Personal Life

The Innie Versus Outie Debate – Solved (for me, anyway)

Innies and outies usually mean belly buttons. Nope, curtains. Specifically outdoor curtains. It’s a decor debate that I unknowingly waded into. I’ve just discovered that this discussion has been going on in back yards for many summers. And there’s still no consensus.

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Sarah Smith standing outside, wearing denim, and smiling

Music, Fresh Fish & Parking News – ImPort Stanley

Music is in the air. We are almost ready for summer. My husband and our neighbour Bill recently built our backyard fences. Our pergola is partway up, soon to be completed. It won’t be long before we’re spending warm evenings outside enjoying the ambience. Is it just me or are winters getting longer?

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a row of little girls in matching pink robes posing at a slumber party

Telling Ourselves A Better Story

Last month, when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars, it was a perfect, if exaggerated example of how victims of bullying see their fate. The bully assaults you and then gets an award and a standing ovation. The victim is left wondering, what about me? What about right and wrong? Why does the bully matter more and why doesn’t someone stand up for me?

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Joey and Ross on Friends are cuddled on a couch napping

What We Get Wrong About Sleep

Our collective sleep quality and quantity is one of many things negatively affected by the pandemic. People who never had trouble sleeping now have bouts of insomnia. Add an incomprehensible war with 24/7 coverage and our ability to wind down is worsened. We have always talked a lot about sleep in this house. It’s probably third, after food and the cat. I slept like crap. I had a great sleep. What time did you get up? And so on.

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X-ray type outlines of a man and a woman looking at each other with parts of their brains lit up in red and yellow

You’ve Got to Change Your Mind

A young friend, a former colleague actually, told me this phrase as part of a teenage-hood anecdote. When she got upset about something she couldn’t do anything about, her Mother would say, “You’ve got to change your mind”. As someone who didn’t grow up with that kind of advice, I see its immense power and wisdom.

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Cuddles' face looking directly into the camera. He is lying on a blue tartan throw laid over a brown leather couch. He is all black with big green eyes.

Anticipating Cuddles

Even as we grieved for Miss Sugar, we knew it wouldn’t be long before we welcomed another little beating heart into our home. There’ll never be another Miss Sugar or a Spice. But the place felt empty without a furball to feed and love. Enter Cuddles, a 13-year-old panther-like beauty surrendered to Animal Aide in St. Thomas 7 long months ago.

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