Day 11: Skipping

I haven’t been running but I picked up skipping again! My sister and I used to be a skipping demo team for the Heart & Stroke Foundation as kids. We would tour around to different schools doing routines to music, double dutch, and cartwheels in & out of spinning ropes. It was fun. I’m sure I have a photo of us in our uniforms under my bed at home. I forgot how much of a workout skipping is, it’s hard! I started listening to Roz & Mocha again on 92.5 and if a song comes on I like (ex. Lady Gaga), I grab my rope and skip. I can still do most of these need to work on a couple of the harder ones. We ventured out to get some supplies today like groceries, TP, and gas. We divided the list so we could do a quick job. Walmart wasn’t too busy and people were keeping their distance. It’s hard to believe this is really happening. A lot of shelves were empty but we get all the things we needed and don’t need to get anyting for another two weeks. I went to the LCBO and then cracked a beer when we got home. I have had more beers in the last week than I have in a while. Not making new habits but being in quarantine is hard sometimes. I had a few FaceTime & Houseparty hangouts again. It’s a weird thing these online hangouts, have you ever joined a Houseparty and been like, ‘whoops nope, leaving now?‘ It’s awkward. I took off my shellac using this tutorial which went great. However, painting my own nails? They’re brutal. I’m embarrassed. Gonna take my polish off today and go au natural. At this point, I’m giving up on having nice…

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Go Outside. You’ll Feel Better.

Last week I was so tired. Pretty sure it was Daylight Saving time, mixed with pandemic anxiety, and maybe a little burnout. I was wiped. Slept for most of the weekend and felt much better going into this week. IDK about you but I always feel great after I workout. You know, when your heart is pounding and you’re sweating, but you feel alive and energized? Some days I don’t feel like going but I know it will only take a few minutes for my mood to change. Also, I paid for the classes so I REALLY hate to miss one lol. There’s something about pushing yourself physically that makes you feel alive, saying “I can do this. I am strong.” I love that feeling, it’s been great for my mental health. If you’re feeling down or stressed out, go for a walk/run, lift some weights, or do something that gets you moving. I guarantee you’ll feel better. ✌️😊 P.S. Here’s a video of me skipping. I used to LOVE SKIPPING.

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409: Like Plants, We All Grow

This week has been hard, I feel so drained and tired. Maybe it’s the rain, or the lockdown, I’m not even sure anymore. Work is good and I look forward to laughs with colleagues. I’ve been going to bed early but skipping my morning run to catch a bit more sleep. I’ll get back to it next week. A new month always feels like a new start and May is my fav month. My birthday is May 8th and I think Sean and I will be sending the weekend up north. In other news, my plants are FLOURISHING. I love tending to them and watching them grow. I’ve got a bunch of cuttings growing in water. Like plants, we all grow and I’ve changed heaps over the last year too. I trimmed my Monstera about a month ago and the new roots are about 2″ long already. Hang in there, we’ll get through this NEVER ENDING LOCKDOWN.

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Day 15: Stocking Up

Today we went to the city with the trailer to get supplies, my plants, our bikes, and Emily. Having new clothes feels like a dream. This pose is inspired by my friend Maca in Montreal, she always takes these at her studio. Check her out at @hey.maca! You will love her. Read my post on IG, maybe you have some tips to share!? The drive was a breeze because there was no traffic. It was pretty weird to be on the roads with so few people. We picked up Emily from her mum’s and she got in the car with fresh baked cookies, homemade soup, and fresh ice tea. It is really great to have a supportive co-parent team, especially now. Her mum also sent a folder with lessons, a schedule and some work she’s completed. I am so thankful! Despite my efforts to plan, I’m not a homeschool expert so teamwork is key. We are all figuring this out as we go. Sean stopped into both offices to get some gear while I packed up all our remaining food and got everything on our list at the house. I put most of my plants into two big bins and I can’t believe how much I missed them. Is that weird? I was pretty surprised to see how busy the neighborhood was, SOOO many people out walking, riding bikes, two families playing soccer with their kids’ in the courtyard. Do people not understand STAY TF HOME? Do you want this all to be over? Yes? Ok, stay home pls. The curve is not flattening! Maybe this will help? Briony wrote a book inspired by Go The F*ck to Sleep and had some of her friends read it. I am stoked to have my Apple Pencil to work on a letting…

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DO IT FOR YOURSELF. #JOMO

I read a great article on self-care yesterday about how it’s not all chocolate and bubble baths. Self-care is doing stuff for yourself like not going out, eating well, making time to exercise, and fighting through the hard crap like cleaning your room and doing your taxes. I finally did mine this year after more years than I care to admit.  This Is What ‘Self-Care’ REALLY Means, Because It’s Not All Salt Baths And Chocolate Cake In January I set out to take better care of myself and started regular yoga and since I’ve become stronger physically and mentally. I’ve carved out time in my life to do things FOR MYSELF and not be pressured to do things or go to things if I really don’t feel like it. Sure, I have missed out on fancy parties, previews but do I really care? No. I’ve gone to more parties and events in the last 10 years than some people will ever go to. I never feel FOMO when I scroll past familiar faces smiling or posting the perfect cheers in a Boomerang. I am all about the JOMO – THE JOY OF MISSING OUT. I love skipping things to go to yoga or leave early because I have something important t0 get to (aka yoga). Last winter I invested in creating a beautiful workspace for myself at home filled with smart lights, an air purifying fan, all the plants, and photos I’d been meaning to frame for years. I love staying home and there is nothing wrong with that. This is a reminder to you and myself to not feel bad for putting yourself first. If you don’t, who will? By taking care of myself, I free up room to do more and take care of others without feeling drained or worrying about things I need…

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LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR HEART

Love a Heart from Chris Luckhardt on Vimeo. Instagram photo by @ValTorontoGal @ The Hideout I did Jump Rope for Heart and was on skipping demo team fror the Heart & Stroke Foundation when I was a kid. We travelled around to schools doing routines and raising awareness about heart disease. February is Heart Month, heart disease and stroke take 1 in 3 Canadians before their time and it is the #1 killer of women. Thanks for everyone who came out and donated to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada for Love a Heart. Posted a bunch of photos last week in this post. For info on volunteering or donating visit heartandstroke.com. Be part of the change. MAKE DEATH WAIT 🙂

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you missed this yesterday

this light show is awesome. turn out the lights and out on the party music. #ONstorm # Wicked storm photos! http://t.co/kyr5HTi via @blogto #toronto # Photo: love this. http://t.co/gZCnYHc # Photo: can we float in this together please? › [o] by [M00k] on Flickr. http://t.co/6V7QMv0 # Good morning mortals 😉 # Storify Adds Slideshow Format to Its Social Reporting Tool – http://t.co/ZLMblUj # Who is #TimCook Apple's new CEO? http://t.co/R2L0vxe # can you still get #FakeProm tickets? # MY NZ BF <3 Get It Hot Feat. Imagine This (Original Mix) – Central Station Records http://t.co/5JRwjny via @beatport # Sammy, The Australian is on set for #TotalRecall today. I hope for his big break 🙂 # Bloggers on Pedestals http://t.co/wpeuRsY via @kmueller62 # Steve Jobs Steps Down, Geeks Everywhere Cry @Sysomos blog http://t.co/Ct3EtLy # oh gawd, i love him! <3 cc @laurenonizzle (@YouTube http://t.co/tf1GRAR) # i wish someone made a jim carey creep video for me. # #SXSW Panel voting is still open. Show mama some love & vote hurreeee http://t.co/7G0CkOY #Psychology #Narcissism #brands # Stoked for a new project w/ @saymediainc. They work with some of the coolest thought leaders in the world! Yippeeee http://t.co/vruKr0y # what's for lunch kids? # Home of our show launching Sept. 8th 6pm ET w/ @StephenHenrik is —-> Ay Caramba Career Show @AyCarambaShow! AY AY! # "If someone is willing to back up their negative opinion with their own name, I’ll publish it." Well said @isaaclikes http://t.co/S8Bj4PL # Jane is my camera hero. Thanks for tips & film! (@ Lomography Gallery Store Toronto) http://t.co/wu8yXGi # Package at post office was no new shoes 🙁 # I wish Mum had a Twitter. She's so funny. Told her your Mum's have them @raymitheminx & @laurenonizzle 😉 # Are any of you guys a dentist? Looking for…

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get ready to sign your name here lady OR gentleman…

I’m in a charity auction for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. There are 20 people in the whole auction.  I have no idea who the other girls are but, I do know you will be able to bid on bloggers  Zach Bussey & Dan Levy and young darling Brock McLaughlin. Maybe I will find a date myself? Remember when Scar Jo sold a date on e-bay for charity? That was kinda hot, wonder how much she went for? Oh y’know, about $40,000 USD! Let’s hope I break $100. The event is hosted by Ally & Dani from the Girls of TO blog and all proceeds to the Heart & Stroke Foundation. See the press release here. I was on a skipping team for the H&S when I was in Primary school so when they asked, I totally said yes. I’m nervous but mostly about what I am going to wear. Ah! Highest male & female bidders from the audience get Nella Bella bag (my fav!) and a $100 bar tab covered by Sleeman Brewery. Let’s hope someone is sharng that with me at the end of the night ok 😉 Date:February 10, 2011. Doors  8PM. Location: The Hideout, 484 Queen Street West Cost: $5 at the door Bidding begins at $25 It’s the Thursday night before GenYTO during Social Media Week. Good thing I’ve been hittin’ the gym lately. *covers eyes with hands* OMG. OMG.

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yesterday on twitter, this happened:

Date night w/ TMN & HBO. Saving myself for #smirnoffexperience tomorrow night! Will you be there? # Whoa. When did I miss @VictorNewman storming out on @mrsnikkinewman? Girl, you gonna have to change that handle btw. # yandr # mum is using toronto company http://bitstorm.com to get internet while on her sailing trip. to bahamas. she's so connected. makes me proud. # so cute mum telling me boat drama from the marina w/ boaters. soap opera, boat opera! # on skype w/ mum <3 # generalized anxiety disorder: Canada: Between 3-5 percent of adults http://bit.ly/fpMb72 # downloading classes from @ukabbalah # whoa bond girl name jenie stewart (sis) is casey casum http://twitpic.com/3afh8b # the thinking and dreaming song(YouTube http://youtu.be/zQ5Grncdjlc?a) # Photo: why do birds suddenly appear? http://tumblr.com/xmjrzzvg0 # the MO'ning after#movember w/! @irieras @KeriBlog @itsbrownbarbie http://dailybooth.com/u/6akc2 # Photo: holy cats. want. http://tumblr.com/xmjrzp2le # Oh snap @keriblog just stopped by w/ 21LB turkey for Sunday's #Turducken # Photo: new zealand http://tumblr.com/xmjrzm0fo # Photo: love this sweater and skipping through fields. http://tumblr.com/xmjrzlztg # MOvemblog: https://casiestewart.com/2010/11/26/movember-gala #movember #toronto # Photo: he is very cute. what’s his name? so grown up now. http://tumblr.com/xmjrziebq # Photo: like these tattoos. NSFW. http://tumblr.com/xmjrzicjn # you're in trouble @kurtgooden #movember http://twitpic.com/3adpsm # george michaels? #movember http://twitpic.com/3adnmv # Mr. @MichaelNus @ #Movember Gala http://twitpic.com/3adkx2 # Video: quite funny: ellen/modern family girl prank gingesnap: http://tumblr.com/xmjrz5ckr # Photo: › florence. ILU. http://tumblr.com/xmjrz5ais # omg SNOW! # Me & Mr. #Movember Toronto 2010 http://twitpic.com/3ad071 # Me & Mr. #Movember Toronto 2009 http://twitpic.com/3aczx3 # twitter is smart: #FF @raymitheminx @michelsavoie http://twitpic.com/3acvpt #

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When I was in grade school…

When I was in grade school I was part of a skipping team for the Heart & Stroke Foundation. We went around to schools like yours and did crazy tricks like doing a cartweheel in to a double dutch with chinese ropes. We practiced often and had heaps of tricks. We were called the Preston Pump-Ups. We had one routien called 12th Street Rag and the melody got faster and faster and you had to speed up your steps. If you lasted till the end, you were good. I could do it pretty well. I really loved skipping. (photo via laurencephilomene)

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