This is why I love Vancouver....it is just such a beautiful place (even when it rains). I took these pics this past Easter weekend at my folks place - they live on an island just outside of Vancouver.
Thursday, April 20, 2006
When it doesn't rain...
This is why I love Vancouver....it is just such a beautiful place (even when it rains). I took these pics this past Easter weekend at my folks place - they live on an island just outside of Vancouver.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
so much to do, so little time....
When I first started this blog I was pretty good about posting something every day or two. I look now and I am shocked that it has been over a week. It isn't that I don't think of things to blog about, but it just seems like I don't have much time, and all I want to do is crash on the couch at the end of the day. I was thinking of all the things I have to get done in the next week or two and honestly, I am scared to write it all down. Between work, preschool, photography and miscellaneous other stuff, I hardly have time to breathe it seems.
One thing that I did start a few months ago was running. I joined a running clinic with the hopes that I could finish a 10 kilometer run. The big test is next week's Vancouver Sun Run. I have run 10K a couple of times, and suprisingly, didn't collapse at the end. Thank goodness for the running group, there are some days it takes ALL MY ENERGY to get out the front door, especially when it is pissing down rain. There has been talk amongst the group that we may start training for the Victoria half marathon....I think I might give it a try and see what happens. The thought of running 21 kilometers without stopping is a bit daunting though.
I have never been a runner. Years ago I was a swimmer, but I got so burned out that the smell of chlorine almost makes me wretch. The nice thing about swimming is that it is great exercise, and the stress on your body is pretty minimal. I am hoping one day to get back into the pool (maybe join a masters swim team) but right now I am doing the running thing and enjoying it quite a bit.
In the next few weeks I hope to have up some of the photos from the wedding that I did about a month ago...gotta get on that!
One thing that I did start a few months ago was running. I joined a running clinic with the hopes that I could finish a 10 kilometer run. The big test is next week's Vancouver Sun Run. I have run 10K a couple of times, and suprisingly, didn't collapse at the end. Thank goodness for the running group, there are some days it takes ALL MY ENERGY to get out the front door, especially when it is pissing down rain. There has been talk amongst the group that we may start training for the Victoria half marathon....I think I might give it a try and see what happens. The thought of running 21 kilometers without stopping is a bit daunting though.
I have never been a runner. Years ago I was a swimmer, but I got so burned out that the smell of chlorine almost makes me wretch. The nice thing about swimming is that it is great exercise, and the stress on your body is pretty minimal. I am hoping one day to get back into the pool (maybe join a masters swim team) but right now I am doing the running thing and enjoying it quite a bit.
In the next few weeks I hope to have up some of the photos from the wedding that I did about a month ago...gotta get on that!
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Milestone....
I wrote quite awhile ago here about Ethan's little ritual of getting completely naked when he goes to the bathroom to poo (I have no idea why I find it so weird to type "poo". I have no problems with shit, crap, dump, #2, but "poo" just feels funny to type out). Typically, he just announces that he has to do a poo-poo, and proceeds to gear down to nothing (including socks) right where he is standing. It could be the living room, family room, kitchen...you name the place, and he has gotten naked there. In fact, after Christmas dinner this year, he got down from the dinner table, stripped, and streaked through the house to get to the bathroom. At that point I decided that we would work on the whole getting naked thing.
I am pretty damed lucky that he hasn't had to go while at preschool - I explained to the teacher that he gets naked when he poops, and her first question to me was "where did he learn that?". Hmmmmm....I have no idea. I think that she thought that we just all get naked as a matter of course to go to the can in our house. Actually, I am sure that it stems from the time that he got his shirt wet when he was taking a pee - Ethan hates being dirty or messy, and I guess that this memory is etched in his little mind and every time he goes to the can, he wants to make sure he will stay as clean as possible.
So I figured that I would try something this week to get him to go to the bathroom with his clothes on. I had tried in the past to do it in baby steps, leaving his socks on, then his shirt, etc...but that didn't work. We didn't get past the socks. So in despiration I did what all the parenting books tell you not to. I bribed him. With a toy. I told him that if he did a poo poo with all his clothes on, I would buy him a special treat (thank goodness for dollar stores!). It worked. A little too well. No fights, no arguements, no nothing. He trotted off to the can, did his business, and that was it. I was fearful that I would have to buy him special treats every time he took a shit until he was 21. Thank goodness that (at least to this point) it seems as though one small firetruck is all that it took. For now.
I am pretty damed lucky that he hasn't had to go while at preschool - I explained to the teacher that he gets naked when he poops, and her first question to me was "where did he learn that?". Hmmmmm....I have no idea. I think that she thought that we just all get naked as a matter of course to go to the can in our house. Actually, I am sure that it stems from the time that he got his shirt wet when he was taking a pee - Ethan hates being dirty or messy, and I guess that this memory is etched in his little mind and every time he goes to the can, he wants to make sure he will stay as clean as possible.
So I figured that I would try something this week to get him to go to the bathroom with his clothes on. I had tried in the past to do it in baby steps, leaving his socks on, then his shirt, etc...but that didn't work. We didn't get past the socks. So in despiration I did what all the parenting books tell you not to. I bribed him. With a toy. I told him that if he did a poo poo with all his clothes on, I would buy him a special treat (thank goodness for dollar stores!). It worked. A little too well. No fights, no arguements, no nothing. He trotted off to the can, did his business, and that was it. I was fearful that I would have to buy him special treats every time he took a shit until he was 21. Thank goodness that (at least to this point) it seems as though one small firetruck is all that it took. For now.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Thankful
Making the decision to have a child - it's momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking outside your body.
~Elizabeth Stone~
Today is the second anniversary of Nicholas' heart surgery. He was only three days old. We had no idea when he was born that he had a heart defect, and we were extremely lucky that there were a long list of doctors and nurses who were involved with diagnosing and treating him soon after he was born. Never in my life had I felt so absolutely helpless as I did that first week of my wee baby's life.
Ken and I were so fortunate that we had so much help, love and understanding from family and friends who stepped in at a moment's notice and would have moved the earth and then some if we asked. My mom came and stayed at the house so that Ken and I could go to and from the hospital a few times a day. Poor Ethan had no idea what was going on, but having his grandparents around to help out lessened the stress considerably. My mother-in-law made sure that I ate, and prepared meals for us to take on the way to the hospital.
The emotional support from friends was amazing - one friend in particular who had lost her own child a couple of years earlier and was a wealth of information and support - she was one of the only ones who would truly know what we were going through.
We were fortunate that our wee man's surgery went really well. To look at him today one would never guess that his little ticker isn't 100%. Often when I see him playing outside I forget - he is more active than Ethan ever was, and some days he just doesn't stop. It still floors me that only two years ago I was anxiously awaiting to hear how the surgery went on his little wee heart the size of a walnut and the consistancy of wet tissue paper.
~Elizabeth Stone~
Today is the second anniversary of Nicholas' heart surgery. He was only three days old. We had no idea when he was born that he had a heart defect, and we were extremely lucky that there were a long list of doctors and nurses who were involved with diagnosing and treating him soon after he was born. Never in my life had I felt so absolutely helpless as I did that first week of my wee baby's life.
Ken and I were so fortunate that we had so much help, love and understanding from family and friends who stepped in at a moment's notice and would have moved the earth and then some if we asked. My mom came and stayed at the house so that Ken and I could go to and from the hospital a few times a day. Poor Ethan had no idea what was going on, but having his grandparents around to help out lessened the stress considerably. My mother-in-law made sure that I ate, and prepared meals for us to take on the way to the hospital.
The emotional support from friends was amazing - one friend in particular who had lost her own child a couple of years earlier and was a wealth of information and support - she was one of the only ones who would truly know what we were going through.
We were fortunate that our wee man's surgery went really well. To look at him today one would never guess that his little ticker isn't 100%. Often when I see him playing outside I forget - he is more active than Ethan ever was, and some days he just doesn't stop. It still floors me that only two years ago I was anxiously awaiting to hear how the surgery went on his little wee heart the size of a walnut and the consistancy of wet tissue paper.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
blah blog
Sigh...it has been ages since I have blogged. I honestly thought I could easily keep this up daily, but it isn't turning out that way. I have been so tired lately - work is CRAZY (but I really like my job) and even though I technically only work part-time, it feels like I am working full time. It is great it is so busy, but by the end of the day I am ready to just crash in front of the tube.
I have also taken up running. A long long long time ago I used to be a competitive swimmer. Not that I was ever a serious threat in the pool...I once swam against Victor Davis (a Canadian champ from way back) in an fun race at a swim meet and he KICKED MY ASS. It was all downhill from there. Lots of swimming and coaching over the years has given me a serious case of chlorine burn out, so I have decided to train to run - starting with a 10K race to be held here in Vancouver at the end of April. I am quite impressed with myself - about 2 months ago I could barely run 30 seconds without passing out, and last night I ran 30 minutes. The only thing that has been frustrating as hell is that I haven't lost any weight. I guess I am gaining muscle, but still, I want that scale to scream "skinny" when I step on it.
I also had my first photography gig on the weekend. A friend's wedding in Downtown Vancouver. It went ok, on a scale of 1-10 I give myself about a 7 for the pics. I would love to post some now, but since the bride and groom haven't even seen them yet, I should wait....I'll get them up once they are edited (have I mentioned that I LOVE PHOTOSHOP?).
I have also taken up running. A long long long time ago I used to be a competitive swimmer. Not that I was ever a serious threat in the pool...I once swam against Victor Davis (a Canadian champ from way back) in an fun race at a swim meet and he KICKED MY ASS. It was all downhill from there. Lots of swimming and coaching over the years has given me a serious case of chlorine burn out, so I have decided to train to run - starting with a 10K race to be held here in Vancouver at the end of April. I am quite impressed with myself - about 2 months ago I could barely run 30 seconds without passing out, and last night I ran 30 minutes. The only thing that has been frustrating as hell is that I haven't lost any weight. I guess I am gaining muscle, but still, I want that scale to scream "skinny" when I step on it.
I also had my first photography gig on the weekend. A friend's wedding in Downtown Vancouver. It went ok, on a scale of 1-10 I give myself about a 7 for the pics. I would love to post some now, but since the bride and groom haven't even seen them yet, I should wait....I'll get them up once they are edited (have I mentioned that I LOVE PHOTOSHOP?).
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Those eyelashes
I have no idea where they got them from....but man what I wouldn't give for these...
Friday, March 03, 2006
Proud Mama...
Ethan has been a royal pain in the backside today, grumpy as all hell. I have no idea why, but wow - whoever said two was terrible has not run smack into my three year old. I must admit, for the most part he is pretty good, but it is on days like today that if Ken was to suggest that we try for kiddo number three I'd tell him that I would rather poke myself in the eye with rusty scissors.
Having said all that, Ethan has made me pretty proud this week. First off, we managed after WEEKS of trying to finally get him to blow is nose. This is a huge deal around here. Mind you, it is a very dainty blow, but air is coming out his nose rather than him sniffing, so at this point I'll take what I can get.
Next, I was surfing the Robeez web page and came across this:
Honestly, I thought this picture had wound up on the cutting room floor, so it was a nice surprise to see it on the web page.
But by far the best is the surprise that Ethan gave me last week. We were at the preschool open house and he was pretty busy drawing. Now Ethan never sits still for more than five seconds, so when I wandered over to see what he was doing I was shocked.
This is a picture of our family....needless to say I have framed it because I just love it so much. The funny thing is that Ethan drew his head the roundest of all of us, which is quite ironic seeing as how he had to wear a helmet when he was a baby to round out his noggin!
Having said all that, Ethan has made me pretty proud this week. First off, we managed after WEEKS of trying to finally get him to blow is nose. This is a huge deal around here. Mind you, it is a very dainty blow, but air is coming out his nose rather than him sniffing, so at this point I'll take what I can get.
Next, I was surfing the Robeez web page and came across this:
Honestly, I thought this picture had wound up on the cutting room floor, so it was a nice surprise to see it on the web page.
But by far the best is the surprise that Ethan gave me last week. We were at the preschool open house and he was pretty busy drawing. Now Ethan never sits still for more than five seconds, so when I wandered over to see what he was doing I was shocked.
This is a picture of our family....needless to say I have framed it because I just love it so much. The funny thing is that Ethan drew his head the roundest of all of us, which is quite ironic seeing as how he had to wear a helmet when he was a baby to round out his noggin!
Two things I said in the last week I totally regret...
Oh it has been a couple of weeks from HELL. Hence the lack of posts.
Last week, one of the moms at preschool said that her son had been throwing up constantly all day. I told her "wow, that must be awful. I haven't ever had to deal with that" (things I said regret #1)
Fast forward a few days and Nicholas is a barfing machine. My poor mom was looking after him, and while I got puked on first thing on my way to work, she had to clean up the rest of it for most of the day. He kept nothing down, not even water. I hate it when they are sick, makes me want to just take it away from them and have it myself so they don't have to go through the misery (things I said regret #2)
So I came home from work early to take him to the doctor (I was concerned he would become dehydrated). We walk into the clinic, and my beautiful, angelic son proceeds to barf over everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. The counter, the floor, my hair, my clothes, all over himself....I am still gobsmacked at the amount of puke that came out of his little wee body. Great timing though I must admit, we got into see the doctor right away.
Turns out he must have had a 24 hour bug, because he is fine now. I on the other hand felt like I had been hit by a truck yesterday, I could hardly get out of bed, and when I did it was to run to the bathroom. OMG it was awful. I haven't been that sick in years, not even when I was pregnant. On the plus side I lost 7 pounds, but I don't recommend the method!
Last week, one of the moms at preschool said that her son had been throwing up constantly all day. I told her "wow, that must be awful. I haven't ever had to deal with that" (things I said regret #1)
Fast forward a few days and Nicholas is a barfing machine. My poor mom was looking after him, and while I got puked on first thing on my way to work, she had to clean up the rest of it for most of the day. He kept nothing down, not even water. I hate it when they are sick, makes me want to just take it away from them and have it myself so they don't have to go through the misery (things I said regret #2)
So I came home from work early to take him to the doctor (I was concerned he would become dehydrated). We walk into the clinic, and my beautiful, angelic son proceeds to barf over everything. And I mean EVERYTHING. The counter, the floor, my hair, my clothes, all over himself....I am still gobsmacked at the amount of puke that came out of his little wee body. Great timing though I must admit, we got into see the doctor right away.
Turns out he must have had a 24 hour bug, because he is fine now. I on the other hand felt like I had been hit by a truck yesterday, I could hardly get out of bed, and when I did it was to run to the bathroom. OMG it was awful. I haven't been that sick in years, not even when I was pregnant. On the plus side I lost 7 pounds, but I don't recommend the method!
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Back to reality...
Ken and I just got back from Hawaii...I didn't realize that I would be missed, but I got a few e-mails from some readers wondering where the heck I was. Funny - my kids couldn't have cared less we were gone!
It was a pretty good trip down, we flew with
Harmony Airways and the service was pretty good, and the food wasn't bad either. Much better than Air Canada - I try to avoid them at all costs if I can. We flew into Honolulu, and after we landed, we had to clear homeland security before we caught a connector to Kauai. Ken was wearing his knee brace (similar to this one) under his pants, and he set every damned alarm off in the joint. He was pulled off to the side, had a wand passed over every inch of his body, and questioned right down to his underwear size. They swabbed his hands, his brace, and for a second, I honestly thought they were going to make him drop his drawers so they could swab his ass. Thankfully they didn't. For all his trouble, he got a cute little sticker.
We make our way to claim our luggage after the knee brace fiasco, we came across a group of guys who were checking the contents of their "luggage" with a gentleman with a clipboard. All we heard was a series of numbers. As we got closer, we could see that their "luggage" was actually these huge, semi-automatic guns. A group of us were keeping our distance, and in complete shock that this was being done about 10 feet from the luggage claim area. You just don't see that in Canada (at least I haven't). I wanted to pull out my camera SO BADLY, but Ken would have wrestled me to the ground if I had tried. After what he had just been through with his knee brace, he wasn't about to find out how they would deal with his shudder happy wife taking pictures of those big black guns. I have a whole new respect for my girlfriend who shot a roll of film in a restricted area when she was in Iran. I wish I had the guts to have snuck a few shots in Hawaii!
That was about the most adventure we had all week - which is just fine by me. We spent quite a bit of time exploring the island, did some kayaking, swimming in the ocean, and seeing a luau. All in all it was a great holiday. My parents are slowly recovering from a week with the kids, and reality has hit both Ken and I square in the face. It hardly feels like we were away!
Pictures to come....
It was a pretty good trip down, we flew with
Harmony Airways and the service was pretty good, and the food wasn't bad either. Much better than Air Canada - I try to avoid them at all costs if I can. We flew into Honolulu, and after we landed, we had to clear homeland security before we caught a connector to Kauai. Ken was wearing his knee brace (similar to this one) under his pants, and he set every damned alarm off in the joint. He was pulled off to the side, had a wand passed over every inch of his body, and questioned right down to his underwear size. They swabbed his hands, his brace, and for a second, I honestly thought they were going to make him drop his drawers so they could swab his ass. Thankfully they didn't. For all his trouble, he got a cute little sticker.
We make our way to claim our luggage after the knee brace fiasco, we came across a group of guys who were checking the contents of their "luggage" with a gentleman with a clipboard. All we heard was a series of numbers. As we got closer, we could see that their "luggage" was actually these huge, semi-automatic guns. A group of us were keeping our distance, and in complete shock that this was being done about 10 feet from the luggage claim area. You just don't see that in Canada (at least I haven't). I wanted to pull out my camera SO BADLY, but Ken would have wrestled me to the ground if I had tried. After what he had just been through with his knee brace, he wasn't about to find out how they would deal with his shudder happy wife taking pictures of those big black guns. I have a whole new respect for my girlfriend who shot a roll of film in a restricted area when she was in Iran. I wish I had the guts to have snuck a few shots in Hawaii!
That was about the most adventure we had all week - which is just fine by me. We spent quite a bit of time exploring the island, did some kayaking, swimming in the ocean, and seeing a luau. All in all it was a great holiday. My parents are slowly recovering from a week with the kids, and reality has hit both Ken and I square in the face. It hardly feels like we were away!
Pictures to come....
Thursday, February 02, 2006
More of what???
I don't think it is too much of a secret that I want more kids - at least on the days where the two I have don't send me close to the edge. They have been really good this past week - which does not bode well for Ken when we head off on vacation (without the kids) in a few days. I really want to try for a little girl (but would be happy with another boy), but Ken is convinced that if we try again, I will have twin boys and we will have to work until we are 80 in order to support FOUR boys. I am not convinced it would be that bad, although I can imagine the grocery bill would be a tad overwhelming when they got older.
One of my co-workers was asking me the other day what our plans were when we were away. I looked at her, and said (straight faced I might add) "I'm going to get knocked up". She just about spat out her coffee in shear and utter shock - and asked me if Ken knew about this. Oh, Ken knows. Every vacation we have taken in the past (with the exception of our honeymoon and a wedding we went to back east last year) I have got pregnant (either that or I was already pregnant on the vacation). So, I figure the odds are pretty much in my favour.
My other aim is to get a nice tan. I am not much of a lie-in-the-sun person, but I sure as hell am a swim-in-the-warm-ocean type of person, so chances are I will be getting a bit of colour. That would be a nice change from my rain induced pasty white complexion at the moment.
Too bad when Ken came home after work he told me that he made a pit stop on the way home....for condoms and sunscreen.
One of my co-workers was asking me the other day what our plans were when we were away. I looked at her, and said (straight faced I might add) "I'm going to get knocked up". She just about spat out her coffee in shear and utter shock - and asked me if Ken knew about this. Oh, Ken knows. Every vacation we have taken in the past (with the exception of our honeymoon and a wedding we went to back east last year) I have got pregnant (either that or I was already pregnant on the vacation). So, I figure the odds are pretty much in my favour.
My other aim is to get a nice tan. I am not much of a lie-in-the-sun person, but I sure as hell am a swim-in-the-warm-ocean type of person, so chances are I will be getting a bit of colour. That would be a nice change from my rain induced pasty white complexion at the moment.
Too bad when Ken came home after work he told me that he made a pit stop on the way home....for condoms and sunscreen.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Rain, rain go away...
As I was trying to dodge the rain today I suddenly realized that I don't own an umbrella. I live in VANCOUVER and I have managed to get by for a couple of years now without one.
Yesterday we had a patch of sunshine, and it was beautiful. Even though my window at work overlooks a dumpster in a pretty icky area of the city, that one patch of blue sky and sunshine made even that look beautiful. I love this city - and I don't even mind the rain too much.
A few weeks ago it seemed as though the big man upstairs was screwing with us Vancouverites. Vancouver's longest wet spell began January 6, 1953, and ended 29 days later. We were on track to beat that record a couple of weeks ago. We got to 28 days. Then the sun shone. FOR ONE DAY. Just enough so we couldn't get the record. And then, wouldn't you know it, just to rub it in, it has pretty much been pissing down ever since. Sigh. The kids love it though. We go out for walks and stomp in every single puddle we come across. The one great thing is that when the sun does come out and shine, it is like magic (and no, the cherry blossoms are not out. Yet.).
Yesterday we had a patch of sunshine, and it was beautiful. Even though my window at work overlooks a dumpster in a pretty icky area of the city, that one patch of blue sky and sunshine made even that look beautiful. I love this city - and I don't even mind the rain too much.
A few weeks ago it seemed as though the big man upstairs was screwing with us Vancouverites. Vancouver's longest wet spell began January 6, 1953, and ended 29 days later. We were on track to beat that record a couple of weeks ago. We got to 28 days. Then the sun shone. FOR ONE DAY. Just enough so we couldn't get the record. And then, wouldn't you know it, just to rub it in, it has pretty much been pissing down ever since. Sigh. The kids love it though. We go out for walks and stomp in every single puddle we come across. The one great thing is that when the sun does come out and shine, it is like magic (and no, the cherry blossoms are not out. Yet.).
Monday, January 23, 2006
Whose wee legs are those?
I wrote here awhile ago about a photoshoot that both Nicholas and Ethan were in for a shoe company. Robeez make soft leather shoes for kids, and their head office is just outside of Vancouver. Their catalog and web-page with the new shoes came out today, and Nicholas' wee legs and feet can be seen right here. We'll have to wait and see what happens with Ethan's shots. I suspect that they wound up on the cutting room floor.
Sigh. The things that I find exciting.....I must get out more.
Sigh. The things that I find exciting.....I must get out more.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
We got a new desk. Now we need a new house.
A few weeks ago, one of my co-workers asked me if I could use a computer desk. He said it was in great condition, but he got a new desk and wanted to find a good home for the one he had been using. Without thinking, I automatically said "sure!".
After I arranged to pick up the desk, I thought long and hard about where the hell we would put it in our house. We already have a computer desk that is wedged in a corner in the boys' play area, and our house is full to the rafters with mostly kids stuff. I can't wait for someone I know to get knocked up so I can get rid of alot of it!
So I pick up the desk, bring it home and leave it in the living room. Ken is looking at me like I have two heads, and I am sure he is wondering what the hell I was thinking. I did think at the time I said "yes" to this desk that it would be great for the boys in a few years. I just didn't think long and hard where it would live until then. While I mulled over where it could fit where it wouldn't stand out like dog's balls, I figured that since we had nowhere to put it, we needed a new house. But since we can't afford a new house (or a very very old one thanks to the Vancouver real-estate market) I decided to leave the desk in the living room and put some plants around it so that maybe it could look like it just blends in.
It isn't only the desk that is a new furniture item in this house. The boys got a great play fort for Christmas, and Ken and I have been trying to think of a place to put that monstrosity. It is really cute, but their play area is so full of stuff, that we had to move some crap from there and put it in the spare room (sorry mom, I guess you are now sleeping out in the shed) to make room for the new fort.
So we spent a good part of our Saturday night (yes, the riveting lives of married folk) putting this thing together.
The boys loved it. That is, until they saw the box it came in. Oh the joys. Lord help us all if we get a new fridge anytime soon!
After I arranged to pick up the desk, I thought long and hard about where the hell we would put it in our house. We already have a computer desk that is wedged in a corner in the boys' play area, and our house is full to the rafters with mostly kids stuff. I can't wait for someone I know to get knocked up so I can get rid of alot of it!
So I pick up the desk, bring it home and leave it in the living room. Ken is looking at me like I have two heads, and I am sure he is wondering what the hell I was thinking. I did think at the time I said "yes" to this desk that it would be great for the boys in a few years. I just didn't think long and hard where it would live until then. While I mulled over where it could fit where it wouldn't stand out like dog's balls, I figured that since we had nowhere to put it, we needed a new house. But since we can't afford a new house (or a very very old one thanks to the Vancouver real-estate market) I decided to leave the desk in the living room and put some plants around it so that maybe it could look like it just blends in.
It isn't only the desk that is a new furniture item in this house. The boys got a great play fort for Christmas, and Ken and I have been trying to think of a place to put that monstrosity. It is really cute, but their play area is so full of stuff, that we had to move some crap from there and put it in the spare room (sorry mom, I guess you are now sleeping out in the shed) to make room for the new fort.
So we spent a good part of our Saturday night (yes, the riveting lives of married folk) putting this thing together.
The boys loved it. That is, until they saw the box it came in. Oh the joys. Lord help us all if we get a new fridge anytime soon!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Tit for tat.
Ethan was looking over my shoulder today and was asking why I didn't post a picture of him...
"mama, where's Ethan? Why isn't he on the computer?"
Well honey, here you go. Boy I wish I could crawl into his little wee brain and see how his little noggin works. I wish I knew what he was thinking when I took this today.
"mama, where's Ethan? Why isn't he on the computer?"
Well honey, here you go. Boy I wish I could crawl into his little wee brain and see how his little noggin works. I wish I knew what he was thinking when I took this today.
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Did I mention he is lucky he is cute?
This is why he gets away with so much and has mommy wrapped around his little finger....
Good thing the internet doesn't smell. That blanket that he chews on just stinks.
Good thing the internet doesn't smell. That blanket that he chews on just stinks.
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Does anyone else think this is gross?
A couple of months ago, Ethan's preschool had a fundraiser in which we had to sell cookie dough. Rather than spend all my time pawning it off on coworkers and friends (aside from those who I KNEW would order some) I figured that I would just buy enough to fill my selling quota (which really wasn't that much). The cookie dough came in lots of flavours, and instead of having it all in a big tub, you can opt to get one ounce pre-formed cookies that you just pop in the oven. How hard can that be? Judging from the tally of what is left in the freezer, and the 12 or so cookies I have baked in the last month, it would appear that it is a HUGE challenge for me to take them out of the freezer and put them on the baking pan without taking a shortcut to my mouth. It seems to me that I have only done this a few times, but when I reached in the the freezer this morning for a once ounce piece of frozen, raw cookie dough heaven, I realized that I have eaten about 30 of the damned things without baking them first.
My husband thinks I am nuts. When he busted me the other day sneaking into the freezer he told me that he thought it was totally gross to eat cookie dough. I told him I thought he was nuts - everyone loves it. Am I right?
My husband thinks I am nuts. When he busted me the other day sneaking into the freezer he told me that he thought it was totally gross to eat cookie dough. I told him I thought he was nuts - everyone loves it. Am I right?
Sunday, January 08, 2006
O.L.D.
Today I am officially in my mid thirties. I remember years ago thinking that was really, really old. Now that forty is the new twenty, maybe it isn't so bad.
My dad has always had a knack for writing prose, and this is what I got in my birthday card today. I love it.
We feel proud to see that you did survive
To reach the age of thirty and five
And in those years you've accomplished lots
Not the least of which is your two little tots.
From out of school with a big degree
Then back to school at BCIT
Where you learned to become a safety geek
And then develop your own technique.
During that time you met your man Ken
Who made you feel like a silly brood hen
He gave you a ring in a little blue pouch
Which you later misplaced in the back of the couch
Over the years you had Ethan and Nicky
And held down your job which was really tricky
You learned how to mother without a degree
You and Ken became members of the bourgeoisie
Between work and your studies and of course music class
You've had not time to sit on your ass
Just enough time to take photos of course
And get Ken off to dragon boating to prevent a divorce.
Our advice to you dear as you reach thirty five
Is to take time for yourself, to keep you alive
Keep fit and keep smiling should be two of your tricks
A surefire recipie to reach thirty six.
My dad has always had a knack for writing prose, and this is what I got in my birthday card today. I love it.
We feel proud to see that you did survive
To reach the age of thirty and five
And in those years you've accomplished lots
Not the least of which is your two little tots.
From out of school with a big degree
Then back to school at BCIT
Where you learned to become a safety geek
And then develop your own technique.
During that time you met your man Ken
Who made you feel like a silly brood hen
He gave you a ring in a little blue pouch
Which you later misplaced in the back of the couch
Over the years you had Ethan and Nicky
And held down your job which was really tricky
You learned how to mother without a degree
You and Ken became members of the bourgeoisie
Between work and your studies and of course music class
You've had not time to sit on your ass
Just enough time to take photos of course
And get Ken off to dragon boating to prevent a divorce.
Our advice to you dear as you reach thirty five
Is to take time for yourself, to keep you alive
Keep fit and keep smiling should be two of your tricks
A surefire recipie to reach thirty six.
Monday, January 02, 2006
Girls vs. Boys
My boys for the most part are pretty good. But, well...they are BOYS. They love cars, dirt, making a mess and are generally noisy. My girlfriends that have little girls tell me that their daughters also love all these things, and that they too can be equally as loud (I have yet to witness this though).
On Christmas day, we all went to my parent's house. My cousin and his wife were there with their little girl, and I am sure she thought all hell had broken loose and then some when we got there with our sugar filled, sleep deprived, all hyped up on presents kids. While my boys tore up the house, she just stood watching, not quite knowing what to make of it all.
So today in an attempt to "calm" my children I thought I would try getting the boys to try something different - sitting down at the table and colouring (Nicholas) and painting (Ethan). Actually, Ethan loves to paint, but he doesn't do it too much because it takes me about 10 minutes to get it all together, and about two seconds for him to slap something down on paper and say "I'm all done".
This is what resulted when I let Nicky colour...
Check out the teeth marks...
And this is an Ethan work of art that was completed in about two seconds...
On Christmas day, we all went to my parent's house. My cousin and his wife were there with their little girl, and I am sure she thought all hell had broken loose and then some when we got there with our sugar filled, sleep deprived, all hyped up on presents kids. While my boys tore up the house, she just stood watching, not quite knowing what to make of it all.
So today in an attempt to "calm" my children I thought I would try getting the boys to try something different - sitting down at the table and colouring (Nicholas) and painting (Ethan). Actually, Ethan loves to paint, but he doesn't do it too much because it takes me about 10 minutes to get it all together, and about two seconds for him to slap something down on paper and say "I'm all done".
This is what resulted when I let Nicky colour...
Check out the teeth marks...
And this is an Ethan work of art that was completed in about two seconds...
Sunday, January 01, 2006
Amazing what gets done when you should be studying for an exam...
When I was in University many years ago, I perfected the art of procrastination. I was great at getting stuff done, it just all got done nanoseconds before it had to be handed in. I always marveled at how sparkling clean my house was around exam time, the new gourmet dishes that I came up with because I would spend ages in the kitchen, and how many hair-do's I could come up with so that I wouldn't have to wear a ball cap to all my classes.
A few months ago, In a state of complete and utter stupidity, I signed up for a project management course. One of my girlfriends was stunned - "What the hell are you taking a project management course for? You work, you study, you have kids, if that isn't progect management, I don't know what the hell is. If you fail that will be really, really embarassing."
So now that I should be studying for this exam which is in a week, I am of course procrastinating, and my idea of "procrastination" is getting some laundry done, and trying for the millionth time to find my wedding band that I lost in the couch two years ago. Since I didn't feel like doing laundry the other night, I thought I would have another hunt for the wedding band...
Here's the scoop - almost two years ago, on my birthday, I lost my wedding ring. I was seven months preggo with Nicholas, and to this day, I am gobsmacked at how it was possible for the ring to FALL OFF MY FINGER when the rest of me was bloated to double my normal size (sadly, almost two years after the birth, my normal size is still well and truly hiding somewhere). I was sitting on the couch, lamenting the fact that it had been a horrible birthday and how could it possibly ever get worse. Yeah, did I mention I have a big mouth?
The thing I remember most about that day was that I spent a good portion of it in the emergency room with Ethan. We were in music class, and his teacher was holding his hand trying to get him to "hop". As she yanked up, she dislocated his elbow. I took him to our family doctor who told me to go to the ER and get it x-rayed. "Don't worry" she said, I'll phone ahead and you will be taken care of right away. That was music to my seven-month-pregnant self's ears.
As I found out later it is a really common injury, so common in fact that many doctors will just pop the elbow right back in while the child is in the waiting room. Alas, we got the full meal deal that day, because we had to wait four hours to see the doctor. Now I understand an 18 month old in the ER with a simple elbow out of joint is so not a priority, but hell, it took him about two seconds to pop that sucker back in. He was shocked that the family doctor didn't do it and that she sent me all the way to the hospital. Oh it was a long, long day.
The couch that I lost the ring in is a nice one. Too nice to just tear apart, but not quite nice enough that I could get away with strategically slicing it in a few placed for a good hunt around. So I turned the couch over, poked and prodded, and then lifted up the end...and I heard a "clink". On the hardwood floor. OMG there was the ring. Amazing. An early 35th birthday present to me.
Now I have to hit the books...again.
A few months ago, In a state of complete and utter stupidity, I signed up for a project management course. One of my girlfriends was stunned - "What the hell are you taking a project management course for? You work, you study, you have kids, if that isn't progect management, I don't know what the hell is. If you fail that will be really, really embarassing."
So now that I should be studying for this exam which is in a week, I am of course procrastinating, and my idea of "procrastination" is getting some laundry done, and trying for the millionth time to find my wedding band that I lost in the couch two years ago. Since I didn't feel like doing laundry the other night, I thought I would have another hunt for the wedding band...
Here's the scoop - almost two years ago, on my birthday, I lost my wedding ring. I was seven months preggo with Nicholas, and to this day, I am gobsmacked at how it was possible for the ring to FALL OFF MY FINGER when the rest of me was bloated to double my normal size (sadly, almost two years after the birth, my normal size is still well and truly hiding somewhere). I was sitting on the couch, lamenting the fact that it had been a horrible birthday and how could it possibly ever get worse. Yeah, did I mention I have a big mouth?
The thing I remember most about that day was that I spent a good portion of it in the emergency room with Ethan. We were in music class, and his teacher was holding his hand trying to get him to "hop". As she yanked up, she dislocated his elbow. I took him to our family doctor who told me to go to the ER and get it x-rayed. "Don't worry" she said, I'll phone ahead and you will be taken care of right away. That was music to my seven-month-pregnant self's ears.
As I found out later it is a really common injury, so common in fact that many doctors will just pop the elbow right back in while the child is in the waiting room. Alas, we got the full meal deal that day, because we had to wait four hours to see the doctor. Now I understand an 18 month old in the ER with a simple elbow out of joint is so not a priority, but hell, it took him about two seconds to pop that sucker back in. He was shocked that the family doctor didn't do it and that she sent me all the way to the hospital. Oh it was a long, long day.
The couch that I lost the ring in is a nice one. Too nice to just tear apart, but not quite nice enough that I could get away with strategically slicing it in a few placed for a good hunt around. So I turned the couch over, poked and prodded, and then lifted up the end...and I heard a "clink". On the hardwood floor. OMG there was the ring. Amazing. An early 35th birthday present to me.
Now I have to hit the books...again.
Friday, December 30, 2005
My poor poor baby.
His mom is a dumbass. I have no idea what the hell made me think that I am remotely qualified to cut the hair of my second born. He sits still for about 2 seconds at a time, on a good day. I managed to get him strapped into his high chair, put the tv on, and away I went. the top and sides look fantastic. The back...well that is a WHOLE OTHER STORY. I brought out the clippers. He moved. And my baby looks like a rat had a good gnaw at the back of his head under his new bowl cut. Oh it is bad. My husband laughed. Hard. If Nicholas only knew how awful the back of his head looked he wouldn't step out in public for at least a year. Because that is how long it is going to be before the hack job at the back of his head grows back. Sigh.
Thursday, December 29, 2005
A bit of a hiatus...
Ummmm....oops. Seems I haven't blogged in a bit. Honestly, I haven't had the energy with all the Christmas stuff, work stuff, and stupid "why the hell did I decide to do that" online courses. I write my final for my course on January 9th, and then it is back to some sort of normal way of life...I hope.
I have about a zillion pictures to upload, but for now, cruise on over to this cool site for some great shots. Of course I am talking about my kids! My Bro and brand new sis (yea!) were over last night to babysit the munchkins while Ken and I took in a hockey game.
I love going to hockey games. The world junior's are here in Vancouver right now, and Canada played at the game we were at last night. You see all kinds of people at the games (and we saw these guys at the bar afterwards too...)
I have about a zillion pictures to upload, but for now, cruise on over to this cool site for some great shots. Of course I am talking about my kids! My Bro and brand new sis (yea!) were over last night to babysit the munchkins while Ken and I took in a hockey game.
I love going to hockey games. The world junior's are here in Vancouver right now, and Canada played at the game we were at last night. You see all kinds of people at the games (and we saw these guys at the bar afterwards too...)
Wednesday, December 07, 2005
Almost gone.
There was a big dump of snow in the greater Vancouver area last week (ok, for you on the east coast it was more likely a "skiff") - and it is just disappearing from our place now. We are up quite high on a hill, and for some weird reason, right in the middle of a snowbelt. Six blocks up from our place and six blocks down, there is about half the amount of snow that we get at our house. The kids love it. Driving to work is a challenge. For about 5 minutes. Four wheel drive for about a mile, and then it is all rain and no snow. Truly bizarre.
Anyways, here is the first snowman of the year. Ethan can't wait to build #2.
Anyways, here is the first snowman of the year. Ethan can't wait to build #2.
Sunday, December 04, 2005
Meet Gordon.
Most little ones have an object that they covet, love, and will never leave home without. A warm, cuddly lovey. Somthing that doesn't hurt like hell when it is accidently smacked against your upper lip.
Nicholas' constant companion is a regular fixture around this place. Meet Gordon.
Gordon is one of Thomas the tank engine's friends. Nicholas knows the name of most of them, but Gordon is by far his favourite. Gordon was aquired about three months ago at the bottom of a box of train tracks that I picked up at a garage sale. As you can see, he has been well used. Gordon does everything Nicholas does. He is the most well fed and bathed train. EVER.
Here is Gordon playing in the leaves.
Gordon having breakfast with Santa.
Gordon's first time in the snow. It was a bit cold, but we think he enjoyed himself.
Nicholas loves his Gordon Train. You won't get a look this cute if you decide to mess with his cherished toy.
No, he may not be as cuddly as a soft, plush animal, but you can still take him to bed and love him just as much.
Nicholas' constant companion is a regular fixture around this place. Meet Gordon.
Gordon is one of Thomas the tank engine's friends. Nicholas knows the name of most of them, but Gordon is by far his favourite. Gordon was aquired about three months ago at the bottom of a box of train tracks that I picked up at a garage sale. As you can see, he has been well used. Gordon does everything Nicholas does. He is the most well fed and bathed train. EVER.
Here is Gordon playing in the leaves.
Gordon having breakfast with Santa.
Gordon's first time in the snow. It was a bit cold, but we think he enjoyed himself.
Nicholas loves his Gordon Train. You won't get a look this cute if you decide to mess with his cherished toy.
No, he may not be as cuddly as a soft, plush animal, but you can still take him to bed and love him just as much.
The science geek in me couldn't resist.
This is a pretty cool site (if you are a geek...which I am). Just put anything you want in, and the brainy one will write it for you.
A whole new way to shop...
Anyone who knows me knows that I hate to grocery shop. Because this past couple of weeks have pretty much gone to hell in a handbasket, and the stress levels have hit an all-time high (and a special big thank-you goes out preschool parents everywhere who make "parent participation" a four letter word) I haven't been eating a hell of a whole lot. Funny how that in NO WAY corresponds to any resulting weight loss - which there has been none.
So when I saw Nicholas lifting up the cushions on the couch and hungrily inhaling dustbunnies, I figured that I had better make a trip to the grocery store. But this time WITH NO KIDS.
Now I must admit, as much as my offspring are a handful, they are pretty good when I take them out grocery shopping - as long as I am prepared. Prepared as though I was going on a treck in the outback, and not seeing another living soul for days. Even though isle six sells the fish cookies that they love, they just don't taste the same if they haven't been taken home first and put in the special jar - so for those of you thinking I am the biggest dumbass for taking all kinds of snacky food to go GROCERY SHOPPING, you don't know my kids. I don't care if I have to strap on a 30lb backpack with all kinds of provisions - if it keeps them quiet and co-operative without me having to hog-tie them to the buggy, I am doing it.
But yesterday was a big treat. Ken realizes that I don't get to go out as much as I used to before kids, so he told me to take a break and go grocery shopping (which I hate) on my own. Yeah, nice break. But I'll take it.
So of I went to one of our local grocery stores. I got a buggy with a coffee holder, chucked my list in the garbage, grabbed a huge mocha, and set out going up and down EVERY isle in the store. TWICE. When I usually shop, I have my list, I know exactly where everything is, and I am in and out of the store in about 20 minutes (unless of course if Ethan decides to "help" me bag my groceries, which tacks on about another 10 minutes or so). But yesterday was different. It was almost relaxing. I spent far too much money (amazing what you don't know stores have until you really look), and took about an hour and a half.
I think I could make this a regular thing....almost.
So when I saw Nicholas lifting up the cushions on the couch and hungrily inhaling dustbunnies, I figured that I had better make a trip to the grocery store. But this time WITH NO KIDS.
Now I must admit, as much as my offspring are a handful, they are pretty good when I take them out grocery shopping - as long as I am prepared. Prepared as though I was going on a treck in the outback, and not seeing another living soul for days. Even though isle six sells the fish cookies that they love, they just don't taste the same if they haven't been taken home first and put in the special jar - so for those of you thinking I am the biggest dumbass for taking all kinds of snacky food to go GROCERY SHOPPING, you don't know my kids. I don't care if I have to strap on a 30lb backpack with all kinds of provisions - if it keeps them quiet and co-operative without me having to hog-tie them to the buggy, I am doing it.
But yesterday was a big treat. Ken realizes that I don't get to go out as much as I used to before kids, so he told me to take a break and go grocery shopping (which I hate) on my own. Yeah, nice break. But I'll take it.
So of I went to one of our local grocery stores. I got a buggy with a coffee holder, chucked my list in the garbage, grabbed a huge mocha, and set out going up and down EVERY isle in the store. TWICE. When I usually shop, I have my list, I know exactly where everything is, and I am in and out of the store in about 20 minutes (unless of course if Ethan decides to "help" me bag my groceries, which tacks on about another 10 minutes or so). But yesterday was different. It was almost relaxing. I spent far too much money (amazing what you don't know stores have until you really look), and took about an hour and a half.
I think I could make this a regular thing....almost.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Sign me up for some of that baby!
The best thing about feeling like something the cat hocked up when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding? DRUGS. I am going to pump me so full of cold and sinus medication that I am going to sleep for days.
How to piss me off.
Come into work. SICK. When you have about a bizillion sick days banked.
Stay at home, watch tv all day, get PAID to do it. Just don't come into work hacking and wheezing into my cubicle and spreading your sick bug all over me. Argh.
On a happier note, preschool is back in next week. And because I got really pissed off at this meeting last night and opened my big ol mouth (in an angry kinda nice way), I am now on the new executive. At least preschool will be in again, and hopefully this foray into the whole education experience called PRESCHOOL will be what it should be. Flying paint, messy crafts and screaming kids having a blast. I can't wait.
Stay at home, watch tv all day, get PAID to do it. Just don't come into work hacking and wheezing into my cubicle and spreading your sick bug all over me. Argh.
On a happier note, preschool is back in next week. And because I got really pissed off at this meeting last night and opened my big ol mouth (in an angry kinda nice way), I am now on the new executive. At least preschool will be in again, and hopefully this foray into the whole education experience called PRESCHOOL will be what it should be. Flying paint, messy crafts and screaming kids having a blast. I can't wait.
Saturday, November 26, 2005
Shit....fan....splat.
This past week has been a bit of a roller coaster. Work is nuts. Kids are nuts. Online courses with assignments and tests are not getting done. Oh, and Ethan's preschool teacher has left. So he has no more preschool for now, until they find someone else.
I have mentioned in past posts that Ethan is in a parent participation preschool. And along with all the good touchy feely holding hands singing kumbaya stuff comes the nasty awful side of parents too. I had struggles with Ethan's teacher - I wasn't overly impressed, but having said that, he really liked her and he loved pre-school. I thought about changing schools at one point, but a very good friend of mine who is a teacher told me that in his school life I will come across many teachers who I will not like, and am I going to set a precident by pulling him out of preschool just because I don't think the teacher is awesome? Good point. Very good point.
So I just sucked it up, and kept quiet (except of course to my non-preschool friends who I am sure wished I would shut up about it!). Until last week when I was chatting with another mom and found out that lo and behold, I am in fact NOT the only one who is not impressed. The preschool Ethan is in has two classes - 3 year olds and 4 year olds. The mom's of the three year olds for the most part weren't overly impressed, but we chatted about the situation and pretty much thought, as a group, that the thing to do would be just work it out for the rest of the year (till June), and then re-evaluate what to do over the summer. The kids were having fun, and getting pretty much all they needed. The four year old class was a whole different ball game - and just today I found out that a number of those families have pulled their kids out. And now those of us who have made the comittment to finish out the year are left holding the bag, and the keys to a school we can't open until we form a whole new executive and hire a new teacher. Over the Christmas holidays. Good freaking luck.
What the hell happened to playing nice in the sandbox? I am cringing at the next 18 years of school if I have to put up with all this stuff hitting the fan now....
I have mentioned in past posts that Ethan is in a parent participation preschool. And along with all the good touchy feely holding hands singing kumbaya stuff comes the nasty awful side of parents too. I had struggles with Ethan's teacher - I wasn't overly impressed, but having said that, he really liked her and he loved pre-school. I thought about changing schools at one point, but a very good friend of mine who is a teacher told me that in his school life I will come across many teachers who I will not like, and am I going to set a precident by pulling him out of preschool just because I don't think the teacher is awesome? Good point. Very good point.
So I just sucked it up, and kept quiet (except of course to my non-preschool friends who I am sure wished I would shut up about it!). Until last week when I was chatting with another mom and found out that lo and behold, I am in fact NOT the only one who is not impressed. The preschool Ethan is in has two classes - 3 year olds and 4 year olds. The mom's of the three year olds for the most part weren't overly impressed, but we chatted about the situation and pretty much thought, as a group, that the thing to do would be just work it out for the rest of the year (till June), and then re-evaluate what to do over the summer. The kids were having fun, and getting pretty much all they needed. The four year old class was a whole different ball game - and just today I found out that a number of those families have pulled their kids out. And now those of us who have made the comittment to finish out the year are left holding the bag, and the keys to a school we can't open until we form a whole new executive and hire a new teacher. Over the Christmas holidays. Good freaking luck.
What the hell happened to playing nice in the sandbox? I am cringing at the next 18 years of school if I have to put up with all this stuff hitting the fan now....
Friday, November 25, 2005
Thanks a bunch!
I have been nominated in two categories - best new blog & best personal blog in the Canadian Blog Awards. What a very nice thing for someone to do....I am flattered as hell.
Voting has started, you can vote once/day.
Voting has started, you can vote once/day.
Thursday, November 24, 2005
What a long long week....
This past week has been LONG. Work has been a gong show (part-time MY ASS!!!) and the boys have been acting like they are on fast forward ALL DAY LONG. I don't know what the hell I was thinking when I signed up for a parent participation preschool and online courses at the same time, all the while working, ferrying kiddos to and fro, and trying to squeeze in some time for photography and making cards. "Me" time consists of a weekly date with Donald Trump, and the odd time I can get into the bathroom BY MYSELF.
This past week Vancouver was sopped in with fog. For days. I don't ever remember fog lasting so long. For the first few days it was really cool - the kids loved playing in the fields and wandering away just far enough that I could barely see them (except for the light up laser spiderman shoes they recently got as gifts from China...I suspect that they will obliterate their retinas if they ever look diretly at the flashing lights!). After a few days of fog though it got a bit depressing. Not as bad as a month of rain, but I just wanted some sunshine. I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures. Damned stress.
This past week Vancouver was sopped in with fog. For days. I don't ever remember fog lasting so long. For the first few days it was really cool - the kids loved playing in the fields and wandering away just far enough that I could barely see them (except for the light up laser spiderman shoes they recently got as gifts from China...I suspect that they will obliterate their retinas if they ever look diretly at the flashing lights!). After a few days of fog though it got a bit depressing. Not as bad as a month of rain, but I just wanted some sunshine. I can't believe that I didn't take any pictures. Damned stress.
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Who reads this stuff anyways?
When I first started this blogging thing, it was an "outlet" for me to gripe, whine and bitch about bits and pieces of my life so that I wouldn't drive my friends or co-workers nuts (hell, I already do that, why add fuel to the fire?). I still haven't told alot of people about it - my family knows, a few close friends, maybe two co-workers, and a group of moms that I regularly chat with online (hi AM'ers!) and that is about it. I have to laugh when friends tell me that they know be better now (and maybe a bit more than they ever wanted to) since reading this blog. I know that the few blogs that I read of people I actually know in "real life" are quite entertaining, and give a great perspective into someone you thought you knew quite well. I really do look forward to reading the blogs I regularly keep up with on a daily basis - even those of people I don't know at all.
I am not a writer (shhh....don't tell my boss - I have lots of reports that I have to get written in the next while, and I don't want my mantra of "baffle with bullshit" figured out quite yet). I do enjoy this blog thing though.
And for the person in Switzerland who came across it by googling "manure inspector pictures", I hope the elephant shit shots helped.
I am not a writer (shhh....don't tell my boss - I have lots of reports that I have to get written in the next while, and I don't want my mantra of "baffle with bullshit" figured out quite yet). I do enjoy this blog thing though.
And for the person in Switzerland who came across it by googling "manure inspector pictures", I hope the elephant shit shots helped.
Monday, November 14, 2005
If I get an lazier, they'll have to call this a photoblog.
We had a couple of guys from out of town in our office today (one from Atlantic Canada and the other from Ontario). Neither had been to the west coast before, and as luck would have it, RAIN wasn't in the forcast for today. It was beautiful & sunny....
Saturday, November 12, 2005
Lazy blog...
I just had a quick look into the bowels of the "my pictures" folder....holy crap if I don't do a CD burn soon I am hooped if I crash the computer....just some random shots....
Wednesday, November 09, 2005
If you think your job's bad....
I was reading the editorial section of our local paper yesterday, and I think I missed the boat on the whole job opportunity thing. Who knew many moons ago when I got my biology degree that I could of had one of these jobs:
Orangutan Pee Collector
Job description: Attach a plastic bag to a pole and chase the apes through the rainforest to gather samples of their urine.
My qualifications - Aside from my degree...I have boys. That love to run around naked. One of who isn't toilet trained. No plastic bags or poles needed in this house. Just some super absorbent paper towel.
Semen Washer
Job description: Lab technicians who are engaged by sperm banks to prepare sperm for long-term storage.
My qualifications: Ummmm....none. Although I have washed out my fair share of test tubes, but somehow it just isn't the same thing.
Volcanologist
Job description: being able to run to the site of a rumbling volcano when everyone else is running in the opposite direction.
My qualifications: I have had my fair share of eruptions to clean up in this house. Enough said.
Manure inspector
Job description: Wade through mountains of animal shit to find ways to eliminate e-coli, campylobacter and salmonella from the food chain.
My qualifications: I have two boys. Both of who have swallowed things in the past that I had to patiently wait for at the other end. While it isn't mountains of poop, it is enough to have to pick through to find that small piece of plastic train wheel that looked awfully appetizing to the second born who hates real food.
Somehow my usual "I'm from the government and I am here to help you" doesn't sound quite so bad...
Orangutan Pee Collector
Job description: Attach a plastic bag to a pole and chase the apes through the rainforest to gather samples of their urine.
My qualifications - Aside from my degree...I have boys. That love to run around naked. One of who isn't toilet trained. No plastic bags or poles needed in this house. Just some super absorbent paper towel.
Semen Washer
Job description: Lab technicians who are engaged by sperm banks to prepare sperm for long-term storage.
My qualifications: Ummmm....none. Although I have washed out my fair share of test tubes, but somehow it just isn't the same thing.
Volcanologist
Job description: being able to run to the site of a rumbling volcano when everyone else is running in the opposite direction.
My qualifications: I have had my fair share of eruptions to clean up in this house. Enough said.
Manure inspector
Job description: Wade through mountains of animal shit to find ways to eliminate e-coli, campylobacter and salmonella from the food chain.
My qualifications: I have two boys. Both of who have swallowed things in the past that I had to patiently wait for at the other end. While it isn't mountains of poop, it is enough to have to pick through to find that small piece of plastic train wheel that looked awfully appetizing to the second born who hates real food.
Somehow my usual "I'm from the government and I am here to help you" doesn't sound quite so bad...
Monday, November 07, 2005
Sleep, sugar and coffee...
Oh it has been a long week. Nicholas has been going back to his usual "I am not going to sleep through the night" routine - which he bloody well should be out of by this point. When he does wake up (at about 2 a.m., just as I am in the middle of a deep, deep sleep) it is to let me know that he is not pleased to be confined to his crib at such an hour. In fact, he is usually so pissed, that he wakes up his brother while yelling and screaming for someone to just PAY ATTENTION to him. One morning last week he stayed awake until about 7:30 am. After five hours of early morning play, he FINALLY figured out that sleep was a good thing. He glanced over at me, ignoring my caffeine induced state of consciousness with a look as if to say "keep the noise to a dull roar, I need a nap".
So by this time, I am walking around like a zombie, and Ethan is getting all excited about preschool. Oh yes, preschool. I decided that I wanted to be an integral part of my child's learning experience, so I signed "us" up at a parent participation preschool. In involves helping out in the class about two times/month, and wouldn't you know it, this month with all the Halloween activities and leftover candy, I have been scheduled to help out a few times. Imaging sixteen three year olds in a permanent state of SUGAR OVERLOAD, and me in a permanent state of sleep deprivation and caffeine shock. What a combination.
Speaking of participation, part of this whole preschool thing involves going to monthly meetings. They are held on Monday nights, which is probably the worst night of the week. In fact, tonight I didn't go. Apparently the guest speaker was a librarian who was speaking on the importance of reading to your kids. I wonder what her reaction would be if she knew my kids current favourites were these....
So by this time, I am walking around like a zombie, and Ethan is getting all excited about preschool. Oh yes, preschool. I decided that I wanted to be an integral part of my child's learning experience, so I signed "us" up at a parent participation preschool. In involves helping out in the class about two times/month, and wouldn't you know it, this month with all the Halloween activities and leftover candy, I have been scheduled to help out a few times. Imaging sixteen three year olds in a permanent state of SUGAR OVERLOAD, and me in a permanent state of sleep deprivation and caffeine shock. What a combination.
Speaking of participation, part of this whole preschool thing involves going to monthly meetings. They are held on Monday nights, which is probably the worst night of the week. In fact, tonight I didn't go. Apparently the guest speaker was a librarian who was speaking on the importance of reading to your kids. I wonder what her reaction would be if she knew my kids current favourites were these....
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Conversation at snack time...
"mama, what's that"
"That's a wagon wheel"
"I got it trick-or-treating mama? I eat it now?"
"Yes honey, you can eat it"
10 seconds later....
"That was a yummy volkswagon mama!!!"
Ah, his uncle would be proud.
"That's a wagon wheel"
"I got it trick-or-treating mama? I eat it now?"
"Yes honey, you can eat it"
10 seconds later....
"That was a yummy volkswagon mama!!!"
Ah, his uncle would be proud.
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
I was so impressed with myself until my friend sent me this:
My pumpkins are so pansy-assed compared to these. My girlfriend did these for her kids after they specifically requested them. Um. Yeah. Wow.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Trick or freak
The closest I got this year to dressing up for Halloween was getting my hair all chopped off. While I know it is going to take alot of getting used to (my hair was quite long), it is a nice change. The one really good thing about changing my appearance at this stage of my life is that I don't have to worry about what guys will think or if I will still be able to get a date. Poor Ken is in it for better or worse, and when I told him the hair might all come off, he just rolled his eyes, because that is what I say EVERY time I go to the hairdressers. Happy Halloween honey!!! My new do caused quite a stir at the office. You'd think I shaved my head by the reaction I got from my co-workers. They all said they liked it. My girlfriend M's reaction when I e-mailed her and told her that I got it all whacked off AND got bangs was "NO WAY!!!". I am sure she still doesn't believe me.
The one thing I hate about Halloween (besides dressing up) is all the old kids that come to the house at about 8:30 pm, essentially demanding candy OR ELSE. Because I am not a big fan of smashed pumpkins or dried egg residue on my windows I oblige. I hope those turds enjoy the year old glosette raisin packs that I save each year for the next years batch of bozos.
Ok, now that I have that out, the kiddos had a fantastic time this year with halloween. Ethan especially enjoyed it, and oh what manners my kid has. Just after "trick-or-treat" he would say "now give me my candy please" in his oh-so-cute-and-I-am-only-three-can-you-believe-it voice. At least he said thank-you.
We did have to prepare him for his first "real" trick or treat experience this year. You see, in past years, we have only gone to the neighbours homes (two of them), and because they are retired folk, they shower extra goodies on both boys. They actually give them goodie bags with candy & chocolate and PRESENTS. So when Ethan finally realized that he would be going trick-or-treating to more than just two houses this year, his eyes lit up and he just about peed his pants thinking of all the "presents" he would bring home. I quickly brought him down to earth explaining to him that he would get one small candy for each home he went to. Well, after looking through his loot bag tonight, it seems that I am the cheapest assed candy giver in all of Vancouver. He can't quite figure out how he got such a bag full of loot when he only went to about 6 houses. Go figure.
So of course I have the requisite pictures of both boys. Oh, and check out my pumpkins. I am quite impressed with myself. Ken is not so impressed that I used his drill to do the holes in the small pumpkins.
Nicholas was not liking his costume too much.
Ethan's new favourite thing to do... "Trick-or-treat!"
THIS is how I got a bag full of loot!
Awwwww.....
My pumpkins.
The one thing I hate about Halloween (besides dressing up) is all the old kids that come to the house at about 8:30 pm, essentially demanding candy OR ELSE. Because I am not a big fan of smashed pumpkins or dried egg residue on my windows I oblige. I hope those turds enjoy the year old glosette raisin packs that I save each year for the next years batch of bozos.
Ok, now that I have that out, the kiddos had a fantastic time this year with halloween. Ethan especially enjoyed it, and oh what manners my kid has. Just after "trick-or-treat" he would say "now give me my candy please" in his oh-so-cute-and-I-am-only-three-can-you-believe-it voice. At least he said thank-you.
We did have to prepare him for his first "real" trick or treat experience this year. You see, in past years, we have only gone to the neighbours homes (two of them), and because they are retired folk, they shower extra goodies on both boys. They actually give them goodie bags with candy & chocolate and PRESENTS. So when Ethan finally realized that he would be going trick-or-treating to more than just two houses this year, his eyes lit up and he just about peed his pants thinking of all the "presents" he would bring home. I quickly brought him down to earth explaining to him that he would get one small candy for each home he went to. Well, after looking through his loot bag tonight, it seems that I am the cheapest assed candy giver in all of Vancouver. He can't quite figure out how he got such a bag full of loot when he only went to about 6 houses. Go figure.
So of course I have the requisite pictures of both boys. Oh, and check out my pumpkins. I am quite impressed with myself. Ken is not so impressed that I used his drill to do the holes in the small pumpkins.
Nicholas was not liking his costume too much.
Ethan's new favourite thing to do... "Trick-or-treat!"
THIS is how I got a bag full of loot!
Awwwww.....
My pumpkins.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
I'm famous! Well, kinda sorta...ok, not really.
I have Rick Mercer's blog as one of my links to the side on your right. He is a very funny Canadian who, in addition to making all kinds of fun of our politicians (and yes, Canadian politics is a joke, but I digress...) loves to challenge his readers to photoshop various pics he puts on his blog. My contribution was the wardrobe malfunction. The scary guy's face is our Prime Minister...
Monday, October 24, 2005
Mmmmm.....
There is a new coffee shop going up near my work. That makes SEVEN within a one-block radius of my office door. None of them are chains either - they are all small, independent very expensive coffee shops. And they are flourishing. Man, us government workers must drink alot of coffee.
It is ironic that just as this new coffee shop is starting, I am thinking about going off of coffee, and drinking alot more water. A few months ago before my brother got married, I was bound and determined to lose a huge amount of weight so I could be waif-like (yeah, I know, 5'10 waif - in my dreams). I lost almost 15 pounds, and as of July 31st, not another ounce has come off, and I am still "dieting". I have actually changed the way I eat for the most part, and most days I do really well. I am trying not to make it a chore or hard to do, so when I crave something, I have it. Unfortunately, I think my body has fixated itself on my current weight, and no matter what I do, it seems that it isn't making a hill of beans of difference (unless someone is screwing with my scale....)
I read somewhere that if you drink lots and lots of water, it will help with the weight loss. I figure that since the can is exactly 104 steps from my desk at work, all that exercise going to the bathroom will burn enough calories to see that last 10-15 just melt away.
It is ironic that just as this new coffee shop is starting, I am thinking about going off of coffee, and drinking alot more water. A few months ago before my brother got married, I was bound and determined to lose a huge amount of weight so I could be waif-like (yeah, I know, 5'10 waif - in my dreams). I lost almost 15 pounds, and as of July 31st, not another ounce has come off, and I am still "dieting". I have actually changed the way I eat for the most part, and most days I do really well. I am trying not to make it a chore or hard to do, so when I crave something, I have it. Unfortunately, I think my body has fixated itself on my current weight, and no matter what I do, it seems that it isn't making a hill of beans of difference (unless someone is screwing with my scale....)
I read somewhere that if you drink lots and lots of water, it will help with the weight loss. I figure that since the can is exactly 104 steps from my desk at work, all that exercise going to the bathroom will burn enough calories to see that last 10-15 just melt away.
Friday, October 21, 2005
Gee thanks honey.
As of right now we are just over 11 days away from Halloween. And thanks to my beloved, we have 3.3 kg (for my friends south of the 49th, that is 7.27 pounds) of chocolate in the house. 245 little candy bars screaming to be eaten, no matter where I hide them. That is about 23 pieces of candy per day until Halloween. I think the kids in the neighbourhood are going to be very, very disappointed when the knock at our door this year. Maybe we'll just hand out bottled water.
I'll post pics of my fat, chocolate filled gut later.
I'll post pics of my fat, chocolate filled gut later.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
A day of firsts.
Today was a day of firsts. For both Ethan and Nicholas. It all started out this morning with Ethan's preschool - and his first ever show-and-tell. So last night Ethan and I sat down and we talked about what he wanted to take to preschool to show all his new friends. I suggested the usual - cars, trains, teddy bears, mom's catalog of photos she sells to pawn off on said friends parents, etc. Ethan decided pretty quickly what he wanted to take. Nicky. Now I know this is HIS decision, but I tried to explain to him that Nicky wouldn't fit in the show-and-tell bag (well, maybe he would if I folded him in half...). Ethan didn't care. He wanted to bring his brother. So we put a picture of Nicky in the show and tell bag, and when I dropped him off this morning I told his teacher what Ethan wanted and she told us to come back early and she would move show-and-tell to the end of the class so Ethan could show off his brother. So that is what we did. Ethan had a great time, and if I was smart I would have brought my camera....to remind them when they are beating the crap out of each other of what a sweet thing they did when they were young. I did take my camera out today when we went to the park though....
Nicholas had a couple of firsts today. He said the word "cank coo" this morning (translation - "thank you"). Now he has been saying thank you for months. But instead of the words, he has been signing and saying the word "hot". When he first learned some sign language, he got the sign for "hot" and "thank you" mixed up. So he would sign the right sign, but say the wrong word. But we knew what it meant and it was so darned cute...
Nicholas' second first of the day was that he ate meat. And carrots. And potatoes. And red peppers. ALL AT ONCE. Now, for a child who is very picky, and the only meat he eats with any regularity is garlic sausage (translation - pigs lips & assholes) this was a BIG thing. I made a Malaysian curry and cleaned out the fridge, threw it all in the crockpot and voila...he LOVED it. Woo hoo.
Nicholas had a couple of firsts today. He said the word "cank coo" this morning (translation - "thank you"). Now he has been saying thank you for months. But instead of the words, he has been signing and saying the word "hot". When he first learned some sign language, he got the sign for "hot" and "thank you" mixed up. So he would sign the right sign, but say the wrong word. But we knew what it meant and it was so darned cute...
Nicholas' second first of the day was that he ate meat. And carrots. And potatoes. And red peppers. ALL AT ONCE. Now, for a child who is very picky, and the only meat he eats with any regularity is garlic sausage (translation - pigs lips & assholes) this was a BIG thing. I made a Malaysian curry and cleaned out the fridge, threw it all in the crockpot and voila...he LOVED it. Woo hoo.
Tuesday, October 18, 2005
Some like it hot...
What I wouldn't give to be on a beach, swimming in the ocean, just being WARM again. Sigh. This is about the best I can do right now - Hawaii, 2003. Enjoy.
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Chinese Immersion
I have read quite a bit on kid development and how little baby's brains are just sponges ready to absorb anything and everything around them. Case in point - just utter the word "holy shit" once and it is a permanant part of their limited language. Funny how every word coming out of Nicholas' cute little mouth is almost impossible to decipher, except those he knows damned well he shouldn't be saying in the presence of his older brother's preschool teacher.
I think I have mentioned before that my sons both understand quite a bit of Chinese, even though they don't speak it. It is quite amusing to watch my in-laws talk to the boys in a language that makes absoultely no sense to me, and yet they understand it perfectly. What is even more amusing is when they "forget" that I am caucasian, and speak to me in Chinese for several sentences before they figure out that I don't understand a thing coming out of their mouthes. Believe it or not it has happened more than once. I kind of think of it as a complement really, I have blended in pretty well with the family. I think it must be my chopstick handling and ability to inhale every single Chinese food item my mother-in-law sets in front of me. So I had to chuckle the other day when I came across this photo.
Apparently, this dog's owners up and left, and the SPCA soon figured out that this dog's first language was not English. He was raised in a Chinese household, so the typical "sit" "stay" and "don't shit on the neighbour's lawn" means absoultely nothing.
I think I have mentioned before that my sons both understand quite a bit of Chinese, even though they don't speak it. It is quite amusing to watch my in-laws talk to the boys in a language that makes absoultely no sense to me, and yet they understand it perfectly. What is even more amusing is when they "forget" that I am caucasian, and speak to me in Chinese for several sentences before they figure out that I don't understand a thing coming out of their mouthes. Believe it or not it has happened more than once. I kind of think of it as a complement really, I have blended in pretty well with the family. I think it must be my chopstick handling and ability to inhale every single Chinese food item my mother-in-law sets in front of me. So I had to chuckle the other day when I came across this photo.
Apparently, this dog's owners up and left, and the SPCA soon figured out that this dog's first language was not English. He was raised in a Chinese household, so the typical "sit" "stay" and "don't shit on the neighbour's lawn" means absoultely nothing.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Did you even look at yourself before you walked out of the house?
I have often wondered what people are thinking when they dress themselves in the morning and step out of the house. It is like there were no mirrors in the place, and stuff was just haphazardly thrown together in the hopes (or not) that everything would look ok. On days that I go into work and have to interact with people who, generally speaking, can string more than four-word-sentences together and cut their own food, I try to look halfway decent. The sweats and ball cap that are my usual uniform when I have children in tow are cast aside three days of the week for more stylish (or so I thought) attire. I actually comb my hair, put on make-up, and give the facade that I might actually know what I am doing when it comes to blending into the adult world.
So last week, with my poker straight hair (I love to iron it out as it is naturally curly, and in this Vancouver rain it may as well be a brillo pad), carefully applied face paint and newly purchased outfit, I thought I was lookin pretty stylin. I even had a few complements at work. Nice. It happened to be the kickoff day for United Way fundraising, so there was lots of food and cameras around (for once, I was not behind said cameras). Yesterday while checking my work e-mail, there was a post from one of the organizers and photo takers, providing a link to a page where there were a few pics posted of the day's festivities.
How is it that I can look in the mirror, think I look ok and somewhat human, yet look like complete and utter crap in a picture? It was like the camera was playing a bad joke and purposely distorted how I looked just to piss me off. What's worse, everyone else in the photo looked fine. YIKES. Maybe I should be taking a better look at myself before I step out of the house.
So last week, with my poker straight hair (I love to iron it out as it is naturally curly, and in this Vancouver rain it may as well be a brillo pad), carefully applied face paint and newly purchased outfit, I thought I was lookin pretty stylin. I even had a few complements at work. Nice. It happened to be the kickoff day for United Way fundraising, so there was lots of food and cameras around (for once, I was not behind said cameras). Yesterday while checking my work e-mail, there was a post from one of the organizers and photo takers, providing a link to a page where there were a few pics posted of the day's festivities.
How is it that I can look in the mirror, think I look ok and somewhat human, yet look like complete and utter crap in a picture? It was like the camera was playing a bad joke and purposely distorted how I looked just to piss me off. What's worse, everyone else in the photo looked fine. YIKES. Maybe I should be taking a better look at myself before I step out of the house.
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