the flaw in the system is human error

Saw this juicy little tidbit floating around the interwebs today.
An article 'exposing' what can only be described as a piss poor judgement call by someone operating a store marketing teens and children.
Crotchless panties.
yep.
To the best of my knowledge, the name of the store is not a chain with marketing executives, and a team of store planners who agreed such products are acceptable for that particular demographic.
Bad call on managements part, and from what I can see it was dealt with immediately by mall, and store management.
Not necessarily something that I consider headline news, a bit sensationalized...

Girls get sexed up by advertising FAR too young, but I don't think that was the case here.

I totally am disgusted at the thought that someone thought it was appropriate, yes.

I doubt they were made to accommodate pre-teens, as skinny chicks need lingerie too (PLENTY of adult women are tiny enough to need sizes my 5 year old could easily wear)

Most importantly, I think it should be a wake up call for parents about WHY they need to keep an eye on their kids.

Dumb-asses exist everywhere you go. Kids are sneaky. Bad combination.

I remember the first time I bought a thong. I was probably fifteen. Started dating an older boy who I HAD to impress, started wearing God awful tight black dress pants and didn't want panty-line showing.

Had to sneak the sucker into the house. I remember being at superstore with my mom, and pretended one of the sandals my mom had just bought me was broken, and ran in to exchange it while she was packing groceries into the trunk. I had seen a tacky red pair of super slutty red devil ones in a clearance bin after valentines day for like, 88 cents.

I didn't get to wander the mall alone even at that age, and if I did, I sure as shit didn't have money for anything. I had to be sneaky, with a capital S.

I even had to start doing my own laundry to hide it.

Sure, not long after that, I gave up the V-card and had to sneak uptown on my lunch break to buy my trashy panties with money my working boyfriend gave me (yep, small podunk town) to the same discount bin store the Hutterites bought their yarn and thread from.

I highly doubt that a pre-teen seeing something like that would be influenced to do something they weren't already thinking of doing, and trust me, you don't have to have trashy panties to find a willing partner to do things you probably shouldn't be doing.

Take it from a sneaky little shit who has been there.

So, yes, it was highly inappropriate of the store to carry them.
However, we all have to remember that talking to your kids about making smart decisions, is a FAR better use of your time than flagging down the media to remind the world yet again, that people are stupid and will go to any lengths to make a dollar, regardless of morals or common sense.

A fresh start Part 2

Today, I feel like I could take over the world.

I danced in my car like nobody was watching, belting out songs at the top of my lungs. I admired the beautiful blue sky above the golden fields, and the silhouettes of the baron trees.

A new dawn, a new day....

(it will make more sense if you read part 1)

I was out on my Tuesday movie run after a pretty great weekend.

After putting on a monumental FREE community Halloween party for the fourth year in a row, this time with over 120 people in attendance, (first year was 40 at best)

and knocking 'em dead with my awesome family Halloween costumes and seeing peoples faces light up while my awesome little family toddled down the street

I am still glowing with pride from being presented with an award from the Mayor for my community involvement, I was feeling pretty good.

..............now back to my day.

I was on my way to deliver a bunch of necklaces I had made as fundraisers for the 'Movember' movement, despite my very outgoing hatred for mustaches (yes, ask my redhead husband how many times I fought him growing his incredibly creepy facial hair in the past few years with threats of sex withholding, wearing drawn on mustaches to bed hoping to disgust him, and threatening application of wax strips while he slept)

Now I hope all you Movember boys remember that this is more than fun and games, you also need promise along with your fundraising that you WILL have your doctor put his finger in your bum to check for cancer once you reach the age of 40, or sooner if you are at high risk. (this is where the revenge for putting up with cactus face kisses comes in)

However, it is a great cause, and as I plan to participate again in the underwear affair 10km run, have had many family members who have fought prostate cancers, and being madly in love with a man who I would be lost without, I think it is well worth supporting.

First stop was D'lish Urban Kitchen and Wine Bar (my fave girls night out spot) to drop of some for silent auction prizes for the MoSistas , and Ryan Jesperson of BT Edmonton , and then to swing by Sonic Radio to drop off a couple for Layne Mitchell. Then inadvertently while grabbing some beer from the Alley Kat Brewery (because who doesn't love local craft brewers???) I happened to notice a Movember collection box there too, so I left two more with them to sell/auction or whatever they please!

I have already raised $110 towards Layne's page, and with auction donations to my other MO brothers and sisters, should reach over $150 more!

It felt good to give. Especially to support amazing people, who make a difference in my life, as well as others. Amanda from the MoSistas, the FIERCE woman of the year 2011 who has built her empire by genuinely wanting to help others and the local economy. Ryan who may not have the freedom on air to showcase what an amazing advocate he is for the city of #yeg, but for so many of the other great causes he shines his light on with great wit and charm. For Layne who always makes me feel like I am on a road trip with a good friend through his humor and musical taste when I need a bit of comic relief to prevent full on road rage meltdown in traffic, and has become a icon for the cheezy 'staches of the city over the past few years.

Giving is receiving. Whether you call it Karma, or believe in a divine plan from the universe, or God, when you are a great person, and do your best to be there for everyone you can, like minded good people will always enter your life through connections made out of kindness.

I realise more and more every day that the beauty of a photograph speaks volumes to how your perspective, or focus on certain things can create a thing of beauty in any situation.

I am embracing the change in my life, and shifting my focus to finding ways to incorporate the helping out in my community that gives me that feeling of fulfillment. I truly believe that it will bring me great things, opportunities and friendships that will in turn make my struggle to keep afloat financially easier to bear. My ability to keep perspective on what matters, like spending time with my family, and seeing the beauty that surrounds me instead of dreaming of green grass beyond someone else's fence.

To top it all off, I may have found a way to save my store, by moving into a smaller space that would allow me to work less, profit more, and still be able to enjoy my life and keep jobs available for the staff that are more like a family to me than employees.

My outlook today is great, and I can feel it shining through. I even think some guy checked me out, and whistled at me. (and thanks to the cup of coffee from the lovely Amanda, and the great tunes on Sonic blasting on the radio, I had the alertness and quick reflex to look over my shoulder, wink, and flash a cheezy smile underneath one of my great Movember mustache necklaces)

Until then, I will keep rocking out in my car, and swaggering my steps, getting back on track physically, emotionally and all across my schedule of responsibilities.

And yes honey, this means you have the green light to start growing your disgusting face pubes.

a fresh start part 1

The last two months have been a rollercoaster. I have come to the conclusion, that running my store doesn't make me happy. I have known this for a while, but being able to have my kids with me, instead of in childcare has kept me going, despite my distaste for having a job. It got to the point where the kids want a life outside of the shop, and I feel cruel keeping them here all day, while their friends play at the park.
I decided to try to sell the business.
As the demise of the major video rental chains has hit headlines, it makes it hard to sell the business, even though it IS viable. (and if you read up, you would see the demand IS still there, but the US economy where they franchises are based from caused a chain reaction here)
We sort of decided that regardless, we were done. The amount of money the store makes is not really proportionate to what I feel I am losing in happiness.
With that said, here is what happened.
We put up a few online ads, and got a bite. We had even agreed to finance the buyer as we really just wanted to be done with it.
I felt so free. I was so in love with the thought of being able to have more time to do the things I enjoy, like volunteering, taking pictures, making jewelry....
Unfortunately, I counted my chickens before they hatched.
I learned the hard way, why no matter how sure someones word is, that contracts, and Realtors exist for a reason. Their plans fell through on their end, and they were unable to complete the purchase. Only I had already given up my lease, and now had under 2 months to come up with a plan.
I fell into the worst funk I had been in. I had not felt like this since I had a short spell of PPD after a miscarriage, and it terrified me to feel the way I did. I function on very little sleep, mostly because my brain doesn't shut up. I did nothing but sleep for a week.
My family has a combined lower average income. We manage because we live fairly low key, but to take a loss, on debt we have from purchasing the business meant some serious financial issues for us for the next few years. I cried, and cried when nobody was looking. I felt like I had failed my family.
All at the same time, it seemed like everyone else around me was facing major upheaval in their lives too. Many friends relationships reached the breaking point of realization that it will be hard, but sometimes there is happiness beyond what is comfortable and safe. It really seemed like the month of new beginnings, and facing the elephants in the room, regardless of how painful it may be.
I started to see the silver lining.
I realized that even though it is not HOW I wanted it to happen, it was still many blessings in disguise. I would still gain my freedom, as long as I could make an honest go of starting my jewelry business for real, not just as a hobby. Now, I sort of consign it through my consignment clothing portion of the store (sounds confusing, but with my high lease, I split the store into two businesses to help pay the rent, and operate consignment out of the other half) but not having to worry so much about the store would leave me the time to really focus on making a living off something I genuinely enjoy doing.
I accepted that although we would lose a tonne of money closing down, since the kids would be in school full time in a couple years, I would be able to work to pay it back then, and it really wasn't that far away.
Still, once the 'for lease' sign went in the building's window, it pains me, as well as many of my customers to think there may not be a video store, when this one has been in operation for 17 plus years.
I had sort of accepted defeat, but was afraid to tell people what was going on, partially because I was embarrassed to fail, but also because I didn't quite believe it was over.
We have been getting busier every weekend, and since blockbuster closed, there is no movie store at all in the nearest city to our small commuter town, so the residents who normally gave their business to the big guys because it was close to their work, are now coming back to us!
I was so conflicting to think of closing when I was seeing an increase like that.
I sold off a lot of my shelving and fixtures, but keeping in mind that I would hang on to enough to furnish a small store if I was lucky enough to find a new small location, buyer, or in the worst case scenario, donate the assets to a non profit who might want to run a small store elsewhere and at least get a tax receipt to soften the financial blow.
I did a lot of soul searching, and tried very hard to figure out what it is I really want to do with my life, but this time keeping MY heart in mind, instead of what just made the most sense financially. I love that my kids have benefitted from my decision to buy a business that allowed me to raise them by my side, but what good is that if I am not happy doing it? I cant let my own happiness slip to the point of poor example for my kids.
My house is an embarrassing mess. I have gained about 15lbs because I drown my sorrows in beer and crap food. My weight gain has flared up my sciatica, which just gives me one more reason to not put in the effort to get back in shape.
I also had a bit of a health scare when a lump was discovered on my thyroid and I not only had to worry about what it might be, or what it might be causing my body to do, but as a huge needle phobic, it meant going through a procedure that to me is more traumatic than the pain of labor. (I did get through it with the amazing compassion and patience of the outpatient staff at the Grey Nuns, and results were actually that it is a harmless cyst)
I need a fresh start. I need a better outlook, and I think today is the day.

carry on to part 2?

its all in how you tell the story (part 2)

(it took me a while to get part 2 up, part 1 I posted a couple weeks ago)

I knew Vegas wasnt my thing from the moment I lost 50 cents in the tampon machine in the bathroom at the wax museum.

I have never dreamed of Vegas. I don't gamble, and am sort of a poopy-pants about the whole 24-7 bright lights wasting electricity too. I have fun pretty much everywhere I go. While wandering down the street with a glass of scotch in my hand totally appeals, I can do the same thing on a hiking trail if I really want to, and then I can jump into a mud pit, or run naked through a forest without having to worry about ending up on some creepy website.

When our plane was getting ready to land for my first time in the infamous city, and we were flying over the stunning red desert mountains, I actually remember thinking 'WOW, I could wander around out there for months without ever having to talk to anyone.'

I hear the stories, and have to wonder how many people really are just playing it up, making it sound like they had some scandalous rock star encounter or movie plot adventure while saying ''what happens in Vegas...". Personally, I call bullshit on most of you, but I can definitely see how people seem to be on a mission to do something stupid just because they are in 'Sin City'.

Doing stupid things when I drink is bound to happen, I would just rather it happened out of spontaneity instead of obligation.

I felt like everyone was either trying to sell me something, or have sex with me. Everyone was offering VIP guest list status, (only an elite select few get those invites, right?) or handing you drinks hoping I will get wasted and forget what the wedding ring on my finger means.

I actually at one point announced to an entire bachelor party in the middle of the pool that I had the 'period of death' and was not interested in having sex with any of them. They STILL continued to buy me beer and tell me which rooms they were staying in.

I don't gamble, I am way too cheap. I had saved up about $6 in random US change that I got mixed in with change from work, and intended to waste that a penny at a time. I put in about $3 in a penny machine and cashed out at $1.78 and bought a chocolate bar with the rest because I couldn't stand to lose anymore.

I had lots of fun, I always do everywhere I go. Whether it be clubs in Banff, or laughing like a dumb-ass driving through the McDonald's drive through with no pants on. I am sure I could have easily found some skinny girls at a pool party to snort drugs with before sleeping with strangers using fake names...but it isn't really my thing, and I think I could have just as much fun in Banff with my best friend minus the drugs/STD's.

Dont get me wrong, I can throw back shots with the best of 'em, and love to dance all night til my ears are ringing in the morning, but I could do that anywhere. I love going on vacation and seeing new places, I just think the amount of hype is totally over the top.

I drank from the moment I woke up, to the time I fell asleep, so much to the point where we realized we hadn't eaten a meal in two days, when one of us 'poo-ed clear'. I dressed to the nines, walked around in ridiculously high heels, got caught in a flash flood rain and hailstorm where we had to take shelter in a creepy underground parkade, where we played with unattended fork-lifts and pylons until a nice Cuban cab driver saw us calling for help and rescued us. I tackled a hobo panhandler dressed in a Garfield costume, and knocked his head right off. I went puddle jumping in a white dress outside the venetian (because not many people even SEE a puddle in the desert, let alone get to jump in one). I didn't sleep for over 24 hours, and had my Sin City Brewery beer buzz on pretty much the entire time. I also somehow hurt my ankle enough that I had to go for x-rays when I got home.

I also went to bed at 10:00 one night because I didn't have to worry about kids waking me up, and ate dinner at Chili's off the strip because I didn't feel like going dancing after walking around drunk all day.

I had a blast, but I didn't feel obligated to do anything stupid, or come home with awesome stories. I didn't have to wipe anyone's ass but my own, tell anyone to stop touching the cat's eyeballs, or really yell at anyone. It was nice, and I am glad neither my best friend or I got into that mission to do something crazy. We laugh til it hurts everywhere we go, and had nothing to prove.

But its true. Kidnapping my best friend at 2am and dragging her to Vegas, pulling all night-ers, getting keys to the VIP, tackling hobos, stealing a fork-lift, getting rescued by a big black guy and not remembering how I injured my ankle does make for a pretty good story, right? Its all in how you tell the story!

put your money where your mouth is!

I might not be a business tycoon, or have much of an education, but I try my hardest everyday to make a difference, and give it 110%. The things I do to make sure my kids, friends, family and community are aware how much they mean to me. I may not move mountains, but at the end of the day I know I gave it my all.

This is something I am proud of, and as a woman, and a mother, I have accepted that nobody is going to throw a parade or make a national holiday for me, and that the effort needs to continue regardless of applause.

Last year I was nominated for a FIERCE award. I was so excited to know that someone thought that I made a difference. That MY accomplishments were worth celebrating.

I felt like a Hollywood superstar. I felt so proud, I wore a red dress, and felt like a million bucks. I didn't care whether I won, just to be counted amongst the ranks of people I personally admire at such an event was the best motivation to keep doing my best every day.

FIERCE is the amazing brainchild of Tamara Plant, the mastermind behind MOM Magazine. I cant tell you enough just how important it is for women to have a common ground to connect and network without having to feel like they need degrees and billion dollar bank accounts to make a difference in the world. It truly is a real community of empowerment. I have met so many amazing people, and opened so many doors through FIERCE events and networking.

I will never forget the way I felt the day I found out I was nominated, or the day I stood among such amazing women in my killer red dress.

I really encourage EVERYONE to nominate that woman in their life who inspires them. Make someones day, and let them know that they make a difference. Go, NOW!

AND please make sure to spread the word. Do you have a favorite company you would like to see sponsor and represent the significance of these inspirational ladies? let them know! Sponsorship is important, and what better than knowing your favorite brand or company supports something that means a lot to you? just sayin'!

its all in how you tell the story (part1)

My best friend and I have talked about taking a trip together since we were kids.
It seems every time we try, something comes up.
We have been friends since we met in church choir when we were in grade 7. (yes, I said it, church. NO, I didn't burst into flames as my mom says I should)
We have been through a lot together, and have gotten to that irritating point where we have so many inside jokes, and can pretty well finish each other's sentences. Our husbands cant stand hanging out with us because we are like once conjoined twins who have created or own strange language. We have, and could have gut busting fun in the middle of a farmers field.
We decided Vegas, both because it was the cheapest option, and we would be able to wander around with drinks in our hands without being worried someone would kidnap us and harvest our organs for the black market.
Of course, after 2 years of waiting for one of their properties to sell, it would happen on the weekend we were planning to go, meaning she would have to stay home to move.
We were bummed. SOOOO close.
A couple hours after we accepted our disappointment, her husband called me saying he would arrange help moving, and I should go ahead, and book the trip to surprise her.
So, I did, and told her I would be coming to help her move.
Lets just say, I SUCK at keeping secrets. Especially if I am drinking. I had to cut off virtually all conversation with my best friend for a couple weeks, other than to keep up with the story.
She actually called me the night before when I sent the kids off to grandmas for the weekend and started drinking beer with my husband and I was sweating buckets knowing I had to keep my big yap shut.
I did it. I managed to make it to her house, not get too wasted to drive to the airport, I actually had to fake drink, and spit out wine when she wasn't looking so she wouldn't get suspicious. Even though her husband almost let it slip when he asked me if I had been 'pre-tanning' (apparently I was really dark?) I managed to keep it a secret til she went to bed.
I let her sleep for about an hour, then I snuck into her room, jumped on her bed and told her to pack her shit, we were going to Vegas.
her response?
'But I'm drunk, and I don't have any pants on'
shortly after, it sunk in, she puked in her shower, then started packing her bag. (yes, while drunk)
We headed to the airport, and the rest is history.
I will get to how it all went down in the next few days in part 2.

near genius

Yesterday I stopped at value village to waste time so I didn't have to go home to children driven wild by the recent full moon.
I found this:

I freaking love dippin dots. In fact, it is the only reason I would consider taking my kids to someplace as ridiculously crowded as Calaway Park.
With a price like this, how could I refuse?

However, it came with no instructions, which left me only my imagination to concoct a mixture that would resemble the flavor of ice cream. Luckily I have practiced up my ice cream making skills this summer with one of those awesome ice cream maker ball thingers, which I also got at value village new in a box for $9.99. I mixed some cool whip, and some chocolate and caramel sirop with some milk and poured it in. Came out not too bad, aside from my constant opening the little molds to see if it was done yet.

The possibilities are limitless.
...and then I had my moment of brilliance.
Sangria.
I mean, it cant be any more disastrous than the time I tried to re-fill a tassimo disk with irish cream....
(yes, it exploded all over as soon as I pressed the brew button)

I did not have the proper ingredients for sangria, so, I improvised. It tasted pretty good.

a few minor obstacles, besides not having the correct ingredients, the orange juice pulp started clogging the doohickey. This is serious technical business. I can see why someone lets treasure like this end up in second hand stores unused. I added a strainer. back on track.
Success? I could hardly wait, I checked like a billion times to see if my frozen delight had reached the point of earth shattering life changing greatness.


Sadly, much like yesterdays mom's night out with a few girlfriends, I went a bit overboard on the wine, and the alcohol content was too high. it won't freeze. sunuvabitch.



It is a brilliant concept. I just have to tweak my recipe a bit. I imagine when I do it will look something like this, and you will all be jealous of my amazingness.



now, if you will excuse me, I have slushy wine to suck out of silicone molds.