why I stopped blogging

It has been almost two years that I have not blogged.

There are several reasons why I stopped:

-It is time consuming. It is like having another job.  Especially when I was doing a blog a day.

-At times I am not living in the moment.  I am thinking "what from this event will I blog about...do I have a good pic to go with it?

-people used my blog to keep in contact with me.  And I guess this is true now more than ever with social media but I resented the fact that they knew what I was up to yet I had no idea about them...and there was no reaching out to get in contact unless I was doing it

-originally I was hoping I could earn funds doing it ( YMC  YummyMummyClub  I got paid...once )but realised that the genre changes quickly and I am no computer geek/savant so it is now like a photo album/virtual scrapbook for all our memories

-Am I too open? I always claim I wear my heart on my sleeve but my life has many people in it who get pulled into my blog.  I also share stories that can be very"open" PPD  becomes more like a Dear Diary...

-Apple iPhone stopped supporting the Blogger app.  I can no longer blog via my phone, so now it takes writing my posts in my Notes then emailing them to myself and then cut and pasting them into Blogger on my Chromebook or laptop (again there maybe a faster way but I am not knowledgable...)

My Secret Beneath

My Secret Beneath: Men's Briefs

Men's Underwear are More Comfortable Than You May Think!

by Robyn Smith

I wear men's underwear.  Only two people know this secret; my husband and my coworker. 

And now you. 

I'm not talking about a pair of men's boxers worn to bed at night, but men's tightie whities worn during the day. Although I actually prefer coloured as opposed to white. This is not so shocking as a man wearing women's panties; right? Or is it? Are you disgusted or revolted?

Why Men's Underwear?

It began during my first pregnancy when I discovered they covered my expanding belly and the ample rear I had developed. Truth be told, my backend has always been ample which could be why I continued wearing the underwear after my pregnancies.  And for the record, no my husband and I do not share the underwear, he just happened to buy some that did not fit right for him and now they are mine.

Here is why I continue to wear them:

The briefs cup my cheeks ever so nicely and because they fit provide such a nice fit under my cheeks, I have no panty lines. This makes them great to wear with athletic pants.  And as a mom I spend a lot of time in athletic wear even when I'm not working out.

They are thicker; so they add a little more warmth when needed during the winter months.

Along with the coverage and warmth; they are oh so comfy; especially when you are relaxing at home after a hard day of work.

Is wearing men's briefs for everyone?  No, probably not. If you enjoy your g-string and thong; then don't try them. While I can't wear briefs with all my pants, I have worn them under a skirt. I have even thought of submitting a more girly; sexy design to a major Canadian athletic company for other women who wear briefs beneath.

Even after announcing my secret to the world, I will probably continue to wear men's underwear but at the same time, in the back of my mind, I always wonder what would happen if I got in an accident and they had to cut my clothes off.  What would they think?

But then I remember the old adage and know that it doesn't matter...so long as they're clean.

 

Farewell Lulu:(

Previously I blogged about my addiction to Lululemon.  

http://duhparenting101.blogspot.ca/2013/08/lululemon-lover.html

Well recently I sold some of my Lulu...

I took eight Lulu items to Rikochet Resale on Strandherd Rd. They accepted five items.  They had a promotion going on for Lululemon clothing, where it was a 60/40 split in which I earned 60% of the sale!  Normally it is the opposite, 40/60 split, you would earn 40% of the sale.  

You register with the store then you get a card to scan to keep track of your sales.  I went back a week later and I earned $63 with the sale of three items.  

They are very selective but do have a lot of nice name brand items.

Definitely some competition for Act 2, the other consignment shop in Barrhaven on Fallowfield Rd.

Never say never

Back in university, I was in a car accident and the truck I was in rolled.  I was not seriously injured, just a little sore.  The driver of the vehicle, my roommate, went to a chiropractor.  He was a friend of ours.  I did not go see him.  I was nervous and afraid to be "cracked".  I would never go, I could never relax enough in order to be "cracked".  All I'd known was stories of people being cracked and then ended up seriously injured.

Over the past two years, I have dealt with lower back pain.  Actually it was more pain in the hip area on the left side.  Related to running, I wasn't sure?  But when it was present it stayed for up to a week varying in intensity and radiating along my lower back, into my bum and sometimes a little down my leg.  At times, it could be shooting pain and other times just a constant soreness.  I would live on ibuprofen, that would take the edge off.  I also tried to deal with it by putting a hot water bottle or heated rice pack on it or soaking in a hot bath. These all helped a little.  Then all of a sudden it would be gone...

I thought it could be related to running on uneven pavement or stress or my period or even that I had one leg slightly shorter than the other.  For the latter, I had the kids pulling on my left leg in attempt to realign my two legs.  I also stretched and stretched and stretched.  At one point, I had my niece walk on my back.  She is two and a light weight so that really had no effect:(

I tried massage therapy a couple of times but never felt it really got to the problem nor relieved it completely.

So I Google diagnosed myself.  Put in my symptoms, at this point thinking I had arthritis in my hip (I had a wee bit of it in my left index finger awhile back reminder I am no Dr. and had no idea if they were related: index finger arthritis and hip pain?). Well after googling, I feared in the end I would need a hip replacement!  When telling my friend (Dr;) Michelle, she said it might be bursitis.  After meeting with my family doctor, she agreed it could be bursitis and said I would need physio.  

My bro in law, works with a chiropractor who uses active release, massage and he had a great introductory package...so I went and he too agreed it was a bit of bursitis plus my hip and leg bones rubbing together (eek) and muscle tightness.  I told him right away that I was scared to be "cracked".  He told me he would examine me and that there would be no snap, crackle, pop that day.

On my second visit, the Dr explained again what was going on and then he said he would adjust me!?! Whoa! Didn't that mean getting cracked? I didn't really focus on this.  We continued to discuss what was happening but now I was lying on his special table and I assumed he was still examining, trying to figure out exactly what was going on.  Ahh but he knew what was going on and while I was on my right side...

HE CRACKED ME!

I yelled out.  The crack and my yell were about the same loudness. Loud!

Then I started to laugh

And laugh.

I was embarrassed and stunned that he actually did it.

I was also given stretches to do at home.  And guess what?  I am feeling sooo much better.

I have been again and was cracked again, despite being worried that I would be so nervous and tense that again there would be no cracking but the Dr. was able to do it.

The Chiropractor, is Jeff Lowthian.

www.trinitychiro.ca

My lesson learned: never say never

Groupon Quepons

The kids and I are all set for some fun adventure because of some great deals I found on Groupon!

For Mama's Day we went to Colour Me Mine:

We painted measuring cups:) it was Mom's choice. So practical.

I have to say I wouldn't go back.  Even with the Groupon deal my four measuring cups cost $50+ but it was made priceless because we did it for Mom's Day and the cups turned out really nice.

For this summer we have Groupons for:

2 coupons for Jenda Paddlesports, one full day kayak rental (which includes two seater kayaks)

www.jenda.com

Two coupons for Camp Fortune Ziplining three hrs for two people 

www.campfortune.com

A family coupon for Saunder's Country Critters, Munster

www.saunderscountry.com

Two coupons for two adults for a tour of the Bonnechere Caves

www.bonnecherecaves.com/

I can't wait to do these with the kids.

Adventure awaits this summer!

Don't put it on your toast!!!

Each year in my class we have to come up with a gift for the mamas for Mother's Day... This year we made body butter:)

I found this Pin:

But so you don't have to go look it up this is how you make it:)

You need:

1 cup coconut oil

An essential oil (add as much as you'd like to scent your butter). 

1 tsp vitamin E oil (optional)

Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat together for 6-7 minutes on high.  A Kitchen Aid mixer works best but you can use a hand held mixer too.

It should whip up and become light and frothy.  Store it in an airtight container.  It will melt when it makes contact with your skin but rub in nicely.  Not too greasy:). It may harden after time but still can be used.  If it becomes too liquidy you can put it in your fridge.

Miss Robyn's Version

For my trial batch, before making it with my class, I used 1 cup of coconut oil but for the scent I used vanilla you would bake with (a capful).  I didn't use any vitamin E.

I love it!!! Literally you could eat it...

Have fun with it;)

Why not?

I have purple hair.

It isn't my entire head but a select few highlights and tips.  Thanks to my hair designer Manon.

Yes she bleached the pieces/parts first and then I have been maintaining the purple using Manic Panic.  I just retouched it last night and it looked a bit like the murder scene of Barney.  Hey I only had one glove so managing this way lead to a few spills and drips.  Thank goodness for bleach and yes my other hand by the end was purple:p

See it is subtle.  Some see it, some say it is blue and some might even ignore it:0)

Why do I do it? Why not!  It doesn't hurt anyone!

And it can always be changed back:) or a new colour introduced once the purple fades away.  Hmmmmm a whole rainbow to choose from and summer is coming...

Forty onederful

I turned 41 today!

Here are forty one things I plan to do this year:

Skydive (booked and ready)

Bungee Jump

Zip line with B&D

Go to the CN Tower

Visit Tremblant

Win my triathlon 

Figure out what I want to be when I grow up

Fall in love

Get stronger

Be healthier

Be smarter

Make good choices for me and my children

Make more art

Grow an awesome veggie garden

Get another tattoo?

Paint my bedroom nouveau boudoir:)

Get my umbilical hernia fixed 

Eat at really good restaurants

Hangout at the beach more often

Grow my hair longer

Read a book

Write a script for a TV show

Travel more 

Drive slower

Sleep better

Continue to eat in bed!

Fix my front steps

Bounce more on the trampoline

Laugh just as much as last year or more

See more good movies

Dance and sing more often

Drink less mix drinks with pop

Smile a lot

Botox?

Go horseback riding

Kiss - missed it for so long really enjoy it

Floss more often

Write better ... For my blog

Get a mammogram

Have a better race time for my next 1/2 marathon 

Be happy

What I am still wearing!?!?!

What I am still wearing is my winter coat!

Every morning when I get up at 6AM to walk Ruby I am still putting on my winter coat and a scarf:(. I could wear a hat but I just put up my hood and my hands are stuffed in my pockets because I refuse to wear mittens!

I don't like to

Use my blog to complain but come on!  One day it is warm and then cold again!

Daphne and I got our toes done a few weeks back but no one has seen them because our feet are covered still!

Sorry a little frustrated.  Just venting:)

Good news: I am wearing my leg warmers today!  So at least there is that, getting to wear them a little longer :)

Bang on!!!

So I cut my own bangs!!! Not sure if I like 'em or not?  

How did I do it?  I straightened my bangs then took painters tape, yes painters tape, laid it across my bangs and cut under the tape, following the straight edge of the tape...

Thankful for:

Poutine Fest with my sister and her son TRIPLE P-pulled pork poutine from Le Smoke BBQ (and the rainy weather that made it so much less busy)

Laughing and drinking with lovely ladies!

Walks to Starbucks with a special person

Rik's Bike Shop

A fulfilling weekend

Oh and the really young boys that have messaged me...flattered but no thx

For all my weak bladder ladies everywhere!!!

So we own a trampoline.  We have so much fun on it.  Many times it gets to the point where we are laughing so hard we can not breath.

And we also love going to Skyzone.  Trampolines everywhere! 

Remember this post: 

Robyn's Nest: Ran- dumb?!?  

I mention "padding up"?!?!

Well I do pad up because during that last visit the panty liner I wore did not cut it!  I had to go to the washroom and change it for a wad of toilet paper!! That DID NOT work:(

So I almost had a date at Skyzone and knew I couldn't be peeing my pants so I bought these:

Notice the ULTIMATE absorbency!

Well I just thought they would be a wee bit thicker than a regular pad and have magic peepee absorbing powers... Uh that wasn't the case.

Hard to tell from this photo but they were much larger than a regular concealed pad!  And I thought, Dear God what will it be like to wear!! So I opened it up...

It was HUGE!!! And I wondered Will everyone know I am wearing it?!

It was like the pads they make you wear after giving birth!  No you couldn't tell I was wearing it:)

So now that the warm weather is here and you come to my place, and we are on the trampoline...

I am jumping for joy!!!

Yummy in our tummies!!!!!

These are two recipes I made this week for the kids and I.

http://m.kraftrecipes.com/recipedetail.do?recipeid=162241&cn=US&reqfrom=search

(I added some leftover roast beef and corn to this one)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

http://www.chow.com/recipes/30887-spinach-pesto-fusilli

This one the kids preferred!

Both I liked and there was lots.  We ate it for lunch more than once:)

Bon appetite !

You think you know someone but you don't really...

This is Deborah Rosati.  I met her way back in 1996-97.  Her children went to the Montessori school that I worked at.  I even babysat them outside of work.  They were two adorable boys who are now in university.  Gulp...yikes! Trying not to feel old...older:)

She was a very enthusiastic, nice and hard working lady.  Whenever we did fundraising she was always the top seller.  

A few years ago I had a student who's mom was friends with Deb and we reconnected at the student's birthday party.  It was nice to see her.  She was going through some big changes.

Never in our interactions did it come up that we both went to Brock University!! She graduated in 1984.  I graduated in 1995.  I only found out that we were alumni until I received the above magazine.  She is a fierce woman when it comes to what she does.  I am inspired by her.  

I find it fascinating that some people come and go in your life.  Again I am motivated by what she has accomplished.

Thank You Debbie!

Free is fun!

Once upon a time there was a beautiful single mommy that went shopping at Bulk Barn.  She wandered the store and picked up some Kale chips on sale @$4.99, Babybels @ 50% off, baked snap peas and peanut butter M&Ms.

She paid for them, then on the way home she wondered why it was more expensive then she thought it should be?  She should have paid attention at the cash but alas she is not perfect:). She checked the receipt the cheese was not reduced by 50% nor were the Kale chips.

She returned to Bulk Barn and SCOPed them.

What is SCOP?  Scanning code of practice!

She got both products for free!

If scanned higher than what is advertised you get the item for free!

More details below:

http://canadianbudgetbinder.com/2012/09/26/scanning-code-of-practice-scop-in-canada-did-you-know/

http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/eic/site/cb-bc.nsf/eng/01262.html

Ps won't be buying Kale chips again even if they are free:)

Kinda cozier?

So I put up what I had of the wainscotting panels in my laundry room and I feel it makes it feel a little cozier... It is still a work in progress.  I feel good that I was able to reuse the paneling.  I also finally was able to put up my doorknob hooks I had found in my antique hunt from the summer.  Love them!!!

Also the best part was I got to use the drill again!!! So much fun! Drained the batteries a few times:)

Before:

After or kinda completed?:

Hope to fill in the "spaces" with some unique pieces/art...

Merci

Today I am thankful for:

You! if you are reading this:)

POF I do not know how else I would have  met people...this dating thing sux but you just never know...

My blog: it has edited out some of the above mentioned "boys". They read it and run:p

The warmer weather

Stuntman Stu and his presentation #NoMoreBullies (& his ultra cool wife Connie B (NKOTB 4ever) whom he gave credit to in his presentation:)

JC Little and her sketches and her emotions: refreshing!

Everyday I am thankful for my kids!!!! 

Crazy Canuk on the Canal

Ok so we didn't really see any crazy Canuks on the canal last night but if you don't go skate the canal this year I might think you are crazy:)

It was fantastic last night.  Winterlude just started that day.  We started at Dows Lake, there wasn't any activities going on there but lots of open ice.  The kids had Beavertails (no judging Jenr :) and syrup on the snow. Yummm

Breton wants to skate the whole thing so I am sure we will get around to it and we already have plans to go to Jacques Cartier park ( can you say ice slides )!!

See you there!

PC Plus

So you all know how much I love Shoppers Optimum Points, well now Loblaws/Superstores/Independent stores have their own version.  It is called PC Plus.  You can get an actual card with keychain cards too or you can get the PC Plus App  https://m.pcplus.ca/

 With the app your card comes up on your phone and this is what the cashier scans.  Shoppers needs to get on board with this idea (admittedly they have me printing off coupons, this seems so old fashion these days).

With PC, they will send you deals for points based on what you frequently purchase, plus you can earn in store points on top of these.  This lets them quickly add up to $ you can turn around and spend instore.  Another feature of the app, is that it tracks and saves all your visits and purchases.

Hopefully Shoppers will go this way soon because Loblaws now owns them...