Flooding... again....

In 2017, some neighbouring towns ended up flooded (see here). It was really terrible and many people lost their homes because of it. Even more terrible is that many people finally rebuilt only to have more flooding over the past few days. Can you imagine? After finally fixing your home, it floods again. So awful!
So, today, Alexander, Nicklas and I went to help bag sand so that those affected by the rising waters could protect their homes and those that already had some flooding could minimize the amount of water coming in. Although the initial intent was so that they could burn off a bit of energy, not fight and stay away from video games, it was sobering to see so many come to pick up sandbags for their homes. We were really happy to see that quite a few people came out to help. The event was so well coordinated and we felt blessed that we could help out. They both said that it felt good to have filled so many bags with sand... and that filled my heart.

Thinking of all those who are trying their best to save their homes... again....

Thankful to be able to help out on such a beautiful day

Team work

Look! No fighting ;)

Water filling up the streets near where we were bagging sand

So many who needed bags and, thankfully, so many who came to fill them

More sand to put into bags

One of the best things about blogging....

... is having real life meetings with other bloggers that you have known on the internet for years but never met in person before. I know that it sounds a bit funny but, after communicating online for years, you get to know the person, their families, their home countries, their traditions and their day to day life. You end up developing a relationship that is similar to a pen pal... but online.

I have been extremely lucky. Over the years, there are 3 lovely women from all over the world that I communicate regularly with via blogs: Catarina, Karin and Ageeth. Last year, while I was in Denmark, I was lucky enough to meet Catarina in person. It was so much fun meeting with her that it felt like seeing an old friend. Recently, while I was in the Netherlands, I was able to finally meet Ageeth and spent the weekend exploring Amsterdam with her. Despite never having met her in person before, we have very similar interests and ended up doing things our respective 3 boys and husbands would not have had the patience to do: she treated me to a fantastic ceramics workshop... we people-watched while having awesome coffee (and wine) just outside cute cafés... we explored the small shops along the canals... we took a lot of pictures.... and we went to Europe's largest flea market (all 7 hours of stalls)! Could I ever do this with Andreas and the boys? A BIG nope... after about 10 minutes of flea market or trendy shops, all of my boys (big and small) would have been close to throwing me into a canal 😉 Again, like with Catarina, it was like meeting an old friend... and one that I look forward to seeing again! Ageeth was so sweet that she even tolerated watching the Denmark/Croatia football match with me... 😉 Thanks, Ageeth! It was a lovely... and much appreciated... weekend! Next time: Montreal!

xox to you all!

Ageeth and I

A moment of "boy-free" quiet ;)

Yes, Amsterdam, I love you too! ;)

Special request

A family that I know has received some very stressful news over the holidays. As a scientist, this is a bit outside my usual nature but it would be greatly appreciated if you can pass along your positive thoughts, prayers, a tip of your glass, good karma, some magical pixie dust or whatever else you would like to send their way. A heartfelt thanks....

May the last bits of 2017 smile on you and yours xox

Merry Christmas!

It is now almost 3:00pm our time. The turkey is done. The potatoes and stuffing are on. The appetizers are planned. The sugar has been consumed. The guests will arrive shortly.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas... Thanks for following our family's day to day xox

PS: all picture credits go to Andreas. He thinks that my camera takes blurry photos ;)

Welcome December

December... already? Wasn't it just summer? Anyway, this December, I have decided to embrace the month and all that it comes with. I have decided to not complain so much about the snow (well, today, it was a lot of rain but you can get my point). I have decided to limit my end of semester stress. I have decided to do my Christmas shopping early so that I may actually enjoy the pre-holiday time. I have decided to take a few moments and count my blessings. I have decided that I will care less about what the holidays SHOULD be like and enjoy what actually happens. A tall order? Maybe... but I will work on it.

Happy December! xox

Counting my blessings

I know that it is not a big deal... but on a Monday, it is pretty special to be able to go to work... wearing shoes (not boots but real shoes).... with no socks.... not even stockings... and it be warm enough :) By mid-November, Montreal weather can be pretty harsh, so I will enjoy this and count my blessings ;)

Happy Monday xox