Sassy Dots

Thursday, August 18, 2011

EI and Maternity Leave Calculator

I created this calculator years ago when I was pregnant with Demi. I posted it to a forum , it was well received, and I don't believe there is another calculator out there. So why not publish my own work!

Please keep in mind that there are many variables that go into the calculation, which means the calculator might not be exact. My calculations this time around were $40 off.

Enjoy.

>DOWNLOAD SPREADSHEET


Really me,
The excelaholic
Nik

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Confessions

Here are my confessions.

I am not a perfect mom. I am FAR from it.

Sometimes I freak out.

Sometimes I raise my voice.

Sometimes I sound like *gasp* my father!

Sometimes I use the television as a babysitter so I can use the bathroom or grab something to eat.

Sometimes I have to leave the baby in her crib while she's crying so I can throw on a clean pair of pants and a dry shirt.

Sometimes I use bad words within ear shot of the kids.

Sometimes I get mad and yell at Demi

Sometimes I feed us 'crap' like kraft dinner or McDonalds.

Sometimes I find myself judging other mothers for their parenting choices.

Sometimes I don't make time to play.

Sometimes I think I'll really mess the kids up beyond fixing.

Sometimes I think I'm bi-polar due to the crazy mood swings that happen due to stress, breast feeding, lack of sleep, lack of food etc.

Sometimes I think that my kids will hate me when they get older.

Sometimes I tune out when Demi is screaming... I mean singing one of her songs.

Sometimes I'm not the best mother.

I hope that most of the time will make up for some of the time and my faults will be forgiven.

Really me,
Sometimes
Nik

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

FML... Really?

I think this is going to be a pet peeve week for me.

I scroll through my facebook statuses. The usual proud moms bragging about their kids, social commentaries from others, zen moments from some... and then I see FML. Oh how I hate you FML. For those of you who do not know what FML stands for... don't laugh, I had to ask! It's an acronym for F*ck My Life. As Daniel Powter would say, 'You had a bad day'.

I can't even think of a situation where FML is appropriate. Maybe...

My identity was stolen and the person racked up millions in debt in my name...FML

I was wrongly convicted and I'm in jail for life... FML

Cause you know, those situations really suck. But that's not what I see. I see...

Got a paper cut on my finger and I have to type an essay. FML

Broke my cell phone. FML

Dog peed on the floor. FML

Ummm really? You had to clean up some pee, so your whole life is ruined? Sure the phrase may have been genius at one point, but the novelty has worn off, and clearly so has the meaning.

I don't want to get in to the whole "life is a gift" shpeal but it is, and for one little disappointment, or inconvenience to have somebody saying f*ck my life! is ridiculous! Forget about the fact that you're fortunate enough to even own a computer, and in some cases a fancy phone. I'm sure there are a lot worse things that could happen.

Think about it next time you're about to type FML. Is it really THAT bad?

Really me,
Loving Life
Nik

Sunday, August 7, 2011

"Camping"

Last weekend we did the closest thing we will ever come to camping. K won't stay anywhere where there isn't running water... so that makes real camping difficult. Our version of camping is setting up a tent in the backyard. And let me say we got an awesome deal on our tent!

We bought the Broadstone Makobe Lighted 6 person tent from Canadian Tire. Regular price $129.99 on sale 45% off $69.99. We also bought 2 air mattresses 1 queen and one twin.



I'm lucky to have an aunt who's inlaws have a cottage... actually I'm lucky said aunt likes me. lol So off we went to Round lake to set up our tent in the backyard of the cottage property.

The tent went up really easily even for novices. It only took us about 15 minutes, which isn't too bad for the first time. I'm sure next time it will take 5 mins. After we got everything set up and we lied back on the air mattress K exclaimed "This is roughing it" ha ha, he's funny.

The weekend was fantastic, as always we were fed well by my aunt and uncle, the water was beautiful, my cousins were great with Demi. And now K can say that he went camping like every man should. Now if only we could get rid of all the bugs, I would be a happy camper!



Really me,
the camper
Nik