Amy Volume 2020-01-02 Amy Volume 2020-01-02

Hopes for 2020

I hate using the word ‘goal’ because it can feel like a bit of a failure if it’s not met, right?

I’d rather publicize my ‘hopes’ for this year. I don’t live my life in absolute terms and it’s my opinion that no one seeking happiness should. Nevertheless, I find myself using the dreaded ‘g’ word. I use it softly knowing these ideas are more ‘hopes’ for myself and my well-being than absolute ‘MUST DO’ things…

2020 personal goals:

Do more ‘nothing’
Work on finding it easier to say ‘no’
Go slow/take my time

It’s my year of the 🐌
— AMY VOLUME (@amyvolume) January 1, 2020

As of this morning, I’m back at the gym. I had a pretty good thing going at the OAC pre-Rory (my second baby). Once I returned to work, my morning commute no longer accommodated ‘gym’ time… Recently, situations have changed which now allow me to get back into the swing of a normal exercise routine and it feels good!

Hope you’re having a Happy New Year… yes, I know it’s only the second of January but ‘hopes’ are not tethered to dates and times. You want it? Go get it.

Amy Volume 2019-12-11 Amy Volume 2019-12-11

Christmas Mission: 2019

On Amazon? Shop from my ‘Christmas Mission’ Wish List and let us do the heavy lifting. Give a gift to the little ones attending this year’s Christmas Dinner service Sunday, December 22nd at the Ottawa Mission.

Accepting NEW toy donations for kids who attend the Ottawa Mission's Christmas Dinner service. Just received a MASSIVE drop!!

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DEADLINE for *New* Toy Donations is THIS FRIDAY, December 20th. Every toy will go to a child attending the @ottawamission’s Christmas Dinner service on Sunday.

A post shared by KiSS 1053 (@kissottawa) on Dec 17, 2019 at 10:03am PST

Accepting NEW toy donations during business hours up until Friday, December 20th at:

2001 Thurston Drive
Ottawa, Ontario
K1G 6C9

All donated items will be given to our friends at the Ottawa Mission to hand out during their Christmas Dinner Service held Sunday, December 22nd.

If you would like to place an order for a new toy & have it delivered to the station, you can check out my Amazon Wish List (Click Here).

Below is a press release from the Mission with information about their services and other ways to give (food)!

Monday, December 16th Update: THIS IS THE FINAL WEEK TO DONATE GIFTS to the STATION!!

I’m bringing the toys to the Ottawa Mission this weekend, before their big Christmas Dinner service on Sunday, December 22nd. The deadline for drop-off at the radio station is Friday, December 20th! So I’ll be talking about this a lot over the next few days.

Off to a strong start, this morning two large boxes FULL of Lego were delivered to my studio from YanPeng Gao! THANK YOU!

The ever growing pile of toys, ready to bring joy to the little faces attending the Ottawa Mission’s Christmas dinner service on Sunday!

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My 1st 'DIY Moto' Holiday Party!

If you’re an Ottawa area motorcycle enthusiast, DIY Moto is a wonderful resource filled with the best people that you should have on your radar.

I’ve learned some stuff about my bike and made some new friends through various social meet-ups (and from just bumming around the garage) like the seasonal ‘Moto Social’. This was my first year attending DIY’s Christmas Party and it was a lot of fun!

Here are some pics from the night:

Shout out to Birling for supplying some awesome raffle prizes - I WON THE TOQUE! <3 <3 <3 This glorious raffle victory is made even more sweet as the toque I’ve been wearing for years, which is in dire need of retirement, comes from Birling’s predecessor, Antique (the OG Bank St. days). An additional shoutout to Sasquatch Soaps for their donated goods (which I ALSO won)! I’ll be smellin’ lovely in time for the holidays, so thank you!

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Holiday Gift Ideas for That Weird 30something in Your Life

I am a *weird, working parent in my mid-30s living in downtown Ottawa. Currently working on my annual Top 10 Wish List blog for personal gifting this holiday season. 🎄 Here’s what I’ve got so far…

Every year around this time I throw out into the blogiverse items from my personal Wish List.
If you know someone like me (33, mom, weird) & are a little starved for good/great gift ideas, here’s a start:

A gift card to Victoire; high-quality, eye catching, ethical, Canadian made clothing in the heart of Wellington West (bonus points for being close to my house)!
A unique, hand printed piece from Thief & Bandit. They have a new print out (Stardust) and I am obsessed.
Andrew King’s ‘Ottawa Rewind” (see tweet/link below)! Also available at Maker House on Wellington St.

IN STORES NOW! 📖

“Ottawa Rewind” my new book investigating some of this area’s most interesting hidden history and its curious mysteries.

$19.95 at Chapters, Indigo, @makerhouseco and other local book stores...also available for purchase online at:https://t.co/gQSZ9szdYB
— Andrew King (@twitandrewking) October 11, 2019

4. The only Lip Balm EVER = Carmex.
5. Google Home accessories; this one is subjective as there are loads of ‘assistants’ out there. I have successfully integrated Geenie and IKEA brand ‘smart bulbs’ on different levels of our home and I just love not having to walk up and down the stairs when a light needs to be turned on or off. We’ve got a smart display (Lenovo), a Hub and several Minis to connect every area and level of the house. This is a super helpful when my arthritis is flaring up!! If the person you’re buying for has mobility challenges, consider ‘smart home’ gifts… they rock!

Maybe 2020 will be the year you don’t have to buy another lost coat, or suitcase. Read our blog to learn 25 new ways to use your Tile Sticker and not break the bank this winter! ❄️
— Tile (@TheTileApp) November 26, 2019

6. Does the person you’re buying for lose things ALL. THE. TIME? Check out tiles. The device that helps you find your stuff. I love these for personal items (keys) and I also use them to keep tabs on the kids when we visit crowded places in the unlikely event we become separated. Tiles bring me peace of mind and would make an excellent gift.
7. Ozzy Osbourne’s new album ‘Ordinary Man’ should drop sometime in January so a pre-order from any rock music loving fan would probably be appreciated! This album is going to be all over the map, featuring Duff McKagan, Chad Smith, Post Malone and more. Keep an eye out for the official release date.
8. Beer; local suggestions include Whitewater, Ashton Brewing Co., Beau’s and Beyond the Pale. Looking for something a little fancier? Prosecco’s my fave and this one is sure to please, IMO: Blu Giovello, $15-ish.

Sick and tired of your regular old socks? Try our new beer-themed Christmas socks on for size! Or, get them for your Dad as usual. #wbcgear pic.twitter.com/Uo0xJVm1EU
— WhitewaterBrewingCo (@WhitewaterBrew) November 27, 2019

I’m struggling to top this Wish List off at an even ‘10’, so if you have any suggestions send them my way!

ADDED NOTE:
I’m, for the first time ever, hosting my family’s Christmas feast! Since I don’t know how to cook and the holidays are hectic enough, I decided to let Farm Boy do the work. I’ll let you know how that goes towards the end of the year. I’ve heard good things!

I’ve also decided to start including an Archival Index of my previous blog posts in case you’re bored.