Finding Christmas

Owen, Andy & Aidan

(Sam, Zoe & Bailey missing from photo)



Well, devoted readers I have not posted a new blog since December 8th - I am going to blame it on the season, or the preparations for the pending arrival of the fat guy in the red suit. 

So all these things that we feel we MUST do, does it bring us closer to Christmas? 

I fell upon this book, "How Six Found Christmas" by Trina Schart Hyman (pub 1969) and each year it reminds me of what is really important. What is important are the three smiling fellas in the picture and the names of those listed beneath.  My husband, my three sons and my two "little girls" (dogs).  I found my Christmas yesterday as Owen performed in his first Conservatory Concert.  I wish all of you peace & happiness this holiday season - and locate a copy of this book, it will help you find your Christmas too.

I will return in 2011!  Love Vagi



Autism, Life and the Rest

Best Book 2003

On March 20, 2003 I gave birth to my second son (two of three) as this book was rising to fame, unknown to me I had a new baby, who would be diagnosed with Autism a few years later.

Is there a manual?

What do you do?

How do you cope?

We are Modern Women, we do it all - can't handle it?

This novel is pure genius into the minds of most on the spectrum and gives a much better understanding than Dustin Hoffman raking in the dough at the tables in Vegas. 

Autism is not "cookie cutter" and there is no sure cure - you just do it.  Go with your instincts and love your child - 

So my advice to all - Autism in your life or not - READ this book.  You will appreciate so much.

peace out & let us all remember someone who represented peace so well:  Mr. John Lennon.

ox Vagi 

December 6, 1989

Friends, Daughters, Mothers, Wives, Girlfriends, Lovers - Future Grandmothers

All the lovely ladies pictured above have been friends since the early 80's - we went down our own paths and eventually led our way back to each other.  We are lucky, and this day we remember, not just the women who perished this fateful day in Montreal by a lone gunman, but for women across our globe who live in fear, in poverty and in violence.  

Vagi

Naked

A great title to get some interest - and I am writing about naked on two levels:  physical and emotional.

I was at a gallery fundraiser last week and was successful in my bid for a moody and dramatic black and white nude photograph - no full frontal involved.  Very subdue and "non-sexual."  My new aquisition developed a conversation and unknown to me, my friend was the model.  That led to two other women (myself included) to admitting that we posed nude for the creative cause.

So, as a muse it is OK to strip down - what about other situations?  

Do we bare our emotions, weaknesses and souls as easily as our underwear to our ankles? 

Is it dangerous for women to admit to weakness?  Do we put on our armour?  Or can we be respected without the metal and shields?  I hope so.  I am proud to be weak, to demand and need motivation from love and kindness, and won't change. 

Love vagi

Strangers

Heard something wonderful today on cbc radio -


The stranger we meet today, will be our friend tomorrow.

Peace
xo Vagi 

Are We All "MAD" Friends?

Betty & Midge (aka:  Lisa & Madge)

The obvious popularity of the "Mad Men" show makes me wonder if while we love the fashion of the era, do our friendships remain as restrictive as the supporting undergarments of that time.  We watch them with their pincurls and teased back & heavily laquered coiffs as they unravel the complexities of the female relationship- women weren't "sisters" but "adversaries."  It was all about "landing" the guy.

Joan Barfoot in her exquisitely warm and wonderful short story, "starch, salt, chocolate and wine," observes the state of women of that era:

Redbook magazine, to which my mother subscribed, was a monthly, most reliable, cover to cover source of advice on getting a man and then keeping him for the clutches of other, predatory women.

So,  are we together as one?  

Do we view other strong and wonderful women as competition?  

Or do we embrace them and forge alliances?  

Do we judge each other by our size, our shape?

I vote to continue to love Joan, Peggy, Jane and Francine with their fabulous accessories and cigarette holders from afar - and their characters make a great theme for a fundraiser!

This blog is in memory of my mother, Priscilla, who would of been 77 on November 23rd and in celebration of my beautiful friend (inside and out) Angela, who has a perfect ass and celebrates her birthday tomorrow also - Happy Birthday!  xo Vagi

Has Cancer Fundraising Become Gender Biased?

Terry Fox - Marathon of Hope

This month I have observed many colleagues and friends taking part in "Movember" (www.movember.ca) and in Canada alone over 94,000 men have registered to let the facial hair grow and collect some dough for prostate cancer.  The current tally is at 5.7 million - not bad for throwing out the shaving cream and razors for a month.  

We have attached branding to this disease that touches so many - CIBC Run for Cure yielded $33 Million dollars this year for Breast Cancer Research.  Retailers are jumping on the wagon producing pink apparel and accessories, even KitchenAid Mixers are shiny and  pink.

 It forces me to contemplate if we have as a society created a gender bias in cancer related causes.

Cancer is cancer, right?  

Should we be elevating one above another?  

The Terry Fox Foundation does not have pink ribbons or bearded men - it maintains the vision and determination of the young man it represents.  The Foundation (according to their year end report) listed just over $19 million in fundraising revenues for year end April 2010.  Not as much as our Breast Cancer supporters, but a great boost to research for all!

Let me know your thoughts....Vagi xo 

(Challenge is going well - first visit to the wine store in three weeks and had to buy for a friend's birthday, not for myself) So, give something up, save a little and make a change for someone else.

 

Puppy Came!

Meet my new girl, Bailey

Well, new puppy came today, so the blog will be short.  My 50 Day Challenge is still underway and I have had a few sips here and there, but have not entered a store or bar to purchase any alcoholic beverages since I began.  

Complete denial (or in some cases, excess) is never productive.  I feel great, my wallet is heavier and I hope this inspires some to "curb" a habit to make a difference to others.

Signing off - watch for more this week.  Topic for future discussion - have we created a gender bias in cancer related fundraising?  Let's discuss that one in the near future.

Love & Peace all, Vagi

Week 1 Report

Cheers!

I put out the 50 Day Challenge to myself (and others) last Monday.  Many people have questioned a few things about my plan to cease alcohol consumption for 50 days - so let's get a few things straight.

1. Yes, I did have at least one glass of wine per day, perfect ending to my day (& CBC National News)
2. The point is to spend less money at the LCBO or local drinking establishments
3. I have not stopped completely - some social situations this past weekend involved wine 

 I want to drink less for a few reasons:  less money spent, fewer calories and has that glass of wine become a crutch?  This past weekend, both times that I did drink,  involved not spending any money - sort of an "all inclusive" deal.  I did find that when Friday rolled around and tradition around my house is for people to come and eat and enjoy - typical Friday after work party.  This Friday I did not have to visit the wine store - my stock was full, the evening "wind-down" vino that I eliminated created less of strain on my wallet and that $40 or $50 I would of spent will go into my charity fund.  I guess it is all about choices, and if I can give up my Sunday to Friday glass of vino - could someone give up their daily latte habit and use that savings to make a difference.  Green tea makes me just as happy! 
Peace & Happiness Everyone - will have more for you next week! vagi




 

50 Day Challenge

Well, it is October 25th and the chubby guy in a red suit arrives December 25th.  A few people have asked me if I have started the task of Christmas shopping, and I must admit that this year I am not inspired.  Maybe due to the fact that I look at what we have and realize we really do not NEED anything.

So to get myself in the "giving" spirit - I am giving up "spirits" for the next 50 days.  No martinis, no wine, no scotch - nothing.  I will save a few dollars (and some calories) and will take that money and "pay it forward" to a deserving cause.

I challenge all of you to do the same - make a difference before the year ends.  I will keep you posted on my progress.

Peace & love all - Vagi

Definition of a Modern Women

So what makes a "Modern Woman?"

Is she married?
Is she single?
Does she have children, a career?
Does she more sex, or less sex?
Does she earn more money than her husband, or less?
Does she stay home and raise her children?

In reality, can we define any one of us in one neat package?  My life today forces me to reflect on the struggles of wives, mothers and all women of the past.  The typical "50's" housewife just had to concern herself with keeping her house clean, dinner on the table at 5 o'clock and her children seen and not heard. She had no freedom, no opinions and no way out.   At times I wonder if we really have evolved from our mothers who were compliant to society's rules.  Is the "Modern Woman" one that does it all:  cooks organic, makes 6 figures, has a "magazine" spread home and beautiful, brilliant children?

I hope to hell not.

In my opinion the "Modern Woman" has compassion.  She gives of herself to the greater good, and does not care about the dust under the bed.  She is intelligent, she is accepting and she tries to make a difference.  Some "Modern Women" in my book:  Mother Theresa, June Callwood, and our own past Governor General, Michaelle Jean.    It is not about the name on your handbag or your designer yoga pants, it is about doing  small things that can impact a life.  We have the opportunity as women in this time of change and modernization and technology to create movements in our communities, our countries and our world.