Just moments ago I got a press release from Shoelessmommy who sent this to my inbox.  Apparently an earthquake struck Toronto!  The Natural Resource Homepage shows it was a 5.0 and felt by Ottawa as well.

STATEMENT

City of Toronto Earthquake

In our initial assessment, there has been no major damage to City infrastructure. Further investigations are taking place to confirm. The Toronto Transit Commission and Transportation Services have reported that there has been no damage to their infrastructure or interruptions to service.

The City's Emergency Operations Centre is up and running in preparation for the G20 so the City is uniquely prepared to respond to the event. We will continue to monitor the situation and will report as necessary.

Residents should follow the instructions of their building management.

The City has received no calls concerning bridge, building or other infrastructure problems.

While not applicable to this event, in future, should there be a major or more serious earthquake:

Residents should stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls. DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops.

If there isn't a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

If outdoors - stay there. Move away from buildings, streetlights, and utility wires. Once in the open, stay there until the shaking stops.

If in a moving vehicle, stop as quickly as safety permits and stay in the vehicle. Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses and utility wires.

Hubby and I were going to watch 2012 tonight but I think I will put it off.  I'm wayyyyyyyyyyy too neurotic and superstitious and really can't handle the emotions that go along with devastations like this, losing my family and my kids.  I just can't think about it.

What do you think about hearing this?

THIS IS SO SAD


An Abbotsford woman dies because government care-workers put her on the wrong ventilator and there isn't anything her family can to do for either monetary compensation or justice wise because basically our government prohibits prosecution of Fraser Health because the Family Compensation Act does not allow it in cases like this family.  WTF?  

These caregivers (not paying attention) took the woman out of her bed on a ventilator, put her in a chair with a ventilator because it's the cheaper way to go because it uses battery power and not electricity and then put her back in bed but left her plugged into the chair with little battery life left.

And to top it off the alarm that was supposed to go off, the one that would have had she been hooked up right in bed and not the chair was so quiet because this new chair suggestion (the cheaper one) is equipped with a low alarm, which the caregiver thought was the same as the alarm on the bed used to notify them that a battery is low.  I guess it's so they don't have to hear people dying and feel the guilt they did nothing to stop it.

Fraser Health has admitted to mistakes being made at the $6000 per month care facility and has ensured the family that changes have been made in the form better equipment being purchased and better training procedures being implemented in a letter they sent to the deceased woman's husband.  Yeah like that's supposed to  make you feel better after she'd only been there for 16 days.

It makes me sick that our government will not hold this care facility accountable for their (human errors).  I mean yes we are human, all of us, and mistakes are a part of life but when that mistake leads to the death of another human being and our government says "Oh well sorry about not plugging your wife in sir!  Oops our bad!"

The deceased woman's family believes if punishments were available better care would have been given to their loved one but since nothing can be done why should they care, right?

Remind me to build myself my own damn battery pack before I get old will you?

PB came home from school today, his last day before graduating to the next level of pre-school.  Next year he goes full time into pre-k and then kindergarten.  I wanted to show you guys what his teacher made for us and each of the kids got one.  They worked on it all year.  It's very sweet.

Imagine singing and dancing with Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Big Bird and all your favorite Sesame Street Live friends!  Imagine 123!  This live interactive show is high-energy with tons of music and will transport parents and children to far away places as Ernie captains the high seas, Elmo dances to the rhythm of the African rainforest and Bert meets an octopus who has the blues.  It's a story of adventure and fun that teaches children they can be anyone, do anything and go anywhere their imagination will take them.

I have more great NEWS!  Our friends at Vee Corporation have been very kind in allowing Rants n' Rascals to giveaway to one lucky reader (4 tickets) to the show!

Lucky Readers of R&R can also purchase tickets using a promo code ERNIE for a great discount!

I absolutely loved Shay when I watched Biggest Loser two seasons ago and I was thrilled when subway helped her to continue her success by giving her $1000 per pound she lost which they awarded her at the finale this past season.

Shay is an inspiration to many other women and men out there.  She's a mom of two small children.  She spent time in foster care growing up where she met many of her demons which pushed forward her weight gain, and the pain of her mother and the things her mother did to her while she grew up.

Shay started biggest loser as the largest female contestant ever at 467lbs.  She even almost gave up on herself the first day and quit but Jillian Michaels helped her see the tough road ahead would be worth it.  At the ranch she shed 172lbs and she is the perfect example as her journey continues that through blood, sweat and tears the human spirit can strive for excellence in ones self.

Tonight Shay is going to be on Mamavation TV to answer your questions.  This is totally exciting!  To join in the fun and watch the show please go here http://www.rantsnrascals.com/search/label/mailbox%20monday

Thanks to Bookieboo for sending this out to me to remind me of this fantastic live show tonight and I hope everyone takes advantage of watching.

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Once again it's that time.  The time where we honor dad's around the world for all their hard work and support they give to their families and to their children.  I wrote a post for my husband already concerning what a great father he is.  But now it's time to tell you why (my dad) is someone I love so much and why.

1.) When I was a kid he came to every baseball game, soccer game and so forth.  He drove cab and he would drop in and watch me while working his shifts which usually lasted twelve hours or more.  No matter what my brothers and I were doing, we'd look up and dad you were always there. 

2.) You always knew how to make me laugh.  Your sense of humor is very similar to mine, very straight forward but silly.  When things got hard you'd crack a joke which just seemed to turn things around for me.

3.) You were the kind of man I wanted to marry.  Maybe all little girls feel that way, I don't know but I did.  I wanted someone like you, down to earth and funny but good to his family and children most of the time.

4.) Dad you are someone I respect and admire.  You were always hard working and though you might have made mistakes over the years, you loved and still do love my mother after 38 years of marriage.  You always tried putting her first before yourself and were giving of yourself to others.

5.) You showed me it's okay for a guy to cry and emotion in men is not a negative aspect but a virtue to be blessed with.  The fact you show emotion and get sad and even cry when you are unhappy, angry or thrilled with something is incredible, especially when the era you were raised in taught men NOT to cry.

6.) You taught me that it doesn't matter how you were raised or where you came from, what you had or didn't, you make your life what it is and you should above all respect yourself and never let anyone get away with causing you shit if you don't deserve it!

7.) You are strong.  You suffer daily in pain and yet try to work through it and not let it cause you an excuse to not live your life.  You still garden and help mom by moving things, walking when your legs are sore, taking me places even if you can't and push through the hard times.  I love that about you.

8.) You always hugged me.  NO matter what you always hugged and kissed me.  I still at 37 years old can sit on your lap and feel like I'm five.  That's so awesome!

9.) You are still parenting me.  Some parents allow their children to grow up and move on and never really get in their business.  Sometimes you get in my business and I can't stand it but I also realize you are trying to help me better myself when you are giving advice or suggestions on how or what I should do in my life when things are wrong.  You are still parenting me and I'm lucky for that.

10.) Last but not least.  You are my dad and I love you.

Happy Father's Day Daddy.  I hope you have a great day!

Welcome to Twitter Hop Thursday, hosted by Simply Stacie, The 
King's Court IV, Little Yaya's and Blessed, Review Retreat and Moms Wear Your Tees! 

Would you like more Twitter followers and be introduced to more neat blogs and businesses out there? Come and join us!!

1. Add your Twitter URL (example http://twitter.com/MWYT) to the MckLinky. It will apprear on all blogs that grab the code. 

2. Click on the Twitter ID for the five hostesses and follow each of them on Twitter. Please follow 1-5 so that we can follow you back.

3. Follow as many people on Twitter as you like, but make sure to leave comments with links so they'll know where to follow you! The more people you follow, the more follow you back!

We have selected a Twitterer of the Week from last week’s entries and the lucky winner is Being Tazim!!! They will be in the #6 spot! We will choose next week’s winner from everyone who participated today.

Spread the word by tweeting this link! You can use the share button right below the post. You can also add this MckLinky to your blog! Write your own post or copy and paste this one. Below the MckLinky box, you'll see "Want to be a part of this Blog Hop? Click here for instructions and code...." Have fun Twitter-Hopping along! 
This is a Blog Hop! 131 entries so far... you're next!

As moms it's always hard, watching our babies grow into toddlers, take their first steps, learn to talk, then learn to talk back, go to high school, move on and eventually leave us.

I know for myself, I cherish every moment I have with the boys.  Gamer is eleven now and wanting to do more things on his own.  PB is four and still has a hard time hugging or showing affection at times.

But what I think of is what's in my bucket list (not just for me) but as a mom and all the things I want to do with my kids before they grow up.

1.) Take them to Disneyland.  I went as a kid and loved it, even got emotional.  I cannot wait to see their faces shine because no matter how old you are it's a place where your childhood reaches up and snags you with a hug.

2.) Bury a time capsule of memories we all have.  Me as a mom with pictures, wishes for them, dreams I have for them, and them dreams for themselves, things they loved about me as a mom, to open ten years later together and share.

3.) Go skiing or snowboarding.  The boys want to go badly but we can never afford it.  One day we will (before they grow up lol)

4.) Bury each other in the sand.  Gamer always asks me but I always say no because as a woman getting sand in those uh - sensitive areas wasn't something I wanted.  But I think maybe this summer I will allow it and have fun.

5.) Take the boys cave splunking.  A little scary because it's a dark cave but they both want to try it, even PB whose only four.  He wants to see Oogopogo lmao.

6.) Renew my vows with my husband and have PB be a ring boy.  Gamer was our first ring boy before PB was born when we became a family.  I think holding another ceremony that allows PB to be a part of it would tie it all together.

7.) Take a hot air balloon ride.  Our airport has them for kids for free and I'm terrified of heights I mean really terrified but I think they would love to do it.

8.) Visit Drumheller in Edmonton and take the kids to the Calgary Stampede.  My boys love bull riding (of course)  The boys also love dinosaurs.

9.) Create a birth record on DVD for the kids to keep and share as they get older.  I have so many pictures to scrapbook and use but never seem to find time.  I guess no time is the right time to start.

10.) Lay on the grass and stare up at the clouds and search for all the animal shapes.  I did this as a kid but have never done it with my own boys, wierd eh?

What would you like to do with your kid before they grow up?

If you haven't heard of them then you are missing out.  Stella & Dot is a unique business that showcases women's products of pretty I like to call them.  Fantastic style and jewelery that can be worn everyday, for a wedding, an evening out or just around the house.

My good friend Debbie Grondahl is a stylist for Stella & Dot and she gave me some fantastic products to review and I have to tell you how excited I was when I opened the cute turquoise and white striped box with the logo on the front to see my baubles inside.



The first piece I saw was the Silver Signature Scalloped Leather Bracelet for $38.00 and I have to say I absolutely love it!  It's not coming off either.  This beautiful custom bracelet has pretty silver coins weaved into the leather band.  It also hosts three sizes depending on the size of your wrist, and I'm (ahem) thick wristed and most bracelets don't fit.  But this one did.


The second piece which caught my eye was 18" delicate silver chain which you can enhance by adding several styles of charms.  You can get your initial, along with sayings like BFF (shown above) or (MOM) and even add your birthstone gem for added elegance.  You simple choose your base chain then mix and match your custom pieces.

Stella and Dot has an amazing line and their prices are reasonable.  They have also been featured in some of the top magazines like (IN STYLE, LUCKY MAGAZINE, CELEBRITY STYLE, WOMAN'S DAY, O MAGAZINE, REDBOOK) just to name a few.

If you are searching for a type of style then look no further because all their pieces are listed in trends from (PASSAGE TO INDIA, PALM BEACH, BRIDAL BOUTIQUE and STATEMENT) plus more.  Earrings, bracelets, necklaces, charms each with a unique design you can personalize and wear.



If you are a woman and wanting to join and become a stylist yourself.  Stella & Dot make it easy and if you don't want to earn fantastic revenue and incentive trips, then you can host a trunk show and earn $100 in free jewelery just by sharing this amazing company with your friends!  There is also a little girls line that is sure to strike a fancy for your daughter or niece.

Right now Stella & Dot has summer sales going on.  Up to 50% off celebrity coveted and Editor adored styles.  There are other sales going on as well and some incredible new pieces that will catch your eye like these beautiful delicate drop earrings which I am going to order for myself and nobody else because well---I'm worth it lol.

Connect with Debbie now and experience Stella & Dot for yourself.

You won't be disappointed!

You can connect with Debbie on Facebook
You can connect with Debbie on Twitter @debbiegrondahl