Cottage life

Another day closer to next week.

And that means another day closer to lying on a dock. Reading a book on a lounge chair. Listening to the water. Enjoying the sun. Going out for ice cream. Playing games at night. Having a camp fire. Eating good food. Having good conversations. And being disconnected for a week.

Ah... bliss. I'm going to take full advantage of it all.

Mad Men

So I've recently gotten myself addicted to a show called "Mad Men". It's on TMN. And it's all about the life and times of men from Madison Avenue advertising agencies during the early 1960s.

The entire account and creative teams are made up of sexist men in suits. The women all wear pointy bras and only work as secretaries. Oh - and there's a whole lot of infedelity, smoking and drinking.

For some reason, I'm addicted.

Maybe it's because it's "dangerous" or "exciting" in all the wrong kind of ways. Maybe it's because it makes me glad to be living and working in this day and age. Or maybe it's simply because it's entertaining. Who knows?

All I know is, it's fun to forget about being perfectly politically correct and escape for a while. Give me some mad men for an hour... and then get me back to reality.

Books, books and more books

Calling all readers: I'm looking for a new book. Suggestions??

I've read 2 "fluff" books already this summer, so I've had my fill. Now, I'd like something that's a bit more serious... yet one that will still get your attention right away (the way fluff often can).

You know those books that you start - and you hate to put them down? I want one of those.

Oh, and on the topic of books... I had a mini-discussion with some people at work about our favourite kids books. This is a topic I could talk about for hours and hours.

I didn't just like reading as a kid, I absolutely loved it. And I have so many incredible memories of books. Books that take me back to when I was little. When the stories my Mom read to me would intrigue me, excite me and maybe even frighten me a little. Books that I couldn't wait to read over and over and over again.

I vividly remember a series of books my Mom and Dad bought me. I think the series was called "Serendipity". They were relatively short books with beautiful illustrations, all with a lesson to teach or a moral to the story - but told in an incredibly creative way. There was one book titled "Serendipity" about a little girl's imagination. It had princesses and unicorns and all the stuff that I just ate up as a kid. Just thinking about it now makes me happy.

And then there were books like the Ramona Quimby series; The Paperbag Princess; Hand, hand, finger, thumb; Where the sidewalk ends... I could seriously go on for hours.

I think a trip to Chapters is calling me. It might just be time to browse through the children's section (and through my childhood memories) again.

Work and play

Will anyone hold it against me if I gloat for a bit? If you don't want to read a little bit o' shameless self-promotion, exit out of this site right now.

I had a performance review at work today. My boss was honest, professional and respectful about everything. He told me this was not the time or place to simply pat me on the back and say "you're great!". Instead, he wanted to focus on how I can go from great to even better.

So, we chatted. And I learned new things about myself and how to improve in the workplace. But I learned something else that I consider to be equally important: My place of employment is made up of good, good people. The president is a kind man. My boss is smart. And most of all, they really care about me. They really, truly care about me.

Our talk was very positive. And, at a very crucial point in my career life, I can see myself with a really great future. I'm moving up. I'm being recognized as smart and talented and I can probably have a very successful career ahead of me if I keep in mind those areas where I need to improve and grow.

So, needless to say, I'm feeling pretty good right now. I might become a career woman, afterall. Look out corner office with a view - I'm coming after you!

I'm a dink and I'm not afraid to admit it

I really should have rested up a bit more over the weekend... but I got all caught up in hosting a BBQ/party and drinking copious amounts of beer and staying up until the wee hours of the morning just to party.

Oh - and hubby and I decided last minute on Friday night to head out to a late, late showing of Dark Knight. And then we slept in until 11am AND took a nap the next day. Just because we can.

I mean - with no kids to keep us on a strict schedule of no sleep and zero downtime, we can pretty much fly by the seat of our pants and go wherever we please, while doing whatever we want. Life is good for a couple of DINKS (double income, no kids).

Oh, I'm sorry. Did this sound snarky??

Friday morning rant

Okay - getting up on my soap box for a mo'. (That means moment). And this is not directed at anyone... it's just a general rant. So please, don't take this personally anyone! I just need to rant.

I've been married now for almost 2 years. And since the very day the ring went on my finger, people assumed that I was ready (and that I should) spit out some kids. And, as you can probably tell by my description of the birthing process, that irks me.

Now, it is very, very clear to me that my friends who have children are incredibly happy and their lives are enriched by their kids. They love them more than life itself and wouldn't have things any other way. I realize that. And I'm genuinely, truly happy for them.

However - many people seem to have one view on this whole marriage and kids thing. You get married. You have kids shortly thereafter. And EVERYONE has the right to ask you when you're having them. (Not "if". But when.)

How about this: not everyone gets married just so that they can have children. Not everyone's life goal is to have kids. And married women should not feel like "less" of a woman or less maternal or less warm simply because they don't want kids yet.

Yes, I say yet. I can see myself with children one day. But not right now. And after 2 years of answering "not yet" to everyone right down to my hairdresser... I'm tired of it.

Speaking of tired... people who don't have children are also valid when they say they are tired. It really irritates me when people who do have kids do the whole "Oh you don't even know!" thing, as if my claim that I'm exhausted and need a little down time is not valid whatsoever because I don't have a rugrat running around me at all hours. Everybody's situation is different.

For now, I'm focusing on my career, my relationship with my husband and my life as it is. And I like it that way.

I remember watching an interview once with the actress Felicity Huffman. The interviewer asked her if having children was the most rewarding thing in her life. Her response: "I find it really inappropriate that you ask that kind of a loaded question."

Brave woman, in this day and age.

Sweet

Don't you just love it when someone says something nice about you? (Something incredibly nice!)

When somebody says that you're great, it just kinda makes all right in the world, doesn't it? No matter what's going on that day or week or month. All of the sudden, the world kind of stops and you feel pretty damn special again.

At the risk of sounding sickly, sweetly happy... I'm feeling pretty damn special right now.

Happy Wednesday

Okay. So just wanted everyone to know that all is well in Heather-World right now. I'm just a little busy at work. Actually, more than a little busy. It's pretty frantic right now. But there's always a silver lining, right?

Being so busy just makes me appreciate my down-time so much more. For example, Friday night. I have no plans other than having home-made fajitas with the hubby. Mmmm... fajita Fridays. So excited. (Yes, I'm easy to please).

Then we might watch a movie. Or just sit and talk. And maybe even go to bed early. We lead exciting lives. But I'm really happy just to relax and enjoy.

That's right folks... "Always look on the bright side of life!" (Best when sung in an annoyingly cheerful way).

Have a good Wednesday, peeps.

Meh

I'm exhausted today. And feeling kind of sickly. And sorta down. Down on people and junk.

Meh.

That's all I've got. Aren't you glad you read my lovely, uplifting blog today??

It's the little things that make me happy

It's gorgeous outside today. And it's Thursday. And I have tomorrow off (heading to O-town again for the weekend. This time, for a wedding). So - things are looking good for me.

Also, presented some creative to a client yesterday and she LOVED it! She was laughing her butt off - which is always an ego boost. (I mean, I find myself absolutely hilarious - but I'm not sure others always do. There's nothing worse than reading out a headline that's supposed to be funny and getting no reaction whatsoever). Anyway, so the whole room was laughing. Sweet!

I was on such a high this morning (due to all the reasons listed above), that I decided to treat myself to a Le Gourmand small skim latte.

Life is good.

TGISunday

I've been way too busy at work the past few days to do my regular morning blog... so I'm going to blog now. At 8:39pm. While I sit on the couch at home in my pjs, having just finished dinner (working late) and missing the hubby because he's working nights.

Anyway. So on to my blog.

I was thinking about what to write about when this past Sunday popped into my head. Ahhh... Sunday. 

On Sunday, I slept in until about 11 in the morning. Nice and late. Then, I lounged in my pjs and watched a bit of TV. After that, I decided to take a nap. The blissful, afternoon summer nap. Nothing can beat this type of nap.

Let me tell you why.

You see... there is nothing (nothing!) quite like taking a nap when the conditions are perfect. First, the window should be wide open, allowing a light, yet warm summer breeze to come in. The blinds must also be open (allowing for more breeze to enter). You also need to be incredibly tired so that the daylight (which is nice and cheerful) is not too bright to stop you from sleeping. (And so that you quickly drift off to sleep once your head hits the pillow). A fan must also be quietly whirring in the background, whilst providing more of a slight breeze. Finally, a simple sheet is the preferred type of blanketing to be used.

When all these conditions are met, you have what I like to call:  The Perfect Nap. 

And let me tell you - it's a mighty fine way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon. 

Easy does it

Heading into work this morning on the subway, I was listening to my iPod when a song by the Dixie Chicks came on. (Before all you judgey males out there feel the need to make any snide comments about my taste in music... I want you to know that I like the last album by the Dixie Chicks. It's good. Give it a chance! Judgey McJudgerson).

Anyway - so these lyrics kind of made me think:

Busses, cars, and airplanes leaving
Burning fumes of gasoline
And everyone is running
And I come to find a refuge in the

Easy silence that you make for me
It's okay when there's nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

It's a beautiful song - very sweet and soft and lyrical. And the words. Ah... the words. They remind me of my hubby and our relationship.

After 11 years together, we are most certainly no longer in the beginning stages when everything is exciting and honeymoon-ish. But we're in a new stage that I think is absolutely fantastic. We're in the stage of easy silence. We can just be. Together.

I find it so comforting that we know and understand and love each other so much that peaceful quiet comes easily. And it's perfectly okay. And when I'm having a horrible day or things are hectic and I need a breather - I can crawl into his arms and he'll keep everything at bay for me.

I'm a lucky, lucky girl to have him. And our easy silence.

Humidity + bootcamp = tired Hez

Last night I went to bootcamp. We did squats, push-ups, step-ups, skipping, crunches, bicep curls... you name it. It was hard. HARD. However, little did I know that last night I was to meet my match.

Yes - my match came in the form of a hill. A hill I like to call "the largest and steepest and most horrible hill I've ever encountered in my life".

We were instructed to run up that hill. And I, being a runner and all, was sort of expected to conquer that hill no problem. Um... yeah. I have no shame admitting that I didn't quite make it up the entire hill (running all the way). Near the top, I had to stop and walk it a bit (for fear of dropping to the ground and probably rolling all the way back down).

So, when 3 of my fellow bootcampers made it up the hill running all the way, I vowed at that moment to be able to get my arse up the hill next week. No stopping. No resting. I'm going to push myself. I'm going to prove to myself that I'm fit, for f'n sake!

And even though I was disappointed in myself last night, I realized it's good to have personal hills in life. They encourage you to push and grow and learn and develop and become a better person.

So what's your hill?

Summer of the intern

My place of work is about to have new life breathed into it. Why you ask? Ah yes, let me explain. You see... the creative interns have arrived!

When I started my career, I was a copywriter intern. And now, I get to guide and mentor a fellow writer as they begin their career in the ad biz. It's quite nice having that kind of a leadership role. I feel all important and stuff. And it's equally as nice having a fresh brain on hand, all eager and ready to go with fabulous new creative thoughts.

And, even though my hubster is sure that mentoring the interns will involve me making demands such as "Get me a latte, and make sure it's extra-hot!!!", I'm actually really excited about making sure they get an incredible experience here.

This means they'll be brainstorming, getting in on briefs, doing jobs on their own... all from day 1. When they leave here, they will be lean-mean-creative machines.

I only wish we had the opportunity to hire them on after their internship is over. I already want to nurture these guys. I want to see them flourish and do well and start their careers right away and become big and important and happy and so on and so forth. (Getting ahead of myself a bit).

But yeah... I really think it's going to be a great summer.

Long weekend = gluttony

I felt like all the food I've eaten this weekend had to be documented:

• Movie popcorn
• Eggs, sausages and home fries at Bobby's (best breakfast place ever)
• A variety of deep-fried appetizers at Lucy's (yummy cajun-seafood restaurant)
• Pretzels, popcorn and beer
• Chicken wings and fries SMOTHERED in gravy
• More beer
• Hot dogs
• Tacos
• More eggs and bacon (homemade) and two donuts (not homemade)

Excuse me while I go and purge.