A huge thanks to Budweiser Gardens for picking me to review one of my all-time most favourite bands!!

You can read the review here on the Budweiser Gardens Blog: http://bit.ly/2f9kdiZ 

•  The parking is free on Western Fair lots.  That being said, it’s best to get there early because I hear it can fill up pretty quickly during peak times. 
• Admission is $15 for adults but if you go between 3-5 Monday through Thursday, you only pay $5 admission. 
• The games are cash only this year (different from previous years where they accepted tickets only).  Most games cost around $5. 
• There are some old favourite shows and new amazing shows being put on this year.  I highly recommend the Sinbad High Dive show which can be seen a few times throughout the day in the Imagination Park.

I attended my first ever pride parade over the weekend. When I went in to work today to share my experience, I got a comment that I really wasn't expecting.

"Why would YOU go to a pride parade?"

I don't owe anyone an explanation, by any means, the answer is simple. I am proud. I love love. I am also completely not gay but I have some very dear people close to me who are and every time I wished someone a happy pride day, I thought of each one of those people.

Unfortunately, the world probably won't change for a very long time.  There are always going to be those people who are offended.  Love isn't going anywhere, so if you don't have anything nice to say, then shut your hole don't say anything at all.

My little brother came out when he was 16 years old.  When I first found out, I have to admit I was a little disappointed. I just kept thinking how I could accept the lifestyle from other people but having to deal with it in my family was disappointing.  Looking back now, I realize I wasn't a complete asshole - I was just terrified.

We met the friendliest people at Pride. My face still hurts from smiling so much! I didn't even get a chance to frown - not even once!

I told my brother that I knew, that I loved him and most importantly not to tell our dad.  The next day (or it seemed like it anyway) he told our dad who probably also was disappointed and terrified (even though he will never admit it) and kicked him out of the house.

My brother moved in with me and Mason for a while and then moved away to live in Toronto where he is now a queen superstar Eve Summers.

The parade was magical. There were colours, and balloons and bubbles and free candy and condoms...and dogs!

I loved the dogs! They were probably my favourite.  One poor overheated pooch came and sat beside me in the shade.  I wanted to keep him forever, even though his body was as big as mine and he was probably still a baby!

Bubbles and puppies and tutus...This will be me reincarnated.

This dog had the biggest tongue that I have ever seen!

 So I went to the pride parade that day because I am proud.  I am proud at how far we've come. I'm proud of all the people I know who had to come out to their dads.  I am proud that I know what love is.

I couldn't agree more...I also want to ride in a wagon in a parade. This is one of those dreams that just didn't happen for me.

When I initially didn't get tickets for Theresa Caputo's show in London, Ontario I was a little bummed.  I convinced myself it was all fake anyway and that I wouldn't have a good time so it didn't really matter.  The day before the show it mattered a lot and I had to find myself tickets.

This was a sold out show but somehow I managed to find one seat. Later on I found an even closer seat and bought that one. I sold my old seat within five minutes (that's how popular this show was) and helped a random guy find a ticket for his wife (which was a success!).

After I took myself on a date to Arby's and bought myself a slushy alcoholic drink (I'm such a good date), I found my seat which was located to the side of the arena beside the skeptic wearing way too much patchouli oil (I think spirit forgot to tell her to lay off the patchouli that day).  Before the show started Theresa's husband came out and took photos with fans.  He didn't make it up to our section but I thought that was such a sweet thing to do. The Caputo's genuinely appreciate their fans - whether it be photo ops or a fan club that returns all profits to the fans, they are good to their fans.

Unfortunately there was a strict photo/video policy so I couldn't share my experience through pictures (which I normally like to do - I'm generally better at photos than words).  The stage was set up with a little table and a chair.  There were numerous candles on the table and a funky (huge) zebra rug on the floor.  Once Theresa came out and said a little speech, she left the stage and got to business, only returning to the stage once spirit was done yapping (or the two hours set by show standards).

Most of the spirits she connected with were tragic deaths.  I mean what death isn't tragic, really.  Most people she connected with died in car accidents, murders.  She didn't connect with many people who died of illnesses.  I think in an arena that size it's probably easier to find someone who died in a plane crash where a few people would stand up versus cancer where hundreds would stand up.

I expected things to not be as polished as they are on the spotless TLC show and I was correct (even with a few S-bombs from Theresa).  I believe this was mostly due to the crowd (not knowing specific details, then later confirming example: "He's telling me he had something wrong with his blood" to which the person denied.  "He says it was Hepatitis C" to which the person confirmed).  Every time someone denied something she told them, my heart dropped and I held my breath, but it was almost always was the person receiving the message. 

Theresa is an amazing performer. Even if she didn't have this gift, I believe her personality is prominent enough to hold the attention of that entire arena. Coming over the border into Canada only added to her comedic performance asking if we had a Home Depot here (which strangely enough was where the spirit of the young man she was channeling had worked) of if we knew what ceiling fans were.  When someone mentioned that they flew to Calgary for their loved ones passing, she responded with "What's that?". 

With around 6000 people in a room, it worried me how the right loved one would be matched with the correct guest.  Theresa seemed to know where they belonged somehow.  She said multiple times "they are telling me right here".

Of course I had hoped for a reading, I don't think anyone goes there not hoping to get some sort of message.  I was not one of the chosen ones that night. Which is completely okay with me because once I saw the amount of people in that arena I knew it wasn't the right setting for my message.  I know I couldn't handle the bright lights, my face enlarged on the "Jumbotron" with purple gel eyeliner streaming down my face (PS - don't forget Kleenex like I did).  It just wasn't right for me.  I had told my spirit that if he were going to come through our code word would be "Jigglypuff".  There were no Pokemon mentioned in last night's performance.  I know he wasn't there.

I would have loved to validate her gift for myself and I'm sure you're wondering what my stance on this entire spirit world thing is. The truth is, I do believe. I have always believed. Seeing it in person did not change anything for me. I do feel  that some spirits are stronger than others. I feel like some messages were portrayed pretty vaguely while some were so on point it gave me chills.

As Theresa says, she doesn't care if you believe in her gift or not, her calling is to bring messages of healing from the afterlife.  I felt that a lot of people heard healing messages that night (a lot more than I expected) and I was happy to witness these encounters.

I went in there needing to hear from my loved ones. After hearing what other people's loved ones had to say, I left there feeling less alone in the grieving process. To me that is a gift. 

My wonderful friends at Thomas Allen & Son Ltd. have spoiled me again and sent me a few books from their Star Wars Workbooks library.  This is a group of educational books with a theme that most little kids can relate to - Star Wars!


My son is currently in grade five, however with his learning disability he is currently reading and writing at a grade two level.  It's hard to find appropriate materials for him to work with because the books at the level he is currently reading at are "babyish" and although they are at an appropriate level for him, he feels like they are too easy - simply because of the childish content and illustrations.

This is the reason I was really excited for him to have a chance to work with the following books:  2nd Grade Writing, 2nd grade Math and 2nd Grade Reading.

These books are perfect for a little boy (or girl) who have an interest in Star Wars. Unfortunately, my son lost his Star Wars interest after taking a lightsaber toy to the eye, but I figured it had to be better than the workbook he has with creepy clowns all over it. 

The books themselves are very well illustrated.  They are filled with well-known characters from all Star Wars generations (or episodes?).  I love that they give you the standard copy the writing as well as a lot of blank space where children can create their own ideas.  One of my favourite books, 2nd Grade Writing, while seemed a little beyond my son's abilities at this point, gave tasks for him to write paragraphs about characters with facts provided. 

I know it's a little blurry...but look at that concentration!

A couple areas that could possibly improve in these books (again in the writing book) is that some of the words provided are names of characters. So instead of having "space" or "robot" (for example) the words are names of characters.  While that is good for children who have a lot of interest in Star Wars, the words were pretty much useless to my son - who is lucky to be alive after taking that light sabre to the eye (I kid, it was harmless....although traumatizing!). 

As a mother to a child with a learning disability, there is one thing that kind of stood out for me.  The front of the book says 2nd Grade Writing in big letters across the front as well as the age of the children it relates to.  The first thing my son noticed was that he was doing "grade two" work.  While that is true, I feel like it shouldn't be so prominent on the cover.

Overall, I think these books are fantastic. The questions (minus the writing the names) are age appropriate and interesting and the illustrations are exciting.  I really enjoyed that there are familiar characters from all ranges of Star Wars and of course I loved that the answers are printed in the back....because who else doesn't second-guess themselves when it comes to second grade math!

 You can find more information about the Star Wars Workbooks here:

2nd Grade Writing

2nd Grade Math 

2nd Grade Reading



I would like to thank my friends at Thomas Allen & Son for providing us with these awesome books. 

A few weeks ago I applied with Influenster to try out a new hair product line. When it was agreed that my hair needed a rescue, I was sent a sweet-smelling package with three little bottles inside.  My job was to then use this product and save my hair from the winter blues!




The hardest part of the job was trying to figure out which brand I was using.  I can honestly say that the first time I used the Mystery Brand shampoo, I thought it smelled just like the shampoo my hair stylist uses.  I mean, that's not saying much since I go to the department store of hair stylists where I get a fairly decent cut from a lady who can remember my name even though I only see her about twice a year.  Yes, I am a hair neglecter. I even cut my own bangs - but that's a whole other blog post!

I just can't rationale spending $50+ on my hair at a stuffy, uncomfortable salon where they try to up-sell you on coconut water butt infusions or something.  I mean, I'm sure a coconut water butt infusion is lovely, but I'll stick with my simple cut and blow dry.  I'm easy to please.

I thought the shampoo and conditioner samples I was sent were lovely (especially since I usually get mis-matched hair products - whatever I can find on clearance).  They complemented each other well and I felt like I got a pretty decent hair cleaning out of them.

My favourite product out of the samples had to be the split end serum.  My hair has taken a lot of abuse lately with my Psoriasis treatments.  Having the extra protection when I blow dried my hair was very much needed.  I even wore my hair down for the first time in months after using this product. It gave me some much needed split end confidence.

After the trial, I was convinced I was using some salon brand that I would never be able to afford again.

Imagine my surprise when this box came in the mail a week later containing a brand that I am in fact familiar with, but that I had actually just purchased a product from the week before the trial began! I was so relieved to know that should I continue to use this product, I can purchase it from any regular old store and not some over-priced salon!




I am really enjoying this product.  Like I said before, I usually go for on sale items so having a whole set of one product made me feel pretty spoiled!  My favourite thing about the product would have to be the smell.  I am pretty big on scents and the smell of this product just smells clean and natural.  I was a little worried because I do have a very sensitive scalp (especially in the winter) but I had no problems using these products!

My least favourite product would have to be (sadly) the reconstructing butter.  Mostly because I am usually in a hurry in the shower.  Usually when I have to leave products on my hair for 3-5 minutes it's because it is a medicated product for my scalp psoriasis.  I am a little too impatient to leave a product on that long unless it is medically necessary.  I wish they could build it in to the shampoo/conditioner or have it as a separate leave-in.  Although the split end serum does pretty well on its own.

Another Halloween is fast approaching.
I don't even know where the time goes.
I sat down to write this post thinking I had weeks until the day of spook...only to realize I'm an idiot who can't keep track of time apparently.  Just like the other day when I thought it was too early in the year for snow - or the time I thought  George Clooney did the voice of Buzz Lightyear.  I even Facebook statused it *double face palm*

I absolutely love this time of year.  Being an amateur cosplayer during the month of October is like diving into Scrooge McDuck's gold fortune (maybe one of you knows what I'm talking about).

But I digress, we are here to talk about books. Halloween books.  Fun, spooky and informative Halloween books that are sure to get you in the mood for some mini candy bars and gooey pumpkin guts.



Smelly Ghost - Written by Isabel Atherton

Smelly ghost is "The story of a poor smelly ghost and his bad eating habits".  I couldn't wait to dig into this little gem.  I love Halloween books, I love funny books, this is a definite mix of the two.  In this story the reader is taken through Smelly Ghost's trip to the "scream-a-market" where he has to decide whether he wants the "fizzy snot soda" or some "slime cookies".  You can only imagine what happens after mowing down on a generous portion of "slime cookies". Smelly Ghost gets sad and eats things.  I could very much relate to Smelly Ghost. Smelly Ghost meets a veggie pusher and you can imagine the rest.

Smelly ghost is recommended for children ages 3-6, but my 9 year old seemed to really enjoy it as well.  Each page is a work of art featuring the adorable main character with an unfortunate gas problem. It has a cover price of $14.95  and you can read more about it here



Better Homes and Gardens Best of Halloween Tricks & Treats (All-New Edition)

Features 192 full colour pages of tips and tricks to make your Halloween extra boo-tiful (see what I did there...).  My favourite quality about myself is that I'm creative.  My worst quality is that I have no motivation.  When something looks too difficult, I shut down and give up.  The best thing about this book is that it makes everything look easy.  The instructions are very basic and they even take photos of the ingredients needed in recipes so you know exactly what to look for!

This book has some great Halloween party planning ideas, recipes and simple (and very unique) costume ideas. My favourite part was all the Halloween cupcake ideas. If I can get a bit of motivation, I may have to whip some up for EVILBOY's "Spooky Day Party" at Cubs.

The suggested retail price for Better Homes and Gardens Best of Halloween Tricks & Treats (All-New Edition) is $19.99 and you can read more about it here

Five Little Monkeys Trick-or-Treat by Eileen Christelow

I have never read a Five Little Monkeys book with EVILBOY, but he seemed to be very familiar with these little monkeys.  This is a story about five little monkeys who are very...*ahem* adventurous and who like to have a good time at the expense of their mother's nerves.

This is a fun little story about the monkeys going trick or treating with their babysitter (I assume their mother got tired of them and wanted a night to herself). They end up trading costumes with other trick or treaters. The end of the story features three Halloween recipes to share with your own little monkeys.

The suggested retail price for Five Little Monkeys Trick-Or-Treat is $16.99 (higher in Canada) and you can read more about it here


Disclosure: A big super thank you goes out to Thomas Allen & Son Publishing for sharing these wonderful books with us!