AND THE WINNER IS.....

Ava Fionna Fuller

 .... Angela .   From the other side of the world she called it although Crystal claims she stole it. (read the comments)  And what did she win for her amazing talent of being able to see in to the future? (being incredibly flukey?) 

The Book of Awesome

Did I not tell you the winner would receive an "awesome" prize?

Congratulations Angela on your win, and Crystal if you send me your address, I have a consolation prize for you.

  

TABLE TALK

When I go to these conferences with Ian held at the five star hotels, I invariably get seated next to some high powered professional woman at dinner.   It all goes very nicely at first ( I am pretty good at the small talk)  but then comes the dreaded question "What do you do for a living?"  As soon as I say I was a stay at home mom to five kids there's a visible change in my new table friend.  Eyes widen, there's a slight shake of the head in disbelief and the conversation usually pretty much ends right there.

I'm not going to lie, it makes me mad.  I chose to stay at home to raise my children not because I wasn't capable of doing anything else.  I loved being at home with my kids, I found it more fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding than any career I could ever have aspired to.  I couldn't for a second imagine doing anything else and I hate the assumption that because I stayed at home to raise my children, I am of lesser intelligence.

I have decided that the next time I find myself in this situation I am going to come up with something witty to say that will leave my new table friend at a loss for words.

"And what do you do for a living?"

"I'm a writer"

"Oh really?" (I can imagine their interest being piqued)

"Yes" I will answer casually.

"What do you write?"

"Mostly cheques, some emails and I have a blog."

LIVING THE HIGH LIFE

I have neglected my blog this last little while because I have been traveling a fair bit with little time at home in between.  One week we were in New Orleans and the next in San Diego.  Both times we stayed at swanky hotels and by swanky I mean over the top five star hotels with every luxury you could imagine.  Swimming laps? no need to be bored... as soon as you dip your head under water you can hear music... pretty cool... and if you just wanted to sit by the pool and bask in the sun well just relax as the pool area attendant brings you some ice water and a fitted towel for your lounge chair.  Forgot your sun screen?... no worries, there's a station where you can grab extra pool towels and slather on some expensive looking sun screen with varying SPF factors.  I hung out at the pool that did not allow children or cell phones. Loved it.

I don't think I touched a door leaving my car or entering the hotel, someone was always at the ready to do it for me. And don't get me started on the food, delicious, all of it and judging from the way my clothes are fitting or rather not fitting, I think I am the biggest I have ever been.  I am too afraid to step on the scales to confirm my suspicion, it might send me into a depth of depression I may never arise from.

I go home today, back to reality.  I will have to open my own doors, make my own bed and cook my own food but it's all good.  I will be able to see my grandchildren, chat with my friends and hang out with my daughter who will be visiting for the week.

                                             The lobby of the Del Mar Grand Hotel.