Do you ever feel like a plastic bag, drifting through the wind, wanting to start again? It’s been a rough summer for me, between a broken wrist, the British Columbia teachers’ strike, extended beach closures due to e-coli in the ocean, my son’s sudden-onset double vision and a few emergency stitches here and there. But it’s all over now, and I feel stronger than ever.
To emerge into this new stage – let’s call it igniting the light – I have been reading Gretchin Rubin’s Happiness Project, learning to care for myself a bit better, and actually having FUN. Life is too precious not to, and I don’t want to be a role model for my boys who complains about folding laundry, forgotten lunches and broken vacuums while rushing around and being overwhelmed with guilt for not being on the PTA. I’m trying to rekindle the joy of life. During this process I was invited by Covergirl to meet Katy Perry during her Prismatic World Tour. And I had FUN.
Not being able to choose just one of my boys to come with me, I took my husband to the concert (my girlfriends’ daughters had secured their tickets long ago!). After finishing her makeup (Covergirl, which I was wearing myself but didn’t quite manage the results Ms. Perry had achieved) we were invited backstage and met this sensation. My dress happened to be somewhat similar to hers, but in black not silver and with a bit more fabric. I made a comment about how I can’t expose my midriff much after having kids and she was witty and lovely in saying that she would be the same way is she has kids. My husband’s small talk was even better.. “Wow, you’re tall!”.
Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour perfprmance burst forth with neon lights, elaborate horse costumes and Katy swinging through the air. She included a few sweet and natural melodies unlike her previous repertoire. The highlight for me was the encore, or Prism-Vision. We donned glasses and my whole perspective of the space changed. Kindof like coming out of the darkness into a very happy place. It’s important to throw on a pair of glasses to see the world in a different way every once in a while. Thanks Katy.
Disclosure: I am a P&G Mom and receive opportunities such as tickets to the Prismatic World Tour through CoverGirl as well as a meet and greet with Ms. Perry. All opinions are my own.
Gene Covert is a pretty cool guy. But he has to be. His mother is still a pilot, and the 1952 Mercury truck that she decided to learn how to rebuild is still the touring vehicle for the farm. Not only does the farm started by his father specialize in organic growing, but they grow grapes for 
With a grumpy 6 year old who was instantly charmed by Gene, we began our tour of 
Feeling entirely comfortable, the kids asked questions and made observations. We were all sad when we had to get out of the truck. But it was then that the kids noticed the huge bubble-trampoline, and the adults sampled wines with local cheese and charcuterie. At which point we may have purchased a case of wine.
Not only will the Covert family be added to my Christmas list, but an end-of-summer visit is in the cards for our family for many years to come.
There’s a joke in my house about me not being a morning person. But it goes further than that. I’m so groggy in the morning that I probably should have padded walls in the hall and a bathrobe made of bubble wrap so that I don’t hurt myself on the way to the coffee maker. Unless I make it the night before I always measure wrong. One friend laughed and told me it was ‘simply’ the miles to kilometers ratio for portioning coffee to water. That didn’t help much.. If I had a few million dollars I wouldn’t hire a cleaning lady or a chef. I’d hire somebody to place my coffee beside the bed in the morning so that I could wake to the scent and avoid EMI – early morning injury.
When 
Summer is finally here, meaning you’ll be spending lots of time in the car for day-trips and vacations with the family. We know road trip packing can be stressful – it’s a parent’s job to be prepared for the unpredictable and remember everything, right?! To ensure your vacation starts off on the right foot, here is a list of our top summer road trip travel tips and tricks. 
Knee. Kick. Jab. Feel empowered? I sure did. Founded in 2004, the 
After signing in on the electronic board, you warm up by skipping. (If you remembered to do your kegels while pregnant.) Not only had I been lazy in that regard but I hadn’t skipped since the pink ribbons came off of my pigtails. Not to worry. The friendly environment and trainer helped get me warmed up in ways that suited my needs. Like in a traditional boxing ring, there’s a bell. I felt hard core – except for the gorgeous pink boxing gloves. At every ding of the bell I graduated to the next station, alternating between arms, legs and core strength.
As I went through the circuit, not only were my muscles getting stronger, but my confidence and self-esteem were improving in ways far beyond the tightening of muscles or slimming of the waistline. The end of the circuit involved ‘Bob’, a foam torso and head (who is actually quite ripped despite being attached to a pole). I was able to do anything I wanted to him using the boxing techniques I had learned. Sure I felt sorry for the guy at first, but I also felt fit, strong and resilient. And I was in and out in 30 minutes. I’ll be back, Bob. And sorry for that wicked uppercut.
A favourite dish of mine from the time I was a small child, Coq au Vin has always been a labour of love. Asked to test the Clubhouse LaGrille Smokehouse Maple Marinade in a coq au vin recipe, I was elated!! Armed with bacon, chives, chicken and homemade stock, I was ready! And then I fell. And broke my wrist. Now the challenge was twofold – could I make a coq au vin that is not as labour-intensive as my age-old recipe? And could I manage it with only my dominant hand…
