The Aviary Diaries

An Old Fashioned Ode to Love for My Valentine

2010-02-12T10:33:00.000-08:00

Well its no surprise to those who know me that Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday...I have been obsessed with being 'in love' and with love in general since I was a hormonal child. Somewhere between 11 and 28, I fell in love for the first time, was heartbroken many times, fell out of love, and began to question the whole theory of the 'one', as im sure everyone does through time. I had even decided, and meant it, that I was quite happy to be on my own and then sort of fell in love with myself...in a very nonegotistical kind of way. I was very much in love with life.

And then I met Dave.

No we didnt meet in some romantic location, unless you think that Tokyo Bar is steamy, and no it certainly wasn't a courtship that would have made Jane Austen a new book (although im sure if she was raised in the 20th century she would have dug it), but it has been the most joyful and surprising surprise of my life. It makes me hum John Lennon's real love. It makes me completely at peace to be crazy and know that Im loved no matter what. It still makes me want to be a better person. In short, it still makes me corney and a big mush pot.

HAPPY 5TH ANNIVERSARY! I LOVE YOU WITH ALL OF MY HEART!

2009 Recap and Flirting with Ideas for 2010

2010-01-28T10:20:00.000-08:00

Wow it has almost been six months since my last post...I have been so busy exploring the world of blogs that I have completely neglected my own...and after everything that I have now seen, I can say without hesitation that this site needs a MAYHJA aesthetic overhaul (stay tuned).

2009 was a big year for me and my family...we bought a house and moved back above the tracks, where we don't necessarily belong but where we would like to stay. The house was a dream come true for Dave and I and we say that in at least one conversation on a daily basis. We are now directly across the street from the NDG YMCA park and where Liam goes to preschool. I often sit and watch him outside my front window playing with his friends. The house is in great condition and for very un-handy people like us a perfect match. That is not to say there isn't a lot to be done, but its going to be a labour of love that will take years and plenty of thought. I promise to show before and after pics as things progress.

With a new house comes new expenses, so I found a job on the weekends waitressing in a breakfast environment that despite my surroundings (old bitter waitstaff, and dilapidated interiors) has made me very happy...and a lot of money. I enjoy earning my own money again and having a mental break from being a full-time mom. This job has helped us to pay down some debt faster and get us closer to the next faze of our life. Without revealing too much, I am looking to start my own company once Avia is in daycare part-time next September. I have started some initial research but I am mostly soul searching to pin point exactly what it is that I want to create in this world.

The start of 2010 proved to be a rough one with Dave's sister having a stroke at the age of 30...but her resilience and strength with get her through this...along with the help of some love from her son Kieran and a new boyfriend Alex. Not too mention her mom, Joel, me, the kids, and a brother who loves her more than she will ever know. As these things do in life... it stomped on any of my mid-winter blues and put things into greater perspective for me. A fulfilling life is not for the meek and unadventurous...I can CHOOSE to find my bliss.

So what do I want 2010 to hold for me? Here are some ideas i plan to take action on:

An eating, cooking, and shopping revolution for my family...I am in the middle of doing research now and my next blog will be on this topic.

Photography... I have started saving for a really great digital camera which will in part help to overhaul the look of this blog.

Fashion... DRAWING DRAWING DRAWING...taking some courses in the fall to finish what I started. oh and some sewing too...already bought some amazing Japanese pattern books that I found through this blog.

Enjoying my creative friends who are amazing business owners like this girl.

Buying two bikes and going on a bike/ camping trip this summer with my husband and kids.

Loving my two children and trying to make everyday with them the most fun I can come up with...which isn't always possible on day 4 of a -18 degree week.

Spending more time with Dave and away from Dave to always have the same joy for each other that we do now. OK enough mush.

I'm sure there is a lot more like blogging more often, but I will write them as they come to me. xo

The Merchant of Venice: Chanel Cruise 2010

2009-05-15T10:45:00.000-07:00

I was swept away by this fashion show today so I thought I would post some of the beautiful photos taken by Davide Maestri. The shoes with the black lace dress are TO DIE FOR.

24 Hours of Freedom

2009-04-20T06:15:00.000-07:00

Due to lack of good break and decent new conversation, Dave and I have decided to give each other 24 hours of freedom at least once a month. The premise is that each of us are there to help put the kids to bed but are free until bed time the next night.....this includes...waking when one desires, showering at will, participating in family time or NOT, or just getting up and walking out the door if you should so choose. Dave had his freedom day on Friday but decided to stay in with me for the evening duration and watch a movie. The next day he slept in, spent time with the other woman in his life (his IPOD), then went to his cousins for a bbq and returned at 9pm. And so my 24 hours began. Unfortunately, pink eye kept me from going out for a drink in Old Montreal with Angelique and BABY...but it may have been for the best as I was up at 5:30 the next morning for my RACE. My first race since the NY marathon 9 years ago almost didnt happen because of an ATM machine or LACK of in Parc Jean-Drapeau. At 8:15 I had to jump back on to the metro and go back to the city to get some money....the race was at 9am and the metro's were running very slow that morning (every 20-30 minutes). Luckily, I was able to run up the metro stairs to a depaneaur..get ripped off into buying $6 worth of drinks in order for him to give me $40 back in cash to pay for the race, and then run back down to get onto the very next metro. I was back on the island by 8:30 to find out that they saved my spot and that the race was sold out.....PHFEWF. It was a beautiful day to race around the water and I finished in 30 minutes and 9 seconds. It is only the second race that I have ever done but I know now that running and competing (against myself really) in races is my new past time. So off I went for brunch with this girl and this girl to a very badly waitered meal. Thankfully the conversations well made up for it. So now it was only 11 am and my body hurt, my boots hurt, and I had a huge bag to carry around. I made an attempt to maybe go see a movie but there was nothing playing so I headed home. I cannot tell you how nice it is to be at home with your family but have NO responsibilities. I napped on the couch and then had a bubble bath with Liam. I made him a bubble shirt and some bubble pants and then I got out leaving the Liam drying off and cleanup to the NON Freedom parent. Exhausted as I was at this point, I wanted to squeeze every drop out of my FDay so E picked me up and we were off to A's for a BBQ. It was so nice to be at a party and not be constantly checking on your children. Instead I was free to enjoy playing with their's and have a very relaxing time. And did I mention that the food was incredible...seriously the best burger that I have ever eaten. But as the evening wore on, the allure of freedom started to ween....I was wishing my kids were there playing and Dave was eating a burger next to me. When I got home at 9pm I was officially POOPED from such a full day. But as great as FDay was, I am blissfully happy to be back in my shackles picking up smashed fishy crackers and deciphering Avia's 'uah uah uah's'. The sun is out again today and so we are off to climb some fences and throw rocks down the storm drains. Heaven.

The Insomniac's Life

2009-04-06T11:02:00.000-07:00

So it seems my little man is at it again. For the past three nights he has been waking at all hours and refusing to go back to sleep. I am not giving up on the dream of restful slumber, however, and am convinced that this is just a minor blip on the road to recovery...recovery for Dave and I that is, considering Liam could care less if he ever slept. Im also convinced that my children talk about taking 'tormenting turns' because Avia has now been sleeping through the night for the past three nights...from 7:30 to 5:30/6. For the most part its not a big deal, but I was starting to get used to 6 hours of sleep in a row. I am using my nightly awakenings to plan my dream travel destinations. This week due to this tv show, I have been studying Jaipur, India. I hope to add a dream destination blog monthly of my fantasy vacations...(all to which I will one day make a reality). Please go to this website to see where Ill be staying in Jaipur...the Jal Mahal Palace. I really enjoy saying Jal Mahal ... Jal Mahal...

How do you defend yourself against a man with two dildos?

2009-04-03T11:18:00.000-07:00

The new Sacha Baron Cohen movie trailer is out...enjoy. xo I just watched it and almost peed myself on this gossip hound's website. http://www.laineygossip.com/First_Bruno_trailer_online.aspx?CatID=0&CelID=0

Bring on the recession...

2009-03-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

While the recession seems to be hitting the US very hard, it looks as though Canada so far is taking it with a stride...or maybe a swipe (of the ol' credit cards that is). Unemployment is at an all time high of 7.7% and yet Dave and I are convinced that this has not stopped the spending. The last few times we have ventured out have been to the local shopping districts and the stores are packed! Well the spending has officially stopped at the Aviary Hingston. It has been a difficult transition but so far we have made some of these big steps:
1. Meal planning and only buying what groceries we need.
2. No ordering in...we have stopped being lazy on a weekend and are now making the effort to be creative with leftovers.
3. No more eating out, especially brunches!! ($30 for eggs and coffee is completely insane). We are not without some spending...I do have coffee out twice a week during preschool and Dave does pick up a brew on his way to work...but even this has been cut back from old spending habits.
4. Absolutely no shopping. We have everything we need for this summer. This was our favorite past time and is responsible for a big portion of our debt load.

Our goal is to be debt free within two years. I will be getting a part time waitressing job to help facilitate the debt reduction process. Now that Liam is sleeping through the night and Avia is only up once or twice, this does not seem like such a horrific scenerio. I am also looking for a way to give back to our community. I have been unsuccessful so far finding something that fits into our lives well, but I am looking into a community garden near by that I can get the kids involved with and possibly do some food sharing with people who need it. I feel quite ready for the change from the glutonous age of consumerism that I grew up in. Having children and learning to live more simply has been a fantastic adventure so far!

Oh so many changes.

2009-03-20T11:05:00.000-07:00

So I decided to change the title of my blog and make it a little more 'classy'. It also represents the content in a broader context. I hope to make this site creative, as well as a place of reflection, storytelling and the daily meanderings from this cuckoos nest. I want to give a big thank-you to this great friend for helping me learn some tricks of the trade. I still have a long way to go but I think it is so important to keep up with technology...even if I do fight it sometimes. I dont want to be out of work in my later years and having to start from the begining. I have watched my father struggle in his mid fifties now sixties learning how to send emails and attach files while his MUCH younger bosses complain about his speed. But in my fathers defense, let me state that not one of these young pups have the sales experience and wisdom that have kept my father with a very loyal following of customers. GO DAD. There are so many changes happening along with the ringing in of spring that leave me always feeling in a flux. This is day two of Liam putting himself to sleep for naps and at night without Dave and I going into the room. It is so hard to hear him call out and not go to him but it has to be done for the sake of our mental health as well as our marriage. Dave and I need 8pm on to just be with each other or ourselves to refocus and re-energise for the next day..as well as to watch some bad TV too. Another exciting change is no more breastfeeding...BRING ON THE GARLIC. My little peanut is walking now and getting more of a sense of humour everday. She is going to need it to live with us! On that note I better go and figure out what to feed them for dinner. xo