Guest Post: Elisabeth

Hey hey and happy almost-Friday! I have a fun post for you today! Elisabeth and I decided to do a blog swap today, so you can find me over there today and she's taking the helm over here. 

I can't quite remember when I "met" Elisabeth, but we were fast friends. I agree with her characterization of us being "kindred spirits" a la Anne and Diana of Anne of Green Gables. Elisabeth leaves such thoughtful, insightful comments and we've developed a friendship outside of blogging as we often email back and forth to check in on one another and to delve more deeply into the ups and downs of life.

Elisabeth is a working mama of 2 and is often the "home parent" while her husband travels fairly extensively for his European-based role. Since I tend to be the "traveling parent," I can appreciate the hard job she has on the home front; I whole-heartedly believe that the "home parent" has the harder job of the two. Her kids are a bit older than mine so I love the sneak peak of what is to come in my parenting journey. I appreciate how Elisabeth acknowledges the peaks and valleys of parenting; that's something I really strive to do as well. Now if only I could teleport myself to her charming city in Nova Scotia for a cup of tea (for her) and a cup of coffee (for me). But since that's not possible, settle in and get to know Elisabeth through this fun list of questions she almost entirely came up with!

1. What seemingly “little” moment have you observed or been a part of lately that brought a disproportionate amount of joy?

My son loves to sing, and has been singing the chorus to one particular song on repeat for weeks. One evening, he was in the shower singing the same two or three lines over and over again - with gusto! At one point it gets quite high and he would take that as his cue to start singing even more enthusiastically (with a few adorable voice cracks). I was literally clutching my heart while I listened - it was so sweet and genuine and hilarious. (And, while he’s not self-conscious about singing, he was oblivious that anyone could hear him…which made it even sweeter). Pure joy.

2. What aspect of your current life/career would most surprise 20-year-old Elisabeth?

That I don’t have more children (I always assumed I would have 4). I think I’d also be surprised that I didn’t end up having a traditional career. I had my first child three months after finishing my Master’s degree (in Biology) and have worked non-conventionally ever since including co-founding two businesses with my husband. I love structure and oversight, which basically goes out the window when you’re starting an entrepreneurial venture… 

3. Do you have any go-to resets when you’re feeling overwhelmed or struggling to stay focused?

Decluttering or tidying - reorganizing a closet, straighening cans in the pantry - and listening to upbeat music. Bonus points if I do both things at once.

4. If you could add (or subtract) one habitual behaviour in your life, what would it be?

Add: A daily stretching/yoga practice. I am horrifically unflexible, but I can’t seem to stick to a regular routine. 

Subtract: Emotional eating or anything that involves “baggage” around the food I make and consume. This is 100x better since I’ve started eating “intutively” but I suspect I’ll always have remnant struggles on the food front.

5. What was your favourite purchase (under $200) in 2022?

Eufy, our robovac. It’s a bit ridiculous how much I adore this little machine.

6. If you could eat only one meal on repeat for a week, what would you choose?

Cheating on this slightly…

Breakfast: A toasted English muffin with peanut butter and sliced banana

Lunch: Roasted sweet potato and eggs

Dinner: Sushi

Now I’m hungry for every single one of those food items!

7. If you had $5,000 that had to be spent “frivolously,” how would you spend it?

Travel - more specifically, another trip with my husband. I’d love to do the Amalfi Coast, Venice, Portugal, Iceland…just about anywhere, honestly.

8. If you could snap your fingers and have all the capabilities necessary to excel in any career or hobby (e.g. if your wish was to be a famous rockstar, you’d magically have the necessary vocal/instrumental skills), what would you choose and why?

Broadway singer. I love singing, I love lyrical music, and even though I’m introverted, I actually like being up in front of people. Or a professional organizer. The latter could theoretically happen, I suppose?

9. List five things that would happen as part of your idealized “perfect day.”

• The weather would be perfect - not too hot, not too cold. I’d be comfortable in short sleeves, but never overheated. (I am very high-maintenance with temperature.)

• I’d slowly savour a great cup of coffee on our deck.

• I’d fit in a long walk with my husband or best friend.

• I’d get a massage.

• I wouldn’t have to cook - or clean up after any meal - and the food would all be delicious.

(Also - this might sound horrible and I love them very much - I think for this to be a “perfect day” my kids would be happily occupied elsewhere.)

[Editor's note: my kids were absent from my perfect day, too. Like Elisabeth, I adore my children but when they are around, the day is not generally about what I want to do...]

10. Favourite movie, song, or book from 2022?

My favourite movie from 2022 was Top Gun. So entertaining, and the first time I saw it was when I was visiting my sister and her family in South Carolina and we were in a modern theatre with heated recliners. The whole experience was delightful from start to finish. 

11. Do you enjoy playing kids games? Are there any you particularly love or loathe? (I strongly dislike Hi-Ho Cherrio and Chutes and Ladders because those games can be endless). 

I loved games as a kid, but I’m not a huge fan now. That said, we played 100s of games of UNO at the start of the pandemic and I can tolerate a lot of UNO. Sorry, Five Crowns, and Golf are fun. I loathe Clue, Chutes & Ladders, and Charades. Oh, and Hungry, Hungry Hippos. All that clanking drives. me. crazy.

12. What is your ideal weather forecast? 

Fall in Canada. I love the crisp mornings, golden sunlight, and warm afternoons. This perfect weather only lasts for a few weeks, but I crave it all year. 

13. If you had to describe yourself using 5 words, what words would you choose?

Such a good question - and, also, SO HARD! It’s interesting thinking through what words I would use to describe myself versus what words other people would use. Last year a friend had a group of us do an exercise where we wrote one-word descriptors for each other and some of the words people used to describe me were…surprising. Insightful. Confident. Intelligent. Outgoing. Adventurous. Reliable. Brave. ENERGETIC?! What? Who is this wonder woman and when can I meet her?

My words: organized, questioner, emotional, storyteller, frugal

I sound a bit…boring. Maybe we should go with the words other people suggested?

14. What is your favorite place in Canada to visit? Is there anywhere you’d especially love to visit? 

I haven’t visited that many places in Canada - nothing West of Ontario, though I’d love to visit Banff someday -  but of all the places I’ve been (6 provinces), Nova Scotia - where we live - is my favourite. It’s absolutely beautiful. There is a relaxed pace of life, wide open green spaces, orchards and vineyards everywhere, a temperate climate (for Canada), and so much coastline. It has been a wonderful place to raise a family, and it feels like home.

Ok reader, it's your turn! Pick a few questions to answer in your comment!