Stick to the budget - October 2015

Today is the first day of my self inflicted challenge called "Stick to the Budget".

I decided that I wanted to be more aware of the $$$ I spend. I realize that I spend too much $$$ on random stuff. I already own or have everything I need so why buy more?

My rules for the month

• I presently have $25.60 on my Starbucks card. I must not go over even though I am addicted to their Pumpkin Spice lattes.
• $150 on groceries per week including household stuff but excluding Baby M's organic milk and diapers.
• Baby M does not need any more clothes or toys.
• And I do not need another fall jacket and since I bought my Hunter boots last year... I am all ready for the fall weather.
• I also do not need another book to read. I have plenty of them and if I am in desperate need to get a new book... I'll go to the library or wait until November.
• No Costco run just because I always spend way too much at Costco.

Already scheduled stuff on my planner

• Date night with Bidou to see the movie Martian at the VIP Cineplex theatre and supper.
• Facial scheduled for October 2nd. Get the facial but I do not need any facial products since I already have a stock pile at home.
• A gala scheduled for October 23rd. Appointment already scheduled to get my hair done the day of the Gala.
• Apple picking activity with Baby M and Bidou. 
• Halloween activity planned with Baby M.
• Every Wednesday Baby M visits with her biological parents. I usually wait for her at a local cafe where I splurge on a lattee and a sandwich ($15 per visit + $20 per visit for ferry crossing)
• Almost every Tuesday, my dad and I go to the movies since Tuesdays are cheap night at the movies... only $5.50 but I not allowed to use the concession stand.

The money not spend during the month will be deposited in Baby M's 2020 Disney Cruise fund. Please come back at the end of October to see how I did.

My 2015 Fall Goals & Bucket List

This post was ready to be posted on the first day of Fall but my iMac was in the shop and I really wanted to prepare a banner (yay! my first banner using befunky.com) to add to this post.

Without further ado.... My fall goals & bucket list...

• Take pictures of Baby M in her Halloween costume outdoors;
• Have a picnic in the Gatineau park with Baby M and Bidou;
• Go apple picking;
• Eat more soups made in my soup maker blender;
• Learn basic HTML codes and CSSS by using the website htmldog.com;
• Organized and sell (or donate) Baby M's old clothes and stuff that she is no longer using;
• Try new apple recipes;
• Finish organizing Baby M's first year box;
• Consciously drink more, walk more and clean kitchen before heading to bed!

That's all folks!

New Recipe and/or Product Tryouts

If it was up to Bidou we would eat out every night since he HATES to cook, bake, fry, broil, BBQ etc. Therefore, I am the main and only cook in the house. And if you are like me I am so tired of always cooking the same 'old thing for dinner. My Bidou is a meat and potato eater. I like to vary my dinners.

I often try new recipes. I am also a sucker for buying new products I see at the grocery store. I must admit that not all new recipes I have tried in the past were very successful. 

Tonight I tried a new product for dinner that I found at the grocery store - BBQ Chicken with applewood flavour and bacon from Club House.

I cooked some chicken strips with an onion in a little bit of oil. I then added red, yellow and green peppers and I couple of mushrooms I had in the fridge. I added the sauce. It simmered for 10 minutes. The above picture is the final product. I served it over a bed of basmati rice. 

End result or as Bidou would say: "it's a keeper" - Yay!!!  Even Baby M had some cut up pieces of chicken.

Do you like trying new recipes/products???

A Night at the Hospital

Besides being born with a cleft palate (repair surgery was done last July) my Baby M has been the healthiest baby thus far. She has never been feverish even when she was teething, no diaper rashes and has never even had a cold or the flu.

Last night, I noticed that she was not her usual self at supper time. She was playing around with her food on her plate more than she was eating. Then right after bath time I noticed that she felt hot. Without even taking her temperature (I have a rectal thermometer and I refuse to use it), I decided to give her a dose of Advil before bedtime. We did our usual bedtime ritual and she went down like an angel as usual.

I heard her stir at around 8 pm and went to check on her. I found her convulsing in her crib and when I picked her up she was boiling hot. I yelled for Bidou to come and thankfully, we live beside the hospital and were there in 3 minutes.

In Canada, our free medical system tends to be not the best at times but I must admit that we flew threw triage and were set up in a room right away to see a doctor.

Baby M had a febrile seizure due to a very high fever caused by an ear infection. I read that febrile seizures are very common (1 out of 25) among children from 6 months to 5 years old. My Baby M is now on antibiotics for 10 days. She is back to her old self and this mommy is happy!!

Have you ever heard of febrile seizures?

Weekend Updates

My Dad came over Friday to take Baby M and Kloe for an hour walk. Do you know how much housecleaning I did in that hour?? All floors were vacuumed and washed. And my dusting completed. I am no fool... I have scheduled him to come over again this Friday.

I had a 9:45 am appointment Saturday morning at the Apple Store. Can you imagine that I stuffed a SD card into the CD slot on my iMac. Therefore, I am writing this blog from the Blogger app on my iPad. My iMac is in the shop for 3 to 5 days. 

There was a promotion at Pandora's this weekend. When you spended $125 you received any $75 charm for free. The timing was perfect since I have been wanting a necklace and a pendant from Pandora. I also was able to buy a charm for my friend's birthday on Thursday.

Mother Nature gave us Fall like weather on Sunday - finally. I had an urge to go apple picking or pumpking carving but only ran errands to Walmart with Baby M instead.

Slowly, I am starting to talk "potty time" with Baby M. She is only 13 months and way too early to be potty trained but I thought it would be a good idea to have a cute potty in the bathroom so she can start associating her smart pretty brain peeing in a toilet instead of her diaper. Here she is demonstrating... how cute is she and of course, the Ducky Potty.

2 Cabinets in 2 Weeks and Thanks to Amanda...

Funny how the littlest things make me so so darn happy! You should have heard me scream when I received a comment from Amanda regarding my recent post after being away from this blog for forever.  She even mentioned in her comment that she was "just thinking of me". How funny that a complete stranger would be thinking of little old me...
Thanks Amanda you really made my day! :)

Now on to the main reason for this post...
2 cabinets that desperately need some attention...
I am giving myself 2 complete weeks to clean, to purge and to organize...
My deadline is October 2nd.

I swear, that I have not cleaned out the lower corner kitchen cabinet since moving into the condo back in September 2011 (picture above). I rarely go into this cabinet, therefore, I am not too sure what treasures I will be find.

The other cabinet is a self standing white Ikea cabinet that is located in the bathroom (picture above). It holds a pot-pourri of stuff... like makeup, hair and body products, my travel cosmectic bag etc.

And I just couldn't end this post with cabinet pictures, so the above picture is of my Baby M eating her very first very mini baby soft ice cream cone at McDs.  And she loved it! I wish I could have captured her tiny lips smacking the vanilla ice cream.

New September Project - This Blog

Why is it that when the calendar turns to the month of September, I get this urge to start something new.  In the past, I have started new courses in September and always failed to finish them. I also usually start new crocheting projects in September but those I usually finish (love to crochet!). And the thing I always do... is buy a new planner in September!

Then I remembered that once upon a time ago I had a blog that I really enjoyed updating. And it was a great way to documente my life and meet new people around the globe... was I good at blogging?nope but I still enjoyed it. Was it time consuming? indeed but I still enjoyed it!  So there... I just found my new September project.

Therefore, I am BACK.... with a lot of new changes in my life.

Needless to say that since blogging last my life has changed immensevely.  

The last 13 months have been life changing for my husand and I. On August 11st, 2014 we welcomed the smallest prettiest little 2 day old girl into our home that has become our precious Baby M.

Becoming a first time mom at the ripe old age of 44 years old has its challenges and it's advantages that I would like to discuss eventually on this blog. Another subject that I will also like to discuss is adoption. We have been fostering Baby M in view to adopt. The process is long and tedious. Hopefully, we will be able to call her our daughter in the next 6 months. Let's cross our fingers on that one.

I have also decided to become a stay-at-home mom and I am loving every minute of it. 

I am still married to Bidou and still loving my so not obediant at times furbaby Kloe.

PS... the design of this blog is still a work in progress... please stay tuned!

Mother-to-be very soon!

It is now safe to yell out my exciting news to the entire blogosphere!  

I am becoming a mother for the first time at the

old ripe age of almost 44 years old! 

For the last couple of weeks, Bidou and I have been on an emotional roller coaster with our adoption agency. They approached us with news of a yet to be born baby but before making the final decision, we had many questions and concerns. To make a long story short, we will be welcoming Baby Girl M to our home any day now.

With this being said, I have become an expert with any thing and every thing baby related.   I already bought the car seat, the stroller (pics to follow) and bought the outfit that

Baby M will be wearing on her first day!

Target Haul

First round on picking up baby necessities

Newborn and 0-3 months haul from Carter's

picture taken Saturday morning before hitting the baby stores

nice and quiet - exactly the way I like it!

Very soon I will be able to scream my life changing news to the world... but for now... a recap of my nice and quiet weekend.

Saturday
I drove Bidou and his dad to the airport. Bidou is travelling to Peru for work and decided to bring his Dad along for the week. He surprised him last weekend with a plane ticket for his 74th birthday. Needless to say that his Dad was so moved and speechless when he opened up the the gift.

After dropping them off at the airport, I decided to get a pedi. I usually go to a high end spa near my place but decided to drop in to those quick fix mani/pedi places and I was very impressed their service and they charge half half price on what I usually pay. I will definitely be going back there!

A couple of months ago, I heard that a Panera Bread had opened up in Ottawa (and happy to state that they have been slowly popping up a bit all over Ontario). I love their broccoli and cheddar soup so decided to give the Canadian Panera Bread a try. So so good.... and I confirm that it tastes the same as the American one.  :)

Sunday
Sunday's are made to relax and that is what is exactly what I did!  I sat on my over stuffed couch and read all afternoon with Kloé by my side.

My favorite picture of the weekend - Kloé and my father-in-law

My 4 month hiatus is over...

The last time I posted was exactly 4 months ago... March 24th, 2014. I can't believe that 4 months ago there was a blizzard outside and today... it is sunny and hot... love the Quebec's distinctive seasons.

Actually, this morning I woke and decided that I wanted to start blogging again!  And what triggered this desire to start blogging again, you may ask?? Bidou and I got amazing news last week... a new chapter in our lives will be starting... we have been waiting 10 years to this day to come...

Excited??? I know that I am!

More to come very very soon - I hope!!!

P.S. I need a new blog design now!! :)

who said that spring has sprung??? and a Pandora

These pictures were taken "for real" last Saturday morning ~

a real Winter Wonderland in Gatineau, Quebec ~ Yikes!

Introducing my new Pandora bangle ~

So in love with my "I love my dog" charm!

no hunter boots for me and new challenge!

Yesterday was Day 19 of my 10,000 steps a day challenge where I challenged myself to walk 10,000 steps a day for 21 consecutive days to earn the right to buy myself a pair of Hunter boots. You can read about my pledge here! 

So far I should have walked 190,000 steps but have only walked 163,748 steps. I am 26,252 steps behind schedule. So this means that I would need to walk 23,126 steps a day for the next 2 days and there is no way that I will  accomplish it! Therefore, challenged FAILED and NO Hunter boots for me!!!  I am blaming this failure on a number of things but my number one reason is the weather! This winter has been brutal.

(source)

With this being said, I am challenging myself once again to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day for the next 21 days starting Saturday, March 22nd. And my reward will be a pair of Hunter Boots!

Do you give yourself rewards for accomplishing stuff??

my love for pandora

The obsession started many years ago. I remember the first time I saw one, I just knew that I NEEDED the bracelet with many charms. I even picked up the pamphlet and gave it to Bidou in hopes that he would catch on and purchase one for our upcoming weeding anniversary. It never happened until Christmas 2011. I was actually in total shock when I received it because I had given up hope of ever owning one!

I LOVE and CHERISH my Pandora bracelet! Every charm I own has a meaning.

This weekend Epochs (where the Pandora jewellery is sold in my area) is holding an amazing sale. When purchasing for more than $125 you receive the Pandora bangle for free. The bangle has been on my wishlist for a while, therefore, I think I will be going all out... and getting myself a couple of new charms over the weekend!!

Do you own a Pandora bracelet??

my home ~ gatineau, quebec

I was born, raised, went to school and lived throughout most of my young adult life in Gatineau, Quebec. In 2005, I married a Canadian Army Officer and we moved a little bit all over. When Bidou retired from the army in 2011, we decided that we needed to settle some roots and we moved back to my home town of Gatineau in the province of Québec.

 ~My top reasons why I love where I live ~

I love that we have very distinct seasons in Gatineau. It is very hot and humid in the summer. We have great foliage in the fall. We have tons of snow and freezing weather (actually, I am so ready to move on... to spring) in the winter then the spring brings rain and the flowers start to bloom.

I love that you can find poutine at every street corner in Gatineau and in any city throughout Quebec!  Poutine is made up of french fries, brown gravy and cheese curds and it is immensely fattening and good! 

I love that Starbucks cafes have FINALLY arrived in Gatineau. I can now enjoy my favorite hot beverage within a 5 minute drive from my house.

I love that Gatineau is just across the river from Canada's National Capital. Who can guess what city I am referring to?

I love that my entire family (my Daddy, my sister, my brother and their families) lives in Gatineau.

I love that in Gatineau I can run into friends/family/acquaintances whenever I eat out in a restaurant, go shopping at the mall, attend a sporting event etc. There is always someone I know!!

I love that Gatineau is the 4th biggest city in the province of Quebec and hosts many annual events like the hot air ballon festival.

and these are my ten six favorite things!  Thanks Brianna!

what does hunter boots, a fitbit and a goal have in common??

If you are wondering what Hunter Boots, a Fitbit and a Goal have in common... please read on....

I have had my Zip Fitbit since January 19th, 2014 and I have averaged 6,803 steps a day. When purchasing the device, I was aiming for 10,000 steps a day but it has been so darn cold and that is my excuse! 

On yesterday's post, I mentioned that Bidou suggested to achieve a goal before buying the boots. I received some interesting goals, thanks folks! but decided to incorporate my Fitbit into this goal and to reward myself if I maintained a 10,000 step count a day for the next 21 days. I have heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, therefore, this is definitely a win-win situation!! Yesssss!!!

Starting tomorrow (March 1st, 2014), I need to average 10,000 steps in the next 21 days.... with this being said, if I achieved my set goal I will reward myself by buying a pair of Hunter boots.  

I will need all of the encouragement, so please add my profile if you use the FitBit application.

So now I think you get the picture of the Hunter boots, the Fitbit and the goal???

my life this week

• New follower alert! I would like to welcome Kym from Travel Babbles as my 13th follower. Kym is an ice hockey wife that has lived in way too many fun places. Please go and say hi!!
• I work for an accounting firm and busy season is in full swing. No more time for homework and reading new blogs while working! :(
• Last night, I saw Vay-row-nic as in Veronic Dicaire. She is a French Canadian singer impersonator/entertainer. She has an amazing repertoire of female voices that she can imitate like Katy Perry, Celine Dion, Lady Gaga just to name a few. Her energy is incredible and moves all over on stage with her dancers. She has become a Las Vegas sensation and is now doing a Quebec tour.  

• I need WANT a pair of Hunter boots. Bidou proposed that I set myself a goal and if I achieve it and can therefore buy the boots. I love that idea. Now I need to find a goal. Any ideas are welcomed?
• Daddy is leaving tomorrow for a month stay in Florida. I am sad since he his my number one friend that I like to hang out with when Bidou is not around.
• A couple more evenings and I will be done reading Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (book 6 of 2014 reading challenge). I am immensely enjoying the many 80s references included in the book.  

I took this picture this morning.

Lately, Kloé's routine is waking me up at 6 am, going outside to do her business, eats her breakfast and runs back to bed to snuggle up with Bidou.

How precious!!!

bragging rights are in order

The 2014 Olympic Winter Games came to an end yesterday and the Canadians RULED when it came to ice hockey by wining the GOLD for both the Women and Men's Hockey.  Go Canada Go!!

source

For some reason, I really got involved this year with the Olympics when it came to hockey. Note about myself ~ I do not mind watching a NHL hockey game here or there during the season but in no way that I would consider myself a hockey fan. So I surprised myself by inviting my Dad and brother over for some french toast and to watch the final men's game that was scheduled for Sunday at 7:00 am. What an early start to a Sunday but don't worry... I took a nice long nap on the couch during the afternoon!

Did you watch any Olympics??

i found a name for my disease

Sorry folks for my absence during the last couple of weeks but I have recently self-diagnosed myself with this not so rare disease called the "February Blahs"!!

I was trying to explain this so called disease to my husband Bidou when I decided to Google it and was shocked to find out that there is a real disease called Seasonal Affective Disorder or fittingly S.A.D. I have read that 10% of the population in the northern hemisphere suffers from it and I perfectly fit the mole since I live in very cold climate called the province of Québec.

So in case you have been wondering what I have been doing during my convalescence...

• I read Labor Day by Joyce Maynard - book 5 of my 40 book reading challenge! I had no clue with regards to the plot and adored and highly recommend this book. I really want to see the movie but I will wait until it is available on DVD.

• I actually read all of my favorite blogs during my absence from the blog world but never left a single comment since it just didn't feel right leaving comments !! Am I weird?
• Last Monday and Tuesday, I was off from work with this nasty flu/cold/cough... not really sure what it was but now feeling much better.
• Bidou and I celebrated Valentine's day by going out for supper at Meule et Caquelon - a fondue and raclette style restaurant. I also bought him these adorable cupcakes that a co-worker made and he fooled me by thinking that he had ate 3 out 4 of them for lunch by posting this picture to my Facebook account.

• Last weekend, I binge watched season 1 of Call the Midwifes on Netflix and I am planning to do the same this weekend for season 2.
• I have been studying hard on my 2 on-line courses that I decided to take last January.
• I have been keeping up (like sorta!) with 10,000 steps a day on my Zip FitBit.

So did you miss me????

worst blogger award goes to.....

 Me!!!! 

What can I say... I have been a terrible blogger and the reason why you might ask...

plain laziness and a lack of inspiration.

Hopefully, February will be a better blogging month!

As for my 2014 Reading Challenge... Book 4 of my 40 book goals is completed!!!

La poussière du temps Tome 3 - Sur le boulevard

by Michel David

Now on to book 5... not sure what it is going to be yet but I know that I want to read something English!!

the pit & the peak link-up

I live for link-ups! 

Lately, I have been fuelling this blog with only link-ups. 

It gives me a reason to write....

Thanks Jen and Allie for creating this link-up.

The Pit

It is a toss up between not having my Bidou home all week. He has been in Perou and he will be in San Diego all next week for business. Or the fact that I only completed my 10,000 daily steps once this week. I am blaming it on the freezing weather.

The Peak

Actually, the peak will be hapenning this evening. I am meeting my friend Christine after work for a Spa evening at Spa Nordik. 

A hot spa, a massage and some relaxation is on the menu for this evening.

Wishing all of my blogging friends a great weekend!