I Can't Live Without...

Recently I've been wanting to start a weekly "series" on the blog and was thinking of what I would most enjoy blogging about... and then it dawned on me today, as I was vacuuming the house.  I bring you, "Things I Thought I Could Live Without, But Really Can't..."

First item on the list is my Dyson Slim Vacuum.

Anyone who knew me when Jon and I were engaged knows that I was equally as excited about putting the Dyson Vacuum on my Bridal Registry, as I was to be marrying my best friend.  Mainly because I thought I would love the vacuum but thought that I'd never be able to justify the coin.  Ohh, but I was wrong.... Worth every penny!!  Luckily, a group of my mom's very generous friends went in together to get the Dyson Vacuum for my Bridal Shower.

The model we have is the Dyson Slim, which I love and really suits our lifestyle.  It's SO  light weight I can carry up and down stairs with one hand, but still fully functional.  We currently have, and will likely always prefer hardwood floors, because of Jon's allergies and the fact that we have a kitty, and once we have kids and a house, we're thinking we'll be adding a dog in the mix too.  That's A LOT of dust and dirt.  So, definitely no carpeting in our future.  Dyson does make a "pet" model which is supposedly amazing at getting fur out of carpets... but as I mentioned, there is definitely no carpet in our future.

All in all, it's such a functional vacuum... and stays completely true to the claim that it definitely does not loose suction.  All the attachments are super easily accessible, without having to bend down to floor level.  You can tell this vacuum was designed by a man.  It has a very "techy" feel to it.  Lots of little gadgets all over it, and I love every single one of them!!  The big plus for me is that I love not having to worry about vacuum bags!  It's nice to be able to see the clear canister to know when it needs to be emptied.  Jon's allergies have improved so much since we've got the vacuum...  It's night and day. 

Verdict:  LOVE LOVE LOVE, and you will too!!   

Grumpy Kitten

 

Do you ever just feel like you're up against a wall trying to make things work out?  I've been having a small string of bad luck recently and having a hard time getting through it.  Thankfully I am blessed with an incredible family, and such a strong and supportive husband to lean on.  I've been praying a lot and hoping I find the grace to get me through this.  My hopes are that maybe putting it out there will help take it away. 

What do you do to help you get through the grey days? 

"Hurricane" Earl

Those who know Jon well know that he's always had a thrill of adventure.  Most notably he loves checking out natural disasters... while they are occurring.  Immediately after the 2004 Christmas Tsunami that hit Southeast Asia, he headed down to Sri Lanka and ended up helping with the relief effort, and checking out the destruction that had occurred.  So, it was no surprise to me when he woke me up this Saturday morning to check out the destruction we were expecting from Hurricane Earl.  We woke up at 9 am and it looked just like a regular cloudy day.  When we left the house at 10am, there was still really not much going on...   We drove around the city and went to Halifax harbour.  There were a few broken branches and business signs knocked down, and the seas were rough for sure, but it still didn't really feel like a hurricane.  So then we headed up to Lawrence Town Beach, where they were predicting 30ft waves.  Although RCMP officers were blocking off the beaches and really dangerous areas we did still get a glimpse of some pretty crazy waves.  Definitely not 30ft waves, but I can see why the RCMP was blocking off the area.  We got out for a short bit, but I almost blew away so we decided to get back in the car.  :) All in all, although there was some damage and quite a bit of the city was left without power, it just felt like a heavy rain storm for us more than anything... Didn't even loose power.  Glad we didn't get what was predicted!!

Yummiest Book Ever!

One of my favorite bloggers, Bakerella, is writing a book about something from her blog.  She's actually quite famous and was on Martha Stewart talking about her Cake Pops.  I saw this idea on her blog a few years ago and altered it a bit to make what I call Cake Truffles.  Essentially the same thing, but I don't put mine on sticks, and I use chocolate instead of candy melts.  I always,  Santa always makes sure to have a bunch in all the stockings at Christmas time in the Lockeport Monahan house.  They're a huge hit!  Yum!

Check Out The How To Video 

Beef With Barbie

 I am in complete shock, and honestly... a little bit of a panic about what type of society we are breeding!  On October 21st my sister is expecting a baby boy and I will be going to Toronto to help take care of her and the family, and to occupy her two year old daughter, Nalini.  

I thought it would be nice to get Nalini something small so that she doesn't feel like it's all about baby, and try to offset any jealousy that may arise from the birth of her baby brother.  Always being a doll lover myself as a child, I thought Barbie was a good way to go.  So off I went to Walmart so excited to buy my niece her first Barbie.  I was so excited about all the possibility.  After all, it's 2010... Barbie can be anything she wants to be...  Until I saw shelf after shelf of "Barbie Bride", and "Barbie Mommy" and "Barbie Tea Party".  (I'm not gonna lie, I did stop for a minute at the Barbie Tea Party set...)  But then I went to ask a store clerk for a "professional" barbie...  And I just about lost my mind when she looked confused and then took me over to "Dog Walker Barbie".  The kicker is the dogs weren't even on a leash, they were in her purse!!  ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME???  Where is Doctor Barbie??  Or Lawyer Barbie??  Or Business Tycoon Barbie with the pin-stripe suit and matching briefcase??  

In a slightly calm, but definitely bothered tone I asked the clerk if they had a Doctor Barbie, and she said she did... And took me over to this atrocious thing pictured below, the only difference was that the set also comes with matching pink heels...

  

Now I've never given birth but I'm just gonna guess that if the first time I am handed my child it's by some chick wearing jeans, a pink jacket, and pink heels I'm really gonna have to question the credibility of this doctor.  What is wrong with our society??  And why does "Doctor Barbie" have to be holding babies??  There are other types of doctors!!  A simple stethoscope and medical bag would have been fine I think.   

Don't get me wrong... when I was a little girl, I LOVED everything pink, I loved fairies and princesses, I had all the Barbie Dream Houses and multiple versions of Ken.  They had about 100 weddings in my childhood room, and I don't know how many tea parties.  I fantasized about my wedding day, and couldn't wait for the day that I would be a mommy.  I honestly think there is nothing wrong with that.  But thank god I also had parents who told me I could do all that and be all those things while also having a brain and a mind of my own and get satisfaction from making something of myself also.  

It just really panics me and makes me wonder what types of girls we are raising??  Maybe I'm worrying for nothing.  After all, almost all of my Barbies had pink tu-tu's and matching pink heels, and I was still aware that I could do anything but I have to say I am still disappointed about where we are as a society.  

Who knows, maybe the little girls of today are smarter than we realize and don't need the "professional" dolls to teach them they can do it all....  Hopefully.