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moving day. 14 Apr 2021 8:55 AM (4 years ago)

Originally published in 2015. Republished again in 2021 and modified to reflect the new blog and current times.
Because, this time, I'm ACTUALLY doing the thing. Yeah, I half-assed it last time. Not now.
I'm totally WHOLE-ASSING it this time!

~~~~~

Wow, this feels weird.  But oddly right.  A little bittersweet though.  Oh, who am I kidding? -- It's a LOT bittersweet.

On these pages of Life Candy, I've shared many of the fun and funny things my gorgeous little family and I have experienced over the past 8 years.  We've grown up together over the years.  Do you remember what it used to look like?

Oooh, aaah...

You've laughed with me, and occasionally at me (it's okay -- I find myself in ridiculous predicaments a lot... especially with these clowns I live with), and it's been such a blessing to have you all here commenting your funny comments and hanging out on my online home.

It's like having you over at my real house, but not really, which is good, because, you know, COVID. And I'm an introvert.  I don't like people in my hermit cave except the creatures who actually live here with me.  So, if I haven't invited you over to my actual house, it's not you -- it's me.  I mean that.

But I digress.  Where was I?  Oh yeah.


Oh, she'll still be here.  She'll continue to be a source of joy in the future for me, for my family, and for many who Google "rectum cloths" or "bill campbell" and end up here, reading about my "cycles" and cutting nipple holes into shirts for job interviews.

Good times, good times...

As the title to this post suggests, I'm moving on to different things... a new blog.


Primarily, my little blog fodder have grown up a little and really aren't as willing to do the crazy-ass shi*t that kept you coming back in the past.
My children are in their teen years, and I've decided to hand over the management of their own interweb/social-media presence where it belongs... with them.  I'm okay with it.  They're savvy, somewhat paranoid, and tend not to overshare... unlike me a parent of theirs who shall remain nameless.

Oh, I'll still occasionally blog about them in my new place.  Just not as much.

My scientist-guy husband, on the other hand, can't get away that easily.
He says I'm stuck with him, but we all know he's stuck with me.

Ahem, anyway...

To continue to blog under Life Candy doesn't feel right any more.  If I'm being completely transparent, it hasn't felt like me for a LONG time.

It's like wearing control-top panty hose.  It looks good, but it's not entirely real, sometimes uncomfortably twisted around one leg, bunchy around the crotchal region, and going to the bathroom can be such a nightmare, especially when your skirt gets stuck in it, and...

Damn it.  So...


It's comfy.  And I'm all about the comfy.
It'll be all about my crazy fun experiments to improve my life, adventures with family and friends, weird things that somehow happen to me, and the everyday joys of being a girl.
It's like Life Candy, except with less sweet and more cowbell.
I'm so excited to share it with you! So, head on over to...

If you loved it here, you'll love it there!

Thank you for coming and allowing me to share my life with you here at Life Candy.
Hope you jump over with me!

A Big Bag of Trouble 24 Aug 2020 12:49 PM (5 years ago)

... and in the immortal words of The Tick: "That's Trouble with a capital TROUB!"

Look at me, carrying my luggage -- my big bag of life's essentials plus a whole bunch of other junk that fell into the black hole that is my bag, and, I swear, went into hiding.

I love this thing. It's stylish, casual, and fake leather. $39 at Smart Set in St.Vital. I just sling it over my shoulders across my chest, and I'm fully-equipped yet hands-free. It's awesome.

But why the big bag? Where is that small swing purse I swore I'd use as soon as both kids were potty-trained and I was diaper-gear-free?

Ah, my small swing purse. I remember getting it so many years ago, when I finally accepted that I couldn't carry everything in my pockets without looking like a complete moron.
But it's okay. Back then, I didn't need much. Just my wallet, lipstick, keys, paperback novel, and gum.

Now, I guess I need more. I have a big bag -- so I must NEED MORE stuff to carry around... right? RIGHT?!!! (scroll down for the list)


1: paperback novel (Julie Garwood's The Wedding -- a fun book I like to keep in the bag for emergency reading situations)
2: Global Mind shopping bag - which folds down really tiny to almost nothing
3: big notebook - daily To-Dos and blog ideas
4: small notebook - because I'd forgotten it was in here
5: cellphone - my Razr which I LOVE
6: mp3 player
7: 2 tissue packets
8: 2 pairs of gloves
9: 3 pens
10: sunglasses
11: pack of gum - Spermint Xylichew
12: deck of cards - for "Go Fish" when the kids get bored or a quick game of Solitare
13: hairclip
14: lipstick - Aveda CocoPlum liptint
15: perfume sample papers from Fruits & Passions
16: 3 toothbrushes, 1 special bridge brush, 5 packs of floss threaders, and 2 sample flosses -- from my dental appointment yesterday.

And this doesn't even include the emergency first aid kit I grab when I have the kids with me. Sigh.

Oh yeah, I shamelessly copied Ali, when I did this. She's funny. I like her. I want to be her. Except with only 2 kids. That *never* barf.

My 7yo Daughter Got the Ultimate Boyfriend for Christmas. 6 Jun 2019 7:48 AM (6 years ago)

[Republished from December 2011]

Oh, what a relief!  But really, if your handsome young son said, "Mom, could you PLEASE get me a 3DS for Christmas?", and you got him one, would he really say anything else?!  No, he wouldn't... if he knows what's good for him.

As for Mini, you can repeat the above.  Just replace "3DS" with "Barbie Camper".

See?  They love -- Lam playing with total focus, Mini doing the "I got the Barbie Camper I've wanted for MONTHS!" dance.

Oh, but the gift most loved by the WHOLE FAMILY is Mini's gift from Roomie's brother and SIL!

Behold...   



I know, right?!  Awesome beyond belief!  He's allegedly the "Ultimate Boyfriend".  It says it on the box and his t-shirt, so it must be, you know, true...


Apparently, he's a "sweet talker" because you can record whatever message you want him to say assuming you're saying sweet things, like "You're so lovely tonight." and "May I please have this dance?".

However, in this house, Ken's been overheard saying "That's right, babe, I work out." and "Hey, baby, wanna come over and have some of my gramma's chicken salad?"

Ick.

Luckily, Mini's not buying it.  Pig boy Sweet Talkin' Ken isn't allowed in her new Barbie Camper.


What's the most unforgettable gift you've ever received?

11TH ANNUAL FREEBIE TOP 5: WHO'S ON YOUR LIST? 5 May 2018 6:20 AM (7 years ago)

It's that time of year again! Yes, it's the 5th day of the 5th month of the year, and it's time for our...

If you're new here and are wondering "wtf is a freebie list?", it's "A list of 5 celebrities who, should the opportunity arise, one is allowed to sleep with without it being considered as cheating by your significant other." (Urban Dictionary)

And yes, we do this every year.

It's Aloha Friday! 16 Jun 2017 8:18 PM (8 years ago)

When I lived in Hawai'i, I really enjoyed Fridays. People all over the Islands put on their best Aloha shirts, dresses, and muu-muus, beautiful flower leis, and hair flowers (left side for married/taken/unavailable, right side for singles), and of course, in every store and establishment, you hear the fun-loving rendition of "It's Aloha Friday - No Work Till Monday...."

7:  I'm a mom to teens.  They are fun and silly.  Have you read post from my old blog?  Yeah, like that.  But you'd think they'd matured and not have fights about who's taking more room on the couch, and not have situations that end up like...

Me: "What smells like fresh laundry?"
Miranda: "Me!  Luc sprayed me with Febreeze!"

OMG, really, children?!

10th Annual Freebie Top 5: Who's on YOUR list? 5 May 2017 5:43 PM (8 years ago)

It's that time of year again! Yes, it's the 5th day of the 5th month of the year, and it's time for our...

If you're new here and are wondering "wtf is a freebie list?", it's "A list of 5 celebrities who, should the opportunity arise, one is allowed to sleep with without it being considered as cheating by your significant other." (Urban Dictionary)

And yes, we do this every year -- as you can see here and from here.  We have to.  Some guys get weird or creepy and have to be removed.  Others pull a McDreamy, and the list is SCREAMING for you to add them.  You just never know.  So we review the list annually.  It's really the responsible thing to do.  It's only fair.

Okay, when making your list, the Number One Rule is There Are No Rules.  Actually, that's a lie.  There are 5 rules...

1: Remember that this is all in fun. You cannot use "Nenette said it was okay" as your defense when you get arrested for breaking into Channing Tatum, Beyonce, or Arnold Schwarzenegger's house or anything like that.  I did not say it was okay. I love y'all but you're on your own.
2: Stick to 5. Any more would be greedy, and I'm all about the sharing.
3: Keep it to current humans -- as in 'alive and at their present age'. You shouldn't need a time machine to do the nasty with them. (Do you hear me, Sylvia?!)
4: Speaking of "the nasty", THAT IS ALL.  Just sex.  No relationships. Nothing serious. Think a secluded tropical getaway, a steamy night in a hotel, even a hot quickie in a dark alley.  In case there's any confusion, see #1.
5: Think long and hard about this! This is your list FOR THE YEAR. Pretend it's laminated.

Drop your freebie list in the comments here on or on my Facebook page.

9th Annual Freebie Top 5: Who's on YOUR list? 6 May 2016 5:41 PM (9 years ago)

If you're new to this thing, I have guidelines I use when making my list. You may want to follow them too.  There are 5 points (I sense a theme)...
1:  Bradley Cooper
Seriously, just listen to him!!!




3:  Chris Evans

8th Annual Life Candy Top 5: Who's on YOUR list? 18 May 2015 2:59 PM (10 years ago)

Okay, you can stop wondering "OMG, where's the Top 5 list post?!  Did I miss it?!!!"  You didn't miss it, because it's here.  Don't panic.  It's all going to be okay.  So, do what I'm doing -- relax, take off your bra, pour yourself a glass of Drambuie, and settle in for the post you've been waiting ALL. YEAR. FOR.

Okay, my sweeties, what does my Top 5 List look like for 2015?  Well, it looks... different.  You gotta mix it up once in a while.  Keep these hotties on their toes.

Now, I know my readers are not only drop-dead gorgeous but also incredibly intelligent, so I'm sure y'all KNOW this is all in fun.  I don't call my dudes "pretend boyfriends" for nothing.  Pure fantasy, people.

If you're new here, I have guidelines I use when making my list.  You may want to follow them too...
1:  Stick to 5.  Any more would be greedy, and I'm all about the sharing.
2:  Keep it to current humans -- as in alive and at their present age.  You shouldn't need a time machine to do the nasty with them.  Do you hear me, Sylvia?!
3:  Speaking of "the nasty", THAT'S ALL THIS IS ABOUT.  No relationships. Nothing serious.  Think a hot holiday weekend, a steamy night in a hotel, even a 5-minute sexy quickie in the alley.
4:  Again, this is all in fun.  You cannot use "Nenette said it was okay" as your defence when you get arrested for breaking into Ian Somerhalder, Rhianna, or David Hasselhoff's house.  I did not say it was okay.  I love y'all but you're on your own.
5:  Think long and hard about this!  This is your list FOR THE YEAR.  Pretend it's laminated.

When you have your list, drop it in the comments here on or on my Facebook page.
Need ideas?  Check out previous years' posts:  2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014.

Now, without further ado, here's my Top 5 List for 2015:

1: Victor Webster
Tall, dark, and handsome man who practices martial arts.  My basic dream come true.  He just needs an accent.  Scottish, Australian,... or even EK.  I'm not picky.  He was cute in Charmed, but holy crap, now? OMG.  He's older, more distinguished, yet rather playful still.  Yeah, I follow him on Social Media.
If anyone on this list smells like sandalwood, I'm sure it's this guy.  Yes, it's important.

2: Anson Mount
Where has this dude been hiding all my life?!  It's all good -- he's here now.  He runs the risk of looking too handsome (yes, that's a thing), but as long as he keeps his hair long and face scruffy, he'll be just fine.  VERY FINE.  I don't think I've ever seen him act.  No worries.  I'll look for a few episodes of "Hell on Wheels" later... when I stop drooling.


3: Gerard Butler
OMG, what's he doing at #3?!  Yeah, Victor and Anson just blew me away.  Maybe I'm changing.  I don't know.  Gerry's still cute.  Still funny.  And still scruffy.  I'm still a sucker for that accent.


4: Benedict Cumberbatch
My girlfriend Stace said he's her "chocolate tequila".  She is one of my smartest friends.


5: John Stamos
I think he made the same deal with the devil that Elle McPherson did.  Hottie.  It wasn't until I started following him on Instagram that I realized just how funny this guy is.  And THAT'S what got me first.  The key to my panties is to make me laugh.  Apparently.


Okay, now you -- and go!!!

2015 To-Do List. 26 Jan 2015 9:31 PM (10 years ago)

It really is!  And I'm so freakin' excited!  I love pressing that "Reset" button, and becoming a New Me.  You know -- Better... Stronger... Faster.  (Cue theme song!)  Yup, it's the 6 Million Dollar Me but without the electronic implants.  Maybe.

Anyway, I have big plans for 2015!  Plans within plans.  But if you don't write these plans down, they don't exist.  Seriously, one of my coaches, mentors, and business partners, Susan Sly says that.  And considering the fact that she IS an actual 1+ million dollar woman, I listen to her.

So, what's on my 2015 to-do list?  Check it out...

1:  Get to 21% bodyfat and see my muscles, dammit!!!
I have a photoshoot scheduled for mid-February, and I'm going to look amazing by then, but for now, I've gone and hit it.  The dreaded "P" word.  Plateau. UGH!!!  Time to bust through it with daily consistent action by...

• drinking 3 litres of water daily
• not making lame excuses and just sticking to my workout schedule: weights, zumba, HIIT
• cleansing/IF weekly

2:  Hit a very special rank in my company
I admit it.  I've been playing small.  I could've helped so many people by now, but because of my own perceived limitations, I doubted myself and the gift of health, wellness, and freedom I have to give others.  The rank I want to hit is a symbol of how many people I help to create abundant lives for themselves.  It's not about me -- it's about them.  So I will...

• aim to mentor 3-5 people on my team to $100,000 annual incomes this year
• help 10-20 men and women feel amazingly healthy
• do my daily method of operation consistently 4-5 days/week

3:  Be active in the blogging world again
I know.  You've all missed me.  Admit it.  Oh, I've missed you all too, of course!  It's an amazing community of fun people.  Granted, I've moved on (a bit, but not completely) from the mommy blogger world -- many of my old cohorts have done the same -- but I have so much more to share about my new life outside of mommyhood.  My new tribe is still out there.  I just have to talk to them more.  I'll be doing that by...

• blogging 3-5 times per week here on Life Candy
• reading 5-10 blogs/day
• commenting on 5 blogs/day

4: Go out for dinner with my pretend boyfriend Gerard Butler, dazzle him with my beauty and wit, and despite all his begging, refuse to run away with him.  And you thought I'd let go of this one!  Ha!  I laugh at your silliness!

I'm so excited for this new year!  And I'm so bloody stoked that you're here with me to experience this truly sweet ride!  Onward!

Recipe: Crispy Kale 21 Jul 2014 6:37 AM (11 years ago)

Image: Nenette's Kale

Now, something you should know about me is that I love chips... potato, veggie, etc. If it's crispy, salty, and deep-fried, I'll want to eat a ton of it. So, I've been on the hunt for a healthier alternative, and no, the baked stuff I've tried doesn't come close... until I found these! Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

* kale - preferably the curly kind (yes, that's it... see? easy!)

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350F. Cut kale leaves off of the stiff spine, and spread on a cookie sheet in more or less one layer. A little bit of overlapping won't hurt. Bake until edges are a little dry, for about 10-15 minutes depending on your oven. If yours looks anything like the picture, you're there! Sprinkle on a tiny bit of salt as soon as they come out of the oven, if you want to - I personally like them plain.
Let cool for a little while... or you'll burn your mouths like Roomie and I did.

These babies are seriously crispy and addictive, but no worries, they are super healthy. So, I insist you eat lots!

7th Annual Life Candy Top 5: Who's on YOUR list? 5 May 2014 9:03 AM (11 years ago)

It's that time of the year again, my beautiful sweeties!  It's time once again for the Life Candy Top 5 List!
Every year, on the 5th day of the 5th month, we take on that very, very serious project of selecting the 5 hottest celebrities we have permission to fool around with.

This is strictly physical, people.  No longterm relationships.  Just a fun one night stand.  Or an afternoon.  Or even an hour.  Don't go thinking this is going to go anywhere serious.  I will not bail you out of jail if you suddenly get it in your head to do a Glenn Close/Fatal Attraction thing on Prince Harry or Boy George or Phyllis Diller.

And this is totally for fun too.  I will also not bail you out for stalking.  I don't care if Marky Mark looked in your general direction.  He's NOT inviting you over for fondue and kanoodling.  Unless he actually says, "Hey girl, come over for fondue and kanoodling."  Then, by all means, have at 'im!

Anyway, you can check out my old lists too: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013.

Reinventing Me. 28 Apr 2014 3:00 PM (11 years ago)

Yes, I'm back.  And I'm talking about my hair.  Again.
Unless you're new here, you shouldn't be surprised.
Just be happy I'm not talking about my menstrual cycle.
Again.

The significance of this post this time is not just that I have a new 'do.  It's not even about the fact that it's the first post in 2014!  (OMG! YAY!)  It's that EVERYTHING 'round here is getting redone!

Life Candy is now a blog about recapturing our inner and outer Saucy Girl.  It's about personal evolution.  I'll still be talking about my family and my life and me, but with a twist.  Stick around, and you'll see what I mean.

Meanwhile, my hair.

So, it's been about a year and a half since I got a haircut.  No, I'm not kidding.

It's my stylist Jane's fault, really.  She's fantastic!  She knows how to cut my hair so that it's happy and doing what it does naturally, I'm not fighting it on a daily basis, and I still look awesome no matter the length of mane!  She's my hair whisperer.

But I realized it was time.  My hair was becoming a pain to work with.  It was heavy, and really dry at the ends no matter how much conditioner I dumped on it.  And there was so much of it that I felt like I was wearing a wig.  Of my own hair.
I made my appointment.  And of course, on the day of the appointment, it looked like this...

I know, sorry.  Bathroom selfie.  And no urinal.  Next time.

Crap.  I was seriously thinking of cancelling.  Look at those curls!

But also look at how overwhelmed by hair I am.  My mop had taken over.  It was sucking the life out of me.  I believe it's the primary cause of me forgetting how to do triple integral calculus.  I am the anti-Samson of intelligence!  Quick!  Cut it before I forget how to use a spoon!

But wait, I wanted it to be long still.  Seriously.  I worked hard to get it that long!  No, really.
So, my amazing Jane chopped most of the bulk around the sides, kept the length, blew it all out, and...

VOILA...

Young, perky, stylish, saucy... It's totally me, right?!

I love it so much!  This is the new me.  Like Roomie has a whole new wife!... who he perves just as much as his old wife... which is a lot.  Seriously -- ALL PERVING, ALL THE TIME!

Anyway, it was time for a change.  Long overdue.  Same with this blog.  We're long overdue for some fun here.  So, let's do it!  Come along!  It's going to be a wild ride!  For all of us!  And my hair!

So many things to be thankful for. And there they are. 15 Oct 2013 9:43 PM (12 years ago)

...for my three favourite people.

6th Annual Life Candy Freebie 5: Who's on *your* list? 5 May 2013 6:57 PM (12 years ago)

It's the 5th day of the 5th month!  Yay!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!!!  It's time, my sweeties, for the Top 5 List!

You must now seriously consider who to put on your list of 5 celebrities you have permission to fool around with and not get put in the doghouse.  Think carefully, people.  This is a big decision.  DON'T SCREW IT UP!

Okay, it's all in fun obviously, so if you get arrested for stalking Ryan Reynolds, Jennifer Lawrence or Mr.T,  you're kinda on your own.  I love y'all, so really, just don't do it.

Anyway, you can check out my old lists too:   2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012.

My list is below, which I must say was difficult to put together as I was more than a little hungover after a night out with my Isa girls last night!  I worked hard on this one, so you better share yours in the comments too!

And OMG, my list is firmly entrenching me in Cougarville!  Le sigh.  Please read on...

1:  Gerard Butler...
Okay, the pretend love affair is starting to mellow, but I honestly can't bring myself to break it off.  He's still funny and all scruffy like my Roomie.

2:  Benedict Cumberbatch...
He's tall, intense, funny, and THAT VOICE!  As I've said time and again, it's like being wrapped in chocolate...



3: Bradley Cooper...
Again , he's hot and he speaks French.  There's nothing more to say.



4:  Jeremy Renner...
I love a scruffy, intense man who looks hot in leather and knows what to do with a bow and arrow.



5:  Chris Hemsworth...
Yum.



Okay, that's my list!  Your turn!  Who's on your Top 5 List for 2013?

And this time, she means business. 28 Apr 2013 8:40 AM (12 years ago)

So, the Bikini Bootcamp I'm doing right now (see previous post) is going really well!  Doing another 30-day.  Started last Monday the 15th.  And when I checked on Friday, I found that I had already dropped 7lbs and 8.25" of icky toxic fat.  And it's not just that!  I just look less icky now.

Seriously, have a look at me on Day 10...

Me on cleanse day trying stuff with my phone upstairs while my fam ate dinner. I'd made chicken piccata.

Note the clear skin, healthy pink glow, the bright shiny coat and the bright eyes.  Look, even my hand's not as puffy!  Begone, Inflammation, you savage bitch!

So yeah, I'm lookin' hot... again.  And it didn't take long either, thanks to Isagenix.  Seriously, I love that I can get back to sexy beast mode so quickly, and become even MORE healthy, with this program.  And when I do indulge, I don't gain back as much weight as I used to.

Just a few weeks ago, I was a little on the, uh, "fluffy" side.  I didn't feel good.  Moving around felt "clunky".  I was wearing the loose tops to hide my growing belly.  I was starting to feel elderly again.  And not in the Raquel Welch kind of elderly.  Which for her, you know, really isn't.

I admit it was my fault.  Even though I had my daily shakes (which gave me energy), I didn't cleanse, so I was toxic.  And I ate crap.

Now, before you get all Judgy Judgerson on me, remember I'm human.  And sometimes, it's just a "Doritos!  All Day!  All The Time!" kind of week day.

But now I'm motivated to change all that because I want to...

• be happy and comfortable in my skin again... no matter how little I wear.  Woo hoo, baby!
• sculpt some kickass muscle and become strong.
• keep up with all the hot moms at zumba class.
• have bounce in my step when I slip on that body-hugging tank top and strut my stuff on stage at recital.
• nip the bad activities in the bud -- like eating crap and becoming a permanent resident of couch-ville -- before they become bad habits.

This time, I want it to stick.  I want it for life.  I want to look and feel good for any eventuality.
Like, if aliens came and threatened to destroy the world if I didn't get into a bikini.  (Hey, it could happen.)  Hot and Healthy Nenette would strap on those itty bitty pieces of fabric without batting an eye.

So, really you could say that I'm getting healthy to save the world.  Like Wonder Woman.  Or Super Grover.  You're welcome.

Now, fitness results come from 80% nutrition and 20% exercise.   I have Isagenix (and no more eating crap) for the 80%.  And last year, that's all I did.

But this time, I need to do the other 20% and build muscle that I lost during the fiasco of 2007, when I took part in a scientific study and took my calories down really low for 8 months, forcing my body to cannibalize my muscle for fuel.  I know.  Gross.  I know better now.

Anyway, I've assembled a team to teach me how to get all hot and healthy.  I'm calling them Team Nenette.
Because I'm all fancy and original like that.

So, who's on Team Nenette?
Well, the beautiful people, of course!  They say surround yourself with people you want to be like, after all.
These folk are the experts.  They show by example.  They are the best at what they do. And They. Get. The. Job. Done.

Isagenix.  Describing this is hard because it's just not one thing.  The clean nutrition.  The fact that there's nothing artificial in any of the products.  The athletic expertise.  The nobel prize winning research.  The science behind each and every product.  The coaches.  And the whole Isa Family, which includes sports nutritionists, doctors, Olympic athletes, professional football players, triathletes, and fitness models... like Oxygen Magazine cover model and Isagenix Millionaire Lori Harder.


Zumba with Yvonne.  The combination of Isagenix and Zumba has been phenomenal!  I know I wouldn't be where I am now if I'd had just one or the other.
Zumba has changed my approach to workouts in both mind and body.  My workouts before were never consistent, but now, I zumba twice weekly on Mondays and Fridays.  On days I can't go to class, like the day of Mini's ballet exam, I get really sad and kinda twitchy.  It's unreal.

And now, I HAVE MUSCLE!  Roomie noticed it one evening after dinner.  He touched my leg and made a comment about "hard muscle", but I thought he was trying to perv me so I shoo-ed him away so I could put dishes in the dishwasher.

Anyway, I LOVE Yvonne's classes!  So high-energy, so much fun, dance-y, and so well-structured.  It's like a party at every class!  And she's an incredible example of fitness and health. Look at her in action as she gets a crowd going...

Yvonne has the purple pants and the awesome biceps!  (From Zumba with Yvonne on FB)

Yvonne is an old friend from back in the day.  When our world consisted of nuns, Mr.J's chem class, and uniforms.  And we rocked it like nobody's business!

Hip Hop class with my teacher and friend Chelsea.  Chelsea is a BRILLIANT choreographer.  And I adore her taste in music.  My whole family loves her: she's taught 3 out of 4 of us in our wee clan.  She challenges us to do things that we've never done before -- and look awesome doing it.  Despite the fact I also look like a sweaty hot mess post-class.

The constant new moves means new neural pathways are building like crazy!  And that's great for brain functions too, which is key to overall health, as it counteracts degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and dementia.  (Yes, this is a nerd blog too.  You have been warned.)

I don't have a picture of Chelsea in hand, so I can't show you just how beautiful she is.  You'll just have to trust me.  I never lie... at least, when it comes to how beautiful my friends are.

Kimberly Ho.  Kim was my very first ever personal trainer.  She's actually moved out of town to be with her fiance, but in the short time she trained me, I experienced some really quick, noticeable changes in my body.  With her, I learned that lifting heavy doesn't make you Ms. Incredible Hulk, it makes you sexy.

She's still on Team Nenette because I still read her blog for tips, I still incorporate her workouts in my newly-reintroduced lifting routine, and I'm still in her Team Sexy.  :)

Check her out in this pic I stole from her FB page...  shh... don't tell Kim...  heeheehee...  also, I want her arms...


So, that's my team!

Do you have your own team?  What are you planning to do for your own health and fitness?

It's time. Right now. 16 Apr 2013 9:56 AM (12 years ago)

I've been in a state of blah these past few months.  It started off with the usual hibernation that starts right after Christmas.  It's supposed to lift when the snow melts, but because the scene outside my house still looks like this,...

Does this look like Spring to you people?!

I should be in my short shorts!  I should be in my flip flops!  I should NOT be still wearing my winter coat -- even though I totally rock that coat and look freakin' awesome in it!  I still should not be in it any more!

I'm sick of feeling this way!  I need some changes, some shakin' up, some ass kickin' to get me out of this brain fog!

SO... here's what I'm doing for my 2013 Renaissance...

1:  I'm doing a Bikini Bootcamp!  It's my HOT MOM PROJECT come to life!  This is another 30-day cleanse like I did last year (when I dropped 15lbs in 30-days!) except this time, we get a workout schedule, meal ideas, recipes, and grocery lists.
If you want to do it too, it's not too late to join.  Let me know if you're game, and I'll get you hooked up!...



2:  I'm dusting this blog off, and getting it going again.  I've had so many things I've wanted to share with you all over the past few months, but I've just put off sharing.  No more!  I'm going to once again inundate you with stories of my hair, my health and fitness, my dancing, the fam, and my menstrual cycle (yup, the TMI's coming back too! I KNOW!!! I can almost hear your excitement!).

3:  I've redesigned my blog a little.  I've...
- added a little Instagram photo gallery.  Be sure to follow me @_nenetteam because, you know, of the awesomeness.
- redone my About page.
- made my header this floating background thingy.
- done other things, I think.  I can't remember.  So if you find other cool new stuff, yay!... and please tell me about it.

Alrighty, this has actually made me feel like I've made my way back to the land of the living!  It's awesome and crazy!

So anyway, check the blog out, look around the place, and leave a comment to let me know what you think!

better late... 25 Feb 2013 10:50 AM (12 years ago)

a look back at 2012. 31 Dec 2012 12:20 PM (12 years ago)

I know I was rather absent from my online home for the past year, wasn't I? Yeah, bad Nenette.
But that only means that I was busy LIVING life rather than writing about it.

And did I ever live it!

Okay, here are some notable events of my year.  I hope it inspires you to get off your bum, turn off your electronics, and do a little more living yourself!... after you read my blog post.  Seriously.  Do that first.
And... go!

Quotes of 2012. 31 Dec 2012 12:16 PM (12 years ago)

Plucked from the statuses of Facebook...

Roomie: "Ach! I'm going to go to my frickin' deathbed knowing the words to some effing Fanta commercial from the 70s!"

Roomie:  "What the hell is he doing here?!!! That value was given, but he decided to work it out for himself and GOT IT WRONG! I gave it to them so they wouldn't have to spend any of their time dickin' around! Argh!!!" #HusbandMarkingExamsInTheOtherRoom

Son and husband are watching I Am Legend.
Son: "OMG, who's attacking him?"
Husband: "Just keep watching."
Son: "Is it the Nazis?!"
Husband: "Yeah, it's the Nazis. They came in their time machine..."

Cranky Sick Husband and I are watching a women's makeover show.
CSH: "What's this show called? 'How Do I Look?'"
Me: "Yup."
CSH: "It reminds me of that prison movie, Bird Man of Alcatraz."

Roomie: "I'm making a meatball sandwich. Should I heat up the meatballs?"
Me: "Yes. You should ALWAYS heat up your balls."
Lam: "L-O-L, Mama!"

The Boy: "Mittens hates jazz hands."

Him: "Your belly's looking smaller."
Me: "Smaller than what?"... because I obviously don't know how to take a compliment.

"Hey, you know, I can make you a portable CD player. I'll get one of my old dead CDROMs from the garage. I'll fix it. I'll even use electrical tape, not duck tape..." I didn't even ask him for one! #HelpImMarriedToAnEngineer

Me: "Hon, could you please get the girl's toothbrush upstairs in the linen closet?"
Him: "In the linen closet. Well, that makes sense. Will I find a plate of veal in there too?"
#InsideJokes #FaultyTowers

Moo.
Roomie: "did I just hear a cow?"
Mini: "yeah."
Me: "minecraft."
Roomie: "oh."
Moo.

we're ready, big guy! bring it on! 19 Nov 2012 7:56 AM (12 years ago)

It's still only Fall, and the world outside my door already looks like this...

like the recap at the beginning of each star wars movie. except not in space. and you can read this as slowly as you want. 16 Nov 2012 5:40 AM (12 years ago)

I haven't been a very good hostess, have I... No, it's true -- I suck.
But I assure you, I'm better at it IRL.  Really.  When you visit my house, I'm here ready to entertain with a night full of hoagies, strippers and dancing bears wine, dark chocolate, and intellectual conversation.

Lately, when you've come to visit Life Candy, I've been in Phoenix, or a yurt in Sprucewoods, or on my couch watching The Big Bang Theory.

But no more!  You see, I've made a pact with my friend Natalie, and she's going to nag kick my ass poke me repeatedly to see if I'm still alive gently remind me when I've gone too long without putting fingers to keyboard for this blog.

I was all "yay, motivation!", then I got this...

... and I thought "oh, crap."

Hence, here I am at 10:22pm, hurriedly typing to meet my 12 noon deadline so Natalie won't be pounding at my door.  Which totally could happen.  We are city sisters after all.

Okay, so, what have we been up to?  Well, here we go...

• In case, you forgot what I look like, here...  :)   No, I don't actually have a child growing out of my chest. That's my Mini and her Baba.

• Because Lam isn't in Scouts, Roomie -- who did go to Scouts as a boy -- decided to teach our son a valuable survival skill:  making a campfire.  Lam did this one all by himself.  He was so proud.  So was Roomie.  I have purchased extra fire extinguishers.

• I went to my 25th year High School Reunion!  As you can see, we're an all-girls school, and we all still look HAWT.  Apparently, our Class of '87 counterparts at the all-boys school we were associated with didn't fair as well.  Their pic consisted of many bald pates and beer bellies.  

them on the first day of grade 3 & grade 5. 17 Sep 2012 10:21 AM (13 years ago)

The first day of  school kinda snuck up on us this year.  We were in the throes of day camps, swim classes, camping trips, yurts, and a week on Hecla Island.  The kids were in shorts and sundresses, sandals and flip-flops.

Then BOOM! -- school.  Stupid school.

Now don't get me wrong.  I think an education is important, and enrolling them in school outside the home ensures some daily social interaction with their peers.

But Back to School is the slap of reality.  It's the thing that signals growth, change, and another year that my kids are moving farther way from the babies they were when this whole parenthood thing started.

All because the number after the word "Grade" has gone up by one. 

Crazy, right?!

So, we hang on to what we have.  He's still into video games, and she's still into Hello Kitty like last year.
They still love playdates and play structures.  They are still picky eaters, and they still love hugs from Mommy and Daddy.  And I'm holding on to that for as long as I can.

So, here are my Mini and Lam, frozen in time, snapshots at Grade 3 and Grade 5...

1 - What is your favourite colour?
mini: pink
lam: dark blue but not navy blue

2 - Who is your best friend(s)?
mini: Abby
lam: don't know

3 - What is your favourite treat food?
mini: popsickle
lam: Doritos natcho cheese chips

4 - What is your favourite good food?
mini: sushi
lam:  salt-n-pepper wings

5 - What's your favourite treat drink?
mini: cream soda
lam: coke or pepsi

6 - What's your favourite good drink?
mini: pink lemonade
lam: iced tea

7 - What's your favourite dessert?
mini: ice cream sandwich
lam: ice cream sandwich

8 - What is your favourite game?
mini: club penguin
lam: Minecraft

9 - What is your favourite website?
mini: clubpenguin.com
lam: reddit.com

10 - What is your favourite tv show?
mini: Good Luck Charlie
lam: Doctor Who

11 - What's your favourite movie?
mini: Brave
lam: Amazing Spiderman

12 - What is the name of your favourite book?
mini: Kittens by Nicola Tuxworth
lam: Mockingjay

13 - What's your favourite thing to do by yourself?
mini: make crafts
lam: play single player Team Fortress 2

14 - What's your favourite thing to do with family?
mini: play games
lam: go to the mall

the beauty of strength. 25 Jul 2012 9:43 AM (13 years ago)

This post is part of YummyMummyClub.ca's support of the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. This post reflects my personal opinion about the information provided by the sponsors. You can nominate inspiring moms here: www.CelebrateMom.ca.

Duran Duran brought us together.

Well, okay, Duran Duran and countless cans of Aquanet hairspray.  Yes, you guessed it.  It was the 80s, and for the first time since we both started going to the same high school, Michelle and I were in the same home room.

Oh, we’d met many years before in Grade 7, but we never hit it off.  I was painfully shy towards kids not in my class, and she thought I was a snob -- because I didn’t want any of her proffered sandwich.  Yeah, that was weird.  Which should’ve tipped me off that we were destined to be best friends.
Anyway, it was not the most auspicious start to what would be one of my closest and most treasured friendships.

However, this time, in this Grade 10 classroom, we clicked.

Michelle and I bonded over our shared taste in music, our similar sense of humour, how hot we thought Duran’s keyboardist Nick Rhodes and bassist John Taylor were, and how foolish we thought they would be if they didn’t marry us.

But as much as we had in common, we were, in just as many ways, as different as night and day.  I was raised to be quiet and reserved and almost submissive, to accept everything that I was told by my elders as gospel truth, and to fit in and conform, to be a “typical teenager”.   Michelle, on the other hand, was outgoing, charismatic, and passionate.  She showed me that it was okay to respectfully question and to further my understanding when I was told things that didn’t feel right.  And she embraced her uniqueness, the fact that her tastes were different from our beach-blond, daddy-is-a-doctor, cheerleader counterparts.

Michelle wore her hair short and spikey.  She frequently looked like she’d raided David Byrne’s closet and bought the entire supply of eyeliner at Shopper's Drug Mart.  And while everyone was into Phil Collins, Bryan Adams, and Journey, she got me listening to Jane Siberry, Depeche Mode, and U2, you know, back when they were still considered “alternative”.

Michelle helped me out of my shell.  I helped her with Math.  And together, we became a team, a force to be reckoned with, a dynmic duo.

It came as no surprise to me when my best friend decided to follow the call to defend those who cannot defend themselves.  While I went on to complete my engineering degree, Michelle moved to the west coast with her husband.  There, she worked with families to ensure the safety and welfare of children.

It was after her move that I briefly lost touch with Michelle.  We all did.  She was isolated and  becoming increasingly unhappy.  Away from family and friends, she was forced to become completely dependent on her husband, a controling man with a violently unpredictable temper, a man who slowly became more and more resentful of her career successes and higher income.

A woman not easily broken nor quick to give up, Michelle worked desperately to maintain her marriage, taking the abusive words and mindgames as they came, trying to pacify the beast, and through it all, keeping up a brave face.

All of this changed after the birth of her daughter.  Michelle wanted a better life, a healthy environment free from drama, violence, and chaos, for her precious little girl.  By then, the abuse had escalated to physical violence toward objects in their home, and she wasn’t going to wait around to see if she or her daughter were next in line.

On one fateful day, Michelle kicked out her husband, changed all the locks on the doors, and filed for divorce.  She has not looked back since.

Today, Michelle is a busy single mom, happily raising her now-10 year old daughter with the help of her own mother.  Together, these two amazing women have a built a calm, healthy, nurturing environment for this budding young lady.

Michelle has always been and always will be a shining example of what a strong woman should be:  someone who dares to be different, someone who maintains her identity and sense of self through adversity, someone who stands up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, someone who will never be a victim, and someone who can take her destiny by the horns and make it the best it could ever be.  I am so very proud of her.

And this is why I nominate my best friend Michelle for the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest.  She's an awesome role model, don't you think?

Know an amazing mom who’s an inspiration to women and girls? Celebrate her!

Visit www.CelebrateMom.ca by September 4th to nominate a mom who’s an inspiring role model to women and girls in the Dove® Celebrate Mom Contest. Four inspiring women will win $2,500 for herself and $2,500 to be donated to the charity of her choice.

And check out more stories on YummyMummyClub.ca about amazing role model moms: www.yummymummyclub.ca/family/mummy/celebrate-a-mom-in-your-life.

here, there, and everywhere. 8 Jul 2012 6:00 AM (13 years ago)

Yes, my dear friend, I'm still here, and we've been...

• celebrating an 8th birthday with the BFF...

• accessorizing like a bad-ass...

• heading to the starting line of the marathon with a bestie...

• scouting out the action at the Canada Day street party...

• dancing a dance class...

• dining with Sponge Bob...

• enjoying time with Roomie by the fire...

• trying to stay cool on a super hot Treat Day...

• patrolling for the last time before summer break...

• getting ready to do the Super Run... father-and-son style on Father's Day...

• assembling the new Mod Squad...

• celebrating a 10th Birthday with horns...

Yeah, we've been busy.  But we're here.  :)

5th Annual Top 5 List: Who's on your list? 5 May 2012 5:17 PM (13 years ago)

It's the 5th day of the 5th month of the year!  You know what that means, right?!  Yup, it's time for me to review, renew, and republish my annual Top 5 List.  :)

You know what I mean by "List", right?  No?  Okay, long story short, this is the list of 5 pretend boyfriends (or girlfriends, depending on which side your bread's buttered on) -- the folks you have permission to fool around with, assuming you can get them to fool around with you, of course.
It's all in fun, of course, so you don't have to worry about me coming over and demanding that you have your little perverted way with Jessica Alba, or David Hasselhoff or whatever.

Anyway, you can check out my old lists too:   2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.

As this is the special 5th year of the Top 5, we're celebrating!  Share your own list, and you could win an awesome prize package I assembled on a recent shopping trip.  I'll choose the winner by random number generation on the morning of Friday, May 11, and announce the winner in my blog post that day.

Okay, I'm sharing mine now... so you better share yours in the comments too!

Here we go...

1:  Gerard Butler
Yes, he's still my pretend boyfriend, although it was a close one considering who is at #2.  But still, Gerry's funny, cute, scruffy, tall, and that Scottish accent are still so dreamy.  And he still reminds me of my husband.

2:  Chris Hemsworth
Thor.  Sigh.  But I first saw him as James T. Kirk's father in Star Trek (2009), and already, I thought he was adorable.  If you read my list from last year, he barely made the list as an Honourable Mention.  He's a definite member of the list at #2 this year, thanks to the constant "He is Christian Grey" I've been getting from Maria.  I'd probably be able to finish the 50 Shades of Grey Series if I keep that in mind.


3:  Bradley Cooper
He's hot, and he speaks French.  Period.




4:  Bill Campbell
The first time I saw him was in "The Rocketeer".  Then in Star Trek:TNG, which is where this pic's from.  He's aged so freakin' well.  He's tall, dark, and handsome.  See?


5:  Clive Owen
Just look at this picture.  OMG, look at him!!!


Okay, go!