It wasn’t planned. It wasn’t voluntary. It was awesome. It was a Computer Fast that no one could have anticipated. It was the computer fast that changed. my. life.

HA! It wasn’t THAT exciting.

(By the way, I’m too tired to be blogging right now. Because this day was MADNESS, I tell you, MADNESS! I’m still getting used to Rascal not napping anymore. ALAS! But, it’s been, like, way too long since my last post, so here we are — trying to string coherent sentences together. Bear with!)

But, I AM sitting here today typing away on a brand SPANKING new 13″ Macbook — fumbling a little with the new key placement and too-long nails — all thanks to my generous husband.

Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Thank you, Josh. IT IS a wonderful Hanukkah gift. Something that was SO much needed. Gorgeouses, you couldn’t have known, my last macbook was giving me mini heart attacks all the time because it didn’t have enough memory or megs for me and kept freezing and took HOURS AND HOURS to load any little thing. I’ve got chills just THINKING about all the time and frustration this new computer is going to save me. No wonder I’ve been having anxiety lately.

Actually….

It was the COMPUTER FAST that taught me SO MUCH about a major TRIGGER of my seasonal anxiety. See, the colder the weather, the more one SITS on one’s ARSE surfing the internet.

While the Mac people feverishly worked to transfer the data from my old computer to the new one, I re-laaaaxed, I watched TV (like, ACTUALLY watched it), I read yoga books and my novel, I FELT NAKED — unable to reach over and grab the computer to answer my latest question. I have millions of questions every second, and, whom do I turn to for answers? THE INTERNET. Always THE INTERNET — all the people, information, connection. It’s addictive. Like a grande soy no-water tazo chai….

And, imagine — as the psychic at the bookstore told me the other day — I have ALL the answers already. Everything I need…. How true. And it took a COMPUTER FAST to really show me that.

A great Hanukkah gift, indeed.

Speaking of Hanukkah gifts, check my Canada Moms Blog Post “Beyond Gift-Giving: Hanukkah the Green.” I’ve been very contemplative lately. In a good way. Time actually slows when you close the computer and turn inside.

Umm. So. Josh-O went to Vegas last weekend for a bachelor party and to play the World Series of Poker Tournament. We’ll not talk about the WEEKEND-FROM-HELL I had flying solo with a sick Rascal and an (almost) FOUR-YEAR-OLD. Sigh, yes, I’m learning about the terrible fours. But we’ll discuss another day — because today we’re all about Josh.

Josh, whom I had to BEG to let me take a picture of THE EYE until he finally gave in just so I’d SHUT IT (not the eye…, my mouth).

Yes, somebody had one too many drinks on an empty stomach and spent the first night there praying to the GOD OF PORCELAIN and, apparently, popped a blood vessel in his eye…, or a thousand. Check it (but, BE WARNED — is graphic!)….

AAAAAAACK! GAAAHHHHHH! EEEEEEEEEEK! Can you STAND to look at that? The first time he showed it to me, I almost ran to the washroom and popped a blood vessel. It is soooo disgusting.

I told him to go get an eye patch, but he’s decided to wear his shades EVERYWHERE — including to business meetings. Heh….

Can you see the poker tables in his eyes…? Ugh!

…Much better (although our living-room pillows are, indeed, complete eye-sores….)

Anyway, he played the entire first day of the World Series Poker tournament with some pretty well-known poker dudes. Anyone know Greg Mueller? And he managed to get us some PHO-TOS. 

The p-p-p-poker table….

His room (which was one among many)….

Crazy, huh?

Needless to say, as soon as Josh busted out, the paramedics sent him to the hospital, and he was released with a “we see this all the time, no big deal.” The Canada customs officer said the same thing the next day….

And, since this post is supposed to be all about Josh-O, I give you this final picture….

Tigger in the sun…with my croc. Isn’t it precious? And, I’ll have you know, I got clocked in the head by the kitchen cabinet to get this picture. And, see, that’s dedication. DEDICATION, baby.

Speaking of crocs…, should I bring my crocs to BlogHer? Did you catch that, by the way? BLOGHER? I’M GOING TO BLOGHER: BlogHer ‘09: In Real Life. Oh yeeeeeah…! It’s in Chicago. Just booked my flight. My lovely peeps at bTrendie are sending me….

Weeeeeeee! Cannot WAIT! And, I promise to share ALL with you, of course!

LOVE!
xo Haley-O

I’m still sick, Gorgeouses. So, after my, ahem, BUSINESS meeting DOWNTOWN tomorrow morning, I’m off to the doctor’s office to secure me some serious meds. I think it’s a sinus infection. All I know is I PASSED out after today’s, ahem, conference call at 1:30pm — only to wake up 4 hours later in time to roll out of bed and RUN to it’sgrandma’s house for a Victoria Day party.

Yes, we had a holiday here in Canada today. Queen Victoria’s birthday, or something. So, Josh-O was here to watch the kids while I slept yet another day away (Mother’s Day was spent in bed, too… — I sure know how to MILK it, but this sickness sucks).

Anyway, I WAS going to talk to you about the spectacular movie Josh-O and I watched this weekend….

I always liked Brad Pitt. But, just like the whole Danny Gokey – Kris Allen scenario, I’m IN LOVE with Brad Pitt, now. He SO should have won the Oscar for his truly BRILLERS performance in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, or, at least, scored himself a better intro from Anthony Hopkins at the awards ceremony…. And I think he really needs to leave Angelina Jolie — not for Jennifer Aniston, but — FOR ME. I’d have to talk to Clive Owen about it first, but I’m SURE Clive’d be okay about sharing me with Brad Pitt….

Oh, and speaking of quality movies and my hott boyfriends, I cannot WAIT to see this….

Okay. I need to go to bed. Big day tomorrow. And, frankly, I’m too dizzy and nauseous from this sinus infection to hang out any more tonight. But, LOVE….

Before I go, though, meet my new BABY…!

It’s the Blackberry Curve. My Blackberry Pearl was a good start-up blackberry. But, I’m in the big leagues now. Heh. I needed a big blackberry — sorry, a big PINKberry — with a complete keyboard. And, yes, it has to be pink. And, if I get tired of the pink, I can ditch this case and get a green, or orange or PINK CAMO case. And, for the record, no, this is NOT product placement — I don’t DO that. No, this is pure unadulterated LOVE. And, speaking of which, even though I spilled the ENTIRE new bag of cat kibble on the floor WITH BROKEN GLASS…

…kitties still love me. Especially since they had tuna, salmon and cat treats for breakfast, lunch and dinner (couldn’t pick up more cat food because vets are closed on Victoria Day!).

God, I love this cat. And Brad Pitt. And Clive Owen. And Kris Allen. And Michael Cera, Jack Black. Pinkberry. And little Rascal with his Victoria Day sparkler. I’d post a picture of said cuteness, but Josh-O passed out in Monkey’s bed earlier, and all the party pics are on his boring black blackberry.

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

Someone fell asleep on the way home from yoga…. WHILE he was eating his snack….

Oy! Anyway, I got a JOB, Gorgeouses! I’m a working girl. I mean, I’ve always been a working girl — between the yoga teaching and the Kids Deserve Art, and the freelance writing. It’s endless really. And, I don’t know how I do it, no.

But, this is a real job. People are, like, depending on me to do great work. I’m excited and a little nervous and totally passionate about the project — not least because the people I’m working with are amazing and enthusiastic and passionate.

I’d love to tell you more about it, but I can’t AT THIS TIME. You’re just gonna have to wait a WEE bit longer. But, I’m telling you, it’s worth it. This is TRES coo….

What I CAN tell you, though, is Mama’s got some HELP with the monkeys now. I scored myself some good part-time help so I can maybe have some time to actually, you know, work.

The ONLY problem is…is… this….

Tigger. She’s way fat. And she INSISTS on lying on me WHENEVER I turn on my computer. In fact, WHENEVER I sit down ANYWHERE. I can’t tell you how frustrating this is, especially when I’m in a time crunch (i.e., ALWAYS). Sigh. She’s on my lap right now. UGH Don’t get me started on those claws…. AAAARRRGH! I think she just farted.

Can we talk about Kris Allen for a minute? How the heck did he pull off “She Works Hard for the Money” on American Idol last night? And how did he win me over last week after I couldn’t BE BOTHERED with him ALL the weeks before — except to say he’s ADORABLE? Here’s Kris blowing me away last week with “Falling Slowly”….

I love LOVE Danny Gokey. But, now, MOVE OVER DANNY! Well, no. Danny’s number one. But, Kris is inching closer EVERY WEEK. “She Works Hard for the Money” — hello? How? What? Are you KIDDING ME? WHERE did he COME from!? Awesome. And HOTT.

When Josh first held our son RASCAL in his arms, I can TELL you, as Brody Jenner says (and OMG, I am 34 years old and quoting BRODY JENNER), FOR ONE HUNDRED PER CENT FACT that Josh-O did not picture the two of them doing THIS together….

Calico DOLL HOUSE! Check how into it they are….

Note to self: BLACKMAIL Rascal with this later (already blackmailed Josh-O, but he refused to give me his new iTouch, so there!).

I take pictures of squirrels….

Isn’t he GORJ?

Gorgeouses! Speaking of squirrels and GORJ, Happy Earth Day! I want to REALLY celebrate today. Because this beautiful Earth of ours deserves to be honoured and celebrated and thanked. And, honestly, I never felt as strongly about Earth, nature and animals until I had children. I want more than anything for my children and their children to have a HEALTHY Earth, clean water, clean air, TREES, ANIMALS….! I want it so badly that I get obsessive and overly passionate, as you know…. I pick up garbage off the street, yes I do. I recycle EVERYTHING, including stray water bottles on the street — always figuring somehow they’ll end up in the ocean (LOVE OCEAN). I try to limit the amount of garbage my family produces. I EAT NO MEAT — and wouldn’t it be great if everyone just ate a LITTLE LESS meat? Don’t worry, I won’t get started! And, of course, Ifeedtheneighbourhoodsquirrels….

Indeed, my hope and passion for this planet was revived most recently, when I went to Bermuda and saw some of Earth’s truly AWESOME beauty….

And, way to go Disney! This Earth movie looks positively stunning, and inspiring. Enjoy the trailer….

Happy Earth Day, Earth! May our carbon footprints soon start to fade and you flourish for millenniums to come….

LOVE!

xo Haley-O

I planned on writing a follow-up to Thursday’s post, in which I recognized while writing the post that my focus on weight and diet has gotten obsessive and out of control. But, it’s not to be. At least not right now. I suppose partly because I don’t want to dwell on it. I want to let it sit. I want to embrace the recognition, and when I’m moved to write again, I will. And, I know you understand.

Anyway, I thought we should lighten things up here. Kind of like how I lightened the heavy load on my back that was MY HAIR when I got a haircut this weekend — and can I get a WOO WOO? It’s only been, like, HOW MANY MONTHS? Hee! Check it:

Seriously, I must have taken 20 pictures to get this one OK one. And that’s not berating myself (à la Thursday’s post) or the haircut or my photography. It just plain didn’t photograph well. Basically, the haircut’s awesome, and it was a welcome treat (à la Thursday’s post). The hairdresser insists that I part my hair to the side like that. I’m usually a middle-part girl. What do you think?

And, yes, I do have other hoodies, other clothes. I just happen to take pictures of myself for you EVERY TIME I wear this particular hoody….

To further lighten things up, I’d like to share my anniversary cake with you. Josh and my 6th anniversary is coming up on March 23rd. Since my parents will be away that day, they wanted to throw a wee party for us on Friday. My mom made a really nice dinner and got us this cake….

REALLY sweet. We had a good chuckle over the fact that they misspelled my name (which, by the way, everyone does). But we had an even BIGGER chuckle over the fact that NO ONE WAS AT THE PARTY. My brother and his wife were away, my sister’s husband was sick, and MY OWN HUSBAND JOSH-O had made other plans that he totally couldn’t break because I FORGOT TO TELL HIM ABOUT THE PARTY. So, there I was, cutting the cake and everything by myself, at our teeny tiny little anniversary party. HA! Maybe you had to be there…. But, we DID harass Josh by IM’ing him lots of pictures like this one of me and my new haircut and OUR anniversary cake, ha ha….

In case you think that come hell or high water Josh should have been at the anniversary party, he more than repaid me. He took the kids THE ENTIRE DAY on Saturday — to the mall and to Chuck E. Cheese!

While Josh-O was out with Rascal, Monkey (and her Pablo and Thomas the Train toys), I slept, I FINALLY finished all those the hundreds of pages I was hired to edit, I (half) caught up on some email, I Blipped and Tweeted A LOT, and I cuddled with kitties…. It was BLISS. And so needed….

For a so-called stay-at-home mom, I always have a RIDICULOUS amount of work to do. And it’s ALL self-imposed. Crazy, I tell you! Crazy!

Love!

xo Haley-O