My Cause

If you know me chances are you already know my cause. Rain or shine each year (usually rain!) we take part in the Multiple Sclerosis walk for the cure with Marty's MomValerie who was diagnosed with MS in 1975.

She had an incredibly fascinating upbringing as the daughter of an Australian Ambassador who was born in New York and lived in Australia & Vietnam traveling the world brushing arms with a prestigious political community.

She was a model, a gymnast and swam in the Pan Am games. She is incredibly strong making life friends wherever she goes and will never let this horrible disease get her down. She is a role model for everyone around her and keeps us strong with the beauty of her bright smile and positive selfless attitude.

She is one of the sweetest ladies I have ever met and I know her joy is Marty, Tiina and her family being around her. If there is anything I can do to help it's to raise money, in honour of Valerie, with hopes of finding a cure for this disease and the families that have been affected by it. The MS walk is hosted by the MS Society of Canada that provides tremendous support for those of the community with Canada having the highest rate of MS in the world. They also fund one of the only pediatric MS clinics for the rare cases of children as young as two years old being diagnosed.

I know everyone has their own cause that is close to their heart and for that reason I hesitate soliciting sponsors, but if you are able please visit my personal walk page to help support our "Val's Pals" team in the 2008 walk. Your pledge is greatly appreciated and means so much to Marty's Mom and our family. Thank you!

https://msofs.mssociety.ca/2008Walk/Sponsor.aspx?&PID=985281&L=2

When bad bathing suits happen to good people

Guilty of#4............................................Guilty of #9.........................Guilty of #8

After all the time I have spent on the beach in my days I am beginning to wonder about some obviously bold choices that are happening when people run away from their lives to tropical destinations.

I have a few questions to ask about 1/3 of the tourists who walked the beach in Cayman over the past week: Is there a shortage of mirrors on the island? Is bathing suit material slowly becoming extinct? Did you forget to pack your "good" suit and were forced to buy something 5 sizes too small in the hotel gift shop? Is your husband wearing your bikini bottom?

I have come to realize that people really must not care about what they look like in a bathing suit. I am by no means implying that I have a beach ready body (Lord knows I'm trying very hard to improve it) but I would like to at least think I know how to cover up my lumps, bumps and jiggly bits in respectable beach attire.

The offenders - You know who you are. I would like to address the top ten beach no-no's:

1) The "Itsy bitsy teeny weenie Grandma bikini" - yes, that is correct, I said Grandma. When I think of a Grandma I think of a sweet lady who likes tea, cookies and housecoats - not an outrageously scandalous bikini that doesn't support in the right places. Granted some Grandma's today look pretty good so please use the bikini at your own discretion

2) The "Hairy Scary" - Is that guy wearing a sweater on the beach? He must be hot...oh wait...that's not a sweater. Okay - let's take it upon ourselves to notice when it might be time to book that esthetics appointment so you are not scaring little ones on the beach

3) The "Is that person a local?" - How is it humanly possible that some people can tan themselves chocolate brown? Not to generalize but have you ever noticed it's usually someone who also might receive the seniors discount at the movie theatre? And why are they wearing Richard Simmons workout shorts? I don't get it

4) The "Banana hammock" - Please, Please...just say no - especially to the high cuts

5) The "Euro" - This was a name we collectively though of for those tight boy short bathing suits. The #1 offender was white as snow, looked like he was from Europe, didn't speak English and had a Burberry check print suit on. I'll never look at Burberry the same

6) The "Is she or isn't she" - Is that a baby bump, a post baby bump or did you just have a burger? Please avoid some possible awkward conversation moments and choose your suit wisely!

7) The "Cheek Eater" - I have never seen anything like it. It wasn't a thong and it wasn't a full bum but it certainly looked like she was going to have a hard time getting it off

8) The "Bring back the 80's multi-layer look" - I saw a lady wearing a beach cover up, water shoes and a neon pink wet suit vest over top, complete with visor. Her husband was also appropriately paired with a neon yellow t-shirt and shorts. Apparently the last time they were on the beach was in 1989

9) The "Please don't jump up and down" - I realize that you don't want tan lines but do you know they actually have very supportive strapless bathing suits?

10) The "Metallic Lover" - There is a time and a place for everything and the beach is no place for metallic

There we have it. Just my opinion - not intended to offend anyone - just to create an awareness of avoiding as much visual pollution as possible while on the beach! Thank you for your time.

The Simple Things

Last night on my way home from Cayman I was part of a magical moment. I made two little friends on the plane - Sophie (5) and Ally (8). It was not only their first trip off the island but also their first time seeing snow. I remember them from the airport before we boarded - they were the only two kids with toques and scarves paired with their flip flops...so excited at every mention of the flight to Toronto over the speakers.

The entire flight they were talking about what it would be like to see the snow as their Dad told them stories of the city where he grew up. As we touched down Ally claimed she saw “magical mountains of white fluffy snow” while Sophie tried to push her aside to get a peek. Then the little ones lit up as the flight attendant announced "Welcome to Toronto - A special welcome to our little friends Sophie and Ally who are seeing snow for the first time" - everyone on the plane clapped so loud and long. I couldn't stop smiling at these little girls who were experiencing one of the happiest moments of their lives.

It's the simple things we take advantage of sometimes. Even when I was coming home from a warm place that feels like heaven to me, I couldn't help but have a new appreciation for the cold white stuff I usually try and avoid!

So long Christmas...hello yucky long boring winter days

Well, it's official - I'm sad. Being someone who typically celebrates Christmas for 25% of the year it's almost traumatizing for me to have to pack up the Christmas decorations... again! An even more traumatic experience was getting into my car on boxing day morning to hear regular music on 97.3...come on! Who is in charge of this? Can we please have a bit of a weaning off period between December 26th and January 1st where you play Christmas music perhaps for half day or something? Speaking of painful experiences has anyone taken a look at price tags after Boxing Day on Christmas paraphernalia you bought before the holidays? All I have to say is that Mr. Pottery Barn and his distant cousin Mr. Holt Renfrew should take up residence in the local hoosegow. Shame on you people....shame on you!

I'm very disgraced to report that yes, I was one of the crazy folk who ventured out to Sherway December 26th in search of an ivory velvet Christmas tree skirt. My experience was not great! Babies crying, merchandise flying up in the air, people pushing - Wow! Not to mention ridiculous lines for unsuspecting stores - the teeny bopper/Mom combos formed a line for Abercrombie about eight stores up. Even my Mom was flabbergasted and said she would rather go back when the sale wasn't on and pay full price then stand in that line for an hour - for what? To buy a pint sized shirt and meet "Jake" - who is actually a perfume they unwillingly spray on you as soon as you step foot in the front door? If my kid was waiting in that line she best have been saving her money for the year and planning to drop some big ones!

Anyway, I'm sad that Christmas is over but Happy to start a New Year.

What would make my New Year even happier? If all the snow, slush and cold weather would just leave as fast as the Christmas tunes on Boxing day. I find January - March a bit yucky and miserable but as quickly as time seems to be going the past little while I'm sure it will be over before we know it! Luckily I have a few trips down to Cayman planned during that time to help me get through it!

My Christmas was great as usual - It's such a special time with family and friends. We had a very generous delivery from Santa that was greatly appreciated, a wonderful dinner from chef Marty and the much anticipated arrival of our beautiful future god daughter Charlotte Rose Cichy on Boxing Day. We spent New Years up at the cottage where we continued with the great company and endless food accompanied by some extreme guitar hero and singsong (80's version) on PS2. I have actually come to appreciate Caribbean Queen...you go Billy. There were definitely a few surprise stars among our group. I'm not sure I would buy their album (sorry guys)

but let's just say they had some interesting techniques (i.e. British accents where they were not necessary) and managed impressively high scores - you know who you are! Surprise, Surprise...turns out my new camera has a video feature....we'll talk later.

With all the goodies I had consumed over the holidays I decided it would be appropriate to sign up for the intense 2 week, 6 session bootcamp which I'm mid-way through with Maggie. Contrary to previous postings I have grown quite fond of the workout and even made a mention on her main web page! http://www.sandrasbootcamp.com/index.html I'm going to keep working at it for the next few months and see what happens but I'm almost half way to my goal! Yippee!

Happy New Year!

PS my mom got me a white Christmas apron with Holly all over it – since it’s name appropriate I’m sort of feeling like I could get away with this one year round to spread a little cheer when baking anytime and not just during the holidays – what do you think? Am I pushing it?