Knee Deep in Foreign Waters...

So much change is happening at the moment.  Separation agreements, splitting of assets, selling my home, deciding where to live, buying a new home, organizing activities for the kids in this new city...wherever that may be.  It's all so consuming.  I'm trying to put the positive spin on it for the sake of the kids..."new" house, "new" rooms, "new" school, "new" friends.  But I've acquired a {new} moniker that I haven't quite wrapped my head around yet...

-->  -->  -->  -->  -->  SINGLE mom  <--  <--  <--  <--  <--

I've been single before.  That's not really new.  But I haven't been single in {ages}.  I was a long term relationship kinda gal so after the typical "teenage years boyfriends", I went out with only 3 guys from age 16 onwards.  STBX (soon-to-be-ex) was (obviously) the last one + I started dating him when I was 19 years young.  Add in the part about being a mom now (not to mention the whole 20-ish years later thing) + stepping back into the dating pool is like walking barefoot over hot coals...terrifying, enlightening + thrilling...all at the same time.

The perils of entering the dating world are multifold:

1. At this stage in life, most of my friends are married + are friends with friends that are married who are friends that are married...
2. For some odd reason, taking kids to a bar late at night is socially unacceptable.
3. Finding people to go to the bar with you when you do find an elusive babysitter can be as difficult as...well, refer to #1 {damn married people}
4. Those online dating sites are weird...case in point..."can I see your backstage?" was one message a friend received...{what does that even mean???}
5. Keeping up on current events so you don't seem like a dipwad when meeting someone is hard when you spend your days watching Caillou + Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
6. Those who you are interested in are already taken + those that show interest in you, you aren't attracted to
7. Those awkward moments when you don't know whether to "go for it" or if you're just feeling super lonely...ya...ugh.
8. The kids...yes, I am the {MOMfia}...I will go {ape shit} on you if you try to use the kids to make me like you more, cozy up to my kids + then disappear or do anything remotely asshole-ish around them
9. Have you seen Catfish?  'Nuff said.
10. You must go out all the time looking fabulous...yes, even to the grocery store...yes, to run to the drug store at midnight to get children's Tylenol...you never know who you are going to meet + just your luck that McSteamy will be at the drug store that night you decide to say "fuck it" + head out in your ripped yoga pants, baby throw-up stained shirt + curlers in your hair.

Don't get me wrong, I'm {sometimes} excited about the prospects of being wined + dined...I actually experienced, for the first time, someone holding open the car door for me {yay!}  But I've also been to the same {circus} before + I am {not} interested in playing your carnival games...I'm older, I'm wiser + moms just don't put up with shit.

So, if any potential suitors are reading this...cut the crap...tell me you like me, take me for dinner, hold open doors + be polite...treat me like you'd want someone to treat your daughter...+ maybe we can navigate these rough waters together.
 
I participate in the link parties found HERE

Dreams

When I was thinking about an idea for a post, it came to me in the middle of the night.  You see, friends, I am a vivid dreamer.  I am, one of a few apparently, that has the terrific/horrible ability to remember my dreams.  The one that I had that night was particularly vivid which hasn't happened to me in a while.  I looked up the definition of dream on Wikipedia + found the following:

"Dreams are successions of images, ideas, emotions + sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep."

This dream had everything in it...but the most dynamic portion of the dream was that I was crying throughout it + it was raining.  So I looked up the meaning of both of the DreamMoods website:

"To dream that you are crying signifies a release of negative emotions.  Your dream is a way to regain some emotional balance + to safely let out your fears + frustrations.  In your daily lives, you tend to ignore, deny or repress your feelings.  But in your dream state, your defense mechanisms are no longer on guard + thus allow for the release of those feelings."

"To see + hear rain falling symbolizes forgiveness + grace.  Falling rain is also a metaphor for tears, crying + sadness.  Alternatively, rain symbolizes fertility + renewal."

As I read the meanings, I nodded my head.  That understanding moment when you just {get it}.  All outstandingly fitting...all so true to life right now.  It was still early hours when I awoke.  I hadn't been asleep for more than an hour.  But it resonated...it was {needed}.  I think at that moment, things became more clear...that through the rain + the tears, I could see the sunshine...just slightly out of reach.

I fell back asleep quickly + it was a peaceful sleep.  And I awoke the next morning feeling a bit more rejuvenated + ready to tackle...the early morning rush, the day at work + the wonderful new life that I am about to embrace.

I participate in the link parties found HERE

One Little Word

I discovered this phenomenon last year.  I like it.  I like that it isn't a nagging resolution always whispering in your ear but rather a change in the way you {live}.  That each day could possibly become richer in meaning because of {one little word}.  That I'm not sticking to a goal but rather a {change}...a change in perspective...a change in how I deal with others...a change in myself.

This has been a challenging year.  A life changing year.  A year that required a lot of perspective + reflection.  I'm ready to move forward + I'm {excited} to move on + see what this {new} life has in store for me.  Is it scary as all hell?  Definitely.  But I'm slowly beginning to believe that I am up for it...that I {can} do it.  I'm determined to ensure that clarity is achieved this year in all aspects of my life.  Since such a big chunk of my life + what I thought was important {to} my life became so unclear this past year that I'm intent on visiting {all} aspects of my life + focusing on what is important + what is not.  So there it is...my {one little word} for 2013:

I will focus on the hunt for a new place to live + focus on making it a home for the {littles}.  I will focus on making more time for friends + family in this busy life.  I will focus on spending more time with the {littles}...playing, reading, listening.  I will focus on sharing what I love to do + developing my business further.  I will focus on {me}...making myself wholesome + complete after such a debasing year.  Focus on living my life to its fullest potential.  This year will be a year of change but I will not let it defeat me...in fact, I plan to come through this stronger...as a business owner, as a mother, as a friend but most of all, as me.

To celebrate + to help you on your journeys this year, I've created this free printable to share.  Simply click on the link, print + enjoy:

Live life with focus!

Whatever your resolutions are this year, friends, I hope that you find ease in bringing them into your lives.  Feel free to share yours in the comments section below.
 
I participate in the link parties found HERE

Christmas Musings

Today has been a hard day friends so I thought "why not sit down with a cup of tea + a brownie + let the words escape onto the computer?" so that's exactly what I'm doing.  First things first, how were your Christmases?  My Christmas was good but it was also one that played heavily on my heart for many reasons. 

This was my last Christmas in the Yellow Brick House + I love it so.  This is the home that I brought my baby home to, in happier times, when the Rugrat was a fresh little.  I have so many wonderful memories here + I love the cozy family room with its brick fireplace + the dreams that I had for this house.  Still, I am trying to focus on the positive + am looking forward to moving to a new home + being able to decorate it the way that I want it to be.  I'm dreaming of vintage treasures + a more monocromatic colour scheme.  But it's still with a heavy heart that I know the Christmas tree won't ever have a spot in our gorgeous bay window at the front...I won't look out + see fresh fallen snow on our little bushes anymore.

This was our last Christmas as a "family".  Traditional it wasn't, with everything that's going on, but we were all together.  Christmases will now be dependant on what year it is...whether I have the {littles} on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  And that hurts my heart.  Not because I want our family to be whole again...I'm way past that.  But because I want life to stay as normal as possible for the {littles} + I know it will forever more be changed.  And that hurts my heart.

I thought that I would be the bigger person + insisted to myself that I had to buy STBX (soon to be ex) a gift from the children.  Because that was the right thing to do.  Did we get him much?  No.  But we got him something to open on Christmas morning.  In as much as this whole process has damaged me, I know that it has also made me stronger.  But, damnit, did not another piece of my heart break when he didn't do the same for me.  I would have liked to think that after 11 years of marriage + 16 years together that he would have been more thoughtful.  His excuse was that I was hard to buy for + he promised me money {to which I've seen none but nevermind cause I don't want it thankyouverymuch}.  Thank God for amazing parents who knew that STBX wouldn't come through + bought me two gifts to open from the {littles}.

So, this Christmas has been full of ups + downs, good times + bad times, full hearts + broken hearts.  I'm trying to think of my "word" for 2013 + it's proving to be a difficult one.  Something that I can really sink my teeth into because I need to be uplifted...I crave good in my heart.  I've got a couple more days before I'll tell you what it is which is good because I need that time. 

I hope that you all had good Christmases + that your hearts were full.  Wishing you all nothing but the best for 2013.

I participate in the link parties found HERE

George's Cream Review

You know what I hate?  In the winter when I'm digging on my favourite dark tights or leggings, looking all stylin betty...to look down + find "dandruff" on my legs.  Double ugh.  You know what I'm talking about...that dry flaky skin that actually horrendously makes its way through your tights to tell the World + everyone you work with that you are a scaly freak.  Not so stylin betty.  So let me introduce you to my new BFF:

 

 

 

Who is that guy?  Well, friends, let me introduce you to George.  George Doherty was asked by a dermatologist to make a moisturizing cream that was richer + more moisturizing than other commercially available creams.  His challenge?  Make it with less ingredients (less irritants), no lanolin or urea + fragrance free.  Poor George spent countless nights in his kitchen creating just that.

 

"George's Cream + Moisturizing Lotion were created for lasting dry skin relief.  Although there is no cure for many skin problems, George's provides relief from different types of skin symptomsand conditions.  It works!  That is why it is recommended by dermatologists, pharmacists and physicians.  the therapeutic benefits of George's will provide immense relief for those suffering from many different conditions."

 

I was asked if I would like to receive a sampling of George's Cream to try at home + was then asked to write this review.  I'll be honest...this is my first review + I was a bit skeptical.  What if I hated it?  And let's be real...it would take a miracle to turn this {daily scaly} into a {groovy smoothie}.  I decided that what was best was to ensure that my readers were well informed whether I liked it or not...give the good or the bad.  I have to tell you that I was pleasantly surprised by George's Cream!  I received George's Light Special Moisturizing Cream that I used daily + used on the {littles} after their baths + George's Special Dry Skin Cream that I used on my daughter.  Let me tell you the reasons that George is my new BFF:

 

George's Creams are made in Canada.  Any time that I can support a business based out of my home country, I'm happy.  It's important to sustain businesses based out of our own country to hold up our economy.  And who isn't a sucker for a Canadian success story?

 

"George's products do not contain Urea, Lanolin or Parabens and have been specifically made to be hypoallergenic and fragrance free.  Not tested on animals."  As a mom, these points are important to me.  The Princess is currently undergoing testing for allergies + we're having a hard time finding products that don't make her red, blotchy + itchy.  One of the things that bothers her the most is that her feet become uncomfortably itchy after a bath {any ideas as to why from you, friends, would be helpful!}  I'm happy to report that I put on George's Special Dry Skin Cream after she showered + there was LESS complaining about the itchy feet!  Yay!  It's like the Heavens parted!

 

I've eluded to my OCD tendencies before + applying cream is no different.  Basically, I glob a good amount on my hands + then "dab" apply to each area + THEN rub it in.  Know what I hate?  When I apply it to my legs + put my leg down {to stand on} + it all runs down my leg...ugh.  I'm pleased to say that George's Cream doesn't do this!  They've saved the World!  {Well, maybe not the World but definitely a pet peeve of mine!}  George's Cream is thick but not gooey, sloppy thick.  The "just right" consistency that doesn't run down your leg but doesn't leave you feeling like you're dripping in cream, know what I mean?

 

George's Cream is also very wallet friendly.  Most creams that I've looked at that promise to be urea, lanolin, paraben free, hypoallergenic + fragrance free are super expensive!  As a single mama of two, I'm pleased that George's Cream is affordable + safe enough to use on all 3 of us.

 

It works!  Y'know those not worth mentioning dry skin flakes I talked about earlier?  Using George's Light Special Moisturizing Cream daily, I found that they disappeared + my normally scally, dry, a man wouldn't touch me with a ten foot pole skin has been restored to a soft, healthy, smooth as a baby's bum texture.

 

Needless to say, I'm {very} pleased with the product + would continue to use George's Cream in our household.

 

George's Cream is pleased to now give YOU the chance to win some of their save me from my scaly skin creams!  Enter below for your chance at winning a sampling of their creams to try.  Contest closes on Monday December 10th, 2012.  Please note that this contest is open to Canadian residents only.

 

 

 



a Rafflecopter giveaway

I participate in the link parties found HERE

Dreaming Of...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...{sing along with me!}  Christmas is my very favourite time of the year.  I love the spirit of the season, the excitement of the {littles}, the arrival of our Elf, trimming the tree...everything about it!  Lucky for me, being employed full time means that I have some holiday parties + dinners to attend.  Today, I'm dreaming of these pretty pieces...a gorgeous sparkly outfit with pops of red...perfect for a Christmas party or even New Years Eve:

See the full look here: {ShopStyle}

Tell me friends...do you have a favourite holiday?

I participate in the link parties found HERE

What I Wore #4

Cardigan | T-Shirt {similar} | Jeans | Boots {similar} | Scarf {similar}

I participate in the link parties found HERE