This is My Life

Sometimes I'm overwhelmed with guilt over all the things I'm not doing. Putting down Candy Crush when my hands start to cramp. Flossing my teeth. Disabling the snooze function on my alarm. Writing something non-work related. Reading the blogs I love. Paying attention to my blog. I really let it all get away from me, but today is day one of changing that.

washi tape

A little over a year ago I changed roles at work and although I love my job, I found managing a team tiring. At the end of my work day, the last thing I wanted to do was go home and sit on my laptop. So, I became really good at going from a seated position at work to a horizontal position on my couch to the fetal position in bed. Repeat. Monday through Friday. Saturdays and Sundays were for cleaning, laundry, sleeping (let's be real, I love sleeping in) and scrambling to visit family, friends, the mall, etc. By no means am I whining. I have a really wonderful life and I am happy happy, but today I felt an energy I haven't had in a while...so I'm hitting the blog. First though, I jumped on my laptop to take a peek at DESIGN LOVE FEST for some creative inspiration. I like looking at pretty things :)

I also made a decision tonight - I'm going to take a graphic design course. At least, I think that's what I'm going to do because honestly I'm not sure that's what it's called. Basically, I want the ability to make pretty images with different fonts, colours and styles. I'm no artist so this could be a challenge. I'm ready though. What's even better? I'm happy that I've found some energy to push myself towards something I've wanted to do for a long time.

Jack's first swimming class...he loved it!

Since the last time I've checked in over here my nephew has turned six months old. The seasons have changed. I've gone through three hairdressers (don't do beauty Groupons). I've laughed with my closest friends. I've set up a new home in a neighbourhood I absolutely adore. I've bought a lot of washi tape. I've watched a lot of tv. I've maintained gold status at Starbucks. I've had two spray tans. I've cheated on vegetarianism at McDonalds. I've dreamt of the beach. I've missed New York City. I've become hooked on Homeland and I've practised my cursive writing. This is my life.

Love my Martha Stewart Glue pen and glitter

This Auntie Crystal

You know what's happened since I last stopped by? I've become an aunt for the very first time. For an unwed 31 year old career gal, this is a pretty sweet deal. I can spoil my nephew, kiss his sweet fat cheeks, make him laugh, take oodles of photos and when he squawks I can hand him right back to his mama. I don't lose any sleep and I get to push the stroller at the mall.

Before you think I don't change any diapers, I do. It's been 20 years since I've changed a diaper and I'm happy to report it's not any worse than I remember. It's not any better either, but that's a different story.

My nephew showed up early. He's our sweet Easter boy, born on Easter Sunday and named after his great-grandfather. Jack laughs and smiles when I wipe up the barf from under his chin and lets his big sister, Holly (the boxer) lick his face whenever she pleases. He's the most wonderful thing I've ever seen in my life and every single day I feel so lucky to be his Auntie Crystal.

This summer I'm taking a staycation and spending the week with Jack and his mama at the pool. I can't wait to parade him around as if he's my own baby. He's shown me that when I actually have kids, I'll likely be super annoying because all I do is show people pictures and videos of Jack. Strangers even. "Look at my nephew! Have you ever seen such a handsome little guy?" Don't kid yourself, that's a rhetorical question. If you take more then 1 nanosecond to respond to that question you're risking your life around this P.A.N.K. - Professional Aunt No Kids. I'm thinking of getting tshirts made for myself. Probably business cards too. I was made for this gig.

This Makes it 15 Years

It still doesn't make sense to me. How can I have lived - how did I survive? How did I manage to keep my body moving all these years with a broken heart? July 2nd is the anniversary of my mama's passing. This year makes it 15 years. Half of my lifetime. For my brother and sister, it's been most of their lives. Devin was 6 and Chandler was turning 5 a few months after our mama went to heaven. I'm still not sure which of us got the worst deal. I know what I'm missing. So does Devin. Chandler has very few memories since she was so young. I try my best to share stories with her so she knows how special our mama was - not that it's a big secret ;)

Usually I write a long post of remembrance, but this year I want to make things a bit brighter. Here's a picture of my mama and my cousin Kathy in a kiddie pool in the summer of 1965. Look at that innocent grin and that crazy blonde hair. Being the youngest of six children, mama was an auntie by the time she was four years old. Crazy, eh?

July 1965, Toronto

Just like last year, I'm asking for a teensy favour of my sweet readers. This weekend when you're celebrating our country's birth (for the canucks anyways), look up at the stars and gaze in awe at the fireworks and if you could send a little smile to my mama up there, I'd be forever grateful. I also know that mama (or Mina as she was called by her big brothers, big sisters, nieces, nephews and parents) would thinks it's pretty rad.

This Valentine's Happy on the Cheap

I love love and I love Valentine’s Day. Maybe that’s because it’s never been a negative, dread filled day for me – regardless of my romantic status. Growing up, Valentine’s Day was always a family day. My mom bought us Dairy Queen cakes. My uncle brought me flowers. My aunt made heart-shaped pancakes. I made valentines from brightly coloured paper with pastels, pencil crayons and glitter. I wore red or pink clothes – bonus points if I could find something with hearts on it. The theme was always showing each other how much we care without spending a mint, and that’s really the point of Valentine’s Day. I don’t stop celebrating if I’m single or broke and neither should you.



Valentine's Day 2009 - notice the necklace and heart jumper



Living in Toronto as a 20 something (okay, 29 for less than another month), there’s definitely a struggle to keep afloat financially, never mind spending a fortune on Valentine’s Day gifts to show your loved ones you care. (Disclaimer: material things and gifts don’t equate to love). It’s a common theme among us and luckily we have Tiffany Mealia, founder of She’s So Savvy to spread the lovey-dovey, money saving cheer for us. *The second point really mirrors how the day has always been celebrated in my life.*

·         Celebrate Valentine’s Day on the 15th. If you get a kick out of the flowers, chocolates, cards and all that goes with it then celebrate the next day because everything is heavily discounted. “My boyfriend and I celebrate Valentine’s Day on February 15 each year. We avoid the rush, overpriced goods, and make it our own,” says Mealia.

·         Decide your Valentine’s Day is not just for couples. Make Valentine’s Day a celebration of your love of family by doing something together like going to the Zoo, taking advantage of discounted movie night, having games night at home, creating an art project, or cooking a big kid-friendly meal together. No kids? Make Valentine’s Day about your friends or parents. Invite them over for dinner or grab some half priced appetizers at a savvy restaurant location.

·         Make Valentine’s Day about loving yourself. Take one full day to devote to caring and tending to your needs so that you feel invigorated and loved. Have a home spa day, read a great book, organize your living space...do whatever you want to do that day/night. You might call it falling in love with yourself all over again.

·         Share all the love you have with those who need it most. Make Valentine’s Day about loving our neighbours, community, and our world. Head to a shelter to help serve meals, lend a hand at Daily Bread Food Bank, take part in a Habitat for Humanity build. Decide your Valentine’s Day is about saying “I love you” in a way that extends far and impacts lives for the better.

If you feel creative, er, at least feel like hitting “print” and cutting along the dotted lines, download some free Valentine printables. These are my new favourite things lately. I pin them all to one of my Pinterest boards and dream about printing the most gorgeous cards without spending a fortune. I find the happy in printables because they’re free and pretty. There, I said it.

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Maybe Valentine’s Day means sweets to you - like bulk candy in adorable plastic bags. Head over to a grocery store, discount store or your favourite variety store down the street and grab gummies for a few cents a piece. Then, wrap a dainty little bow around your package and presto! You’re giving the inexpensive (less than a buck) gift of sugar and sweets to your loved ones.

So you’re real mushy and romantic, eh? You want a blue Tiffany box, three dozen pale pink tea roses, a stay in a plush hotel bed with room service delivered on silver trays? Well, I don’t have a way to make that happen, but I do know that watching my favourite romantic movies in pink jammies with tea and DQ ice cream cake always makes me happy on Valentine’s Day. The Holiday, Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and Something’s Gotta Give rank high on my list. I’m sure you can find a downloadable version online – no, I don’t support bootleg movies, but I won’t report you to the cops – or a copy at your local movie store for a few bucks.

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For more el cheapo ways to bring Cupid into your day: add red food colouring to your milk; use a heart shaped cookie cutter to make your sandwich; make heart shaped pasta with a hearty tomato sauce; sneak a love note into your loved ones’ coat pockets or in between pages in the book they’re reading; watch A Charlie Brown Valentine when it airs on one of the big networks; pick up the phone and call somebody just to say “hi.” Don’t text, email or IM. Make a legitimate phone call – especially if you want to wish your less techie loved ones a happy Valentine’s Day.

Here’s the deal, Valentine’s will be a happy and wonderful day if you want it to be. Make it special for yourself and loved ones while living within your means.

This Athletic Pup

Sooooo like, ages ago I decided to allot days of the week for specific topics. Since I'm the boss of myself, I get to write about whatever I want whenever I want. Today on what should always be Puppy Love Thursday, I'm actually sticking to the theme. Meet my fur niece, Holly Berry. She's a three year old brindle boxer and she's a sweetheart. Very obedient, full of spunk and with a tonne of tricks in her arsenal - she pretends to fall down and croak if you fake shoot her - she's got a special place in my heart.

Here's Holly sleeping in the car on the way to camping.

Here's a video of Holls getting her exercise on the treadmill. I wish I could get my girls on a treadmill, Lord knows they have the energy. I know this isn't a new concept and lots of people exercise their dogs on treadmills, but since this is my blog and I can do what I want, I'm featuring the most gorgeous boxer around, Miss Holls. The videographer is my brotha from another motha. He turns 30 tomorrow and I absolutely love and adore him. I was the MOH at his wedding to my cousin/sister/best friend in June 2010 and I guess I'm a sucker for anything and everything this family does. They just mean so much to me

For the record, Holls is not a lap dog, but she does love to snuggle. Once I slept on the couch at my cousins' and I woke up with Holls spooning me as she was wedged between me and the back of the couch...she wasn't there when I want to sleep, but she loves her Auntie Crystal.

What do you do to exercise your dog? Do you play fetch? Gigi only plays fetch indoors, she has separation issues. Does your dog swim? Do they run beside you while you bike or run?

This Christmas Card

Did you know I've never mailed out Christmas cards? Nope. Not once. I do however write cards out for my friends, family, coworkers and special people in my life each holiday and pass them out when I see everyone. I love cards. I really do. It's part of my paper/stationery/pen/writing obsession. Beautiful papers and notebooks are gorgeous to me and the Christmas cards I hand out always reflect me in some way. Usually, they have lots of glitter, so that's always fun.

A couple of years ago, my dear friend, Nicole, opened an invitation/paper goods business. She and her business partner helped me design my holiday cards. I hung on to them for two years and finally gave my last one away this season. They were so pretty and I really loved them so much. If you're looking for absolutely stunning cards, invites and much more, please stop by Plume Paperie's whimsical website and place an order.


One year I found adorable cards with a girl and a little dog at Walmart. The design was fun and pink, so I loved them.

Three years ago I bought magical pale blue and gold glitter cards from Papyrus. I have one left, but no envelope. I might just save it and gaze at it forever. Honestly, I love them that much.



This week at Chapters I grabbed two packs of cards I had seen earlier this month and now that they're 30% off I decided to treat myself. Yes, buying pretty cards is a treat to me.



Earlier this season I had seen these Peanuts cards at a grocery store. I actually stopped mid-stride and stared at them. It was right after my cousin put me on a strict budget, so I passed by the cards...until last week when I saw them again and they were on sale. Guess what I'm giving out this year? That's right. Cards with Snoopy and the entire gang. If you're just popping over for the first time, I should probably tell you that I'm madly in love with Charlie Brown - especially at the holidays.



Some of my favourites have been cards from other people. Like this beauty my bestie, Rach got me this year. Isn't Frosty so handsome with all his jewels?



My friends Stef and David gave me a sweet little red card and inside wrote "To the most festive person we know." I know I've already blogged about earning that title, but it honestly thrills me so much that I had to include it again.

Jenny and Ryan passed out amazing colourful cards when I saw them a couple of weeks ago. Love them. They're fab. The cards and the couple ;)


Whether or not you hand out cards, I hope you get some really great ones this year. The more glitter, the better. And if you did send some out, I hope you spent time writing something special to each person. It's a little touch that can make a lot of difference. Maybe instead of the back of the card pile you'll get a place on the mantle. It could happen.


This year I'm making my dad a card by hand. I found great paper (avec sparkle) in a blue to match the colour of his Maple Leafs - we're Canadian and live outside Toronto - and found some great little scrapbooking thingeys. I'm not as crafty as I'd like so I don't know the official name of the "thingeys" but I know they're gonna look rad. Yep, almost 30 and I'm making my dad a Christmas card by hand. The thing is - he'll really love it. He still has cards I made him as a kid.

Are you guys almost ready for Christmas? Brother and I had a DIY adventure last night into the wee hours of the morning. Let's say we learned a valuable lesson: be creative and change tactics when your original plans crumbles. More on that later...

This is Christmas in the 60s

There are few pictures I love more than this one of my mama when she was a wee girl. Taken at the Toronto Eaton Centre in (I'm guessing) 1966, it's a photograph that I treasure. What really gets me is the look on her face.



I've seen this face. I've seen it in the mirror. I've seen it on my baby sister. I've seen it years ago on my mama. It fully says "I'm less than impressed here and will not smile."




I didn't smile in pictures until I was in my teens. I felt silly smiling in photos as a little girl. Weird, I know.

This Festive Favourite Stuff

I'll tell you a little something about me - I dig Christmas. Christmas Eve is my favourite day of the year in fact. Better than my birthday, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and Canada Day. It's the anticipation that Christmas still isn't quite here. That happiness and excitement. Everyone is looking forward to giving gifts to the ones they love, eating incredible holiday feasts, getting all merry and stuff.

Generally I start dispensing my wish list in October. This year all I wanted was my bathroom renovation to be finished before Christmas. I told my dad that Santa Claus doesn't visit messy houses and that we needed to get that bathroom straightened up pronto. Yes Major Gal, there really is a Santa. The proof is in my newly built bathroom - ahead of Christmas.

So, now that my big item has arrived, I wanted to share some of my favourite things and a few items off my mental Christmas list. I call it "mental" because I haven't shared it with anyone - it's just stuff I'm mentally noted in my head that I'd like.

1. Shout out to Pink Lou Lou for this idea. When my hair dresser and I began our love affair almost a decade ago, she asked me how I wanted my hair styled after the cut and highlights to which I replied "tease if big like I live in Texas." So, I like volume and body in my mane. When PLL blogged about wanted a teasing brush, I knew I had to have one. I texted my brother and baby sister and told them to spread the news that I was hoping Santa would bring me a teasing comb. Visions of a sky high coif are running through my head...

2. One of my absolute favourite things about Christmas is my pink tree. I love it. I can't help myself but to gaze at it. I wish I could keep it up all year.



3. My new Charlie Brown Nativity set makes me smile each time I look at it. Woodstock is baby Jesus. Snoopy is a lamb. Linus is sucking his thumb as a shepherd. The whole gang is there and I effing adore it.



4. Christmas parties! Umm, hello? Is anything better than an opportunity to wear glitter, sparkly jewellery, eat cookies sans guilt and gab with all your closest friends? No. No there is not.

5. Christmas movies. I have a long list of favourites, but at the top is Home Alone.

6. Having a billion things to do and getting them all done while you're on the brink of exhaustion, dreading another trip to the mall, but being happy when you get there because it's so effing cheery and busy and you know that this time of year really is the best. Plus, seeing some of the genius/illegal parking jobs at the mall during the holidays is always good for a laugh. I have new found energy throughout December. I can stay up well past midnight baking cookies, wrapping gifts and cleaning and in the morning I'm not at all cranky because this is my favourite time of year.

7. Being crafty. This year Major Gal is on a budget. That means I've had to be creative when it comes to gifts. I saw a Kate Spade bow ring somewhere online and instantly knew I could make a festive version of it for my girlfriends. Cut to me in Michaels for two hours with my aunt hunting for the perfect ribbon (which we didn't find so I switched designs) and then almost gluing my fingers together later that night while my dogs tried to "help" me assemble the rings.



8. Perfume. I love perfume all year round because I think there's such artistry in the bottles. This year I'm coveting Prada Candy. I got a sample at Holts this fall and I'm savouring the last spritzes until I can snag myself a bottle.

9. Festive clothing. On Saturday night on my girls' weekend I had planned to wear a sequined skirt. Alas, it was not nearly as cute as this baby from Joe Fresh. Paired with black tights and a blank tank (all proudly Joe Fresh and CANADIAN) I got festive with a gold piece in my outfit. Oh ya, the skirt was an early pressie from Papa. I asked for a new outfit for my weekend and he gave me cashola to go buy the skirt. Major Gal is spoiled and she knows it.



10. A quick getaway with three of my besties this past weekend. We're getting older and it cracks me up. We all passed out after dinner and didn't get to the venue until midnight. We were tame. No bail money was needed. Nobody lost their purse. We did capture all the best moments on an instant camera and I'm going to turn the pictures into a collage for the girls. We had some gems. On the trip to Niagara Julia and I were allowed to play one Christmas cd. Nicole was navigating and she plays Grinch to our Elf. She said no singing, clapping or snapping in the car. We obeyed...sort of ;)

What's getting you into the spirit this season? Are you all set for Santa?

This Home Alone Happiness

Recently my chiropractor (who incidentally I love) asked me what my favourite Christmas movie was. Without hesitation, I spat out "Home Alone!" I love everything about that movie. This year I think I watched it for the first time before Halloween. Don't judge. So, this post is dedicated to my brother, Devin and sister, Chandler. We watch the movie together, order pizza and drink pop as a sibling tradition. Yes, I'm almost 30, but I don't see that tradition stopping, like ever.


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Besides the music and how happy the movie makes me, the McCallister home is something I've adored - okay coveted - for over 20 years. Nestled in the historic Chicago town of Winnetka, this gorgeous Georgian style home was built in the 1920s and is the standard I hold all houses to. To be frank - I want to live here. I'd prefer it were in Toronto, but I'm not too picky. I won't ride my toboggan down the staircase and out the front door, but I know I'd throw a killer soiree in that beauty. As soon as the ink dries on the mortgage papers, you're all invited over. We'll have plain cheese pizza and Pepsi just like Kevin would prefer.

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When my parents rented this movie for me in the summer of 1991, I was 9 years old. I thought everything was hilarious. I thought Kevin's plan to thwart the Wet Bandits was genius. I laughed the entire time. I know every word. Watching this movie reminds me of being a little girl and I think that's why it means so much to me. Last year I waited until December 23rd to watch the movie. My brother had to finish school for the semester and get back home for Christmas and we decided we none of us would watch it until we could watch it together. I fell asleep before it was over. It's okay, I know how it ends.


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Watch one of the original trailers...what a gem.

What is your favourite Christmas movie? What does it mean to you? Why is it your favourite?

This is His Story

*this should have been up last night, but Blogger wasn't publishing.

A while ago, longer than I'd like to admit actually, my brother asked me if one day I would write about kids who are bullied. I promised him I would. After a long day at work (with a new boss) and a long drive home in slushy weather, I sat down a while ago to catch up with Victor Newman and the Genoa City gang and logged in to Facebook. A video had been posted and I couldn't watch it on my phone earlier today, but knew I had to see it. If you've been online at all since December 1st, chances are you've seen this video. If you haven't yet, promise me you will. Right now.

Chances are, your life has been touched bullying. Maybe you were bullied growing up. Maybe the kids at school tormented you. Maybe you were terrified to face your tormentors every single day. Maybe you needed a friend. Maybe you were on the other side - maybe you were the one throwing stones. How do you feel after watching Jonah's video?

Kids don't understand the weight of their actions. They don't realize that the names they call other children will stick to them - possibly forever. A couple of years ago my sister was being bullied at school. She's had a rough enough life as it is and the anger that churned inside me when she told me what kids were doing to her made me consider inflicting pain on people like I never thought I would. We're ten years apart, so me settling the score would have meant I was breaking the law as an adult threatening minors. I fought back the only way I could - I educated myself on the school board's policy on bullies. Turns out it's zero tolerance. In one lively conversation with the school principal I chimed off the board's exact wording on the subject and said that unless he was prepared to expel the entire graduating class (these were 18 year old young adults), I was taking this issue higher. I said I'd go to the news if I heard of any more delinquents making life for my sister Hell. In truth, I bullied the principal. It wasn't fair. It wasn't his fault. I felt like I had no other way of expressing just how serious I was about the subject. I have no excuse.

As it turns out, I've been a bully (with my sister's principal) and I've been bullied (in elementary and high school). I'll never know just how terrible life was for my sister during that time. I've only had a glimpse of that - just a flicker of what it's like to feel shunned by your peers. Knowing that my sister got on the bus every day, knowing that she was headed to a building full of hatred aimed at her for the very reasons I've always known she was an exceptional person, shatters my heart into pieces I can never put back together. It still makes me feel sick, angry and heartbroken at the same time and for that reason, I stand up against bullying.

In Canada we have Kids Help Phone. A resource for kids and teens who need support. It's so important that we let kids know we're here for them - whenever they need us. If you're reading this right now and think you're alone, please know that you're not. You're loved in ways you can't imagine and by people you don't even know...like me. You're perfect and you deserve happiness. I'm here if you need a smile.

This Disney Happy Place

As an eight year old girl, I went to Disney World for the first (and so far only) time. I'm still enraptured by it's majesty and I'm 29. I have wanted to go back for over 20 years and can't wait for the day when I return.

What isn't to love about Disney - like really? Although my bestie would disagree - she's a Mickey fan - Donald Duck made my day. I got the Daisy Duck hat and wore it proudly with my thick bangs, scruffy pigtails and scrawny legs. I was overjoyed being there. The best part: I went on my first plane ride and trip to Florida with my cousin Jen, Aunt Sharon, mama and my sweet Nanny. I still remember everything about the trip - especially the day we spent at Disney World.


We spent our time at Magic Kingdom. Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom wasn't built and since Jen and I were 8 year old girls (well, she was still 7 since her birthday wasn't for another few months), we wanted to see where Cinderella lived. Fun Major Gal fact: I got a VHS copy of Cinderella for Christmas when I was 5 and it still remains one of my favourite gifts. I felt so grown up to get my own movie. I know every word to the film and right now I'm singing "Cinderelly, Cinderelly. Night and day, it's Cinderelly." I might have to watch this movie REALLY soon. Remember how cute the birds and the mice were?

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So, why do I love Donald so much? Well, he always seemed to have more personality than Mickey. He got angry, he threw tantrums, he had those pesky nephews to aggravate him, but deep down I always felt he was misunderstood. I guess I was always cheering for the underdog. Why did Mickey get all the glory? Mickey never did anything this funny.

Have you been to Disney World or Disney Land? What are your favourite memories? Did you find a happy place today?

This Makes Me Proud

After a gloriously sunny Canada Day long weekend it's back to the regular grind for Major Gal. I've got some great memories to share from a wonderful weekend in Toronto. The city celebrated Pride and the celebrations came to a close yesterday, with the annual Pride Parade. This is actually a great way to shift into something I've been wanting to share with you guys for quite a while, but haven't known how to start.

I've always been open about my family and how lucky I am to be the older sister to three younger sisters. A few months ago my sister Chelsea came to me to say that she'd never felt like she was in the right body. Chelsea is now Devin - he's transitioning from female to male. I have a brother. This weekend I met Devin and his boyfriend Tyler at the trans events Friday night. I was happy that Devin wanted me to be a part of his celebrations. I brought my sweetheart friend Julie and we all danced outside with huge smiles on our faces.

I've always seen everyone as equal. Working downtown as a single, gorgeous young woman, my mom was always surrounded by creative people - not all of whom were straight. I learned at an early age that some boys like girls, some boys like boys, some girls like boys and some girls like girls and some people like everybody. I grew up promising myself that if my children ever came to me with questions about their sexuality that I would be open, welcoming and loving no matter what. Love is the most important thing. I accept everyone as they are. When Chelsea came out just before she turned 15 I was shocked, but I was supportive. At 15 I knew that I liked boys so I didn't think she was mistaken or just trying to get attention. She could tell what kind of feelings she had and she knew who they were directed at. I told her that if later she figured out that she wasn't a lesbian, it's okay to change her mind. I didn't want her to think that in telling people she was gay, she was stuck with a label. Our dad is really great because he has the biggest heart. He has always wanted us to have love - he doesn't care who we love. Okay well, there was that one older guy I dated when I was 16 that my dad threatened after I broke up with him, but otherwise my dad is very accepting! And I never heard from that guy again LOL!

When Devin told me he was becoming a man it brought up feelings I didn't know I could feel. I felt like a hypocrite. I was always so accepting, but this had never happened to anyone I knew and now it was happening to my little sister. I mourned my sister. There was an entire life of Chelsea Eileen that I felt like I had to erase now that Chelsea was living as Devin. I'm usually pretty good at holding it together, but this was entirely new for me. Devin is still the same person and I'm still learning. For example, when I refer to Devin as a young child, am I supposed to say "Devin" or "Chelsea?" He's Devin now, but he was Chelsea for 21 years. It's a learning process and I'm not perfect. I slip up on pronouns, but I'm trying really hard to be exactly the same sister I was before: loving, supportive and protective. I don't imagine Devin's journey will be without bumps, but I'll be here every step of the way.

Before my mom died a friend of ours wrote her a letter about a dream she had. In the letter she said that our family was on the beach. Jesus walked over to meet us. He bent down and picked my sisters up in his arms. They were laughing and smiling. He walked back and picked up my dad and then carried him to where my sisters were waiting. When he got back to me, he held my hand and walked beside me. It wasn't my dream but I can see it all so clearly in my mind. I think about that letter all the time. Cindy, the woman who wrote my mom the letter said she didn't know what any of it meant. My mom was in the hospital when she showed me the letter and she asked, "Well, do you know what it means to me?" I told her I didn't understand. She looked at me with her sweet blue eyes and said, "You're going to be the strong one. You're not going to need anyone to carry you through this."

Initially, I was heartbroken over Devin's decision and I had so much guilt over what that said about me. Was I homophobic? Was I a complete hypocrite always talking about equal rights but not wanting any of it to apply to my personal life? Was I a close-minded asshole? I always believed that people can honestly feel they are born into the wrong bodies. I don't think it's an illness or mental disorder, but I also don't believe God makes mistakes. It was tough for me. Just like I'll never fully accept that my mother died so young, I'll never be at ease with Devin being born in the wrong body. Why did he have to go through so many years feeling like he had a secret and not knowing why he was never really happy? Didn't he deserve happiness from the beginning? Shouldn't he have been a boy from conception?

I had so many emotions and was so confused over who I would share the news with. I wasn't keeping a secret, but I was respecting Devin's privacy. He wasn't fully out at that point and I really needed to understand how I was feeling. I didn't want to talk to people about it because I was afraid that some of the people I trust most in the world would judge my brother and therefore make me really angry with them. I don't think it was a "decision" with consequences, just like I don't think people choose to be gay.

When Devin told me I just cried. And cried. But this isn't about me. This is about my brother and how freggin' proud I am of him. Of being who he knows he is. Of showing such bravery in his job. Of having faith that our family will accept him (shit, even I'm scared that some of them will be jerks about it). Initially though, I had a really hard time with the news and that made me feel even worse.

I was shocked. I was sad. I was scared. Scared of what transitioning meant for Devin. Scared of what our family would say. Scared that maybe he was rushing into things. Scared that I was losing part of my identity. Nothing about me would change as a result of my brother's sexual identity or orientation, but suddenly I didn't have three sisters. I had two sisters and a brother. I know it's such a small thing, but it opened up a world of emotional pain for me. This will never be my journey. I will never know how hard it is for Devin to go through hormone therapy and begin puberty at 21 AGAIN. I won't know what it's like to avoid using public washrooms because it's not as simple as using the ladies' room anymore. I don't know what it's like to hand over your identification to the clerk at the LCBO and get looks of judgement because you have a girl's name and look like a boy. My brother makes me proud.

I'm a straight woman. I enjoy some freedoms others don't and I walk through life pretty easily. I'm very proud of my family. Of who we are all and how we're living honest lives. The bravery my brother has has shown me that he's grown so much and I don't always need to protect him. Devin was in kindergarten when our mom died, and I've always been very protective of my siblings. I would honestly give up my life for any one of them. I used to wonder how I could love my own kids more one day because I feel like my heart is so full where Jenna, Devin and Chandler are. I know there's infinite space in my heart though and I'll grow as much as I need to keep giving love to those around me. I love easily and I love in the biggest way possible. If I let people in, it's because I truly believe they deserve a spot in my heart.

This weekend I saw a city open its arms to so many beautiful people. I saw fireworks in celebration of this amazing country's birthday. I saw my brother surrounded by people who accept everything about him without even knowing his name or his story. I'm proud of all of this and Devin, I'm really proud of you.

Here's a picture of all three of the pups on my balcony yesterday. Aren't they adorable? I'm also a proud single fur mama and fur auntie :)

This Will Be 14 Years

You know, it's funny. I don't usually sit at my desk struggling for something to write, but I've started this some post a few times already. If you've been following me for more than a year, you might remember that I usually write about my mama around Canada Day. That's because she passed away on July 2nd, 1997. It still doesn't seem real to me sometimes. I'm guessing it never will.

I'm not sure what I can say about my gorgeous mother that I haven't already. She was too young. She didn't deserve to die. She should still be here. All the cliches apply and I've said them hundreds of times. I believe everything happens for a reason and that we're only given what we can handle in life. So, losing my mom at 15 was part of His plan. Sometimes plans really suck and generally, I love plans. I've got some questions when I get to heaven - I can tell ya that much.

Tonight I'm visiting my oldest and bestest friend, Meaghan. We're gonna sit on her porch swing, rocking back and forth and laughing while her hubby puts the baby to sleep. The summer my mom died, Meaghan didn't really ever leave my side. Megs, if I've never told you how important that was to me back then, here is my thanks. Many years have passed, but I haven't forgotten how wonderful you were during one of the worst times of my life. LYLAS.

I don't know if Canada Day will ever become one of those happy weekends for me again. Fireworks are beautiful. BBQs with friends and family are fantastic. Celebrating this wonderful country fills me with pride, but all the while I'm thinking about my mom and where I was at this time 14 years ago.

She's been gone for more than half my life now. Hardly seems possible. She's still such a huge part of things in my family. We all talk about her, laugh when we remember the good stuff and try to focus on the positives and not the negatives. When Kate showed my Aunt Dolly the sonogram of Lily, my aunt said, "She has Mina's nose. Look. She has that ski-jump nose just like Mina." She's still here. Maybe my aunt was seeing that facial characteristic because she wanted to and maybe, Lily really does take after her great aunt...wow...I never thought about it, but my mom would have been a great aunt by now. I guess a lot happens in 14 years. I've grown. My family has changed and expanded but one thing that remains is the place in our hearts where my mom will always be.

When you're out this weekend celebrating with your friends and families, think about how lucky you are to live in such a fantastic country, surrounded by people you love. You're blessed. And if you're watching the fireworks, say hi to my mama when the really bright lights cascade down through the night sky. I know she'd be thrilled.

Forever Mama xoxo

This Pizza Happy Place

Here's a little something about me, I freggin' love pizza. Always have and always will. When I was a wee one Mama would order me pizza on the weekends and rent me the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and I'd eat my wheel while watching TMNT. I haven't watched one of those movies in a few years, but pizza is still a part of my regular life. And, you guys know that Mama has been gone for many years so I don't get her homemade pizza anymore, but we're still big pizza delivery people in my family. In fact, when the Pizzaville in my hometown joined up with the times and got themselves on the call centre with all Pizzaville locations, I called and GASP, they didn't know us! I was not impressed. We've been ordering two large pizzas (one meat, one veg) for years from the same shop on Aurora Heights and they'd see our number on call display and know what we wanted. To think I had to tell some stranger what the family and I enjoys on a weekly basis was the end of an era for me. Yes, I blog about happiness but sometimes silly little things make me sad.

I'm living in the city, but my heart belongs to my small hometown of Aurora, Ontario and my little pizza shop. Now that I live on my own, I have my own pizza rituals. The same poor delivery guy is freaked out by my terrifying poodle cross Gigi on about a weekly basis. She must be scary with all that scruffy orange fur and 15 pounds of pure muscle. Tonight my siblings are coming to stay with me and bringing their gf and bf with them. It's gonna be crowded and as any good host, I'm ordering pizza and busting out the paper napkins.


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Ordering pizza on Friday nights is a ritual I love and it makes me really happy. I love eating pizza and I love not cooking so when I can combine the two and have my sweet siblings along for the party, I'm especially excited.

Where is your happy place? Do you go to a great patio in the summer? Do you visit a friend? Maybe take a walk to a quiet spot by yourself? Whatever it is, I hope you get there this weekend. xoxo

This Is Where I Come From

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Well, a while back I blogged about my cousin Kate being on bed rest and her teensy baby girl Lily. This morning Kate delivered Lily via c section and she's five pounds and two ounces of gorgeous, hugely loved baby goodness. When I brought Gigi home (I know, she's not a real baby but she's my real baby) from the store she was three months old and weighed more than Lily weighs right now. It got me thinking...what does 5 pounds look like? I have handbags that weigh more than this sweet little angel, but that's largely because I'm a bag lady and I carry way too much junk with me. None of it is makeup though. You'd think I'd have mirrors and eyeshadow and all that jazz weighing me down, but it's lotions, glasses, 8 zillion loyalty cards, a huge key chain, tissue (always)and who knows what else. A bunch of crumpled receipts, a lint covered piece of gum. Not pretty stuff. Anyways, let's focus on family and new babies today. Both are blessings.

This is baby sister (Chandler) and I at her Confirmation. It was years ago, but I still love this picture of us. I was her Sponsor. When Jen was confirmed, Kate was her Sponsor. When I was confirmed, Chris was mine. My Aunt Sharon was his and so on. We're a close family :)


I've been thinking how confusing my family tree probably is to someone outside my family. Kate is my cousin, Lily is my second cousin. My Aunt Dolly is Kate's mom. My mom is/was Kate's aunt. Got it? Here's a picture of our family tree, with lovely illustrations by me. I'm like, a super great artist. I know :) Today I'm sharing my Mom's side of the family. Our family name is Lewis and we're from Cape Breton. Holla to all my East Coasters!!

That's a family of 41...unless I lost count. That's including spouses and second cousins. Some we've lost: Nanny and Papa, my Uncle Bob and my mom. She was the baby of the six Lewis children. Her name was Patricia but everyone called her "Mina." It's a family nickname that stuck. Here's my gorgeous Mama at a work function (looks like hard work, eh) in the 80s. Great bod. Chandler takes after her. Not me, I'm a lanky chick.


This is Erin, me, Chris and Jen dancing at Kate and Dave's wedding in 2008.


That's Zoe and Avery - daughters of Chris and Erin. Undoubtedly the two most gorgeous little girls on planet earth.

Anyways, that's just part of my huge family. My father comes from a big family (the Major clan)and when my mom remarried we were welcomed into yet an even bigger family of Fitzpatricks. If you've lost track, here's where I'm from: Mom (Patty Lewis) and Dad (Shane Major). They had ME (Crystal) and divorced. My mom remarried Phil Fitzpatrick - when I write about my dad, that's who I'm referring to - and together they had Devin and Chandler Fitzpatrick. I have another sister, Jenna Major, born to Shane and her mom, Roslyn. I love those two gals soooo much! I love Shane too, but our relationships has had its hardships. That's another post for another day though :)


This is Kate and my Unle Paul.



That's my sweet sweet Nanny with Jen at her engagement party in 2009. I still miss her every single day.


That's a lot to take in on a Saturday, but I feel so blessed to be surrounded by a huge, loving family that I just had to share.


This is a snapshot of all my first cousins and I at Jen and Stefan's wedding last June.


Me and my Aunt Sharon. I love her so much it makes my heart feel too big for my body.

This is Gorgeous

Well good evening my sweets. If you're reading this it means you're also drooling over my gorgeous new blog design. Kelly, of Fabulous K Creative is the talent behind this perfect balance of girlie, crisp, clean and totally Major Gal. I could not be more thrilled and I recommend her work 100%.

Tomorrow I'm going to see the New Kids on the Block with The Backstreet Boys. Yes, I will be screaming with a huge grin on my face as I'm transported through my life from age 7 to 19. I saw NKOTB for the first time when I was 8 years old. It was December. The show was at the Skydome and I left the happiest little girl in Toronto. If it weren't for my cousin Kate, I'd never have fallen in love with the boys from Boston. She's five years older than me and was gaga for the New Kids. Since I envied her, I also copied almost everything she did. The difference was she was a Jordan girl and I went from Donnie to Joe. I'm a sucker for light hair on a guy and I guess it goes back over 20 years. Some things never change I suppose.

Anyways, I'm off to bed now but I desperately wanted to share the big reveal with you guys. I could not be happier with the look of the site now. I'm about to rest my head on a pillow and dream of NKOTB and lots of blog comments. Sweet dreams xo

This is the Girl Behind the Words

Hello lovelies. The temperatures have cooled off in Toronto (I'm not a fan), yet the sun remains high in the sky smiling down on us all. The weekend is almost here and I'm a happy chick. I spent another evening with my sweet cousin Kate and the little X-Men baby. We're teasing Dave (Kate's husband) that Lily is a mutant and she'll be the next X-Men star. Currently, she's covered in fur and is kinda transparent (31 weeks development). She still needs to grow and develop so we want her in there as long as possible.

It was a great night. Kate and I scarfed down Big Macs and then we walked to the lounge for some icy water. Kate's captivity at Sunnybrook has lowered her standards for what's exciting in the world. She's currently a huge fan of the ice machine in the High Risk Obstetrics lounge at the hospital. I must admit though, that ice was pretty great. I considered bringing home a cup of it to snack on and share with Gigi, but I refrained.

I have some great stuff to share with you guys today. First...my video!!! I've gotta thank Matt Maio for this. He's been capturing me and Gigi for a while and took all the footage and transformed it into a fantastic video for the blog. I'm so grateful to have talented friends like Matt. The video and specifically the music are so me. It's funny how on Twitter and through the blog community we "meet" all these people, but don't really ever know them. This video is just a glimpse into me world with my fur baby, but it's a perfect taste for what makes me happy. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Check out the video and the rest of Matt's work HERE

Tonight I'm looking forward to a quiet night at home with Gigi. I'm going to clean the condo since Julia's coming over tomorrow night before we head to King Street. I've got laundry to do and The Young and the Restless episodes to catch up on - I can't wait. Maybe my standards have also dropped since I've spent hours with Kate in her Sunnybrook cell this week. What do you think?

Another thing I wanted to share with you guys is a sweet new site I found on Twitter called Hello Giggles. It's sweet, cute, funny and just for girls. How perfect for Major Gal! Check this out, you'll have fun. Kate, you should definitely check it out ;)

That's about it for today my sweets. There is no relationship or Gigi post like there usually is on Thursdays. That's the beauty of being your own blogger boss, you can decide what to write and when. So what if I created a schedule? It's mine and I'll change it if I want to.

This Is My Loving Family

I spent last night hanging out with my cousin Kate at Sunnybrook Hospital. She's having pregnancy complications and is on bedrest indefinitely. I scooted over to see her after work with two popsicles stashed in my purse. She's craving cold stuff right now.

Poor Kate is stuck in bed and on day five of her captivity (her words, not mine), she's already going nuts. I set up her wifi connection last night and we immediately hopped on Facebook. Then I added some sites I love to her favourites so she has lots of places to surf from her hospital bed while baby Lily cooks away in her belly.

Kate is 31 weeks pregnant, so if Lily stays put until her due date...Kate will need some serious entertaining. I told her about Pinterest and we got her signed up for an invitation. Then I showed her Etsy (gave her an excuse to shop - possibly a bad move). I told her to start following mroe people on Twitter since that always entertains me and now I'm looking for some help. I want to send Kate a list of sites that will make her smile, keep her brain occupied and provide an outlet for her creative energy. Where would you send her?

Kate and I are five years apart. My Aunt Dolly is Kate's mom and my mom's older sister (one of her older sisters). "Dolly" is one of my most favourite names ever. It's a family name for us :) Since Kate is going to be spending loads of time staying comfortable, my Aunt Dolly knew she needed the appropriate wardrobe and promptly bought her all new maternity clothes for her hospital vacation. As Kate puts it, there's no need to stay in a hospital gown all day and night. You might as well look cute :)

We're all praying for Lily and Kate. I pray that Lily waits as long as possible to join us in this world and I pray that Kate stays healthy, pain-free and sane. The last wish might be tough since she's facing potentially two months of this new lifestyle. If you could keep my sweeties in your thoughts, it would mean so much to me and my family.

So, if you could just add one teensy item to your list of things to do today, please leave a comment below with a website you think Kate would enjoy. I'll pass along the info :)



This is Kate and I at her wedding almost three years ago. Such a great day!

This Old Song Makes Me Happy

"Lord knows there are things we can do baby..."

Back then he was John Cougar Mellencamp and I was a little girl singing the lyrics from the backseat of my mom's baby blue Buick Skyhawk. It was the 80s. My mom had big hair and everybody looked like they were from Jersey. Hairspray, eyeliner and shoulder pads were everywhere. I had bangs, crimped hair and Smurfette high top sneakers. I was singing "Hurts So Good" back then with no idea what the song was about. Today, I still sing every word when it comes on the radio or queues up on a playlist at a wedding. It's just one of those fantastic songs that fills me with memories.



Photo cred: usedcheapcars.org

"Sometimes love don't feel like it should."

We were all at a family party years ago and there is video footage of my mom, aunts, cousin and I all dancing to this killer track. Yes, even grown-ups have dance parties. It was such a fun time.

This past June Johnny's song flooded the speakers at Jen's wedding and the two of us shouted out every word with such conviction.

"Hey baby it's you. Come on girl now it's you."

It's been a while since I've blogged. I've been out in the city, enjoying the long weekend in Canada and catching up on the rays - it's patio season - but when this song came on satellite radio today I knew I had my "favourite things" post.

What's your favourite song? What song can ALWAYS get you on the dance floor? What song should play over the credits of your lifetime movie?

This Sunny Monday

Ahhhhh, do you feel that? It's sunshine. I know you might not recognize it since it's been ages since we've felt true warmth on our skin. Toronto finally has some spring weather and EVERYBODY was out this weekend. Gigi spent her mornings sunning herself on the balcony while I puttered around. Jo stopped over Saturday morning and we had lattes and watched Bethenny Ever After... I was still in my nightie when Jojo surprised me with a visit. It's okay though, we were roomies in university and danced together for years and years so she's seen me in less clothing.

After Jo took off for the Jays game, Gigi and I got ready for an afternoon on Queen West. Such a good fur baby - she took her mama shopping! Here's the confession part: I should not be shopping right now and it really has been ages since I bought new shoes, but I caved this weekend. Twice. So, happy mother's day to me!!! Thanks for the great heels Gigi - you really spoil me.

Saturday night Rach came over and I made quesadillas while we watched Happy Endings. This is my new favourite show. I PVR each episode and if I had to pick a group of tv people to live with, it would be this gang. Also, their Chicago condos are massive compared to my teensy Toronto dwelling so hanging out with them would be a nice change. Penny, if you're reading this, let's be best friends.

Rach and I met Jo and Tim (Jojo's beau) on King for a live art installation. I should have taken pictures but I was surrounded by real photographers and artsy people so I felt like a tool. But, if I HAD taken pictures, I'd include them below:

Yesterday was a lazy day. I did some volunteering judging for The Learning Partnership. I read through submissions of student run ventures, most of which donated their proceeds to charity. Then Gigi and I spent some time outside. She's not really in to the dog park. We go and I'm always hoping she'll run around and make friends, but she's usually sniffing trees by herself or sitting beside me. We did meet two adorable mini poodles and I was hoping she'd form a bond, but after a few minutes of spastic chasing games, she was over it. We left. Watched some more PVR and then I read a magazine in bed before passing out.

Mother's Day doesn't really make me sad anymore, but I was missing my mom all day long. That's every day of my life though, so yesterday wasn't much different. I thought about what I would have been doing if she were still alive and figured we'd be at the garden centre. Although I get my love of gardening from her, I didn't get her skill. Most of my flowers die or the dogs eat them :)

I hope you all spoiled your mamas yesterday. Some of my cousins checked in on me and it was wonderful to know I wasn't the only person thinking about my mom yesterday - they miss their Aunt Patty too. Love you guys xoxo