Room for more!

Today has been a crazy day. I feel up one minute, and the next I am tumbling back to earth and wondering WTF??!!!

BUT! Something cool just happened!!! I feel like a proud friend announcing something cool! A very cool friend has joined the blogging family!!!!

YAY!!!!!

Hat's off to ya Cher - I am so looking forward to keeping in contact like this. I have found it to be rewarding in keeping the folks I care about in the loop!

/insert cheesy grin here

Hooked on something?!

The David, strikes again. Or still?

What can you say after you see something like this?

Why did all the good shows come to an end?

So, being solo for the night, I made the kind of pasta that I like and haven't had forever (giving myself heartburn in the process), got chocolate soy milk instead of vanilla, and rented the last 4 episodes ever of Sex In the C!ty.

The penultimate chick sitcom as far as I am concerned. I think most women could have (can) related to Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, or Miranda at some point, and their friendship above all is something to strive for in our own female friendships. I don't believe that women have enough positive role models or "buddy" movies where chicks are supportive of each other in stead of competing with each other for the better man.

There are legions of movies like that for men (buddy movies that celebrate male friendships) - the Lethal Weapons, Beverly Hills Cops, Bad Boys, Legends of the Fall, Braveheart, Top Gun to name but a few. Not saying that chicks can't dig these movies, but women have gotten movies that didn't necessary centre around female friendships, it was more about competition, or linking up against a man in something like Thelma and Louise or a real tear jerker of a movie. I have noticed this trend starting to shift with movies like Calendar Girls and Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, and I am glad for it.

But, back to my original point. Did I have one? I miss Sex in the C!ty. The Carrie-ism, the crazy outfits, who can forget the shoes? I am glad that things somewhat neatly came together together in the end, a fitting finale but then again I am a sucker for a happy ending. I think I have avoided watching those last few episodes because I have been in denial that the show is actually done.

Funny how even just those opening bars are enough to chase a man away. Total time to just kick back and be a girl and immerse yourself in someone else's dramas for a few moments. It was fun for a quiet evening by myself!

It fits!

My dress was delivered today!!! It fits, and to quote my brother "You look like angel".

What a relief. There is always an element of risk when you buy something sight unseen, but it sure does take a weight off of your chest when things fit the way they should and the dress is beautiful - the detail work is just fab.

*big sigh*

House is strangely quiet. Apparently out in the Northern wilds of Red Deer, Ken's brothers are driving the rental car out on the lake. What a crazy Canada that exists beyond Hope. The lake is totally frozen, and there are areas where people skate, cars, trucks, and snowmobiles are all over the place, and people ice fishing. WOAH DUDE. One day I will have to check out a real Canadian winter. Ours is such a teaser compared to the rest of the Northern world. Us and Seattle compete for yearly rain totals, while everyone else gets to deal with truly inclement weather.

It still feels strange announcing to people that I am pregnant. It is weird when you aren't really showing yet, perhaps except for the nice breakout I have happening, and there are some tidbits of good advice I think I am picking up. Some of the stories are pretty daunting, and I think at that point you just need to plug yer ears and take what you need and move on from there.

Two days of total meetings at work. I so want to hide out in my office tomorrow!!!!

not so funny feeling

The rain stopped and it is a beautiful day out there! Sun blazed across the eastern sky with a blaze of glory and there were whisps of fog ribboned across the Fraser this morning.

I think these images will have to sustain me throughout the day because I have the feeling that today is going to be "one of those days" I wished I was able to stay in bed, or at least do something different. Vibe around here just isn't great, morale, what morale?

Mundanes

Week 13 has arrived!! Still continuing to feel better, clothes still fit, still need to work on making sure I get some exercise daily.

The weekend had its shares of ups and downs. I think we are still reeling from it around here... sleep has been somewhat optional at times, and nothing like waking up and wondering how the heck the duvet is on the ground, Ken was cocooned in all the sheets and blankets, and I had the sleeping bag. Bizarre. Looks like my honey will be heading out to Red Deer, AB at the end of the week for a Celebration of Life. Funny, you think you have a grip on life and then it throws you a curve ball. Followed by a fast ball, then a change up for good measure.

This is shaping up to be a long week at work, I think there are 5 different meetings scheduled, and I am taking over some advising slots too. Makes the time fly!! I am currently slogging my way through Michener's Hawaii and the story is pulling me along, but not quite like the page turners I have been reaching for as of late. I must say, I am enjoying having a blog, and connecting through blogs, and through email. It is amazing how it helps keep people in the loop of things, and to just stay in touch for the little things you don't always think to mention.

Friday?

It seems that every friday I ever have off, at 10 am I can't believe how much time I have to myself, and then about 3pm, how damn fast my day has gone!

By the time today rolled around, I was gleeful to be on my own for a day and just to deal with me. I think I hit that point where I just needed some time to be and putter around the house, no TV, no music blaring.. just me and the cats.

I finished off Tuesdays with Morrie and I think I cried through the last 50 pages. It struck pretty close to home, having myself watched a dear friend whither away from a fatal disease. One of many one liners really struck home, " death ends a life, not a relationship." I have never looked at it like that, but it resonates. Just because someone is gone doesn't mean you stop caring, or valuing the memories that you have, and people do live on in the love we have for them. So my eyes have had that gritty feeling to them all day.

I think I have turned a corner, and it seems that my energy is coming back. I cleaned like a fiend today, and almost filled up a container of garbage, and have some stuff ready to donate to the Sally Anne. I swept, and I made a few new cushion covers (in the process turning 4 little pillows in to 2 bigger pillows), I puttered, and now it is past 6!!! Tonight I get to be a super fan at hockey, cheering on the Crushers!

it's out there

The last phase of my "shock and awe" campaign has drawn to a close.

Work now knows, and it went off better than I thought it would, especially when I revealed a due date smack in the middle of summer. It felt good to finally tell them, especially since I am at work a fair bit. It's also good to know how long I have to work before I get a huge break - although it will be a new type of work that is waiting for me.

I guess my coworkers were expecting me to announce that I had a new job - they figured I was at a job interview yesterday, and not at the docs!! It was just such a crazy moment, I was just glad that I had already drafted out my plans for when I would take vacation time, and then mat leave, and then vacation when I expect to go back to work yesterday.. I could feel my face flush, and my heart start to pound.. and then it was all over. Definitely made it hard to concentrate today!!!

It feels like a whole new stage though - definite confirmation, I am sure that I am just glowing, and the wedding plans are coming together. Some moments it is like "WOAH, dude." Other moments it is just so amazing I just have a silly grin on my face. Amazing to think that last year when we were busy saving our cat, we were busy doing something else too!!!!

Moment of truth

Today was a milestone day, and to borrow a word from a dear friend, at times, I felt quite verklempt.

I think, no, I know, that we had our socks blown off in our first mat appt today. We could totally hear the heartbeat, and the ultrasound was amazing - we could make out a really distinct profile of our baby, and you could even see the heart beating!!

How humbling to know that something so amazing is happening inside of you.

I am doing well, and things are progressing the way they should be. We breathed a collective sigh of relief, and well, we have both been on cloud 9 since. JUST WOWZERS!!!!

Internal heating gage

I have heard rumors that your internal thermostat kicks in and keeps you extra warm when you are expecting.

So far, hasn't happened. I have been cold more often than not. Either that or this is my excuse for why I am having more baths :]

Got a few things ticked off today, but overall I am feeling pretty lethargic. Definitely experiencing the first trimester decline in overall energy. Bedtime has changed from like midnight to just after 10, it is strange, for the first time in my life I am going to bed at a decent time!

Tonight, going out to celebrate a good friend's birthday and go for MEXICAN. Which seems to be what I have been craving. It is strange now to go to downtown Van - used to be such a part of my life, nearly daily, and now it is rarely. Things change in between my visits now. It is strange how perspectives change with time. Don't need the city so much at this stage.

devil in the details

Lists.

I have many new lists now.

I am also learning all about flowers. More than just roses and tulips and gerbera, but also about exotic sound flowers like stephanotis and lisianthus.

What baby items my amazingly generous friends are willing to part with for us, which is graciously appreciated.

The class is done and my assignments are in the mail, that albatross has been kicked to the curb. I have one final class for that program, and it will be online, so it should be easy-peasy.

Work has been bizarre. It has alternated between moments where I question my existence to moments where it is so obvious I was able to give someone a hand, it is humbling. It is strange to go between those two poles.

But it comes down to my lists. Lists that keep having little additions sneaking in, some lists that are on the back burner, waiting for attention, and then lists that are screaming for attention.

Things are coming along, pretty well I think! Very easy to see how budgets can go totally out of control. Like talking about how much you are willing to spend on photography, and what style you want...eloping sounds appealing, but then again, wouldn't be the same without the people we care about to be there, or to be able to at least share it with those that can't. Times like this also make me appreciate having a blog - the ties that bind people together when physical distance exists and how that distance can be shrunk with words, and effort.

When the iron is hot

I am trying to finish the assignments from the course I took back in December. It feels like a lifetime ago, and I am really struggling to recapture the essence of what I was trying to learn in those moments.

It would perhaps have been nice to have had the option of dropping it at the time, but I didn't have the luxury. I did have the luxury of taking a two week extension, which I did gratefully, but I am quickly reminding myself why in all the other courses that I have taken in this program, I always stayed on top of the assignments and got them in as soon as possible.

When you take a course on two back to back weekends (fri-sun), it is intense, and everything is packed in to a short period of time. Now, almost a month later with the landscape of my life altered, it is a real struggle to get back in to that headspace. I only have the last 1/3rd to do, but I feel like I am balking every step of the way. I guess it doesn't help that I am not feeling up to snuff today, or that I am in the middle of a decent book which is always a distraction. I am fighting myself to stay on track, and I know I will feel better when it is done, it is still a slog.

Quack, quack

Today marks 22 days in a row of downpour.

It does seem to stop for a few hours a day, before the skies open up and the deluge begins again.

It is also very mild - and damp. So at times, even though the ol' mercury isn't dropping, the damp seeps in and you find yourself damn cold!

My parents think we are half nuts for some of our plans, snagged a great deal for Ken on a black suit, and my dress, both on the marketplace. The price we paid appeals to them, but definitely cautious about what to expect when the items arrive (both a little cynical). I agree, there is an element of risk, but these are people's businesses, and their rep is everything on-line... so once you scan through the comments I figure you can get a pretty good feel for it all. Granted, I say that with my fingers crossed... (and enough time to get alterations if needs be)

Things are coming together quickly, decisions happening, and the elements falling in to place. I think a lot of the major decisions that need to be made will be done by the end of the week. Then part of it is hurry up and wait... although when you only have just over two months, there isn't much waiting to do!!!!!

Super Fan!

The last 24 hours has been a time of many firsts.

Last night I was officially a super fan for the Orange Crushers. *SIGH* I already miss being a part of the action, but fingers crossed, I will play again - a year from now. Of course, it seems that all mothers give me a 'knowing look' when I say that, but I can have high hopes.

We are also officially booked. In the deluge of rain and mist clinging to hills, we made it out to our location, sized it up, and laid down some dosh. Now the ball really starts to roll!!! We have a starting list, which I think will be fleshed out in the days to come, seeing as to the fact that we don't have a lot of time to linger on this stuff!

Cute Fluff

Star Wars recreated by Bunnies!!! When you need a 30 second laugh...

T G I F ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Random bits

So, I ran in to an old friend from a past life the other day. When she asked for my number, I hesitated, and really thought about it, do I need this person in my life now? Do I have anything to say? She had two kids clinging to her, and was saying that her marriage was on the rocks and then quickly followed up about the date she had been on just before NYE. She was like a strange blast from the past, a circle of friends I haven't spoken to in at least 7, maybe 8 years for many a good reason. I was like the white sheep in a bunch of black sheeps and knew it had been my time to move on. It felt weird, but I gave her my work number. Where I have call display. Cowards way out perhaps? But it felt right because I knew I didn't want to dodge her calls at home, and it would be easy enough to at work.

Once again, sometimes those past moments remind you of just how happy you are to be in your current pair of shoes.

I am definitely getting more hormonal. My moods are crazy at times, or just edgier. I have definitely had a few sniffles so far. You know, like when they play the national anthem when Canada wins at hockey again... Will have to attempt to keep a handle on that and make sure I don't scare off the people I love the most!!!

Canadian, eh?

So... You think you're Canadian? eh! This is amusing stuff, some not so known facts about this great land and it's peoples!

http://www.cbc.ca/chillybeach/trivia/trivia26.swf

Do I really have to go back to work tomorrow?

I have the feeling that this year will fly. I am mentally prepping myself to head back to work, and I know the next three days will pass by in a crazy blur of people and things to do.

The season wrapped up a little differently than the past few - our truck decided to give us a few issues on the First, so we didn't make it to a Polar Bear Dip. First time since the 98/99 year I haven't gone in!! It was strange, but I guess that was how it was meant to be. So, we had a quiet first, got the truck going again (loose evasive hose), and saw an early show... YES. That means I finally saw the latest HP. It was great. Definitely not a kiddie movie though - and all the trailers were geared at the under 10 set.. have these folks seen the movie???

Ventured in to the mall today, ran some errands, did a small exchange and was grateful that the mall was not mobbed (low tolerance for chilling in the mall, missing that gene). After all the rich food, it was time for a big greek salad for dinner. YUMMY!!!!

Just finished reading The Kite Runner. It was a great read, sad at times, but a good book and well worth spending a few hours. Amazing for a first novel, quite evokative. You don't always like the protagonist, but he does come around by the end of the tale.

Have completed avoided doing laundry. May have to break soon and get some loads going, everything else has held a lot more appeal than cleaning clothes this week. I have also emailed myself a list for tomorrow, to remind myself that I need to kick it back in to gear and get the ball rolling again - lots to do and plan in a short amount of time. Still been feeling pretty good overall, with the exception of needing to chew down on some tums, here and there!

And so went the Christmas season for 2005...

An odd tradition, befitting of ourselves was born last NYs when we took down the tree. A ceremonial burning, a few words to send off the season, and welcome the lengthening days. So, it is that time of the year again, and the tree has come down, which much needle shedding. I always feel a little sad when the tree comes down, and the decorations go away for another year, then I am amazed at how much more space we seem to have, and then the yearly cycle starts up again.



Ah, it is a sight to behold. It is also a lesson to folks out there, just how dry a real tree can get being indoors for two weeks!!! It also goes up really quickly so it is important to remember to water your tree in between the visiting, food and pressies.



Last year the tree was even dryer - even less was left behind. Yes, we totally did this safely, it was raining, and we had a garden hose, and the tree was in a heavy, cast iron holder. Yah, right we are just a little wacky and it suits us just fine.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years!

Cheers to 2006! This is going to be one helluva year!!! Well, I would say we nicely rang in the new year, and I was surprised by how many fireworks were going off, everywhere! Lots of noise, sirens, booms...nothing like bringing in a new year with a bang. Funny that the NY channel was about 5 minutes ahead of everyone else.. LOL

A year from now, it will be interesting to note the changes - between tying the knot and babies, should be a banner year. Last year was a year of extremes, trying times, and amazing times, with all stops in between.

Speaking of which - Spirit of the West and Great Big Sea did the NYE concert in Niagra Falls, and the last song they did together was the Crawl. Ah, the song brings back many memories or singing and carousing and hanging with yer mates. They don't tour so much anymore, so I am glad Ken and i made it to a St. Paddy's day concert of theirs a few years back...