Jakob's big word of the day: constipatedness.

Oh? You've never heard of constipatedness?

It is the word of the day that he loves.

While sitting in the powder room for an intolerable amount of time, playing his DS, barely able to breath because of the stench he is personally responsible for, he yells out: "Mommy, I am master of constipatedness. I get 2000 constipatedness points.

Mommy, I'm just kidding, there really isn't a contest."

Just when you think you can't get squished any further, the technician turns the crank a couple more times.

Paul and I have been on the South Beach diet for the past 11 days (I should say me loosely since my south beach diet still includes wine and caffeinated coffee) and it has been fabulous! Paul has lost so much weight, no longer snores, his skin has cleared up and (he's going to kill me) his nasty gas affliction has been curbed. It's a miracle diet!

The hardest part for me has been the freaking egg consumption. I don't mind the occasional egg but every morning is torture. And fried up in a pan with a slight spraying of I Can't Believe It's Not Butter spray does not make it any better. The rubbery and then suspiciously crunchy texture in my mouth, the absolute blandness in flavour - all I want is my high fibre crunchy cereal. It's making me cranky.

But I must add, I'm down a notch in my belt! And I'm sure my blood levels are fabulous even with the slight alcohol content I would probably register.

I'm off to Princess Margaret for my mammogram today. I had hoped the lumpectomy and the mammogram I had in September (with the wire in my breast) would have negated my needing one but nope. I can only hope that having just had surgery, there will be no surprises found this time.

Today is the 2nd anniversary of my mastectomy.

Isn't that crazy?

It still feels like such a huge part of my life. Perhaps because I have another mammogram scheduled for next Thursday. Just to keep me on my toes.

Writing has been light, I've been sick with the flu for what seems like forever.

The most fabulous neighbourhood project opens today: Artscape Wychwood Barns on Christie, south of St. Clair.
http://www.torontoartscape.on.ca/barns/

Artscape is transforming the historic Wychwood TTC streetcar repair barns located in the St. Clair and Bathurst neighbourhood into the Artscape Wychwood Barns – a multifaceted community centre where arts and culture, environmental leadership, heritage preservation, urban agriculture and affordable housing are brought together to foster a strong sense of community.

It's truly fantastic - they have preserved the original architecture of the barns, blending it with modern design to create affordable live/work art studios (artists have already moved in, many displaying their creations in their windows), a year round farmers market, park playground for the children and a community centre.

If you have time, check it out. It represents Toronto at it's finest.

Sold - $400. Whew.

So this is it, the McK 2008 Christmas card and soon to be auctioned off with proceeds going to the United Way. God, I hope I don't get roasted.

remember

The painting is finished!

I feel so good, despite my throat being sore and my head pounding and me wanting to crawl under the covers and sleep for 36 hours straight...stupid stupid cold. Sure the painting will be a little on the wet side for the United Way auction this Friday but at least it's done! And the icing on the cake is...I don't HATE it!

I will post a picture tomorrow.

On the home news front I have been despairing the mess that is my house, so I rearranged my living room furniture again and am plotting a trip to Ikea to help me realize the attic as my future girls-only floor. To paraphrase Virginia Woolf - a room of Meg's own.

My little ray of sunshine receiving his student of the month award.



Don't trip on the sarcasm.

Jakob has had a terrible day with a rough start this morning...spilled milk, wet pokemon cards, lots of yelling, hurt feelings...and when I picked him up from school he was still distraught. To brighten his day I have invited my third son Zach over for dinner and a plydate but unfortunately Satchel seems to feel that Zach is his best friend too. His best 7-YEAR-OLD friend and he actually competes for Zach's attention - and of course wins because what's cooler than a 12 year old in the eyes of a 7 year old?

So Jakob continues to cry and feel bad and Satchel continues to act like an absolute JERK.

I am really disliking this newly developed facet of Satchel's personality - that and how much his armpits smell. His "What? What did I do? Nothing! That's what. You're always blaming me."

I really hope the teen years are this much fun.

Jakob and I are debating how much we love each other - how much more he loves me than I love him and vica versa. So far he's throwing more than unlimited universes - and for me to just try and top that!

Now it's November and my pumpkins have been thrown into the recycling bin to be hauled off by the city to make compost or vodka or something.

November is the month when I again completely over extend myself. Why I don't read earlier posts of my blog is beyond me because then I would know better and say NO, I AM DEFINITELY NOT DOING ANOTHER PAINTING FOR THE OFFICE UNITED WAY AUCTION AND THEN HAVE IT TURNED INTO THE OFFICE CHRISTMAS CARD. But instead I say yeah, sure... why not? I'm drunk what the heck. So I now have a wet canvas sitting on top of my dryer because I have no where else to paint, and frankly it looks like crap. But I must finish it by the end of this weekend so that it will hopefully be dry by next Friday's auction.

Or not.

Because really, how committed can I be if I'm spending the afternoon drinking wine at the Rushton, our fabulous neighbourhood hang out, with my neighbour William?

WARNING: SCARY PICTURES AHEAD!


Jakob's comment on the above picture: That's stupid. He prefers the much more intense shot below of our pumpkins (mine with the x's, a portrait, or interpretation if you will, of my voodoo doll who at this time shall remain nameless.)

Our new pet:

After the candy overload.

You may notice that there are no pictures of the children in costume - I completely forgot. Or maybe it was the wine.