Another summer break has come and gone. The kids are heading back to school in a few short days and I am too. My reading in the next few months will consist of textbooks :(. I am still hopeful that I will get in a little light reading as well. I had so many books (and chores) on my to do list this summer and I only just grazed the surface of both lists. For whatever reason the fall is typically the busiest time of year for me, and reading falls by the way side, but I am planning to do something about that this year. If I write these lists of books I feel as though I am being held accountable, even if only by myself.
My brain-iversary
On August 7th 2015 I went into the hospital to have a meningioma tumour removed from my brain. The experience was no picnic, but I survived and a year later I am thriving. I blogged all about my brainy experiences pre and post surgery, and if you are interested in the gory details they are all there in the BRAIN TUMOUR tab at the top of every page.
I celebrated the one-year anniversary of having my skull cut open and Timmy the tumour extracted, on August 7th, 2016. It was a monumental occasion for me and one that I am thrilled to be able to celebrate. Timmy the tumour lived in the cerebellum region of my brain which is the part of the brain that coordinates muscular activity. Pre-surgery I had some issues with dizziness, headaches and was advised to limit my activities to those that would not increase my blood pressure. I also had to keep my wine intake to a minimum as my balance wasn’t exactly ideal.
Third Times A Charm
After the first disastrous camping trip three years ago, I didn’t have it in me to try for a second time. When my husband decided to give it another go I wimped out and took our not quite 2-year-old home to sleep at night. Last year I used the “I have a brain tumour” excuse (which got me out of just about everything that I didn’t want to do) and we didn’t go. This year I took one for the family, pulled up my big girl panties and went camping.
A Few of my Favourite People
We see my sister and her kids once a year. Each time we see them we have a little photo shoot. It’s challenging to get a 1,2,3 and 7-year-old to look at the camera at the same time with their eyes open and smiles bright. Sometimes it works but most of the time no matter the timing, the treats, or the silly jokes it’s not always a success.
Butchart Gardens – Victoria
Last week, I was writing about being a tourist in my home town, so it’s only fitting that today I write about exploring Victoria. My first trip to the Butchart Gardens was a magical memorable day. My boyfriend had just moved to Victoria, BC and I visiting from Toronto. We were young, childless and carefree. We woke up on a Saturday morning and he told me that he had to run out for a bit. When he returned, without any words he tied a string to my finger. Just a plain beige string, nothing fancy. He held the other end in his hand. I looked at him with a puzzled expression not understanding what was about to happen. Next I felt a ring on my finger. My ring finger. Still no words from him. He never officially asked but that was the moment that we got engaged.
Living in the Age of Airplanes
Yesterday, I took my kids to see “Living in the Age of Airplanes” at the IMAX theater. The movie provided a history of travel and got me excited to see more of the world. I take airplane travel for granted as I have been flying my whole life.
Northwest Deuce Days
As a mom, I find myself spending my time doing things that I have no interest in. I don’t mean cooking dinner (which coincidentally I have no interest in) because that is a necessity, I mean things like spending a Sunday afternoon at the Northwest Deuce Days car show. Before kids I would never have dreamed of spending a hot sunny afternoon with thousands of car enthusiasts. But post kids I did, and will probably do it again.
Safari Niagara
Lions, Tigers and Bears oh my. While we were on vacation in Ontario we spent a day at Safari Niagara, which is home to many animals including Lions, Tigers and Bears. This was our second trip to the park but it had been three years between visits, so my almost four-year-old had no memory of his first trip. He was a little apprehensive when he learned that the animals were alive! Sometimes I forget the innocence of my little people, but once he learned that he would be safe while seeing animals he was ready for the adventure.
Tourist in my Hometown – Welland
It has been years since I lived in my hometown of Welland, Ontario. In truth, the second I had the chance I moved away. I packed my bags and headed to school in Toronto. I have since settled in Victoria, BC but I still make a yearly trip to Welland to visit with family. Victoria’s main industry is tourism, as hundreds of cruise ships dock over the summer months and bring thousands of tourists to experience all that Victoria has to offer. I play tourist in Victoria all of the time, as there are so many excellent things to see and do.
August Reading List
I am a little late to the party this month, as I was on vacation for the first week of August. I had four books listed on my July reading list but I only made it through two of the four. As I read a fair amount I rarely buy books instead I rely on my local library which can be hit or miss. Sometimes I can get a book right away and other times I wait months to get my hands on a best seller. I picked up a third book not on my reading list based on a readers suggestion and I was not disappointed.
Making A Life 