Ask Carla

Kashoan recently asked for volunteers to be interviewed and I thought,
"Hey why not? It'll be fun."

Here's what she asked me:

1. What made you decide to start blogging?
Three things: - Discovering my friend Kindra's blog is what first got me reading them and it inspired me to do it too.
- I needed an outlet of expression and a form of amusement while I was on maternity leave since I had gone from constant people contact to virtually none.
-I wanted my family and friends to know what we were up to without having to send a million emails regularly.

2. If you could change one thing about the new house, what would it be?
Hmmm, change something? Why would I want to do that! Actually, I would make the living room area a bit larger so that it doesn't feel quite as close to the kitchen.

3. What have you done for you lately?
I had a long bath while reading a romance novel with no one else in the house except the cat.

4.What is your favorite thing about your daughter right now?
When she says please (peese) and thank you (da-do) - it is so adorably polite.

5.Describe yourself in 3 words
Christian
Friendly
Organized

Looking into 2009

Resolution.
Definition: a firm decision to do something.
My friend Kindra uses the word "goals" instead of "resolution". She also puts a process in place rather than just deciding to do or accomplish something. That makes sense to me. For me the term "resolution" means "failure" right from the get-go.
I began contemplating (bad I know, careful of the smoke) and with the current chaos surrounding me I've concluded that something has to change or I will be committed to a mental institution sooner than later. Last night for instance, I was totally and completely out of sorts and did not know what to do with myself. There was no particular reason, just an accumulation of stress I believe, and I was a massive bundle of jitters, it felt like my skin didn't fit me. Nothing satisfied me. Following an unsettled evening I had a weirdly restless night that had me from our bed, to the couch, then back to bed again. I also had psychotic dreams. I blame the tequila laced lime-ade. Today I feel calmer and I decided that creating a few more goals in addition to finishing the house would be good for my sanity and in turn for those around me. Eating, breathing and sleeping 'house' can't be good for a person. (Only 31 days to go according to my schedule!)

Here's what I came up with:
1. Buy an old fashioned journal for writing in and use it for things like jotting down prayers - which I desire to do more of, cute things Sierra does and says that I'll otherwise never remember later, and any other tidbits of my mind that I feel need documenting; a private place for my thoughts and memories.
2. Get back into better health by deliberately exercising 3 times a week and drastically reducing my junk food/sugar intake, and continuing with my increased veggie consumption.
3. Tidy as I go so that my house does not end up looking like a pig-sty and require a massive top-to-bottom clean. (This is a once-we-move goal, it's a nearly impossible feat in our current abode)

That's probably good for now, too many and I'll give up before tomorrow!

-27

That's the current temperature outside and it's the middle of the afternoon. Yes, we've finally been hit with winter. No, it couldn't gradually arrive with slowly cooling air and a bit of snow here and there. It slammed into us with a vengeance on Friday at about four o'clock complete with wind, 25cm of snow and cold. It has stopped snowing and the sun is out but 'warm' would be the least likely word used to describe the state of the outdoors.
I really don't mind incredibly much. I'm in a warm house with warm clothes and warm drinks - it's cozy and I love cozy. I don't have to be anywhere either which helps. It also makes things feel more Christmas-y.

In other news:
We were all set to start painting our house yesterday. Finally, the finishing could begin, so we started sweeping up the incredibly messy drywall dust and chunks to prep the place.
But -
of course there's a 'but' -
but, we noticed that the walls weren't completely sanded yet when we were told they would be!
And -
yes there's an 'and' too -
they did a really poor job on the majority of the ceiling and it will have to be redone!

%$^#&(&*#*&!!!!!!

I'm not really that upset.
At least they are fixing the ceiling rather than being stuck with a bad job.
Definitely a little upset though. I am so ready to be in my own house! We're so close and yet so far.
My new projected date is the end of February/early March. My husband says the end of January.
We'll find out who's right, in this case I"ll be thrilled if it's Trevor!

A Little of This...

Enjoying our unusually gorgeous fall weather last week.

Halloween. Isn't this a wonderful make-do-with-what-I-have costume? (please read that last comment with sarcasm) I wasn't going to spend money on something she really has no clue about so that is why the "elaborate" outfit.
Sierra enjoyed handing candy out and eating Smarties for the first time.

Posing for the camera; man my kid has like a hundred teeth!

Her Vancouver Canucks' hockey mittens - I thought she would pull them right off but instead wore them around the house thinking they were quite neat.

I've had an excellent but busy Monday and this is all I have time for. Have a good week!

Hutched

Within days of us moving in with my parents my mom and I went for a walk. On our walk we passed a garage sale and of course we couldn't help but crane our necks this way and that as we walked by and inspect the merchandise. Our necks took over and we followed them this great find:



This is a solid mahogany wood buffet and hutch purchased by me for only $40. The original reason we bought it was to use it as additional storage in our basement lair. That never really happened for some reason but the more I've looked at the more I like it and want to fit it in with our decorating scheme in our new house.
The colour won't match any of the wood going into our house and it's a tad beaten up so I'd like to refinish it. What do I do?
Do I strip it and stain it with a shade that matches the decor and keep the wood look? Do I paint it white and do something to it like distressing it? Any thoughts?

T'is The Season...

For:

1. ....twelve tall, hulking men.
2. .....dressed in long baggy shirts, padded knee length shorts, socks that come over their knees and under the shorts so no skin shows, and boots with blades on the bottom. Two of the twelve men also have thick pads strapped to their legs. Those two guard netted cages.
3. ....heads encased in hard plastic hats. Bulky gloves cover their hands that hold sticks in the shape of a modified "L".
4. .....these men sliding around a sheet of ice, rimmed with a solid, wood half wall topped with a large slab of clear Plexiglas, using the blades of their boots. They can look quite graceful until one realizes that they are chasing of a frozen piece of black rubber; black rubber shaped into a thick disc.
5. ...watching these ten huge men chase this defenseless little object with intense ferociousness, batting it around with their funny sticks. They aim to get it into the cages past the ones guarding them.
6. ....the men to ram each other into the boards in attempt to get the little black disc.
7. .....these men to get mad at each other, poke at each other and, then like little boys, fight over it. Punishment of sitting in a little box for 2 minutes or more usually follows such antics.
8. ....enthusiastic fans watching this debacle. They yell and scream and think they know more about this game than those playing it.
9. ....at home fans religiously recording televised games. Fans also are involved in numerous contests relating to this sport and informing everyone around them of various statistics.
10. ....HOCKEY!!!
11. Yes, this is a major component of my life. It is by default thanks to a hockey crazed country and a nearly obsessed husband. This will last until May or June. I actually quite enjoy hockey for the most part most of the time. At least it's not football! (Sorry football fans, it is just not a sport I can get into!)

Musings

Yesterday was a glorious fall day! The air had the crisp edge feel from cooler nights mingled with the smell of fallen leaves and harvest. I spent the morning raking leaves and cleaning up the garden with my mother and Sierra.

I am saying good-bye to summer with quite a bit of hesitance because it has been so short for us this year, with a rather cool May and June. I love so many things about summer: I love the sun’s presence in the sky from5am until 11pm and the warmth of its rays. I love the green and growing all around me. I love outdoor activities such as long walks, going to the lake, and BBQ’s.
I love fall too, it brings with it the lovely colours, delicious produce, excitement of indoor projects and programs (i.e. church choir), and warm cozy evenings. But it also brings more darkness, excessive amounts of wind, cold, and eventually snow. I actually love snow but I’m not ready to give up summer yet. Fortunately it’s a gradual change and I have some time yet.

As I was getting ready for church this morning I was thinking about being sixteen and living in the same bedroom and getting ready in the same bathroom – how things have changed! I was so ‘self’ minded back then. I say this in regards to how easy it is for me now to help my parents with yard work, cooking, cleaning and other regular chores. Back when I was a teenager it was truly a chore done because I had to. Having lived on my own for over ten years and growing up has provided me with a totally new outlook on those things.

Spectacular

Last week I was trying on glasses at work, as I sometimes do being around glasses all day, and for fun I grabbed this really unique pair by 'X-Ice' called 'Moonstone.' They came out of no where really, it was as if they called my name and begged me to try them on. It was love at first sight. (Ha! "sight", get it?)

They never made it back on the shelf.

I took them home to model for the fam and everyone approved; even my dad liked them! The next day I called our supply lab and who talked to their lens supplier who generously gave me a wicked pair of lenses for.....get this....free! ('Nikon IV' with the 'Ice' coating if you care or understand lenses at all.)
Anyway, in addition to free lenses I got the frames for ridiculously cheap and couldn't dream of letting them get away.

So.

Without further ado....

My new glasses!

Please pardon the end of day hair, disheveled eyebrows and wrinkles emphasized by smudging eye make up.

Golden Fields

The canola fields are in full bloom now (rather late in season due to a cooler summer) and I absolutely love the massive expanses of bright yellow blooms. This is what I gazed at on our drive home from Calgary on Friday while I contemplated life. If you look closely you can also see the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

4a.m.

It is just after four in the morning and I am obviously not sleeping. I wish I knew why. Maybe the lazy, nap-filled Sunday afternoon ruined my sleep schedule. Maybe it's my feet that won't cool off. Seriously, my feet haven't felt like this since I was pregnant and it's extremely uncomfortable.
I have to work at 8:30 so the hour on the clock and my wide open eyes are not pleasing me. It's especially frustrating for two reasons:
1. I will likely feel groggy tomorrow and we do NOT have time for me to be groggy.
2. I count on my weekends to rejuvenate me for the following week which tires me enough on its own without trying to pack up a house. So now I'm going to start my week off after a bad sleep.

Coffee, and lots of it, may be in order. Then again, that might just start a vicious cycle since I'm rather caffeine sensitive. It effectively keeps me going during the day but it seems to carry over to night too which would paint a similar picture for Tuesday, and then Wednesday....
It's a terrible conundrum.
Now I'm blathering on.
It is, after all, 4 a.m.

Vicious Attack Cat!

I've always like cats.
Cats are generally quiet. They are good for a cuddle. They're not overly needy animals. In fact, I can leave our cat for a few days and not come home to any retaliatory disasters. (I've heard of dogs deliberately sabotaging their owner's homes by chewing sofas and 'messing' on the floor and stuff) They don't need walks or to play fetch (although my cat has played fetch with a Q-tip!)
Cat's are known to catch pesky mice and assist in keeping the nasty rodents from infesting one's house. They also catch birds. Birds aren't usually considered a nuisance but there's oodles of them so what if a few are killed and consumed by cats? My childhood cat used to eat bugs he found in the house.
I've had cats since I was seven and now have one of my own. His name is Vader ( blame Trevor for that) and he is about nine years old by now. Vader is by no means the spunky, rambunctious kitten he once was but he's certainly got a lot of pep left.
We raised him to be an indoor cat and have never purposely allowed him outside. Nevertheless Vader loves the outdoors and tries to get out whenever he's sneaky enough to evade us.
What's so great about outside? Grass is the apparently the best tasting stuff ever and he'll quickly chew down as much as he can whenever he escapes. And rolling in the dirt...well...never a more luxurious feeling!
This evening Trevor was BBQ'ing and Vader cunningly got out. The weather is lovely so I couldn't blame him. Catching him is next to impossible so we left him. He always returns. Vader was outside about half an hour when he comes trotting back into the yard and to the back steps with his kill.
A mouse?
No.
A bird?
No.
A gopher?
No.
.
.
.
A rabbit!
Yes, you read right. A rabbit.
The crazy cat killed a rabbit that was bigger than he is! Why take out his hunter instinct on a poor little rabbit? I don't know.
I don't want to know.
I do not like cats anymore. Especially mine!

Green Bananas

There was this great old guy that was in our church choir this past year. His name is Bill and he's 85 years old. Despite his age Bill is remarkably spry and has an extremely good tenor voice. His only handicap is that he suffers from hearing loss and subsequently wears hearing aides. You might justifiably ask how this works with singing? Music - singing - tuning - all requires listening which requires hearing....I can see how that question would arise. Fortunately his hearing loss does not seem to be bad enough to cause Bill major problems.
One challenge that I have regularly observed is Bill fumbling through his music not knowing where we are in a song or even which song we are on. This is, in part. because our choir director is very soft spoken and hard to hear even for those of us with good ears. Bill will often belt out a solo note that is not meant to be a solo note because he is not in the same place as the rest of us. Bill is good natured about it and laughs. A choir neighbour is often trying to ensure that he knows what's going on but occasionally fails and then we are blessed with Bill's solo notes. Hey, if an 85 year old is capable enough to be in a choir, what are a few mistakes?
Last night as we were leaving church we encountered Bill and he asked if we planned to join choir again the fall. We said that we were and asked if he was.
Bill chuckled and said,
"At my age, I don't even buy green bananas!"

I Love To Go A Wandering....

We finally had a gorgeous summer-like day here. Warm weather has been so sporadic this spring and it's starting to irritate a lot of people. Myself included. I enjoyed a lovely, luxurious sleep-in followed by a delightful morning playing with a cheery Sierra. Trevor went to work for half a day so it was just the two of us, like old times.
This afternoon we frantically cleaned up the house and yard as we had a 4 o'clock showing. The number of views is starting to pick up which is encouraging, we had three the last four days.
In effort to increase the street appeal of our house I plopped Sierra on a blanket on the front lawn. She looked so adorable that I had to snap some pictures and share them with you! While Sierra played I planted a few lively Marigolds in the flower beds. I love planting annuals, it's so quick and easy and they always look so pretty!

This evening I went for a walk with Sierra. I love walks. I love the feel of the warm breeze, I love smelling the fresh air, and I love seeing others enjoy the balmy weather. Walking provides me with exercise, time to contemplate, and they entertain Sierra.
Although I've always enjoyed walks they became my sanity saving activity last summer. I was adjusting to life with Sierra and anyone who knows her will tell you that she is always in need of stimulation. She is rarely content to just sit and amuse herself. She keeps us very busy when she' s awake. Last summer I reached a point where I didn't know what to do with her. Being a new mom and alone all day I would get very frustrated. Sierra would be fussy and nothing would placate her. Then I began to go for long walks with her to pass the time. Sierra generally calmed right down and almost always fell asleep. My anxieties would ebb away with each step and I'd become rejuvenated enough to happily get through the remainder of the day.

On my walk this evening I was enjoying my solitude and wondering what my life would be like if I was single. I really can't imagine that.
My house would likely remain quite clean and tidy the majority of the time. I would be living in a condo or much smaller house. I would likely know how to do a lot more 'typically male' things like changing the oil on my car. I probably wouldn't have traveled nearly as much..or maybe more. I certainly wouldn't know over half of my friends. Would I be lonely? Would I have more hobbies? Where would I be living?

Not that any of that even remotely matters. I was just thinking. Then I went on to think how much I enjoy my life as it is. I truly, deeply and genuinely love my husband and daughter. My families on both sides are made up of great people who I also love. I am part of an awesome church. I have some wonderful friends. I don't hate my job - I actually quite like it! I have a nice house and am journeying to building another. I have had and still have great opportunities to do many fun things.And right now, I am sipping a delicious glass of chilled white wine on warm summery evening!Life is grand!
(Grrrr! I still can't format like I want!)

Crazy Men, Behemoth Dogs, and Suicide Slides!

Some good friends of our just moved to a very small town in the country. There are maybe 25 houses in this town and it is a cute little farming community. While driving the 60kms to visit them yesterday Trevor says,

"They really do live in the sticks, except there aren't any sticks!"

This was our first time out there, out of many I'm sure, and here are some interesting initial observations.

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Across the road from these friends is a man who is definitely not "all there upstairs", if you know what I mean. The other day, for example, he hauled out and started up his lawn mower. Okay, "boring" you say, people with yards mow their lawn all the time so what's the big deal. Here it is, this man then proceeded to mow two strips of his lawn, cross the gravel street with the mower still running, mow two strips of another lawn, and then do the same to one more neighbour's lawn. Then he turned off the mower and put it away. He was done.

.

You know you're in a small village when they have what appears to be a community trampoline and a 12 foot high slide that some adults wouldn't dare go down. Can we say "law suit waiting to happen" if this was in the city?

.

At one point we were staring out their patio doors observing the yard when our friend exclaims,

"Look at that kid driving the truck!"

Sure enough, a boy, no more than 8 years old, was driving an old truck that had to be a stick shift. He wasn't just releasing the gas and allowing it to idle forward a little while sitting in a parent's lap or anything. He was alone and backing it up to a wood cutter. I can't back up as well as he did and I've been driving for 15 years!

He attempted to start the wood cutter, but was unsuccessful (doesn't everyone allow their 8 year-olds operate wood cutters?). It apeared that his job was to cut some wood and load up the truck. So he got back in the truck, shifted into gear, and very capably drove around and into the farm yard a little ways away. He soon returned and we could just imagine his father saying,

"You get back out there and get that thing started, just give it a little muscle!"

.

The last unique aspect that I'll tell you about was that with the house came a dog. Not just any dog, but an enormous white sheep dog of sorts. She could easily pass for a small horse, I imagine children had great fun riding her at one time. She apparently grew up at their house and is fed and cared for by some poeple up the street, but she basically resides at her original home under the front porch. She is old and docile and friendly and apparently keeps the coyotes at bay.

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Where else would all this be accepted as non-chalantly as our friends did than in a quaint little in-the-middle-of-nowhere farming community?

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It looks like it'll be fun place for them to live and for us to visit.

The Ants Came Marching One by One....

We have ants. I hate ants. We don't know where they are coming in but they are randomly wandering around our house. I squish twenty a day with my finger. Then the little heros pick up their dead and carry them who knows where! Did I mention that I hate ants?

P.S. You know, there is a comment section at the end of each post. Feel free to reveal yourselves to me and use it. You don't need an account, you don't eve have to leave your name if you don't want to. It would be nice to know who some of my readers are. Thanks! Talk to you next week....I'm off to LA!

BPA

Just an update:

Awhile back, I wrote about Bispenol-A, a compound found in most plastic products that is being questioned as to it's potential harm to humans, especially babies. I felt a little dumb and paranoid as I went out and bought glass bottles but I figured that it couldn't hurt.

Last week, the news reported that there is still concern regarding BPA and many major stores are starting to pull any products containing it. Health Canada is considering officially labelling it 'toxic'.

Is this Health Canada simply responding to the media sensationalizing something or is there more to it?

Ails

On Sunday the computer died.

The previous Thursday Trevor had tried to download a T.V. show. Despite his caution and all our virus programs something snuck in. Pop-ups became a nuisance and when we were on line the window would close for no reason. So we upgraded our virus program and ran a scan. The first time it froze at the 'delete' part, the second time it masqueraded having been a success but then when the computer was turned off....it refused to come up when we turned it back on!

Fortunately Trevor knows a guy who can fix such problems and was able to save our stuff and restore the computer. Yayyy!

I've had so much time these last four days, it's almost sad.

.

My darling Sierra has also been sick. The lesser appetite began late last week and the diarrhea on Sunday. Poor kid! I haven't had this many pooey messes since she was 2 months old! It's especially unpleasant to clean up while running errands! The little trooper has remained in generally good spirits (some crankiness for sure, but that's allowed) and she still wants to walk laps around our house a few times a day. The Health Link Nurse figures she caught a virus and we just have to let it run it's course, up to a week. I think she's close to the end; she ate more enthusiastically yesterday.

I'm such a mom, it has agonized me all week to have her ill.

Momma Tag

You've been tagged! If you read this blog, you are a mom, AND you have a blog of your own, this is a Momma Tag. Fill out these questions on your own blog - it's fun. Happy Blogging!

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Typical time of wake-up: 8:30am but I don't pick Sierra up until around 9.

How long you have been a momma: 9 months

How old were you when you became a mom: 29 years old

Favorite Kids show: Not into that yet

Least Favorite Kids show: Not into that yet

Favorite chore: Laundry

Least favorite chore: Hand washing floors

Meal you cook most often: toast and eggs - it's a quick, easy, nutritious standby but not necessarily our favourite.

5 things that make you smile when you are being a mom:

1. The big smile I get first thing in the morning

2. Sierra's babble - mamamama is especially heart warming

3. Sierra's giggles when I tickle her or play peek-a-boo

4.Sierra's total enthrallment with new thing.

5. Her joy at seeing Granny and Grandpa

Favorite thing your husband does with your kids: cuddle with her in the evening before she goes to bed

Last time you went out with no kids: This past Saturday, our church choir (which we are in) sang in a fundraising concert for Compassion Canada and there was no child care so....

Favorite pastime/activity with kids: Going for long walks

1 thing you said you would never do when you were a mom: I don't think I ever said anything knowing that I'd probably end doing exactly that.

If you had an afternoon to yourself what would you do?: Take a long bath with a sappy novel and pamper myself.

1 thing you do that your mom did & now you do: I don't know

Favorite quality of your own mom: Her ability to listen and give amazing advice.

Favorite kids book: Too many, Whinnie the Pooh is good though.

Best advice for a new mom: Everyone will have their opinion on everything, take it for what's it's worth and then use what works for you.

Scariest or most heartbreaking moment as a mom: When Sierra cried mournfully off and on all day at about 8 months old. I didn't figure out what was wrong until the evening - the way her socks and shoes were on were cutting the circulation off her feet.

Most joyful moment as a mom: The first time Sierra got truely excited at seeing me.

Last time your child told you they love you: Ummm, Sierra lacks words at this point.

Last time you said I love you to your kid(s): Yesterday.

Older vs Newer

When Trevor and I were equipping ourselves for having Sierra we bought a lot of stuff used due to lack of money. We saved HUGE and we were very proud of ourselves. One of the items we purchased was a Graco-brand travel system (stroller and car seat that also fits in the stroller). We were told it was four years old when we bought it and it looked in great condition. I was admittedly a little jealous of people who were able to get a brand new system but overall I really like this one, pictured on the left. It works fabulously. Sierra has outgrown the car seat but the stroller is still frequently used. We have since found out that car seats are only valid for seven years and it turns out that the manufacturer date on this one is May 2002. This means it expires next year already. Hmmmm. Keep the stroller and buy a new infant seat for baby number two when the time comes? Sell the system while it's still usable, buy a new stroller now and car seat later?

Here's what we did. We bought another Graco travel system (see picture on right). It was used for four months and is dated January 2007. Graco is known to be a top brand in baby strollers and car seats both in quality and price. Again, we saved a fair chunk of dough compared to the same set new. I was very excited. This stroller folds up more compactly and Sierra sits in it more comfortably. It steers easily and rides smoothly but....(here it comes...) it creaks (plastic on metal, make sense right?) and already has a squeak in the wheels! What the...? My other one does not do that and it has been through snow and water and I have taken this one out twice on dry sidewalks. Now I'm getting myself worked up. Breath. Grease the wheels and try it a few more times. It's a good brand, not cheap, and works well otherwise. It was a smart purchase. Right?

Conquering Sleepiness

What would the world do without caffeine? Probably sleep more, or else function horribly (if function at all). After a number of successive late nights and earlier mornings I was feeling about 60 years old after getting up today. I just couldn't get myself into a working state of consciousness. I managed to play with Sierra, out of necessity, which seemed to take enormous amounts of effort. I clock watched the entire time in anticipation of her nap. Of course the nap came an hour later than usual! I am not in the habit of kickstarting my day with caffeine. I don't really know why, I guess I don't wish to become dependant on it. I also have a sensativity to too much caffeine. Finally at noon I could take it no longer. I made coffee. Mmmmm.

As I savoured the first few sips of my rich brew I could feel it's magic take effect. It's warmth eased down to my stomach, through my legs and arms and finally my brain. With that warmth came the much needed alertness and motivation. Wow, what a difference, now I feel human. How pathetic - or is it?

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What would the world do without caffeine?