Personal Post Alert!
Today is the day I finally have my weird "skull bump" scanned and tested. I have had this abnormal lump on the top of my head for as long as I can remember and over the past month or so, it has grown. Needless to say, that's a little concerning.
I've never really worried about it too much. I thought people just had bumpy skulls sometimes. Apparently my "thing" is not normal. So. I mean.
We'll see?
My ultrasound is this afternoon - and yes, I will be impatiently awaiting the official results. Feeling a little anxious. Had to post about it! Hope it's nothing.
Some people are just bumpy, right?
UPDATE: Technician says it is nothing to worry about. Only a weird bump that brings the skull very close to the surface. He showed me multiple images and now I'm alarmed at how big the curve/lump is! But no longer concerned for other, more sinister reasons.
*phew*
shomi's August content let's us all catch up pre-Fall TV premieres
Blessed to have a direct connect with Marni Shulman, Senior Director and Head of Programming and Content at shomi. Here are some highlights from our chat covering new additions, returning classics, next day premieres, exclusive content (American Horror Story), new collections (Best of the 70s, 80s, 90s) and more.
The next four minutes of audio intertwined with trailers should have you interested in shomi's 30 day FREE TRIAL.
“shomi is the Canadian streaming service that brings premier TV and movies direct to your screen. We are made in Canada.”
The house I grew up in is for sale (pictures)
The house that I grew up in has been for sale many times since my parents sold it 13 years ago. I get excited every time I see the listing pop up. If I had the money, I'd buy this place back in a heartbeat.
Would you buy back the house you grew up in, if you could?
Here's the listing:
1745 BEACHBURG ROAD. via Realtor.ca
When I moved back to Ontario after working in Alberta for a year in 2011-2012 I specifically spoke with a mortgage broker (huge shout out to Kyle Miller) to line up my finances in case the house ever went up for sale (it wasn't at that time). I wanted to make sure I could buy it! Unfortunately, the stars didn't align that time.
I spent $40 on two bars of soap - you'll want to too when you read this story.
Full story via Imgur: http://imgur.com/gallery/YSgiu
"Soapmaking to raise money for my mom" by Imgur user Banjokanin.
“A little backstory:
My mom got diagnosed with leukemia half a year ago. It’s been rough on not only the family but specially her. Numerous admissions and infections, chemotherapy and pain is taking its toll. That’s why I started making soaps. Being creative and using my hands has always been something to make me relax. I decided to create an Etsy page, because I thought I could raise a little money to give her something to take her mind off her illness. ”
This story hits close to home for me. FUCK CANCER. As children of people who're fighting this bullshit, you feel kind of helpless. What can we do? How can we make things better? Regardless of how big or small a gesture, we have to do something. This lady chooses to make soaps!
She sells them out of her Etsy shop: SoapGardenDK in Denmark and ships 'em pretty much anywhere in the world. While the actual handmade bars of soap aren't all that pricey, the shipping can be (depending on where you live, obviously).
I found this young woman's attitude admirable and wish her and her family the absolute best. If you're looking for some feel good soaps - visit her shop. I ordered sandalwood and peppermint scented versions of what's pictured below!
Tea-tree and daisy soap - CA$10 via SoapGardenDK
Calgon, take me away (to Nordik)!
I'm 30. I've lived in Ottawa for 12 years and I've never been to Nordik Spa-Nature in Chelsea (Quebec).
Lucky for me, that all changed the fateful day they decided to follow me on Twitter...
Thanks for the follow @NordikSpaNature! I've never EVER been to Nordik but always hear the most wonderful things. ✌🏻️
— Amy Volume (@amyvolume) June 9, 2016
My first time at Nordik was juuuuuust right. Ryan & I started with the Thermal experience. You can choose this package ($51 Mon.-Thurs./$61 Fri.-Sun.) to have access to the saunas, spas and relaxation areas. This is the one most people go for at Nordik. You could easily spend an entire day going from spa to pool, sauna to relaxation in whatever order you want (though "hot - cool - hot - rest" is recommended).
Personally, I'm not huge on saunas. I did enjoy the Finlandia sauna. It was large and offered window seating (which I took full advantage of and lay down). I found this sauna the best for breathing and comfort as smaller, hotter saunas send me into some weird anxiety "I CAN'T BREATE IN HERE" panic (best to avoid).
The Tellura area was also pretty awesome. You lay down in a sauna like room on hot stone (quartz) slabs. While laying on stone slabs may not sound very comfortable, the heat of the room and radiating warmth from the stone is very calming.
Nordik's Källa treatment is the second of it's kind in the world. Källa offers unparalleled serenity in it's silent, underground setting. Guests can achieve total relaxation as theyfloat weightlessly in pure water saturated with 12% Epsom salts.
Nordik Spa-Nature's Källa Treatment
- Purifies body
- Improve blood circulation
- Accelerate wound healing
- Stimulates creativity
- Reduces stress
- Releases physical and intellectual tensions
- Reduces inflammation
The Källa treatment can be added on to your Thermal experience for an extra $40 and is also available as a stand alone service. Click the photo above for more information.
Since Ryan and I chose to go during the day (10am-2:30pm) we didn't go all out on a fancy meal at the restaurant but we did have some light lunch at the Panorama Lounge. The food and service were amazing. They have a great selection of fresh vegetarian options, too!
My favourite part of our four hours at Nordik was actually spent in Kaskad (the total silence zone) in the Ëdena (forest beach) area. They have these large floating beds at the back where you can easily drift off listening to the sound of waves. Just as the sun was peeking out, we lay there for a while after the Källa treatment.
All in all, I highly recommend making the 20 minute drive from downtown Ottawa to Chelsea's beautiful Nordik Spa-Nature. See for yourself why North America's largest spa is the go to getaway for so many people. Treat yourself to a mini vacation today!