I Wish We Had Done This Years Ago

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The hot tub we purchased this past Fall has become a major feature in our lives as of late.  And since the mandate of my blog is to “talk about things that are important to me” and “be a source of information and opinion on the adventures of health, fitness, and parenthood”, the hot tub qualifies.  I’ve been trying to think of a way to write about it without coming across like a used-car salesman- but that seems to be the only way:

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Are you a hot tub person?  It seems you either “are” or you “aren’t”, and up until this Fall I was definitely “aren’t”.  But that’s all changed…. and since I’m a ‘convincer‘ by nature, let me tell you why:

  • It gives my husband and I nightly unplugged, distraction-free, catch-up-on-the-day time.  When we were considering this purchase, a friend told me that “many family talks will take place there”; she was right.  With young children, and date nights that are few-and-far-between, this gives us a great chance to “escape” into our backyard.
  • Our kids love it.  We bundle them up in their fuzzy robes and winter boots and make the trek down to the hot tub every weekend.  They like to change the colour of the lights and turn on the waterfall feature….. but mostly they like to snuggle in and enjoy the warmth and the fresh air.  Quality.  Family.  Time.
  • Recovery!  After a tough Crossfit workout or a long run, nothing beats the hot tub for loosening muscles up and helping you sleep.

My husband has been trying to persuade me on a hot tub for years.  I was worried about the maintenance (virtually none), the monthly cost (very affordable, as hot tubs are very energy-efficient now), and the safety (a lockable cover)- all of which are non-issues now.  In fact, I wish we had done this years ago.

So perhaps the message of this post isn’t to sell you on hot tubs, but rather to sell you on quality time.  And doing-it-now.  And going-for-it.  And you-only-live-once.

making memories quote

*** Thanks to our friend Jay Pritchard from Boldt Pools & Spas for all of his hot tub help!

I Cried When I Saw Hayley

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The obvious choice for a blog topic this week is the Olympics.  With every blogger in cyberspace writing about the athlete’s behind-the-scenes, or medal counts, or the Canadian Olympic program development, I need to admit to something: I cried when I saw Hayley Wickenheiser carrying the flag as Team Canada entered Olympic Stadium. 

Now I am emotional by nature, “dramatic” some may say, and that trait has only increased with age.  Somehow that moment, those images, really grabbed hold of me and choked me up.  I was sitting with my two young children, having lunch and watching the Opening Ceremonies.  February 7th was circled on our calendar with great anticipation, and I had already told my kids about Olympic competition and showed them where Russia was on the map (“Mom, Russia is the biggest country and Canada is the second biggest, I saw it on Grandpa’s map already” said my five-year-old.  Ahem, well excuse me.).  So when the Parade of Athletes began, we already had our Canadian flags ready to go.  And then Hayley walked in waving the red and white.

What is it about the power of sport that brings out such emotion?  Is it the memories of spending childhood Winters in the arena and Summers at the golf course?  Is it the feelings of teamwork, sportsmanship, and togetherness that I’ve felt throughout my life in all aspects of sport?  Is it the fact that I’ve found my spouse, my career, and my passions all directly or indirectly through sport?

Maybe it’s all of those things.   Maybe it’s none.  Maybe it’s just good ol’ Canadian pride.  Whatever it is, it makes me cry.  Don’t sit next to me to watch the Closing Ceremonies.  I’ll be even worse.

GO CANADA GO!

hayley opening ceremonies

***You can see the influence of sport happening early in our house here,
as evidenced by my 1-year-old’s lunch-covered ramblings.***

What Happens in Vegas…

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I am going to Las Vegas this weekend.  To see Britney Spears.  Yes, I’m serious.

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I have been a Britney fan for a long time, albeit sometimes embarrassingly so.  “Hit Me Baby One More Time” was released in Oct/1998, at a time when I was in Second Year at the University of Calgary; I was young and impressionable, seeking independence and searching for my future, as most post-secondary students are.  Britney could be heard everywhere I was, from residence dorms to nightclubs to track practice.  Music has a way of becoming the soundtrack of memories, and many of my 20-something moments had a Britney song playing in the background.

But the best part, far better than any Britney show, is that I am meeting my two best friends there.  These girls are like my sisters; they are my confidantes, my this-is-who-I-am-and-you-know-me-so-well companions.  It’s going to be a short trip, only 48-hours from arrival to departure, jam-packed with dinners out, casinos, lounging poolside, shopping, and laughter.  Oh so much laughter.

You see, yearly girls trips for the three of us have been an almost-annual tradition for 15 years.  From Summer roadtrips to Vancouver to weekends in Edmonton to reunions at a small-town farm, these affectionately-named ASS Tours (Ashley/Sarah/Shannon) have been a constant in our lives, as our cities have changed and our families have grown.  Our 2011 meet-up was in New York City.  I will never forget it.  I will never forget it because I was broken when I arrived and pieced together when I left.  I had just suffered a devastating miscarriage and I left for NYC the day after my surgery.  And as the three of us walked through Central Park and sobbed and hugged and comforted and shared, I felt myself start to heal.  Piece by piece, they put me back together.  They helped me put myself back together.  As they have countless other times.  They’re those kind of friends.

My husband teases me about this girls trip.  He pokes fun at the teeny-bopper in me and smiles about my excitement.  But I can assure you, Britney’s audience will be full of 30-something mothers, just like us, singing along with nostalgia in their voices and dancing with happiness in their hearts… side by side with friends.