Wednesday, May 24, 2006

What the?!

What the hell has happened to my clothes?

I so don't know what to wear anymore. On nice days, one of my hippy tiered skirts does the trick. On not so nice days, my maternity capris definitely do the trick, or the purposefully big camel coloured stretch pants work, but what do I wear on top now??

I can't say that I have gi-normous swelling breasts, but my shirts are definitely tight around the bump in the middle. So, they no longer look right, even if the fit isn't that uncomfortable. I am glad I am only looking at 4 more weeks of work because I recall a friend saying of her maternity clothes (of which I am currently borrowing and loving) was that by the end of her maternity stint, she was just done with them. I can now see the truth in that!!! I don't really have a lot of nice t-shirts that are longer and flattering, and some mornings I sit on the edge of the bed, a bit envious of Ken and his uniform, and ponder what the (*&&@ should I wear today?!!

Then there is the flipside to this, being a wee big thrifty I don't want to spend big money on more clothes that are truly short term... I can make do, mostly, except for those moments you just don't have a clue what to wear and stand there with that silly grin on your face. I should also fess up, this isn't a new phenom. I am not a person to plan their clothes out the night before. Every morning is a crapshoot when it comes to "what to wear today" pregnant or not so this is really just a bit of whinging on my part. But the first statement still bears truth, when your body is redefining itself all the time, so does it's covering.

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

post long weekend and back at work

it has been a strange work day and I have had to make a lot of cold calls that involve a lot of arm twisting on unsuspecting victims arms to introduce speakers at an upcoming conference. Oh, the joys.

the weekend was quick, as they always are. I must say, we accomplished a lot though. The ebb and flow of things in and out of our house still never ceases to amaze me. I can't believe how easy it is to get rid of things that are stained, old, worn out, cluttery at this stage. I know I keep returning to this subject, but when you have been a pack rat all your life, and all of a sudden you can finally let go of things, it is a big deal. Our compu-nursery is just about set. It looks great. I feel so much less anxious now that we have been able to deal with our second bedroom, set up the new stuff, move out the old stuff.

it is a novel feeling as I survey the new room. We are making room for another person in our lives, and we have no idea what they are going to be like!! Nothing but potential and good intentions. I feel proud of what we have accomplished together, and humbled too. Amazing what two people can do working together, building a life together.

bubs is still moving around a lot, which is the most amazing feeling. That too is a different kind of awareness of yourself as a woman, and amazing too, because all your parts are doing what they are supposed to do and it has only something to do with you being conscious of the process! At the 32 week stage now, and the home stretch is nigh!

Friday, May 19, 2006

Totally silly.

The Buzz

So today is the launch of that great big movie, a natural off-shoot from the intensely popular book that has created controversy coast to coast, continent to continent. Everyone has an opinion, and is more than happy to talk about it.

Is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of the ongoing flogging of this poor horse? Every time you turn on the tv you get to hear about the stars of the show, or this new feature, or how the critics are responding, or the new tour you can take, or the book club you can join to discuss and disseminate the main issues within, or how the church is responding, or how someone in BF Nowhere has their undies tied in a knot because the ideas are just too big and too out there for the red states to be palatable for.

If you aren't sure what I am referring to by this point, sorry, but I think I want to stay in vague terms rather than be picked up every time someone googles the book or the movie. Although I am sure that with the influx of people just flogging, er talking, about it, it would be quickly buried in the pile of chatters like me.

I enjoyed the book. I like Br0wn's style. He tells a good story and this book has people talking about issues long buried (which I think it is a good thing). But it is like the sound of people jumping on the Canucks bandwagon once we start to win. It is so popular at this point it has become a marker of popular culture.. "what, you mean you have not read the book yet??" and you can hear the jaws dropping, kind of like at a certain point if you declared you had never watched Friends or the Simpsons... you were like a social outcast who maybe just did their own thing and ok with it. I don't know if I will run to see the movie. Yes, I am curious, will it live up to the hype? Will it be a dynamic story, or will it fall flat on the silver screen?

I just don't feel the need to rush the gate. I am sure it will be around for a while. In fact, all this buzz is a turn off. Will the movie be as good as the book? Probably not. Would I feel like a sheep heading in to drop off my greenbacks and join the cue? Yup. So, who knows. Eventually we will see it. When... ???!!!!!!

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

The Evolution of Dance

If you haven't already seen this video.. it is well worth the 6 minutes.

This is DAMN funny and then some. It reads like a "greatest hits" of most 30 somethings lives..

"The Evolution of Dance"

today's fortune cookie read..

"to reach distant places, one has to take the first step"

makes you pause for a moment and just think in the middle of a crazy work day, doesn't it?

doesn't matter if the distant place is a travel destination, or a personal destination. Or in my case, feeling like I have scattered all of my belongings through the house. one step is all it takes, and then the flood gates can open!

Monday, May 15, 2006

thirty three

So this is what 33 looks like.

Not much different than 32! Usually I take my birthdays off, but I didn't have enough vacation days off to stay away from work today. There was talk of just playing hookey, and now at the end of the day, that may have been the best option for us both.

The last few days have been a blur of just everything. A trip to IKEA to get some baby and office furniture, the last Crush game of the season, our maternity ward tour... which is a story all of its own... what the hell, time to interrupt our normal programming.. there were like 30 couples crammed in to the mat ward, most of which looked like they were just about ready to pop. I felt like a bit of an imposter with my 30 week belly - I think everyone there was pretty much due in the next few weeks because I don't look like they do... yet!!!! I am not sure if the trip alleviated any stress or created more. Honestly, the ward looks decent, and I have my fingers crossed that when the time comes I either get the room with the jacuzzi tub or the bath tub, because I would love to spend as much time in water as I possible can when the time comes.

We totally scored when we hooked up Refinnej and her boys. Talk about feeling like we are a lot more set up than we were at the beginning of the day. I felt way more grounded, and it was strange having items "paid" forward and remembering her boys from when they were young, and knowing that we are the next chapter. It was kind of humbling in a sense.

I am been really lucky with this pregnancy and upcoming birth. I have been able to get some no-nonsense advice from a few dear friends whom are moms, and then help with the pregnancy clothes from Sarah (of which I am keeping in fabulous condition), and now with the baby stuff. What do you say? Are there words? Being pregnant has brought me to a different stage in a few relationships, a lot more understanding, and then a different place within myself and my relationship with Ken as we move in to another stage.

Different awareness too. What is important to some people, and the battles you are willing to fight, and what kind of environment you want to create for your kids. I had a coworker send me an email to see if we were interested in a high end furniture set that was a great deal at $2500. Um, that is more than the last 4 cars I have bought.. not happening for my child, I wish I could, but nope, that is way hard to justify.

Ok, back to my long winded ramble about my weekend. Dinner with my cousin and girlfriend Saturday night.. that was .. um.. different too. He is just cut from a different clothe and I appreciate the effort, and it was an ok night. Then a great brunch on Sunday, and a disjointed afternoon where Ken left to play hockey and I went with the family to go to White Rock for a stroll in the surf and fish and chips. Always excellent.

Then today. Aging. Being at work. Feeling like I had the attention span of a gnat. Discovering I probably am a little lactose sensitive, or intolerant as within 30 minutes of quaffing a chocolate milk I turned in to a lean mean farting machine with the added bonus of stomach cramps. I don't drink a lot of milk anymore, so I think this just did me in and well, will definitely impact whether or not I grab a glass of milk instead of soy in the future..

And then a call about 4 o'clock.. and I could tell from the tone in Ken's voice that something was up. What was up was a deep gash across the knee and a trip to emergency. Luckily enough we weren't there forever and they stitched him up good.

Folks grabbed dinner, so we got to head home and celebrate my birthday and it was a great end to a slightly chaotic day and weekend.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

Obsolete Cowboy Phrases

Top Ten Old West Phrases That Will Never Sound The Same After That Damned Gay Cowboy Movie (so, this tickled my funny bone today. Must be the end of the week!!!)

1. "I'm gonna pump you fulla lead!"

2. "Give me a stiff one, barkeep!"

3. "Don't fret---I've been in tight spots before."

4. "Howdy, pardner."

5. You stay here while I sneak around from behind."

6. Two words: "Saddle Sore."

7. "Hold it right there! Now, move your hand, reeeal slow-like."

8. "Let's mount up!"

9. "Nice spread ya got there!"

10. "Ride'em cowboy!"

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Hopawaddle

It seems like this is the week for leg related injuries. Getting out of the truck yesterday I tweaked my knee (heard some lovely crunching) and it hurt. It is a bit of a trick knee now.. sometimes I can jerk it around a few times and it seems like whatever happened in the odd moment of twisting resolves itself and the pain leaves. Well, it didn't this time I am sure I gave myself something akin to "knee lash" and I spent the rest of the day hopping and waddling along. Hence the name of this post, the "hopawaddle" which apparently I have down to a fine art. Combine this with a sore hip, and just generally feeling out of wack, and you just know your work day is going to be on par with the rest of you. Got home, made one with my couch, and just didn't do much of anything.

This morning, something released in my knee and I am feeling a lot better. I don't feel twice my age anymore! Days are flying by, week 30 already and I have less than 30 days left of work!! YAYAYAYAY. If all goes right, shopping trip for some odds and ends to start getting the baby's and computer room ready will happen in the next few days. Ken always laughs, these late night excursions (I like to go after 8pm on a week night) usually mean that he gets to spend the rest of the night putting furniture together :]

My get up and go has gotten up and left.

By the end of the day I can easily become one with my couch and say forget the rest. House doesn't stay perfect for long right now after the big cleans!

Monday, May 8, 2006

The weather

Amazing. Monday to friday it is absolutely gorgeous out, and then saturday morning you wake up to angry storm clouds and rain. Sunday was also quite miserable first thing, so that ixnayed a trip out to the flea market to load up on more plants.

At least the rain didn't last all day. I went with my folks to visit my gran on the Sunshine Coast and it ended up being a really nice trip by the end of the day. One thing about being on the coast is that weather can really move. Granted, I *almost* had a moment at lunch, when it took over an hour for our food to come up and it had been about 3 hours since my last snack, just at that moment of getting up to assert myself (and get something to eat in a restaurant, imagine that) the food came out. It was almost worth the wait, but a lesson to carry trail mix in zee old purse from here on out for those moments of hunger!

Other than that, the weekend went by way too quickly again. WOOSH. And back at monday again, and waking to a beautiful sunny day. You have to laugh, and it is amazing about how much of a pick me up it is when you know on your breaks you can go sit outside with your book and just enjoy a few moments out in the sun. Freckle time!

Thursday, May 4, 2006

a clean house

So what is it about a clean house, blue skies, a good book, a few hours to yourself that seems to do wonders for the soul? I am sure that the answer is pretty self evident in there..

We have been particularly lucky this week weatherwise, shorts weather, blue skies, not too hot, in a word - beautiful, especially because it is spring. Tomorrow I will try to take some pics of my early blooms to capture this moment - savouring it for what it is. It will be strange once I am off work (last day June 30th) and begin the final leg of the "wait". A few days, a few weeks - who knows. It will be strange to have time for myself, for little projects, especially since it the tales are somewhat true, free time and project finishing activities will be put to the side for an undetermined length of time.

Finished off a Scottoline novel, which I thoroughly enjoyed for what it is. Called the Vendetta Defense, it was a good story. I have reverted back to another crime writer. I seem to enjoy the stories that evolve and revolve around a single (or band) character and follows their career. It is appealing to see what the author is going to do with the character's story and life lines. I couldn't imagine a life without books and being able to dive between the covers of a good book for however many minutes I can eek out of it.

Wednesday, May 3, 2006

New Canucks Jersey



This is about the state of the union for our team this year... *SIGH* us loyal fans continue to wait. Bring back King Richard I say! Although I have heard time hasn't been so gentle to him...

Grillin' Season

We got a new, fancy schmancy BBQ as a wedding present. I love the damn thing. It has a battery powered "electric" start. No more fearing for my hair and eyebrows every time I turn the beast on (or wuss out and wait for Ken to do it). I have tamed this mighty grilling machine and it is so easy peasy I am quite thrilled about the whole thing.

I like to grill. It is like a primal urge for me. Give me the tongs and giant fork and let me at 'er. I have no idea where this comes from, but I think BBQ season runs the length of the year. We were BBQ'less (after ours gave up the ghost last year) for months, and I missed the taste of grilled meat. This is the real reason why I will never make it as a vegetarian. Besides, I see it all as lines in the sand and choices, and there are some meats (and associated practises) that I just choose not to consume or endorse.

Of course you have to laugh when you listen to our weather reports, very typical, monday to friday glorious sun! saturday and sunday, the liquid love. Then again, I look at how dry everything gets and how quickly, and I can't help but think that perhaps this year I should put out a rain barrel to help conserve even just a little bit of water to use for my flower beds.

Monday, May 1, 2006

Ridiculously Healthy

Eye opening experience this morning - freezing needles for dental work when one has abcesses or just some inflammed areas is way worse than getting a shot in the arm. Rogam shot was a walk in the park compared to the dental work I have gone through in the last 8 weeks, and truly, neither has been that bad, all things considered.

Well, that was the sound of 28 weeks passing me by. I continue to get a great bill of health. No gestational diabetes (YAYAYAYAY!!!) and everything else is right in the normal range. The heartbeat is loud and strong, and the baby is doing great. Doc doesn't wamt to see me for another 4 weeks, and it looks like the baby is in a good position so breech should be out of the question (another YAYAYAYAY!!).

So, I feel good, contented. Appointments went well, everything is as it should be, spent time with my honey and MIL, spent time in the garden, and enjoyed the wind that seemed to be whipping through the trees all day.

Seems like Refinnej got stuck in some snow today - ironically so did we!! Kinda that it. West Coast style. *AHEM* Going through town today we had the same problem - only for us it was blue skies and pink snow blowing across the sky and tumbling down the road. Not nearly as dramatic as the cold and wet stuff but really pretty.

Time to have a bath with a good book, and call it a day.