Fortune's fool

My girlfriends and I went to a psychic on Sunday.

So...of course next year is going to be better. It can always be better, but better than deaths and heartache? I'll pay double just to hear that again.

It's almost like a drug…ummm more like a placebo. We believe what they say We believe so much that we know what they say will come true.

Self-fulfilling prophecy?
Fortune-telling?

I was told I need to quit my job. I've never had anyone tell me something so concrete and urgent before. Nothing will happen until I quit, allowing myself to focus on what I want to do. He said 2 months tops and I'll have what I want. Provided I quit. How much weight can I really put on the words of a stranger? Is my need for a safety net negative energy, doubt? or is it smart practical living?

Instead of cards or the palm.
I wish I had a DeLorean.

Yup!

I did it.

I bought a condo…or simply the promise of one. It doesn't exist yet, which is a little inconvenient but there are certainly benefits. The main one…I have time to sort out my employment situation. And an exciting plus is that I am able to choose all of my finishings. Floors. Cupboards. and Countertops. Oh my!

I struggled with the decision beyond the far-off closing date. I feared being on the wrong side of gentrification. My new neighbourhood is my old neighbourhood. What will become of it? With the appearance of a Starbucks a few years ago, the neighbourhood has been progressing from dirt-town hipster mecca to gallery-heavy yuppie town with a steady pace. But this condo...the first in the hood, will bring with it an influx Young Urban Professionals in one fell swoop. It'll be the YUPpie invasion.

Hide your lululemons. They're coming.

Yup. I'm one of them.

Taking responsibility

So there I was writing a post. A post about my current struggles with remaining positive. My impatience with those things just out-of-reach.

What a downer.

Then I noticed that Stacy, my favourite blogger, mum and distributor of champagne had contributed to her blog. You could jump ship and follow the link or if lazy has invaded, the punchline is simply,

You are personally responsible for everything in your life, once you become aware that you are personally responsible for everything in your life.

Her blog is sometimes like the red bull of life philosphy.

Gives you wings.

Rent-a-family

Family dynamics…diverse and evolving.

My family was like an island. No extended on this side of the ocean. I really never knew what it was to have grandparents. Aunts. Uncles. Cousins. I've got, but in a distant kind of way.

Now, as five has grown to eleven in a short time, all of those roles so foreign to me are ever-present in members new and old.

My parents have revelled in fleeing the empty nest. My brothers have started their beautiful families. I'm left…looking for a family portrait to creep.

Don't feel sorry for me. Really. I like the independence. I LOVE the love I have for the babes. It's simply another reality of being the youngest by quite a few years. Too young to play. Watching and waiting. Not rushing.

Learning.
Loving.

Aphrodite cooks?

Months ago, in an effort to take the bull by the horns I suggested to E that we take a singles' cooking class. November felt so far away…and yet last Friday feels like yesterday. It was a superb experience.

We paid $100. And saw every penny in value.

The night began with white wine sangria served to us by the resident mixologist. While the chefs prepped the kitchen, we were encouraged to socialize donning aprons that frankly, made me look like a Keebler elf. So much for giving any thought as to what I was going to wear.

We were divided up into 3 teams…I lost my crutch in E. Although, I had a fun group. We were charged with the pumpkin-stuffed canneloni, braised kale and shaved brussel sprout salad. I scooped pumpkin, boiled pasta and rolled canneloni. I could have done more but the warnings of lost appendages due to sharp instruments guided me to the more blunt duties. Blunt and I…we're friends.

One chick went a little far with the whole damsel in distress routine and actually sliced off some finger. I hope it was worth it!

Prep area turned into dining room as we enjoyed a great meal prepared by our fellow singletons. We followed dinner with drinks at a local with some of the male "chefs". No sparks, but there was beer, pool and Celine Dion on the jukebox. Good times.

www.aphroditecooks.com

Baby love

I have a new nephew today.










This is the fourth baby in my life. How lucky am I? I love being AUNT. More than friend. Sister. Daughter. Co-worker. Girlfriend.

I always wondered how a parent could love the second child as much as the first…and so on with those that follow. How does that game not get old? Love.

Let me tell you that with the birth of each of these kids I could physically feel my heart grow bigger. Never choosing, simply making more room.

Thanks brothers…and sisters.

Mazel tov!

Not-so-lonely planet

We're going on a trip!

K and I have booked our tickets to an exotic locale. Much needed, but a ways away.

Just the other night I was freezing on my friend's balcony, just reflecting and feeling good, I looked up and saw a plane. I felt that thing. That thing people feel when they want to go. Go far, far away. Everything here is fine, but sometimes you need to step back to really appreciate. This step is roughly 8,600 kms away. More like a really big leap, yes?

We have 3 months to psych ourselves up, and trim ourselves down. By then, our lives will be so amazing the escape won't be necessary...just a really nice alternative to snow and minus degree wind chills.

¡Vamenos!