more than nerdy.

I am going to start this entry as the geekiest person on the internet today. I just have to tell you about my new cleaning products though. They are the new method line from Shoppers Drug Mart and they are absolutely FABULOUS. Is it this possible to get so excited about cleaning products, you ask? Yes, I answer, with a resounding yes. In the world of cleaning products, I believe this is where the action is. They actually make me happy when I’m using them. Therein lies the geek. The kicker about these products is threefold: how wonderful they work, smell, and that they aren’t harmful to your skin. Usually you don’t get all these features combined! They work so well in the shower/bath. I regularly use the daily spray (a light ylang-ylang smell) and actual cleaning with the eucalyptus/mint spray is SO easy—just spray and wipe and the soap scum is gone. And, since Natty has super-sensitive skin with his eczema, the non-toxic, safe to go next to your skin feature is a well sought-after bonus. All their stuff is as “good for your health” as these products can be. As well, their smells are beautiful. Every time I spray the cucumber all-purpose spray, I smell it all over the house. They come in different scents, and more products than what I’ve pictured here (like hand soap, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, stainless steel cleaner, etc), but I can only afford so much cleaning products. In the name of the household budget, go out and treat yourself. You won’t be disappointed. End of geek.

As for our holiday weekend, it was wonderful. I was a bit skeptical of our overnight trip to Canmore with both boys on Friday, but it turned out beautiful. Dan did an absolutely beautiful job of marrying the couple (if I do say so myself), and the room they gave us for the night—nay, not the room—the family suite complete with 2 bedrooms, and family room was kick-ass. Naps were on target the whole time, the monitor worked through the floor so I could attend the wedding sans Natty (he was napping), the food and company was great, and the views were awe inspiring. All in all, a great get-a-way! Much different than the Banff get-a-way of a few weeks ago, but I won’t look the ol’ gift-horse in the mouth. You know.

We had a great Family Day too. Took Natty to Dan’s folks and left him there for the morning and then we took Isaac with us to the IKEA $1 breakfast, and then off to Costco to stock up on some needed things. We gathered Natty and then were home for naps. My world is all about the naps. Sadly, Natty was too charged up to nap and he talked all through it (happens maybe once a month), leaving a very, very cranky boy on the other end of it. He cried and screamed over everything. Our wonderful weekend came to a crashing halt and I thought I was going to lose my mind. Luckily both he and Isaac were in bed and asleep by 7:30pm!

Now we have a couple days off before we hit the road again to head up to Edmonton for the weekend. Dan has a work seminar up there so we get to stay at Angela and India’s place. It should be so much fun! We don’t get to visit all that often due to one of us traveling and having both toddlers toddling. This time we may even get to take advantage of nap times and have an uninterrupted conversation. One can only dream. It’s going to be a tight-fitting love-in, and hopefully we don’t overstay our welcome, but I think I’m ready for the challenge. This trip is my birthday treat too. : ) 34 big ones already. Not too worried about the 34 this year. Next year’s 35 should be a tough one. But that’s a whole year away. I have two little stars to keep me young in the mean time.

Oh—and a sad note. For the first year in I don’t know how long (10+ years?) we actually OWE money for income taxes this year. It’s usually a time of great rejoicing and great returns, but I changed my tax bracket/deductions at work this past year and put Dan as a “dependant” so that we would get more money back to live on. Guess it’s come back to bite us in the ass. Sigh. It’s not a ton, but it’s still not money in our pockets. Tax time will never be the same again. Damn taxes. I think I’ll end this scattered entry and go have a snack of sorts…perhaps something chocolately. Must start the birthday celebrations early. One has to have some sort of spoiling, don’t they? Mmmm.

Hey—besides the obvious Ann-Marie Macdonald that I have suggested, Dan is in desperate need of a good book that will “kick his ass.” Any suggestions?