The potential new job hasn't called any of my references yet...not a good sign. Internet, send positive thoughts this way!

I Can Feel My Toes Again

We're still in the middle of a deep freeze, with no sign of it abating any time this week. It's pretty hard to get motivated when just getting the mail requires 10 layers of clothes to avoid frostbite in these -45 temps. Thankfully, the house is toasty warm, the pups are curled up with us on the bed and iTunes is scrolling through the holiday play list.

Packages are being hidden in the closets daily and are a gentle reminder that I allowed myself to go a little overboard in exchange for not going south for the holidays. I'm trying to explain it away as necessary to doing my part for the economy, but I'm not really buying it. On the other hand, even I remember how exciting this holiday is when still heaped in mystery... a jolly fat man in a red suit, flying reindeer, mountains of presents appearing in the night. I don't know how many more years will be able to keep this day shrouded in magic, but I guess I'd like to give the kids a few experiences to tuck away for future fond reminiscing.

In other news, IKEA is finally making its way to our fair city. As my girlfriend so eloquently put it, 'Now all the houses can look the same on the inside as well as the outside'. Long-live the evil box store...I wonder how much worse our economy has to get before people wake up and see the importance of supporting local business, even if it takes a few extra shekels out of their pockets. My guess is sometime around the emergence of new and funky viruses/diseases as a result of using products made without any regard for health and safety standards (yes China, I'm talkin' bout you).

OK, I'm banishing Whining Wanda to the corner again. In happier news, I had a second interview today for a job that seems quite promising. In terms of responsibility and utilization of my skills, it is a lateral move, but the salary and benefits knocked my socks off. I might actually get a job getting paid appropriately for my experience and expertise. Can't say I'd be breaking through any glass ceilings on this one, but I won't give up hope that sometime, somewhere this might actually happen. If anyone has any concrete advice on this perplexing problem (that doesn't involved selling your soul to the company store), I'd love to hear it.

Hey Baby, it's cold outside...
and all I want to do is curl up with my book under the covers. It's finally winter here, and reality has set in...we're not going to Mexico for the holidays this year. Hubby has been depressed about this for over a month, but it has just sunk in for me now. This of course explains the endless surfing of Mexico related websites which I know isn't helping the situation any. Could someone please tell me, is there any way we can make this happen? DH is a teacher, so he could home school if we needed. I know we are both dying for an adventure. Even if we have to take the girls kicking and screaming I think they would thank us for it later in life. I guess I'm just having one of those days where I wonder if this is all there is. I know I have a habit of waiting for life to start, even when on some level I know I'm right in the thick of it...someone yell at me to get my shit together and get on with it already. I have a character flaw that requires being made to feel like crap and then getting angry enough about it to be motivated to do something. Anyone want to take up the cause?

Just came back from a quick jaunt down to Minneapolis last week for Spring Break. We took the girls to Nickelodeon Universe at the MOA and stayed at the Radisson with the Waterpark of America. I have to say it was probably the best vacation we had with the girls and honestly, none of us were ready to go home. Now that the girls are getting more independent, we have such a good time together, plus they still think we're cool and I'm not looking forward to the end of those days. I guess I need to be realistic about it though, as the eldest has already asked me to refrain from kissing her once we've left the vehicle for school drop-off...the nerve! Personally, I think that until they are able to get themselves to school safely on their own, a hug and a kiss on the playground is fair game. Why do I get the feeling I'm in for a rude awakening???

On a completely different topic, my hairdresser introduced me to an Irish author, Marion Keyes. I think her books are a gas and I think I might have a wee bit of a crush on her...for her ability to write with humour of course. Not in a stalkery kind of way, it's just lovely to find a new author. I'm also thrilled that my copy of Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner should arrive in the mail anyday now. I've been reading all the heavy stuff lately, you know, to help get me through until spring arrives in the bloody province (;-p) and I've got to say that these social satires couldn't come at a better time!

OK, one last thing, I know I'm all over the map here today, but does anyone know where you can buy quality-made, women's business casual clothing, that is not made in China? I am trying to do my part here people, but no one is making it very easy...the choices are...fashionable, reasonably-priced clothing from China (or any other nation where they are paying the seamstress less than $1 an hour) or buy hemp clothes and appear as though dressed as a garbage sack! BTW - do my shoes made in Italy count as fair trade?

The weather is finally cooperating. Of course it's cooperating so well, that now the pool is the only place you can hang outside. Wait a minute, that sounds like complaining, and I am definitely not complaining...I love this weather, unless the central air calfs out, then you'd better look out.

In other news, I just finished reading Prisoner of Tehran by Marina Nemat. It was a fascinating, if terrifying story about Nemat's experience as a prisoner in Iran's notorious prison, Evin. And while I'll add it to the ever-lengthening list of horrifying events that unfortunately only seem to draw public attention after a more 'public' persona encounters them (read: photo journalist Zahra Kazemi), I have to say that I was hoping the book would also delve more into how Nemat coped once she arrived in Canada and how she handled experiencing the culture shock that I would assume goes hand in hand with coming from a war-torn country to live in a relatively peaceful country like Canada.

Having said all that, I would highly recommend the book. It is a fascinating and educating look at life in Iran and I'm grateful for the added insight into the political and religious complexities of the country.

Hubby and I bought a pool yesterday. Seems like cheap entertainment for the family. Now if only the weather would cooperate. Summer is short enough here as it is without a weeks worth of 20 degree (barely) weather.

In other news, a quick rant actually...if I see another blog from someone who is just as busy as I am, I think I'm gonna cry. I really have no excuse and this is the perfect place to journal. Let me amend myself...I think I'll save the crying for something actually tragic and just start writing.

And finally, I found out last night that Venus is the planet associated with my sign and have been researching the symbol for the Love GODDESS. I think I'm going to get one tattooed on me. Anyone have artwork for said tattoo and also suggestions for where it should go on the body??

I was almost distracted by another blog post titled 'The Gin Tonic', but here I am, months later, having finally remembered my password to this damn thing!!

I just finished re-reading 'I Don't Know How She Does It' by Allison Pearson and now am feeling guilt on top of my already all-consuming guilt because not only do I not do enough for my kids, but I don't even make lists about the stuff I should be doing for them!! AArrrggg! Still and all, I loved the book (even though I was reading it instead of spending time with said children). Oooohh, I am a really bad mumma! I know that these years go by way too fast and that I'll regret what I missed, but come on, if the choice is to sit in the backyard reading a terrific novel or having my hair ripped out of my head because my almost 3 year old is playing hairdresser, I'll choose the backyard every time.

Perhaps it's time to go find that Gin and Tonic post after all...