The number one question I get in my parent workshops on bullying and Internet safety is how to effectively control the amount of time kids spend online. From the time they are old enough to swipe their sticky baby fingers across a touchscreen straight on through high school, parents worry that way too much time is spent in front of the screens of various devices.
This month I took on the gargantuan task of giving up mascara. Ok, that may be a slight overstatement, but as I mentioned in my original Year of Living Freely post, this was the one I was most afraid of.
Ever heard that expression....want to get something done, ask the busiest person in the room? 
It's true. And I hate it.
Our Answer: YES!
Photo by: Vicky Doodles[/caption]
As you may already know, November is also fondly known as Movember; the month of awareness for prostate cancer. Although this topic may appear to be of interest to men only, I can assure you that as a nurse and woman having seen men very close to me (my dad at age 65 and life partner at age 52) diagnosed and treated for this disease, I find the subject just as important to women who have men they care for in their life.
All my single ladies... All my single ladies!!! Really... who needs a relationship when you can buy your dream home on your own? I’ve met many buyers in my career and as a busy real estate broker; one of the thing I’ve always admired was the single ladies buying their dream homes on their own. I bought my first condo at 24 years old. It was my first foray into real estate. I got a two bedroom, one bath, 700 sq.ft. condo near the Plateau. It did have paper thin walls, but the location was amazing and the potential to renovate was better. It was steps from Sherbrooke Street and six blocks from the Main. It was my first big investment and when I sold it a couple years later, I made enough money to start my real estate portfolio - but I digress...
EGGPLANT MANICOTTI WITH RICOTTA, ASIAGO AND PARSLEY FILING: VEGETARIAN DELIGHT! Eggplant. Really, what a terrible name you were saddled with. And what an identity crisis! To have an alter ego…the aubergine - which sounds exotic, foreign and sophisticated!! It’s a lot to contend with. The good...
Where to start in regards to month two of my self-imposed challenge – with the bad news, the good news, or the better news? The good news is I’m still coffee free and I’m feeling great about it. The better news is I’ve decided to recommit to another month (at least) of being gluten free. The bad news is that I was not as successful as I aimed to be with being gluten free the month of August. Of 31 days in the month, I had gluten about ten times. Given the numbers, some would say I did pretty well, and as much as I aim for 100%, the few times I slipped the underlying factors were because I was simply unprepared and I needed compassion. Sound like excuses? I agree, so please read on.
Yours truly a whopping 80 lbs heavier!!! A little younger too ;)[/caption]
When I used to think of circuit training I would picture myself almost twelve years ago trying to lose some of the 80 lbs (yup 80!! ) I gained during my pregnancy with my daughter - at Curves going around the circle, dancing on the platform - in between strength exercises. It helped me get started and get moving again. Now my circuits are a little more intense but the basic idea is still the same.
I've been 2 weeks on the job... and I want a raise. Of course, this is volunteer work, so that means extra sprinkles on an ice cream sundae... if I'm lucky!
