The most valuable thing my mother taught me was to read. You'll always get smarter if you keep reading. Something else my mother taught me was that you should never wear make up to visit the doctor, because they might not realize how sick you really are if you look too pretty.
Equipped with this knowledge I entered the adult world of diagnosis and MD's (I think) a person reasonably well versed about her own body and health and, trying not to be too be too bossy about self diagnosis, a self awareness that has impressed most medical personnel. I think working in medical administration also helped develop this, as I often heard how frustrated doctors were by 'dumb people' who knew nothing about their own bodies, had little self awareness, and apparently, little knowledge about basic anatomy. When they had a patient who was even a little bit educated about what was going on with their own body, they rejoiced.
So you can imagine I was quite delighted to be able to (with what I would call a pretty basic understanding of the reproductive system) inform my doctor of the date of conception of each of my children. In every instance an ultrasound confirmed that date exactly, which he said he found very helpful. In fact, at the first appointment with my second child, he didn't even ask me the date of my LMP, he went entirely off my conception date to determine a due date (which is good because the other calculation would have been off by two weeks).
Imagine my surprise when, after having to go into the office today at 19 wks 4 days pregnant to have a check because of some abnormalities, a new doctor tells me that I am 20 weeks and 1 day pregnant.
I recheck the dates and ask her, I'm pretty sure I'm only 19 weeks 4 days, do you know if my due date was changed?
She checks the baby first. "Growth is right on track for 20 weeks 1 day, she's measuring 19 weeks, 4 days!"
I am puzzled by this information. By what she has just said, the baby is behind. By my caculations and the measurement she gave, the baby is right on track with her age being 19 weeks 4 days!
As I'm given 20 minutes of peace during a non-stress test, I review my first meeting with the midwife. As per my other visits, the assistant wants to figure out my due date using the date of my LMP. I reluctantly give it to her, and ask her to please calculate using my other date, as my cycle was not a typical 28-day cycle. She won't. Based on that (incorrect) date, she gives me a due date of April 12th. According to my dates I should be due April 17th. (But wait, you say, that's only 5 days different! So what? Bear with me friend...)
Enter the midwife, a jolly, down-to-earth woman who is bright and cheerful. "What was your LMP?"
I give her the date, but say, "My cycle was long that time, and I didn't ovulate until xdate. I know conception was on ydate."
"Oh good!" she says, apparently delighted by this information, "You know the date of conception! Well that would give you a due date of April 17th!"
She makes a note in my chart. She does the ultrasound. The baby is measuring correctly to the date. Turning to me, she smiles. "You were right, Mama!"
Back in the waiting room today, as I make inane observations about the room (the fluff that has gathered on one corner of the ceiling tile maybe be an over exuberance of ceiling insulation... the net at the top of the curtain was attached to the fabric using a serger - interesting choice) I jump as the new doctor sticks her head in the door.
"Yeah, your LMP was zdate, so your due date is April 12th. That makes you 20 weeks, 1 day."
Dumbly, I say, "But my cycle was long that month, we didn't conceive the baby until after I ovulated, and by the conception date they told me I was due April 17th."
She smiles with no emotion. "We don't use those dates. We always go by LMP. Your due date is April 12th." And then she is gone.
I want my regular doctor back. I want the midwife. I want anyone who will realize that come April 12th, and I'm warned about the dangers of being overdue, big babies, inhalation of meconium, and the general disasters that await you if you pass the magical date, that this baby is awaiting her own time to enter the world, and I don't have to be the slightest bit worried until sometime after the 17th. I wonder if, because it's relatively easy to frighten a heavily pregnant woman about the safety of her unborn child, I will feel pressure to have an induction, which may then (according to well documented research) lead to all kinds of other interventions if indeed she is not ready to be in the world. I wonder if my fate has changed at all because a doctor who doesn't believe in using conception dates (that have been verified multiple times by early ultrasound), has given me an incorrect due date.
I lie there, wondering, wishing there was an alternative we could afford, and anyone who even cares. I think about my daughter, flexing and twisting in my belly, so wanted and loved already and blissfully unaware of all that lies ahead of her.
It seems she is staying put for now. It was infection that caused me to fear her early arrival, something easily treatable because I paid attention to my body, was reasonably well informed and sought help from someone more educated than myself. There is a lot of relief in that.
But I should have worn make-up. At least then I could feel dumb AND pretty.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Vanity to History
I found two other Catherine Pues' that have gone before me.
The first married Charles Diaper of Romsey, a labourer in Winchester, Hampshire on 5th March, 1724.
The second (Catherine Mary Pue) was born in Ireland about 1851. In 1876 (at the age of about 25) she married James Bushen, who was approximately 5 years her junior. James was a Grocers Assistant and he and Catherine settled in Barnstaple. Catherine's older sister, Elizabeth, lived with them, and they also rented out rooms to lodgers. They had one son, Thomas, born about 3 years later. James died in 1888 aged only 32. After he died, Catherine continued to rent out rooms to lodgers. Her son Thomas became a silversmith. Catherine did not marry again and died after 1901.
The first married Charles Diaper of Romsey, a labourer in Winchester, Hampshire on 5th March, 1724.
The second (Catherine Mary Pue) was born in Ireland about 1851. In 1876 (at the age of about 25) she married James Bushen, who was approximately 5 years her junior. James was a Grocers Assistant and he and Catherine settled in Barnstaple. Catherine's older sister, Elizabeth, lived with them, and they also rented out rooms to lodgers. They had one son, Thomas, born about 3 years later. James died in 1888 aged only 32. After he died, Catherine continued to rent out rooms to lodgers. Her son Thomas became a silversmith. Catherine did not marry again and died after 1901.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
No excuses.
It seems blogging has gone the way of so many other things in my life. I have lost a taste for it, and it saddens me.
But still there is a nagging feeling that it's just a phase. I forget what it's like to not be myself, which, given my history, is a great thing. So why don't I feel happier?
I have cut much fabric lately and sewn nothing. Finished no pages. Taken no pictures. My children will look back on the last three months and wonder what happened to their life. I will tell them we were abducted by aliens and sent off to live on a planet where everyone wears polka dots and talks like mice, and where everyone goes to the pool every day and eats popsicles for breakfast. They will think it was the best three months ever.
I, however, will chalk it up to one of those unhappy but necessary processes on the way to happiness.
More later. The obscurity is getting to me.
But still there is a nagging feeling that it's just a phase. I forget what it's like to not be myself, which, given my history, is a great thing. So why don't I feel happier?
I have cut much fabric lately and sewn nothing. Finished no pages. Taken no pictures. My children will look back on the last three months and wonder what happened to their life. I will tell them we were abducted by aliens and sent off to live on a planet where everyone wears polka dots and talks like mice, and where everyone goes to the pool every day and eats popsicles for breakfast. They will think it was the best three months ever.
I, however, will chalk it up to one of those unhappy but necessary processes on the way to happiness.
More later. The obscurity is getting to me.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A great night:
1. no tv
2. husband writing music
3. clementines
4. "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, complete with 80's synth snares
5. the faint rattle of a box fan
6. This dress
2. husband writing music
3. clementines
4. "You Can Call Me Al" by Paul Simon, complete with 80's synth snares
5. the faint rattle of a box fan
6. This dress
Monday, August 25, 2008
For the child who has everything...
So that they can sit and lord it (literally) over all the other children.
And of course, when my daughter saw it she said, "Woooooooooow!"
(p.s. If my sarcasm hasn't dissuaded you, it's available at toysrus. They own the photo.)
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Froufy.
I love clothes and shoes. I'm a girl, it's part of the job description. The only thing I love more than clothes and shoes, is clothes and shoes on clearance.
A top I hope to wear to a wedding Saturday:
It's way cuter in person, I think, because it has more subtle colour variations that you can see in the print, but not in the photo. Also, most clothes and shoes look better with a person in them. Same with these shoes:
Thank you Target, for $5 shoes. These also look cuter in person. The heel is higher than it looks here, but they incredibly comfortable for what are essentially plastic shoes. I also don't generally go for the peep toe thing either, but as I was telling a friend today, I do think part of it is the shape of the peep toe, and how much it shows.
Thank you to Kasey, whose MJ's inspired this post.
A top I hope to wear to a wedding Saturday:
It's way cuter in person, I think, because it has more subtle colour variations that you can see in the print, but not in the photo. Also, most clothes and shoes look better with a person in them. Same with these shoes:
Thank you Target, for $5 shoes. These also look cuter in person. The heel is higher than it looks here, but they incredibly comfortable for what are essentially plastic shoes. I also don't generally go for the peep toe thing either, but as I was telling a friend today, I do think part of it is the shape of the peep toe, and how much it shows.Thank you to Kasey, whose MJ's inspired this post.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
In the pit...
So, if you know anything about me by now, it's that I'm passionate and music moves me in powerful ways.
That being said, we saw Coldplay at The Forum last night. Following is my tale of awe:
The parking down there is mind blowing... we anticipated quite a walk but found a spot not too far away. Just a block or so. (yeah!) R was figuring this... the venue seats 18,000... say there are three people to a car (approximately) at $20 parking per car. That's roughly $120,00 hauled in from parking alone per sold out event, in one night. Coldplay was sold out two nights. That's a two bedroom condo right there. I'll try not to think about it.
We found our way around the round round venue to will call. That's where you pick up your tickets if you haven't got them already. We got them super easy, no hassles, and tried to find our way around to an entrance. We found one after feeling like we were going in circles... and the venue workers in yellow jackets guided us down, down, down until we were on the floor. I remember glancing at the sound desk a ways back and thinking, wow, wouldn't it be amazing to sit that close? But no, we were even closer! Like 8 rows from the front, and dead center! I was stunned, we've never had such great tickets! The adrenaline was pumping through me, and had me in a cold sweat...
"I'm surprised they don't have a pit," R remarked, noticing that the seating went right down to the stage.
I looked around, taking it all in... the filling seats, the Sigur Ros ambient pre-show music (which R tells me the band chooses) the proximity to the stage, and wait! Staging to our left, and to our right surrounding us.
"I think we are the pit," I replied.
And indeed we were. Awesome seats... the stage was covered by a semi-transparent scrim (another nod to Sigur Ros there) and you could see them come on stage, I could hardly stand it. They opened with the lead track from Viva la Vida, an instrumental... and as they played the black scrim started to lift, and then *lights*:
The backdrop was stunning, a huge enlarged copy of Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People", which is featured on their album cover. But this huge it was overwhelmingly powerful.
Viva la Vida (the song) was fantastic. You can see the bell there on the right... Will (the drummer) is playing his two timpanis in front there. You can't really see but their costumes were a play on french army uniforms, it was cool :D
This is how the stage stretched either side of us. That's Jonny right there (on guitar).
Jonny and Chris have a moment. I don't know why they seem so far away, it's odd. That's what you get from a camera phone I guess. Anyway, after that I gave up trying to perfect the photos on my camera phone, and just let myself enjoy the show... They're great performers, but humble and totally ok to start a song over if they screw it up. Love it. Giant spheres came down from the celings that became the screen that images were projected on, one of the best features about shows... the incredible footage. Illistrative, graphic design, and motion picture images were interspliced with real time footage of the show. It was pretty rad. They played a couple of songs out on one of the arms of the stage that jutted into the audience, and played a crazy good version of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" with cool guitar effects and awesome drum kit sounds. And of course you know people just went nuts with them being in proximity that most fans would never dream of being in...
So you can imagine how wild the stadium went when they ran down off the stage and up into the first row of seats, and up, up, up they went, waaaaaaaay into the nose bleeds, where there were acoustic instruments all set up, and the proceeded to do an acoustic set from way up in the stands! Everyone went nuts, even the people far away, because the idea that a band would do that was just insanely cool!
And then the encore... See, when bands play sometimes on tour they have a set list that is the same every night. But sometimes the bigger bands will actually vary the set list every night. We didn't know what they would do, but I knew that they hadn't played one of my favourite songs "Fix You" the night before, so I already knew I wouldn't hear it. Imagine my joy when the first song of the first encore was that very song! It was so awesome hearing it live, it has a different personality almost, way more intimate, which is surprising for such a large venue. And from there they went right into one of my favourite songs on the new album, "Lovers In Japan" which had THE coolest images projected, lots of vintage and black and white footage and photos, shown. And then during the song, great bursts of colour came from above in the form of paper butterflies about 2 inches across, that flutters like we were in a parade. We just lifted our eyes to the sky and let the colours swirl around. The first burst was all in red white and blue, and the second was purple, silver, green, blue, pink and orange, it was gorgeous! I just stood there trying to drink it all in...
Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you...
I had been so sunk that day, feeling like my flaws were overwhelming me, knowing that I didn't deserve anything, I was such a wretched, horrid thing. Why is it we who know a merciful God, can be so convinced that he is as vindictive as us, ready to spite us at every chance? I knew I deserved far worse, but there I was in a flurry of colours and lights, warmed again...
I love you, I love you, I love you
Finale: And to the pit the exhortation came -
Spectaular!
That being said, we saw Coldplay at The Forum last night. Following is my tale of awe:
The parking down there is mind blowing... we anticipated quite a walk but found a spot not too far away. Just a block or so. (yeah!) R was figuring this... the venue seats 18,000... say there are three people to a car (approximately) at $20 parking per car. That's roughly $120,00 hauled in from parking alone per sold out event, in one night. Coldplay was sold out two nights. That's a two bedroom condo right there. I'll try not to think about it.
We found our way around the round round venue to will call. That's where you pick up your tickets if you haven't got them already. We got them super easy, no hassles, and tried to find our way around to an entrance. We found one after feeling like we were going in circles... and the venue workers in yellow jackets guided us down, down, down until we were on the floor. I remember glancing at the sound desk a ways back and thinking, wow, wouldn't it be amazing to sit that close? But no, we were even closer! Like 8 rows from the front, and dead center! I was stunned, we've never had such great tickets! The adrenaline was pumping through me, and had me in a cold sweat...
"I'm surprised they don't have a pit," R remarked, noticing that the seating went right down to the stage.
I looked around, taking it all in... the filling seats, the Sigur Ros ambient pre-show music (which R tells me the band chooses) the proximity to the stage, and wait! Staging to our left, and to our right surrounding us.
"I think we are the pit," I replied.
And indeed we were. Awesome seats... the stage was covered by a semi-transparent scrim (another nod to Sigur Ros there) and you could see them come on stage, I could hardly stand it. They opened with the lead track from Viva la Vida, an instrumental... and as they played the black scrim started to lift, and then *lights*:
The backdrop was stunning, a huge enlarged copy of Eugène Delacroix's "Liberty Leading the People", which is featured on their album cover. But this huge it was overwhelmingly powerful.
Viva la Vida (the song) was fantastic. You can see the bell there on the right... Will (the drummer) is playing his two timpanis in front there. You can't really see but their costumes were a play on french army uniforms, it was cool :D
This is how the stage stretched either side of us. That's Jonny right there (on guitar).
Jonny and Chris have a moment. I don't know why they seem so far away, it's odd. That's what you get from a camera phone I guess. Anyway, after that I gave up trying to perfect the photos on my camera phone, and just let myself enjoy the show... They're great performers, but humble and totally ok to start a song over if they screw it up. Love it. Giant spheres came down from the celings that became the screen that images were projected on, one of the best features about shows... the incredible footage. Illistrative, graphic design, and motion picture images were interspliced with real time footage of the show. It was pretty rad. They played a couple of songs out on one of the arms of the stage that jutted into the audience, and played a crazy good version of "God Put A Smile Upon Your Face" with cool guitar effects and awesome drum kit sounds. And of course you know people just went nuts with them being in proximity that most fans would never dream of being in...
So you can imagine how wild the stadium went when they ran down off the stage and up into the first row of seats, and up, up, up they went, waaaaaaaay into the nose bleeds, where there were acoustic instruments all set up, and the proceeded to do an acoustic set from way up in the stands! Everyone went nuts, even the people far away, because the idea that a band would do that was just insanely cool!
And then the encore... See, when bands play sometimes on tour they have a set list that is the same every night. But sometimes the bigger bands will actually vary the set list every night. We didn't know what they would do, but I knew that they hadn't played one of my favourite songs "Fix You" the night before, so I already knew I wouldn't hear it. Imagine my joy when the first song of the first encore was that very song! It was so awesome hearing it live, it has a different personality almost, way more intimate, which is surprising for such a large venue. And from there they went right into one of my favourite songs on the new album, "Lovers In Japan" which had THE coolest images projected, lots of vintage and black and white footage and photos, shown. And then during the song, great bursts of colour came from above in the form of paper butterflies about 2 inches across, that flutters like we were in a parade. We just lifted our eyes to the sky and let the colours swirl around. The first burst was all in red white and blue, and the second was purple, silver, green, blue, pink and orange, it was gorgeous! I just stood there trying to drink it all in...
Lights will guide you home And ignite your bones And I will try to fix you...
I had been so sunk that day, feeling like my flaws were overwhelming me, knowing that I didn't deserve anything, I was such a wretched, horrid thing. Why is it we who know a merciful God, can be so convinced that he is as vindictive as us, ready to spite us at every chance? I knew I deserved far worse, but there I was in a flurry of colours and lights, warmed again...
I love you, I love you, I love you
Finale: And to the pit the exhortation came -
Spectaular!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Daydreams...
For some reason lately, I've been day dreaming a lot about:
White dresses,
White bed linens,
and cafes in Paris (in black and white).
White dresses,
White bed linens,
and cafes in Paris (in black and white).Thursday, July 10, 2008
It was a strawberry kind of day...
Strawberries, sourdough baguette with homemade strawberry jam,
"pink milk"
"pink milk"
Juicy: lips, berries and baby fingers
Saturday, June 28, 2008
After 3 1/2 years... fruit?
I know some fruit trees take a long time to produce fruit.
My Amelie tree has had a few tiny fruits, like mini fruits, til now... Yesterday and today, whopping big fruit!! I'll eat some of that!
Yesterday after I asked her to go and get her flip flops, she came back with them on the right feet (!!) and said happily "I got my flip flops like you asked, Mama. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
My jaw may still be on the floor.
Today, while I was on the phone, she went to a laundry basket full of newly dried kids clothes, and proceeded to fold the entire basket!!
Hang in there, Mamas. There will be a good reward for your labor. And believe me, the unbeliever, it's very, very good!
My Amelie tree has had a few tiny fruits, like mini fruits, til now... Yesterday and today, whopping big fruit!! I'll eat some of that!
Yesterday after I asked her to go and get her flip flops, she came back with them on the right feet (!!) and said happily "I got my flip flops like you asked, Mama. Is there anything else I can do for you?"
My jaw may still be on the floor.
Today, while I was on the phone, she went to a laundry basket full of newly dried kids clothes, and proceeded to fold the entire basket!!
Hang in there, Mamas. There will be a good reward for your labor. And believe me, the unbeliever, it's very, very good!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
You Gotta See This:
Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.
Sorry, I meant to add that my SISTER was the one who emailed this to me, so credit for finding something way cool goes to her.
Monday, June 23, 2008
I like this quote:
"Before I was married I had six theories about raising children.
Now I have six children and no theories."
~ John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester
Now I have six children and no theories."
~ John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Sock Dreams
Check out this site, if you haven't already. It has some really extraordinary and gorgeous socks, stockings and related items... a fantastic array for the sock lover in all of us. Because yes, even if you've spent years in denial and squashed your desire, deep down there is a part of you that goes bananas over a pair of seriously cute socks.
They have a huge selection, a great range of organics and eco-friendly socks and free shipping people! The only problems is this, and I'm going to email them about it: they don't have a wish list! What's a girl to do?
Blog about it of course!
So, just in case any of you know a sugar daddy out there who buys random girls a sock or two, point him to my wish list post here:
Ahhhhh... sock heaven...
They have a huge selection, a great range of organics and eco-friendly socks and free shipping people! The only problems is this, and I'm going to email them about it: they don't have a wish list! What's a girl to do?
Blog about it of course!
So, just in case any of you know a sugar daddy out there who buys random girls a sock or two, point him to my wish list post here:
Ahhhhh... sock heaven...
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
A Sentimental Journey
So, on the weekend we were completely re-organizing the kitchen. We threw away a lot of stuff... enough that I'm embarrassed to admit it. One of the things we found was this can of smoothie mix, expiration date of August 2003.
Ryan: Why do we still have this?
Me: Um... I couldn't throw it away...
Ryan: Why not?? It expired five years ago!!
Me: (sheepishly) Well... it was the first thing I ever bought with a coupon.
And thus we discovered that whilst R, for sentimental reasons, cannon throw away things, so I, for sentimental reasons, cannot throw away food. So here, for posterity's sake, is a photo of me with the first thing I ever bought with a coupon.
Hooray for instant smoothie mix for 49 cents.
And yes, we did throw it out...
Ryan: Why do we still have this?
Me: Um... I couldn't throw it away...
Ryan: Why not?? It expired five years ago!!
Me: (sheepishly) Well... it was the first thing I ever bought with a coupon.
And thus we discovered that whilst R, for sentimental reasons, cannon throw away things, so I, for sentimental reasons, cannot throw away food. So here, for posterity's sake, is a photo of me with the first thing I ever bought with a coupon.
Hooray for instant smoothie mix for 49 cents.
And yes, we did throw it out...
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Cake
So I made Imogen a Baby Penguin cake for her 2nd birthday:
There were a few issues... the frosting I used was definitely more suited for the cupcakes that I got the recipe from. Also the heat made it kind of sloppy to work with, even though I kept refrigerating it, and made it super glossy. It was very strange.
I'm still not happy with my cake frostings... I'm still to hit on just the right one. I'm trying for something similar to what my mother's used to be like, but they haven't worked out right yet.
Oh well, there's always Amelie's 4th birthday in December.
There were a few issues... the frosting I used was definitely more suited for the cupcakes that I got the recipe from. Also the heat made it kind of sloppy to work with, even though I kept refrigerating it, and made it super glossy. It was very strange.
I'm still not happy with my cake frostings... I'm still to hit on just the right one. I'm trying for something similar to what my mother's used to be like, but they haven't worked out right yet.
Oh well, there's always Amelie's 4th birthday in December.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
I love you, Cupcakes
The title of this post is to remember a post-it note that lived on our back door for a while...
Ryan and I have been a little obsessed with these Mini Espresso Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache and Espresso Buttercream from our favourite little cupcake shop Leda's.
We had to make ours larger because we didn't have mini cupcake tins, OR holders. The cupcakes were fantastic, but very rich, and they definitely need to be the mini-size (we think).
Recently on a Bed Bath and Beyond trip, I found a mini-muffin tin, suitable for making mini-cupcakes (it keeps the shape better).
Then came the hunt for mini-cupcake holders... We found this article, and found it quite amusing. Enjoy!
Ryan and I have been a little obsessed with these Mini Espresso Cupcakes with Chocolate Ganache and Espresso Buttercream from our favourite little cupcake shop Leda's.
We had to make ours larger because we didn't have mini cupcake tins, OR holders. The cupcakes were fantastic, but very rich, and they definitely need to be the mini-size (we think).
Recently on a Bed Bath and Beyond trip, I found a mini-muffin tin, suitable for making mini-cupcakes (it keeps the shape better).
Then came the hunt for mini-cupcake holders... We found this article, and found it quite amusing. Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Pipe Dreams
My dad took up cycling a few years back, and has done some long treks. Two years ago he and a friend from France who is also an avid cyclist, cycled from Melbourne to Darwin, through the center of Australia...
View Larger Map
Plus some sideline trips... It's a long way, like 2500 miles.
So I've had this idea that I'd get my butt into shape (literally) and start cycling and do a trip with him. Inspired by the 1930's and 40's John Wayne westerns that I grew up watching, I thought it would be fun to cycle through this part of the U.S.
These are some options for adventures I thought we could do...
This would start at the northern rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, go up through Zion and several other National Parks including Arches, down through Bluff to the Monument Valley National Park, Lake Powell and down to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon.
View Larger Map
or maybe:
From the most eastern point of Canada, through Maine to Boston, across to Niagra Falls, and down through the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and up to finish in New York.
View Larger Map
What do you reckon?
View Larger Map
Plus some sideline trips... It's a long way, like 2500 miles.
So I've had this idea that I'd get my butt into shape (literally) and start cycling and do a trip with him. Inspired by the 1930's and 40's John Wayne westerns that I grew up watching, I thought it would be fun to cycle through this part of the U.S.
These are some options for adventures I thought we could do...
This would start at the northern rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, go up through Zion and several other National Parks including Arches, down through Bluff to the Monument Valley National Park, Lake Powell and down to the southern rim of the Grand Canyon.
View Larger Map
or maybe:
From the most eastern point of Canada, through Maine to Boston, across to Niagra Falls, and down through the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and up to finish in New York.
View Larger Map
What do you reckon?
Monday, May 26, 2008
Beautiful People
Why is it that so many of the cool blogs I like all belong to beautiful people? I read them and they're cool and fun and chic, and then you see a picture of the blogger, and they're tall, skinny, beautiful, not to mention amusing, artistic, talented, and making money from their art... egads, I feel so boring.
Case in point:
wikstenmade
childhood flames
-who is wearing these shoes, which I love!
sew fussy
Case in point:
wikstenmade
childhood flames
-who is wearing these shoes, which I love!
sew fussy
Saturday, May 24, 2008
I like TV
One of the great things about having cable, is the Food Network.
Tonight's TV viewing has been Iron Chef America vs. Iron Chef Japan.
The battles have been:
Bobby Flay vs. Hiroyuki Sakai - Battle of Live Trout (Flay won)
Mario Batali vs. Masaharu Morimoto - Battle of Live Spiney Lobster (Batali won)
And THEN
Bobby Flay & Masaharu Morimoto vs Mario Batali & Masaharu Morimoto - Battle of the Scallop, Sea Urchin, and Langoustine.
Can you imagine being a judge on an episode like this?? I think I'd faint, and then come to, and then faint again. And faint after every dish.
Things to write home about:
Eating soup out of a sea urchin.
Cracking eggs by cutting the top off with a knife.
Fresh REAL wasabi.
Tonight's TV viewing has been Iron Chef America vs. Iron Chef Japan.
The battles have been:
Bobby Flay vs. Hiroyuki Sakai - Battle of Live Trout (Flay won)
Mario Batali vs. Masaharu Morimoto - Battle of Live Spiney Lobster (Batali won)
And THEN
Bobby Flay & Masaharu Morimoto vs Mario Batali & Masaharu Morimoto - Battle of the Scallop, Sea Urchin, and Langoustine.
Can you imagine being a judge on an episode like this?? I think I'd faint, and then come to, and then faint again. And faint after every dish.
Things to write home about:
Eating soup out of a sea urchin.
Cracking eggs by cutting the top off with a knife.
Fresh REAL wasabi.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
This is probably because the retreat is tomorrow...
I feel sick, nauseated in fact, and listless. I will write more about this later, but it's what I call the "Dead Woman Syndrome".
R's advice to me:
R's advice to me:
go jog around the block or something
punch a squirrel
smell a blade of grass
eat some fruit
As per usual I probably won't do anything that's good for me, because that is part of the symptoms of the syndrome.
I won't go on a jog, I probably won't smell a blade of grass. I could eat some fruit, but I'd rather punch a squirrel, because those are the easiest to catch.
As per usual I probably won't do anything that's good for me, because that is part of the symptoms of the syndrome.
I won't go on a jog, I probably won't smell a blade of grass. I could eat some fruit, but I'd rather punch a squirrel, because those are the easiest to catch.
Days like this...
Yesterday my dear, sweet husband planned a most fantastic surprise for me that was foiled, though not through any of his own doing.
When getting the kids snacks, I poured milk over their cookies instead of into their cups.
I stabbed myself no less than 7 times with pins, twice under the fingernail.
When I stepped out of the shower and found that my towel was wet, I realized I had already taken a shower that day, but forgotten about it, and then stressed out about getting a shower.
When getting the kids snacks, I poured milk over their cookies instead of into their cups.
I stabbed myself no less than 7 times with pins, twice under the fingernail.
When I stepped out of the shower and found that my towel was wet, I realized I had already taken a shower that day, but forgotten about it, and then stressed out about getting a shower.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My Sewing Blog
Not sure if you had a chance to look yet, but it's here. Or you can access it through my profile. Have fun!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Day Interruptus
I didn't get very much writing done today.
My baby smells like cinnamon. I know because we were dancing cheek-to-cheek.
I love Coldplay's Viva la Vida. It is my favourite song. It makes me feel exultant, and like I need to write.
But I didn't get very much writing done today.
My baby smells like cinnamon. I know because we were dancing cheek-to-cheek.
I love Coldplay's Viva la Vida. It is my favourite song. It makes me feel exultant, and like I need to write.
But I didn't get very much writing done today.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Busy...
Yesterday, and even though it was a Monday, I cleaned my house top to bottom and did 5 loads of laundry.
It felt good to have a clean house. It did not feel good to feel like I neglected my children to do it. So I think my "Home Day" project needs some tweaking. But that is OK! That was the whole idea of the project, to start and see how I needed to make it fit the needs of MY family.
Consequently I have a gigantic mound of laundry to fold. I've been doing it sporadically during the day whilst watching Go, Diego, Go!
He's a charming little chap who lives in a miscellaneous jungle on Nick Jr. Ok, so you're probably wondering why we have cable right now. The answer is this:
That picture is by By Deirdre Hamill, The Arizona Republic - have to give her kudos, that picture is stunning! And perfectly sums up why my husband likes to watch the NBA playoffs every year; there is always a smashing game or two! And it's the reason why every year he gets the same gift - cable for his birthday!
And speaking of birthdays, we are hoping to have a sensational little dinner rendezvous to celebrate!
Oh and I'm also sewing and finishing off a project, photos of which will probably be on my OTHER blog that I hope to start... "I've Got A Foggy Notion"... about the delusion that is my sewing projects. Well, you gotta start somewhere.
It felt good to have a clean house. It did not feel good to feel like I neglected my children to do it. So I think my "Home Day" project needs some tweaking. But that is OK! That was the whole idea of the project, to start and see how I needed to make it fit the needs of MY family.
Consequently I have a gigantic mound of laundry to fold. I've been doing it sporadically during the day whilst watching Go, Diego, Go!
He's a charming little chap who lives in a miscellaneous jungle on Nick Jr. Ok, so you're probably wondering why we have cable right now. The answer is this:
That picture is by By Deirdre Hamill, The Arizona Republic - have to give her kudos, that picture is stunning! And perfectly sums up why my husband likes to watch the NBA playoffs every year; there is always a smashing game or two! And it's the reason why every year he gets the same gift - cable for his birthday!
And speaking of birthdays, we are hoping to have a sensational little dinner rendezvous to celebrate!
Oh and I'm also sewing and finishing off a project, photos of which will probably be on my OTHER blog that I hope to start... "I've Got A Foggy Notion"... about the delusion that is my sewing projects. Well, you gotta start somewhere.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Mondays
Mondays are my at-home day. I'm supposed to clean the house on this day. Since I implemented it three weeks ago, it's been an interesting curve.
Today, my house is THRASHED. Which is weird, because it wasn't so bad Friday. I think weekends are the worst. That and the sheer volume of laundry I've been able to do, since I suddenly have a working washer, means that it feels like there are clothes and towels and blankets everywhere. That and I can't come at the kitchen... it's terrible.
So today, I have to ignore how I feel and just get in and do it. Some self-discipline. I keep reminding myself I'm setting a good example, but I have to say it... self-discipline sucks.
Today, my house is THRASHED. Which is weird, because it wasn't so bad Friday. I think weekends are the worst. That and the sheer volume of laundry I've been able to do, since I suddenly have a working washer, means that it feels like there are clothes and towels and blankets everywhere. That and I can't come at the kitchen... it's terrible.
So today, I have to ignore how I feel and just get in and do it. Some self-discipline. I keep reminding myself I'm setting a good example, but I have to say it... self-discipline sucks.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
One of my favourite things...
Is when I get to sit on the sofa and listen to my husband write music. It's probably one of my favourite things to do. It makes me feel all creative and makes me want to go DO something.
He's writing new material for his band. Things are going reasonably well for them right now and so new material is needed. It makes me really excited.
He's writing new material for his band. Things are going reasonably well for them right now and so new material is needed. It makes me really excited.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Good News
I was able to borrow a usb cable and have some more recent pictures on the computer. I will do some catch up blogs as soon as my kiddos are well again.
And of course, another installment of Australiana.
And of course, another installment of Australiana.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Most Excellent Adventure Part Two
I don't remember being so tired. Except maybe doing the D.C. to L.A. to Osaka, Japan trip, and I was sitting at the gate in Osaka nodding off, only to jerk myself awake and realize I'd been drooling...
Two hours home in the car, talking with my dad about french philosophy, art films and humanism - topics that, upon reflection, I was probably uttering pure drivel. I strongly suspect my dad was talking to humour me as I was probably drifting in and out of sleep.
Anyway, we got home. It's always strange, going back to a town that hardly changes, yet seems so different. I know it's probably mostly me.
One really great thing was driving into the car port with my kids in the car. Telling Amelie that this was my house when I was a little girl, and then I corrected myself and said, "Well, not a little girl but smaller than I am now." Like she's listening, like she cares. She's on a big adventure all her own.
I'm sleeping in my old room, the one that was all pink, with the bay window and window seat and curtains and cushions all in tiny pink roses. Now it is full of furniture and two twin beds put together to make some kind of giant, king size something. It's not really a bed, more of a platau. And the room has substantially less pink. Gone are the Jonathan Brandis posters, that were more about my idea of fitting in than a true crush. Gone is the chipboard wardrobe that the robbers busted the locks on when they broke into the house all those years ago. Why I ever locked it before we went away I'll never know. There was never anything valuable in it. Gone are my books from the weird cupboard that should have been a closet but wasn't.
Before I lose complete track, yes, upon coming home, I did get nostalgic, just a little. How things can change in 10 or 15 years. Or even less than that.
Here I was at my old house, with my two little girls.
A couple of novel things for them:
1. Amelie was in a bigger twin size bed. She only fell out twice. Once she didn't even notice she'd fallen out, she just continued sleeping on the floor.
2. The back yard.
3. The trampoline.
It didn't take them long to get the hang of it.
and...
and of course, #4. Bella, the dog next door
And everything was off to such a good start.
Then I went downtown.
I don't know what was the most alarming part about it. Perhaps I hadn't realized already that the accent was starting to grate on my nerves. Not that there is anything wrong with it per say, but there is a certain melodiousness to American accents that is pleasing to mine ear. And right there I think is where the wondering started in. Am I a snob?
And then, outside of Village Fair (or as it's now known, Market Plaza) sitting on the benches waiting for the bus, (how do I say this) the same sad, goofy, crazy faces that were there all of my growing up. One guy, I swear he's been sitting in that same place all these years - the one with the hair cut like a 15th Century monk, but glasses like Donahue, all rectangular and wiry. And the obese woman, whose laugh sounded like a gurgling drain pipe, clearly a kangaroo lose in the top paddock, shouting obscenities at every pick up truck that drove by.
I know every town has them. I just didn't expect them to be the same, in the location, sitting in the exact same place as when I left. I kinda stood there, stunned, having changed myself, realizing some things don't change. I felt embarrassed, snobby, and sad all at once. And it wasn't even them, that was just the moment it all came crashing down. I did not belong here, and yet this was the place that raised me, the place that created me. There was something so depressing about the immobility of the place that I had escaped from, that coming back made me feel claustrophobic, and caged. How glad I was to have gone, how relieved I was that God had moved me so dramatically, how much I loved my home, how out of place I felt in a place that had once been my home. It was like a strange alternate universe, and I was alien, again, but on my home planet.
And what's more, had I tried to explain it to anyone, I didn't know I could say it in a way that didn't make me sound as though I thought myself superior to them.
I battled myself for ten days. I worked hard at trying to love people, to accept people... None of it was what I expected. It was like biting off a sweet chunk of cookie, and trying to wash it down with a cool glass of milk, only to find you're drinking curdled cream.
And then finally, from across the world, R says to me, "Don't worry love, you just have a case of culture shock."
What?????
Two hours home in the car, talking with my dad about french philosophy, art films and humanism - topics that, upon reflection, I was probably uttering pure drivel. I strongly suspect my dad was talking to humour me as I was probably drifting in and out of sleep.
Anyway, we got home. It's always strange, going back to a town that hardly changes, yet seems so different. I know it's probably mostly me.
One really great thing was driving into the car port with my kids in the car. Telling Amelie that this was my house when I was a little girl, and then I corrected myself and said, "Well, not a little girl but smaller than I am now." Like she's listening, like she cares. She's on a big adventure all her own.
I'm sleeping in my old room, the one that was all pink, with the bay window and window seat and curtains and cushions all in tiny pink roses. Now it is full of furniture and two twin beds put together to make some kind of giant, king size something. It's not really a bed, more of a platau. And the room has substantially less pink. Gone are the Jonathan Brandis posters, that were more about my idea of fitting in than a true crush. Gone is the chipboard wardrobe that the robbers busted the locks on when they broke into the house all those years ago. Why I ever locked it before we went away I'll never know. There was never anything valuable in it. Gone are my books from the weird cupboard that should have been a closet but wasn't.
Before I lose complete track, yes, upon coming home, I did get nostalgic, just a little. How things can change in 10 or 15 years. Or even less than that.
Here I was at my old house, with my two little girls.
A couple of novel things for them:
1. Amelie was in a bigger twin size bed. She only fell out twice. Once she didn't even notice she'd fallen out, she just continued sleeping on the floor.
2. The back yard.
3. The trampoline.
It didn't take them long to get the hang of it.
and...
and of course, #4. Bella, the dog next door
And everything was off to such a good start.
Then I went downtown.
I don't know what was the most alarming part about it. Perhaps I hadn't realized already that the accent was starting to grate on my nerves. Not that there is anything wrong with it per say, but there is a certain melodiousness to American accents that is pleasing to mine ear. And right there I think is where the wondering started in. Am I a snob?
And then, outside of Village Fair (or as it's now known, Market Plaza) sitting on the benches waiting for the bus, (how do I say this) the same sad, goofy, crazy faces that were there all of my growing up. One guy, I swear he's been sitting in that same place all these years - the one with the hair cut like a 15th Century monk, but glasses like Donahue, all rectangular and wiry. And the obese woman, whose laugh sounded like a gurgling drain pipe, clearly a kangaroo lose in the top paddock, shouting obscenities at every pick up truck that drove by.
I know every town has them. I just didn't expect them to be the same, in the location, sitting in the exact same place as when I left. I kinda stood there, stunned, having changed myself, realizing some things don't change. I felt embarrassed, snobby, and sad all at once. And it wasn't even them, that was just the moment it all came crashing down. I did not belong here, and yet this was the place that raised me, the place that created me. There was something so depressing about the immobility of the place that I had escaped from, that coming back made me feel claustrophobic, and caged. How glad I was to have gone, how relieved I was that God had moved me so dramatically, how much I loved my home, how out of place I felt in a place that had once been my home. It was like a strange alternate universe, and I was alien, again, but on my home planet.
And what's more, had I tried to explain it to anyone, I didn't know I could say it in a way that didn't make me sound as though I thought myself superior to them.
I battled myself for ten days. I worked hard at trying to love people, to accept people... None of it was what I expected. It was like biting off a sweet chunk of cookie, and trying to wash it down with a cool glass of milk, only to find you're drinking curdled cream.
And then finally, from across the world, R says to me, "Don't worry love, you just have a case of culture shock."
What?????
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Dull & Duller
I left the usb cable for my camera in Australia.
That means I have a bunch of photos on my camera of recent interesting events that I have no way of sharing.
It's depressing.
I'm still working on my Australia updates. They will come, I promise.
Aside from that, I haven't really had anything worth saying.
That means I have a bunch of photos on my camera of recent interesting events that I have no way of sharing.
It's depressing.
I'm still working on my Australia updates. They will come, I promise.
Aside from that, I haven't really had anything worth saying.
Friday, February 01, 2008
Can you tell I hit my head?
I went to throw the diaper bag in the trunk, and as the trunk door came up, my head went down, and *thunk*.
It hurt. After catching my breath, I sat in the car, and realized my head was bleeding and freaked myself out.
Now, if reason had not been knocked from my brain, it'd have occurred to me that because head wounds are usually bleeders, the amount of blood in proportion to the wound was swinging in my favour.
Still, it's quite an experience to drive home with a napkin clutched to your head, your husband squeezing your knee so you don't pass out, bawling because while you feel like you've been scalped, the pain isn't nearly as bad as the pain you'd feel reading the ER bill, and hoping that the heat you feel spreading under your hand isn't blood, just your pulse leaping about on top of your head, the words "it looks like you've got a nasty cut" ringing in your ears.
Fortuitously, a friend who is a nurse called me in the first minute I was in the door, and while R put the kids to bed, she kindly looked at my head. By now it was the words of my dear daughter ringing in my ears... "Mama, you feel better if I find a band-deed."
So it turns out I don't need to go to the ER. Instead I sat tonight and watched "Lost" with a bag of frozen broccoli fleurettes on my head. I have an egg on my head the size of, well, an egg, and a delightful scab with which I fully intend to impress the local high-schoolers tomorrow when they come down our street yelling curse words during my kids' nap time.
"What the *-! Look at that scab! Did you get that doing a frontside 180 pivot body variable?"
And I'd be like, "Dude!"
It hurt. After catching my breath, I sat in the car, and realized my head was bleeding and freaked myself out.
Now, if reason had not been knocked from my brain, it'd have occurred to me that because head wounds are usually bleeders, the amount of blood in proportion to the wound was swinging in my favour.
Still, it's quite an experience to drive home with a napkin clutched to your head, your husband squeezing your knee so you don't pass out, bawling because while you feel like you've been scalped, the pain isn't nearly as bad as the pain you'd feel reading the ER bill, and hoping that the heat you feel spreading under your hand isn't blood, just your pulse leaping about on top of your head, the words "it looks like you've got a nasty cut" ringing in your ears.
Fortuitously, a friend who is a nurse called me in the first minute I was in the door, and while R put the kids to bed, she kindly looked at my head. By now it was the words of my dear daughter ringing in my ears... "Mama, you feel better if I find a band-deed."
So it turns out I don't need to go to the ER. Instead I sat tonight and watched "Lost" with a bag of frozen broccoli fleurettes on my head. I have an egg on my head the size of, well, an egg, and a delightful scab with which I fully intend to impress the local high-schoolers tomorrow when they come down our street yelling curse words during my kids' nap time.
"What the *-! Look at that scab! Did you get that doing a frontside 180 pivot body variable?"
And I'd be like, "Dude!"
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Observations
In a town like this, you wouldn't think it would be that hard to find a nice, clean park to take the kids to play, but it is. Most parks near us are dirty, populated by cussing, pot smoking tweens and teens... beyond us there are parks that are large and busy, so much so that I often lose sight of one of the kids and freak out. Some have many exits and it's hard to keep track of who is coming and who is going (and I'm not just referring to the kids).
Today I found a nice, clean park. It is small and has just one entry/exit, but enough room for the kids to run. It has a lovely large piece of play ground equipment and four swings, with a large bathroom facility, and a covered area to eat. Pretty much anything you could want... what else? Car parking, and lots of trees. I'm very excited, because even though it's not really walking distance, it is close, and I wouldn't feel so intimidated by the idea I might not be able to keep track of the kids.
After we went to the park, we went to get ice cream. That was really fun.
Something odd happened there.
Two very elderly ladies came in and at one point they went to the bathroom. Now they were either sisters or friends, I couldn't tell, but one was definitely not in good shape... the younger one was elderley anyway, but the older one was... well... old. She could barely move but to shuffle, and seemed to be in pain... Anyway, they went to the restroom after we were done, and as we sat and had our ice cream, I realized they hadn't come out yet. I have wondered if one or both were in some kind of distress and should I go in there to check? when they came out of the bathroom. The younger one seemed very patient and careful, and then I realized that the older one hanging heavily on her arm was almost blind, and trying to feel her way. She adjusted her grip on the younger one's arm, and I was so moved I thought, "Now I hope that if I get to be that old, I have a friend who is that patient and kind with me, who will hold my hand if I get blind, and wait for me if I am slow." I marveled at the graciousness of the younger one and hoped that I could learn to be that gentle and loving.
So when the younger one looked up and caught my eye, I tried to give her an encouraging smile. And guess what?
She rolled her eyes at me!
I was floored. Then I found myself praying, "I hope that if I get to be that old, I have a friend who isn't burdened by having to be gracious and patient with me." And, "Dear God, please, please give me the kind of love for others that is the same, whether they're looking or not."
Today I found a nice, clean park. It is small and has just one entry/exit, but enough room for the kids to run. It has a lovely large piece of play ground equipment and four swings, with a large bathroom facility, and a covered area to eat. Pretty much anything you could want... what else? Car parking, and lots of trees. I'm very excited, because even though it's not really walking distance, it is close, and I wouldn't feel so intimidated by the idea I might not be able to keep track of the kids.
After we went to the park, we went to get ice cream. That was really fun.
Something odd happened there.
Two very elderly ladies came in and at one point they went to the bathroom. Now they were either sisters or friends, I couldn't tell, but one was definitely not in good shape... the younger one was elderley anyway, but the older one was... well... old. She could barely move but to shuffle, and seemed to be in pain... Anyway, they went to the restroom after we were done, and as we sat and had our ice cream, I realized they hadn't come out yet. I have wondered if one or both were in some kind of distress and should I go in there to check? when they came out of the bathroom. The younger one seemed very patient and careful, and then I realized that the older one hanging heavily on her arm was almost blind, and trying to feel her way. She adjusted her grip on the younger one's arm, and I was so moved I thought, "Now I hope that if I get to be that old, I have a friend who is that patient and kind with me, who will hold my hand if I get blind, and wait for me if I am slow." I marveled at the graciousness of the younger one and hoped that I could learn to be that gentle and loving.
So when the younger one looked up and caught my eye, I tried to give her an encouraging smile. And guess what?
She rolled her eyes at me!
I was floored. Then I found myself praying, "I hope that if I get to be that old, I have a friend who isn't burdened by having to be gracious and patient with me." And, "Dear God, please, please give me the kind of love for others that is the same, whether they're looking or not."
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Things are Changing
We've been making changes towards a way of living more focused on good stewardship, and while it certainly is a process, we've made some headway I think.
New Year's Directions for 2008:
Consume less, more careful meal planning, using what we have, buying what we need (except our earthquake kit).
Reexamine what in our house is "disposable" and replace it if possible with cloth. (Already done with diapers).
Make more from scratch, including kids clothes, bread, and other items.
Find out if there is a way with our set up to catch the water from the washing machine and use that to water our grass/plants/vegetables instead of new water.
Go buy two acres of land somewhere, with goats to keep the grass down and move towards solar power and some of our own fruit trees, vegetable garden, swap and trade with other hobby farms for needs, sell goat wool for cash...
Ok, so the last one is a pipe dream. But hey, a girl's gotta dream.
New Year's Directions for 2008:
Consume less, more careful meal planning, using what we have, buying what we need (except our earthquake kit).
Reexamine what in our house is "disposable" and replace it if possible with cloth. (Already done with diapers).
Make more from scratch, including kids clothes, bread, and other items.
Find out if there is a way with our set up to catch the water from the washing machine and use that to water our grass/plants/vegetables instead of new water.
Go buy two acres of land somewhere, with goats to keep the grass down and move towards solar power and some of our own fruit trees, vegetable garden, swap and trade with other hobby farms for needs, sell goat wool for cash...
Ok, so the last one is a pipe dream. But hey, a girl's gotta dream.
Her new fluffy butt in Loveybums
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Things I Love
From time to time I put links to interesting sites - artists, music, interesting things. I like doing that - sharing what I like.
But I'm going to start a Things I Love section on the side, showing you some of my favourite sites, reflecting what I'm currently interested in. I will probably do a post that will reflect why I'm putting the link there.
Fun? I hope so! Let's begin.
I've been inspired to start trying to sew some clothes for my girls, not because we're poor and it's cheaper (like it was in my mother's generation) but because I can't find the clothes I want in the stores at prices I want to pay. So, I'm going to give it a whirl. I was inspired by this page. Check out the girls dresses.
I was also delighted by this page because they sell prints by Ida Pearle. I have one of her bags (birthday present from R early on) and a couple of her cards. She does the most beautiful work. We asked about her doing our wedding announcements, but couldn't afford her, she's too famous :) Beautiful huh?
Anyway, enjoy the sites as I share the love!
But I'm going to start a Things I Love section on the side, showing you some of my favourite sites, reflecting what I'm currently interested in. I will probably do a post that will reflect why I'm putting the link there.
Fun? I hope so! Let's begin.
I've been inspired to start trying to sew some clothes for my girls, not because we're poor and it's cheaper (like it was in my mother's generation) but because I can't find the clothes I want in the stores at prices I want to pay. So, I'm going to give it a whirl. I was inspired by this page. Check out the girls dresses.
I was also delighted by this page because they sell prints by Ida Pearle. I have one of her bags (birthday present from R early on) and a couple of her cards. She does the most beautiful work. We asked about her doing our wedding announcements, but couldn't afford her, she's too famous :) Beautiful huh?
Anyway, enjoy the sites as I share the love!
Monday, January 14, 2008
A Most Excellent Adventure Part One - Goodbye, Aeroplanes, Beagles, and Hello
It felt wrong to leave R behind at the airport. My mother and I limped slowly down the line, and I cried, and couldn't look at him, and then couldn't bear not to, and then couldn't look again. But he stood there, waving, watching... we spoke silent words, kisses, thoughts, his face blurry through my tears. Always smiling. He knew of the great tearing, the great wrong that we did being apart when we should be together. I mustered up my courage to make sure the girls didn't see, so they wouldn't be upset, and soldiered on.
Just to catch a plane... There were issues with our seating assignment and little did we know they were just the beginning. They classify an infant as someone younger than two years of age. They fly free if they're on your lap. They have a kind of bed/crib thing in the bulkheads, but the weight restraint on that is about 24lbs. Needless to say Immi couldn't use it. The other issue with the bulkhead seats is that the arm rests on them don't move up and so it's hard to put toddlers there because they can't stretch out on you... so we requested no bulk head seats because I have two toddlers who couldn't make use of the cribby things. Then some bright spark with the airline does the flight manifesto and thinks "Oh, this poor lady with an "infant" doesn't have a bulk head seat, let's switch her." Fortunately, they were able to switch us on the flight over so the kids actually managed to sleep (somewhere around 3am in the morning their time, but sleep is sleep).
We landed in Australia, and my brave mother was collecting our luggage while I tried to manage two now hyperactive toddlers.
Next thing you know a beagle is sitting down next to my leg.
For those of you who don't know, if, when you are in an Australian International Airport, a beagle sits down next to you, you're in trouble with customs. These beagles are highly trained sniffer-outers, and can detect all kinds of things that are illegal to bring into the country (fruit, meat, drugs) through their nose. Anyway, attached to the beagle by a short leash was a very grumpy looking gentleman who was quite getting in the way of my line of sight as I tried to restrain the ever bouying spirits of my two girls, and who clearly didn't know I'd had about 1 hr sleep in the last 24 hrs.
"Ma'am, have you had any fruit?"
My brain was confused. Why did he care what I'd eaten on the plane? Did I look ill?
"Er, do you mean in the last 24 hrs? Amelie, SIT DOWN!"
Grumpy: "No, I mean have you had any fruit on you?
"On me? AMELIE!"
Grumpier: "In your handbag. Apples... Oranges."
I take a look at my tiny handbag bulging with kids gear and old receipts. "IMMI! Come here! Why would I put an apple in my bag?"
Grumpiest: "Ma'am, have you had any fruit IN you handbag RECENTLY!"
Me: (puzzled) No.
Beagle: Thank you, Ma'am.
Ok, it wasn't the beagle, but it should have been.
Later on I realized that at breakfast on the plane, Imogen had spilled orange juice on my leg. My handbag had been hanging right near the spot and the dog had been right all along.
We ended up getting all our gear and waiting and waiting for the strollers to come over by the oversized baggage department. Ahead of me was several members of a band, who were quite overjoyed to find their gear had made it through unscathed. We had to go through customs while Mum (who is very thorough) declared everything she thought might be remotely close to illegal (wood frames, food etc). It's better to be save than sorry because Australia is pretty strict about that stuff. I showed the customs lady the cookies I'd brought for the kids. Then she looked straight at me. "Do you have any jerky?"
There was something weird about the way she asked me. Like a drug addict looking for a fix. A jerky fix.
"No, just these cookies for the kids."
"No... beef jerky?"
"No...." she was really starting to weird me out.
She eyed me suspiciously, and looked away. And then as if she was trying to catch me out, she looked back at me really quick, "So, no beef jerky then?"
I shook my head, "Sorry, just the cookies."
So we made it through the plane flight, the baggage claim and sitting beagle, the jerky junkie at customs check, and with our trollys piled high with bags and kids and strollers, we headed out those fabulous opaque glass block walls that make you look like you're about to enter into the worlds biggest bathroom and.....
We were met by my Dad, my sister Nae, and her fiance Mike. The first thing that struck me was how much older and more mature my sister looked - and how skinny!! Mike and my Dad looked the same. They were very happy to see Amelie and meet Imogen, although both my girls were zoning.
Let me just say this, when you land in Australia there is this smell... most Australian's can't smell it... but it's very unique. It's a kind of fresh smell, like clean sunshine. My mother swears it's the Eucalyptus, and I think she's right. It's the smell of eucalyptus and sunshine, and it's one of the two scents I know as "home". (The other being cinnamon in the fall - the smell of America.)
So I again smelled that smell that told me I was back, that everything was familiar, and I felt embraced... by eucalyptus and sunshine at least. But I didn't realize how wrong I was.
Just to catch a plane... There were issues with our seating assignment and little did we know they were just the beginning. They classify an infant as someone younger than two years of age. They fly free if they're on your lap. They have a kind of bed/crib thing in the bulkheads, but the weight restraint on that is about 24lbs. Needless to say Immi couldn't use it. The other issue with the bulkhead seats is that the arm rests on them don't move up and so it's hard to put toddlers there because they can't stretch out on you... so we requested no bulk head seats because I have two toddlers who couldn't make use of the cribby things. Then some bright spark with the airline does the flight manifesto and thinks "Oh, this poor lady with an "infant" doesn't have a bulk head seat, let's switch her." Fortunately, they were able to switch us on the flight over so the kids actually managed to sleep (somewhere around 3am in the morning their time, but sleep is sleep).
We landed in Australia, and my brave mother was collecting our luggage while I tried to manage two now hyperactive toddlers.
Next thing you know a beagle is sitting down next to my leg.
For those of you who don't know, if, when you are in an Australian International Airport, a beagle sits down next to you, you're in trouble with customs. These beagles are highly trained sniffer-outers, and can detect all kinds of things that are illegal to bring into the country (fruit, meat, drugs) through their nose. Anyway, attached to the beagle by a short leash was a very grumpy looking gentleman who was quite getting in the way of my line of sight as I tried to restrain the ever bouying spirits of my two girls, and who clearly didn't know I'd had about 1 hr sleep in the last 24 hrs.
"Ma'am, have you had any fruit?"
My brain was confused. Why did he care what I'd eaten on the plane? Did I look ill?
"Er, do you mean in the last 24 hrs? Amelie, SIT DOWN!"
Grumpy: "No, I mean have you had any fruit on you?
"On me? AMELIE!"
Grumpier: "In your handbag. Apples... Oranges."
I take a look at my tiny handbag bulging with kids gear and old receipts. "IMMI! Come here! Why would I put an apple in my bag?"
Grumpiest: "Ma'am, have you had any fruit IN you handbag RECENTLY!"
Me: (puzzled) No.
Beagle: Thank you, Ma'am.
Ok, it wasn't the beagle, but it should have been.
Later on I realized that at breakfast on the plane, Imogen had spilled orange juice on my leg. My handbag had been hanging right near the spot and the dog had been right all along.
We ended up getting all our gear and waiting and waiting for the strollers to come over by the oversized baggage department. Ahead of me was several members of a band, who were quite overjoyed to find their gear had made it through unscathed. We had to go through customs while Mum (who is very thorough) declared everything she thought might be remotely close to illegal (wood frames, food etc). It's better to be save than sorry because Australia is pretty strict about that stuff. I showed the customs lady the cookies I'd brought for the kids. Then she looked straight at me. "Do you have any jerky?"
There was something weird about the way she asked me. Like a drug addict looking for a fix. A jerky fix.
"No, just these cookies for the kids."
"No... beef jerky?"
"No...." she was really starting to weird me out.
She eyed me suspiciously, and looked away. And then as if she was trying to catch me out, she looked back at me really quick, "So, no beef jerky then?"
I shook my head, "Sorry, just the cookies."
So we made it through the plane flight, the baggage claim and sitting beagle, the jerky junkie at customs check, and with our trollys piled high with bags and kids and strollers, we headed out those fabulous opaque glass block walls that make you look like you're about to enter into the worlds biggest bathroom and.....
We were met by my Dad, my sister Nae, and her fiance Mike. The first thing that struck me was how much older and more mature my sister looked - and how skinny!! Mike and my Dad looked the same. They were very happy to see Amelie and meet Imogen, although both my girls were zoning.
Let me just say this, when you land in Australia there is this smell... most Australian's can't smell it... but it's very unique. It's a kind of fresh smell, like clean sunshine. My mother swears it's the Eucalyptus, and I think she's right. It's the smell of eucalyptus and sunshine, and it's one of the two scents I know as "home". (The other being cinnamon in the fall - the smell of America.)
So I again smelled that smell that told me I was back, that everything was familiar, and I felt embraced... by eucalyptus and sunshine at least. But I didn't realize how wrong I was.
Friday, January 11, 2008
A Most Excellent Adventure - Prologue
I'm going to write you all about Australia. It seems only fair I should share everything about where I have been. I'm working right now on the first installment. Aren't you excited? I am.
So tonight... tonight I was calm, which was unusual after the last few days have been... I felt so wrung out. And then sometime, I think after I got the girls up... I just relaxed.
There was laundry to do, so I sat on the washer and watched the girls dance around the garage to the midi-like sounds of a broken baby bouncer. I made bubble and squeak for dinner, and I thought, as Sufjan played in the background, that it is very, very satisfying when two toddlers ask for seconds and then thirds. Although I realized after the third helping all Immi wanted to do was eat dollops of sour cream. Hmmm.... nope, still satisfying.
Curious George was for dessert - the movie, not the tv show. The girls went to bed easily, with lots of tickles and kisses. I thought about wanting more... children and kisses. I started writing, Immi woke again and I wondered if it would be another peaceful night shattered by hysteria, but it wasn't. I sat and rocked her in the dark, wondering how many times I'll get to do that before she's too big.
And now I've been watching movies. "Evening" and a Sundance film festival one that I can't remember the name of but that I like. I'll have to wait until it ends and let you know, so...
So tonight... tonight I was calm, which was unusual after the last few days have been... I felt so wrung out. And then sometime, I think after I got the girls up... I just relaxed.
There was laundry to do, so I sat on the washer and watched the girls dance around the garage to the midi-like sounds of a broken baby bouncer. I made bubble and squeak for dinner, and I thought, as Sufjan played in the background, that it is very, very satisfying when two toddlers ask for seconds and then thirds. Although I realized after the third helping all Immi wanted to do was eat dollops of sour cream. Hmmm.... nope, still satisfying.
Curious George was for dessert - the movie, not the tv show. The girls went to bed easily, with lots of tickles and kisses. I thought about wanting more... children and kisses. I started writing, Immi woke again and I wondered if it would be another peaceful night shattered by hysteria, but it wasn't. I sat and rocked her in the dark, wondering how many times I'll get to do that before she's too big.
And now I've been watching movies. "Evening" and a Sundance film festival one that I can't remember the name of but that I like. I'll have to wait until it ends and let you know, so...
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
My header picture is asleep...
and is leaning to the left. I don't know why. If you're a crack with html codes, wanna shoot me an email and let me know how to center it all again?? I'll credit you :)
It feels like I've been asleep...
for a very long time. A deep kind of "America" sleep, and I've just woken up.
Sorry for the long absence. It was not intentional. I'm currently uploading photos so I'll have evidence of my travels.
I've missed you all. Truly.
Sorry for the long absence. It was not intentional. I'm currently uploading photos so I'll have evidence of my travels.
I've missed you all. Truly.
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