My Mom

57 years ago today Ruth and Rod McLeod welcomed to the world their first child, Karen Jean McLeod.

25 years later, she became my Mom.

Then 28 years after that, she was by my side as I became a Mom.

Here she is with the teeny, tiny Miss M.

My Mom is quite possibly the most loving and positive person I have ever met. She is ALWAYS there when I need her, and always dolling out exactly the medicine I need.

If I need a shoulder cry on, her arms are spread wide.

If I need to whine and complain, she’s there to listen. Uttering caring words of understanding, and then giving me the swift kick in the rump I need to take action and fix whatever the problem may be.

She helps me understand that I am not a super hero, I am not perfect, and that I can’t control everything.

When I begin spinning out of control, rapidly rising off the ground and into the stratosphere of the unrealistic.

Piling on too many expectations.

Being too hard on myself.

Trying to make everything perfect.

My Mom is there, reaching out, grabbing me firmly by my big toe, and hauling me back down to earth.

Whether I like it or not.

She has instilled in me a love of the written word and a passion to create.

Growing up she was never without a good book, and she was always exploring new creative outlets.

Ceramics, knitting, needlepoint, and most recently quilting.

Her creations are gorgeous and I treasure every gift she creates just for me!

Her smile is genuine and her laughter contagious.

I love it when I can make my Mom laugh!

My Mom is beautiful.

She is bursting with a loving kindness that only further enhances her physical beauty.

My Mom's love of her family is unconditional.

She tells me I’m amazing and talented and smart.

She says, I never cease to amaze her with my ideas and goals and dreams.

She encourages me to never give up.

To dream. To believe. To act with the certainty that I have what it takes to achieve anything.

My Mom is my rock.

And today is her day.

So, Happy birthday to my amazing mother!

Enjoy your day, soak up the attention and know you deserve it all!

Wish I could be there to celebrate with you!

Love you!!!!

XO

Mandy:)

A Reminder...

Has the universe ever reached out and demanded your attention?

Just a few minutes ago, while taking a quick time out, I opened my Facebook page to find the details for a Girl’s Night Out event I’m attending on Saturday.

As I was reading through the post, I saw this out of the corner of my eye …

For a large portion of my adult life I have struggled with what I should be “When I grow up”.

I have so many aspirations, loves and interests…

After I wrote my first few blog posts, and published them for the world to see, the responses shocked me.

I had never thought I had any writing talent.

All I ever did was tell a story… no big deal.

I have no problem announcing to the world that I am crafty, or that I have a knack for interior design.

These are things I CAN do,

But are they what I do BEST?

Having the confidence to believe I am a writer, and that with a little practice, it could be what I do BEST, is hard.

Choosing that goal is scary.

This was exactly the nugget of wisdom I needed today.

It was posted on the right hand side of my computer screen as a “Previous Status Update” from my girl Jessica.

Just a little reminder from the Universe.

To choose one big goal, and believe I have what it takes to achieve it.

To stay focused and confident.

To start with a whisper and eventually build to a shout,

I am a writer.

Mandy:)

Where My Elves At?!?

First, let me say, I love Christmas.

Really, I do!

I love the food and the music and the decorating and the crafting and the giving and everything that IS Christmas.

BUT…

Right now my office is a wreck. It generally looks like Christmas threw-up, and it’s up to me to clean up the mess.

I have To Do lists coming out of every pocket, handbag and orifice of my being. It’s possible I might need to create a separate To Do list in order to organize my other To Do lists, and…

My longtime frenemy Insomnia has come for an unwelcomed visit.

So, why, you ask, if I love Christmas so much, does it cause me so much stress?

Because I am a woman!

As most any member of the faier sex can tell you, slap us into a red suit, add a beard, and BAM… there’s your Santa!

Therefore, as the Santa in residence here in Mandyland my gift to the men I know and love is a little enlightenment.

Christmas does not just magically manifest!

If you are sitting in a beautifully decorated home, with a delicious meal, surrounded by your loved ones, opening a plethora of thoughtful gifts, then chances are somewhere there is a woman you should be thanking… profusely!

AND

If said women should politely ask you to lend a hand by buying a present or two, hanging some Christmas lights, or making a trip to the post office, do not under any circumstance roll your eyes, sigh or act put out.

Unless you want to end up like this…



Consider yourself warned!

Ho, Ho, Ho,

Mandy:)

*** This photo was created by Joel Robison and is entitled "Holiday Overload". I highly recommend you click on the picture to check out his Flikr Photostream, and also visit his Facebook Fan Page! He's even a fellow Canuck, bonus!***

Happy Birthday Auntie Em!!!

So, my daughter’s name is not Dorothy, but she is still lucky enough to have an Auntie Em. In fact whenever the stars and planets align and I get to visit with my sister, who lives on the other side of the continent, I can’t help but grab a hold of the nearest piece of furniture and yell,

“It’s a twister Auntie Em! It’s a twister!”

Early on I made it clear, she must find and marry a man named Henry, so Miss M could have an Auntie Em and Uncle Henry.

However, contrary to my wishes, she met and is in a serious relationship with a guy named Cory… but when I meet him I think I’m going to call him Henry.

What?

I think he looks more like a Henry!

Anyway, today Auntie Em turns 27.

I met her when she was 8, when her Mom and my Dad were dating.

I CANNOT believe it has been 19 years!

In that time I have watched a little girl grow into an amazing woman.

Firstly, she is GORGEOUS!

When Miss M was born, and I saw her amazingly long and thick eyelashes, my first thought was how nice it was she had inherited them from her Auntie Em.

Until I remembered they are not actually biologically related…

With her dark hair, covetous lashes, full lips and hourglass figure, Emilie reminds me of a modern day Snow White.

Could she be waiting for her prince charming to wake her up?

Nope, not this girl!

Emilie is too busy to wait around! If there is work to be done, a party to be planned or a volleyball to be rescued before it hits the floor, she’s got it covered!

Over the years, I have often thought of Emilie as a Little-Momma-in-Training. She cares deeply about the people in her life, and strives to make sure they are happy, healthy and loved.

It you are celebrating a special day, Emilie wants to make it extra special!.

If you are having a hard time, and need a laugh, Emilie to the rescue!

If Emilie is your friend, she is your friend for LIFE!

Her dedication and devotion inspires me every day.

Emilie never settles. Once she makes her mind up about something, she wants to do it the best it can be done. Nothing less will do.

Sometimes, she bites off more than she can chew…

But most of the time she ends up with an amazing accomplishment that she can be proud of.

I know I’m proud of her.

Of all my siblings, Emilie is the most sensitive. After, working with my sister Myriam to create a video montage for Emilie’s University graduation, we gave her a box of tissues before we hit play.

She’s probably crying right now…

So, everyone raise a tissue for Emilie… better known as Auntie Em…

27 today and your adventure is just beginning, the really exciting things are just around the corner.

I can’t wait to sit back and watch as they unfold.

As your older sister I command you to STOP, SIT and HAVE A DRINK!!!!

You deserve it!

I love you!!!

Mandy:)

The Poppy

Since I married Mr. Man and came to live in the United States almost 8 years ago, I’ve learned a lot about the differences between the country I now call home, and the country I will always consider my home. Despite basically being siblings of the same continent, there are cultural differences between the U.S. and Canada.

Besides hockey vs football, prime minister vs president and poutine vs chili fries, that is.

One, difference I was pleasantly surprised to discover was how celebratory Americans are of their Military members. Having grown up in a family deeply steeped in Military tradition, it’s always saddened me that more of my countrymen don’t recognize their service members. It has gotten better in the last few years, but sadly it took a war and fallen young soldiers to get the country’s attention.

It’s taken 8 years, but after checking with Mr. Man, I think I’ve finally straightened out the purpose of each of the Military-centric holidays around here….

First, they have Memorial Day, a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated among communities after the Civil War to commemorate the fallen soldiers. Southern ladies and schoolchildren would decorate the graves of the fallen. By the 20th Century it was changed to Memorial Day and was extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.

To my Canadian friends think May 2-4… only without the 2-4…

Next there’s Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July. Thanks to the Will Smith movie of the same name, you’d have to live under a rock not to know about this holiday. It marks the day America finally declared independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain after a long fought struggle.

Canada Day or July 1st also recognizes independence from Britain. Only instead of fighting tooth and nail to claim independence Canada just waited about 90 years, and then asked nicely.

I think that’s originally where the idea of Canadian politeness comes from…

Finally there’s Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, and known to me as Remembrance Day.

Which is today.

Today I think about my family and the contribution they have made to their Country.

Grandfathers, Grandmother, Mother, Father, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins… they all served, or are serving in the military.

I live a long ways from my family, and seriously miss them every day, but especially today.

Most of all, I miss wearing my Poppy.

The United States, does not wear poppies for Nov. 11th. In Canada, we start wearing them right after Halloween.

For my non-Canadian friends here’s the story…

In the spring of 1915 there was a horrific battle in a place called Ypres. There were more than 100,000 Allied casualties and over 6000 Canadians died there in less than 48 hours. As a lasting legacy of the terrible battle Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae wrote a poem called "In Flanders Fields”.

This poem is memorized by every Canadian child, and recited at every Remembrance Day observance across the nation.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.


It’s power and beauty is undeniable.

It brings a tear to the eye and goose bumps to the skin.

Canadians wear a poppy to remember the sacrifice of young men who fought and are still fighting.

Today I will keep in my mind the sacrifices the members of the armed forces make in all countries.

I may not have a poppy to put on my lapel, but I will still remember.

11 o’clock, on the 11th day, of the 11th month.

Lest we forget,

Mandy:)

A Woman's Prerogative

It's a woman's prerogative to change her mind, and so I am changing mine.

My commitment to post every day, although really putting the fire under my fingers, is not having the result I intended.

I need time to perfect my posts.

Edit, refine, achieve perfection!

Plus, I have something in the works... very hush-hush right now, but coming soon, and requiring my undivided attention.

So, lesson learned.

Quality over Quantity.

See you in a few,

Mandy:)

My Arch Nemesis

You wanna know why I find it so hard to find time to write, and create, and exercise, and well do just about anything…

This is why…

Meet “The Laundry”, my arch nemesis!

In my life the priorities are as follows,

1. Family: Kiddo and Hubs
2. Everything else…
3. Housework!

When it comes to dishes, dusting and tidying up, I do the best I can, but generally don’t sweat it.

If my house is messy, c’est la vie, a toddler lives here.

If the shelves are dusty, so what, we’re not allergic.

If the dishes haven’t been done yet, no problem, I’ll get to them eventually.

Unless, I’m expecting visitors, I know the house will be clean, when I get to it.

But the laundry, it seems like I can NEVER get ahead of it!

Like the creepy doll in the horror movie that never goes away, it seems no matter what I do there is a pile of laundry waiting for me.

It just keeps coming back!

I’ll diligently spend an entire afternoon, tackling the beast, finally getting it all washed, dried and put away, then I’ll turn around and find this!

What the hell!!!!

It’s not like I can avoid it. My family can’t walk around naked. Even if we were “those” kind of people, as previously stated, it’s Fall in the Pacific Northwest. It’s COLD up in this joint! There are certain parts of my person I do no wish exposed to such chilly conditions, and I’m sure the Hubs would second and third that statement, if you know what I mean…

As for Miss M.? Well she’s 3. If she could walk around naked all day, every day, I think she’d be living in her own personal nirvana.

I think I’ve hated laundry for as long as I have been responsible for doing it. In fact when I was in University, I went out and bought a brand new outfit in order to avoid the odious task for just one, more, day.

A picture of fiscal responsibility, that’s me!

Even as I write this I’m surrounded. There is a pile waiting to greet me as I walk upstairs, another at the top of the stairs waiting to be brought down to washer, and another next to my bed!

And the worst part is, I know the evil will only grow larger right after I finish this and head to bed.

So, I guess it's time to wave the white flag and surrender.

Fine Laundry, you win!

Til death do us part…

Or at least I hope…


Haunted by dryer sheets
Mandy:)