Jan 7 - Starbucks

I remember when Starbucks was relatively new in this city. I was in first year University, and there was a handful of locations in the city. My boyfriend at the time took me for a treat, which was this really extravagant coffee place. We got a coffee that had chocolate mixed in and whipped cream on top - it was so unique, so extravagant, such a treat. I would visit once or twice a month, as a treat after an exam or as a pick-me-up to get through an all-nighter writing an essay.

When I moved to Toronto for second year university, there was not one single Starbucks to be found. I asked around, and people kept recommending Second Cup, which to me tasted burned and awful. It seemed like whoever owner Second Cup didn't know how to not steam milk until it scalded because no one in the stores was trained on it that's for sure. I was at a loss for that treat I had grown used to every now and then. (As an aside, the friends I still have from that time all still prefer Second Cup, even though there are loads of Starbucks there now. Go figure).

I moved back, and got it into my head that I'd like to work for Starbucks. I worked at the one that was closest to the University at the time, and I loved it. What's more, I loved that the company offered health benefits and stock options to part time employees! Totally unheard of! And I could get my drinks free before and after my shifts, and at a discount any other time. I was in creamy-chocolatey-coffee heaven. My employment three ended when I got pregnant with my first son - who is now 11. There is a story about how the manager mis-handled my request to go on medical leave early, and I probably could have taken legal action but was too young to know better ... but that's really a fault of that particular manager. It hasn't effected my love affair with Starbucks.

My husband worked there for a few years when the software company he worked for undertook massive layoffs in 2002. Again, the health benefits and stock options were a real life saver as we had two small children at the time. The wage was tough to live on as a family of four, but actually for a coffee shop it was a generous wage. And once again, I could get beverages at a discount through my husband.

All that is the long story about why I am currently a Starbucks addict. I spend too much money on it. I probably go at least twice a week. If I had my way, I'd go every day. It has become associated with a treat, with being cared for, with being home.

And so, today, my photo is of my current beverage of choice - now made with soy as I have a milk allergy, I drink a cafe mocha with soy milk and no whipped cream.

Jan 6 - Beauty

I live in a pretty amazing city, and to be honest, most of the time I don't pay attention to it. I drive all over the city for work and I just focus on getting it done and getting home. Today though work took me to a restaurant in the middle of one of our tourist parks. I usually avoid the area as its busy - but it being off season and rainy, it wasn't busy. Plus I wasn't feeling the pressure I am accustomed to to rush home in case they need me at the school, which was really nice. So I decided to take a few moments to look around me, and appreciate the beauty of the city.

This is the view off of 'Prospect Point' toward the wet heading out of the inlet. I was playing a bit with depth of field to get the rightmost tree in focus too. I thinks its very pretty, even for a gray rainy day.

Day 5 - Dinfast!

We love to have breakfast for dinner ... it may not be healthy, and we don't do it often, but it sure is yummy! I snapped a photo of my plate, you can see the rock hard rice bread I have to endure LOL.

Jan 4 - Just Me

There's so much help on the net getting the Project 365 done. I am running a challenge at DSDI (with rewards!) and I'd love it if you joined us.

I'm also following along a few other forums that are running challenges, offering support and community around helping us all complete the project. One of them is Gotta Pixel, where they are offering daily prompts. Today's prompt was 'You, Yourself and Nothing else…'.

So here it is, in all it's beauty, a photo of me. I am still sick, and in dire need of a cut and colour, but all in all I think it's a decent photo.



Can you see relief on my face? I had a child refusing to go back to school today, because his relationship with his aid has gone really sour (he is Autistic and has a 100% aid). I was prepared for a big struggle, meetings with the school, and lots of meltdownss over the coming weeks. But instead, we were greeted by a new aid, and my son was excited to go to school. I am so thankful that the administration listened to what I said before the Christmas holidays, and that there was someone else able to step in and work with him. I feel a big weight lifted off my shoulders, as this small battle has been won.

Jan 3 - Just kitties

A warning right now - there will be lots of kitties over the next 363 days LOL. We adore our kitties and they are just so CUTE. So here they are cuddling together in the bed.

Jan 2 - Kitty cuddles

Coram adores the cats, and the cats adore my bed. So Coram will often climb into the bed with the cats. Once the camera came out, Lucas had to climb into the bed too to be in the photo.

Jan 1 - First photo of Lucas in the new decade

This is Lucas, fresh out of the shower, with his big happy grin. He didn't want me to get any of his shoulders in because he didn't want people to think it was a 'naked' picture LOL. Oh, to be 11 again.