Na Na Na Na
Hey, hey, hey
Goodbye
That’s my farewell song to NaBloPoMo. Can you tell I grew up in a hockey family?
It’s been a good month. I haven’t had too many filler posts, and I even got a reference from sweet Kristin at Blogging Baby.
I also got a bunch of you lurkers to come on out and say “Hi!” That was fun - I like making new friends. Those of you still lurking, I understand. I always snoop around for a little while before I introduce myself. I’m shy like that. Really.
You’re probably all wondering why I’m posting so late (for me). Well, I left all three kids in the care of Daddy for a few hours and went and did some more Christmas shopping with a friend. Before today, I had gotten Honey…nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. Now, he’s got some goodies coming his way.
I got back in time to load up the monkeys and take Graham to swimming class. Since Honey was so gracious and watched the kids all day (while working…and there were fires to be put out), I opted to skip working out and take all three kids to the pool.
It’s not an excuse to quit the working out; he had a crazy day and still had a bunch of work phone calls to make. He told me I could leave Nathan and Emily, but we’re a team, remember? And this team member had just spent 6 hours without kids and got to have uninterrupted adult conversation. It was my turn to parent. That, and my boobs were about to explode with milk, so I wasn’t letting Emily out of my sight. On that note, I checked my stat counter yesterday, and had another “boobs spraying milk” search that wound up at my site. Who ARE these people?
So here I am. I have posted for 30 days straight. Will I continue to post every. single. day. ? Nope. But probably most days. Because I like to, and I love you guys. I also pretty much can’t help myself; there’s content everywhere. Such is my life. Thanks for coming along for the ride. Gotta go now; I have some milk to download.
Does anyone remember those Participaction commercials? With…Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod? Maybe not. Maybe it was just a BC thing…or maybe I’m just showing my age again.
I am one of those really odd people who likes to work out. I enjoy it, honestly and truly. When we lived in Vancouver, I would go to the gym 5 days a week, either before work or on my lunch hour. I was a stepping machine.
When we moved here, there was nary a fitness class to be seen. I decided to take up running. My sweet hubby bought be a book on running for women, and ran with me as I got up to speed. You know, run a few minutes, walk a few minutes, with the run times gradually lengthening. As soon as I could run the whole time, he quit. The truth then came out - he hates running, but did it to encourage me. He’s a keeper.
I love running. Unfortunately, my knees can no longer take it. I had knee surgery 12 years ago, and I don’t want to have it again unless necessary. Plus, I don’t know if surgery is the answer. What to do, what to do?
I am a cardio lover, with weights thrown in for good measure. I know that Pilates and such are a good workout, but I need to move. Quickly, and maybe a little violently. Hence I took up Tae Bo. Yes, Tae Bo, with Billy and his unitard. It’s a great workout, if you can stop laughing long enough to actually do it.
I had taken a hiatus from working out after the fire when we were out of our house. I bought a few other workout videos when we returned, but got pregnant with Miss Emily shortly thereafter. Situps and pregnancy don’t mix well. Walking was an option, but pushing my two boys in a double stroller whilst pregnant was more workout than anyone should have to participate in. I resigned myself to starting up again after baby arrived…or maybe after Christmas.
Graham has swimming class two afternoons a week. Usually I spend my time sitting on a chair, and chatting with my friend Shelley. Her son is in the same class. Nathan usually runs around asking for treats from the vending machine, and Emily sleeps in her carseat. Behind another set of windows is the fitness facility, and Shelley made a comment that we should workout while the boys are swimming. Matthew thought it was a great idea, and I left Nathan and Emily here yesterday so Shelley and I could workout.
We decided to try the elliptical machines. I had borrowed Amanda’s to try it here at home, but I didn’t enjoy it. The ones at the gym are a bit different, and it seemed to go well. We started out and it seemed to easy. Let’s start at Level 5, I thought. We did, and that got hard. Hmmm…maybe we should bump down to Level 4…this went on. We ended up back at Level 1. Gotta start somewhere.
It was good. It’s good, It’s goood, it’s gooooood (anyone catch Bruce Almighty on TV last week?). I felt fantastic, and am already looking forward to Thursday. I’m trying to figure out when I’m going to blow the dust off of my workout DVD’s as well…I miss Billy. Maybe once I get a little more caught up on my sleep. Which will likely be after Christmas. I can start the New Year with a workout goal, just like everyone else. Here’s hoping I can stick with it.
I want to fly away….yeah.
It never fails. Once this time of year hits (read: cold and grey), I get the itch to go somewhere warm. Really warm. As in hot. The itch gets almost unbearable once Christmas is over and the boredom of January kicks in.
The sun is out today. Sunshine reflecting on the snow is a beautiful, beautiful site. The skies are clear and blue. Which also means that it’s even colder than yesterday. I don’t like cold. While I know how to ski, and would like to ski again, I think I would be happier sitting next to a fire and reading a good book.
Or maybe even laying on a beach in Mexico. That’s even more appealing. We had our honeymoon south of Cancun on the Mayan Riviera and would go back there in a heartbeat. Problem is, it gets more complicated (and expensive) when you have kids.
Karen emailed me a picture of the place that she and Travis are going to over Christmas.
It’s on for a screaming deal, and not only that, it’s family friendly. So very tempting. Except that we would be paying for four of us…and that adds up pretty fast. Never mind the thought of being trapped in an airplane with two very active and loud preschoolers. Definitely not my idea of a relaxing vacation.
We could leave the boys here, except we can’t. While they are pretty self-sufficient at entertaining themselves, I don’t think it would be wise to leave them alone for a week. Call me crazy.
So, we’ll do what we do every winter. Dream of a warm sunny place that we aren’t going to. We have promised ourselves that we will go away without the kids when we celebrate our 10 year anniversary. That’s in 2010, and only 3 1/2 years away. It seems like a long time, but look at how fast life moves by. It will be here before we know it. Right?
Unless anyone wants to take in the boys for a week. They’re cute, sweet, and a good kind of kooky. Any takers?
I got a call yesterday afternoon from my contract “employer”. Another facilitator was in a bind; could I help? And review 19 assignments by Monday (today) at 6pm?
I said yes, because my family is a great team. Matthew is already one of the most hands-on Dads I know. When I get calls like that one, he pretty much takes over 100% of the parenting. Except for nursing; he hasn’t figured out how to lactate yet.
I can review tasks one-handed if my right hand is free, but as my left hand is the one free right now, I thought I’d drop in here to say hello…and tell you I’ll surf on by later. Or tomorrow.
I stayed up a little later last night to get a good start on reviewing these assignments. Emily showed her team spirit by only waking up ONCE last night. Woot! Now that I’ve typed that I’m sure she’ll mix it up tonight. That’s just fine; I will have handed all of the assignments back by then.
I should get back to it…Emily’s almost done. I’ll leave you with a picture of the crazy snow we’ve been having.
It’s supposed to get to a high of minus 11 today. A HIGH of MINUS 11. Balmy, hey? All of that snow is the reason we’ve been holed up here since Saturday. I’m not driving anywhere in that. So I guess I might as well be working…and getting paid. See you soon…hopefully.
Yesterday was one of those days that I really enjoyed and appreciated my family. Even on the rougher days, I am always thankful for them, but yesterday was one of those GREAT days…for no particular reason. We just had a bunch of fun together.
When you envision a family getting a Christmas tree, the scenario is something like this: they bundle up, get in the truck, drive out into the boonies and cut down the perfect tree. Our morning started out the same: we bundled up and loaded everyone into the 4Runner. Then we drove to Canadian Tire and picked out the perfect artificial tree. We had contemplated a pre-lit tree, but we are way too cheap, er, frugal to buy one of those. We opted to purchase the tree sans lights and string them ourselves. I chose red and silver balls to decorate. They’re purty.
Why an artificial tree? For a host of reasons. One being that I like to put the tree up now, and to have a real tree for over a month is a bit of a fire hazard. I’m a little leery of fire hazards. I’d like to say we get an artificial tree because we are “tree-huggers”, but our house is floor to ceiling wood, including furniture. And Matthew’s a lumber broker. I don’t think we qualify as “tree-huggers”.
The kids and I also decorated a gingerbread house. It was one of the kits you get at Costco. Here’s the before shot (note the kids are more interested in the candy):
Here is the final product:
Not only was it the first time the kids had decorated a gingerbread house, it was the first time I had done so. I KNOW. What a tragic childhood I must have had. Hardly. We had enough fake snow and cheesy Christmas ornaments to make up for the lack of gingerbread. Plus, if I really felt I was missing out on the experience I would have bought myself a kit a long time ago.
We started decorating the house yesterday. Before we had kids, all it would take was one afternoon and everything would be up. We got started yesterday, but will complete our mission today. The snow is still falling, and that along with the Christmas music is making for a festive spirit around here.
Speaking of Christmas music, I want to get some more but have no idea where to start. I bought Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong album last week, and I lurve it. Especially number 9 “Song For A Winter’s Night”; it’s been a favourite of mine for years.
I also have:
Amy Grant (Classic. Reminds me of Briercrest and every Christmas after that one.)
Bony M (Yes. Bony M. I love it; Matthew mocks me.)
The Carpenters (Matthew grew up with it and loves it. I mock him.)
BNL (I love anything those guys do.)
City On A Hill (Bought it last year and it’s awesome)
I made a mixed CD a few years ago with Jewel (!), Jars of Clay (Drummer Boy is fantastic) and Celine Dion.
Matthew suggested Jessica Simpson “because she’s hot”. I need better suggestions than that one. Any good recommendations out there?
