Susan Sierra

First off…I’m back. I’m going to try really hard to continue my blog on a regular basis. It’s a time-zapper though, that’s for sure!

My son Jacob (8) is in hockey for the first time. It’s been a bit of a challenge for him as most of the kids he plays with have been playing for a few years already. He has taken that challenge with flying colors though…bouncing out of bed at 6am on the weekends, smile on his face, and getting fully dressed himself before waking Steve up.

He played in his first tournament over the holidays and on December 28th at 3:57 of the first period…HE SCORED HIS FIRST GOAL! Yippee!

It seems the fruit flies are worse than ever this year, which I assume is from the masses of rotting garbage collecting around Vancouver homes. When I woke up one morning to a cloud of them around my banana bunch, I knew something had to be done.

A quick Google search and I have found the perfect solution…

Take a small cup or glass (I used baby bottles since I’ve got a whack of them that I don’t need anymore) and add cider vinegar or wine (I imagine there are a number of liquids that would work…I used cooking sherry since I had some in the cupboard that hasn’t been touched in years). Put Saran Wrap over the top and make a few holes. The fruit flies go in…but they can’t get out! Kind of morbid, but it beats having dirt with wings swarming about…

My husband Steve is a piano player (and a really amazing one if I may say so myself) :) Yesterday, Angela Kelman and the rest of her band were over at our place for a rehearsal for a show they’re doing this weekend.

I took Jackson (5) and Jayla (2) downstairs to listen to the band (not a bad way to spend a morning at home!) Jayla just wanted to dance, but Jackson chose to lay on the floor with his eyes closed and really take it in. He opened his eyes after a few songs and whispered to me…

“Mom, when I hear this music I feel like I can do anything!”

I had a boss once that used to take care of “housekeeping” at the end of meetings. I always liked that term.

First off…I had said I would write about my travels this summer after the 12 loads of laundry. Well, the laundry is finally done, but the travel blogs are not. When I got back from Christina Lake, I found out I’d be doing the morning show for the next month. So, my focus has been on getting to bed early enough to feel somewhat normal when the alarm goes off at 4…and trying to be coherent for my kids in the afternoon. And that’s it. There really isn’t time for much else.

The strike continues in Vancouver. For those of us that live right in Vancouver, it’s a stinky situation. There’s not a whole lot of news in that dept. but you can always go to www.vancouver.ca for strike info.

Kids go back to school next Tuesday. Is it just me, or does time keep going faster each year? I seem to recall the summers lasting forever…

Tomorrow is my last day filling in for Fred & Cathy. I can’t believe how much I’ve enjoyed it. Yes, the 4am alarm is nasty, but by 4:05 it’s all good. THANK YOU so much to everyone who took the time to call in or post here on the blog with comments of support and encouragement. I really, really appreciate it… :)

I had a call this morning from a guy who wanted the chocolate info I talked about yesterday.

If you are ever without the chocolate “guide” from inside the box of chocolates, here’s what you need to know…

*Caramel centers are usually square pieces; cream centers are round. High fat centers, like peanut butter cream or soft chocolate truffle, are more likely to be inside milk chocolate, and liquid centers are usually wrapped in foil.

Oh, and don’t forget to share…especially with people who provide you with valuable information such as this :)

*this juicy tidbit was borrowed from the John Tesh Radio Show 8pm - 1am on Clear FM!

Really big shoes to fill, but I’m loving it. I’ve never done a morning show, and in fact I’ve never had someone else to talk to on the air. I had grown very accustomed to talking to myself :)

Russ Byth is doing the news and weather (Wayne Cox will be back next week), and Russ and I are having some good times. Hope you’ll join us, 5:30-9am Monday to Friday.

I find it necessary to post this link to the video of Faith Hill givin’ someone heck for groping her man. This one just tickled the funny bone (mildly offensive language alert)…

Watch it here.

Just got back from a week with the family at Christina Lake. Happy to be home, but sad it’s over y’know?

I wanted to say thanks for the emails and recent blog comments. It’s exciting to know a few people are enjoying my blogs:)

I will write about our travels once we move back into the house and get through the 12 loads of laundry!

I picked this up at the market today.

After a few hours it had developed quite a personality.

I live in an old house and every summer the ants come marching in. I’ve tried everything. I Google “how to get rid of ants” annually.

I’ve finished searching, and now I just feed them. I have syrup troughs on my window sill.

Steve thinks it’s a bit crazy, but I do it because it keeps them in one area. If the syrup runs dry, the ants disperse all over the counters.

As an added bonus, it’s good entertainment. Jackson (5) usually checks in once a day to see how they’re doing (ok, and so do I).