Goodbye 2010

It has come time to say goodbye to 2010.  It feels like the year that never was...where did it go?   I was looking through blog posts from the past year and realised things I thought happened in the summer actually happened in January and February - how strange is that!?  Why was I so apathetic about so much of it?  Just thinking about this Christmas I could've easily skipped over it and gone on with my life without regret...I am surprised at how many people I know feel the same way.  Most people I know didnt bother with presents, decorated out of obligation, and have opted to pack up their decor early.  Perhaps we squeezed all we could out of 2010 by Halloween and just needed to get on with new beginnings, fresh starts and the big plans we have for 2011.

It's not that I didnt enjoy 2010....it just seems like it was more a time of laying groundwork for bigger things.  It is the year I had my midlife crisis.  It shocks me but I spent a good chunk of the year trying to recapture 1985 and everything I felt, learned and cherished that year.  My ipod has been playing a lot of Phil Collins, Miami Vice, Van Halen and Def Leopard - I keep finding myself closing my eyes and I can almost transport myself to a high school dance or party.  I can conjure the way my locker smelled (a combination of Finesse and Wind Drift) and the way the cafeteria sounded every day at lunch time.  Suddenly, while writing this, I remembered my grade 9 crush.  I wont say his name here, I havnt seen him since and for all I know he has google alerts and will crawl out of the woodwork to shatter the memories - I prefer to keep him tucked away as a handsome teenage boy in jeans, topsiders and a rugby shirt rather than a 40-something, balding, out of shape, peaked-at-eighteen middle aged man who will no doubt be wearing short sleeved dress shirts.  I will remember him as the boy who, while knowing I had a gargantuan crush on him, stopped to make sure I was ok when he saw I was crying in a secluded hallway.  A simple kindness, but one that might've shaped my view of men from from then on.  Perhaps my husband owes him a beer.

2010 was the year of the most amazing Olympics I can remember!  Canada put on an awesome show and many incredible performances!  I've never been prouder to be a Canadian and we showed the world how it's done!

2010 was a year of perspective.  One friend was airlifted to the city while going through a heart attack and another lost her home to a fire.  I stopped more than a few times this year simply to count my blessings.  I told the Suburban Prince that a friend always says 'She's rich' when she is asked what I do for a living.  His response?  We are.  We are?  Huh?  Yes, we are rich.  We have our health, a roof over our heads, cars in the driveway, food in the fridge, electricity, running water, heat and the means to enjoy a nice life.  And, each other.  What more does anyone need to be defined as rich? 

Remember waiting for months for the new Sex and the City movie?  I had such high hopes and left the theatre feeling a bit let down.  Sure the parties and antics and outfits we fun, but isnt Charlotte's conversation with Miranda what we really walked away with?  Even when we get everything we want, life can be hard sometimes.  Children certainly show us what we are made of and who we really are.  Sometimes mommy just needs to get away and be her old self to be able to appreciate (and tollerate) what she has at home.  And that's ok.

2010 brought us the follow up to The Official Preppy Handbook and I know I was counting down the days leading up to it's release.  The silence was deafening.  Dare I say it?  True Prep wasnt all we hoped it would be?  It followed the format, stayed true to the ideals and certainly helped us through the fleece minefield!  But what was missing?  Lisa Birnbach told me she had no idea we were looking for an update....I told her we could've used some help through the 90's.  I dont know if we learned anything new but it certainly reinforced, for most of us, we were going in the right direction.  For those of us who weren't born American, to a legacy, near a country club or sailing school, we need the reassurance from the prep of all preps and for that, Lisa, I thank you.

In 2010 my blog went in every direction...maybe this year it will find it's place - much like my life.  I spent this year 'finding myself' but let's not get to deep, I like to find myself at cocktail parties and charity events.  I often wondered if I am writing a lifestyle blog - I write about my lifestyle so who knows.  Do I think I am writing a preppy blog?  It never occured to me to define my blog that way as I couldn't imagine writing only of preppy things.  My preppiness is a natural state so it's not like I think it is anything special.  Certainly not special enough for me to put thought and typing into it.  I just blog what I like, what I observe and what I think is funny.  Whatever my blog ends up being...please dont ever call it a 'mommy blog'...there are enough of those out there as it is!

For the first time in my life I actually considered being a party planner.  I dont know how I fell into this except that I have a small child who has birthdays and I have a big ego.  I have never done anything half way and dont like to be outdone by anyone.  Perhaps not my best character trait but without people who go over the top, the rest of us might not know the bar is set high and at least make an attempt to reach it.  I love throwing parties and with my blog I have had a chance to showcase what I do.  So many people are gracious enough to think (or at least say) I do a good job and the suggestion came up many, many times, 'You should be a party planner'.  Maybe 2011 is the year for this.  Maybe now I feel the time is right.  Maybe now it will all come together.  Maybe now I know what I will be when I grow up.

When one goes through a midlife crisis, one has to confirm their worth.  One needs to know the last 25 years meant something, that one learned something and in a sense, has cast a shadow.  As I entered the 40th year of my life I kept asking 'What have I accomplished?' and struggled to find the answer.  Im not a captain of industry, hadnt become famous, hadnt created anything, left my mark on anything, changed anyone's life or path and I certainly didn't feel I had done much but float through life, easy peasy, on a pink cloud, never really needing to put much effort into anything.  But 40 loomed.  Waiting.  Daring me to prove something.  Anything!  I started thinking my life over and realised I had learned an awful lot.  So many people had come and gone, so many places have been visited, relationships ended, loved ones died and through it all I listened to people...so many wise people, but I also listened to myself.  I dont consider myself a very deep person but somewhere inside I had something to say and it started pouring out, onto my keyboard and into the blogisphere.  I took the most important things I have learned over the last 25 years and turned them into a book.   A book!  While I was dancing through life, unbeknownst to me, a book was brewing.  It isnt a big book nor it is my last book, but it will always be...my first book.

While I was busy trying to perhaps define myself I was invited to join Rotary International and tagged along with a friend to a few meetings.  Smartest.Decision.This.Year.  Suddenly I was where I belong!  Surrounded by fun, ambitious, energetic people who are dedicated to bettering our community.  I suspect this is my big chance to make a name for myself in our little town.  To show them what I'm made of.  I see a step-and-repeat in my future!

In 2010 I met my dear friend High Heeled Life.  Who knew anyone near me would ever read my blog and find a connection!  From the moment we met we have been great friends and I am so grateful for that first email she sent me that started it all.  I know my life wouldnt be the same with her and MrG in it and I love knowing the Little Prince has an auntie and uncle who dote on him and have become a part of our family.  Without HHL my book would still be sitting on my laptop waiting for someone to believe in me and for that I will forever owe her a debt of gratitude.

I have always loved theatre and for some reason saw more shows this year than I have seen in the last 10 years.  I can only assume it is because when mommy finally got back into life and out in the world, I decided I was leaving no stone unturned, no cork unpopped and no show unseen!

The Little Prince found his voice.  At last.  After months of work, classes, an amazing school and the never ending efforts we put into him, he has surpassed the level expected of him and at his 3rd birthday will be tested for kindergarten.  A whole year early!  My heart overflows with pride everytime he runs down the hall yelling 'Mommy, mommy, mommy!!', a word I thought I would never hear.  I am brought to tears every time I think of how far he has come and know he is destined for greatness.  The love I have for this child is unfathomable, indefinable, overflowing, unending and every time he puts his hands on my face and comes in for a big sloppy kiss I am brought to a place of peace and I know where I belong.  At two and a half he can count to 100, spell his name, recite our phone number, name every animal we have ever shown him and repeats everything I say...the good, the bad and the not so pretty.  The best Christmas present was hearing him sing Frosty The Snowman.  I guess we both found our voices this year! 

2008 was the worst and hardest year of my life.
2009 was about picking up the pieces and survival.
2010 was about figuring it all out.

2011 is going to be epic.  Huge.  My year. 
It's the year I simplify, minimize and take everything I prepared for this year and make it happen. 

Happy New Year!


Have a fabulous day!

How the conversation went! Or, how I know I married the right man!

After seeing my parental figures on Easter Monday we were driving home feeling rather rattled by the hour of insanity we had just survived.

Suburban Princess:  I really envy all of these people who have great moms.  You know, everyone seems to have a mom they can go to for great advice, who is warm, smart, caring....I wish I had a mom I could count on!

Suburban Prince:  Like the Little Prince!


All of the T&Co, LV, Gucci, Lilly, vacations, homes, cars in the world can't ever compare with my husband thinking I am a great mom!

Have a fabulous day!

Attitude is Gratitude!

I decided to make my first blog about gratitude because I always feel good about life when I realize how much I have to be grateful for. I see so many unhappy people around me and I just want to scream, "But you have a home! Children! A spouse! Your legs! Your Job!". In these busy times it is too easy to forget to take time to appreciate the little things. Sometimes it is the little things that get us through the day when all of the big things seem to be falling apart.
Oprah had it right a few years ago when she told her audience to keep a Gratitude Journal. It is such a simple thing but so powerful - at the end of every day write down 3 things you are grateful for that day. Easy right? Would you believe people have told me they couldn't come up with anything? Not one thing!!!!
So. My challenge to you is this: every day write down or even just think about 3 things you are grateful for. In a month I dare you to tell me you don't feel better about yourself and your life!

I bet you are thinking "Oh yeah Suburban Princess? So what are YOU grateful for? Huh?"

I knew you would want to know!

1. My husband. Yes he annoys me from time to time but he is the best husband anyone could ever have!
2. My son. It was a hard time getting him into the world but he makes me smile every single day. His cuddles make my heart sing!
3. My dog. This little dog used to be the centre of my universe. He was with me through all the times I was home alone when hubby was working long hours. He has protected me, loved me and licked my wounds. Now he has to fight for face time with me but he still never holds a grudge!
4. My home. I hated it at first but it really has become my home. We put a lot of work into it and there is still a lot to do but it keeps me safe, warm and dry every single day. The pool refreshes us in the summer and the fireplace keeps us cozy all winter. The living room has witnessed so many great times - birthdays, anniversaries, dinner parties, Christmas parties and was where I poured my grief out when my gran died.
5. Hot water. Yes! Hot water! It is too easy to take something like hot water for granted! But when it isnt there we know about it! I am grateful every time I turn on the shower and there is hot water.
6. My fat. Ok I know I am constantly trying to get rid of it but if I get right down to it I am only chubby because we are fortunate enough to have plenty to eat. Some people go hungry and some children never get breakfast. I am grateful I can walk into the grocery store and buy any food I want.
7. My friends. They make me laugh and feed my need to socialize!
8. My car. When my son was born I was driving a 2-door SUV. Ever try to get an infant carseat into one of those? Oh and try doing it post-csection! We bought a nice 4-door car for me and I got my freedom back. My little car has started on command every single day and has kept me from being housebound!
9. The rain. Strange thing to be grateful for right? I love a rainy day so we can all sit around in the den and watch movies and play with all of the toys. Rain also means we dont have to water the gardens at night!
10. My dishwasher. I cant stand washing dishes! Every time I load the dishwasher and it starts up I blow it a kiss - who wouldnt love a dishwasher! My dishwasher has never let me down!
11. My health. Need I say more?
12. My TV. Yes I am a tv addict. Every time I turn it on a whole big world comes into my living room. Nature shows, reality shows, soap operas, musicals and even the news. It keeps me company when I am alone and teaches me about places and things I might never see.

I could go on and on and on but I think I will stop here and encourage you to make your own list!

Have a fabulous day!
XO