[private flight]

Reading the recent Ottawa Citizen story Melnyk Deflects Hurricane Slapshot reminded me of a similar situation my husband and I had when meeting Melnyk over 3 years ago on our honeymoon.

We chose Barbados as our honeymoon destination since we are huge Senator fans and wanted to visit Bert's Bar. We had dinner reservations at the bar for the last night of our trip to watch the season opener game, Sens vs Leafs. While watching the game we noticed Melnyk sitting at his favourite seat at the bar, and by the time the game was done my husband had decided we needed to have our photo taken with him. What we got was a lot more.

He was happy to take a photo with us, and started asking us where we were from and why we were in Barbados. After finding out that it was the last night of our honeymoon he inquired as to what flight we were taking home - and then offered us a flight home on his private jet. After a few moments of astonishment on our part, we accepted the offer. What followed was a whirlwind of making plans with the pilot to be at the airport early the next morning.

We woke up early, and made sure to have a cab get us to the charter airport on time. While waiting in the lounge with Bert, we learned that Melnyk is never on time for his flights! Getting on the jet and having our own seats near the front of the plane left us awestruck. Melnyk, his wife, and Bert made sure to chat with us throughout the flight and made us feel more then welcome. We were offered movies and drinks, but the one rule was that you weren't allowed to use the washroom for anything but number one. Melnyk has a great sense of humour.

Once we landed, Melnyk insisted we posed for some photos in front of the jet.

After he arranged for a private town car to drive us home, we returned from our honeymoon with a great story to tell our family and friends. It was the perfect ending to our trip and something we'll remember forever.

[wordless wednesday]

no hands!

[family photos]

We made a trip to Home Sense last night to find an oversized mirror for the dinning room - we found one and put it on hold, but came home with a bag full of photo frames. Now to create a family photo wall in our front hall. I started searching for layout ideas, and this caught my eye - I like the line up of frame on the top half:

House to Home

I really like things in a straight line - so this might be a challenge for me. Off to create some Photoshop mock-ups before I commit to putting nails in the wall.

[getting the story done]

When I started my non-fiction writing class I started writing my first story. The writing class is over, and the story is still in progress. This week I'm going to get it done - I swear - and send it for submission to be published.

The general story idea is that being a stay at home mom taught me some of the most valuable job skills I've gained to date. Here's an excerpt from what I've gotten done so far:

"My job as a baby assistant demanded that I was on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I didn't get vacation or sick leave. I was never interviewed for the job, and there was no orientation session. It had a very steep learning curve, and I'll admit there were a few times I almost cracked under the pressure."

My professor gave me some great feedback, and I'm going to incorporate it into what I've already got, and add some more over the next few days. 

I will get it done.

This week!

[friday favourite - a day late]

I've been so busy with work the past few days, trying to have something delivered by my self-set deadline of Friday... I finally got it done at 9pm last night - fewf!

I've been looking for boots that will stay on Jack's feet longer then 3 seconds. I love his Stonz boots, but wanted something a bit more casual - and something that didn't make him look like he was about to trek through the arctic. He's not walking yet, so I think these lambswool slippers from Wooly baby might be perfect. As soon as he wakes up from his nap I'm measuring his feet.

[we will remember]

Today we'll be watching the remembrance day celebrations from downtown Ottawa on TV, as my brother-in-law is part of the military parade. When I hear the song "Highway of Heroes" by The Trews, I'm always reminded of the sight of people gathering on the bridges over the Highway of Heroes, when I used to live in Toronto.

The day I shipped out,
They numbered a dozen.
Upon my return,
Were a hundred or so.
From the coast and the prairies,
I bet they keep coming.
But add one more name from Ontario.

I served with distinction,
No visions of glory.
I served without question,
Or personal gain.
Seek no justification,
Its not part of my story.
No comfort to the ones who remain.

I took up my vocation,
I was called by my nation.
Without hesitation,
My answer I gave.
Now I am not wondering,
Bout the things that I might have been.
I'm no consolation,
To the forgotten brave. 

Carry me home down The Highway of Heroes.
People above with their flags flying low.
Carry me softly, down The Highway of Heroes.
True Patriot Love, There was never more.

[wordless wednesday]

yes, that's a half eaten rubber ducky

[how to gain an hour everyday]

ok, I admit it - I overslept today. Somehow with the time change and a power outage over the weekend, I didn't set the alarm correctly. Which meant I got to sleep in for an extra hour, but also a precious hour was gone from my day. Each day I try to squeeze in more time wherever possible - multitasking or getting up early.

One of my most recent finds has helped me get back a few hours a couple days a week. Scratch Kitchen, a family owned and operated gourmet food business based in Ottawa. A great alternative to cooking. I'm all about home cooked meals, and using healthy ingredients, but lately I just don't have the time after work to cook. Scratch Kitchen uses fresh, natural ingredients to prepare frozen meals in family and single portions. The best part is that they offer free delivery. Our favourites so far are the shephard's pie (beef, chicken or turkey versions) and the pot roast.

oh, and the packaging is nicely designed to boot. Designed by Grace Poon, who created their full brand identity. I'm always happy to open one of these after a hectic day.

[friday feast and the beginning of the holiday season]

Last night we had friends over for dinner. It's been a while since we've hosted a meal. Things just seem to get so busy once you've got a baby. Since I started working again it seems like we're just so busy trying to make it through each day. It's been too long since we got to spend time with friends and be 'adults' again. So I decided it's time to start having people over, and what great timing since it's the start of the holiday season! Well at least I think it's the start... maybe not my husband. At least the shopping malls agree with me that it's officially Christmas time.

The night was lots of fun but also a lot of work. As my husband said 'well now we know why people with kids stop hosting dinners!' Jack was getting into everything while we were trying to prep the food and clean the house. And trying to put him to bed at 8pm, right in the middle of dinner time, meant that the potatoes got a bit cold before they made it to the table. But the meal turned out great. I tried a recipe from the most recent Food & Drink magazine, Bacon-Wrapped Pork Loin with Apples & Sage. Mmm... it was tender and delicious.

[customize your web browser]

I spend a lot of time staring at my computer screen and, just like my house, I like to decorate it and personalize it to make it my own. I've got a cute picture of Jack set as my desktop, and change the colour theme of Windows to match my mood.

One of the new things I've recently discovered are web browser 'personas.' These themes are a great way to add colour and graphics to your browser screen. Here are a few of my current favorites from Firefox Personas:

They are simple to install. Just click the 'wear it' button and your chosen theme will be installed. My next step is to explore creating my own custom theme.

[hidden dyson design feature]

Jack's found a new use for the Dyson vacuum. Or maybe he's just uncovered a hidden design feature.
For the past few months he's been mesmorized by the Dyson. He stares at it when he eats, he sits and watches Dad vacuum the main floor a few times a week (yes, Dad vacuums... lucky me!), and I swear he's even says hi to it a few time. The past few days he's been using it as a jungle gym, to climb on and push around. Yesterday he uncovered a new feature. Thanks Mr Dyson for including a baby trumpet in your design. Very clever.




With his early love of well designed products, I'm predicting that Jack will grow up to be an Industrial Designer - like mom. Or maybe he'll become a teenager who likes to clean... one can dream.

[i'm writing] Bio... again

After presenting and getting valuable feedback on the first draft of my bio, I've revamped it a bit. Next is to write a professional bio for the design related articles.

Katherine Langdon's inspiration and ideas often come to her while spending countless hours rocking a squirmy baby, making up silly songs to sing , and sitting on the floor while reading nursery rhymes. When her son was born she left the non-personal IT world to spend the days with her new boss. She learned early that there was no training or user guide for this new job. She has now returned to work as a visual designer for IBM with increased skill and knowledge. She spends the majority of her free time watching her son discover the world and coaching her husband on the tricks to being a stay-at-home parent. While her family sleeps she moonlights as a writer and freelance graphic designer. Katherine is a successful blogger and publishes her writings and designs at http://www.katlangdon.blogspot.com. She lives in Ottawa with her husband Jeremy, dog Addy, and 10 month old son Jack.