Hello Gorgeouses! This is a quickie today because I’m seriously under the weather. I must have caught a bug in New York. It’sgrandma’s insisting you can’t get a reaction from the flu shot because it’s not a living vaccine. But, my doc gave it to me last week, and I’ve been feeling ILL ever since. Josh was so sick today, too, though. So, maybe it is just a vile little bug from the plane….

SO, this is just a reminder to vote for my cousin MILES on So You Think You Can Dance Canada tomorrow (Wednesday)! Every vote counts, so THANK YOU.

Here’s a vid of last week’s contemporary routine, and of THE CHOREOGRAPHER reaming out annoying judge for dissing Miles’s performance. YEEEAHHH! As a dancer myself, I felt Miles performance was excellent. See for yourself….

Miles has a very unique style. For a B-BOY to dance contemporary…. I mean, COME ON. That was fabulous. But, regardless, he DANCED this. And, he danced it HARD and beautifully and with heart and with MAYJAH style. This was one of my favourites. Blew me away. No one could have danced it better. GO MILES.

What you really need to see are Miles’s last two solos because, OH MY GARSH, they’ve been AMAZING. I just can’t get them on YouTube for some reason! I’ll keep an eye out.

Thanks so much for the support, Gorgeouses!

Good luck, Miles! I’ll be hitting that redial button for TWO STRAIGHT HOURS tomorrow night — count on it. Love, ALL THE CHEATY GORGEOUSES

P.S.: Kids Deserve Art has been featured on Droolicious! We couldn’t be more excited. HUGE thanks to Amanda Hill for recognizing our little gallery and sharing it with the world!

Both kids are in their rooms. It’s 3:51pm. Beautiful day outside. But, I’m happy sitting on the couch here. It’s been a long day.

This is going to be a no-frills post. Better than nothing. I just want to stay relaxed…. Ahhh. Relax. Breathe in “REEEEEEEEE”. Breathe out “LAAAAAAAAAX”…. Such a good meditation to do if you’re stressed….

I’ve been doing a lot of running around lately. It’s starting to get to me. So, I’m doing something very bizarre tonight.

I’m going out. Alone. What I’m doing is very beautiful. It’ll be an adventure. A soul adventure.

I’ll tell you ALL about it later, of course.

For now, I’ve got some chilling to do. On the couch. I love my couch.

My parents have been away for 2.5 weeks, and I’m feeling it. I haven’t had a break from the kids at all — not even to grocery shop. And, as much as I love being with my kids, of course, you know how it is: exhaustion sets in, and frustration — because there’s only so much one can handle of not-being-listened-to.

The monkey assures me that her “listening ears” are on good and tight. But, I can assure YOU, Gorgeouses, they are not.

At 9:30am this morning, I got this strange feeling that I was supposed to be somewhere. So, I looked online at the Sport Ball schedule I’d signed Rascal up for (I KNOW the kid doesn’t even walk yet, but still), and LO AND BEHOLD, it started LAST WEEK. I know. I’m REEEEEALLY with it. Can you say, “MOTHER OF THE YEAR”? I can’t HEAR YOU!!! Heh.

So, I called the Sport Ball peeps, and they confirmed that we’d missed a class and that this week’s class was starting any minute now. So, OUT THE DOOR we ran. And, we made it just on time.

Rascal was BY FAR the youngest one there. Technically, he shouldn’t be in the program at all. He’s THIRTEEN MONTHS and not walking. But, the little thing had SUCH a great time with all the balls. He completely belonged in there. Everyone loved him. Of course! I felt so happy being there with him, so appreciative of our special one-on-one time, and really proud of my funny little guy and his hunchback/rhinoceros crawl. I have to get a video of that one for you. Way to go Rascal!

Speaking of videos and EXCELLENT segues, here’s Miles dancing for his life on last weeks So You Think You Can Dance Canada…. He’s the fifth one in, but please enjoy the other solos, especially his partner Lara’s — she was magnificent. She won me over after that…. Check it:

GO MILES! He rocked da house, fashizzle. But, in all likelihood, and I hate to say this, Miles will be dancing for his life AGAIN tonight. THAT’s because he and Lara got ANOTHER lame routine this week: they got the fox trot, which would have been find and not lame had EVERYONE else not picked such crowd-pleasers as Hip Hop, HOUSE (awesome), Jazz (hottest routine you ever saw…). You know how it goes. So, I’m praying for Miles! This is for the top 10! If he makes it through tonight, he’s in the top 10 — and he’ll get to go on TOUR. Tonight is HUGE. PRAY!

Okay, Rascal’s awake. He really is a lousy napper.

Update: Josh-O will be joining me on my little soul excursion. Which will make it just as sweet, if not sweeter. And, I can assure you, there will be White Zinfandel involved…. Perhaps lots.

I’m feeling very ANGRY today. Yes, ANGER is the dominant emotion. And, I would hate to be the child of someone who is ANGRY. So, the kids are safely tucked in their beds — far away from my WRATH. GRRRR!

Why angry, you ask? TWO WORDS:

HALLOWEEN TREATS.

LOOK AT THEM!!!

We have THREE BOXES just like this. And, knowing our neighbourhood, that won’t be enough. We’ll be out of them by 7pm….

Sigh, anyway. They’re making my blood boil — sitting in the foyer like that — because I CAN’T EAT THEM. This is one of those times where I just HATE my oversized compassion muscle. In every single chocolate bar in that box, there are “Milk Solids.” Why couldn’t I have gone vegan AFTER Halloween?

I’m basically stuck watching everyone eat chocolate. Salivating, smelling the chocolate, getting by on RICE MILK with Chocolate Nestlé Nesquik Syrup, which PETA has listed on their “ACCIDENTALLY VEGAN” page…. But, seriously, ew. It just doesn’t compare to KIIIIIIIIIT KAAAAAAAAT…. Oh well. These things are worth sacrificing, in the end. And, imagine all the calories I’m saving. And, the cows. Beautiful, beloved cows.

Now, I’m popping popcorn…. And, I burnt my fingers on the pot. See, the Universe doesn’t like it when I’m angry…. No really. Whenever I get angry, MORE annoying carp happens to make me even MORE angry…. It’s a vicious cycle. Whereas, if I just sit down for a bit and BREATHE and, say, enjoy my popcorn, things seem to turn around. Here’s hoping.

Mmm. Good popcorn. I’m not even thinking about chocolate anymore. And, I’m now only a wee bit angry. Because ate a TON of popcorn….

Seriously, though, I deserved that popcorn. I had a rough day. Motherhood. It’s hard. I have NO time for myself. And, I’m having an issue with that right now….

When I don’t get enough time for myself, I definitely start to get ANGRY. I WORKED with my kids (and it IS work — hardest work of your life) from 7 this morning until 8:30 this evening. I didn’t get my half-hour lunch break or my 15 minute coffee breaks. I got NOTHING. I’m actually thankful that my friend Court gave me the wrong directions to her house because kids in the car for A WHOLE HOUR? Strapped to their seats? Plugged in Ipod? And, WHAT YOU HAVE IS BLISS.

It’s sad that the only time I have to myself is in the car. But, it’s the sacrifice I make.

Cooking with two toddlers at your feet? NOT BLISS. BRUTAL!

More sacrifices. No wonder I’m ANGRY. Sacrifice is my middle name. Actually, it’s Rachel, but, you know….

Then? Josh-O gets home and decides to carve the most ELABORATE PUMPKINS in the country. So, guess who has to bathe the kids whilst the ARTIST creates?

He DID do a pretty good job….

…on ONE of the pumpkins. The other was a flop. This?

…was supposed to look like THIS CAT….

I told him when he started that the cat one was WAY too ambitious. But, whatevs. He tried. Had the best fatherly intentions. He’s a good guy, that Josh-O. He knew I was tired and angry (umm, ANYONE would know). So, he cleaned the kitchen, and the dining room floor — under Rascal’s chair. We had spaghetti. BRUTAL clean-up.

In addition to being angry, I was very NERVOUS tonight because my cousin Miles was in the bottom three of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA. I knew he would be because I wasn’t wild AT ALL about the West Coast Swing routine he was given this week…. Check it!

I am a huge Rex Harrington fan, by the way…. LOVE!

Anyway, Miles danced for his life tonight and did AWESOME (I’ll get you the video asap)…. He’s an AMAZING popper. I couldn’t be prouder. LOVE! His partner Lara was also safe tonight. And, she’s really proven herself. So, we’re good!

Hopefully, he’ll get Hip Hop next week….

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, Gorgeouses! I hope you dress up and eat a lot of POPCORN…. And, hey, winners of the Halloween Contest are announced over at GOODIES. There’s also proof there of what a VERY BAD MOOD I was in this evening. It’s a very unflattering video. As usual, now that you mention it. Must get Josh to try a different angle….

xo Haley-O

My cuz Miles has been KICKING BUTT (and then some) on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. I am beyond proud. Beyond.

By the way? Is “So You Think You Can Dance” not the longest TV-show title EVER? I tweet about Miles ALL the time, and you’re only allowed 140 characters per tweet. SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE takes up the whole dang thing. And, then add “Canada” to it? Blerrrg. I just HAD to point that out.

ANYWAY. Miles is breezing through the top twenty. He hasn’t been in the bottom three AT ALL! Canada LOVES HIM! And, you’ll see why when you check the VID:

I KNOW, RIGHT!? Abs, right!? ABS! Mine are the girlie version of that, FYI. It runs in the family. He got them from moi. Ummmmm…, no. Mine are nonexistent since I gave birth to two monkeys in 2.2 years. Well, they exist. But, they are mush.

One of my oldest childhood memories of Miles is from when we were really little, and I made Miles (yes, THAT Miles — ABS Miles) kiss all our feet. It’sgrandma got mad at us…. I don’t think Miles remembers that….

My cousin the sex symbol! Awesome….

Now for the toilet paper question….

Apparently, the way you place your toilet paper says a lot about you.

If you place your toilet paper face in, like so….

…then you’re a class act. This is the way it’s SUPPOSED to be done.

If you place your toilet paper face out, like so….

…then you have a little work to do on your classiness. Or, like me, you place your toilet paper like this JUST to be rebellious (Cheaty don’t need no toilet-paper rules to be CLASSAY)…. Sometimes, I even flip OTHER people’s toilet paper rolls around — just to mess them up a little. Seriously….

BUT, what does it say about you if your toilet paper roll ALWAYS looks like this…?

Any thoughts, Gorgeouses???

RASCAL! Step AWAY from the TOILET PAPER….

Hmph! Cheaty little Rascal….

Have you entered our CONTEST OVER AT GOODIES? Check it!

Love!

xo Haley-O

I’m stuck in this computer, and I can’t get OUUUUUUT! Hellooooooo, out there!!! Gorgeous? You reading this? I’m STUCK!!!! GET ME OUT!

Actually, I’m not in the computer. I’m sitting at my dining room table. It’s Wednesday evening. And, Rascal has just thrown his entire dinner on the floor, on the wall, at me. My heart is pounding out of my chest, and all I keep hearing is my own voice in my head saying GET ME THE F-K OUT OF HERE!

Yesterday was TOO HARD. So, I woke up PISSED off that I had to jump out of bed and do it all again.

Also, yesterday, I had TWO rubber bands IN A ROW snap on me (OUCH), which tells me (maybe?) that there’s supposed to be TWO days of this continuous SNAPPAGE. So, tomorrow WILL be better.

Elastics on my cat….

Actually, maybe it just means that I’m going to have TWO Starbucks soy no-water chai tea lattes and I better SNAP out of it and get back on the stimulant-free wagon — BORRRRRING!

I liked what Kristen said in yesterday’s comments. She said she hoped I had a chance to “renew my spirit.” Beautiful…. The answer is NO. But, I want to go into tomorrow fresh. So, I think it’s time for a little spiritual renewal, shall we?

Ahhhhhhhhh. Better. Now, I’m going to bathe the Rascal, enjoy my chai latte guilt free — especially since, of course, IT’S MY LAST ONE EVER! Because, after the soy-cheese pizza I tasted last night? EWWWW! I’m actually starting to VOMIT IN MY MOUTH at the thought of soy milk or cheese. So, good. This might be the end of the CHAI. Perfect time to renew the spirit. You know what? Now that I think of it, ew. Better call Josh and tell him to fogetaboudit.

And, by the way? I’ve said this before and I’ll say this again: IF you decide to try Starbucks chai-tea latte BECAUSE OF ME and THEN become hooked on it? Do not blame me. I’ve heard it ALL before (ohhhh the emails I get about this). I WARNED YOU. Yes, I WARNED you! But, I guess it’s like what they say about pink elephants. If I say “DON’T THINK ABOUT PINK ELEPHANTS,” what are you going to do? You’re going to think about pink elephants…. It’s the human condition.

My cousin MILES is UP FIRST tonight (Wednesday evening) on So You Think You Can Dance Canada! Canadian Gorgeouses, exercise your right to VOTE! A lot…!

Photos, with thanks, c/o the So You Think You Can Dance Canada website.

Okay, just watched Miles and, as their song went, “OH MY GOODNESS OH MY GOSH”!!! BUCK!!!!! They were BUCK!!! Wait ’til you see it on YouTube. I’ll post it asap. MILES! Dat sh-t is BUCK! Just. Too bad those abs don’t run in the family. Well, they used to — pre-baby….

xoxo! Haley-O

PS: NOT-SCARY contest over at GOODIES! Sign up! It’s GOOD for you! And, seriously, I want to do something profound for you…. Because love….

PPS: I dropped the price of our Single-Peg Coathooks. They’re now ONLY $25! YEEEAAAHHH BOOYYYY! Please check Kids Deserve Art for your gifties! Thanks….

I can’t even tell you how long this day was. Sometimes I think we should NEVER say stuff like “I can’t wait ’til this day is over,” or “5 more hours ’til bedtime, AND counting,” or “WILL THIS DAY EVER END.” I feel like we should ALWAYS cherish every single moment. You know? You know. I know you know. And, I know you know that I know you know. But, still — you never know (that you know that I know that you know that I know. That you know. That I know that you know. You know.)

I mean EVERYWHERE I go, people tell me to cherish this time — when the kids are so young — even though it’s SO hard. EVERYONE tells me about how fast the time goes and about how, before I know it, they’ll be off to college and I’ll be WISHING I were where I am right now: caked peanut butter on my shirt, cat-hair-covered lulus, and BABY WHO WILL NOT SLEEP no matter how long I walk him….

But, today was the longest day in the history of days, and it was exhausting and demanding in every way — physically, emotionally, and even spiritually (since it was a yoga-teaching day). Check it:

7:30am: A bit of a sleep-in! NICE! Rascal RISES from his slumber.

7:35am: Josh-O brings him to our bed. At first he cuddles sweetly with me, then somersaults all over the bed and pounces me over and over….

7:45am: Quickest most unrelaxing shower in the history of showers….

7:50am: Drag Monkey out of bed, dress her, dress Rascal….

8:30am: Feed them breakfast of apple, cheese, cereal, waffle, whatevs….

9:00am: Monkey out the door with Josh-O. I put on my makeup (in dining room mirror…) as Rascal finishes his breakfast.

9:30am: It’sgrandma comes over with IGOR (pseudonym for my sister’s 18-month old son, just making sure she’s reading my blog…ha!). IGOR is afraid of Minden. Who could be afraid of THIS FACE?

10:30am: Grocery shopping.

11:15am: Pick up Monkey from preschool.

11:45am: Unpack groceries, feed monkeys lunch, change Rascal’s diaper, put Monkey on toilet, feed self.

12:45pm: Off to teach yoga.

12:59pm: Shove Monkey and Rascal in daycare and RUN FOR IT!

1:00-3:00pm: Teach yoga.

3:30pm: Transfer FINALLY-SLEEPING Rascal into crib. Of course, he wakes up, cries for a bit and dozes for about an hour. Meanwhile….

4:00pm: Monkey and I make chocolate-chip muffins….From a box….

4:30pm: Monkey enjoys a freshly-baked chocolate-chip-oatmeal muffin….

5:00pm: Cook dinner for the monkeys: it was basically this dish with tomato sauce and parmesan on top….

They LOVED it…. Meanwhile, Rascal has his usual post-nap meltdown, making it very difficult and frustrating to cook dinner (this? the beginning of the end for me)….

5:05pm: Feed Rascal pacifying, freshly-baked chocolate-chip-oatmeal muffin and sippy cup of organic milk…. Peace at last….

5:45pm: Sit on couch. Underneath cat, Monkey and Rascal. Read a blog or two while Rascal smacks the keyboard with pudgy chocolate-smudged hand…. Chaos is everywhere. Including Rascal’s usual disastrous foray to the cat-food zone….

MAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRGE!

6:05pm: DINNER. Josh is still at work. So, I feed the CRAZY monkeys. Both eat their dinner. But, not without a fair bit of goading and, needless to say, frustration.

6:30pm: I huff upstairs. Monkey thinks saying “I love you” over and over exonerates her from my accelerating wrath….

7:00pm: Bath time….

7:30pm: YOU try changing this cheaty little Rascal?

I’m serious: ever since our last mommy-and-baby yoga class, he’s OBSESSED with downward dog pose….

7:45pm: I read Monkey a book while Rascal tumbles about on her bed. I choose a book I can relate to….

8:00pm: Bedtime. AT LAST. My shins are BURNING from standing all day. I’m drained of ALL energy, but THANKFUL the day is done….

I’m now enjoying The Tudors — my, like, favourite QUALITY show. Must get to bed EARLY. I need it. More than ever. And, I WILL appreciate tomorrow and love every minute of the chaos, even as I look forward ALL DAY to my cousin MILES FABER DANCING ON SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA! He and his partner Lara are up FIRST, so set your PVRS! DO NOT MISS! And, please vote!!! LOVE!

Also, check our exciting Halloween CONTEST OVER AT GOODIES! Check it!

Also ALSO, the GOURD recipe is finally up at the KITCH. Check it!

xo Haley-O

Okay, it’s 9:46pm. I’m waiting for The Hills to come on — even though the BEST Hills drama is happening in “real” life: Audrina and Lauren aren’t speaking because of the big rumour going around that Lauren hooked up with JUSTIN BOBBY. But, seriously, vulgar or not — what, with the burping — Justin Bobby is totally jumpable. Like, who wouldn’t?

Hott….

Oh yeeeeaaah….

Ahem. Where was I? The Hills. On in a minute. But, Josh-O’s watching Heroes, which is aiight, s’aiight dawg. A little too violent for me. And that Doyle dude is CREEPERS….

Eww.

Anyway, according to US Magazine, Audrina and Lauren are NOT on speaking terms because of this hott rumour, and Audrina’s contemplating her future on the show. But, we all know she soooo wants out so she can pursue movies she can get naked in….

Anyhoot! I made my butternut squash — GOURD — tonight! It was DEELISH. Not exactly a hit with the Monkey, but that’s only because I made it from scratch. Ahem. The Rascal LOVED it, though. Check the KITCH for the recipe. It’ll be up some time tomorrow. Here’s a preview….

IF you’re wondering whaddup with my GREY molars (not to mention NOSE!!!)? You were SO wondering…. I took a bunch of pictures of me and the squash so I could give you a semi decent one. Turns out, I had SALAD in my teeth the whole time. SALAD. THIS was the only one I could semi fix on photobucket. Then, I got swirl happy in the background. I know. Fab pic. I should do this for a living. Send me your pix for a FIX! Do you love it?

Now…. CHECK MY COUSIN MILES FABER ON SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA doing the Viennese Waltz! I hope you’re voting, Canadian Gorgeouses, FOR THE ENTIRE TWO HOURS! As the monkey says, “I ‘spect it” of you! Heh. A vote or 200 is PERFECT. THANKS. Love….

Okay, so, yes. I expect the comments to be FILLED TO THE BRIM with your thoughts on how GORJ he is and ADORABLE and TALENTED! Wait ’till you see him in his element, Gorgeouses. At my wedding? (Did I tell you this?) We all got in a massive circle, and Miles put on his b-boy digs and KICKED IT! If he reads this, by the way? He’s going to think I’m the biggest nerd. Just saying. His MOM reads this blog, though (HI AUNT SHELLY!), so feel free to go ON AND ON about Miles’s awesomeness in the comments.

Love! xo Haley-O

P.S. HALLOWEEN CONTEST OVER AT GOODIES. CHECK IT!!! And, by the way, the FREE TAROT readings are by email. So, no time or phone call involved! Sweet!

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

It’s only 8:54pm, and I’m hungry. It’s Erev Yom Kippur this evening. “Erev” is hebrew for “evening.” It’s the evening of Yom Kippur. So, as of around 6:30 this evening (this “erev”), I’m not allowed to eat for over 24 hours.

So, I haven’t eaten in, ohhh, 2 hours and 24 minutes…, and 27 seconds 25, 24. But, I’m not counting, or anything…. More than even eating, though, I’m thirsty. I want water. Just one little swig?

Parched.

Poor Josh-O forgot it was Yom Kippur — on the way home from SYNAGOGUE — and asked me if I wanted Starbucks $%$#@! YES, I WANT STARBUCKS! YES YES YES! I can’t THINK about anything else!

Dangit.

On Yom Kippur we’re supposed to repent our sins. The day-long fast is supposed to cleanse us, so we can enter the New Year on a clean slate.

So, I wasn’t going to blog tonight. Because, really, we’re supposed to use this time to look inward, explore, reflect, release, resolve. But, I felt like saying hi and telling you a bit about this day.

ALSO. I had to tell you! GORGEOUSES, my cousin MILES DID AWESOME tonight (now 10:04…am HUNGERS!) on So You Think You Can Dance Canada!

Isn’t he adorable (I know, I can’t stop saying that)? I’ll get the vid of his dance on tonight’s show as soon as it’s out on youtube. I didn’t think the routine he was given was that great — what, with the totally GRATUITOUS KISS (but, maybe I’m just being an overprotective older cuz…) — probably because Miles is a popper, AND WE WANT TO SEE HIM POP THAT CHEST! I also kind of wish they paired Miles up with that blond BOMBSHELL who KILLED her hip hop routine, Natalli Reznik — did you see the BODY on that girl?

But Milesy ROCKED IT — and his partner Lara, though not a great match for him at all…, should help him get through Contemporary with flying colours. And, he’ll carry her right through to the top 10. The judges LOVE HIM. Check this from Jean Marc Genereux: “You are the John Travolta of our show…of Canada…sexy beast!” YEEEAAAAHHHH!

And, hey? did you see my AUNT SHELLY in Miles’ intro? I’ll get the vid, I’ll get the vid. I am SO PROUD. I can’t even tell you.

In the meantime, here’s the vid of Miles making it into the top 20! His segment starts 1 minute and 7 seconds in….

See HERE for Miles’ So You Think You Can Dance bio. And, thank you, Canadian Gorgeouses (and even some of you American Gorgeouses who tried!), for VOTING for MILES FABER LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!

Wish me luck fasting…. It’s going to be a LONG DAY. Eat a tofu burger for me, will you? LOVE!
xo Haley-O
Photos, with thanks, c/o So You Think You Can Dance official website.

I got an email from BFF Lolo today with a bunch of questions I’m supposed to answer. You know, an email meme, AS IT WERE (a phrase I haven’t used since grad school, blergbergbeglerrrrrrrrg). So, I thought it might be fun to ACTUALLY do this meme, edit a few of the questions a WEEEEE bit to suit the BLOG GENRE, and post it here. I also thought maybe YOU GORGEOUSES would want to do it — either in the comments or on your blog, if you have one (but post your link in the comments). It’s a fun one and a good way for us to get to know each other better. You in? CHECK IT!

(NOTE: Click HERE to get the list of questions you can cut and paste — EASY — into your blog or the comments. LOVE!)

1. What time did you get up this morning? 5am and 7am….
2. Diamonds or pearls? Pearls….
3. What was the first film you saw at the cinema? I fully cannot remember. I think the first one I remember seeing in the theatre was ET, but there had to have been earlier ones….
4. What is your favorite TV show? Just one?? Right now, I’m loving THE TUDORS because I SO lived another life in that time, was probably a peasant…, and because HELLO (caution: the following preview is HHHHHOTT):

And, in case you were wondering? I’m a Jeremy Northam girl, but I definitely see the SEXual appeal of Jonathan Rys Meyers. DEFINITELY. Also, Natalie Dormer? PERFECT Anne Boleyn. PERFECT. I mean, WOW. You MUST watch this, Gorgeouses?

Also? Because it’s my blog and I’m a TV WHORE and a claim-to-fame WHORE, I love SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA because my first cousin MILES FABER, MADE IT TO THE TOP 20! HOLLAHHHHH!

I could not be PROUDER! Soooo, if you haven’t seen it already, check him in this vid — this was the first audition that got him to the Toronto finals…. He’s the second one in….

The judges LOVE HIM!

Okay! And, we’re only on question 4…. Moving right along….

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Errrrrmmmm, Starbucks soy no-water chai tea latte….
6. What is your middle name(s)? Rachel….
7. What food do you dislike? Any food that involves cruelty to animals….
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Oh gosh. I think the yoga mix I created for the classes I teach (they’re totally KEY for me to keep track of the time). It’s LOVERLY and calming and so pretty…. Here’s a song from it (since so many of you loved the other songs from the CD that I posted a while back)…. Enjoy….

That’s “Paramaysareh,” by Snatam Kaur, from her album Anand (Bliss).

9. What kind of car do you drive? Silver SUV….
10. Favorite sandwich? Grilled Vegetable….
11. What characteristic do you despise? Passive Aggressiveness….
12. Favorite item of clothing? My Lululemon pants, of course…
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Right now, I’d really like to go to a Yoga retreat — maybe one in Costa Rica….
14. Favorite brand of clothing? Would have to be Lululemon — only the pants, though….
15. Where would you retire to? I think I’d like to travel the world when I retire, and keep my residence in Toronto (my parents are doing that, and it’s a beautiful, exciting life)….
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Oh gosh. This last one. Because it SUCKED BEYOND. Heh….
17. Favorite sport to watch? Gymnastics, then diving, then basketball….
18. Furtherest place you are sending this? Probably Gorgeous Ellen (aka GOOFBALL) in BELGIUM!
19. Person you expect to do this first? I have NO IDEA! And, I have this uncomfortable feeling that NO ONE’s going to do this, and that I’m going to look like a big LOO-HOOOO-SER! You know what, though? I’m coo widdat….
20. When is your birthday? September 10, 1974….
21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Night person (also, apparently, an ellipses person…………….., in case you haven’t noticed by now…….LOVE…….!)….
22. What is your shoe size? I just learned that since I had Rascal I went UP A HALF A SIZE! I’m now, officially, a 7 and a half.
23. Pets? One Three cats.

Yes, that’s a banana. I had to dance with a banana because my maraca was too dangerous…, ahem……

Take it from Monkey, you do NOT want to get THWACKED in the head with THAT thing. You want to STAY AWAY FROM your CARAZAY dancing, maraca-shaking mama!

24. Any new and exciting news you’d like to share with us? MY COUSIN MILES FABER MADE IT TO THE TOP 20 OF SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA!
25. What did you want to be when you were little? An artist. With special powers.
26. How are you today? Happy.
27. What is your favorite candy? Anything chocolate. With peanuts. (It’s been a while, come to think of it!)
28. What is your favorite flower? The rose — any colour.
29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? HALLOWEEN!
30. What is your favorite pastime? Yoga….
31. What are you listening to right now? Josh-O tapping away on his computer….
32. What was the last thing you ate? Homemade Chai Tea with milk and agave nectar….
33. Do you wish on stars? Yes….
34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Purple….
35. How is the weather right now? Cold and damp….
36. The first person you spoke to on the phone today? Josh-O….
37. Favorite restaurant? Cravings (because Lolo and I just went there and I loved every minute of it — it’d been a LO-HO-HONG time since I’d been to a restaurant)….
38. Real hair color? auburn-ish (I don’t dye it)….
39. What was your favorite toy as a child? sighhhh, Barbie, and my Cabbage Patch Kids (and Dog “Kasey”)….
40. Summer or winter? Neither! I love the more moderate temperatures of Fall and Spring….
41. Hugs or kisses? Hugs….
42. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate….
43. Coffee or tea? Duuuhhhhh…. Freakin’ tea (dang Starbucks!)….
44. Do you want your friends to do this in the comments or their blogs? Why? YES! Because I want to get to know them better, and because I think memes are fun and healthy and not for bloggers alone!
45. When was the last time you cried? My birthday (but I could cry if I wanted to…)…
46. What is under your bed? A yoga bolster and a meditation pillow….
47. What did you do last night? Got home from the country, dinner at it’sgrandma’s and papa’shere, and WATCHED MY CUZ MILES FABER (VOTE FOR HIM) MAKE IT TO THE TOP 20 OF SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE CANADA.
48. What are you afraid of? On a bad day? Everything. On a good day? Nothing.
49. How many keys on your key ring? I’m SO not getting my sorry arse off this couch to check, but I think 4….
50. How many years at your current job? I’ve been blogging for 2.5 years, selling art for 2.6 years, teaching yoga for 4.5 years….
51. Favorite day of the week? Saturday….
52. How many towns have you lived in? including as a kid? 4 (Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, London)….
53. Do you make friends easily? Yes….
54. How many people will you send this to? Ummm…. Hundreds? (But, I don’t like to think about that because OVERWHELMS.)
55. How many will respond? I’m hoping at least 10ish? STEP UP TO THE PLATE, THOUGH, GORGEOUSES! We want to KNOW YOU!
56. Salty or sweet? Lately salty! Which is SO UNLIKE ME! But, I never say no to sweet. And, HELLO CHAI TEA LATTE? AKA, my CRACK? Could NOT be any sweeter….
57. Favorite soft drink? None. I don’t drink zee soft drink.

YOU’RE UP, GORGEOUSES!

Look! Rascal throwing a tantrum in LEG WARMERS….

SLIPPER!!!!!!! (Paul Frank, of course! They are awesome….)

You know what this reminds me of? BUT, OF COURSE (dance with me!)….

Love it. Love it. Love it. Love it.

CONGRATULATIONS to SCIFI DAD AND MULTITASKING MOMMY on the BIRTH OF THEIR NEW SON!!! Yaaayyyy!