Whine and Wine on a Friday

Oh, what a day.  I'm like a broken record, really, when I talk about how lucky I am to have such wonderful babies.  But it's on a day like today that I realize how lucky.  I mean, they are almost 15 months old and this week was the first week that I REALLY had to deal with a child with a cold. 

Thank friggin' gawd.

Today was particularly trying, as both girls seemed out of sorts and neither were on the same page at the same time (which makes for a particularly crusty mommy).  Alex, still sick, wanted LOTS of sleep and when up was at best unpredictable, alternating between laughter and inconsolable tears.  Hailey, perhaps feeling sickness coming on (?) was irritable, didn't nap well, was a picky eater and just generally wanted a lot of attention.  *As an aside, I chose today to get us all out of the house for a little trip to IKEA.  Ha!  SMRT.

In any event, 5pm hit, and upon return from work, husband was hit at entry with the dulcet tones of whining, whimpering, full-on temper tantrums and other fun.  An early bath, early bottles, and both were put down to bed, also early.  They didn't go to SLEEP early, mind, but Mommy and Daddy had other plans.

BBQ filet mignon, and a WONDERFUL bottle of wine. Seen here:

Yes.  This is what we used to do before our wonderful, blessed additions arrived.  Felt like old times.  Except, of course, for the monitor that showed several decibles of sound were coming from the bedroom. I say showed because the volume was muted.

The wine was velvety, jammy, earthy with dark cherry, a hint of anise. 

New Gig - Come join in the convos!

So I have some kewl news, everyone.  I've got a second Twitter account! 

Well, not REEEEALLY.  It's more like I'm part of a great team of people, and I'll be sending out tweets through their account - you know, stuff I already tweet about. Like what's happening in Ottawa. Or where to take your family for a great activity. Or where the best sale is on awesome gear. Or what a brutal, tough day  I have had.  Or hilarious things our babies do.  And mostly, I'll be chatting with you.

Basically, I'm just going to be myself, and I want you to join me.  I'll be tweeting on UsedOttawa, which I am sure you ALL know is a great site to buy and sell cool, useful or just random stuff, right?  (As an aside, it's a Canadian company - like - NOT owned by Google. #justsaying)

... and come to think of it, it's January, and we've been purging around here lately. I guess I'll also be posting some stuff for sale soon too. But I digress...

So how is this gonna work? Well, you will know the tweets are mine because my initials will be attached to all my tweets, but my partner in crime, Jordan, is pretty darn interesting too, as is Jennifer, a VERY old (we won't really go into how old, kay?) friend from high school in Winnipeg who is one of the big brains at the head office of UsedEverywhere in Victoria, BC.  (You didn't even know this about me, right?  Yes, I am a military brat who spent the better part of her high school years in the 'Peg. The rest? Well, I was in Goose Bay, Labrador, and then many many other temporary 'homes'.  Yeah.  Exactly. Explains so much, right?)

So.  Come join the convos.  See if you feel like following the Used tweets, and be sure to say hello and let us know if there's something cool we should share with other tweeps in Ottawa. I'm excited...

2012 - The Year of Positivity

In a recent blog post on Losing it in Ottawa, I talked about next year not in terms of losing weight, but in terms of fixing my inner voice; my attitude. I am simply tired of the constant stream of self-criticism I put myself through.  I want to see how I end up looking on the outside when I fix what's going through my head (and coming out of my mouth, and showing on my face, and being illustrated by my body language, etc.) and focus ONLY on that.

And frankly, I want to see if I can become one of those people about whom others say, "She's the type of person who can never say a bad thing about anyone else!" and who simply chooses to be an optimist.  I generally feel I am already optimistic, but, you know....we could all improve, right?

I'm not one for resolutions. I kindof started my new attitude about 3-4 weeks ago, when I embraced the Christmas season and stopped trying to drag myself out to the pool or the gym or whatever just to feel more stressed and put aside all the other things I wanted to get done. Now, granted, I DID feel less stressed, but I did NOT make positive choices.  And that's fine.  For the holidays.

And now, as 2012 approaches, it's time.  Time to accept myself, live life as fully as possible, have fun and see what happens when I value myself, value my wonderful life and girls and husband, and just LIVE.

How does that sound to you?  Are you changing your approach at all this coming year?

I do still love you. And I miss you. I'll be back soon.

Ode to my beautiful blog.  I have so much to say, and no time to say it...for the moment.  The girls' first birthday has come and gone, and Christmas preparations are well underway.  A lot to talk about.  I'll be back soon.  I promise.

In the meantime, a few recent photos....