The Brooklyn Times

New blog!

2011-03-04T14:55:00.002-07:00

So I have decided to start a new blog for jewelry and related things!

I invite you to follow me there: crashingbison.blogspot.com

Please follow me on my new journey! :)

♥

-Vita

Ok...so I changed my mind...

2011-02-14T11:51:00.003-07:00

Please note: I changed my url and then changed it back again! hahh! Can't decide what to do...and felt guilty changing it entirely...I'm just thinking of starting a whole new blog. But I'm not sure yet. Guess that means I will wait and see!

Starting up again...

2011-02-14T11:20:00.001-07:00

So I've decided to start blogging again. 2010 was a crazy, wild, pregnant/postpartum & hormonal year. It was a COMPLETE health challenge. Thyroid disease took over my body and my mind. I know I sound like a broken record, but it's still kind of such a shock, really. And in a way, I'm still paying for it. I've got 50lbs to lose. Again. I didn't lose the weight after this baby like I did with my first baby but I suspect I also had thyroid disease at that time as well. It's just worse this time around.

So I'm starting over again, almost a year after having baby (he turns 1 in a month!!!!!!!!!!!). But, good news. My thyroid is finally cooperating once again. I am finally able to get the energy required to work out again (and as well to live life and take care of my babies!!!). I'm already in the gym most days and working my way up to running 30 min straight again. But now to get my diet under control once again. I seem to give in to my ravenous hunger (I over-do it) when I work out daily. So time to nip that shit in the bud.

Some new self-health goals:
1) eat a calorie range 1300-1600
2) NO cheat days (that just screws me up and un-does all my hard work)
3) eat 85% clean - reduce sugar, processed and unnatural foods
4) work out atleast 5 days a week with combined cardio and weight training for best results
5) learn to balance all out with family and work life (another words be a drone for the next year until I get my health back. Seriously, I know how this goes, I'm a pro at it by now!)

My short-term goal (because those are very important, so as to not lose focus) is to eat clean and not cheat for 10 days...let's see how long I can go after that...after 10 days, I will move it to 15, then 20 and so on. I want to break a record! Let's do this!

I realize that I always need to compete with myself in order to succeed at the personal stuff in life...it makes for better results if I know I have a specific goal to strive towards. I will keep my updates posted here, like I used to. I know it's boring stuff, but I'll try to add in some fun stuff too (like babies and jewellery!!!).

The Ballerina and Her Jumping Tiger

2011-02-06T20:47:00.000-07:00

Jumping, jumping tiger!

(He's a real daredevil, he takes after his momma)

Sister had to join in :)

And of course do ballet, while buddy looks confused.

Cutie patooties!

I hope your Sunday was just as grand! :)

New Year and New Possibilities

2011-02-02T10:07:00.002-07:00

I know I'm a bit late in talking about the New Year seeing as it's already February 2...but it IS still the new year and I always like to think that a new year is FULL of endless possibilities. I walked into this year believing that it will be GREAT! And so far, so good! (attitude is EVERYTHING)

I specifically wanted to focus on claiming my health back and being a happy, healthy and involved family this year. My health with regards to my thyroid is MUCH better lately (minus a few mysterious allergic reactions) which is a relief because it was about nine months of chronic sickness after baby was born, I kid you not. I do have lots more to improve on, but I know that will always be the case and it is only February. These things are a work in progress.

My focus on family is also improving. Which reminds me....I've been taking A LOT of pictures lately for my new Etsy shop in order to try and make it and my products look nice...but I haven't spent enough time taking new pictures of my two beautiful children. So that's my goal this weekend! Take some photos that I can cherish for a long while...because my two little chillin's are growing up WAY too fast!!! And did I mention...I got the BEST compliment at the skating rink last week...that both my children are "SUCH happy kids!!" And that "they are ALWAYS smiling!!" I think that just made my year altogether!! My goal in life...is to always see my children smile and be happy. :)

I am also hoping to share some other good news sometime soon. I do hope so. But this will come later.

Ahhhhhh, and it's +2C degrees outside!!!!!! It was -40C just two days ago!!!! LOOOOOOVE!! I desperately want to go spend the next two days (-30, boohoo, will return) snowshoeing or skiing !!!

New Etsy Shop!

2011-02-01T10:50:00.002-07:00

Why hello there!!!
It's been awhile since I've been here!

Since having my gorgeous baby boy last March, I've been physically sick and then I got busy after that! hehe
I am finally getting over the sick part (thyroiditis) but I am also excitingly starting to pursue a passion of mine, jewellery and jewellery making, amongst a few other things (like painting)!

Please check me out at my new etsy jewellery shop, Crashing Bison!!

Baby belly laughs (and rolls, hehe)!

2010-06-08T13:30:00.004-06:00

Family Strolling :)

2010-05-10T20:52:00.002-06:00

First smiles :)

2010-04-14T16:32:00.003-06:00

And just when I thought it wasn't possible...

I have fallen in love all over again.

Introducing Braedyn

2010-03-18T11:30:00.007-06:00

Monty Braedyn Alex

To be commonly called by his middle name Braedyn.

But nonetheless named after and in loving memory of his Poppy, Monty.

And also after his Papere, Alex.

Born March 15, 2010 @ 1:05pm

7lbs, 10oz.

20 inches long

He is a tiny bundle of joy and

we are so, so, so in love with him.

♥♥♥

Labour pains.

2010-03-09T21:53:00.005-07:00

I think I was in near-labour last night...

I read later on that Mexican food is a natural inducer.....

Well had I known that I would NOT have eaten that burrito,

(with hot sauce) at lunch-time! :/

(And I just happened to also read that pineapple is also an inducer....

NOTE to self: do not eat that yummy pineapple all nicely cut up in the fridge! WAH!)

I'm not sure how 'true' these wives-tales are

but let me just say that I do finally remember what labour pains feel like again.

I had totally forgotten what they felt like

and was second-guessing myself about what was real.

But after last night....OWOWOW!!

(and they were very mild labour pains)

I REMEMBER!!

Of course they were obviously not entirely 'real',

as they did not continue on (thank goodness!).

Today we pick up Jody's mom at the airport and she will stay with us for the next few months to help out and visit. I'm looking forward to a little extra help this time around. I want to try and take care of myself too so that I am a better mommy.

And so today is basically the LAST full day that I will EVER be pregnant again...I think I'm going to eat some ice cream (not like I've been refraining or anything! heheh).

So, yes, tomorrow is the BIG day. I've decided, against all my previously "ONLY NATURAL" options. I've realized that sometimes natural birth doesn't happen despite all the hardwork and trying after ~50 hours of serious back labour and "failure to progress", was the medical term (I've heard back labour is the most excruciating type but it's really all I know and remember).

I've already experienced the heartbreak and trauma of having that hope torn from me (Brooklyn was an emergency cesarean after all that labouring and I went from my ideal natural birth to a TOTALLY UN-natural birth).

Many times since then I seriously thought I had been unduly manipulated and 'persuaded' by the doctors who I fought most with until the last minutes of each UN-natural intervention (getting medivacked, epidural, c-section etc)....but now that I think about it...after being in labour for that long, I still hadn't gone through the pushing which I heard can take many hours, especially with the first child. And I can, now, potentially see why, after 50 hours of physical labour and being totally spent even though I was FINALLY at 9cm dilated (BUT with still a 'lip') that they "highly recommended" I do the emergency cesarean. And also thinking about my water which had been broken for over 24 hours by then as well (infection rates rise after this period).

Anyhow, that is basically my first birth story in a nutshell. Very traumatic for me and I never really got over it until forcing myself to come to terms with it until....

BASICALLY now.

And so considering all of that and as well as our current circumstances and being so far away from home (again) and Jody only being able to take off 2 days max of school (he is my anchor, my support, we are a team, he is my ROCK, I would be lost without him if he wasn't there), I've opted for a repeat, planned cesarean.

Not my ideal choice but this is one decision that took me months to think about and finally decide. It was really something I would have never considered otherwise, if it were not for our current circumstances. But also, with this option, I do know more of what to expect. And having to labour again for ~50 hours is not very appealing to me especially if, need be, I did (for some reason) need that emergency cesarean again.

So in the end, I will not get my VBAC, but I will get my baby and that's all that matters in this world anyways.

Anyhow, wish us luck on our big day tomorrow! =)

I'm scared.

(seriously, if you've ever had a c-section while being wide awake,

you would be too!--it's the FREAKIEST experience EVER!)

But in spite of it all

I am very hopeful that my recovery will go smoothly

and I think bonding with baby this time around will be even more profound due to the fact that I know what to expect and I won't feel as traumatized or torn.

9 months & FULLY cooked!

2010-03-08T12:13:00.005-07:00

And SO ready to meet & hold our little boy...

Just got word today....

That the big day is March 15, 2010!!!!

ONE MORE WEEK!!!!!!

EEEEEK!! ;)

Things to NEVER do or say to a pregnant woman.

2010-03-08T11:42:00.004-07:00

1. NEVER ask her if she's got twins "in there".

2. NEVER touch her belly without her permission.

3. NEVER lift up her piece of clothing (in this case, a scarf) to show her off to someone else in the office, like she is part of the circus.

4. NEVER say things like "you must be due ANY day now!" because chances are she still has weeks and weeks (or months) to go!

5. DON'T stare...if you REALLY have to stare, then atleast smile nicely while you are rudely staring.

6. NEVER give instructions and tell a pregnant lady how to take care of herself and her fetus...if she needs advice, she will ask her doctor or midwife!

7. NEVER, EVER comment on her weight (aka call her "fatso"; NOT EVEN JOKINGLY)!!! (seriously, do you want to get punched in the head???)

That is all I can think of right now...I must say that I haven't had too many rude people come up to me and do or say much of these things...except for #1, 2, 3, 5, and 7.

OK. So I lie. I guess most of this list comes from my own experience, hehe!

If you've experienced something different, add to my list by making a comment! ;)

Nap time!

2010-02-24T08:16:00.005-07:00

Brought to you by Brooklyn Abigail :)

(I cannot take such wondrous credit for tucking in

ALL of these cute, little guys!)

9 months

2010-02-21T15:53:00.006-07:00

Here I am at 9 months...

I didn't think I could get any bigger but, alas, it has happened.

After weeks of basically staying the same,

my tummy, (aka baby) had a big growth spurt

right after the last 8 month picture was taken.

I am now officially a WHALE!

haha, ok, that is not so or not very nice

but I do feel HUGE!

And uncomfortable.

And exhausted.

And, quite honestly, very useless.

My husband has been picking up alot of the slack lately

and I am so thankful to him for that

and for him basically being my hero, as always.

I also starting having Braxton Hicks contractions

(the "practice" contractions that prepare you for labour).

I'd almost forgotten what they felt like

even after complaining non-stop

about how painful my tummy has been feeling lately.

They especially occur when the little guy moves around

(which is basically ALL the time!).

I am also now off of work for good

and I feel very relieved.

That particular stress has been lifted

which I think has helped my mental state more.

And I get to hang out with my little girl

at home now too which is a big bonus :)

Now I just have to make it one more week

before we move to the big city for a few months.

I will be busy packing and also prepping/cleaning

the house this week

for the handful of different house/dogsitters

we will have while we are gone

(ughh, gong-show in this dept, as per usual).

And, perhaps, A LOT of mini-breaks and naps

along the way too...

Yep, all I have to say is:

Thank God for to-do lists!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S!!

2010-02-14T12:13:00.008-07:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I asked my hubby to make me a chocolate cake yesterday

(because you know...a 9 month pregnant lady needs her some chocolate cake! hehe)

and this is what he surprised me & Brooklyn with!

He's such a sweetheart! =)

Tidbits.

2010-02-10T09:52:00.004-07:00

8 months pregnant

(taken a few weeks ago; mind the dirty mirror...)

And I finally got a haircut (not shown).....whoa.

With my new FABULOUS(!!!!!) cameo ring from Rosy Revolver!!

LOVE!

Finally got that bird's nest OUT of Brooklyn's hair!!!

Whew! =)

2 freakin' weeks left....!

2010-02-01T13:33:00.005-07:00

So I've just discovered, in the nick of time, that I have 9 days worth of sick-leave left (I'm clean out of any vacay time so sick leave is all I have to cling to!)! Which means my midwife *will* be writing me a note to stay home starting in 2 weeks!!!!! And so that will cut my "weeks-left-of-working" countdown from 4 weeks....to 2 weeks now!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!! =)

I don't think I've ever been this excited to be done work before. EVER!! It's probably just because I know how physically and mentally exhausting and stressful this time can be. I worked up until the very last minute before having Brooklyn (went into labour with her on Labour Day, go figure, heheh!)...and that last month of working while being as big as a boat was NOT a fun experience!

Plus, I'll already have enough on my mind...we are also moving, in 4 weeks, for a whole 2 months to the big city down South. Jody has to attend his 2nd year of apprenticeship school and I have to give birth in a city anyways ... (this little town is not equipped for potentially complicated pregnancies which I am categorized as, due to my previous emergency c-section).

So we just decided that it would be more than worthwhile for me and little B to go with him this time around....however expensive that may be. After all, I cannot imagine being totally alone, with no close family support, while giving birth. Because this is what would actually happen if I had chosen not to go South with Jody; they would actually send me to the closest city which is way up North!!! This is one of the downsides to living in a small, isolated Northern community ..... and this scenario just outright gives me a heart attack and makes me angry when women up North here have no choice but to do this!

So anyhow, with the end of that big tangent....

all I have to say about the next 2 weeks of work that I have left is:

THANK FREAKIN' GOODNESS

AND I CAN'T FREAKIN' WAIT!!!

Aurora Borealis in Fort Smith

2010-01-24T14:41:00.006-07:00

I am pretty lucky to be able to view

the magnificent Northern Lights

year-round with various intensities of display

(green, yellow, white, pink, and the rare red).

This community lies on the 60th parallel

which is actually right on one of the main gravity belts

that are believed to create

the most intense aurora borealis.

They are witnessed, though, mainly on cold, dark

and clear winter evenings,

since summers are too bright (18 hours of sunlight).

I grew up whistling to the Northern Lights

by the banks of the Slave River

(the aboriginal legend here says that if you whistle at them,

they will dance around more intensely and come down and

take you away to the otherworld in the sky).

We frightingly and excitingly tested this theory many times

with the results of, indeed,

more intensely dancing Northern Lights,

but we never did get swept away into the Otherworld.

Trust me...we were testy teenagers. ;)

Anyhow, we've had our various fill of

talented, local photographers documenting

these magnificent lights throughout the years

but here is the most recent talent that I've recently found...

I really just want to make some

purchases of this type of photography

before we move south in the next few years.

Something to hang on my wall and remember

my childhood when I am living

south and nowhere near the magnificent and

beautiful Northern Lights.

Something to remind me of home.

So here is a noteworthy local artist

who makes a living from taking

these magnificent photos of my Aurora Borealis:

Karl Johnston Photography

Also a screenshot of the Town of Fort Smith website:

Decisions, decisions....and FISH!

2010-01-19T14:42:00.021-07:00

So I've been thinking a lot lately...and my latest decision in life was to extend my mother-in-law's visit that was initially for 3 weeks to 5 weeks....and now I have, once again, extended it (from slow-thinking/decision-making issues due to pregnancy-brain) to include ALL SUMMER, ha! I don't think she has any qualms about it...in fact I am quite certain that she is tickled pink (and blue!) that she gets to spend the extra time with her grandchildren. We are flying her over in March, right before baby arrives and she will stay with us right up until September, if all works out okay.

And as far as raising children goes...I admit it. I need help. Chances are childbirth recovery will be difficult for me (especially if I have another cesarean) along with catering to a newborn every 2-3 hours for feedings ALL day, EVERY day for the first 3-4 months. And that in addition to having a 3 year old, who has, lately, been acting like she is 13(!!!), will be difficult for me to handle. I can foresee it now.

I may sound like a sissy whiner to all those parents out there who have many children, but oh well....since becoming a mom, the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child" has never rang more true for me. But of course, as tough as it is sometimes, I would NEVER trade parenthood in the world for anything else and I'm quite excited to welcome a new baby into my world once again very soon! =)

Countdown for baby = 8 weeks!!!!

--------

I also just came across some photos the other day

that my husband took while on a work trip

(well ok; it was really a half work, half fishing trip...

or better yet, a 1/4 work, 3/4 fishing trip! hehe)

that he was lucky to take last year in April,

right before his dad's health took a drastic turn for the worse...

He grew up fly-fishing off the coasts of Newfoundland

and he ABSOLUTELY LOVES to fish.

And in the 7 years of me moving him up here to live up North,

this was only his 2nd official Northern fishing trip (the poor guy)

(you have to fly out

to the lakes up here in order to get the good fishing

and this can be very expensive).

So I thought I'd share a few snapshots

of one of his adventures.
And he took some beautiful pictures, I must say! =)

Enjoy a few images of the Great White North
(at Thekulthili Lake; pronounced Teh-kull-tee)
in the springtime:

My very sexy & proud fisherman
with his catch of Lake Trout &
(mostly) Jackfish (Northern Pike)!

And we're going to be cooking up
one of these bad boys this very weekend!!!
YUM! =)

Giveaway Info!!!!!!!!

2010-01-19T10:17:00.003-07:00

Check out this GIVEAWAY from the FABULOUS & LOVELY jewellery artist, Rosy Revolver!!

Please go and took-a-look at her lovely work! ;)

6 weeks left....(RANT)

2010-01-14T13:27:00.006-07:00

....until I am DONE, DONE, DONE work!

Yes, another countdown for me to excitedly occupy myself with...

Let me just say that I can't really complain that I have a job. Especially in these unsure times. However, for the past few months, things have slightly gone to the sh-ts and everything (in most departments; not just mine) has been put on a sort of 'hold' due to recent developments from the summer and so on. A hold where you still come in to work every day but only perform the measly tasks at hand...day in and day out. For, I dunno, 6 months straight. It has been this way for most of the office staff anyhow. And I don't really handle boredom all that well. Or feeling non-important and non-existant. I actually despise it...I've only stuck it out because of the money, the lack of other job opportunities in this place and because my husband is in the middle of his apprentice and I am waiting a few years until he is done so we can move the "H-E-double hockey sticks" outta here!

Needless to say, I've been going slightly out of my mind alternatively *trying* to focus on my literature thesis review during this "down-time", but instead have proceeded to become way too pre-occupied with this pregnancy. For example, I could have easily been busy reading and writing for my literature review but, go figure, when all in life turns stagnant so does the brain when it comes to doing a little bit of research. It has been difficult to sit and concentrate on reading (verrrry boring articles) for hours on end while feeling nautious, heartburny and freakin' hormonal. I'm not saying I couldn't have done it, I'm just saying I didn't, and that those are my (however pitiful) excuses.

So anyhow, I've got 6 more weeks left until I officially start my maternity leave...YAYYY!!! I am taking the FULL year off this time (not just 7-8 months like last time). In fact, maybe longer to spend (what I feel is) much more time and well-needed energy with my glourious and beautiful babies at home. I think they deserve more mommy-time and I obviously have been needing more baby/kid-time too. Heck, I may even start my own consulting business (later on) and work here and there, and whenever I gosh-darn feel like it!

I just figure that, even if this job is still available to me once I'm done my mat. leave, that sometimes all the money in the world just isn't worth the happiness that will continuously be seeped from my veins due to a detrimental and lagging work environment.

So anyhow, this 'revelation' is kind of ironic for me now, because 3 years ago today I was sitting in my house, actually ON maternity leave with my first beautiful baby (not even 5 months into it), and bless her soul, I was on the opposite end of the spectrum and seriously toiling and fretting on life and how important it is that I get that "perfect" job....only to realize a few months later after I *did* get the job and lived it for awhile (way too long if you ask me!) that it's just not everything in the world and is definitely not what I want anymore. Atleast not at this point in my life.

Funny how things change like that.
But I gather it's perfect timing. =)

30 weeks!!!

2010-01-08T14:24:00.009-07:00

I am now 7.5 months pregnant! PHEW!

10 more weeks to go, give or take a week (hopefully NO MORE--goodness!!!).

I am actually feeling better with more energy than I have felt for the first time in this whole pregnancy. The second trimester is traditionally *supposed* to be the "honeymoon" period, however, this time with me, it seems that the 3rd trimester is "the one"...weird. But I'll take it!

That is surprisingly nice, especially after 7 months of dragging my behind! I'm still dragging it with being this MUCH heavier and the pressure that put on the body. But I think I quite prefer having this extra energy, regardless. Crooked pains and all.

Anyhow, here is my 7.5 month picture: today.

And BOY, is this baby a KICKER!

I think we've got a pro soccer player cookin' it up in there!! heheh!

Here is my little sweetheart getting caught off-guard.

So pretty, I just love her! =)

She has been quite trying these days...but I've realized that, as a mom, I have been too. So this week I've decided not to be such the strict disciplinarian that I had recently taken on being (due to increased stress levels and feeling so crappy). And to just let go of the little nit-pickity things that I pick at her for doing (you know it's bad when you become VERY annoyed with hearing yourself NAG so much! OY.). And since then, I've already noticed a more positive change with her. And myself too. Parenting is definitely a struggle at times, but when things are going smoothly with less, so-called, head-butting and more gentleness, it really is so much more FUN! =)

AND NOW FOR THE FUN!! =)

Here is Brooklyn playing dress-up

in her new dress-up clothes on Christmas day!

Such a doll!

Her papérè wanted to play along also!! hahah!

(By the way, he naturally has blackish hair, hehe)

This guy is a one-of-a-kind, crazy dude!

I love my daddy! =)

Oh and PS - the turkey turned out AWESOME!!!!

My husband was in control of it and he did a wicked job!

I should have taken more pictures but was so busy I didn't even think of it!

I worked on the homemade stuffing and

we both pitched in for the rest of the dishes & goodies.

And we ended up having WAY too much food for just the 7 of us...

So lesson learned but it was a great experience too!

I hope you all, also, had a wonderful holiday season!!

And all the absolute BEST WISHES for this new year, 2010!!! :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

2009-12-22T11:10:00.004-07:00

JOYEAUX NOËL!!!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

---

Turkey lurkey.

2009-12-16T09:25:00.003-07:00

So, by last week, no one in my family had opted to cook "The Big Dinner".

It seemed as though my parents needed a break from doing it since they have been utterly silenced about the subject and Thanksgiving was boycotted (Jody and I, instead, made it a FUN day of making turkey pot pies and tourteires). And my brother and his wife were "going to the cabin in the bush" given that his wife would be working during most of the holidays and this would be her only break.

So with that in mind and the need for my Type-A list making and planning ahead, I volunteered Jody and I's "expertise" (or just plain ignorance??) in making "The Big Dinner". We've only cooked a turkey once or twice before but we REALLY wanted a nice family din-din this year (last year was kind of a gong-show). So we decided to do it ourselves and have our own shin-dig.

*Of course we invited everyone over if they were, at all, interested....*

And whatya know....they were all gung-ho, able and willing to come on down on the big day! Cancel the Christmas dinner boycott! And cancel that cabin thing in the bush!

Free food brings the masses, I guess, lol!

My mom had the sniffles at the offer and my dad was excited about "not having to cook this year!!!" And of course, my brother's stomach leads him to wherever he goes, so that was a given, LOL! He even offered to buy the biggest and baddest turkey (as long as we were cooking it, LOL)! The Grandpa and his girlfriend will also be showing up which will be interesting as well (he's, unfortunatley, not that tight-knit with us grandkids but Brooklyn loves him so it'll be fun watching her bug the old guy, LOL) ...

I'm not gonna lie: it's going to be a big challenge...thank gawd I have that week off and can plan days ahead as to how exactly I'm going to prepare all the food (side dishes & desserts the night before and turkey & stuffing on the big day itself, seeing as I only have one oven; I did mention I was Type A, did I not?!).

We will be up bright and early with Brooklyn watching her open up a tonne of gifts and then start our preparation and cooking that should be ready by about noon-ish. And with Jody being the brilliant chef he is (seriously, if he wasn't a mechanic I'd encourage him to become a chef because he LOVES to cook and he's BRILLIANT at it!!!) he will be an amazing help in the kitchen as well, if he manages NOT to take over (which he usually does anyways, lol).

I've also got my mom's famous and MOST DELICIOUS EVER stuffing recipe so I think we're all set!

Anyhow, I'm pretty excited about doing this yet reality is setting in and I'm also starting to panic, hehe! But I guess that is what my parents have gone through for the last, hmmmm, 35 years! So I'll take it and make it great for them and for all of us too.

Cannot wait!!! =)

Embracing the chubbs...

2009-12-14T22:09:00.013-07:00

Here I am with our new camera

taking a picture of more than just my belly.

Back fat and all.

Embracing it, uh-huh! :P

(I swear my metabolism goes into

full-on REVERSAL mode

*the minute*

that I get pregnant!!)

Pregnant chubbs:

I - - once again - - have NO chin.

I tend carry a lot in my face :P

Oh, who am I kidding...

35lbs, at this point, to be exact...at just 6 months.

Still 3 more months to go...

That amount of weight gain is

super harsh on the body,

let me tell you....

I am DEFINITELY feeling it!

UGH.

Ah well.

A temporary thing.

I've figured it out that I pretty much have

slight, yet highly annoying nausea

during my whole pregnancies

and my way of coping with such a yucky permanent feeling

is to eat every 2-3 hours....like ALLLL day (and night).

Hence the weight gain.

Plus I'm short, 5'3",

and so the added weight is more evident.

Am really hoping, though, that

the weight gain maintains itself soon

seeing as my stomach is getting

VERY, uncomfortably squished in there!

(and baby is only getting BIGGER!!)

I've noticed my meals becoming

quite a bit smaller

(thank God!)

so hopefully this is what happens naturally

if I choose to listen to my body.

ANYWAYS...

Enough about the baby chubbs!

Here is a beautiful picture of my

Brooklyn with Santa: she's SUCH a cutie!!

And not even scared!!

(well not after a few minutes of seeing some other kids go up) =)

I was sooo proud!! =D

We have another preschool Christmas party tomorrow

and ANOTHER visit from Santa!

Boy, she is one busy & lucky girl!! =)

C . O . L . D !

2009-12-13T16:56:00.006-07:00

Breathless at -52°C with the windchill...!!!

Dear Lord!

6 month mark & labour scares.

2009-12-08T16:39:00.008-07:00

Here is a picture of my baby bump a few weeks ago at the 6 month mark (24 weeks):

Mind the banana in the picture...Brooklyn was hanging around with a snack ;)

My. I do feel larger than I look, whenever I go back and actually look at the picture...however I do get bigger every week, so I guess it's all about the current perspective. You really don't think you can get any bigger...until you actually do in the next week, LOL!

So yesterday was my 31st birthday...and it turned out to be quite the day/scare!

I woke up at 3am needing to pee (what else is new??) but this pee "feeling" never did go away...I woke up several more times after that with nothing happening (no pee). Finally woke up for good and got ready for work with the same feeling but it was turning into a VERY uncomfortable pressure and so went in to the hospital early to see my midwife at 9am. Took a UTI urine test (which would get tested later, of course) and was sent on my way home to relax.

At home, the feeling got significantly worse and more uncomfortable and I swear, at one point, I felt like I was in labour (like I needed to push!) and panicked and went in to the hospital again at 2pm, scared that I was in pre-term early labour stages. Turns out I did, in fact, have a UTI, and was given antibiotics right away...got my hubby to get some cranberry juice but, alas, he came home with cranberry blend (not the real cranberry juice) and stated that he didn't see anything there with a "non-blend" or "non-cocktail" title...of course...this town sucks for getting what you really need.

So once he got home at suppertime, he boiled me up some cranberries that we had in our freezer and made me my very own cranberry juice! What a freakin' sweetheart!!! God, I love that man so much! At that same time, my pains were heightened and all I could do was cry and cry and cry...it hurt so bad. Jody said the last time he saw me in that much pain was during labour with Brooklyn...and let me tell you, it was a close 2nd to the pain of labour...oy. Thank God the pain only lasted about an hour before I was able to sleep a bit of it and the fever off. Antibiotics kicked in shortly thereafter. Went to be early...slept in late. Feeling famished all day. But atleast the infection is going away.

Anyhow, I guess this might be a post of somewhat TMI, but such is life when you're pregnant, lol!

On a more positive note, am really looking forward to 2 weeks off of work starting on December 21st! With zero annual leave left, this "mandatory leave" is an absolute haven to me!!!

The Slowness.

2009-12-04T10:21:00.009-07:00

So things around here have been suuuuper slooooow.

As you may have noticed....

Well I guess as slow as they can get with a 3 year old, who all of a sudden is a defiant, feisty, crazy, sometimes nasty, often nice but whiney, always funny little girl running around!!

Whoever made up the phrase "terrible two's" must have left the house when the kid got to their three's...because they forgot to make a phrase for three also, which, in my opinion, is wayyyy more crazier than the two's! So far...LOL!! God love her though!

Anyways, I digress...
Back to The Slowness.
It is also, of course, due to the pregnant belly, a fulltime job and a thesis to research and write!
And most of which the pregnant belly is winning out over the rest.

I think The Slowness gets slower with each pound gained.
Sad but true. geesh! But at this point, it is necessary.
Can't wait to work out like a fiend again and get some muscle and leanness back!
Ah, but that is a few months away, yet.

I guess I have just needed to be slow. These physical changes are ROUGH! But necessary, I know. However, I am almost certain (99.9999% sure) that this will be our last "go" at having another baby...I am just too much of a control freak to let my body be "overtaken" like this again. Sounds super silly, but honestly, last week was the first time I've felt like my body was being overrun by aliens! TOTALLY out of my control! It was a depressing night, let me tell you! LOL! But I think I've overcome that feeling for now...but am sure it will creep up again soon...I do, after all, still have 107 days (~3.75 months) to go! (But who's counting anyways, right?!) OY!

But I'm trying not to worry about it so much anymore and be more "carefree" and c'est la vie-like. I'm slowly working on that and making some progress. Slowly but surely...(the story of my life right now, hehe!)

Some things help more than others: I just finished 'tweaking' my schedule a bit more back to the 'old ways' and I must say it's made all the difference in the world and am glad that I realized it now. I must have needed for things to go back to the way they were a few months back even though it was only the difference of leaving Brooklyn at her dayhome for that extra hour after work so that I could get in a good workout, in peace (The workout seems to be one of the only things that is keeping me personally sane lately). And I don't feel as stressed or guilty anymore (ah, guilt. a true characteristic of motherhood) because then she also gets to play outside too in that last hour instead of watching tv while mommy walks on the treadmill. It's amazing how much routine and schedule is absolutely a haven at times. But of course, absolutely not, at other times! But I'm sure that sponteniety of life will come, once again, when our two little bambinos are a bit, bit older! ;P

I must say, though through all my complaints and struggles, that I feel SUPER blessed and am REALLY loving life right now, even with all the roller-coaster twists and turns and bumps along the way. I am a truly lucky woman with the most awesome family I could ever, EVER have hoped or dreamed for!!!

*sniff, sniff, sniff*....oh these darn hormones! :P hehe

--- Baby bump pictures and more to come in next post! ;) ---

(Screw it!! I am going to EMBRACE my chunkiness because I AM FABULOUS no matter what, ESPECIALLY while creating human life!!--So there! hehe)

IT'S A BOYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-11-07T10:29:00.001-07:00

Current day: Thursday, October 29, 2009

2009-10-29T13:51:00.007-06:00

Current status: 19 weeks & 3 days.

Current mood: annoyed as all hell at various things in life. Oh and utterly impatient too...am I 9 months yet??? Geeeez. :P

Current tasks: working at work, working out at home, cooking, cleaning, caring, freaking out, pulling my hair out, needing to desperately get my pulled-out hair fashioned up & working on my thesis literature review...another words a tonne of reading. Again. ugh. (cannot. get. motivated.)

Current weekend plans: getting an ultrasound and hopefully finding out the gender of our baby!!!!! (the husband is, of course, wanting to find out and make sure that all fingers and toes and other various parts are all there & attached properly...what is it with the dad's always being nervous about there being an alien in there??? lol)

I especially like that last one about the gender. ;)

I can't believe it's already nearly November!!!

4 months

2009-10-14T19:23:00.005-06:00

Wow...this sure is a 'slimming' picture!

Seriously.

Here I am, at 4 months...

(I must have got lucky with a good angle, haha)

And since I've gained ENOUGH weight already...

and now that I'm not so sick

and not feeling like I need to eat everything in sight anymore,

I am now focusing on eating more healthily

and making sure I exercise

and continue with my strength training

so that I feel strong and fit for the BIG DAY!

PS -

Oh hey...

did I mention that our whole household

(and the whole region, actually)

came down with the H1N1/swine flu two weeks ago!?

Well we did, as far as our regional news coverage tell us...

I actually DO hope that it was the H1N1

because I'd like to now think that I'm immune.

Brooklyn got the worst of it...mainly a fever and a nasty cough.

But basically like a regular flu/cold.

She's recovering quite nicely now.

I had very mild symptoms; tired, sore throat,

and asthma-like symptoms (which was highly annoying).

Jody and his mom got sick too but are all better.

All in all, everyone is a-ok!

The scare (and the constant fear-mongering)

is over for us hopefully.

I hope that people in the rest of the region

and world fairs well also.

Some of my latest beauties...

2009-10-11T16:32:00.005-06:00

jessitaylor.etsy.com

rosyrevolver.etsy.com

thenoisyplume.etsy.com

pearleverlasting.etsy.com

thenoisyplume.etsy.com

And a few days after autumn arrived...

2009-10-10T13:59:00.004-06:00

WINTER ARRIVED!!

oyyy!

*HELP MEEE!*

*Hi...can you let me in now?!*

Autumn love.

2009-10-02T15:06:00.004-06:00

Daddy & Brooklyn making bannock (an aboriginal type of biscuit)

to go with my homemade cranberry jam. YUM! :)

Jody, his mom and Brooklyn

(I ran ahead to take the pic)

walking to my brother's hunting cabin in the bush.

I grew up in this place: it used to be my dad's "tent-frame".

The most beautiful place to be in the fall.

Lots of cranberries too!!

My dad and my big brother.

Your typical Northern hunting dudes.

Papere and Brooklyn by the river

checking out the mint leaves.

Teehee!

2009-09-24T22:00:00.004-06:00

And voila!

Here is a touque! ;)

Look! It even has a pom-pom & a polar bear on it...

Which is the symbol for living in the Canadian North.

Did you know all of our license plates in the territory where I live

are shaped as polar bears?!

I will take a picture of mine someday.

So I call this a touque.

What do you call it?

Hat?

Cap??

I'm curious now. =)

Calling for snow.

2009-09-24T15:02:00.005-06:00

What's that you say?!

Snow flurries at the end of September??

Preposterous!

But...

We have had crazy, abnormal weather overall this year.

So this just looks like more of the same crazy...

Note to self:

Winter is coming early...

And most likely staying late.

*sigh*

Get the mitts & touques out, ASAP.

First days...

2009-09-20T22:34:00.003-06:00

Beautiful smiles =)

Crying out of happiness (???) while we sang "Happy Birthday" to her...

(this one was difficult to interpret!)

In her princess birthday suit looking like Goofy and acting goofy!

First day at Nursery school: fits right in like flin! hahah!

(how cheeky, huh?!!)

3rd time is a charm!!!

2009-09-15T14:07:00.007-06:00

My first-ever home made cranberry jelly initially turned into syrup...

It did not set.

I found out later that I should not double recipe's and/or skimp out on sugar both of which I had done. So I re-boiled the jelly a second time this time adding more certo preservative.

Still syrupy.

Frustrated, I was ready to throw the whole batch on a huge bunch of pancakes the next weekend that I was going to force my husband to make (he's the best chef ever).

But I managed to get enough patience to re-boil the mixture again on the 3rd day after the hubby phoned his Grammy back home in Newfoundland who said to add more sugar as it is the main thing that helps to set it.

So I added a bit more sugar...

and VOILA!!

1 hour later I could see the mixture in the jars starting to set!!!!

WOOP!

And OMG, is it EVER good with homemade bannock!!!!

YUUMMMMMY!!

It's was so good that I went out again yesterday and picked some more cranberries!! Made another batch, this one less sweet and a bit more tarty....Mmmmmmm!!

I must say that I am tickled pink with myself...and so glad that I did not give up!! I think that I want to jam and jelly everything now! heheh!

2009-09-15T13:39:00.003-06:00

She's more interested in making faces & looking at herself in the computer than she is of singing her "favourite song"! lol

Can I just complain??

2009-09-14T11:34:00.003-06:00

Please.

My morning sickness is back.
I thought I was "home-free" at the 3 month mark...for a few days only.

Made my first-ever batch of homemade jelly (low-bush cranberry) last night.
And it's just a syrup...have to figure out if I will be able re-boil it and add more certo.
Crossing my fingers!

Grey hairs are showing pretty nicely...hair is a mess.
Cannot manage it as it's a limp and lifeless since getting pregnant, WTH?!
Maybe I'll just CUT.IT.OFF. ??
Need to find me a hair-cutter....

I haven't post pics again...boring I know.
I am just too busy when I'm at home, entertaining the mother-in-law etc.
Lots going on though!
I've been blogging mainly from work lately...but mostly because I'm crazy bored. Even though I could be doing more productive things...just can't seem to concentrate with this constant icky feeling. Or get motivated lately.

Plus, it's Monday. :P

AAAAACK!!!!

2009-09-10T11:51:00.004-06:00

EMERGENCY!!

My hairdresser is no longer available!

AAAAACK!!!

She is off of work preparing to have her baby

and now I don't have a hairdresser for a whole year or more!!!

Only one other lady in town has a salon

and you don't go to her unless you want to hear the town gossip

and get a crooked cut.

What is a girl to do?!

I am going to have to settle for store bought goods...

Should I go for blondish to help keep my highlights????

Ah, this sucks...

I can never do my own hair properly.

*sigh*

3 month mark!

2009-09-09T13:20:00.007-06:00

Hello all,

It's been awhile...I haven't been posting much or even online much lately due to my morning sickness and overall yucky feeling. Basically everything was making me feel yucky. I could barely bring myself to even look on Etsy. It was repulsive as was doing my hair and eating food. But things are looking up and the yuckiness is nearly gone!! :) Hence my new Etsy purchases this week...just have to keep that nipped in the bud before I go all purchase crazy again.

In any case, I am now 3 months into my pregnancy. Most of the miscarriage worries are now over, thank goodness. And I am already starting to show, oy! Much faster than the first pregnancy but I guess for some women this is normal in their second and subsequent pregnancies. I don't mind the belly sticking out, I just gotta try to keep my butt the same size this time around, hehe! I kinda went crazy in the maternity clothes purchase dept this weekend while in the city, but oh well. It is my incentive to try and look nice while feeling COMPLETELY out of my element. Pregnancy was never kind to me. Or maybe I wasn't kind to it...I am definitely looking into that possibility and into the fact that I can make this pregnancy a little more (or a lot!) enjoyable than the last!

As I just mentioned we were also in the city; we drove the long 14 hour drive on the Labour Day weekend to pick up Brooklyn's Nanna [my mother-in-law] who flew over from Newfoundland. She got to experience for the first time the long flight and then the super long drive that we have to deal with every time we've ever visited them. Not very fun. But necessary. For a few more years anyhow [until we eventually move south].

Nanna is visiting us for a month. She didn't want Brooklyn going to daycare as she wanted to spend every waking hour with her granddaughter. This was very touching yet very difficult for me to comprehend since my mother, who just lives 5 houses down the road, does not spend more than 2-3 hours at a time with Brooklyn. Not a huge deal anymore as she is not really a 'kid person' [and now that I'm totally used to it]. But, with Nanna, the situation is quite the polar opposite and I'm not really used to it. Always worrying if it's too much for her when I know it clearly isn't and that she clearly enjoys being with her granddaughter (not that my mom doesn't enjoy Brooklyn, she sure does, but it's just that she has a time limit, haha). But it's super nice at the same time having Brooklyn spend time with her Nanna that she hardly gets to see and vice versa. Nanna wants to come back over when the baby is born in March, so that is exciting and will definitely be a blessing for both me and Jody when that time comes.

Also, Brooklyn turned 3 a few days ago on the day that Nanna flew in! I can't believe she's 3 already!!!! We didn't do much for her birthday but we are having family over tonight for her birthday party; supper, cake and presents!! It should be a blast as Brooklyn has been so excited and wanting people to sing "Happy Birthday" to her after going to other kids' parties and singing that to them. She is ever so patiently waiting for her turn, hehe! Pictures of that to be posted soon. :)

That's it for now...this is long enough! :P
Hope all is well with all of you in blogland!
Vita (with the top button on my jeans un-knotched and hooped together with a stretchy hair tie...hey, it's better than suspenders at this point! lol!)

Daily grind.

2009-08-24T10:28:00.006-06:00

Well. Back to work I am...

We had a nice visit with my sister and her family.

Her little boy,

who is 1 year younger than Brooklyn,

is sure a cutie and it was so nice to see them play (& fight) together, heheh!

& I sure ate my share of cravings in the last 2 weeks! Oy!

Back to having will power & eating the healthy stuff now.

I definitely don't need to gain another 70lbs

this time around with this pregnancy!

Mmmmmm....

2009-08-21T14:29:00.005-06:00

bon-bons..... :)

(or as the kidlets - my 2 year old and my sister's 1 year old -

this week called them "bum-bums" because they couldn't pronounce bon-bons!

hahahaha, om-gosh!)

Positive!!!! ;)

2009-08-13T10:24:00.009-06:00

Sooooo.... :)

This is what I've been 'hiding' for the last month! hehe!

I'm just over 2 months now.

We've finally told my parents so I guess the word can come out now! hehe

It was tough seeing as I'm such a blabber mouth!!

But luckily the parents and siblings who live near us and my other sibling who I phone every week were all on vacation and I haven't seen or talked to them since we found out! It was definitely easier that way to keep it at bay, hehe.

Now that I've got FULL-ON first trimester symptoms starting 2 weeks ago!!! UGHHHHH!!!

Did I ever mention how much I despise morning, afternoon and evening sickiness (whoever named it just "morning" sickness must have been a man!)??!! ACK!

I just don't know what to do with myself while feeling constantly sick like this during all my waking hours...it's either severe heartburn (which I never ever get in normal everyday life) or that nautious puking feeling if I don't eat or severe bloating where I look 5 months pregnant if I eat too much (which is a fine line since my digestive system has also slowed down or gone kaput). OY! It's tough to find that middle ground or to find that one comforting drink or food that will help to ease the feeling...especially when I am extremely tired and just want to pass out at my work desk (I seriously thought of bringing a pillow to work for fear of calling in sick too many times since they don't know). The past few days my main tolerable food has been toast. And now I'm thinking soup too. If I eat anything else that is difficult to digest, I feel complete crappola. Coffee is also a bad culprit for the heartburn much to my despair (no I don't give up coffee voluntarily-just reduce it). I think I have to give up my oatmeal though for awhile because it's just too heavy. I am going to try ginger ale today and see how that helps because I've also been super thirsty and it seems to ease stomach sickness too. And, omg, all of that is not even half of it! Ok, well maybe about half.

But aside from all my whining and complaining, I know that all this annoying sickness and physical marathon that I am 'running' while I lay on my couch is SOOOO worth it in the end. ;)

I remember when Brooklyln was born; the birth (c-section) was the most devastating thing I've gone through yet when I held her, it all just melted away. I can't wait to feel that again. *sniff sniff*...

As for Brooklyn, she's so proud to becoming a big sister!! :) Always asking "mommy, does your baby like yogurt?" while we're eating yogurt or whatever it is that we're eating, lol! She's too darn cute! Lately she's been asking me, "did you eat your baby?" I guess because it is in my belly, hahah! But have since tried to explain that the baby is protected and growing in my 'uterus'...you should hear her try to say that word! LOL! She kisses my belly and hugs it and gets excited that the baby is growing bigger just like her!! heheh! Oh man, I never knew how fun this would be with a toddler around!!

So, in any case, wish me luck with the rest of the first trimester (1 more month to go!) as I realize that it's still a bit early! I just can't keep a secret any longer!! LOL

I would like to thank my husband who is basically superman to me right now (oh, he always is though) while I lay around trying to get energy to do the everyday things that I normally do. Now he does most of them while also renovating our basement, making a new backyard deck, fixing our furnace chimney, entertaining our 2 year old and, om-gosh, every other related parenting task that I am feeling so guilty for not doing lately. He is just the BEST!!!! I could not have picked a better human being to father my children and to be my husband! :)

I would also like to thank the heavens and my late father-in-law for being the guardian angel to make this happen...we conceived the day after Jody came back from his funeral, the exact day that we also decided we could try getting pregnant again. It is truly a miracle and a blessing.

So...

2009-08-08T08:26:00.007-06:00

So I've finally completed my paper and edits and all...it's handed in. Although a few days late of which I kinda got crap for. And now I'm not sure if it will officially be marked. Hopefully it will. Just a little slap on the hand, right. Rightly deserved, I feel pretty crappy about it.

But oh well. The stress is gone for now. It was bad. Lots of things are going on so needless to say I've been super stressed. Will post more about the shenanigans later on.

In any case, here are some fun pics of our trip to the lake last weekend...unfortunately we didn't stay long. The bugs were HORRENDOUS!!! But it was fun while it lasted and good to get out and do some family things.

Gassing up the truck.

Driving to the lake.

We, of course, came across a few buffalo.

And finally at the lake!!

I just wish the bugs weren't so crazy up here.

Ah well...such is life while living in the North.

Hilariousities and such!

2009-07-23T18:44:00.006-06:00

No, hilariousity is not a word.

But it is my new favourite expression! :P

And ok, so these pics are from about 2 weeks ago...

They are of me and my girl

having a blast and being funny

using the Photobooth effects

(while I took a well-needed

break from reading my articles).

If the last photo is any inclination,

at that point I was laughing so hard I was crying!

And boy, did I need that! :)

We are definitely related!!

hahaha!!

Rain, rain...

2009-07-22T13:31:00.006-06:00

GO AWAY!!

And seriously, DON'T COME BACK!

This summer 'situation' reminds me of myself

in wintertime telling the snow to go away...

This rain is definitely getting to me.

This is not normal for this town to be so cold and wet like this.

I cherish my summers so much!

Yesterday was the first HOT day of the summer.

+28 and that's not even hot.

We haven't even experienced +30 yet!!

Not acceptable!

So yesterday while it was +28 (EEEEE!!)

I played hooky and stayed home in the afternoon to

try and write my paper.

But I did so outside basking in the beautiful sunlight and heat!

I could definitely use another deca

of centigrades in temperature.

+35 would be FANTASTIC!!

Sooo happy for the heat!

The dogs feeling happy to have a companion outside with them!

(and a MUCH needed bottle of deet!

when you live up here you learn to live with the bugs too!)

I am dreaming.

Of Hawaii.

And pina coladas.

I swear I was born to live in the tropics.

Too bad the hubby likes snow! BAH!

Well, the rest of the week is looking up.

Mostly sunny with temperature in the late 20's.

If the forecast doesn't change again!

Ohhh, I hope not!

Ack!

2009-07-20T20:51:00.003-06:00

So this is the stack of paper's that I've been reading for the past 2 weeks...

Looking at the stack sitting there in front of me, it is more than I originally thought!

However,

now I'm supposed to write the paper!

EGAD!

Now I am stuck.

I cannot focus.

I cannot think clearly.

My eyes are fuzzy.

I am tired.

I am hungry.

I just want to glaze on Etsy all day.

I need a vacay!

Nonetheless, I will not get one.

And I must write this thing by Wednesday at the latest.

So please, please, please, please...

Send me lots of brain energy thingies!

Because, dude, I'm all busted up!

And getting burnt out!

A Daily Dose of Sweetness!

2009-07-17T21:27:00.003-06:00

My daughter *really* likes to play dress-up!

Like really.

For serious.

This has been our daily routine lately

after I pick her up from the sitter's!

She loves it and, well...

So do I! hehe

as Cinderella...

as Fairy Godmother... :)

Ooopsie...

2009-07-16T15:52:00.003-06:00

I will post about this oopsie at a later time ...
Haven't got time right now!
I am frantically reading a billioin articles so that I can write my paper this weekend!!!!!!
Good news is I am getting smarter!!
See. I can't even spell "billion"!
Yes, it is so!
LOL!

Random smatterings

2009-07-11T15:09:00.003-06:00

I do not have Starbucks available at my disposal...

So this is how I deal.

Not bad, eh!

And this is how I would look if I was a martian....

Or just if I had not had any coffee.

(notice the significantly smaller-sized head

that is ready to explode out the top, hehe)

Summer...?!

2009-07-06T22:08:00.002-06:00

Is that you...?!

Peekaboo!

Alas!

The sun has come out to play!

And umbrella's will only be used now

for protecting little princesses

from the hot sun ;)

And alas ...

I am still writing this blasted paper...

It's gonna be a lonnnnng month.

Note to self:

Have GOT to set up an outdoor study area.

Preferably at the lake.

Things that are not fun:

2009-07-05T17:56:00.003-06:00

1) work

2) homework!

3) potty-training

4) constant rain

5) not being able to go outside when it stops raining because you are too busy performing #1, #2 and #3.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

2009-07-01T13:44:00.002-06:00

█ ♥ █

(RAINY) PICS TO COME LATER ... :)

...

We celebrate even in the rain :)

How does your garden grow?

2009-06-24T20:25:00.003-06:00

I meant to post these earlier but Jody took the

camera with him when he went back to NFLD.

Planting flowers in my pitiful "sand-dune" in early June...

It was definitely a late start to the planting season this year with the frosts

continuing well into the first week of June!

Watering the grass:

My little gardener :)

AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT:

This picture was taken just before 10pm in mid-June.

Summer solstice was on June 21, a few days ago.

Days (daylight I mean) will be getting shorter again now...

BOO!

Over indulgence?!

2009-06-24T20:16:00.004-06:00

Uhmmmm.....

Is this bad?!

(NOTE: this doesn't even include my earrings!)

PS-I'm now on a budget...I SWEAR it this time!

I have to pick and choose my battles now

and therefore admire everything else from afar...

Window shopping isn't so bad, right?! ;)

Clarity.

2009-06-23T22:18:00.006-06:00

Certain things become quite apparent, in times of need.

Like realizing friends who are really there for you...

And friends who just aren't and basically haven't been for years.

Friends who are too self-involved and basically just "takers".

This reality check has been brewing in my head for years and only now has come to tilt.

It's sad to say, but sometimes friendships that have lasted for decades are no longer relevant or functional or relational. It will be sad to "say good-bye", once I finally decide to (I'm still waiting to feel rational again and not so angry anymore), but sometimes a good-bye is needed in order to move on so that more healthy and functional relationships can evolve in it's place.

On a brighter note: I am SUPER happy that I have my little family together again and all back home now.

2009-06-19T20:54:00.004-06:00

It's been a trying and lonely week without JD and most other family members out of town.

But I did have my puppy to protect me at night.

Wellll ok.....he is kind of a sook!

Poppy and his girl.

2009-06-16T12:20:00.002-06:00

We will miss him with all of our hearts.

R.I.P

The Summer of Paper Writing.

2009-06-15T11:03:00.012-06:00

No vacation for me this summer. Just a solid bout of paper-writing, working full-time and hopefully getting some nice weekends at the lake (or river) with my beautiful family.

Also planting some flowers tonite....I need my front yard "flower bed garden" to look like a flower bed garden and NOT like a weed-infested jungle!!! OY! THANKFULLY there were pre-planted flowers at the stores this weekend!! --This town is so scary in that department! I almost thought I was going to have to live with my weedy jungle out front this summer! My neighbours would have been giving me the evil eye through all of July & August!!

Anyhow, after what seemed like (or WAS!) 4-5 weeks of unproductive paper writing, I've FINALLY got my paper outline done! Wayy past the original deadline but done, nonetheless. How thrilling does it look?! (yeah, yeah I know, hahah)

It has been emailed to my supervisor and hopefully she has some good, critical advice for it(although I hope it doesn't get torn to shreds!!! EEK!). In the meantime, I need to start READING....no, no. Not reading any good or comforting novels, but a couple dozen articles (this is where speed-reading and good note-taking comes in handy). I'm not complaining though because I think it will actually be a good distraction as well as something positively productive to focus on. I am, after all, two-thirds complete!! EEEE! Just thinking of how close I am, makes my day :)

So onwards and upwards...it's time to get back to work!
And back to normal, everyday life!!
Which actually makes me feel quite satisfied and content.

OH! And Happy Pre-Father's Day to all the guys out there!
I invited my dad over for a bbq dinner last nite with my husband thinking that it was Father's Day....I was SOOO ahead of the game this time....that NEVER happens (I tend to forget EVERY important date)!! But only because I have NO IDEA what day it is anymore!! hahaha! -- (yes, I am becoming ever so slightly delusional, lol). So on the brightside, we get to do it all over again next Sunday!! Hopefully with more family around! (my mom and my brother and his wife who are all out of town) YIPPEE! :)

Yewellery and heartache.

2009-06-13T20:18:00.007-06:00

Ok. Since arriving home I've gotten a barrage of packages from (those darned!) Etsy artists! ;)

{I really need to QUIT.

Honestly.

This is getting ridiculous and I think I have enough bling... :P

I have a serious problem with this whole jewellery binging thing... oy.}

Anyhow, enough of the psychoanalysing (I'll conquer this addiction in time, I swear!), I was recently into smaller rings for awhile before I left but am now back on the large ring kick again...am not sure why my preferences changed like this so suddenly?! So, no surprise, I had to wear my biggest ring yet, once I came back. It's absolutely amazing and actually quite comfortable as well!!

Looking fabulous at work with my new bling

while putting my chapstick on.

And while drinking my much-needed coffee...

[With finally being back home and then travelling and then coming back and then Jody leaving again and coming back and with all the recent and deteriorating news (we know it's coming but that doesn't make it much easier to deal with)...I am realizing that life is just absolutely exhausting right now. ]

Coffee and jewellery are my refuge.

And here are two lovely items from two different

and also quite lovely artists themselves...

quite the matching pair, isn't it!? :)

Life.

2009-05-28T18:13:00.006-06:00

I just have to say that cancer sucks ass.

Just quick note on how much it sucks: now I know what it's like to experience what families go through with this horrible and epidemic-sized disease. It's not fun. It's heart-wrenching and exhausting. But it has made me appreciate life more and realize that I cannot take things or the people in my life for granted. Everyone is connected, everyone is affected by cancer.

Our little family on Signal Hill, sitting on a Newfoundland dog statue,

where the first transatlantic wireless signal was made in 1901 by Guglielmo Marconi.

My sweet baby girl a day after arriving home :)

My latest ring obsession: old style Navajo rings with lots of silver balls!!

A used eBay special...it's fabulous though :)

On a different and more vain note (I realize I'm becoming much more vain in my 30's than I ever was in my 20's...oy): I've finally made it to a size 10 (in clothes). I'm leary to look at my weight since eating tonnes of sugar and ice cream during our 4 week trip to the East. But I am back at the gym anyhow, so no worries there. I can't wait to get into a size 8!! Never have I ever been that size!

God bless and Cheers!!

COLOUR!!!!

2009-04-29T20:26:00.001-06:00

I just have to say....that I LOOOOOOVE colour!

It makes my heart sing!

A change...will do us good?!

2009-04-27T23:30:00.009-06:00

Change is inevitable.

It is required, really.

But. It is, no doubt, verrry difficult to deal with.

This is what I've been trying to figure out as to why my 2 year old has, just this week, started to DOWNRIGHT refuse to go to sleep in her own bed. Like seriously, 3 hour tantrums are just not our thing...like c'mon! And all of our previous bedtime methods, which always worked, are just NOT working. We are shocked, to say the least. And we are gathering that 2 year olds are different little people that require different little needs (juuust figured this out tonight although it could be TOTALLY out of whack...who knows?! We don't, that's for sure!!!). And I feel like a big failure in the mommy department right now. Like holy cow, it was a tough night and I'm not sure what the heck we are doing and what we're even gonna do for tomorrow night's bedtime! Oy!

She is currently, however, sound asleep beside her father in our king-sized bed while I sit here on the couch attempting to write my last term paper which is due in a mere 2 days. Procrastination is an evil, evil thing, I tell you. What can I say, since I am on blogger typing this up instead!

And we're also hoping for some positive news with regards to my father-in-law. And praying that his cancer has not returned. I don't imagine that this is a possibility that anyone would want to hear...ever. Nuff said about that. Don't want to jinx anything.

And all of this while I attempt to work out some inner demons of my own in dealing with all of these changes myself. I am a creature of habit and change makes me leary. I'm not complaining about having to deal with it all. No, not at all. I was heartbroken enough after being away for so long. So bring it on. I will deal with it all in whatever order and in whatever fashion. It is just as I mentioned previously...change is difficult, nonetheless. And I am not bionic or made of steel (although sometimes I like to think I am). I am human. And I make mistakes too. Growing up is a lot more difficult then one would like to think. And growing pains never really end, do they?

So it is now midnight and I suppose I shall either continue writing that paper or....just go to bed. But *GROAN* my tummy hurts so much!! Oh, did I not mention?! Jody and I have also been dealing with food poisoning all day and night from God knows what! urgh.

I'm such the good, fantastic complainer today, aren't I?!

I better get an A+ for that!! :P

Oh well, it's a free country I suppose...

Gatherer syndrome...

2009-04-23T14:56:00.012-06:00

Ok, so I think in my "old" age that I am getting to be somewhat of a 'collector' of sorts. I figure it must be the 'gatherer' syndrome and how women have, for centuries, provided for their families. I think that the gatherer in me is finally coming out...after all, good ol' hubby is the hunter (or atleast he tries, hehe). And after starting off my adult life as an 'uber-liberated' woman, becoming a mom later on has surely made me realize that there *really* are specific gender differences in our species. Now hold on before you blast me...I don't know if this gatherer thing is one of them, but hey, it's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it! heheh!

So first my little obssession and collecting started out with rings, then just plain ol' jewellery in general...now it's turned a whole new avenue that includes stones!! What the heck!? I honestly don't know what is happening to me!! I've never been a collector of anything before really!! Except maybe sandals... But, truthfully, I am really liking it (obviously, why else would I be obssessed with doing it!? hehe). It must give me some sort of purpose. Now that I think about it, it's just like shopping I guess, hehe. The thrill and the pretties.

Currently I've realized that I like to see my collections grow. I am proud of them. I like to display them...somewhere high enough though where baby girl can't get at them; but she loves them too and kisses each ring I wear when she sees them on my fingers, haha.

And so I've recently purchased my first 4 stones...I have no idea what I'll do with these stones besides stare at them in awe, LOL! And keep them on a pretty plate so I could do just that. But, ohhh, lately I am having HUUUGE crushes on moukite, Morgan Hill Poppy jasper (!!!), laguna agate, turquoise (which I have yet to buy) and just really different stones with bursts of wild colour or ever-wicked patterns on them! As you may be able to tell from my first ever purchases below...

theagateworks.etsy.com (First 2)

dmargocr

ebay seller stephitom65

Oh, and I should mention that I purchased a book called The Crystal Bible as well...I have yet to crack it open but the concept of crystals and stones and healing and feelings really intrigues me.

Walks and puddles...

2009-04-18T22:22:00.001-06:00

My heart and soul

2009-04-17T10:24:00.003-06:00

T minus 2 sleeps!!!

2009-04-14T20:57:00.003-06:00

2 presentations down!

Public speaking is so nerve-wracking...

I did decently but I still think I could use more practice.

Maybe I will end up teaching one day...

I've previously found out that teaching has helped

this particular fear-factor in the past.

Hopefully after this degree,

I will have that option to choose from as well.

Now just 2 papers and one exam left!

T-minus-2 sleeps till I leave for my 1700km drive HOME!!!!

Car is almost all packed up!

And I'm going SUPER crazy with excitement!!

But it's the really good kinda crazy that makes

me feel like life will, once again, be full and complete

with the people I love the most.

Last week!

2009-04-11T20:56:00.002-06:00

EEK!

6...possibly 5 days left!!

I am getting thoroughly excited!

I still have a bit to do...

but it's all coming together as it should.

Happy Easter to everyone!

Did I mention?!

2009-04-08T19:50:00.004-06:00

Have I mentioned before that toothpaste

works wonders for a zit!?

Oh, no?!

Well, it does :)

(yes I'm 30 and still get zits...it's a wonderful

and mesmerizing thing, these hormones.....NOT!)

Nothing new, really...except I could cry each minute of every day. But I can't. So I wait.

2009-04-05T14:29:00.011-06:00

I don't really have anything new to post.

I'm just busy trying to get stuff done before I leave.

And I've gotten quite a bit done this week actually.

So in the past day or two or three

I've sort of had

moments of "unbusyness"...

Which is not fun when

ALL

I can think about is going home.

But, ahh, life is one big challenge after another.

And I realize that I am incredibly

lucky to have such opportunity

and such confounding support.

I guess it's quite an ideal time now for

a reflection of sorts

in this very difficult,

yet short period of time

in my life

which is soon coming to a close.

So I will do my best to make

it a good reflection of sorts.

----------------

12 more days

till I get to see this beautiful little girl!

She really reminds me of me

when I was a little girl

except she's got her

father's beautiful hazel-green eyes.

Oh how my love grows each day for this child of mine.

I never knew love could be this GRAND.

How did I get so lucky?! *sniff sniff*

Plus 2.

2009-04-01T22:13:00.011-06:00

Well...

It looks like I have a set back.

I'm back at 16.

Again.

Yuck.

I had it in my mind that

one of my projects

was due April 15....

but, nope,

April 17 is my lucky day.

(And it's a group project

so I don't want to leave my partner hanging.)

April fools on me, right!

But.

I guess this just means I will

have a few extra days to get my papers done.

....I was wondering why my Prof

was so reluctant to give me that early exam date....

Oh well,

it's better to be frantic and crazy

then bored and alone.

Right?!

And seeing as confusion is everywhere,

I must now go run amok.

Summer is coming!!!

2009-03-30T22:41:00.003-06:00

Where I live,

we get 18 hours

of straight sunlight

on the day of the

summer solstice

(July 21).

I thought it might be 16...

but I was wrong ;)

I LOOOOVE summer!!!

Summer in Newfoundland too!!

Can't wait!

Paper due...

2009-03-29T10:13:00.004-06:00

I have exactly 17 hours to finish this paper.

And then the real 'fun' begins...

After that, I have to start my two final projects

for this term.

Lickity split!

Here are some new neck and finger goodies:

I will now have to wait until I get home

to see my other goodies =)

Opa! = turkey thighs.

2009-03-27T19:54:00.010-06:00

OMG.

I had the souvlaki platter meal yesterday at

"Opa!"

(fast-food Greek place in the mall)....

and just found out that the whole meal

is ~1018 calories!!

Holy mother of a stuffed turkey!

This is NOT a good thing for my thighs!!

Good thing I only eat there once a year or less... :/

-----------------

Some pics:

I can't wait to be able to post pictures

of her and I

TOGETHER!

Turquoise posts.

2009-03-27T11:32:00.011-06:00

Ok.

So I have been searching for

turquoise stone post earrings all over the place

after someone swiped

(yeah I'm sure they even know or care, right?! hehe)

my fave ones on Etsy

that I obviously waited

too long to decide to buy...

I even resorted to ebay...(ughhhh!).

But (thankfully?) they didn't ship

to Canada (of course, right!).

I just need some really, really pretty ones =)

----------

PS - I forgot to mention that part of this difficulty

stems from the fact that I bought a cute pair

of handmade turquoise earrings

in a little store in the mall yesterday

and ended up coming home without them!

(???)

What is wrong with me?!!

I NEVER lose things!

Arghhh!

19 reasons...

2009-03-27T11:14:00.003-06:00

So I just asked one of my Profs today

if I could take the last exam for that class

on an earlier date.

The original date is scheduled for April 15.

And I am done everything else,

so I really, just really,

want to be on the road on that date

and eating jelly beans, chocolate

and coffee keeping my brain thingies alert

during my dreaded, yet exuberant

17 hour drive HOME!

I gave him the regular reasons

of which you are all aware of by now ;)

Hopefully he says YES

and does not ask me an endless

20 more questions...

Otherwise, I will have to give him

an endless bout of 19 more reasons!!

Because, Lord knows, I have that much

and plenty more and am desperate

to GO HOME!!!

So cross your fingers for me

that he says YES...

Jelly beans make everything all right again.

2009-03-26T20:20:00.004-06:00

I used to HATE jelly beans.

And now, well...

They're just ok.

But the little mini ones....

Ohhhh, those are GOOD!!!

Tonight is a jelly bean night...

I look like a mess,

I'm tired as hell,

but I got me some eensy teensy mini jelly beans.

I'm gonna be a-ok.

2 birds...

2009-03-26T00:37:00.002-06:00

21, 20!!

Sleeping again...

2009-03-24T20:12:00.004-06:00

So I'm finally sleeping somewhat peacefully again...

Now my problem is not being able to

get up at 6am to go to the gym...

But I think I am still catching up to last week's

horrible, horrible lack of sleep.

I have, since, found comfort in my humidifier

which makes a fantastic monotone noise at night

(and drowns out noisy roommate phone talking issues)

So, I'm a happy, well-slept bee!!!

But.

I need help for a question in my stats class...

What does this equation mean:

y = βο+λ22y+βx+ε

???

Ok.

No need to answer...

I think you get the point ;)

Houston, WE HAVE LIFT OFF!!!!

2009-03-23T20:27:00.003-06:00

I'm so happy, I could just BURST!

This morning, I just got approved

for my RESEARCH TOPIC/THESIS!!!!!!!!!!!

Finally, after 3 years of coming up

with numerous ideas that never panned out.

Now I have something concrete to work towards

for my final masters degree paper!!

The light at the end of the tunnel!!!

It's a very cool topic too!

Although DO NOT be alarmed when I mention it...

It's strictly wildlife related.

I will be modeling and mapping the natural distribution of

bovine (bison, cattle, deer etc) anthrax in Canada.

I live right beside Wood Buffalo National Park,

the world's second largest national park,

and so anthrax in the free-roaming

bison herds that live there

has always been a concern.

It's all related to the soil because the bacteria (b. anthracis)

are able to lie dormant in certain soils

until favourable conditions

(such as increases in soil moisture)

and when hooved animals breathe the spores in.

Anyhow, I will be contributing to a relatively new field of study

called Spatial Epidemiology!!!

It may sound like a crazy topic,

but I'm FLIPPIN' excited!!!!

I feel like I'm 23 years old again!!!! ;)

(I'll give whoever, brownie points if you've notice what I'm doing)

In any case, now for some showing off of some new jewels:

A lovely, feminine neck charmer from Jillian.

It goes with ANYTHING!

Two rings (on left) from Jessi and

a feather ring AND necklace from Allison!!!

LOVE them all!

And holy good GOSH,

this necklace made by Emily is a KNOCK OUT!!!

It knocked me right out with it's FABULOUSNESS!!!

And to that end,

CHEERS!!!

I am going to celebrate my current success

with a nice glass of wine!

Random notes.

2009-03-22T15:33:00.004-06:00

When I was 24, I was 1 year into my new marriage and

hadn't even lived with the hubby yet seeing as I

was living in another city so that I could

finish up my bachelor of science degree.

(Some things never change, right.)

;)

Great positive things!!

2009-03-21T12:06:00.003-06:00

25 things I am grateful for!!!

1. My daughter!!! She's the cutest, most beautiful and cuddliest little girl in the world!!! :)

2. My hubby!! He's the BESTEST EVER!!! HANDS down!

3. My family: they support and love me till no end!

4. My hometown....no matter how far away I get and how much I complain about it, it's always, always nice to go back home. It will be hard to leave if we ever move...especially now raising a child there.

5. My friends; they ALWAYS welcome me back as though I haven't even left!

6. For my country, CANADA! BEST country in the world!!!! I am so lucky to have been raised in this great northern country of ours! Eh!

7. For my job; in this economy, I am VERY grateful that I do have my job to go back to after school. And it's a great and meaningful opportunity to!

8. Great and caring people who pay it forward. Makes me feel full of hope and that people are good after all!

9. Common courtesy and good manners in young people...and respecting your elders philosophy. This still exists...thank God!! I will be instilling it in my children.

10. Common sense!!! I need not say more except, AMEN!

11. Voting/democracy.

12. Dancing and music! We take many things for granted in this country.

13. Jewellery, especially rings!!! I have welcomed my new love affair with jewellery in the last few years and I've never looked so fashionable! hehe

14. Chocolate! Mmmmmmmmm.....lately it's been Laura Secord's mint chocolate squares!!! oooooh Heaven!!

15. Coffee!!! Oh, good Lord, I could not live without this valuable and delicious commodity!!! Latte's are EXTRA good too!!! YUM!

16. My health! Yeah, I'm doing it!

17. Higher education (although I wish it was like many Scandinavian countries and FREE!); I am able to expand my horizons and learn more about what I LOVE!

18. For the gift of travel: I LOVE seeing the world in a different light and experiencing other cultures!! I'm ALWAYS amazed!

19. Oceans: what a wonderful thing!!! I am so peaceful when I have ever been near it (only a few times in my life and only swam in it near Hawaii and omg, it is EVER salty!).

20. Mountains: I will live near the mountains one day...with my first ever glimpse at the mountains when I was younger, I felt them. They are at the centre of my being.

21. Technology: Phew! What would I do without the internet and my palm pilot?!!

22. Again, my daughter and my husband...they are making me a better person every single day and I want to pay them back by giving them all my heart!!!

23. Compassion and empathy: what would humans do without such feelings?

24. Etsy!!! Need I say more about THAT?!!

25. Life. It is precious.

Interesting things....

2009-03-20T18:39:00.013-06:00

I have many interesting things on my mind lately...some of which should not bare merit or even be worthy of my valuable time or well-needed brain energy thingies. But of course, some of which, should. (like my research projects, per say)!

I will not go into specifics because, Lord knows, I'm a roller coaster of emotions lately and am probably just rolling around in the frustrations further because of it (think of a dog rolling around in a buffalo's doo-doo, gross I know, but my brother's dog does this ALL the time). And well...it probably has something to do with the lack of sleep that I've been getting due to my first-ever insomniacal life experiences no doubt from the fact that my heart is aching over being away from my child. Oh. And also perhaps due to the frequent, very disturbing and never-ending, noise-till-the-early-hours-in-the-morning, LOUD interruptions (you don't say!).....

---

But.

In spite of trying to remain positive and kind and open-minded...

I sometimes just don't understand people.

And how they can be so disrespectful.

I could go further into serious issues of scandal and misconduct...

But.

With finally getting a decent sleep last nite (~5 hrs).

I won't.

But I just wanna say...

That sometimes:

I just DON'T GET IT.

But.

I guess that is a good thing too sometimes.

(Less brain energy thingies to be killed)

---

So, aside from this rather useless post (with very well hidden complaints, I might add!)....

Here is to reminding myself of peace-of-mind and loving others in spite of their differences because you never know what their real life circumstances might be. And finally and most importantly to saving some brain energy thingies for my 17 hour drive back home in 26 DAYS!!!

WOOOOOOT!

Now back to the endless projects.

(Which I will proudly do MYSELF.)

sigh

2009-03-19T10:57:00.006-06:00

Just when I feel like I'm getting ahead...

I find out that I have to write an unexpected paper....

Fun times will be had by all....

Except me, of course.

So much for my weekend.

Oh wait.

I haven't had a 'weekend' in months!!

Wow, this whole grad school thing isn't all it's cracked up to be.

(I honestly want to scream.

But I won't.

Because that would just be weird...)

Must. Finish. School. Quickly.

Life awaits...

Oh life, hurry up and begin again!

Pretty pleeeeease!

Ok, that's enough whining from me!!

Collage Time... :)

My silly willies:

(Rusty never quite grew into his tongue

and Lady suffers for it everyday while

he "chews" or suckles (??) on her poor ears)

My two favourite people in the whole wide world:

Ohhh, she loves her Shrek!

And Daddy cut her bangs!!

He did a GREAT job, didn't he?!

Such a multi-talented guy!

Such a beautiful little girl!

And why is it that all daddies want to

give their children mo-hawks?! LOL :)

My lovely girl :)

That smile/face brightens up my day!

Wow, I'm even missing my

mumma and papa!

(back during his experimental beard stage)

32!!

2009-03-15T11:16:00.003-06:00

32 more days to go!!

WOOT!!!

Here is what I have left:

- do a quick project for work (this will help me pay some bills!)

- 1 lab project to finish

-1 lab paper

- 1 statistics research project to do

- 1 stats paper

- 1 stats presentation

- 1 remote sensing research project

- 1 remote sensing paper

- 1 remote sensing presentation

- and 1 exam (boohoo for exams!)!!

I am soooooooooooo glad that my list

has dwindled down QUITE considerably!!!

Now for some pics!

Here is my lil' Buddha in her petite, little size 2 parka (last winter).

Cute as a button!

Dontcha just wanna squeeze her cheeks!? =)

The daily heartbreak:

My little girl has been asking this week

"where is my mommy?"

The lifestyle change...

2009-03-13T22:31:00.009-06:00

I just read another blogger's post about dieting and losing weight

and, ohhh, how I can relate!!

Now that I think about it,

I think that main reason why

I actually started this whole blog

was to create an outlet for me and help me keep track of myself

while losing weight after my first pregnancy

(and also as an outlet for being a new mom!).

You see, I had just lost 45lbs,

for the first time ever,

just prior to becoming pregnant

(Since adolescence, I've always pretty much been overweight and chubby).

And well.

This blog, has since,

turned into a shopping spotlight...

Which isn't so bad, I do admit, hehe!

(quite delightful actually, heheh)

But I do realize this is one of my side effects

due to losing the weight...

And dealing with emotions that I used to eat away,

are now being bought away.

From one vice to the next, right?!

That is an on-going issue for me

but atleast I know it's workable

(as it all is)

and that I am aware of it.

So, on with those thoughts,

I thought I would give an update on how my weight loss has been going.

I'm happy to report that I've lost 20lbs since July08.

It's been a rough round

of working out 5-6 days in the gym

and learning how to cut sugar out

and include MORE food!!!

(read my Eating Clean link for details;

you do NOT go hungry with this way of eating/lifestyle)

You see, after 6 months of basically starving myself

of sufficient food quantities last year

(darn New Year's resolutions!!!)

I was trying SOOO hard in this way but

consequently not losing ONE SINGLE POUND!!!

I did this for 6 MONTHS!!!

And I couldn't figure out why

I could NOT lose a single, blasted pound!

(Don't ever do this! It doesn't work!!

And it's miserable, miserable! PLEASE EAT FOOD!!!!

Just choose healthier foods!!!)

Thank the Lord for my fitness training sister

who told me straight up

(when I was finally desperate enough to set my pride aside and ask for her advice)

that I wasn't eating enough food

for a normal body to function!!

So anyhow, with her help and my dedication,

I've lost a total of 45lbs in 2.5 years.

And I'm pretty proud of myself.

I'm currently back to what I was prior to pregnancy.

I still have 20 more pounds to go

but I've come to realize that slow and steady wins the race!

Anyhow, it's been a long and difficult road.

Years worth of trying and finding out

what does and doesn't work for me.

But it takes practice.

And perseverance.

LOTS of perseverance.

The keep-trying-and-don't-give-up kind!

But it does get easier over time.

I still get my little daily treats (mmm, chocolate!).

Just not in as big amounts.

Moderation is a really good tool to practice.

It's my saviour really.

But it still takes lots of hard work.

I have to REALLY watch for when I go back home,

that I don't get too relaxed and splurge on the food stuffs.

And.

Well, I just keep hoping that all of these tools that I've learnt

will stick around for our next planned bundle of joy.

That is my big fear now...

That I will gain it all back again for the next time around.

That is just silly, I know.

I know I can do it.

I really want to be healthy

and raise a healthy family.

And I think that is all that matters...

I think that is my new mantra.

moop!!!!!!!

2009-03-10T20:36:00.005-06:00

After a year or two of waiting...

I FINALLY got my moop bag!!!!!!

It's beautifully made, FANTASTIC quality, stylish and so, so practical!

Oh, why on Earth did I wait so long??!!!

This bag is AMAAAAZING!!!!!!!

It fits my 15" laptop,

a textbook or two,

a stack of notes,

some articles,

a fat wallet,

a palm pilot,

some other nick-nacks,

my lunch

AND my water bottle in it!

WITH ROOM TO SPARE!

HOLY COW!!!

I'm set! :)

Check. It. Out!

PS - This one is The Porter in Providence blue.

Post-its

2009-03-09T22:49:00.002-06:00

Did I mention he was part cat?!

We've gotten lots of snow this year (up North)

Bedtime snack!

LOVE!! ♥♥♥

Rough go.

2009-03-07T11:30:00.017-07:00

So I've had a very rough and busy couple of weeks...

It may not look it with my recent

hair & sunglass expeditions

(a girl needs to look her best while falling apart at the seams, am I right?!)

& sister visits;

(Oh yeah, and being super sick also...)

but trust me, those were WELL-NEEDED breaks!!!

Deadlines and papers and papers and deadlines and more...

All seeming to be at the same time.

Of course, right?!

And among other issues, I have been super sensitive and emotional.

Just feeling like I just want to jump right out of my skin.

And feeling like a HUGE chunk of my heart is missing.

(Why do kids have to grow so fast?!)

So anyhow, I have a tight deadline on Monday,

but after that I finally feel like I am 'back on track' again

and that I don't need to be in a horrible rush for everything.

Well still kinda rushed but not horribly so.

I am about to breathe a sigh of relief...

And keep on truckin'.

40 more days to go...

Wish me luck!

My future is so bright...

2009-03-05T18:21:00.001-07:00

I gotta wear shades!

So, after 2 or so years, I FINALLY got myself some new sunglasses!

(My dog, Rusty, loves to chew EVERYTHING!)

And I finally changed up my 'style' and opted for a bit bigger of an eye piece.

I'm a nerd, I know! haha

Me and my new Ray Bans...

Excellent for my up and coming 17 hour drive home in April!

And for our partial road trip to get to Newfoundland this summer!

Too cool for school?!

Nahhh...not quite. hehe

Rusty, as you can see, used to be my 'baby' before my real baby arrived :)

I often call him my little red-headed 'shit-zu'!

(b/c he gets into it alot, heheh)

And, of course, feeling reminiscent and missing my girl,

I had to post this adorable pic of her when she was just

5 MONTHS OLD!!!!

Awwwww!!!

Can you believe it?!

I cannot!

She is wearing Papérès fur hat while Rusty sniffs at it intensely.

YUM!

Something for him to eat seeing as he's already

eaten my Dene fur cloud purse, scarf AND pillow!!!

(snowshoe hare fur)

Oh yeah, and my sunglasses too!

I miss these guys :)

Sisters

2009-03-03T21:57:00.011-07:00

My sis came up to visit me for the weekend!

I was sooo happy to see some morsel of family.

And we had a fabulous ol' grand girlie time!

Shopping, coffee, dinner and familiar chit-chat...

What more could a homesick girl ask for :)

Monday Tunages

2009-03-03T00:31:00.005-07:00

"Love is a First" song - The Tragically Hip

"The Evolution of Robin Thicke" album - Robin Thicke

"Wikked Lil' Grrrls" album - Esthero

"Everybody is Doing It So Why Can't We" album - The Cranberries

"Road Apples" album - The Tragically Hip

#1 is crossed off...

2009-03-01T21:33:00.003-07:00

Finally got my hair done :)

No more greys, yayy!!

(yes, I'm 30, and I've got a full patch in the front! Lucky me, huh?!)

Feverish times.

2009-02-25T13:20:00.004-07:00

Wow, I just came back from waiting 2 hours

to see a doctor at the health clinic (walk-in)...

At about the 1.5 hour mark, just as I was gonna get up and leave

(I. HATE. WAITING.),

they called my name.

Luckily I stayed for longer than normal

(I usually leave thinking that I'm over-reacting anyways and

that the dr. is just gonna shuffle me along saying all I have is a cold)

because she diagnosed me with a blasted sinus infection and have been,

unknowingly walking around for 5 days with a low-grade fever

(I knew I was sweating profusely for a reason).

Don't get me wrong, I am feeling the pain...

my sinus and head feel like they're gonna explode.

I mean, I knew I was freakin' exhausted when I would walk from A to B

(room to kitchen)

but didn't realize I still had a honkin' fever.

Am on the meds now...

haven't been on antibiotics in a long while.

Which is probably a good thing.

Gotta keep that to a bare minimum.

In other feverish news, despite my sickness

(and previously posted procrastination),

I managed to whither down my "to-do" list to just 15 items!!!

And I even got one crossed off today...so it's at 14 things only now!!

Whooo!!

Here it is:

(I love leaving cryptic stuff on here, hehe)

YUM!

2009-02-24T19:18:00.004-07:00

You CANNOT get sushi up North.

Well not in my small town anyways.

So this is a heavenly treat for me!!!!

Mmmmmm!!

(and no wonder I'm a freakin' procrastinator today!!

My list, on the right side of the pic, is up to #36....and counting.

Well ok, a few ARE crossed off.)

And now for tea-time!

Having some double spiced chai black tea after my yummy supper.

It's a very good, spicy tea!

And it's in my new U of C mug.

Someday I will come back to live here.

To live beside the mountains.

Procrastination: survival, ethics or craziness?

2009-02-24T11:37:00.011-07:00

There must be a reason why God invented procrastination...did we need it to survive in the good ol' caveman days? Is it our bodies way of letting us know that we are overloaded with information or just plain bored?! I, myself, do not like procrastinating. I am, however, wonderfully skilled at it! Sometimes, though, I surprise myself. But usually only in times when I REALLY feel the pressure and the anxiety about getting things done/deadlines etc.

For example, I came back to Calgary on Friday sick as a dog...but felt utterly panicked and worked like said dog on Saturday and Sunday from 9am till 11 or 12 pm both nites. On Monday, an exam was postponed (thank goodness!) and I also requested and extension for an assignment that I am nowhere near completed due to trying to complete the other gazillion assignments that I have due (which are, thankfully, near completed).

So what do I go and do after the aforementioned extensions and delays?? Of course, try to use that same work ethic that I used on Saturday and Sunday. But, nooo. I allow myself to drift off into la-la land! I mean, look at me...here I am posting away on blogspot when I should be working on my stats synopsis...I've wasted an hour or three...maybe it's burnout, maybe it's nature, maybe it's boredom, maybe it's insanity (like really, how do these universities expect you to joyfully cram all that information in a few months time!?)?! Who knows. All I know is that I gotta get on that roll again!

ugh.

Some randoms.

2009-02-23T17:35:00.005-07:00

New necklace and ring from Endangered Creations

New ring (my faaaaave colour!!!) from The Noisy Plume.

(Hiding my calloused nostrils from blowing my nose too much. Just lovely, right?)

B hanging out in her jammies using dad's legs as a hammock! heheh

(from last week when I was home)

A surprise Valentine's gift from my in-law's!

They made my month by sending me this photo frame!

How they could remember me during this difficult time

(father-in-law is getting radiation treatments)

is incredible and beyond any compassion I've ever felt!

Such special people!

My custom "Brooklyn" ring from Emily.

Very special, this piece!

(yeah I know, shoulda took that blasted wrist brace off! haha)

My big fat ring collection from Jessi Taylor's store.

And just showing you what I've been living off of for the last few days

(that and chicken noodle soup!)

And also showcasing my new lovely ring from Sunny Rising Metal.