L.E. Carmichael's Blog, page 40
January 21, 2016
Budgeting in 2016 – An Update on the Five Dollar Jar
Last year Tech Support and I resolved to set tighter limits on our “frivolous” spending. We wanted to direct more money towards our two big financial goals – paying down the mortgage and traveling more. But we needed permission to buy ourselves the occasional gift or treat, so we didn’t snap at the daily restrictions and do something drastic, like, I don’t know, paying $10,000 for a real live unicorn.* This is how the Five Dollar Jar was born. At the beginning of each month, Tech Support deposited $50 in five dollar bills into two jam jars, and we were allowed to spend it […]
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January 18, 2016
Six Reasons (Science) Writers Should Be in Schools
I attended junior high in Yellowknife, which is not the most isolated place in Canada, but definitely felt like it sometimes. Fortunately, the school library was huge, and offered a portal to endless worlds I couldn’t visit in the flesh. And then there was the time Sheree Fitch came to visit. To this day, I vividly remember watching in awe as she recited parts of her work-in-progress to us – a work that later became There Were Monkeys in My Kitchen. It was the first time I’d really understood that the books I loved were written by actual human beings. […]
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January 16, 2016
Alan Rickman is Gone… But Severus Snape Will Live Forever
The first Alan Rickman movie I ever watched was Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, in which he played the Sheriff of Nottingham. He was flamboyant, cutting, hilarious, frightening, and absolutely mesmerizing. He stole the show, and in a movie that also contains the great Morgan Freeman, that’s really saying something. I’ve been a fan of his work ever since. Rickman had a gift for creating villains that were such larger-than-life fun, I often found myself rooting for them rather than the heroes. Severus Snape was the epitome of this for me. I’ve long believed that Snape was the true protagonist […]
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January 14, 2016
Bath And Body Works Addiction: Boxing Day Edition*
Over the past decade, I’ve gotten in the habit of updating my wardrobe at US outlet malls, during the annual trip to see my Grandma. But we didn’t make it to Texas last year, and with the current exchange rate on Canadian dollars, waiting for the next trip just seemed silly. Especially since older items were wearing out and I hadn’t bought a new piece of clothing in 18 months, so my closet was looking a little thin. Plus, there were Boxing Week sales. So off to the mall I went, with a short and practical list of necessary items. And a […]
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January 11, 2016
The Only Two New Year’s Resolutions You Actually Need to Make
Like most people probably did, I spent a fair bit of time in December reflecting on 2015 and thinking about what I wanted to achieve in 2016. I made a huge list of goals. And then, because I’m nerdy like […]
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December 24, 2015
Until 2016, My Friends!
The blog is going dark for a week so I can take some much needed Christmas naps. I wish you all rest, peace, and joy this holiday season, no matter which holiday you call your own. See you in 2016!
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December 21, 2015
Gene Therapy Gives the Gift of Sight
In 1988, scientist and veterinarian Kristina Narfström met with a breeder of Briard sheepdogs. One of the puppies in the breeder’s litter was behaving oddly – bumping into objects its siblings walked around. When Narfström tested the puppies, she discovered that […]
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December 19, 2015
Twelve Days of Stuff That’s Hard to Wrap
I confess – I am not a fan of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In addition to being one of those Christmas carols that never seems to end (all due respect to Lamb Chop), it just makes no sense. Who […]
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December 17, 2015
My First Sugar Free Christmas – Butterhorns Edition
As readers will know, I had to give up refined sugar this year. After the initial cupboard-purge, it’s been easier than I thought it would be. But now it’s Christmas. And part of the fun of Christmas is food – cookies, […]
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December 10, 2015
Unpacking Christmas Memories
One of my favourite things about December is decorating for Christmas. My decorations are relatively modest, and there’s no unifying sense of style or flair. My house would never be featured in a decorating magazine, but every item I display […]
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