35F: Christmas Wishlist

Give a gift to the men in need at the Ottawa Mission.

Here is a wish list of their Most Needed items - should you with to purchase anything from this list, it will be sent to my radio station (CHEZ 106, Rogers Sports and Media, located at 2001 Thurston Drive). CLICK HERE to buy something today & I will deliver it for you. You are also able to direct shipping to your house.

Air Purifiers. So hot right now.

These could be considered modern day ‘snake oil’ but when something very smelly sprayed my cottage and I couldn’t get the stink out… I gave this Hamilton Beach model a whirl and have since used it to rid the sour milk stink from our car (which was extreme) and refresh common areas in our house with great success! I am convinced that these things are the real deal but buyer beware: there are many brands and models out there to choose from. Lucky for me, I seem to have chosen wisely out the gate.

The Best Underwear: Period.

I had always been interested in ditching tampons and pads but they just seem to be a necessary evil. Until someone recommended Knix and flipped the script on free bleeding. You heard me. Comfiest underwear (and bras) ever. I would like one of each of this Canadian owned businesses’ offerings. They often have good sales, too. Not sure which size or style to purchase? Gift cards work.

Smart Devices make Life Easier.

Some people love ‘em, others hate ‘em and almost every tech company you can think of has something voice-activated on the market. Here are some of my favourite brands and suggested items that really elevate my quality of life. I’m physically disabled so every step matters in terms of pain management, energy conservation and accessibility.

• Google: hub, mini, chromecast and display.

• Globe: light bulbs and LED strip

• Wyze: camera and plugs

• Geeni: outdoor plug, smart strip (power bar) and wall tap

I tried getting into IKEA’s smart home line (Tradfri) but my experience with their hub, dimmers and bulbs was excruciating. Would not recommend.

Everyday Things.

Lip chap, toothpaste, gas & grocery cards, hair elastics, a good travel mug, socks, winter weather accessories or heated items for maximum comfort. Little things that get used every day always make a great gift because… they get used frequently and are likely to need replacing or replenishing.

There’s nothing terribly flashy about My Wishlist this year. If you are hoping to purchase a gift for someone like me (35F, mom, FT career, commuter), I would suggest grabbing something that helps to make their life easier. I think this advice could apply to anyone on your shopping list at any time of year. Pandemic life has been tiring. If you can’t think of anything your giftee needs, consider donating to a favorite charity in their name.

Here are some of my favourite charities: the Ottawa Mission, CHEO, Minwaashin Lodge, the Food Bank, the Ottawa Hospital and the Canadian Cancer Society. Leave yours in the comments below!

Birthday Wish for CHEO

Last year I was inspired to dedicate my birthday to kids in treatment at CHEO. I know how long and boring those days can be in isolation - I think we can all relate, too, on some level thanks to this outbreak.

This year, things will be a little different. Yes. I’m still getting older on the 25th. Yes. There are still a lot of children, from babies to teens, receiving life saving (and life altering) treatment in hospital. Many are confined to small, isolated rooms. Some are cut off from their friends and family. Others have to miss out on normal kid stuff because they are sick.

To help make their day a little brighter, I decided to direct any and all attention from myself to them.

Were you going to buy me a card? Were you thinking of taking me out for lunch, dinner, a pint or a coffee? Were you maybe going to gift me a scratch card or cold hard cash (a classic granny move)?

If you answered ‘yes’ or ‘I was thinking of maybe doing that’. First, thank you! Second, please throw that money here:

This is my second year doing this for the kids and, working with the CHEO Foundation, I have made sure 100% of the proceeds go directly to FUN! Art supplies, craft kits, toys, stuffies, movies and other sources of entertainment.

Last year, I was blown away with all the support and gifts given for the kids. This year, I will not be accepting any physical donations in person. I do want to see the faces of those who ARE giving though, so please send me selfies of you with your BIGGEST smiles alongside any messages you wish to give to children in treatment.

This campaign will last the entire month of April. Please help me spread the word for our young friends self-isolating at our wonderful CHEO.

We NEED to Talk.

In times of darkness look for the light.
Working in media, I find myself consuming a lot of stories. Constantly paying attention to global issues. I become attached to stories that move me.
Sometimes the hardest stories are the ones we wish we never heard but they are the ones we need to hear the most.

Beyond playing your favourite pop music during my radio show or sharing a few laughs about celebrity news or whatever, I’m a human trying to process the state of the world through a sometimes indescribably horrid lens.
Talking allows me to process the tougher stories and harsher realities that come along with absorbing so much.
I feel these stories and I genuinely want to help. It’s the only way I know how.

What if Social Media Could Save Your Favorite Local Venue?

I've had this idea for a while now and don't know what to do with it. Maybe if enough people care, the idea will reach someone or a team of savvy tech people who can make it happen. I had shared this idea, funnily enough, via Facebook a year or two ago and it turned some heads. Now the urgency to be heard (and have it implemented) is greater because Ottawa is losing another historic live music venue... Zaphods. #sad

THE IDEA

What if Facebook Event Invite pages had an option to donate an unspecified monetary amount towards the venue? I get invited to loads of awesome events on Facebook because I follow a lot of musicians. I generally opt out of events these days as I've been pregnant, sick or staying at home with baby. It doesn't mean I don't want to support your band - or, on a grander scale - the venue. If I could click "Yes" "Maybe" or "No" with the option to donate the door price/ticket price/or PWYC (pay what you can), I would. Not every time. But more than ZERO times.

Giving your targeted guests the option to throw a dollar, ten dollars or more towards your event allows guests the privilege of being like "hey, I can't make it out but you rock and I wanna support you." 

Find tickets?: If you know you can't make it and maybe don't wanna pay a full ticket price yet still want to support the band/venue/event why not add a PWYC option?

Like I said - this idea could potentially help give dying scenes the boost they need to stay afloat. It's not always finances keeping fans and friends away from shows/events... We want to help. 

#RIPZaphods