VICTORY VICTORY VICTORY! Here are the deets from the IFAW:

Incredible news. In an historic victory more than 15 years in the making, Russia today announced a complete ban on the hunting of all harp seals less than one year of age.

YOUR calls and letters have made a huge difference. Nearly 40,000 messages were written for Prime Minister Putin in the last month alone.

You have helped save up to 35,000 baby seals this year from a cruel and brutal slaughter in the White Sea.

…. This is your victory. It’s time to celebrate … but we must not forget that more than 250,000 baby seals will still suffer horribly when Canada’s own commercial seal hunt begins any day now.

The time has come for the Canadian government to follow Russia’s lead. Please help us continue our campaign in Canada with a donation to help pass the Harb Seal Bill. This historic legislation would end Canada’s cruel commercial hunt for harp seals once and for all.

With you by our side, the next historic victory will take place in Canada.

Whether people like it or not, CANADA’S NEXT. Here’s hoping.

And, now…. Gorgeouses, I think my part is done. I’ve brought awareness. I’ve inspired people. I’ve presented motherhood in the raw. And I’ve decided to take a leave. Time to devote myself to the kids (and my causes) sans this blog. At least for a while.

It was WONDERFUL being a finalist in this year’s Bloggies. Thank YOU for that! But, it meant my blog got bigger than I could have anticipated, and I have to take some time to decide if I’m comfortable with that, if I really am comfortable putting myself and my children out there.

So, Gorgeouses, I’ll see you when I get back from Bermuda. Maybe. If not, I’ll always love you, and we’ll stay in touch.

LOVE!
xo Haley-O

So, did you hear I’m going to Bermuda…? By myself? It’s at the end of the month, though. So, I MAY bring it up few hundred more times. I will try to hold back, though. Squeeee!

Anyway, this is a CRA-HAY-ZY one today because of the exhaustion factor — as always. But, this time, it’s not because Rascal’s waking up every 2 hours, as he has been for the past 4 months. No, this time, it’s because I’m getting a solid seven hours. He’s sleeping through the night — and I type this with my fingers crossed and while KNOCKING ON WOOD because I can’t afford to jinx myself….

Also, I confess, I’m a little distracted. It’s The Bachelor finale night, which is HUGE in my world. Especially since, before the big BERMUDA NEWS, I felt I had nothing to look forward to BUT The Bachelor, and a couple other guilty pleasures (in no particular order, ‘course): The City, The City Aftershow, Celebrity Apprentice, ROCK OF LOVE BUS (don’t. ask), American Idol, The Office, 30 Rock, The Young and the Restless and, of course, PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA, WHICH is the closest I can get to TIM GUNN right now…. Tim Gunn, who FYI is FIERCELY anti fur/skins/wool (a man after my own heart), recently put out a disturbingly, heartbreakingly graphic PETA video and has launched an entire campaign to bring awareness to “fashion’s true victims” and to urge designers like Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani to forego fur. I love him more than ever. He is my all-time favourite celebrity. Putting him on the sidebar NOW….

Tim Gunn. Perfection. Love.

Sigh, anyway….

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the people at HYLANDS for creating THIS miracle salve….

It’s been sitting on my counter for WEEKS. And since Rascal was so beyond fussy today, and since I noticed a molar piercing through his li’l gums today, I took it out of the box, cut the tip of the applicator, squeezed some on my finger and shoved it in his protesting mouth. Not TWO MINUTES LATER he was asleep. Fast asleep. Like, zzzzzzzzz. I’m officially in love. With Hyland’s Teething gel…. (And no this is not a paid advertisement — even though it TOTALLY sounds like one!)

I’d also like to take this opportunity to point something out. You know that whole “Count Down to Cheat Day”? (See sidebar….) Wondering why I haven’t mentioned it? Why I haven’t cheered on the Gorgeous participants? Because (it’s time to fess up) EVERY DAY since I started that thing has been CHEAT DAY. I’m back off the Starbucks Soy No-Water Chai Latte (HOLD THE CRACK) wagon. But, it’s days like today where I just DON’T CARE. Because THIS is so worth it….

Tea with my little man while Monkey was at preschool. Until central Toronto gets a cute coffee shop, or two, that is NOT a Starbucks, it’s going to be pretty dang hard to avoid this drink…. And, that’s just the truth of it.

Sigh…. But I’ll keep trying….

‘Sup dawg?

No.

No. No. No.

I’m just watching American Idol right now, and Randy Jackson has that effect on me. Plus, I’m tired.

No.

I’m EXHAUSTED.

The monkeys and I went to the country today to watch it’sgrandma ride her horse Whisper.

LONG DAY.

At one point, I could hardly keep my eyes open — I was sneaking in 2-SECOND naps. I swear. I don’t even know how I’m writing this. And, I still have Valentine’s Day cards to prepare for Monkey’s class tomorrow. Oy.

Huh? Ahem. S’up Dawg! Wha? Who won? Oh. OH! Eek. Don’t know what happened there. Must have dosed off. Am awake now. Awake. Always a-fricken-wake. I need sleep. I mean real sleep. Like, in-a-hotel sleep. Because I can’t sleep with this Rascal waking up in hysterics at all hours.

It’s just too much.

Also too much was dinner at Fresh — my fave vegetarian restaurant in the city. WHICH I can now mention by name on my blog because the WAITER this eve WAS FAB. Love love love. Why was it too much, you ask? Try because (AMONG OTHER THINGS) I had to leave the table with hummus-covered flailing Rascal only to have him writhe in hysterics ON HIS BACK…, ON THE FLOOR, in the front of the restaurant. (I’m waiting for them to send me my Mother of the Year award….)

I’m okay. Really. I’m okay.

So, for now, I give you pictures of the day. To speak more than words I simply don’t have today. Sleep is taking over and…need… I… to make… cards… Tine .. Valen……

Gorj…. I need this. Need to get out of the city as often as I can. Just to breathe….

He loves horses….

Monkey and it’sgrandma gave Whisper a nice hot bath…. He LOVED it. So did she….

Whisper does the most bizarre tongue thing. It’s hilarious. See it? The tongue? He’s constantly got his tongue sticking out. He’s loves his tongue. Loves his bath. Loves his work. Loves his stall. He’s one happy, lucky horse. I love him.

….Besides, Gorgeouses? You know, I’m still totally hungover from yesterday’s cheat day….

Love!
xo Haley-O

Contest over at Goodies!. Get yer JURLIQUE, HAUSCHKA, PURE+SIMPLE…! Check it!

The view from my toilet….

The view from my bed….

The view from the upstairs hall….

The view from the back window….

The view from the back window (not in time to catch the WILD TURKEY!)….

The view of the sunset as I worked at my computer….

The view of the sunset….

Isn’t it beautiful? Josh-O practically had to drag me by the HAIR to the country. I just have SO MUCH TO DO here. Always so much to do. But, obviously, it was worth it. I wished we could have stayed longer because it was just so beautiful. It was so mind-clearing to have SO MUCH SPACE all around me. Nothing but white, and trees, and happy, frolicking squirrels and WILD TURKEYS, and birds and, somewhere out there, coyotes….

Although…, it is quite possible that my father in law and I would have killed each other had I stayed a little longer. It’s really my fault, though. I am so irritable and flipping angry on no sleep, and anxious in general, and don’t get me started on Sarah Palin’s aerial wolf slaughter* and anti-conservation agendas because there are no good reasons for that and the whole thing makes me FURIOUS. I love wolves. I mean, LOVE wolves…. (Did anyone catch Ashley Judd and Defenders of Wildlife’s President Rodger Schlickeisen on Larry King Live this weekend? They did a really great job. Applause!)

Sigh….

To make myself feel better, I (finally) bought some new clothes today. I’m teaching so much yoga these days that I need more than ONE (ratty black) HOODIE to schlep around in, don’t you think? So, we went to Old Navy, where the perfect hoodies come out to play. I thought I was going to get another black one — since I love teaching in all-black — but I got daring. Check what I bought!

Le SPORTY….

Le PURPLE….

It’s bright! Bright purple! But, I need a little more bright in my wardrobe (and to run a BRUSH through my hair before self-photographing — no, I will never learn!)….

Of course, I also got myself another NEW black hoodie (a staple for me, really) and a couple tight-ish tees. The hoodies are TRÈS tight on me — all the more incentive to lose these last 15 pounds. Especially since my 21-day cleanse ENDS TOMORROW! Will I have the MUCH MISSED Starbucks soy no-water chai tea latte, WHICH I haven’t had in TWENTY-ONE DAYS? Or, won’t I? STAY TUNED! Please try to discourage me from ever imbibing that thing again, though?! PLEASE. Begging.

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

*…and bears, and their cubs. For more info, or to take action, go to http://eyeonpalin.org or, of course, to Defenders of Wildlife. Thank you….

Contest over at Goodies — check it!

Just watching The Bachelor. Have hugest crush on Jason Mesnick….

PICK ME!!!

But I am so freezing cold and head-achy. So, without further ado (because I WANT BED), I give you point form. A few things I’m thinking about….

- Jason Mesnick.

- Went thumbing through People Magazine at the drugstore today. Made the monkeys wait in the stroller while thumbed. Thumbed through because of thumbnail picture of Jessica Simpson on the cover…. Naturally, it caught my eye….

…I think it was the high-waisted jeans that caught my eye. I mean, how are those flattering, really? And, she couldn’t pull them off when she was skin-and-bones — why NOW?

-Yes, she’s gained a lot of weight. And, I like it. It’s REFRESHING!

-In the magazine, Jess said the weight gain was a reflection of her happiness, and that boyfriend Tony Romo LOVES her new curves and makes her feel sexy. Obviously, (I don’t know what Tony Romo thinks, but) weight gain is rarely a reflection of HAPPINESS. It could be a reflection of yo-yo dieting…. I mean, we’ve all heard her say this before. Watch: 2 months from now she’ll be skinnier than ever. The same thing happened with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Janet Jackson, oh, and Alanis Morissette. It’s so all PR. AND, who could take all the FAT attacks. I mean, the media’s KILLING her with FAT FAT FAT jokes and criticism. But, it’s nice to see so many celebs coming out in her defense, even as so many of them are TOTALLY anorexic these days….

- Maybe it’s because Jessica Simpson’s gained weight? But, as I was thumbing, I noticed all the other actors in Hollywood are ANOREXIC looking. Angelina Jolie and Anne Hathaway were skin and bones at the SAG awards…. I mean, after all, Jessica Simpson is FAR FROM FAT with her new curves…. She’s just not ANOREXIC like so many of her peers.

-I had a professor in university who LOVED squirrels. She loved squirrels so much that she dedicated one of her books to them — to something like Periwinkle and Tootsiewoops (I think I’m way off, but you get the picture). I was her research assistant at one point, and I’d go to the grocery store and buy walnuts for her; I’d feed the squirrels when she was away…. She even made me accompany her onto the road to scoop up roadkill with an Indian silk cloth and drop him gently (I can’t remember his name) in a more respectable spot. I remember a car stopped in front of us, and the woman looked at me like I was cuckoo — of course, I was sure to point the finger at the squirrel lady…. The thing is. Now….

I’M A SQUIRREL LADY!

Check out the RED SQUIRREL….

I know, the pictures totally suck. (And, I know, this isn’t really POINT FORM anymore. I’m on a roll. Still f-f-f-freezing feverish, though.) I didn’t want to scare them with my flash. Anyway, I haven’t started naming them, yet. But, I give them all my leftovers, and sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Organic, of course. I also love the birds.

I just admire them, you know? This winter has been the coldest and snowiest we’ve had in a LONG time. How could the squirrels have prepared for that? How do they survive in it? I go back to my toasty home, and where to they go? And, where do they get their food, if no one feeds them….

-When I start to lose it during the day. Like, when Rascal’s flailing because he doesn’t want to put his boots on, or when the Monkey’s begging me for JUST ONE MORE BACKYARDIGANS…. I walk over to the kitchen window. And, if I’m lucky, I’ll see a bevy of squirrels and birds munching away on Monkey’s wasted breakfast waffle. And, then I can breathe again. I can remember what counts.

Love!
xo Haley-O

It’sgrandma can’t believe how great my skin looks since she got back from her 3-week vacation. Check Cheaty Recommends for all my skincare recos!

And, once you’re finished over there, check Cheaty Goodies for the big contest! OPEN TO EVERYONE.

And…, the news you’ve all been waiting for…. Day 1 of the cleanse: SUCCESS. Now, before we get all excited — I know I know! You can sit down now! Thank you, OH, thank you! LOVE! — it’s not really a “cleanse,” per se. I’m simply eliminating sugar and caffeine from my (vegan) diet for 21 days. Nothing fancy, nothing more restrictive.

I’m trying to teach myself to manage my feelings SANS addictive substances. In 21 days, I’m going to have broken some MAJOR habits: sugar, caffeine, and using food to stuff down my feelings, to stimulate my exhausted mother-self, and to stifle my dreams (I know, that last one was precious…).

You see, I had a little epiphany the other day. I realized that I’ve been refusing to care for myself. Why? Because I have so many mouths to feed already: a monkey, a rascal, a husband, THREE cats. I’m one more mouth to feed. And, I couldn’t bear to feed one more mouth — if I didn’t have to. So, I’d feed everyone as best I could, and then, when everyone’d go to bed, I’d sit by my computer and eat my usual almond butter on toast for dinner.

And, that’s not the worst of it. The Starbucks soy chai latte. It’s just another almond butter on toast — only loaded with stimulating sugar and caffeine (and, for sure, crack cocaine). It’s yummy, yes, but far from nutritious. I’ve been feeding my emotions, Gorgeouses, and not my body. And, inevitably, the emotions suffer if the body isn’t properly nourished.

Ultimately, everyone suffers if Mama isn’t properly nourished emotionally and physically.

So, today is my inauguration. I do solemnly vow to make taking care of myself a top priority. Scrapping the caffeine and sugar for 21 days is the perfect start….

And, speaking of perfect starts (and segues)….

What a great day to INAUGURATE a new, healthier, self-respecting lifestyle…. INAUGURATION DAY for President Barack Hussein Obama.

I was blown away by the inauguration ceremony. My GOD! Chills ran up and down my spine when he took the oath and spoke so beautifully about everything that matters. Just seeing ALL THOSE PEOPLE celebrating this momentous day, so hopeful…. It was incredible.

My monkeys LOVED watching the ceremony over lunch…. I, personally, enjoyed reflecting on how important this day is for them even though they are oblivious. That little blond head…watching Obama speak…. Faklempt…!

Like so many AMERICANS, this Canadian is very excited about the new President….

Photo credit: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images; via Animalrights.org.

Love….
xo Haley-O

The other day I told you I was going OUT ON THE TOWN for a bit of a soul journey. At first, I was going to be REALLY adventurous and go alone. But, our babysitter came through for us, and Josh-O joined me….

…Which was a good thing. Because the ballet we went to actually kind of SUCKED, and I needed someone to commiserate with (and to tell me it wasn’t just me who thought this). It was a 3-part ballet. The first part was aiight — I’d seen this particular piece a dozen times before, though, and this was not up to par. The second part was actually quite lovely…, but some of the men in this piece wouldn’t make it past the So You Think You Can Dance auditions…. Now, the THIRD part, called “In the Upper Room”? DISASTER….

Of all people, I’m not one to criticize ANYTHING the National Ballet of Canada puts on. LOVE. And, I WILL emphasize that, although I LOATHED this performance, it was worth seeing. I mean, even a BAD BALLET can be GOOD ART, you know, Gorgeouses? And, I think that was the case with this piece. It was provocative in a way that made me squirm in my seat with impatience and irritation. Art should do that sometimes….

BUT, the dancing was REALLY off. So much so that a certain dancer I was watching the entire second half of the piece because I couldn’t BELIEVE how sloppy she was SMASHED into a male dancer, fell to the floor and RAN OUT — NEVER TO RETURN (not even for the bows…). Poor thing. You have to feel sorry for her. In my 30 years of going to the ballet, I have NEVER seen such a disaster on stage! EVER!

Anyway. It was GREAT to get out. And, it was even GREATER not to go to ANOTHER movie. No. We were stimulating our minds with mediocre ballet that made us think about what GOOD ART was.

Between that and the Museum, Cheaty has become one CULTURED mama! Cheaty has become one RECHARGED mama….

So, I’ve come to a realization. When motherhood seems thankless — think butt-wiping, shoelace-tying, cleaning-floor-on-all-fours after meals, and “BIG MAMA” — get out and do something with the kids that stimulates YOU. Treat yourself.

On Friday, I picked Monkey up from school and took her and her little brother to the ZOO! I figured it would be a great way to get LOADS of exercise OUTSIDE of the city with beautiful animals to bring me back to SOUL LEVEL…. Another soul journey WITH the kids….

Instead of walking the dull city streets for an hour, I spent four hours getting a mean workout WHILE enjoying THIS….

I mean, what a GIFT to myself AND my little monkeys….

I didn’t need ANY “thanks” at all. Looking at the two of them grinning ear-to-ear was more than any “thank you” could give me.

And, the animals. The good thing about the Metro Toronto Zoo is that the animals seem really well-treated, healthy, in good spirits. And, I’ve heard this is true. They also have quite a lot of space to roam in and are rarely confined alone. I was happy to be there and to support the animals by going, and by teaching my children to respect them, marvel at their different shapes and sizes and sounds….

Can you guess what the monkey’s FAVOURITE animal was??? I’ll give you a hint….

As an extra treat, I bought them each a stuffed animal from the zoo gift shop. Of course, they both chose the same thing….

To cap off the night — because, by the time we were done with the zoo, it was getting dark! — we picked up Josh-O from work and drove downtown to my favourite vegetarian restaurant, FRESH…. If you ever go there, Gorgeouses, ORDER THE SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH THE THAI PEANUT SAUCE OMIGOSHHHH!!!!

Mmmmm….

Monkey held my hand, smiling ear-to-ear, on the way back to the car…. I can easily say it was one of the best days of her life — and mine.

Love….
xo Haley-O

I’m thinking of doing a cleanse. I’m ALWAYS thinking of doing a cleanse. It has to start with WINE. I’ve been drinking a lot of WINE lately. I think it’s because I hadn’t had ANY wine for a whole YEAR and 10 months (nursing and pregnancy). And, every time I drink wine, my tooth says NO NO NO — and, now, it says NO almost as soon as I take the first sip! It’s insanity. And, it’s a real shame because I love me a good wine buzz sometimes….

But, anyway, I wanted to share some pics from the weekend. We went up to the barn at which it’sgrandma boards and rides her horse. They were having a GRAND OPENING soirée. And, Gorgeouses, it’s beautiful….

To think, she goes there EVERY DAY. A LO-HO-HONG way from home. Now, THAT’S dedication. But, she’s passionate about horses, and she loves riding. Here’s it’sgrandma and Whisper….

It DOTH keep her YOUNG, doesn’t it? Look how gorj! Animals do that…. Yes. And, as we all know now, Cheaty LOVES animals. Yes, as we all know now, Cheaty’s love of animals PLUS Cheaty’s obsessive tendencies EQUALS, well, you know….

Sigh…, I just love him. Love horses. LOVE animals. Check me feeding him an apple. Brings me SUCH joy….

I also LOVED scratching him behind the ears…. Bliss.

I really am SO HAPPY when I’m with a happy animal. And, my kids — what do you know?! — LOVE animals. It’sgrandma was AMAZED at how Rascal didn’t budge as Whisper nuzzled his li’l blond head….

Check Rascal in his FARMER overalls. OY!

While walking home from the restaurant this evening….

Monkey: I can’t see the lights, Mama.
Me: Why, Monkey?
Monkey: Because the future is here.

By the way, HUGE SHOUT OUT to OPRAH for doing today’s wonderful show in a way that was watchable (for those of us who aren’t TOTAL EMPATHS, like moi — who managed still to WATCH it, but just with hand over mouth to keep jaw in place and emotions from pouring out and flooding house) and somewhat hopeful. THIS GUY, Nicolas Kristof, I LOVED….

And, THIS GUY, Wayne Pacelle — president of the Humane Society of the United States, the original sponsor of Proposition 2 (which, if it passes, will ban factory farms in California from raising chickens, calves or hogs in small pens or cages) — I ALSO LOVED….

Thank God for people like him. GO PROPOSITION 2! It’s not the be-all-and-end-all, but it’s a start…it’s something.

PLEASE NOTE: THE WHOLE TIME I’VE BEEN WRITING THIS POST, I’ve had (and still have) TWO cats on my lap. TWO. Here’s proof (sorry, taken with pinkberry because couldn’t exactly GET UP to go get camera…):

And, yes, I’m as comfortable as I look. Ahem. See, kitties know their mama’s a crazy animal lover…. Crazy enough to let BOTH of them sit on her lap as she does her work…. One of whom, by the way, is covering my entire face with sloppy kisses.

Check how the flash caught the SLOBBER! Love. And, yes, he was doing the whole TILTING-THE-HEAD thing. Going in for the tongue. Ew. MINDEN NO! ANYWAY!

By the way, my other two cats — Marge and, umm, Simba – say hi.

That painting is STILL not done (YELLOW), of course, but, you know, no time. Time, time, time…. Must make more of it….

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

There are some people who should NOT be watching violent movies, TV shows, or even reading violent books. Some people shouldn’t even DARE turn on the news or open a newspaper. The radio is quite enough thankyouverymuch.

And, when they say “The following program may contain scenes of violence. Viewer discretion is advised”? YOU BETTER BELIEVE that sh– is VIOLENT. And, SOME PEOPLE should NOT be watching it. “Viewer DISCRETION”? My arse. VIEWER BEWARE. Because viewer be having SERIOUS wake-up-screaming kind of nightmares. Like I did last night.

Ever had the kind of nightmare that’s SO REAL, and you want to scream, BUT YOU CAN’T? I think I tried to scream three times before, FINALLY, “JOOOOOSSSSSHHHHH” escaped my trembling lips. On went the light. And, I was brave enough to take a nervous peek under my bed.

Even AFTER having a nightmare like that, I’m now watching Prison Break. SO HELP ME GOD. I tried to convince Josh-O that he hated that show, but NO-O-O, Josh-O insists he loves it. And, so, I just watched a CRAZY WOMAN torture a CRAZY MAN and all sorts of CRAZY violent other stuff.

It’s a good thing Wentworth Miller is DANG hawt….

But, then, just as I go to one of my fave gossip sites to find the best possible picture of Wentworth (which, of course, the above IS NOT). I find a worse horror. A video of what’s happening on “factory farms” so that people CAN HAZ burgers, chicken fingers, bacon, etc., etc.. It’s NOT OKAY.

I knew things were bad. But, now I have more visuals tormenting me and keeping me up at night — after I pray, as I always do, for the comfort of the animals.

As of this moment, I’m no longer a vegetarian. I’m now a VEGAN. It’s the only thing I can do for my beloved animals right now (I also donate monthly to WSPA).

I am CRYING.

And, perhaps, another thing I can do is to gently encourage you (if not to go all out vegan like me, then,) to eat more vegetarian meals, and to look for the words FREE RANGE on your egg cartons. If possible and affordable, opt for organic dairy products, buy your animal products from organic butchers or, at the very least, buy meats that are hormone and antibiotic free (assuming the conditions aren’t bad enough to require antibiotics). As Jane Godall said, “everything you buy is a vote” (Harvest for Hope). Vote for the smaller farmers….

I know money’s an issue for everyone right now. Imagine how much money you’d save eating less meat….

(At the very least, give thanks when you eat animal products…. My family laughs at me when I insist they THANK THEIR FISH, but they do it anyway, and I think they mean it.)

Because it is NOT okay. NOT okay. NOT okay.

You might shut me down and insist “HUMANS ARE MEANT TO EAT ANIMALS,” and I’ll give you that. But, humans are also meant to RESPECT ANIMALS. To f-ing RESPECT THEM. Apparently, that’s too much to ask.

Since MOST PEOPLE can’t handle the video footage of the horrors of factory farms, I just saw the video for you (well, as much as I could watch without smashing my computer on the floor and ripping my hair out in AN ANGER I HAVE NEVER KNOWN BEFORE). And, just trust me: NOT okay.

NOT okay NOT okay NOT okay.

Everyone has to choose his/her own cause(s)…. I understand that. Just, this is a big one for me. Thank you for listening and letting me do this small thing for my cause….

May all the animals on this earth find peace and comfort tonight….
xo Haley-O

Honestly? I was NOT looking for a pity party in the comment section last post (or, in my Inbox — thank, you CONCERNED GORGEOUSES)! But, there were some really useful pity-party comments that I, definitely, took to heart.

One of them in particular, from one of my bloggy besties RENEE (who, I gotta tell you, is TRAY wise), suggested I do this little exercise. Check it:

You need some positives! I think you need to write down 5 positive thing about yourself every day. I think that focusing on having to come up with 5 positive things each day will help you stop being so obsessed with the negative and eventually those negative things will go away. Good luck. I’m challenging you to do this Haley…can you do it?

YES I CAN! Hmmm…. A challenge. I LOVE a good challenge. That’s one of my better qualities. Voilà a positive! And, I haven’t even begun the exercise! So, here goes….

Here’s a picture of moi as I am now. Taken today. I will refrain from saying ANYTHING negative about it (even if negative thoughts are flying voraciously around in head).

Okay, so, 1. I have really thick and healthy hair. Hairdressers ALWAYS tell me it’s gorj. The colour is also nice enough that I don’t have to get it coloured — people often ask me if I DO colour it! Sweet.

(This feels weird….)

2. My eyes are pretty rad, actually. I LOVE putting makeup on them. And, a guy once told me “eyes like mine never get old.” Hmmmm…. I let him buy me a drink after that, of course. I also like that they’re really round and big and friendly. I am THE most unintimidating person because of them. Also I get away with a lot because they scream “INNOCENCE.” Heh!

3. Uh oh…. This is getting tougher now…. My lips. They’re big. I understand that big lips are a highly coveted feature….

In grad school, one of my colleagues told me (in front of a table full of students and profs) that I probably get a lot of guys because, with my “perfectly full lips,” I must give good. And, then she tried to put lipstick on them….

4. I am freakishly flexible. I can do the splits all three ways (and if there were a fourth way, I’d be able to do that, too), lift my leg over my head, etc., etc.. Check it if you don’t believe me (note that I did NOT warm up AT ALL before taking this pic and am LUCKY I didn’t pull something — the things I do for you…LOVE!)…

…I’m also blessed with some kick-arse balance…. Weeeee! (Sorry for the foggy pics — my camera battery died so we took them with Pinkberry….)

5. Likes long walks on the beach Eager to learn. I’m EAGER TO LEARN. YES! You probably wouldn’t have seen this phrase on my high-school report card. But, if there were a report card of life right now? I’d get an E for EAGER TO LEARN. It DOTH get me in trouble, though. Like, lately? I KEEP reading books with horrific, TRAUMATIZING chapters on the evils of the meat and dairy industries, and it is KILLING ME. I couldn’t SLEEP last night thinking of the animals — I certainly did NOT expect THIS BOOK to go there! Alas, it seems I’m destined to go vegan, OR SOMETHING! A-ny-way, USUALLY my eagerness to learn leads me to enlightening knowledge that makes life TRAY exciting. Eager to learn…eager to LIVE.

Of course, those are five positive things about ME. There’s much more, I see! Like the monkeys. My beautiful, healthy monkeys. What MORE could anyone ask for than that. I should stop asking, shouldn’t I…. Because I have all I need right here right now.

Thank you, Renee! This was a very healing exercise…. Wonderful….

And, now it’s YOUR turn, Gorgeouses. FIVE POSITIVE THINGS ABOUT YOURSELF. Right here, in the comments, or on your own blog, if you have one! I wanna see, I wanna see!