Helping Out! Week #6

We were finishing up breakfast yesterday morning and I asked Paige what she wanted to do this week. She glanced out the front window and said she'd like to help someone. Awesome idea. "Can I help someone rake their leaves?" Great! Of coarse I love the fitness aspect of it! I asked her who she'd like to help out and she quickly replied "aunt Wendy".

A little about aunt Wendy...she's my aunt so therefore Paige's great aunt and she is an AMAZING woman. I have so many memories growing up with her...camping, learning to drive (another blog one day!), painting our toes and bottom line she was there for me when I needed to talk. Paige thought of her without any coaching from me either! She picked up the phone and called her right away. Luckily she was home and uncle Glyn was too. So we grabbed our rake and headed over.

Wendy and Paige did a great job! And inspired uncle Glyn to start putting up the Christmas lights. It was a fun afternoon! Paige filled 2 large garbage bins with leaves and I was pretty amazed with her determination to do a great job. Not only did she give her time this week...she spent it with someone special to her. A day neither of them will soon forget.

Be Phat!

Toys For Tots - Week #5

Paige was excited to meet Officer Carter today when she donated toys and money to Toys for Tots. She purchased some toys that she thought a boy and girl her age would like and we took them to the Police Station in our community. It's not an easy thing to explain to a six year old who believes that Santa can reach everyone...but after a lengthy discussion she realized that Santa needs help too. We watched Santa fly in on a helicopter and Paige commented "shouldn't he be hard at work at the North Pole getting ready?!". One thing is for sure, she'll be a tough boss one day!

The Toys For Tots is a great program. "The Halton Regional Police Service, in partnership with Canadian Tire, the Salvation Army, Halton Honda and the Mandarin Restaurant, will be launching the annual Toys for Tots holiday fundraising drive. Toys for Tots spreads holiday joy by providing gifts to less fortunate families living in Halton Region." You can donate now at your local police station and Canadian Tire locations.

Its a perfect day..

Its a perfect day to...get outside, go for a run, walk to the coffee shop, read a book, write a letter to a friend, smile, play with your kids, call your parents, laugh with friends, share a quiet moment with someone, dance, buy a new pair of shoes, go spinning, take a long shower, tell someone how much you love them, skip, watch an old movie, do a hot yoga class, paint your toes, listen to music really loud..and sing, share, give something away, do a cartwheel, write in your journal, take a wee nap, stretch, do what makes you happy and enjoy every moment of the day.

Be Phat!

Poppies-Week #4

"The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day. Replica poppies are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion to raise money for needy veterans."

Paige was anxious to donate this week and display her poppy proudly on her jacket. She donated money from her piggy bank at her school. Enough for a few but only took one. We researched the history behind Rememberance Day and we both learned a lot! When I asked Paige about what she thought it was all about she replied.."that many people died in the war so that we could have freedom." So Phat!

Here's a few little facts about today...

· Remembrance Day commemorates Canadians who died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. It is held every November 11.
· The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918 at 11 a.m.: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
· From 1923 to 1931, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. Thanksgiving was also celebrated on this day.
· In 1931, M.P. Allan Neill introduced a bill to hold Armistice Day on a fixed day - November 11. During the bill's introduction, it was decided the word "Remembrance" would be used instead of "Armistice". The bill passed and Remembrance Day was conducted on November 11, 1931. Thanksgiving Day was moved to October 12 that year.

November 10th

Happy Anniversary Darc. Love u to the sky & back. Moowah! xo

NYC Marathon 2009

Where do I start? NYC is amazing and the whole trip was wicked! Susie, Jenn, Kelly and I headed to the Buffalo airport at the early hour of 4am on Sat Oct 31st. Happy Halloween! Whoa that was early! Grabbed a quick breakfast and hopped on the 8am flight. The flight was quick and before we new it we were speeding along in Edwin's cab towards the Sheridan Times Square. Room was ready and we settled in. Later in the afternoon we headed out for a run. Heading along 7th to Central Park I said hello to Michael Buble coming out for Starbucks. Weird when you see someone that looks familiar so you just say "hello" and then he turns out to be a famous dude. Amazing.
Our run through Central Park was incredible. Such a beautiful space. I'd be there everyday is it were my hometown. We had a great evening..a little bit of rain but we braved it to have a look around. Everyone was sleepy so we headed back to the hotel pretty early and I got to bed! I had to be the bus for 5:20am. That was going to come fast!
Alarm went off and I jumped into my clothes. Jenn and Susie wished me luck (Kelly stayed sleep-smart!) and off I went. I grabbed a cap to the library where I got on the bus to the starting line. I sat beside Lawrence on the bus. It was his first marathon. He was a sprinter and decided he wanted to do a marathon. He had trained hard and I am sure did well! we got off the bus and walked up to the welcome area. I pointed out where the bagels were and off he went. I headed directly to the warming tent to grab a spot. A Phat Dude named Tom gave me his spare track pants to warm up my chilly legs. man it was freezing at 6am! What was I thinking wearing shorts! As the tent filled up I had the chance to meet more and more people and hear their amazing inspiring stories. Runners are such amazing people.

Said my goodbyes and good lucks and was off to the starting area for Orange Wave #1. "What do you mean I am too late? and OMG there's Edward Norton!" Yep, that pretty much summed up why my heart was racing and I deeked into the fenced off area and made it into Wave #1! Woohoo! " Where did Edward go?" I had to tell him that Susie loves him! lol. No seriously we both love him! His acting that is. Yeah right! Anywho...as I strapped on the helmet cam it became very clear that people wondered what was up? Did I need it for safety reasons? lol. There's definitely history that could support that need..but no it was the best way to cover the race experience. Check out www.youtube.com/racedayrush to see the footage! Finishing time of 3:49. Pretty incredible for a chick with a helmet cam I must say! lol. I am constantly in awe of the drive and determination that people have to cross the finish line. I made some new friends along that way and was amazed at all their stories...like the man who was running his 12th marathon since his heart transplant. Wow! and Joel who had weighed 400 pounds 2.5 years before the race and had done it surgery free with finishing the marathon in 2009 was his BIG goal. Incredible! This marathon experience was so memorable and it's all on video. A little bit of a sore neck..but it was so worth it!

A HUGE thanks to Susie, Jenn and Kelly for making it a wicked time and for all your support. You are truely Phat Chicks and great friends. xo

Be Phat!

Art Can Fight Hunger (Week #3!)

A unique charitable campaign is located at Mapleview Mall in Burlington. Paige wanted to participate and make a big donation! Four artists from Burlington, Hamilton and Toronto we comissioned to create artwork inspired by Andy Warhol's soup can paintings while reflecting the message that "Art Can Fight Hunger". Paige picked out healthy non-perishable foods from Longos and donated them in the can situated in front of the painting she liked the best. Her pick was created by David Rademaker..a local Burlington artist. His design was black and white and revealed shapes and elements from nature. Great pick Paige!