As much as I thought that there couldn't be anything easier than retirement I was wrong; it's been a difficult, stressful, confusing time that's often left me feeling groundless. It's also been a wonderful time of freedom and exploration.
I jumped into marriage at 19 years old like a crazy kid who thought she knew everything. Nine years and two kids later the life I had tried SO desperately to maintain fell apart right before my eyes. Suddenly I was in the midst of a nasty divorce. There were days when I could barely leave my bed because the stress, the tears, the anxiety was all just too much.
I was 28 and an absolute disastrous shell of a woman who had zero idea who she was.
Not only is Bonnie Guest Posting here today but this time, we're throwing in a twist because I'm Guest Posting over at Bonnie's Today also!
Two for the price of one.
Once you're done reading Bonnie's post about fond memories on the farm, pop over to her blog and read about my Top Ten Questions to Ask a Woman Pregnant with Triplets. Without further ado, here is Bonnie.
Journeys of The Zoo's "I Am Canadian" Feature for May is...
While I wasn't in my 40's when I had The Kids, I was 37 so I can definitely relate to the physical aches and pains that Tammy experienced. Please take the time to read Tammy's story and show your support by leaving a comment below about,
Journeys of The Zoo's "I Am Canadian" Feature for April is...
Interested in all things baby with a side of product reviews/giveaways? Than you'll love what YYZ Bambina has to offer. We've been peers for awhile now and Sarah always has something exciting going on.
Please take a moment to stop by Sarah's blog, YYZ Bambina and show your support by leaving a comment below about,
Journeys of The Zoo’s "I Am Canadian" Feature for March is Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts.
What a pleasure to find such unique and renewable products available locally.
Please take a moment to read about Heather’s original company and inspiring initiatives and show her your support by leaving a comment and stopping by her blog all about...
If someone says their hobby is spinning, most people think they are talking about training on bikes in a gym. But Heather of Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts doesn't spin on bikes, she spins wool into yarn on a spinning wheel. Her kids thinks she's a little too crazy about sheep, but she enjoys playing with wool so much that she started a company!
Ottawa Valley Fiber Arts (OVFA) is located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Created in 2010 during a particularly difficult time in her day job, Heather found that building her passion in her spare time gave her more energy for everything else in her life. She started the Canadian Fiber Box project, which brings together different fiber producers and artists four times a year to subscribers across Canada. Canada has many fiber producers - from sheep to llamas and alpacas to bison and muskox. We also have many talented fiber artists who prepare and dye fiber for spinning. The Canadian Fiber Box lets folks "get to know Canadian fiber."
Journeys of The Zoo's "I Am Canadian" Feature for February is Gone With The Family. Quite a fitting feature considering we are currently spending our winter in Chiapas, Mexico.
Please show your support by leaving a comment regarding your travel experiences or by visiting her blog and discovering the next place that you and your family will visit.
My name is Lisa and I'm a Canadian mom of two girls. I'm on a mission to show them the world - one trip at a time! Our daughters are now 16 and 9 years old and we have been traveling with them since the older one was just a few weeks old. Road trips, cruises, transatlantic flights - you name it and we've done it - sometimes with more success than others but it's always an adventure.
Just about 2 years ago, I decided to start blogging about our trips and Gone With The Family was born.
My goal is to inspire parents to explore with their children even if it's just their own little corner of the world for the time being.
In Mykonos with my daughters.
On our website you will find stories and photos from our trips, hotel reviews, travel tips, and book reviews. I also have a Facebook page with an active community that loves to talk about anything travel related and we would love to have you join us.
Since beginning the "I Am Canadian" feature in September, I have met a lot of Great Canadians. Before I'm through, I hope to meet each and every one of you.
One person that I met along the way was the talented Alejandro from "Treasures from the Ark". He has been kind enough to share a part of himself with us. I hope that you will take the time to read about his creative pursuits and show him your support in the comments.
I'm Miss December. I'm Miss December at Journeys of The Zoo!
Those were the first words written by Connie from SadieLooHoo when she agreed to be Journeys of The Zoo "I Am Canadian" Feature for December. She really needs to get out more.
Connie made my smile hurt with her funny and smart post and I'm sure she'll have you laughing too. I hope that you will show her your support by reading and commenting.
Here's what she had to share...
Ok, I may be being a little dramatic! I have to say, this is my very first "Guest Post" ever. I read through other guest posts wondering what I should be "sharing" with everyone. I read the November guest post from My Life After Kids and I thought......oh my gosh, Miss November is incredible!! She is like the fall foliage here in Ontario. She is that rare magenta leaf that clings to the tree for all to see and marvel at.
Then I think to myself......I'm Miss December......who is she? Is she the wisp of cold air making the house drafty? Or, is she like the fun and joy of a present under the tree? So, I wondered and pondered all this. Alas, I must stop pondering, wondering and in essence......delaying! Sarah told me I had to be quick in putting this post together......I had three days to get this written and now I only have two. Save to draft while I ponder some more.
Journeys of The Zoo's "I Am Canadian" Feature for November is a fairy tale of sorts written by a woman whose name matches her personality. Charity blogs at Life After My Kids and the story she is going to tell began 15 years ago, in a land not so far away. In fact, she still lives in the same town she was born...
It's time for Journeys of The Zoo's October installment of the "I Am Canadian" Feature and Linky.
Remember to add your name to the Linky at the bottom of this post.
We searched high and low and know that you will be excited to read about this month's Feature Recipient...
Without further ado, let me introduce you to Lorena Pacheco Scott of MommiesFirst and allow her to tell you about her latest "baby".
I am a mom of two young boys Sebastian and Alistair (ages 3 and 9 months). As a proud mama, I have been known to "go on and on" about my boys, but today I wanted to share with you the story of my "third baby" – MommiesFirst.
MommiesFirst is a new online, Canadian business helping moms sort through all the products on the market that are vying for her attention and her wallet. How do we do this? We've created a MommiesFirst Council, comprised of moms, dads, and baby experts, to find, test, and review products. Based on their feedback, we send our members (both pregnant and new moms) monthly care packages with 4-5 different products designed to help them navigate through the journey of motherhood. Every box we send out is customized to the mom’s month of pregnancy or the age of her baby, so she only receives the most relevant products at just the right time. It is our hope that by sending beautiful packages to moms that are also super helpful, we are genuinely helping make moms' lives a little bit easier and a lot less stressful.
I am often asked what inspired MommiesFirst and the answer is quite simply – my children. Three years ago when I became a mom for the very first time I was SCARED, OVERWHELMED, and CONFUSED. And, to be perfectly honest, I was angry that no one had told me about some of those challenges. I never forgot those feelings of despair and loneliness throughout my pregnancy and during the first year of son’s life. All of those struggles and emotions came flooding back this past December when my second son was born. But this time, I had a bit more confidence, so I resolved to do something about it – to create something that would help make a difference for all the other new moms out there. And that’s how MommiesFirst was born.
It also seems appropriate that with my two sons on my lap (literally), we launched the MommiesFirst website on Mother's Day 2012. There were a lot of sleepless nights between May and September when we shipped our first boxes to moms. It has been an adventure managing a household with two young boys and a new business, but I’m a mom on a mission. Through MommiesFirst, I'm committed to helping moms (and their babies). There are days when I know my boys miss hanging out with their mom or I wish I could just run to the park to be with them, but I'm hopeful that in following this entrepreneurial path and in building an enduring company servicing moms (and their babies), I am inspiring my boys too. I want to teach them that having a dream and wanting to make a difference – and then pursuing these two goals relentlessly– is both important and possible.
If you or someone you love is interested in signing up to receive a MommiesFirst care package, please visit www.mommiesfirst.com. A subscription costs $25 per month, with free shipping. All of our boxes are delivered with love and care!
A big thanks to Lorena for sharing her new and exciting business venture with us. If you're like me, you can think of at least 10 people that could use this service so stop by her website for a visit, connect on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or YouTube.
Please contact me if you would like to be featured on Journeys of The Zoo!
Note that Journeys of The Zoo did not receive any compensation in exchange for publishing this information.
And Now for The "I Am Canadian" Linky...
If you are Canadian or have a Canadian Product, Cause, Blog, or other Canadian related item, then you are officially invited to add yourself to this Linky.
Note that this Linky is not intended as a Giveaway Linky. Please go here to post or enter giveaways.
Besos, The Zoo
Journeys of The Zoo is pleased to introduce you to the first "I Am Canadian" Linky and Feature Recipient...
Jennifer, the Owner of Current Works of Glass and I first "met" when we worked together on "The Great Canadian Blog Bash 2012" giveaway back in June. Her creativity and talent speaks for itself but it's her kindness that makes her stand out. From the very beginning she has been a huge support in my blogging endeavours and even created a pendant just for me (pictured below). It turns out that we only live one hour from each other. Small World.
Seeing as Jennifer is the professionally trained artist, I will allow her to describe what makes her tick in her own words...
I love creating jewelry as it is like little art sculptures that make people smile. I get the same satisfaction from a unique necklace as from one of my bigger sculptures. Going between jewelry and glass sculpture keeps my mind focused on the smallest detail and the overall mood of every piece.The dance of light and glass is a reminder of sunlight on water. My work tends to focus on optimism with a nod to the struggles of humans and nature. This is glass work that is contemporary and original; all designs and patterns are my own creation. No two pieces are ever the same as my creativity comes from my admiration for the unique and fresh.
I am happiest singing in my studio while cutting glass and creating new designs from my imagination. Following my passion makes me smile. When people like what I create it makes me smile even more.
Recently, Current Works was placed on the prestigious "Crown and Pumpkin Studio Tour" taking place Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend in Clayton, Blakeney, and Almonte Mississippi Mills. Detailed information is available on their site (see Step 4b). Or, stay updated on this and two upcoming events (in November) by liking Current Works Facebook Page.
As mentioned, I am the fortunate owner of one of Jennifer's pieces of art. As luck would have it, the necklace arrived the morning that we were leaving for our annual summer camping trip in Algonquin Park (post to follow shortly).
When she originally asked me what colour I wanted, I told her to surprize me and she sure did, by reading my mind! My favourite colours are yellow, orange and red and my passion for the outdoors began when I was a child. So you can imagine how pleased I was to find that this was all mine.
I put it on right away but thought that I wouldn't keep it on because it would bother me or I would fear that it would get damaged. That time never came as I didn't even realize that I was wearing it until the compliments started rolling in...
The fused glass pendant comes on a silver plate bail with a ribbon and raffia necklace and each one is initialled on the back. Note that Jennifer sent me two necklaces so that I could switch things up depending on the occasion. Red for day, Black for night or the other way around?
Be sure to visit the Current Works of Glass Etsy Shop for details and
And just because it's September, one of you will be the lucky winner of a glass pendent by Jennifer.
Watch for the giveaway post tomorrow, Thursday, September 13!
Don't forget to contact me regarding YOUR Feature. Read this post or click the "I Am Canadian" logo in my left sidebar for additional information.
And Now for The "I Am Canadian" Linky...
If you are Canadian or have a Canadian Product, Cause, Blog, or other Canadian related item, then you are officially invited to add yourself to this Linky. Please leave a comment or email me (journeysofthezoo at hotmail dot com) if you have any questions.
If you notice a link that was entered in error (for example, not a Canadian or not Family Friendly), please let me know.
Note that this Linky is not intended as a Giveaway Linky. While you are free to link up once and can link to a giveaway, I would appreciate it if you added all your giveaways to my Weekly Facebook Giveaway Wall, Tuesday, September 11 to Monday, September 17. All welcome. No limit. No invite. Must be Family Friendly and Open to Canadians. Just look for the post!
Besos, The Zoo
