the thought of adding a scoop of ice cream).

I also am thinking of a cheesecake we had this week and will be trying cream cheese and strawberries.

*licks chocolate from fingers, continues typing*

Will we continue to use it?  Absolutely.  We made a fast healthy dinner with it, our sitter was able to use it easily for the kids the next day, and oh, people, the desserts we will make.  I’m not one to make time for baking, and hate food projects that take up huge amounts of time.  I loved just tossing a few ingredients together and then enjoying the warm, melty goodness a few minutes later.   It currently retails for $29.99, and for the price, I’d say we’d easily get our money’s worth out of it with just the dinners, or the lunches, or the desserts.  The potential for all three makes this a happy addition to our kitchen.  And cleanup is a snap.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go shopping.  A friend once made me a delicious mango and brie quesadilla with cilantro, and in six years I’ve never thought I would be able to recreate it.

I bet you can guess what I’m having for dinner…

Disclosure:  I received a quesadilla maker from Hamilton Beach to see what sweet creations I might come up with at home.  However, all opinions are my own and as many would readily attest – I’m not easily won over.  ; )

I spent the last two weeks drowning in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.  They are classed as young adult, which I would almost never read, but had seen so many people recommend them that I picked one up out of curiosity. 

It was like diving into a strange, uncomfortable pool of fiction, with every detail meant to jar or upend my thinking.  I couldn’t put them down.  I read them late into the night on a few occasions and couldn’t wait to find out what happened at each turn.  I can’t say I was actually happy reading the books, because they truly did wrench me a few times, but I cannot argue with how much they pulled me in.

I finished the last book, and realized that even a few minutes later, my heart was still beating quickly and my head hurt.  That’s sort of how I read the whole series, and while I’m relieved to be done, secretly I wish there were more to read. 

I tried to describe the plot to my husband, who was instantly horrified and refused to hear more.  This from a man who makes me watch scary shows, gore shows and terrifies me with zombies.  I guess any mention of kids involved in the story was too much for him.  I should have waited for the movies to come out, surely he’d be coaxing me to watch these strange shows. 

I’ll be waiting for the movies to see how they compare.  In the meantime, if you want some futuristic fiction reading that will suck you in, give your stomach twists and generally turn your head inside out, The Hunger Games series might just be for you.

  This was my 5 minute Stream of Consciousness Sunday post hosted by allthingsfadra.com. It’s five minutes of your time and a brain dump. Want to try it? Here are the rules…

• Set a timer and write for 5 minutes only.
• Write an intro to the post if you want but don’t edit the post.  No proofreading or spellchecking.  This is writing in the raw.
• Publish it somewhere.  Anywhere.

(a tale of friendship, hope, determination…and yes, breasts)

Have you ever wondered who your true friends are?

Considered who you could depend on in the ultimate crisis?

Wondered who would have arms outstretched to catch you if the bottom drops out of your world?

I just heard a story that made me really think about friendship, connection, and how sometimes people show you their true hearts.

My cousin Tara is one of five women who have done just that.  Faced with the staggering diagnosis of Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer in their close friend Cherie Metcalfe in 2009, she and her friends rallied around, banded together and decided to kick cancer’s ass.  Together.

The story is heartstopping – the diagnosis came just three days after the birth of Cherie’s son.  Are there any moms or dads reading right now?  Picture yourself holding your baby in your arms, three days old, and imagine someone breaking that news to you.  Tell me it wouldn’t knock you off your feet, steal your breath, your very grip on reality.  Then tell me how determined you would be to move mountains to beat it.  After exhausting her options here in Canada, Cherie was accepted into a clinical trial in California.  The estimated costs of treatment and travel were in the range of $100,000.

Did her girlfriends flinch?  Likely.  Cry?  Perhaps.  But then these women took action.  Their story of community, fundraising, and true friendship can be read in the guest blog post Tara wrote for the Dave Brosha Photography blog.

Make sure you click through, it’s a beautiful photo essay featuring those angels who are making a difference in this story…with a twist.  And it’s as heartwarming as you might expect.  Touching, even.  I know it touched me.  In fact, it moved me to keep looking into their story.  Moved me to join the Facebook group they set up in support of Cherie.

And there’s more.  If you check out the Facebook group, one of the ways they are raising funds to help Cherie is by selling a cookbook they created, called Minivans, Mammaries and Muffintops.

Here’s the lowdown on the book:

If you read through the comments on the Facebook page, you will see comments praising the book as being “amazing, fabulous, wonderful, really well put together” and my personal favourite “Kind of like a LooneySpoons, only dirtier.”

So now it’s moving me to buy cookbooks.  And to write about them, here, providing links to their story, to a story that isn’t over yet.  That’s right, it’s still going on, right now.  Every day that goes by, every donation, every cookbook they sell, every thought or prayer that goes out into the universe in Cherie’s direction, becomes part of the story.  Every person who sends positive vibes, heartfelt prayer or good karma becomes part of the story.

And when I hit publish on this post, when I receive my cookbooks, when I send my very best wishes out to this mama and her friends, I will be part of the story too.

Will you?

Click through the links.  Read the amazing guest post called Angels Everywhere my cousin wrote and see some gorgeous photography, and check out the Facebook group.  And be part of the story in any way you can…either by being a witness to an amazing group of women doing what women do when they are at their best, by sending your thoughts and prayers their way, by donating funds or Aeroplan points, or by ordering copies of Minivans, Mammaries and Muffintops for yourself and/or others you know.

So there’s the story.  Did it move you?  Would you like to be part of it?

If so, get in touch with Tara at tara.marchiori@yahoo.com or the group through the I support Cherie Facebook group.  Or let me know and I’ll make sure you get the information you need.

Thank you so much for reading and being part of just one tiny chapter of this amazing story.

I can’t wait to get my cookbooks!

Catherine Newman’s book Waiting for Birdy has become one of my all time favourite books.  Newman used to write for a magazine I liked called Wonder Time.  I stumbled across this book in the parenting section of my bookstore one day, recognized her name and bought it.  I adore it.  It’s been in my possession for just over a year, and in that time I have read it probably half a dozen times.  As soon as I finished my first read, I set it down, then picked it back up and started rereading.  Yes, it’s that good.

Waiting for Birdy is touching, hilarious, heartbreaking and hysterical all at once.  I laughed out loud and also wiped tears.  Here’s the sort of subtitle from the front cover:  “a year of frantic tedium, neurotic angst, and the wild magic of growing a family.”  It charts the year she was expecting her second child, while raising a toddler-and it hits every note perfectly and honestly.  It’s so well written and witty it would be enjoyed by any reader, but in my opinion the real draw is for moms of one or more kids.  I read this while expecting my second child and the truths written by Newman will knock you flat. 

The inside cover lists her accomplishments at time of printing:  “Catherine Newman is the author of the popular childraising journal, “Bringing Up Ben & Birdy” on BabyCenter.com.  She is a contributing editor for FamilyFun magazine, and her work has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies, including the New York Times bestselling The Bitch in the House and Toddler.  She lives in Massachusetts with her family.”

Reading this book is like having someone see inside my own brain as a parent…and it’s amazing and bizarre all at once.  She writes in the exact romping, leaping, funny yet more than mildly crazy way many of we moms think.  How comforting.

Get it, get it, get it.