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!

Get Outside..

We headed up to Rattlesnake Point on the Thanksgiving weekend. What a beautiful spot! We enjoyed spending time hiking the trails with some close friends. I plan to head up there more often. You should check it out!

http://www.hrca.on.ca/ShowCategory.cfm?subCatID=1091

Week #2 Paige wanted to donate her clothes!

With the change in weather..Paige decided she wanted to donate her clothes this week. "Everyone needs them!" she simply said when I asked her why this week that's what she chose to do. "And it it's not warm outside anymore". I agree! We managed to get her dad in on this one too. Amazing what you have in your closet that someone else could put some good use too. Paige is starting to understand what giving and helping others really means. I was pretty amazed when she decided to give up her Barbie suitcase to pack some of the clothing into!

Excited to see what's up for next week!

Be Phat!

Learning about GIVING to others..

My daughter Paige is a very emotional, caring little person. Yet, like all children she wants the latest and greatest this and that. As her mom I want to give her those things..and at the same time instill the value of being thankful. Simply expressing that she's lucky to have special gizmos and gadgets is not enough. So together we have started a 52 week long giving adventure. Each week we'll donate personal belongings, food, money or simply our time to help others.

Today we got started! Paige turned 6 last week and we thought it was a perfect timing. She went through her toys and filled a bag and large box full of her favorite possession...stuffies (stuffed animals!). These have been her favorite collectible since she was a baby. She kept a few of her favorites. She would be lost without teddy! She was excited that she would be sharing her stuffies with kids who would hopefully love them too.

When we were driving away from the Community Donation Centre Paige asked if there are also people who needed food. I replied with a big "YES" and she decided then that's what we would do next week. So proud of her..and excited for what she'll learn beyond the next 51 weeks to come.

Picture: Paige with with the two representatives from the Community Donation Centre in Burlington, Ontario (October 19, 2009)

Be Phat!