Family Viewing Our Way: What When & How #Streamteam #Ad @Netflix_CA

These days taking control of the Remote Control means we decide: 

What, Where, and When we watch!

Disclosure: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive special perks for my participation, posts and sharing. 

All opinions are my own.

The evolution of family movie night ...

I had the good fortune to marry a rather extraordinary person. Although right now I'm sure my kids have not yet realize how lucky they are to have a father like him, someday they'll look back and see how he always makes an effort and time to make memories and teach them important life lessons. 

That was then ...
Movie time started (by their dad) when my kids were toddlers. Friday was Pizza and a Movie night, which meant ordering a pizza, making popcorn and watching a movie together as a family. Sunday afternoon was Male Bonding time, when the males of the household gathered to watched retro shows or cartoons, giving this SAHM (stay-at-home-mom) a well deserved break. This ritual continued pretty much unchanged until the kids reached high school. Even then we still managed to fit in regular Friday Pizza and a Movie nights and the Sunday afternoon bonding ritual. It wasn't that we didn't enjoy spending time together watching a movie, but rather schedules, social activities and homework made keeping these traditions challenging. 

This is now ...
With one (Thing 1) in college, and another (Thing 2) in university and living in his own apartment, our Family Movie night has had to evolve. It's rare for the whole family to get together and watch a movie, but that doesn't mean we don't want to bond over our favourite shows or a movie. This was evident this May long weekend when Thing 2 (home for a visit) asked me "Where is Dad and my brother?" I said "Downstairs watching a movie". He scowls and heads downstairs at double speed, clearly annoyed they hadn't invited him to join in. Netflix helps to make these family times possible by letting us control what and when and how we watch. In other words our way, and on our terms.

Family viewing in our family is alive and well ... 

• It could be over some brotherly bonding when Thing 1 stays over at Thing 2's apartment and they binge watch The Office, or The IT Crowd.
• Or a Sunday afternoon when Thing 1 and his Dad bond over a few episodes of Sherlock, or a movie like Office Space.  
• It might when I'm visiting Thing 2 at his apartment, and he makes me dinner that we eat while watching White Collar or iZombie.
• There's a good chance it'll happen when Thing 1 walks in on me watching a Korean TV Drama like Man to Man. It starts with a few minutes at the door making fun of my viewing choices, then moves to a sit at edge of chair asking what is happening and about the back story, and finishes with a fully committed chair sitting and running commentary about the characters and show. (For the record: Mom is not overjoyed having to try to read subtitles at the same time as his commentary, or questions). 
• Or on the rare occasions the kids aren't around it could be just the Hubby and I watching a movie like Whiskey Tango Foxtrot or a few episodes of Halt and Catch Fire. 
• Lastly, it could be that all of us watch a show like Daredevil or Arrested Devlop on our own and then have lively discussions about the show over dinner. 

With all the options available on Netflix the process of finding some middle ground, and reaching agreement on what to watch has gotten so much easier. As I said ... our way, on our terms no matter who, when, or where we're watching.

Change doesn't have to be a bad thing ...
Instead we've adapted out family viewing to fit out our schedules and lifestyle, not to mention budget. Being able to watch what we want on demand has been key to being able to continue this family tradition. To me change means choice, and having the choice to customize what and how we watch is a very good thing! 

Netflix just keeps making it easier to customize what, when and how we watch ...
With options like Netflix-to-Go that allows you to download to your devices many of your favourite shows and movies and watch them without Wi-Fi. *And for those in Southern Ontario heading to cottage country this summer be sure to read the post fellow Streamteamer Jenn of One Heart One Family wrote about a very special treat Netflix has for you on long weekends this summer.

Happy Streaming! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about the evolution of our family's movie night. 

Reminded That Life Is Short. Don't Take it for Granted or Waste a Minute of It!

Today I was reminded once again how life can change so quickly. 

It has been a very sad day.

I'm sitting here thinking how important it is to find your joy, and live each day to the fullest, and never take friends, family and life for granted. I'm once again reminded that the people around us are what makes life special and full.

I woke up to read that a follow Ottawa blogger had passed away. We weren't close friends, and although we had met in real life, the majority of our interactions were on-line. Still, I felt a connection with her, united by mutual friends, location, age, and life experiences as bloggers, as women, and as moms. I got a glimpse of her true spirit, and the type of person she was through her social media shares (I call them smile-makers) of her day, dog, coffee, and her obvious love of her family. 

Her positivity and zest for life was so evident. Those smile-makers touched me, and no double many many others. I think she made a conscious choice to share happy and positive, and that she knew this would inspire others to find the good and happy and positive in our lives and focus on that. 

I wonder how she found the strength to do this. How do you deal with the news that your entire life is about to change. How does one fight the good fight, and stay positive, and maintain some control, when so much is out of your control? How do you make every moment count and live in the moment, while thinking about a future you might not be a part of? How do you fast track a lifetime of lessons, insights, words of wisdom and I love yous.

I'm brought to tears just thinking about my own kids going through all those important and defining moments yet to come without their biggest reality checker, lecturer, champion and cheerleader there to provide support, love and the occasional shoulder to cry on. I'm brought to tears thinking of her family now coping with such a huge loss, and the overwhelming task of moving on and finding joy. 

I was taken by surprise by the news that she had passed away. Her word for 2016 was Joy. The optimism of that post leaves me both heartbroken and inspired to try to emulate her by looking for and sharing happy, positive, good and joy. She was young damn it! Several years younger than me! She was a writer with so many more stories to tell. 

At the end of this reflection I'm left with this. No matter how crazy my kids drive me, I'm here to be annoyed. No matter how grumpy my husband is, I get the opportunity to tell him so. My family still gets to benefit from my advice and words of wisdom whether asked for, or wanted. We're blessed to be able to live in the moment, live life to it's fullest, find our joy, spread happy and positive, and show and tell our loved ones that we love them every day.

I thought I was finished this this post, but it turns there was more sad news to come. As I finished the paragraph above I received a text that from a friend telling me someone I have known for more than 20 years passed away a few weeks ago. Our families had lost touch, but before that for years there was a group of friends that experienced university, marriage, buying our first homes, and the adventure of having kids together. I am shattered and heartbroken. There won't be a chance to reconnect, reminisce, hear him laugh, and see that smile. That warm happy smile that always had just a bit of mischief in it. I am heartbroken for his wife and kids, his sisters and his parents. I am just heartbroken.

Life is short, so don't take it for granted or waste a minute of it! 

Yep, just me Cathy reflecting out loud about life, love, family and loss. 

T'was the Night Before Xmas, Streaming All Through the House @Netflix_CA #streamteam #Netflixmas

T'was the Night Before Christmas...

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house, 

Not a creature was whining, not even my spouse!

The popcorn was popped, in bowls ready to share,

In hopes that Saint Mom would make sure portions were fair.

The children were nestled all smug in their heads,

but thoughts on the show that I've picked would best go unsaid.

And Thing 1 in his onesie, and Thing 2 all into an app,

Had just settled in for a Netflix-ing marathon with plenty of snacks.

When what appeared on our TV stopped all the chatter,

I sprang from the couch to grab the snack platter.

Away to the kitchen I flew like "The Flash",

Even threw in the best from my own secret stash.

The food and the drinks all ready to go.

Now just had to pick from all the Holiday shows.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear, 

The Search for Santa Paws, and holiday cheer.

With puppies so cute, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment they could help Saint Nick.

All fluffy and golden, they all looked the same,

But he whistled, and shouted so happy they came!

Then onto the The Kranks whose spirit needs fixin',

Then add The Nightmare Before Christmas to our streaming mixin'.

Shhh! Please Stop talking! or take it out to the hall,

I'm trying to listen, BE QUIET you all!

We had hours of fun and family holiday cheer, 

Streaming movies on Netflix about Christmas, puppies and Santa's Reindeers.

Such a long list of Holidays Favourites you'll find,

Perfect for kids of all ages to relax and unwind. 

As if that wasn't already more than good fun, 

Six-Month Netflix Canada subscriptions can also be won.

Two lucky readers will start the New Year off right,

So enter to win, and win you just might.


This Giveaway is for one Six-Month Netflix Canada subscription.
Two prizes are available to be won by two unique winners.
Open to residents of Canada, 18+ years of age
Good Luck!
Entry-Form

From my house to yours Happy Holiday Wishes,

I even hope for you someone else does the dishes.
May your season be filled with joy and delight, 
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Good Night!

Follow the Netflix streamteam's adventures in streaming on social media using the hashtag 
#Streamteam and Netflix Canada on twitter, and facebook.

Note: As a member of the Netflix Streamteam I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purpose of writing my Netflix posts and reviews. All opinions are my own. 

Come Join the #SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party Nov 2, 2015

When I think about The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes this is what I see:

Me, at a beautiful cottage looking out at the lake. In the background I can hear my family talking about what's for dinner, or my youngest preparing for his next fishing adventure, while my husband tries to sneak off for an afternoon nap. I think of all the memories we will make. 

I picture my life if I won. 

I also think about the millions of dollars The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes raises for Cancer Research, and many lives and families touched by this research, new treatment therapies developed, and services provided.  

It's not news to anyone that I like to think out loud, so how better than to join in the #SupportPrincessMargaret Twitter Party on November 2nd at 7 pm ET. 

We'll be thinking out loud and chatting with The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation (PMCF) about finding cures, the Welcome Home Sweepstakes, and all the incredible prizes. As a special bonus the oh so talented Brian Gluckstein will be thinking out loud about design and decor. Super excited about this! Big fan ... just saying. Brian Gluckstein and Christine Lasky will also be broadcasting "LIVE" on Periscope during the party so be sure to follow @PMLotto on Periscope.

Twitter Party: What, When, Who, How 

Monday November 2nd, 2015 

From 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET

Hosts:

@PMLotto and @HouseandHome

Guest:

@GlucksteinHome

Moderators:

@PMCF and @ChristineLasky

Hashtag:

#SupportPrincessMargaret

NO RSVP REQUIRED

Prizes:

10 x $100 each @HudsonsBay gift cards.

All welcome to join in conversation but only residents of Canada qualify for prizing. 

TWUBS link for #SupportPrincessMargaret party.

The Early Bird deadline of November 5th, 2015 is fast approaching so now is the time to order your ticket(s)!

 You definitely don't want to miss your chance to win this incredible Early Bird Prize! 

Muskoka Lakefront Cottage Early Bird Prize

This 2,456 sq. ft. Lakefront Muskoka Cottage comes fully furnished and landscaped 
including dock and a 2016 Campion 545i boat and trailer. PLUS $10,000 cash bonus!

What I like to call a Memory Maker Property!

There are loads of other incredible prizes to be won besides the Early Bird Prize such as a Luxury Show Home in Oakville, a 2016 Ferrari CaliforniaT, or a Kawarthas Lakefront Cottage to name a few. 

But you can't win without a sweepstakes ticket(s) so ORDER TICKET(S) NOW! Note: you must be 18+ years old to order tickets and they must be ordered and mailed in the Province of Ontario.

GOOD LUCK! 

FYI: I'll expect an invite if you win! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes.

The Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Welcome Home Sweepstakes

Note: I was compensated for this post, but opinions are my own. Personally I think the opportunity to give and win at the same time makes it a win win for me.

"You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family" #streamteam @Netflix_CA

What a family looks like is not important, what matters is the relationships, and connections that tie those individuals together and make them a unit.

 In my experience family relationships are rarely perfect, and often messy. Those struggles and imperfections often make the family ties and bonds stronger. We fight, laugh, cry and laugh some more. Over the years my relationship with my family has changed and evolved into something stronger and better in my opinion. With age and life experience we soften and become more accepting of ourselves and others. And I can always depend on my siblings to join in full volume for a round of 

"We Are Family"!

Maybe that's why I enjoyed the new Netflix Original, Grace and Frankie so much. There is fighting, laughing, crying and more laughing between the characters. You see how them soften and become more accepting of themselves and others. The relationships are definitely messy and the bonds bend but don't break. Families like people come in all shapes and sizes. Two other shows with interesting family dynamics are: The Riches, and The Almighty Johnsons. 

Suggestions for the little ones: 

Curious George

Stellaluna

Lily's Driftwood Bay

Pound Puppies: The Yipper Caper

Veggie Tales: Pa Grapes's Son / Larry's Cardboard Thumb

Baby Jake

Suggestions for the Older Kids: 

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman

Mr.Peabody & Sherman

Despicable Me

Kung Fu Panda

Full House

Yours, Mine and Ours

Suggestions for Teens and Adults: 

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

Wolfblood

The Addams Family

Raising Hope

Gilmore Girls

Party of Five

Happy Streaming! 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about Netflix Streamteam.

Note: I receive Netflix and a streaming device free of charge for the purpose of my Netflix Streamteam reviews and posts. All opinions are my own.

Tis the season to get into #HolidayMode & connect with loved ones! Here are #CTOL & @TELUS Mode Switch (off) Tips!

We all love our tech, and even Moms like me are big fans of their smartphone for convenience, to stay connected, shopping and social media. I might even be a bit addicted to 2048...what?!

But as the holiday hustle and bustle, parties and visits begin it's easy to forget to slow down, unplug and focus on connecting with family and friends in a meaningful way. This is a time to create memories not just tweet about them.

We have a rule in our house:

NO TECH AT THE TABLE -PERIOD!

In our house we eat dinner together everyday, and meals are a time to connect, talk and be social 

(not by way of social media, but face to face). Conversations are open for all to join in, and share. If you need a one on one conversation the dinner table is not the place. 

My kids actually quote me "it social time so I can share my opinion" or "you shouldn't have brought it up at the table if you didn't want us all to talk about it."

I admit my kids need a reminder from time to time about this rule, especially if you are dining out or visiting where the conversation is adult focused. I personally believe the art of conversation and listening are skills best perfected through practice while free of technology. But for those who can't completely unplug here are a few ideas to at least use your tech to bring family and friends together.

• Skype with relatives and friends that live out of town. Better yet get a group Skype party going, or have all the grand kids Skype the grandparents together.
• Play your favourite Holiday Playlist for everyone while gifts are being opened. This is my Sounds of the Holidays Playlist, I hope you like it!
• Look up holiday recipes and How To tutorials about cooking and baking to WOW your family and friends with your culinary skills.
• Look up How To tutorials to make DIY gifts and decorations, or cool ways to wrap gifts to make them really special.
• Search for cool holiday activities and ideas. 
• Search and make a list of the times and channels all your favourite holiday movies are playing. Or check out Huffington Post's list of  Best Christmas Movies and TV Show Episodes on Netflix Canada. Then put the tech away while you and your family watch them together!

Are you wondering if you need to unplug more and get into #HolidayMode?

TELUS Holiday Mode Quiz

Image via TELUS

If the answer is yes then maybe it is time to check out some of the
 TELUS Tips & Tricks for a perfect #HolidayMode

Image via TELUS

Be sure to share your #HolidayMode plans, ideas, experiences, photos, and your successes or fails (we know you will do better next time) on twitter with me @CantonCathy and @TELUS using the hashtag #HolidayMode. I would love to read all your stories and shares!

Happy Holidays 

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about getting into Holiday Mode.

Note: I have not been compensated for this post. I love the idea of finding ways to better connect with friends and family over the holidays, and thought this TELUS campaign was worth sharing with my readers.

Blogger Issues: Trying to find that oh so elusive balance.

Balance: A harmonious or satisfying arrangement or proportion of parts or elements. (6) via The Free Dictionary.
I am struggling with finding a balance between my family, life obligations, things I should do, social media interactions, and blogging. They all seem to cross over and the boundaries are blurred. This is certainly how my family sees it. To them it appears that, writing for the blog, twitter parties, entering a contest, and connecting with friends on social media, are all the same thing. So they have the impression that when I am at my computer I am just playing on twitter" again, and neglected them. To be fair to them, sometimes this is true. I have two teen boys that sometimes I truly am happy to avoid, or put some distance between them and myself. 
Only another blogger will truly understand how much effort is required to write and maintain a blog, or the considerable amount of time required to outline, write, possibly research, take pictures for, proof read and edit each post. It is far more time consuming than I ever imagined until I started blogging. I find as a new blogger the time commitment and the learning curve to be overwhelming, and this often results in total inaction. 
To deal with the time management, and to un-blur some of the boundaries I decided to approach my blog like a job, which I should have done in the first place. I thought the process of doing this would bring me closer to finding a balance that works for me. With the use of an agenda I hoped to schedule in specific times for all the different activities in my life. I also thought by sharing this said agenda with my family, they could see, and understand where my hours go. Just because I am at the computer doesn't mean I am just "playing on twitter" again. 

Schedule Draft One:

• Write, research, take pictures, edit and publish blog posts. Deal with all things blog related. I have allotted 3 hours a day 4 days a week on weekdays, plus an additional 3 hours on the weekend. Initially I scheduled 5 days on weekdays, but realized that at least once a week something will interfere, or conflict with this. (15 hours) 
• Schedule the times and days of specific weekly twitter chats I enjoy participating in. There are about 4 or 5 of these. (5 hours)
• Scheduled free time: for chatting and engaging with friends, participating in a twitter party, entering a few contests, watching TV, or reading a book. I consider this to be the equivalent to my lunch hour and breaks. I allotted 2 hours daily. (14 hours)
• List and make a timeline for specific life obligations: I allotted 5 hours a day, 7 days a week for this. This includes grocery shopping, errand running, cleaning, meal prep, etc. (35 hours)
• List and make a timeline for things I should do: I have allotted 15 hours a week. This includes regular exercise, get my eyes checked, clean the garage, etc. (15 hours)
• Lastly I have allotted 1 hour a day for personal time to shower, brush my teeth, etc. (7 hours)

These all seemed like a very reasonable scheduling of my time. Here is a recap:

Assuming 24 hours in a day (which I do) and 8 hours of that is for sleep. That leaves 16 hours a day. The above schedule would take up 14 of those hours on weekdays, and 12 on weekends. Of the 112 hours a week available, this schedule would take up 91 of them. 

WOW! life is busy, no wonder I feel overwhelmed. That doesn't leave much time for one on one time with my family, or breakfast with a friend. But, going through this process has helped to focus my attention, understand I need to further prioritize what is important, and realize time management is going to be the only way to do all or most of the things I would like to do in my life. Clearly it is going to take more than one draft. Baby steps.

Yep, just me Cathy thinking out loud about balance.

Fitting Everything You'll Need for the #ThemePark into 1 Knapsack #travel #TravelTuesday

EVERYTHING ON THE LIST IS IN THIS KNAPSACK 

1 FAMILY, 1 DAY, 1 THEME PARK, AND 1 KNAPSACK:
No one wants to lug around tons of bags and items on a day of family fun at a theme park. Neither do you want to spend a fortune on stuff you forgot, or have the day ruined by not having the basic essentials you need. Given the financial investment a day at a theme park is for a family of four (easily $200-$300 just for admission) a bit of planning and packing expertise is so important to ensure you get the most out your adventure. Here is my best advice after 16 years of packing for the 50+ theme park visits to at least 10 different theme parks, on how to make your experience magical.
Before hand: 
Take a minute to download the theme park maps, and attractions. Make a plan about what the must do rides and attractions are, and how they can be visited in an order that avoids multiple cross park walks. Disney World's Magic Kingdom is 107 acres, and Animal Kingdom covers 500 acres according to About.com Family Vacations. A plan will help to ensure even with wait times you get so see and do all the top attractions on your list. In the case of Disney be sure to look into, understand, and use the Fast Pass option. Also many parks open early or late to visitors staying in one of their resorts or hotels. Check the weather, and the UV rating for the day! Bring sunscreen and hats!!!
Given the acreage of these parks wear a pair of comfortable shoes you can walk in for 8 - 10 hours! In my opinion that does not include flip flops. After years of searching for the perfect park shoe, I noticed in the last 3 years that about 75% of people were wearing Nike Free Run shoes. So I bought myself a pair (or two), as well as a pair for my son, and husband, and indeed they are the best shoes I have ever owned for a day of walking around a theme park. Highly recommend them!
Okay, what goes in the knapsack:
The Must Haves:

• Sunscreen!!!!
• 4x hats (one for everyone).
• 4x long sleeved shirts (one for everyone). These are great in the evening, in the air conditioning, to block the sun, and act as an extra shirt, should your t-shirt get wet on a ride. 
• 2x hoodies (one in kids size and one adult size so they can be shared).
• 2x spare t-shirts (one in kids size and one in adult size so they can be shared) Pack in ziplock bag so wet t-shirts can be stored in that same bag in the knapsack).
• 2x spare pairs of socks (in sizes that can be shared).
• 2x green garbage bags (they can double as a rain poncho, and keep your knapsack, or seat dry on water rides).
• a couple of ziplock bags for wallets, etc when on water rides.
• 4x dollarstore rain ponchos (you will pay as much as $7 each at the park).
• 4x bottle of water (refill them at the fountain throughout the day) You WILL need to hydrate, and this can get very expensive without a water bottle. Everyone carries their own using a bottle clip or lanyard.
• 4x bottle clips so everyone can easily carry their own bottles or empty ones can be clipped onto the knapsack.
• 4x sunglasses and strings so they can hang from your neck.
• Emergency kit: safety pins, bandages, wipes, kleenex, lipbalm, pair of shoelaces (can double as a belt), foam earplugs, luggage tags (to use as ID and Emergency Contact Info Tags and Cards  for kids), pen, cell phone charging cord, earbuds, Gravol, Tylenol or Advil.

Optional: 

• Camera and or Cell Phone (Note: Disney has free wi-fi everywhere in the parks, and a cell phone game can make long wait times go by much faster. Also Disney has an app with all sorts of great park information).
• Granola bars, a few snacks, and single serve flavour crystals to add to the water. (My kids have a fast metabolism and need to eat every few hours. These help to hold them over until we can sit down for a meal).
• Card Holder and Lanyard: convenient for Fast Pass tickets ($3 at Walmart, $8 in the park).
• Autograph Book and fancy Princess pen: $12 & $8 in the park, substantially cheaper at Walmart. (or have your kids make an autograph book to bring to the park).
• I always bring a collapsible folding bag like an Envirosac, or a cinch knapsack with me. (It makes carrying purchases that do not fit in the knapsack much easier).

In our family the adults have always taken turns carrying the knapsack, but since my kids are now teens, they are required to take turns too!

Yep, just me Cathy thinking about travel and theme parks.

Perspective: A Look Back at How "Normal" Changes.

Perspective On Then and Now: How my "normal" has changed over time. 

I have two kids. Two boys 21 months apart in age, and when they were babies and toddlers my husband travelled for work, making my life busy! If you were to add together the days he was away it totalled about 3 months a year. Sometimes it was a day or two  at a time, sometimes as much as 2 weeks. His travelling was our life, not an occasional thing, so as the one at home I needed to find ways to cope on my own. With no family in town to help out, (although both my parents and in-laws were great about coming to help if asked) it really was on me to manage day to day. It's amazing how fast this became our new normal. 

When your spouse travels, you get a schedule going and you stuck to it. In fact when my dear husband was home everything was much more chaotic because he would mess up "the schedule". 

I remember a time when he had a 16 hour stopover at home between getting off one flight and getting onto another. In this chaos that was our lives, I insisted that we always dropped him to and picked him up from the airport. It was very important to me that we say goodbye. He travelled before and after 911, in and out of the same airports the hijacked planes departed from. The truth is, it was important to me regardless of the mode of transportation he was using. I insisted he wake me up to say goodbye when he was driving to various destinations as well. 

Things happen, it's part of life and I wanted to say (and hear) I Love You and have him kiss his kids before he left. 

When my youngest was three he was asked "what does your Dad do?" his response was "he is a pilot" and given the number of trips we made to the airport I can understand the confusion. It got to the point that my husband would simply emailed me his itinerary so I know which city he was in and until when.

FAST FORWARD A DECADE: 

My husband no longer travels for work and hasn't for many years. My kids are now teens, and he is home for dinner every night. 

This week my Hubby left on a work trip to Japan. He is not gone for a month. His is only gone for a week. My kids are teens and can dress themselves, and (on most days) much more independent than when they were toddlers. So what's the big deal? I don't know, but it does seem like a big deal, and it's stressing me out. I don't like it when my Hubby is away. When he informed me he needed to stay an additional week, I was not pleased (apparently I don't transition well). I know if he travelled all the time that would be my normal and I wouldn't feel so out of sorts. I mean it's not like we are attached at the hip or spend every moment together, nor do I actually need him here every minute (other than to help the kids with Math, and Science homework - Not my realm. I do English, History and glue stick). And, the technology now makes communication SO much easier with texting, Skype. 

So what I realised is; He is my anchor day to day. 

After 21 years of marriage he is my normal. And yes I if it was necessary I could get used to him travelling again, but I like my normal the way it is, and lets face it, it's all about me! (Just joking - not really)

Yep, just Cathy Thinking Out Loud about then and now.