I never intended on having a third Siberian Husky. But, a few years ago, a neighbour posted a sign on the communal mailboxes trying to get rid of one. As tempting as it was, I figured 2 dogs was probably enough and quickly pushed the temptation out of my mind.

Then, one very cold Winter day, I happened to be driving through the streets and saw a puppy tied up on a front porch. I figured it was the Siberian for sale but quickly glanced away before I caved. When I drove by again a few hours later, he was still outside. Still alone. Still tied up. A twelve-week old puppy.

Needless to say, I was infuriated. Yes, Siberians are “winter dogs” but that doesn’t mean you leave a puppy outdoors in a bitter and cold Canadian winter. When I got home, I couldn’t get the puppy out of my mind. Before I knew it, I had my winter boots and jacket on and was knocking on their door.

A few hours later I had him on a leash and was walking him to his new home. The previous owners had him for a whole 4 weeks or so if I remember correctly. I’m sure it was a Christmas present for their kids because “snow dogs” are cool gifts in the winter. Ugh. Other than Kayden (I named him that btw), I left with nothing more. They pretty much shoved me out the door with Kayden on a leash before I could ask any questions though of course, not before I’d handed over cash. They gave me no food he was accustomed to, no favorites toys, no bed. I guess they wanted to take them back too.

Breaking Kayden wasn’t easy. For a puppy, he was extremely aggressive (with humans and other dogs) and simply out of control. So much so, I wondered if I could even rein him in. The possibility of returning him to the original breeder was discussed. But when push came to shove, I couldn’t turn my back on him. From day one, he was always distant. He would sleep far away from the other dogs and me. But eventually, one day, he just changed. Changed into one of the most loving and hilariously cute dogs I know. Now he never leaves my side and when possible, always has to be touching me. Wherever I go, he goes (yes, including the bathroom). He’s my shadow. My baby.

Yes, I know I’m 3 days late in mentioning Father’s Day around here. You may even notice I rarely mention holidays period. See, I have a hard time with holidays in general. I’m never with my family back in England and so I can’t help but feel a little homesick. Sometimes a lot homesick.

This Father’s Day hit me particularly hard. As some of you may of read, my father has cancer. Mesothelioma cancer to be exact. There’s no getting rid of it. Doctors suspect he’s had it for years and years – possibly decades. Thankfully, due to chemotherapy it hasn’t grown since we found out over a year ago. And in fact, the doctors are baffled that my dad is showing no signs of having cancer. Obviously, he feels the effects of the chemo, but other than that, he’s as fit as a fiddle. So in that sense, we are blessed. We are also blessed that we can use the word remission. But I’ll be honest, when it’s attached to something so ugly, it’s hard to process. Ugh, I can’t find the words to describe what I mean and so I won’t.

So, moving on… I know I am biased, but I really have the best parents. I hear tales all the time from friends about parental issues. I have none. Never have beyond the typical teenager/parent ones. My parents always gave me enough freedom to be myself with guidance as needed. They pick me up when I’m down and give me a kick up the arse as required. I can tell them both anything. And that only scratches the surface of how great they are. I really couldn’t ask for better parents. A better mother. A better father.

Unfortunately, words are too painful for me to write anymore on this, but I simply need to say (and excuse the language) out loud – I FUCKING HATE CANCER!

And more importantly, I love you Dad!

P.S. The photo is of me getting my first chug of beer. I can assure you my reaction is no longer like the above. It makes me giggle every time I look at it and it’s probably one of my most favorites photos of my Dad and I together.

I’ve got a busy week* ahead of me so blog posts might be light this week. Thankfully my dogs are visiting and are already giving me content. I present to you Riley – The Bone Protector.

Bone area is secure so napping ensues with a cautionary eye just in case.

Protector is alerted to a potential threat approaching the bone security zone. Subtle action is taken to establish boundaries.

Potential threat moving closer to the bone security zone. Close guarded protection is required.

Potential threat is now inside the security zone. Time to increase the level of assertiveness.

Potential threat backed down. Phew, no combat required. Mission completed successfully.

* If all goes well, my shop will be reopening on June 28th. Wahoo. More details throughout the week I promise. ;)

Setup: J is in the kitchen prepping for dinner. A is laid in the bedroom surfing and watching the news.

J: How do I get the kitchen so messy? (Note: he was talking to himself, this wasn’t a question to A)
A: (Resists the urge to go into the kitchen and get all neat freak on his arse)
J: (enters the bedroom) Hey, show me those videos you were talking about.
A: Later.
J: Come one, show them to me now. (Tries to gain control of the laptop – GASP!)
A: (Holds onto laptop for dear life) It’s mine, all mine!
J: You’re a freak.
A: Why don’t you get back in the kitchen and clean up your mess?
J: Why don’t you go back to being nauseous?

Someone got TOLD! Ass.

Photo Credit: Casey Serin

All weekend I had this sickly feeling. It was a little bit of exhaustion combined with niggling nausea. I hoped my laid back weekend would fix it but it’s still visiting today. Ugh.

Days like this I wish I wasn’t a master at procrastinating. If I wasn’t, it would make taking a sick day less guilt-inducing. Though I can’t help but wonder if it’s my procrastination that’s making me feel sick. Double ugh.

… despite our best intentions, the to-do list we set ourselves remains undone. Instead we laze in bed with loved ones, enjoy brunches made by others, watch mindless TV, rent movies and cook up comfort food for dinner. Add to that grey and overcast weather and you have yourself an extra layer of contentment.

Sometimes that’s all that weekends should be. How was yours?

P.S. If you have one, sometimes you hit the hot-tub too.

Feeling sad, dreamy, lost in thought or perhaps in need of a good cry? Maybe you’re cuddling with your love, chilling out or spring cleaning. Well channel your emotions and tune into Stereo Mood – an emotional internet radio. They have put together collections of songs that speak to your mood or activity.

As someone that has become pretty blah about her iTunes collection I’m looking forward to discovering some new music. What a neat idea. I’m currently listing to the calm play-list (love the version of Time After Time by Eva Cassidy) while I enjoy my last cup of morning coffee.

Enjoy. Oh and do you find that coffee somehow tastes better on the weekend?

Photo Credit: Red Beetle
Found via: Sarah Wilson

I’m curious, do you have a bucket list? I can’t say I do per se though I’m sure I have one in my head somewhere. It’s probably full of all the typical things many of us hope to do before we err… kick the bucket.

While I currently don’t have any intentions of writing one, I do like the idea behind it. I’m no stranger to wanting something but holding back because of fear or shall we say… lack of balls. So, I thought I’d share one random thing I would like to do.

As some of you may have read, my boyfriend has brain damage. I won’t get into anymore than I already have, but having seen the devastation F.A.S.D. (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder) causes to individuals and their families, I have this need to raise more awareness about it. In fact, a year or so ago I almost packed up modernemotive to go back to school to specialize in it. Somewhere along the way I realized that while F.A.S.D. will always be in my life, I can’t live and breathe it. But, there’s lots of stuff I can do from the outside to help raise awareness.

Funnily enough, one of the reasons I left the corporate world was because I felt like I was doing absolutely nothing to better society. Sure, the money was fabulous, the pats on the back for great work were nice, blah, blah, blah… but at the end of the day, I was just putting money into the pockets of the big corporations. I stopped giving a shit if a campaign, website or competition we designed went above and beyond the expectations. I stopped giving a shit when we got awards for great design that served no purpose other than to look cool and drive sales. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with the above. I still do freelance design work here and there and enjoy it. It’s just not the only driving force for me anymore.

Anyways, what do I intend to do to raise awareness? I want to take my creative skills and design these highly emotive awareness campaigns. One idea is to put together a stop-motion video. A PSA I guess you could say. I have this dream it will become one of those crazy successes both online and offline. Yes I know my expectations are set high but in reality, even if it just gives all the F.A.S.D organizations out there another tool to share their message, I’ll be happy.

What’s stopping me? Right now… lack of knowledge. A storyboard. A vision. It’ll come though… when the time is right and I can do it justice. The cogs are already turning.

So friends, tell me one thing you want to do. Perhaps it’s something no one would ever assume about you. Perhaps like me it’s something close to your heart you just need to do. Or perhaps it’s just something as simple as a wanting to visit a certain country or learn a new skill. And while you’re thinking of your answer, perhaps the more important question is… what’s holding you back?

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the ShakeIt Photo app for the iPhone. Well, I finally downloaded it and it’s addictive. It can transform the most dull photograph into something completely freakin’ cool. It’s the closest I’m probably ever going to get to a Polaroid camera so I’ll take it. Plus, for .99c how can you say no? I’m all about cheap entertainment over here.

A note about the photo above. J wrote it and sent it to me from his phone when I was having a bad day. He has a habit of doing small things like that. He’s pretty sweet huh?

P.S. Forgive me for the lame title but I couldn’t resist.

I have a really bad habit of not drinking water throughout the day. Often I’ll pour a glass and it will remain untouched with perhaps only a sip or two here and there. Usually this means I’m chugging glass after glass of water at night. Why on earth I can’t do this throughout the day is beyond me.

Hopefully the lemon slices will help.