Today was one of those you-don’t-want-to-hear-about-it, get-me-out-of-here days. Yes, I wanted OUT. I wanted cucumber slices on the eyes and a spa chair in the middle of somewhere QUIET and WARM and maybe a little BREEZY. No children allowed. Especially children who HATE THEIR STROLLERS.
Like, WTF? You should see me try to strap Rascal in his stroller. It’s quite a sight…. I lift him out of the carseat and, right away, he stiffens straight as a board. When I FINALLY get him in there, I look up, sweating, and we’re half way across the parking lot….
Anyway…. On our way home from the barn trip this weekend, Josh and I decided to take a detour through Hamilton, Ontario, where I went to school for FOUR YEARS….

McMaster University…. Laaaa!
I don’t remember a lot from those years (university years)…. But, I DO remember going HERE for my weekly treat — every Friday after class….

It was ALL about the caramel sauce…. Excuse me for a sec. Must. Gag. … … Okay, back.
And, THIS is where I lived for THREE years (I lived in residence my first year)….

I KNOWWW! Isn’t it GORJ!? And, didn’t, like, the word “GORJ” come to mind, like, right, like, when you first saw it!?
EW! I lived, studied, slept, pulled all-nighters writing English Lit and Art History essays in THAT TEEENY TINY room in the front of that UGGERS house (that looks the EXACT same as it did THIRTEEN YEARS AGO — ‘cept for the satellite dish — same blinds and everything!). See that window right beside the front door? white blinds? on the left? behind the pole? MY room. That was my room. Overlooking the busiest street in Hamilton. Ew. The next year, I lived on the other side of the house, in a BIG room on the top floor (where bedrooms SHOULD be). That top right window was mine. It was nice…. Ish. It was…ish. Just ish.
Speaking of ISH. CHECK MY DANCING COUSIN, MILES, on SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA!!! There is nothing “ISH” about him. He was PERFECTION tonight, of course. I couldn’t be prouder…. This vid is of last week’s performance (not tonight’s)….
What did you think? Is he not ADORABLE??? Do we look alike? He’s it’sgrandma’s brother’s son, so there should be a LITTLE resemblance. I actually look more like his older brother Henry, everyone says. Anyway, LOVE! Tonight he did the VIENNESE WALTZ proud. Yay Miles!!!
![]()
So, I’m still working on my detox plan. Doing some research. See, the thing about Hamilton was, it triggered something for me. It made me realize that I’ve lived a lot of my life inside my head. Sort of like this famous quote by Mark Twain:
“I’ve had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.”
I think of those years at McMaster University as happening mostly IN MY HEAD. This is partly because I was studying English Literature INTENSELY. But, I also had a LOT of anxiety during those years. And, that anxiety made my existence there pretty dark and hopelessly overwhelming at times.
I’m writing this now because today had GREAT possibilities — like every day. But, I was in THE WORST MOOD! I was tired, and lethargic, and just BLAH. I felt like I was at the end of my rope. And, it wasn’t because I couldn’t get Rascal in his stroller (because that happens every day). No, it was purely in my head.

Cheaty was so tired she just SAT THERE and WATCHED as Rascal threw his organic alligator crackers all over the living room….
I thought about it, and I realized very quickly that THERE IS SOMETHING gnawing at me.
It’s my diet situation, AGAIN. Yeah, the little diet fairy always comes knocking when I get off track — with a hefty dose of anxiety, lethargy and THE GRUMPS.
I haven’t been eating that well, and I’m just SO TIRED of all this extra weight on me STILL. I have twenty more preggers/nursing pounds to lose. Not impossible. I’ve already lost 50 — by simply chasing after the little monkeys. But, progress has been stalled for a while now.
So, DETOX IS IN ORDER.
I’ve been researching to find the best, safest detox plan for me, and for you if you want to join me, Gorgeouses (but check it with your doc first, of course, because I am NO expert). From all my research, the most common and doable detox rule is FRUIT in the morning. I’ll get into more detail about THE CHEATY DETOX AND DIET PLAN tomorrow — because I’m still figuring it out. But, first thing’s first: TODAY (Thursday), I will have a breakfast of FRUIT. When I’m hungry. And, I will try to eat clean the rest of the day. Lunch: salad (with flaxseed oil salad dressing — will CONCOCT tasty one and post it in the KITCH latah), legumes on top. Dinner: quinoa with chickpeas, salad. EIGHT GLASSES OF WATER. There. DUNZO. Detox.
I should have a plan in place by tomorrow. I’ll keep you posted both here and in the KITCH. Wish me luck!
xo Haley-O











































Karen Sugarpants said, October 16th, 2008 at 1:30 am
I have been sooo busy and haven’t been watching…how EXCITING for you and your family! And he is so cute! Tres talented!!! WOO!
LD said, October 16th, 2008 at 7:19 am
Really? you went to Mac? Awesome. So did my mom, but she went when I was in grade 5-9 so I went with her often. (I spent p.a. days there). I love Mac.
Anyway …
I did watch So You Think You Can Dance Canada and I loved it.
I’d love Miles even if he weren’t your cousin. But, my husband and I agree he has a Justin Timberlake thing happening. Don’t you think?
LDs last blog post..Oil, Lube, Filter and Lecture?
Cori said, October 16th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I’ve been working on my detox plan as well, must hurry as fall is almost over. I have a book called Detox Dieting by Nicola Graimes. She has a one day, weekend, a 7 day and a two week detox. It’s basically a really paired down whole food diet. Hope yours goes well, can’t wait to follow along. Now, I’m off to dust off my juicer.
Coris last blog post..Temporary Insanity?
shroom monkey said, October 16th, 2008 at 8:06 am
maybe get back in the gym…. gives you a bit of free time away from the lil ones.. and get your cardio on…. a chance to work off the pounds, the stress and kinda regroup and re-energize…. you seemed pretty content when the elliptical was your friend.. and some strength training mixed with that cardio rush will melt the bit that is left…..
shroom monkeys last blog post..if you were wondering….
Lindsey said, October 16th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Hey, 50 POUNDS?! HOLY MOLY!! That’s awesome girl!! 20 to go will be hard but great. I know you have a ton on your plate but I’m doing the Fit Yummy Mummy program and it’s amazing!! http://www.fityummymummy.com The woman that started it is amazing and there are some great women involved and a HUGE support network esp from her. She’s all about whole all natural foods and the exercise program you can do at home and it’s only 15mins 6x a week or 30 mins 3x. Intervals and short burst resistance training! And it works!! I have never sweated so much in my life. (And I used to spin at the gym!)
Email me if you want more details. Here’s a teaser!! http://clubfym.com/profiles/blog/show?id=1958810%3ABlogPost%3A224270
LAVENDULA said, October 16th, 2008 at 11:09 am
miles is so cute.i have been checking out my dr.gillian detox day from her you are what you eat book..you are lucky it doesn;t seem to matter how hard i try it takes me forever to lose weight.its so frustrating…good for you.rascal is so adorable…
junctionmama said, October 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
miles is cute, seriously, he’s adorable! but nico…boy is he hot!
about your detox, you’re allowed to snack on coffee in between meals, right?
junctionmamas last blog post..Tag, you’re it!
junctionmama said, October 16th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
miles is cute, seriously, he’s adorable! but nico…boy is he hot!
about your detox, you’re allowed to snack on coffee in between meals, right?
junctionmamas last blog post..Tag, you’re it!
Catty Gramma Teri said, October 16th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Miles is indeed adorable AND awesome! It’s too bad he has to be paired up with that weener. I don’t know who she is. I hope he doesn’t have a crush on her, because she’s a weener.
As for wrestling babies, you really should take some time to watch “The Miracle Worker” ~ the old one with Patty Duke playing Helen. If you haven’t seen it in awhile, it may be fun to watch now that you have your own little one to wrestle. I know I can relate!
Teena in Toronto said, October 16th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Man, the Rascal is getting BIG!!! What are you feeding him?!
I graduated from university 25 years ago. Whoa! I lived in residence for a year and then off campus for two years (I did a three year BA).
Can’t wait to hear all about the detox. I’ve been sooooo bad the last couple of weeks!
Teena in Torontos last blog post..Chummy Chums
Karen MEG said, October 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I am so amazed by Miles… he made the Viennese waltz look effortless. He’s pretty sexy too (okay, rawr, I’m way too old)… but he’s a knockout. Of course, cuz he’s your cousin.
I’m not a fan of his partner either… I don’t know what it is, but she’s got that “young/old” look, like she’s too old for him. She’s skinny and can move and all, but it would be nice to see him with a couple of those other cuties too.
Wow, Rascal is HUGE!!!! What ARE you feeding that kid LOL?
Karen MEGs last blog post..Thursday Thirteen – What a f?????
LoriD said, October 17th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I know exactly where that house is! I had no idea that you went to Mac. Thirteen years ago, huh? I had just started working there – I wonder if we ever ran into each other (I worked in Hamilton Hall). Small world.
LoriDs last blog post..Close call
Taylor Blue said, October 18th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Miles sure is cute…you guys look exactly alike! (Yes, I am sucking up) Congrats on the weight girl! I went on steroids (to save my life) and gained 50 lbs in 3 months I’ve lost like 20 of it but that last 30 is killing me.
Taylor Blues last blog post..Win A Heroes Comic Book!