This video is a little "yoga-like" right? haha..maybe not, but close enough.

RIP Jane Russell. Whatta a dame you were.

Project Smile - February

It's hard to believe it's March 1 already! Where is 2011 going?

Some days are definitely better than others, but I LOVE Alicia (A Beautiful Mess) for putting together this monthly meme so that I challenge myself to smile through my frustration, confusion and whatever other negativity I may be experiencing each and every single day.

Here's February:

1st - Nail appointment! I live for these...
2nd - Fun with aunt Leah on the Santa Monica Pier.
3rd - A walk with a friend.
4th - Play date at the beach and Lucas meets a new friend with lots of "choo choos". Learning to share is hard work.
5th - Date night!
6th - Recovery and Super Bowl commercials.
7th - A nice long dinner with my dear friend, Lindsey.
8th - Jerk chicken salad at ZTeja's.
9th - First day of Ritual Cleanse juice detox! Read all about my experience here.
10th - Made it through Day 1 and discovered my new favorite beverage, green tea.
11th - Bouncy house play date with Jackson and Cody and last day of cleanse!
12th - Nothing but blue skies, sunshine and real food.
13th - Family bike ride followed by massages at Pelican Hill. Read my Thoughts From The Massage Table.
14th - Valentine's Day and play date with Emma and Annie.
15th - First meeting with my new women's group... more on this in a later post.
16th - Date night!
17th - A weekend visit from Grandma.
18th - A dinner out that was maybe 35 minutes long. You just have to laugh.
19th - 80's Prom Birthday Party! See then and now photos here.
20th - Deli sandwiches.
21st - A walk along the beach with friends after music class.
22nd - This was a rough week with the entire household coming down with a nasty cold. Lucas has been hit the worst. 23rd - Jammy day, pediatrician appointment and an unforgettable trip to the drug store.
24th - Babysitters, that are hopefully immune to the flu.
25th - One hour in Babies R Us and three baby gifts purchased. Nice to get out of the house.
26th - A visit to LA to see aunt Leah with no traffic coming or going. Shocking!!
27th - Finally starting to feel better and you know what that means? Back on the treadmill.
28th - Headaches that go away, fevers that break, humidifiers that help babies sleep and taking a chance!

Be sure to share your reasons to smile in February by visiting Alicia at A Beautiful Mess, or just stop by to check out her fancy new blog design and smile with some other lists.

See what had me grinning from ear to ear in January here.

This poster says it all and it's almost time!

click on poster to enlarge

Please stop by to learn all about an organization that has truly captured my heart in every sense of the word. You can browse the gorgeous jewelry and textiles made by the women of Shanti's income generating groups, and it's all incredibly inexpensive and one of a kind. There will be bands, prizes... and even a silent auction.

This event could not be any more casual. It's at my favourite local hang out Our Town Cafe, so if you've been there you know what I'm sayin'. Super casual good times ;)

I love the place!

Just bring yourself and say hello! It should be good times all around.

Really hope to see you there!

Even if you have other plans for later in the evening, please stop by! (p.s. Our Town is licensed for beer & wine as well should you wish to partake...)

PROJECT: craft - Spring Edition

surprise!

as soon as we wrapped up PROJECT: craft last fall, dandee and i were already scheming and dreaming up ideas for round two.  and here it is!  just in time to welcome in spring.  dust off the dull of winter, dig through your unfinished projects and join us at Greenies!  there are promises of bright colors, happy treats and hopefully lot’s of new friends.  get your ticket
here today!

love, lindsay

His & Hers

I gather the trash,
He takes it out.

He cooks,
I clean.

I plan date nights,
He books all our travel.

He watches our stocks, fights with our health insurance company and keeps us on budget.
I do the grocery shopping, pediatrician appointments and play dates.

I buy all the wedding, baby, birthday and Christmas presents,
He makes sure our cars are in working order, washed and full of gas.

I do the laundry,
He deals with the dry cleaning.

He records Top Gear,
I record Oprah.

He waters the lawn,
I buy fresh flowers.

I vacuum,
He dusts.

He handles all things electronic or that need assembly.
I buy Lucas' clothing, books and toys.

He gets up with Lucas at the crack of dawn so that
I can sleep in.

He works six days a week so that
I can push Lucas on swings at the park, visit monkeys at the zoo, listen to story time at the library and ride on carousels.

I am lucky.
He is lucky.

We both raise our son.

baby mine.

  well hello there, charlie grey – month four
---
first rock ‘n roll show: josh ritter.
in portland. no camera.
every detail tucked safely away under ‘happy’ in my brain-bins.
ace hotel RM 220: magic.
canvas, metal, wood, wax, poetry, music, feathers, the key, the snow!
---
will never forget:
during that song
his dance was rocking you – to sleep.
all lights out. just an unplugged guitar.
you in that hat and those stripey pants
being held by my ‘good man’

This Thing Has Got To Go!

My iPhone and I have a love/hate relationship and I think we need a little time a part. To put it mildly, our relationship has gotten out of hand. One of us is obsessed and the other could care less.

The iPhone: a hundred different habit forming items all in one sleek package.

What would you give for a device that was designed to keep you connected, entertained, informed and make you completely crazy?

Let me explain...

I love being able to look up anything and everything that pops in my head on the Internet; I can self-diagnose a nonexistent medical condition, figure out the name of that guy in that movie, or the title of the song that I can't stop humming and drool over the J. Crew spring line.

I hate to use it for phone calls, but love to text.

I love that I can keep track of important dates, play Scrabble, update my Facebook status and use the built-in GPS to find my way.

I hate that it distracts me from my son, but love that I can capture daily photos of him with it.

I hate that it is the ultimate time waster and my #1 reason for not reading more, but love having it while waiting for a friend to show up for a lunch date, stuck in a long line or at my doctor's office.

I hate being so accessible, but love that my babysitter always picks up and is quick to respond.

I love that it can hold my entire music collection and a special play list just for Lucas.

I hate that the battery life is so short. My house has five power cords and I can never find one!

I love being able to check the weather, tag a song on the radio and shake in to find the closest eatery.

I hate that the damn thing was so expensive that I treat it as a second child, even with a hard case and screen protector.

I love Tweeting long after my husband has gone to sleep and making lists of blog ideas I have at 3 in the morning.

I hate that it won't let me use my potty mouth in texts or Tweets without auto correcting me... hell becomes he'll, which makes absolutely no sense whatsoever!

Yes, the iPhone can be and do so many wonderful/evil things.

Okay, I am ready to take bids!

What would you give?

C'mon, you know you want one!

These things really are amazing.

Actually, looking back over my list, I do believe my loves outweigh my hates...

On second thought, I think I'll keep it.

Grr. That damn thing, it always knows how to push my buttons.


This post is for The Red Dress Club's writing meme, Red Writing Hood. This week's prompt was to write a humorous ad, a la Craigslist or eBay, where you're selling things after a breakup.

This is my 500th post!

Ahh..the wisdom of a cartoon. I love Dr.Seuss. Wonder if he's covered by MSP?

You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.
You're on your own.
And you know what you know.
You are the one who'll decide where to go.
~Dr. Seuss

Don't miss BirthFest this Saturday!

You don't want to miss BirthFest! I missed it last year for the first time, but will be stopping by for sure on Saturday. Its super fun, FREE (and not cold and cheesy like many tradeshows are). Meet local Midwives and Doulas and browse loads of family focused vendors, services and local non profits. (Including The Shanti uganda Society!!) Feel a real sense of community.

When I go, I tend to walk two steps and run into someone, another two steps, and so on haha.. its super fun!

I highly recommend going if you are expecting, know anyone who is expecting, have recently had a baby and are looking for resources, or just plain for the heck of it! There is something for everyone. And again, it's FREE and always fun to hang out on the Drive.

Maybe I'll see ya there? I sure hope so.

What: Birth Fest: Celebrating Bellies, Birth & Babies
When: Saturday, February 26, 2011, 11am – 4pm
Where: Britannia Community Centre, Gym D, 1661 Napier St, Vancouver, BC

Running Amok

When it comes to my home, I run a pretty tight ship and everything has it's place; from my kitchen pantry and linen closet to my laundry room and everything in between. I like color coordinating and alphabetization. I thrive on cleanliness and organization. I am anal about order, putting stuff away, not leaving dishes in the sink, making the bed as soon as the last person gets up and there is no eating in my car, ever! I have a lot of stuff, but everything has a home.

Yes, all of this with a toddler.

Lucas has his own play area in our home in a room that is off from our kitchen. This is the ONE and only room of the house that I TRY to wait until the end of the day to pick up because it is his space, the place where we spend the most time together and I want him to be comfortable here and be able to make a mess and not worry about it.

Okay, when he is napping I do put everything back for Round 2.

I'm trying to teach him to "clean up" after he's finished with one activity before moving on to the next. Let's just say, we have a long road ahead of us...

Neither of us feel well today, so in between waiting for the bleepity bleep washing machine repair man to arrive (don't you just love four hour windows?), watching WAY too much television and a pediatrician's appointment, I sort of let Lucas run amok.

NOTE TO SELF #1: Disaster is bound to happen when you allow a toddler run amok.

First there was this, the mess in his bedroom, where I found dozens of puzzle pieces, books and stuffed animals strewn about and dresser drawers opened. I didn't even know he could open them!

While I was cleaning up his bedroom, another mess was being created in a different part of the house:

Not quite the crime scene that Mommy of a Monster's twins left her, but shocking to walk in on, nevertheless.

I'm just thankful that all pens still and their caps on. Apparently, he was after the car and/or the snack cup.

The best part is the "I didn't do anything" look on his face.

By the way, yes, I do carry three packages of Kleenex. What's it to ya?

Clearly, my purse isn't quite as put together as my home.

NOTE TO SELF #2: NEVER leave purse on dining room table again!

This post is for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop Prompt 2.) What did they get into now? Describe a time your toddler got into something they shouldn't have.

all clear

Lucas's trip with his daddy to CHOP today was welcomingly uneventful. There's no sign of fluid in his left ear, and no indication that his branchial cleft cyst has returned. Dr. K. would like to see him back in a year, unless we have concerns. We are beyond thankful for this news, and that we are able to avoid surgery for our little Lucas.

                                             Good night, little Lucas!

                                             Thank the Lord you are well!

                                             And now go to sleep!

                                             said Mommy Campbell.

And I turned out the light -

     and closed the door -

            and that's all there is -

                       there isn't any more.

Ever think of studying with one teacher for a while?

My class prices are as inexpensive as my wonderful programmers and myself can make them, and therefore they are like a Groupon every day of the week.

I have both daytime and night-time classes for everybody, including Prenatal Yoga & Baby and Me Yoga for the sweet mamma's in my world.

If you have been thinking of taking up yoga and don't know where to start, registration is on now for ALL classes with me at both The Roundhouse (corner of Davie St & Pacific) and Mt.Pleasant (Main & Broadway). If a session has already begun the price is pro-rated so the class/classes will be deducted.

If you are looking for completely non-threatening classes where you can challenge yourself as much, or as little as you like (provided you are not injured) come and see me.

My classes are not trendy or mystical, but I can promise you that yoga can change your life in more ways then you can ever imagine. Even if you just want to stretch out those tight hamstrings and dump some stress, Or if you want to feel more fluid, get stronger, build endurance, ditch the aches and pains, or improve your golf game...

Whatever it is for you, you will be wondering how you survived without yoga for so long. And thats just the promise of yoga.

My classes are just real people practicing yoga so if you have been afraid and intimidated by all "this yoga stuff" just come to yoga already ♥

There is lot's of fancy yoga out there which is wonderful, but if you are looking for Traditional Hatha Yoga with lot's of variations and Pranayam (always with some vinyasa and some y delicious yin thrown in) come and see me.

Yoga will help to bring you back into balance on all levels. To me, even just one yoga class equals a day at the spa (and yes, I have had my share of days at the spa, and they are lovely!)

Hope to see you very soon. Again, if you are injured you should not be practicing yoga or anything that requires movement without a Doctors ok.

I hope to see you soon! There is a mat with your name all over it. Just bring yourself.

For my schedule look to the top right corner of this blog under Current Yoga Schedule. Namaste xx

Little Stories I

Prostitute

Le Voyeur

Long Live The 80's!

My fabulous friend, Colleen turned 40 on Saturday and threw herself an 80's-style prom party. It was an absolute blast!!

Everyone dressed up! There was lots of neon, lace, big bows, arms full of bracelets, skinny ties, flipped up collars, leg warmers and pearls. Even the 80's cover band, that provided enough dance music to last a lifetime, Orange County's own, Tijuana Dogs got into the spirit.

All of my girlfriends and I have been fretting about our "prom" attire for months and it turned out for many, Ebay was the way to go. Who knew? I, on the other hand, being the pack rat that I am still have my prom dress! With a little alteration to the bust line, I wore it! Crazy, huh?! I couldn't believe it still fit either. Or that I even kept it!

I tried to mimic my 80's hair style: big and curly and make-up: blue eyeliner and mascara. Although naturally curly, my hair doesn't quite take a curl like it used to. Even with half a bottle of mousse.

The cast of characters may have changed, hopefully we are all a little wiser. There were way more beer bellies, wedding rings and crow's feet this time around, but the music is still the same, my friends make the world a better place and I found myself wishing the party would last All Night Long, just like I did at my high school Senior prom.

THENMy prom date was my boyfriend at the time. He had just given me the watch I'm wearing as a graduation present. Lovely gift, but looks so out of place now.

NOW Colleen and I and our rad dates.

The birthday girl and Matt, the Tijuana Dogs lead singer.

Does this pose look familiar?

Feels just like 1988!

The totally awesome birthday cake!

I must admit, I had WAY more fun at this prom than at my own back in '91. Maybe it was the alcohol or the music, the company or the pure nostalgia of it all, but everyone had a permanent grin on their faces the entire night and my legs still hurt from dancing!

One of the best parts of the whole evening was being dropped off by Todd's mother, who was in town visiting us for the weekend.

She waited up too!

This post is for Wordful Wednesdays and if you want to link up or see some really beautiful photographs, please visit Alicia at A Beautiful Mess and see how she effortlessly turns ordinary photos into a works of art.

The Fun Has Just Begun

In the beginning, it was diapers, sleepless nights, onesies, bottles and burp cloths, but in just a few short months, Lucas started crawling and then soon after that, walking and is now talking and communicating with me like I never thought he would and I realize that the fun has only just begun.

I am blowing bubbles and playing chase in the backyard, squishing Play-Doh between my fingers and picking up puzzle pieces from all over the house.

I am taking more photos than I ever have before and making memories to last a lifetime on trips to grandma and grandpa's, the zoo, beach and amusement parks.

I am drawing with sidewalk chalk, crayons and finger paints, playing on park swings, slides and monkey bars, getting drenched at water fountains at the mall and during bath time.

I am planning play dates, packing lunches, snacks and sippy cups and making sure my iPhone is fully charged and is loaded with plenty of kid friendly material.

I'm laughing through family dinners because I'm getting covered in spaghetti sauce, apple juice and yogurt. I'm squishing grapes and pretending to feed choo choo trains.

I am teaching letters, numbers, colors, body parts, manners, patience and more.

I am revisiting the simple joy of Disney movies, Dr. Seuss at story time, pretend and hide-and-seek.

I am kissing boo-boos better, nursing colds, attempting time outs and trying to keep my own temper tantrums in check.

I'm learning to slow down, follow bugs, stop and smell the flowers and delight in the wind.

I'm looking at world in a whole new way....

...through the eyes of my son.

 This post was featured on Natalie's blog, Mommy of a Monster, in her weekly feature, Monster Likes #8 on Saturday, February 26, 2011.

choose to let in the light

after a trying day of chasing boys through chapels with my sweet husband yesterday, i finally curled up for the night in my comfy bed to flip through my phone. i spotted this on twitter:

dandeedesigns: feeling edified this sunny sabbath day.

and it’s exactly how i was feeling. that even though i had spent most of the afternoon in the mother’s lounge and the church foyer, the spirit had found me and fed my soul. the day had not been without it’s own tender quiet moments. the messages that needed to reach us had been heard. my heart was full.

while in utah this last time marilyn had arranged for us to see a show. (of course she did, right?!)among the artists we heard that night were scott wiley, paul jacobsen and pat campbell. all members of ‘the lower lights.’ and in a teeny tiny auditorium that evening, we were moved by their music. that familiar feeling where my heart begins to swell and thump-thump-thump and my eyes fill to the brim.
---
and of course, marilyn was determined to bring that same feeling home with her. connections were made and dates were set. ‘the lower lights’ are coming here. and in the teeny tiny town of burbank you can join us in their magic. don’t miss this.
i’m bringing my little lucas. he’s going to love the instruments. and i’m bringing my sweet husband. so he can feel it, too.


my favorite? come, ye children of the lord. a little chuckle then 1..2..3..4.. followed by the quiet strumming of guitars and such. “oh what songs we then will sing…”

she’s giving away a few tickets here if you’ll help to spread the word. we’re running out of time to fill all of the seats. but really, you should just purchase up a couple of tickets here and join us. grab an extra for your neighbor, too. then let me know so that i can save you a seat. i’d love to meet you there.
love, lin

Thoughts From The Massage Table

Anyone that knows me will tell you that I have a really hard time relaxing.

A glass or three of wine usually does the trick, as does a long walk, sitting down for more than five minutes at a time, a long car ride, as long as I'm NOT the one driving and there is ZERO traffic and a massage.

I LOVE getting massages so I was thrilled when my husband told me that he booked us spa appointments for the day before Valentine's day. It had been over eight months since my last massage and I was really looking forward to it!

While it was very relaxing, my mind was in a million other places... here are my thoughts from the massage table:

Did I remember to lay out Lucas' jammies and overnight diaper for the sitter? Oh, why would I need to do that, she has put him to bed before.

I wish I had had more time on the treadmill before coming in here. Oh well, there's always tomorrow.

No, tomorrow, there will be no time for exercise. Music class followed by play date...

Dang it! Why didn't I pee first?

At least I brushed my teeth. Whew!

Ouch, ouch, ouch, ahhhhh....

Why don't I get massages more often?!

I have to remember to drink more water tomorrow.

I should drink more water anyway.

I can't believe I haven't had a Diet Coke in six days!

Okay, that really hurts! What is this lady doing to me? I don't think my leg is meant to bend that way.

Shoot, I forgot to call my mother-in-law back. Again. When was it that she left that message? Oh yes, the day I took Lucas up to LA to visit Leah. Over a week ago. Gulp.

I hope Leah's interview goes well tomorrow. But, Malibu? That would be a hellish commute. I guess for the right job...

How do massage therapists do this every day? Touching so many people's feet would gross me out.

I hope the pants I brought to wear to dinner fit. I can't remember the last time I wore them.

Did I bring the right bra?

What should I order for dinner?

That tickles.

Stop wincing.

Stop wincing.

I really wish I had peed first.

What is that heavenly smell? Is it lavender? Jasmine? Hmm... do I dare ask her? No, I do NOT want to engage!

Besides, I'm suppose to be relaxing.

the future

I've been following along on Facebook with the Cochlear Celebration going on this weekend in Orlando, FL. I'm looking forward to taking Lucas to the celebration some year when he can appreciate it a little more, and he's not such a handful.

The thing that struck me most from the pictures, was the teenagers and adults with cochlear implants. I'm used to seeing Lucas and a couple of other kids with CIs, but not teens and adults. It struck me hard that this is our reality. This will always be a part of his life, always. I've certainly come to terms with his deafness and his CIs, but sometimes it's hard for me to digest that THIS IS FOREVER. He will not grow out of this.

As much as I'm okay with him having them now, I'm not yet ready to see teenage Lucas with CIs, and certainly not adult Lucas with CIs. I'll grow accustomed to it, sure, just like when he got his first pair of hearing aids, and both times he got his CIs. I remember the day he got his hearing aids and I was so excited to watch him react to sound (that day never came). I remember the first day he wore his Freedom, and how tough it was to see it on his head. I remember the day he got his N5, and how bothered we were that the magnet is not even on his head with the other one. We hardly notice it anymore, and it even looks strange when he's only wearing one CI. They're a part of him. End of story.

It also got me thinking about what Cochlear's processor will look like 10 years from now when Lucas becomes a teenager, and what it will look like 20 years from now when he enters young adulthood. Just look at how the Cochlear brand processor has morphed over the past 20 years:

I know that the processor will be smaller, sleeker, and more waterproof. Heck, maybe it won't even hang on the ear anymore. Maybe it will just be a small magnet on the head. Whatever it is, I know it will be cutting edge, changing the lives of deaf children and adults all around the world. And really, who cares what it looks like!

I'd like to meet some more teens and adults with CIs so it doesn't seem so distant to me. That's easier said than done, as it was hard enough to find other children in our area, but it will be good for all of us, Lucas included. 

I don't care what anyone says, it's spring in Vancouver.

And the winter hasn't been too shabby either! I wouldn't even call it a winter really (I barely had to bust out my SAD lamp at all this season). Took a stroll down to Granville island yesterday to pick up some fixin's for dinner, and its pretty much spring out there. I have been so busy lately and haven't taken the time to get out for as many walks as usual, but I have vowed to get back out there! If like me, you have been a little too busy to get outside as much as you'd like as well, heres a sample of what's out there beyond your four walls. Free all the time and right outside the door. Everywhere you look this city just shines and sparkles! Here are some pics from Granville Island yesterday. Today promises to be more of the same. Enjoy & so will I! Namaste & Happy Spring (or spring-like weather at least)!