An Awesome Weekend With Family at the CNE!

Me & Brianna, © 2017 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

It's almost three months that I've been working for the pest control company, and I'm amazed at how quickly time has flown by. I took the job for a few reasons, and the main was that I'd have the evenings and weekends off... so I'd be able to spend more time with my family. The last job I was stuck working long hours every weekend, as well as holidays. It was fine in the beginning, but with Brianna growing fast, our family needs changed. Since I've been working a new job, I've been spending more time enjoying my family. Yes, it's nice coming home and being able to spend quality time with the little Munchkin. It's nice coming home and having her run to me, and not already asleep... which is why I haven't been blogging much the last little while. I've just been enjoying the time with my family and loved ones.

This past weekend I spent Saturday with my family and childhood friend Mel at the CNE... which means summer is coming to an end. The last few weeks of the summer is always greeted with the Canadian National Exhibition here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I've spent many summers visiting the attraction, and this was the first time that I brought my daughter. She's a little bit young for it, but she still LOVED it... at least up until she passed out from no nap!

Outdoor fun for kids this summer

Image by Micheal Hickerson used under the Creative Commons License.

Summer is here, and there is no better way to share some quality experiences with your kids than by getting outside and enjoying the sunshine and warm weather. Sometimes it can seem impossible to come up with activities that will hold a child’s attention for more than five minutes, but here are six great activities that will bring the whole family closer together.

Image by Micheal Hickerson used under the Creative Commons License.

1. Gardening
Working in the garden is a great way to not only spend time with your kids, but to teach them the importance of respecting nature and preserving our green spaces. Try picking them up a wooden or plastic set of tools from your local garden center, and do fun activities like planting a tree, which they will be able to watch grow for years to come. 

Travelling With Anxiety – The Summer Vacation Guide

With summer finally here, many people will be thinking about jetting off for a vacation. Whether you are taking an internal flight within the US or travelling further afield, the whole point of a vacation is to relax and unwind, right? Unfortunately for people who suffer with anxiety (particularly travel anxiety) the prospect of going on vacation can be anything but relaxing. Preparations can become stressful, flying can be frightening and being away from your home comforts in unfamiliar surroundings can exacerbate the already anxious into states of near panic. And yet avoiding travelling won't only mean depriving yourself and your family of a wonderful trip, it will also prevent you from facing your fears and ultimately conquering your anxiety. So here are some tips on how to have a happy, stress-free vacation for those who suffer from anxiety.

Camping Checklist

Next weekend is the August long weekend here in Canada, Ontario, and I'm going on my annual camping trip. I've been planning it for months now, and I'm looking forward to some relaxation in the wilderness.

Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Having the necessary supplies and equipment can make a difference in your overall enjoyment and experience. Checklists are a great tool to help with your organization. Your camping list will vary according to the type of camping and activities you have planned, the places you are going, the time of year and the length of your trip. Add or remove items to suit your individual needs. Please email us with any other items that you would include in your camping checklist.


Shelter

__Tent
__Ground cloth/tarp
__Extra stakes
__Shade tarp/poles/rope/stakes
__Axe or hammer
__Mat for tent entrance
__Dust pan/brush

Bedding

__Sleeping bag
__Sheets/blankets
__Pillow
__Air mattress/sleeping pad/cot/tarp
__Air pump
__Repair kit for air mattress
__Utility bags for storage

Cooking

__Large water jug & water bucket
__Coolers/ice
__Thermos
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Matches/lighter
__Charcoal/firewood/buddy burner
__Dutch oven/tin can stove/box oven/etc
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates & bowls/paper plates & bowls
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Measuring cups
__Heavy-duty aluminum foil
__Paper towels
__Trash bags
__Dish soap
__Clothes pins
__Cooking oil/Pam spray
__Containers for food storage
__Potholders/oven mitts
__Pots and frying pans with lids
__Soap for outside of pots and pans
__Cook utensils-spatula, knife, spoon
__Tongs
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Folding table
__Dutch oven
__Mugs/paper cups
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board
__Ziplock bags
__Napkins
__Dish pan
__Dish rags/towels
__Scrub pad/brillo
__Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Potato peeler

Clothes

__Shoes/boots
__Jeans/pant/belt
__Shorts
__T-shirts
__Socks/extra socks
__Hat
__Sweatshirt/jacket
__Underwear
__Sleep clothes
__Rain gear
__Swim suit/towel
__Laundry bag

Personal
__Shower shoes/flip flops
__Towels/washcloth
__Soap in plastic case/shampoo
__Tooth brush/tooth paste
__Deodorant
__Comb/brush
__Razor
__Feminine products
__Toilet paper
__Other personal items
__Personal medications – take extra

Miscellaneous

__Sunscreen/chapstick
__Lantern with fuel/mantles
__Extra batteries/bulbs
__Compass/GPS
__Bug repellant/candles
__Whistle
__Water filters/purification/treatment
__Camera/battery/film/video (see photo jigsaw puzzles)
__Books/magazines (a Kindle would be better)
__Candles
__Maps/directions
__Misc. tools
__Backpack/fanny pack
__Fishing gear/license/bait
__Radio
__Musical instruments/song books
__Camp chairs
__Sunglasses
__Hammock
__First aid kit
__Tissues
__Saw/axe
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
__Lantern pole or hanger
__Collapsible drying rack
__Popcorn
__Marshmallows, Graham crackers, Hershey bars (Smores)
__Flashlight/batteries
__Pocket knife
__Plastic grocery bags
__Binoculars
__Rope/clothes line
__Canteen/water bottle/coffee pot
__Bungi cords/straps
__Cards/games/toys/golf
__Duct tape/electrical tape
__Notepad/pen
__Reservations info./confirmation
__Cell phone/charger & 2-way radios/walkie talkies
__Small shovel
__Safety pins
__Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Bikes/helmets
__Travel alarm clock
__Work gloves
__Umbrella
__Hand wipes
__Drinks/snacks
__Small sewing kit
__Fire extinguisher
__Hot chocolate/tea bags/coffee
__Scissors
__Watch



Tell someone of your plans – give details of where you are going and when you expect to return, give directions and possible alternative roads that you may take, provide cell phone numbers, vehicle description and license plate numbers, hand-held radio channel and codes that you will use, and provide local authority phone numbers (State Police, Game & Fish Commission, Sheriff Dept, etc.) for the county or area that you will be in.

Camping Checklist

Next weekend is the August long weekend here in Canada, Ontario, and I'm going on my annual camping trip. I've been planning it for months now, and I'm looking forward to some relaxation in the wilderness.

Preparation is essential for any outdoor adventure. Having the necessary supplies and equipment can make a difference in your overall enjoyment and experience. Checklists are a great tool to help with your organization. Your camping list will vary according to the type of camping and activities you have planned, the places you are going, the time of year and the length of your trip. Add or remove items to suit your individual needs. Please email us with any other items that you would include in your camping checklist.

It's just a little after 7am in the morning and already it's too damn hot. Yesterday was 29*C here in Toronto, along with humidity it made it feel in the mid 30's. This weather for me is hell! Today it will be the high of 31*C, with humidity at around 35*C - 39*C.

It's time to crank the AC and I will go relax! I will continue blogging once it's cooled down a bit... turned it off during the night since it was cool.