Hello ladies,

One year ago today I published my first post on City Mom. Time flies when you're having fun eh?

I am celebrating my anniversary by running a feature called 7 Days of Giveaways to thank all my readers.

Today's giveaway is for the entire Stella and Sam book series.

Come on over to City Mom to check it out and help me celebrate!

Kelly xo

http://www.citymom.ca/2011/06/stella-sam-book-series-7-days-giveaways/

It’s my blogiversary, not today, but in just a couple of weeks. I’m so excited to celebrate this event for two reasons.

First, I can’t believe it has been a year. Time flies when you’re having fun. I look back to my very first post on June 24, 2010 and I see how far I’ve come in a relatively short time.

I’ve gone from casual writing about our adventures in the city to freelance writing, radio interviews and exciting giveaways. And I’ve made so many great friends and contacts as a result.

I stepped way outside of my comfort zone early on and interviewed Anne Marie DeCicco-Best (London’s mayor at the time) and Joe Fontana (London’ current mayor) during London’s mayoral election. This is an achievement I will always be proud of.

I’ve learned so much about my great city and the people who live in it. There are some amazing programs, small businesses and fabulous females that make up London and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.

My second reason for my excitement is because I get to give back. City Mom would be nothing without the people who read it. Though I’m not fixed on stats, I admit that when I see them grow I get a rise. It means that people are listening. The feeling of knowing that people care what you have to say will never get old.

When I receive comments on a particular post it feels like a gift. Someone is taking time out of their busy schedule to share their thoughts…with me! I’m truly honoured and thankful.

7 Days of Giveaways

So to show this gratitude I’m giving you gifts. I know, it’s my blogiversary, I should be getting the gifts but it’s you who deserves them!

 I’ve gathered a list of some great vendors to run a feature called 7 Days of Giveaways. There will be seven exciting reviews, each with a special giveaway. The feature will run from June 24 to 30 with a new opportunity each day.

I don’t want to share too much, as there’s something to be said about surprises, but think jewellery, makeup and books…that should tide you over!

Looking forward to seeing you on the 24^th!

*Note: June’s second Fabulous Female will run on Thursday, June 23 to allow the blogiversary celebration to start on time.

Within my social circle there are no single parents. I don’t know much about the life of a single parent but I can imagine what it must be like. I had a small dose of parenting alone this past week, and my respect for moms or dads that go it alone increased by double!

MY HUSBAND THE SUPERHERO

My husband had to go away for three nights last week. He rarely travels for work so we’re used to having him around most of the time. If you remember a post I did last summer, My Husband the Superhero you’ll know that he’s a very hands-on dad.

So to say his presence was missed is an understatement. Little S and I missed him on so many levels. From the moment we dropped him off at the train station to the moment we picked him up, his absence was obvious.

I had to take extreme measures to manage my week. I was able to work from home two of the three days that he was away. It was absolutely necessary in order to get Little S to and from school, make her lunches and prepare for the evening ahead. On the third day I had to recruit my parents to pick her up from school so I could complete my eight hours at work.

ME TIME

There was no ‘me’ time. Anything I wanted to do that didn’t involve S had to be done after 9 p.m. and that was only if I had enough energy left after my gruelling day to do so.

Timing was a bit off too; Little S was only three days in to the extreme withdrawal symptoms of her pacifier addiction. Looking back, perhaps the decision to rid her of the habit before Daddy went away was not the best choice; they do say hindsight is 20/20.

So I struggled. We got through it relatively unscathed and yes, I did drop her off at school one morning with us both in tears. And yes, we did eat McDonald’s one night for dinner and I admit I used the Playland as a babysitter.

After reading this you might be thinking, ‘wow, this girl has it too easy,’ or something to that effect. And I agree. I didn’t realize how much I relied on having a partner to share the responsibility of parenting with and just how fortunate I am.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I already had an immense amount of respect for single parents, but after living the life, even just temporarily, I gained even more. I wondered how I’d manage doing it full-time.

I decided to ask someone who is a single parent. A very modest Nikki, from Evil Flu is a single mom and a heck of a good one! Here’s what she has to say about the life of a solitary parent.

“As a single parent I always get sympathy from others. I very commonly hear ‘I don’t know how you do it.’ This usually comes when the parent is struggling with their child in a social situation.

“I am not a superhero. I do not have super powers that can control children, although sometimes I wish I did.

“What is my secret? I just do it because I have to. It may be a little more difficult at times, but I get just as much in return as you do, whether it be a hug or kiss or an awesome macaroni bracelet he made at school. My job is simple; make the right choices, be good to my child and love him. Anyone can do it. ”

As I said, Nikki is very humble; she makes it sounds easy. She definitely gets my respect and admiration as do all single parents.

Are you a single parent? Were you raised by one?

What are your thoughts on single parenting?

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

HI LADIES - I'D LOVE YOUR INPUT ON THIS! IF YOU CAN STOP BY CITYMOM.CA (http://www.citymom.ca/2011/05/teacher-appreciation/)TO ANSWER THE SKINNYSCOOP POLL THAT WOULD BE GREAT! THANKS!

It’s hard to believe that we are less than two months away from the end of the school year. You wouldn’t necessarily believe it with the cool weather that we’re still experiencing, but none the less the end is near.  

The end of the school year and holidays like Christmastime, seem to be popular times to show appreciation to our children’s teachers. After all, it is said that teaching is the profession that teaches all the other professions. That’s a big job and one that deserves recognition.

The job of a teacher is one that at times is under appreciated. Personally I could not manage 30 plus children in one room for 7 hours a day; keeping them interested and engaged. Hats off to these professionals.

I’ve heard the argument that teaching is a breezy job with 2 weeks of holidays over Christmas, a week in March then the entire summer off. But I ask you this, have you ever had one of those weekends where come Monday morning you are actually looking forward to going back to work and feel you need a break? And that’s based on spending time with your own child whom you love unconditionally.

To understand the life of a teacher is difficult if you haven’t done it before, but I think this quote by Donald D. Quinn says it best, “If a doctor, lawyer, or dentist had 40 people in his office at one time, all of whom had different needs, and some of whom didn’t want to be there and were causing trouble, and the doctor, lawyer, or dentist, without assistance, had to treat them all with professional excellence for nine months, then he might have some conception of the classroom teacher’s job.”

So how do you show gratitude to your children’s teachers? Do you buy them a gift; give them something homemade; send a card? Do you collaborate with the other parents to buy a group gift, or do you find it an unnecessary purchase?

I’d love to hear your ideas!

I’m happy to present to you Amy Van Es, Founder and Director of Writtle Magazine, as May’s first Fabulous Female.

I met Amy almost a year ago through Twitter and our common love for writing and blogging made us quick friends. City Mom readers first met Amy back in October. Amy has come a long way since the fall.  She has become a new mama and launched an amazing project.

I am inspired by Amy because she has identified her passion and has not stopped in pursuit of it. She’s taken her love and skill for writing and her passion for the London community and created a wonderful publication that celebrates London’s literary talents.

I hope you enjoy getting to know Amy and Writtle Magazine.

Tell us a little about yourself.

Every so often, I write a self-portrait piece – sort of a snapshot of who I am at the very moment I write it. The latest one has a line that says it well: “Like glitches on a screen, I hustle from place to place; from moment to moment. Although I appear besprinkled and winded, my feet are always touching the earth heavily on all four corners”.

This time in my life is a busy one – I’ve got Writtle Magazine that has just released its Inaugural Issue and a six month old daughter to raise. In the midst of all the crazy I do my very best to remain grounded and calm.

I have a peace sign tattoo that I got, ironically, at the darkest time in my life. Even though folk music has my heart, I spend a great deal of time listening to 90s pop. I love to kayak and play baseball. I was a bowling champion as a child (seriously). And finally, I hate normal peas but love the ones still in the pod.

Tell us about Writtle Magazine.

In a book I read recently by an industry legend, it says that it is essential to have a passionate, steamy love affair with your publication. So, I am beyond thrilled to babble about the magazine.

Pioneered from a dream to satisfy my craving for a career in both design and literature, I began working toward a publication that does just that. When mixed together with my desire to belong to a community of like-minded people, I got a fabulous elixir that created a hub for the literary industry to express themselves.

We showcase the talented writers in our community (right here in London, Ontario) and help to promote and probe the industry. Although this began as my dream, it has quickly taken on a life of its own. It wasn’t too long into the process of producing the first issue that I realized there was no way I could do it alone. Thus, we are a magazine made by London, for London. What a fantastic job our community has done!

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing for my sanity since I was a young child. I have always kept a little black journal that housed my greatest hardships and triumphs. Now, I have a museum of my emotional history sitting on my book shelf. I don’t suppose I write for anyone but myself, but I do share my work. I’ve been doing that for the last year or so.

What motivates and inspires your writing?

I only have one motivation, emotion. I cannot just pick up a pen and begin to write. I need to be prompted by an emotional moment. The good news is that I am incredibly sensitive and have a lot of those moments.

I can see a man walking solemnly down the street with his un-groomed dog and instantly be filled with the loneliness I believe he’s feeling. There are certain things that prompt such moments, through my daughter, movies, people and music and reflecting on the past; they’ve all been known to drive my pen. 

What are your future plans for Writtle Magazine?

I have high hopes for the project. When I imagine where we will be in a few years, I envision a cozy space that is open for anybody to walk in, take a seat and read. This space will double as an office for us. How amazing it would be to have a place to come and discuss literature, write with fellow wordsmiths, or just hang out for a few hours.

In the much more immediate future, I plan to begin hosting events throughout the city in which you can hone your writing skills, listen to others and learn about interesting topics that effect the industry. I guess the plan for the magazine is to become more than a publication. I want for us to become an even cozier, nutritious community.

Who can contribute to Writtle Magazine?

Anybody that is from or resides in London who has written anything can contribute, no matter the experience level. Whether you’re an aspiring journalist, an established novelist, or a recreational poet, we’d love to read what you’ve written.

Currently, we have 5 departments:

• Biographies of literary personalities in the city
• Short stories/flash fiction
• Poetry
• Book reviews
• Articles on current and interesting topics surrounding the literary industry

With that being said, I’m totally open to the possibility of any form of writing. If you have a new idea, or a piece that fits into one of those categories, send it in with a completed Release Form (found on our website ), a little blurb about yourself, and a headshot.

You can send your submissions electronically or via postage:

Email: info@amyvanes.com

Mailing Address – 405-1235 Huron Street, London ON  N5Y 4L5

When sending electronically, people have been printing the Release Form, filling it out, scanning it and then sending it in via email along with their piece. If you don’t have the means to do so, you may send your submission electronically and then mail us the Release Form. Just let us know how you’re getting all the pieces to us and we’ll be sure to keep an eye out for it!

What advice would you give to other women in terms of pursuing their passion?

A lot of people I speak to tell me that they wish they could drop everything in pursuit of their dream. I tell them that dropping everything sounds dramatic. If you can’t work yourself up to a dramatic change (or simply don’t have the means to do so), begin to chase your dream one step at a time. I didn’t decide to do this overnight. I took one step toward my ideal life each day and this is where I’ve ended up. And it is fabulous!

What else do you have on the go?

I want to achieve mastery of my craft, so I’m putting all of my energy into that. I am far from that point, but I’m working diligently at getting there. I’ve been taking courses on creative writing and working a lot on my writing. As I’ve mentioned, I also have a daughter who I spend every day with. It’s my first priority to make sure she has an amazing life. Those combined with the magazine is enough to keep me occupied!

What is the last song you listened to on your iPod?

Grace Potter – Ah Mary

What is the last book you read?

Bright Shiny Morning – James Frey 

Stop by City Mom to share your thoughts! http://www.citymom.ca/2011/05/fabulous-female-friday-amy-van-es/

Recently I contributed two articles to the Real Agenda on Canada.com. The Real Agenda featured a number of Canadian writers focusing on the topics they wanted addressed by the campaign leaders for our current election.

Let me tell you I was beaten, bullied and dragged through the mud but I kept going back for more. I have never written for a political website before, nor have I contributed to a site that allows anonymous commenting. Something about a secret identity gives people the confidence to tell you what they really think.

The Taboo Topic

My first article was about child-care funding programs in Canada and through the comments left in response, I learned something I wish I hadn’t. There is such a thing called Mommy Wars and they’re brutal and judgemental.

Basically Mommy Wars are heated debates that take place on web forums, chat rooms, real life, you name it and they get pretty mean.  I’ve heard before that moms can get quite opinionated on topics concerning the care of their children but I had no idea to what extent. Some of the most flammable topics in the Mommy Wars are breastfeeding, organic feeding and working vs. stay-at-home moms.

You Be the Judge

In my opinion, the choice a woman makes is obviously the best one for her and her family. How can that be judged? Everyone has their own reasons for the choices they make and we may not always know these explanations.

I want to be careful not to add fuel to the Mommy War fires but I also want a chance to speak out against them. I really look up to women who choose to stay home with their children. I think it can be a huge sacrifice and a lot of work. It’s hard to spend all day with people who are bossy, demanding, self-centred and emotionally unstable, as all children are at some point.

Then on the other hand I also admire moms who work fulltime. As a nine to fiver myself, I know the struggle with finding time to do it all. There’s the day job at the office and the evening job at home and that laundry sure isn’t going to wash itself.

The Most Difficult Job in the World

My point is that parenting is the most difficult job in the world and there’s more than one way to do it right so why does that have to turn into a war? I witnessed a variety of comments ranging from statements that stay-at-home moms are lazy to moms who to choose to work outside the home are  neglecting their children. Both are extremist views and generalizations and hold no value.

As women, we need to work together to promote solidarity and support each other in this crazy journey called motherhood. We need to embrace our differences and learn from one another.

What are your experiences with the Mommy Wars? Have you been in an intense debate or do you choose to stay away from them?

Come and share your opinion on City Mom: http://www.citymom.ca/2011/05/the-mommy-wars/

Hi Ladies,

I wanted to share with you all my interview on Jodi's blog Rants N Rascals.

http://rantsnrascals.com/2011/04/blog-spotlight-city-mom.html#comment-5677

Kelly

Every year in May, my family and I participate in the Alzheimer’s Society Walk For Memories. We walk to support the individuals and families who are affected by this devastating disease. We walk for our own reasons too.

My Grandpa was one of the best men in the world. This is not an exaggeration. He used to walk my sisters and me wherever we wanted to go, usually the park. He would watch and wait, watch and wait. It felt like we spent hours there and I don’t ever remember him telling us we had to leave.

He did whatever it took to make us girls happy. He had endless patience.

He served his country as a Flight Lieutenant in World War II. He flew 37 missions as a Navigator over enemy territory and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for showing courage and completing his service. He provided for his family and took excellent care of his grandchildren.

FORGET ME NOT

I remember when the sadness started. One day I overheard my parents talking and their tone seemed to be filled with worry. My Grandpa, who loved his long walks, had gone missing. He left one afternoon for his stroll and never came back. He was later found by a nice couple who called the police and got him home safely. He couldn’t remember how to get home.

I think this happened a few more times. I remember when the decision was made to place him in a home. He was sent to live at Parkwood Hospital.

We were lucky to have a place that we could trust to care for my Grandpa. I asked why he was going and I was told. It’s not something I wanted to hear because he was my hero.

I heard of a night that he got up and ate a banana. Being the clean and thorough man that he was, he peeled the banana and placed the skin in the garbage. After finishing one banana he had another and another because he couldn’t remember eating the one prior.

When I went to visit him at the hospital my heart broke. We were very close and spent so much of my childhood together, but now he didn’t know my name. He just referred to me as ‘dear’. He knew he loved me and recognized my sad, childlike face but didn’t know my name.

I was only 15 at the time and too young to know regret. I started avoiding the visits. Coming up with excuses as to why I couldn’t go.
It was so hard for me to see my Grandpa suffering like this and so hard to see this man change into a stranger.

A number of years later we had to watch my Grandma go through the same transition. Sadly I was prepared and had experience with this. I had tough skin this time around. I would visit on my own because I could handle it. Then she would ask me the same questions each visit and multiple times in the same visit.

I stopped going by myself and needed my parents to accompany me perhaps for support or maybe distraction. I started going less and less, my heart breaking each time.

My Grandma passed away last year and honestly I am happy for her. She is free of this debilitating disease and she is with my Grandpa now. Both in a far better place I am sure.

I have painted this picture today to draw focus to the import role the Alzheimer’s Society plays in our community. With an estimated 185,000 Ontarians living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia, the Manulife Walk For Memories plays a critical role in supporting individuals and their families facing this disease.

PARTICIPATE IN THE CAUSE

The Alzheimer Society of London & Middlesex Walk For Memories is Saturday May 14, 2011 at Springbank Park. Click on the link below to register as an individual or as part of a team.

Participate

SUPPORT THE CAUSE

If you’re unable to participate in the 2011 Walk For Memories you can support the cause by making a general donation or by finding a volunteer position.

You can also support me in the 2011 Walk For Memories by clicking on this link and donating towards my fundraising goal.

This year I have a personal goal of raising $250 towards my family’s overall goal of $1000. The smallest amount to the largest amount are equally appreciated.

Thank you in advance for supporting such a worthy cause!

Hello Ladies,

Come on over to City Mom to join in on the Foto Friday Linkup!

http://www.citymom.ca/2011/03/foto-friday-capture-your-city-2/

Happy Friday!

Kelly

Hey Ladies,

Join Kat & I in the Foto Friday Link Up.

Grab your favourite photo of your city/town, post it in and then come over to City Mom to link up.

Foto Friday will take place the 2nd & 3rd Friday of each month.

Hope to see you there.

http://www.citymom.ca/2011/03/foto-friday-capture-your-city/