DIY Project: Flower Planter

This year I decided I was not going to fill my outdoor planters with soil and flowers. I had a few reasons for coming to this decision-- first, the weather around Calgary is not always so nice. I can be snowed on during any month of the year (Don't laugh, it's true!) and it is often windy. Soil isn't always heavy enough to weigh the planter down and I have experienced hucked planters after a good blow. Flower planters are like decorated Christmas trees; once they've fallen down they are never again the same.

Click to enlarge picture

The second reason involves the first one... since the weather if often unpredictable, said flower planter often needs to come indoors. There might be a frost (which ends around early June here and begins up again by August end), or hail, or yes, snow. Hauling a container of this size inside is not an easy feat. Also, if I could continue on the life of the plant by simply bringing it indoors over the winter and keeping it going till the next season, that would be cheaper  nice too.

The Solution:

Drill holes in the bottom of the planter for drainage.

Use rocks to fill the planter half way. We used big rocks for the bottom portion and then switched to smaller gravel.

Keep the flowers in a pot (a nice 10/12 inch diameter is usually sufficient for most plants). Once you have the large rocks in the container, place the flowers in and carefully add gravel to hold it in place.

Sit back and enjoy!

When bad weather comes, simply remove the flower pot from the planter and take it indoors. You can easily replace it when the sun is shining again! If you sport a 'green thumb', perhaps these flowers will even last a few seasons.

Bonus tip: If you do manage to 'off' your flowers before the season is over, simply pull out the dead flower pot and replace with a new flower pot.

A Mother's Day Wish #ABHC4IVF #abpoli

Mother's Day is a celebration honouring motherhood;  however, for 1 in 6 Canadian couples dealing with the emotional and financial burdens of infertility, it can often be a difficult day.  A new survey released May 3, 2013 shows there is a great deal in common between today's mothers and those struggling to conceive.  The age they wished to have children by and the age they began actively trying to conceive were often similar.  Mothers also exhibited similar attitudes towards the causes of infertility, the challenges to access treatment and the role their government should play.

Survey conductors Today's Parent Magazine and EMD Serono Inc., uncovered both understanding  and support for couples facing infertility.  Of those surveyed,

• More than 36% also had difficulties conceiving
• One quarter (26%) said it took 2 years or more to conceive

and,

• The vast majority (83%) of Canadians believe infertility should be recognized as a 'Medical Condition'.

"I faced infertility is my mid-20's but was lucky to be able to afford treatment.  I was blessed with a straight-forward pregnancy and healthy son in my first attempt and twins in my second attempt;  however, it was a much more complicated pregnancy and birth," says Narda Simpson, a Calgary mom.  "As we approach Mother's Day, I would like to challenge Canadians to consider-- if your son or daughter faced this medical condition, wouldn't you want treatment to be available to them?"

Additional findings include:

• 87% believe cost is the single biggest challenge for those facing infertility
• 92% believe fertility treatments are too expensive for the average family
• 70% believe governments should provide financial assistance for fertility treatments

Over these last months, as a member of the 'Generations of Hope' blogging team, I have discussed many reasons why Albertans should sign the petition in support of IVF funding.  Currently, Quebec is the only province in Canada to provide universal access to in vitro fertilization through a policy that covers the cost of treatment.

"The policy has led to a 'win-win' for the healthcare system and those facing infertility," says Dr. Cal Greene, Director of the Regional Fertility Program in Calgary.  "Many of my patients are young and not financially in a position to afford the expensive fertility treatments.  What we have learned from the Quebec experience is that when we reduce the financial burden on patients requiring IVF treatment, they are far less likely to insist on transferring multiple embryos.  Transferring fewer embryos results in significant financial savings to the healthcare system while achieving better health outcomes for mothers and babies.  This is achieved by reducing complicated twin pregnancies and multiple births which is not only costly to the healthcare system and society, but to families as well."

FACT: In Quebec, multiple pregnancies through IVF have been reduced from approximately 30 per cent to well under 10 per cent, for an estimated cost savings to the health system of $30-$60 million per year since the program's inception.

Canadian Infertility Awareness Week begins May 19th and runs until May 26th.  


Let's do it Alberta.  It just makes sense.

Disclosure: I am a valued member of the Generations of Hope #ABHCIVF blog team. As such, I received compensation, but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

McHappy Day - May 8th! #RonaldMcDonaldHouse

Wednesday marks the 20th 'McHappy Day' !  Support the Ronald McDonald House and give sick children what they need most... their families.

I have supported the Ronald McDonald House in the past and will do so again.  
On Wednesday, I'll be treating my kids to a 'Happy Meal'.   It is for a very good cause.  If you do not get the chance to swing by McD's on the 8th, there are many other ways you can participate in this helpful initiative.  

To follow along on Twitter 'McHappy Day', look for the hashtag #McHappyDay !

*Disclaimer- A donation was made on behalf of SamiJoe to the Ronald McDonald House.*

The Royal Canadian Circus is Coming to Calgary ! #yyc

"The Royal Canadian Circus celebrates 250 years of Zerbini Family circus history under Canada's largest & most beautiful Big Top!" - from www.royalcanadiancircus.ca

Bring your family to the circus Calgary- starting May 10th until May 20th, 2013!  This family friendly, affordable event has something for everyone all enjoyed under a traditional big top tent.  With the largest cat act in the world, performing elephants, equestrian horses, astounding trapeze artistry, comedy, high flying acrobatics and... CLOWNS, the Zerbinis will show you why they've been doing this for 250 years!

To make this the ultimate affordable event, the 'Royal Canadian Circus' is offering General Admission tickets 2 for 1 !!

Head to their website Royal Canadian Circus or to their Facebook page to purchase tickets.  Just enter the word FUN into the coupon code box when checking out.

Feeling charitable?

The Zerbini family is proud to support the 'Kids Up Front' foundation in Calgary, an organization that provides access to arts, culture, sport and recreation for children who might not otherwise have the opportunity.  This program benefits everyone and provides an easy way to give back to the community.  Fill the seats with deserving children and purchase a ticket for a child in need!!

DaddyO, the kids and I will be heading to our first circus opening night... See you there!

The Walmart Frugal Challenge: Part 1

A few weeks ago, Walmart approached me to see if I'd like to compete in their 'Frugal Heroes Challenge' May 2, 2013. They provided a few examples of 'challenges', but I decided I had one of my own...

This is my office. Or, what we shall call my 'office'.  

(Feel free to click on the picture to enlarge.)

I KNOW it is a disaster area.  I know-- PLEASE DO NOT JUDGE (life gets pretty hectic around here)!! While I know where everything is in this room, no one else has a clue. It has become an olio of things with no proper place to live.

Challenge On!

Using only $100.00 , I am going to give this 'office' new life!

*Disclaimer: Walmart Canada provided 'Peek Thru Our Window' with a gift card to facilitate this post.  All opinions expressed are our own.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Life Is Rad #LakeLouiseAb

The thing about group photos is...

At least one person mucks up the shot always.

What is wrong DaddyO?

*To find out more about Why Life is Rad and our friend Normurai,

head to the link HERE.*

Fuel Up With AirMiles #Shell #Giveaway

Last week I asked you what you do with all the points you collect?  Then I heard about a way to earn more Air Miles, simply from fuelling up at Shell.

The Air Miles Cash program is a feature that allows you to instantly redeem the Air Miles reward miles in your Air Miles Cash balance, for savings against your purchases when you shop at participating Sponsors like Shell.

Shell is offering AIR MILES collectors the chance to boost their balances with 2 ways to #WIN AIR MILES reward miles:

1. Find out how you can enter to win 95,000 AIR MILES reward miles when you activate your AIR MILES Cash balance and you shop at Shell before June 2nd.

2. Each time you play the Shell AIR MILES Cash Quiz until May 27, 2013, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a Daily Prize of 95 AIR MILES reward miles and a Grand Prize of 9,500 reward miles.

And for everyone who likes FREE fuel, I have a special bonus for one lucky reader of 'Peek Thru Our Window' !  A $50 fuel card is up for grabs!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

*Giveaway is open to all Canadian residents. Winner will have 48 hours to respond by email, or another winner will be chosen.  Ends May 30, 2013 at 12:01am MST.*

*Disclaimer: While Shell Canada provided the gift card for giveaway, they are in no way responsible for the administration of the giveaway held on Peek Thru Our Window.*