Little Things - Part 3

Another installment of being thankful for the little things, that are really big things when you think about it. 

Singing "O Canada"

On Sunday we celebrated Remembrance Day at church.  We heard the Last Post, had a moment of silence, followed by the Reveille. We had a bagpiper and the choir sang a version of "In Flanders Fields".  Then the congregation sang "O Canada".  The last time I sang our national anthem I was probably at a sporting event, actually yes, it was a Blue Jays game earlier this summer.  Singing the national anthem for a sporting event that isn't the Olympics or other international competition doesn't really make sense to me, but it can be a good feeling when the entire stadium is singing along.  On Sunday, though, it was different.  It was something that truly stood for our nation, while we remembered, and it was therefore all the more meaningful.

Looking for Leaves with E

I raked up several bags of leaves over the weekend, and also walked up the street for groceries.  E was with me for most of this and we collected several leaves that he thought were pretty.  He had me put them in my pocket.  When I lost one of the small ones he said "maybe you should zip up your pocket and then you won't lose it".  Good idea, thanks.

Reading my Abundant magazine

I follow Thrive Moms on Instagram and receive their weekly newsletter (I have also posted about them here).  When I saw they were publishing a magazine, I ordered my copy right away.  It arrived a couple of weeks ago, and I have been waiting for the right time when I could sit down and devour it in one sitting.  That time never really arrived.  On the weekend I realized I probably wouldn't be able to sit and read the whole thing uninterrupted, so I read a bit at a time.  On Saturday evening, I spent a few minutes in the living room polishing it off. It has lovely photographs and inspiring articles.  My favourite section was about Praying for your Family, and provided some actual prayers to use.  

Friday Favourites

Linking up with Andrea, Erika and Narci for Friday Favourites.

What I'm loving right now:

The Bay (which is our national department store) carries a ton of dresses, almost too many. I needed a fancy dress for an event we are going to tonight.  I got a long green one, and I also got a black and white one for work.  I can't find any pictures of these dresses and I'm too lazy to go upstairs and snap a photo right now.  I'll share them on another day.

I promise this won't turn into a Justin Trudeau fan blog, but I am so excited about this new government.  This week he was officially sworn in as Prime Minister and he appointed his new cabinet ministers.  I reposted the post below showing the make up of our new government.  What an amazing group of people who will be running our country.

(and the best thing is when a reporter asked Justin why he felt gender parity was important, he shrugged and said "Because it's 2015".  Well played.)

I scan all of the radio stations when I'm in the car so I can listen to Taylor Swift's Wildest Dreams.  The video is equally as great.  You're welcome.

Our basement renos have begun.  Dave and his dad have started to take down some walls.  This little guy also had to get in on the action. When they went downstairs to start working, E ran upstairs to get his "work clothes" (an old pair of pyjamas) so he could help.

Face mask, safety first.

Yesterday I posted about my favourite Arbonne gifts for people on your Christmas list.  May as well start shopping now!

Hockey Wives on the W Network has started again.  A few people from last season, but also some new faces.  It's still not available in the US though.

Happy Friday!  

(I'll be spending my weekend raking leaves I think, and so it begins...)

Ready to start Christmas shopping?

I haven't done an Arbonne themed post in awhile, but since the holidays are approaching, I thought now would be the perfect time.  There are so many good reasons to start your shopping now - it spreads out your costs, so your December credit card bill isn't humongous, you have less to do in the weeks leading up to Christmas, you can start gift wrapping now, and if you're buying from Arbonne, you get to avoid the shops altogether and wait for your items to arrive at your door.

Arbonne has gifts for everyone on your list, I'm serious.  You can buy for your family and close friends, but also teachers, assistants, babysitters/nannies, or hostess gifts.

And if you are a Preferred Client, not only do you save 20% on all of your orders, if you spend more than $300.00, then you get to choose $150.00 worth of products for $30.00, so you could buy even more gifts (or just get stuff for yourself, I won't tell).  Also depending on how much you buy, there are options for "Purchase with Purchase" items, where you can buy travel sized items that also make good gifts.

Here are some ideas for you, but feel free to browse the website.  I'm always happy to answer questions or give specific suggestions.  If you would like me to send you a catalogue, let me know.

For the women in your life:

Hair Masque - the smell of this product alone is enough reason to buy it, but it also makes your hair so nice.  I use it about once a week. 

Make Up Primer - I wear this under my make up everyday, and it helps it from rubbing off throughout the day.

FC5 Set - these can also be purchased separately.  This is the line I use, cleanser, day cream and night cream.  Light, smells nice, and affordable.

For the men in your life:

RE9 Advanced for Men Set - these can be purchased separately.  Men love this shaving cream, and the soap, aftershave, and lotion are equally amazing. 

For Kids and Teens:

Super Chews  - these are basically just vitamins, and are recommended for kids aged 4 to 18.  

Baby Care Set - Okay, you're child may not be over excited to open up shampoo and body lotion for Christmas, but these are lovely products.  Just because they say "baby", the lotion, shampoo/body wash, and sunscreen can be used by older kids too, E uses them.

For Teachers, Assistants, Nannies, etc.

Foaming Sea Salt Scrub - Everyone likes the feeling of a spa.  This product is great for the bath or shower, particularly if you're feeling sore or tired.

Ultra-Hydrating Hand Cream - This is a well priced product, with a mild scent.

Cooling Foot Cream - A nice relaxing product that anyone would enjoy.

Shea Butter Pomelo Grapefruit Hand Lotion - this is a special holiday item, only available now, in limited quantities.  

I will be putting in an order soon, so if you're interested in starting your shopping, please let me know.  If you live local, I can deliver it to you.  If you live fair away, I can send it to you.  Remember in order to take advantage of savings and special offers, you should sign up as a Preferred Customer, now is the time!  You just need my Arbonne ID code 116201315.

Remember Arbonne is Pure Clean and Beneficial.  You will feel good about buying these products for your family and other people that you care about.

Media Wednesday

We are nearing the end of our book club year.  We read our second last book this month, The Paying Guests, by Sarah Waters.

I feel like I say the same thing about my book club books each month - it was alright, but I didn't love it.  It was the same this time.  This book started out really slowly, and although it did pick up in the second half, it was still not that great.  I felt like the story line was so predictable, even though the author tried throwing something unexpected into the plot.  I think she wanted us to be surprised, maybe even shocked, at this plot twist, but it didn't really do anything for me. Maybe if I had read this book years ago (although it was only published in 2014) then I would have been more scandalized, but this stuff is pretty mainstream now. 

I also felt that the plot devices were tired, I could have almost written the same story.  The writing and descriptions of things were good, and reminiscent of the time period in which the story is set (1920s England).  I was sort of expecting more Downton Abbey, and there was a bit of that port-war atmosphere, but my Downton desire was not satisfied.  

I had no real sympathy for the characters.  There were aspects of them that were likeable, but overall, I almost felt they got what they deserved.  

I don't think I would recommend this book - you can do better.

See our past selections here:

Any Known Blood

We are Water

The Shock of the Fall

A House in the Sky

Beat the Reaper

The Kitchen House

Gone Girl

A little note about A House in the Sky.  I went to see Amanda Lindhout speak last week at a Women of Influence event.  I really enjoyed it.  I wasn't sure what to expect of her.  I had mixed feelings about the book, and about her, but I think I'm a fan now.  It is pretty amazing that she has been able to recover from her time in captivity, and thrive.

Show and Tell Tuesday

Linking up with Andrea for Show and Tell Tuesday

Today I am showing and telling you about a day in my life.  I have done these posts before, but this time it's for a link up.  This was my day yesterday.

I haven't done any exercise for the month of October, after I completed my summer running habit, then we went to Spain and after that I felt like I was still trying to get into a routine.   On this day I decided to start exercising again, so I set my alarm for 5:45 and headed down to the basement to work out. 

My mat, weights and ball.  

E woke up when I was getting up and although Dave tried to get him to stay upstairs, he followed me to the basement.  He didn't really prevent me from doing my exercises, but I probably didn't do as well as I could have if he wasn't there.  Oh well, at least I was doing something, and he was good company.

Then I went upstairs to make coffee, shower, register E for Senior Kindergarten French Immersion, and make breakfast (English muffins with egg and cheese, and mango on the side).  

I drove E to school.  It was cool in the morning but then warmed up to be quite pleasant for the rest of the day.

I had a pretty busy day at work.  I am involved in a big deal that is closing on Thursday so I spent most of my day sorting through our closing documents, making minor revisions, and then collecting the originals to send to the lawyers for the other side.  I managed to work on a few other files, and I also remembered to book our annual visit to see Santa at Sherway Gardens.  It costs $15.00 to spend about 45 minutes with Santa and other children at the mall.  He plays some games, sings some songs and reads a book to the children.  Then parents can take their own photos. 

Sorting papers

At lunch I enjoyed some leftover chicken curry and read my book club book in my office. 

I left work early so I could pick up E to take him to his first dentist appointment.  He was a champ, was very well behaved, sat still for the x-rays, and kept his mouth open for the cleaning and exam.  He does have a small cavity in his molar where two of his teeth are closer together than the other ones.  We'll take him back in a couple of weeks to get that fixed. 

Although we had supper planned, because we were a little later leaving the dentist than expected, we decided to go to our neighbourhood pub for $10 pitchers and $6 appetizers instead.    

E's two trucks that he got from the dentist's treasure chest because he was so good they said he could take two treats.

E playing Golden Tee at the pub

Family selfie!

After we got home, I did up a few dishes, made lunch for E and me for the next day, and did a load of laundry while Dave put E to bed.  Then I blogged and continued to read my book club book.

Thanks for visiting the blog today!!

Weekend Recap

We had a great weekend celebrating Halloween and enjoying some warmer than normal temperatures.  On Friday night after work, E and I went to the grocery store to pick up some candy.  Then after supper we set to work on carving our pumpkins.  I don't have much of an imagination on my own when it comes to carving pumpkins (I can usually only think of triangle eyes and nose, and toothy grin), so for the past couple of years I have found a design online and used a stencil.  This year I found a Frankenstein and a skeleton hand. 

On Saturday morning we did some stuff around the house (I put away our sandals and brought down the winter boots and some coats); Dave started to prepare the basement for being gutted, which is happening later this week.  Then I took most of my suits to the dry cleaners, and some boots and shoes to the cobbler.  E had Sportball and we had thought it was "Bring your Parent Day" but it wasn't so Dave walked up to meet me for an impromptu brunch.  

How cute is this?

All of my favourite things - bagel, cream cheese, smoked salmon and poached eggs. 

Then we picked up E and drove to Oakville for a birthday party.  It was held at an indoor playground so I didn't get many photos of E since he was on the move for most of the party.  I did get this one of him waiting for the cake. 

As if Sportball and a birthday party wasn't enough excitement, then we had to come home to get ready for Halloween.  I made Baked Chicken Tacos for supper.  Then we got Rubble ready for trick or treating.  It was actually quite warm out for a late October night, so E was fine in just his fleece. 

Dave took E around and met up with some friends. I stayed home to give out the treats (and drink wine and read my book).  We had 50 kids this year which is more than last year.  E was still pretty excited when he got home, but we watched a bit of Harry Potter and then he pretty much went right to bed.

I sorted the candy.

Sunday was a lovely day.  Dave went for a run and snapped the photo below on the trail that runs along the Humber River.  You'd never know you were in the middle of the city.

While he was running, E and I were planning our suppers for the week.  I told him to pick something from this cookbook but unfortunately he only picked things that go in the slow cooker.  Since my slow cooker is broken I couldn't take his selections. 

After church and lunch, we went to the park, and then I got my nails done.  

Truck race down the hill

This was actually a slow cooker recipe but I modified it to our oven.  It was very tasty, and better still, enough leftovers for my lunch tomorrow.

Sunday evening was spent watching the Raptors and the Packers.  We also worked on our photo wall in our dining room.  Bring on November!