1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Got married!
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't make New Year's resolutions.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
No.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No.
5. What countries did you visit?
Italy, UK.
6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Ummm...2007 was pretty good. Maybe no uncertainty over where we're going to live...that might be nice!
7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
October 20, 2007...wedding day.
EDIT MARCH 2008: December 30, 2007...found out we're having a baby!
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting my back healthy and going back to work full time (getting married isn't an achievement is it?)
9. What was your biggest failure?
Not telling the people around me how important they are to me as often as I should.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
I injured my back (and some of my self confidence) in 2006 and recovery rolled into 2007, but I didn't suffer...I had too many kind people to help me and I learned a lot from it.
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Alex's wedding band
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Alex's, my parents', my sisters', my friends' who all were there for me in every possible way after I fell.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Rent, honeymoon and wedding.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Umm...our wedding.
16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Ummm...dunno...
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer?
Happier, umm..I'm hoping thinner, richer.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Swimming, all those physio exercises.
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Procrastinating
20. How did you spend Christmas?
I spent the morning with Alex and the rest of the day with his family.
21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
Um, maybe.
22. What was your favorite TV program?
Bones.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.
24. What was the best book you read?
Probably Suite Française, but I read a lot
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Ummm....
26. What did you want and get?
Canon G7
27. What did you want and not get?
Nothing
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Little Miss Sunshine? I didn't see a lot of movies this year
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Umm...I don't remember my birthday specifically because it lasted about a week. Spent time with my family, Alex's family, my friends. Probably ate a bunch and drank a bit. Bedazzled some stuff. 30, not 12 as the Bedazzler suggests.
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Nothing. It was a pretty good year.
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Umm...evolving? It started with the super comfies because of the back, then evolved to whatever was on sale as my body changed as I healed.
32. What kept you sane?
Alex, my family, my friends.
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
No one.
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Umm...
35. Who did you miss?
My family and friends who were far away at the wedding and at Christmas.
36. Who was the best new person you met?
Isabella
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Even when it seems like it's not, life is pretty good. We're pretty lucky with what we have.
38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Yeah, I don't have one...
Happy New Year everyone! May your 2008 be a year of laughter, love, friends and family!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Finally...it's been christened
Alex and I just got back from not-the-blue-house. We started our afternoon checking out new couches along Granville Street and then stopped at not-the-blue-house to plot our move. Before we left the blue house this afternoon, we had measured our furniture to see what we would have to get rid of as not-the-blue-house is quite a bit smaller than the blue house.
Oh, and before I continue, not-the-blue-house has been christened. After a number of hours within it's empty room, painted somewhat pinkish-peach, not-the-blue-house will be henceforth known as The Pink Palace. Hopefully once we get our furniture in and our walls decorated, the overwhelming sense of pink won't be so, well, overwhelming.
Upon arrival we noticed that our landlord has yet to hang our new blinds or fix any of the stuff he was supposed to fix before we moved in and we've been paying rent for two weeks. Whatever, we ignored that and set to work with our masking tape. No, that's not where furniture died, that's where furniture is going and we figured this was the easiest way to try our stuff without necessarily moving things in that we don't want to bring with us.
This is our bedroom...which, after much deliberation, will house the queen-sized bed and our double bed will be banished (quite possibly temporarily until the Aerobed arrives) to the guest room.
Happy Shannon would like to point our that while it's not the biggest room in the world, it will accommodate, not one, not two, not three, but FOUR bookcases...something very exciting seeing as we were I was concerned about housing our books since the blue house is full of built-in shelving.
Alex shows that the living room is an okay size (we do need at least one more pair of eyes to help us decide what size new couch to buy).
This is the other end of the living room/dining room where we will have our dining room table...good thing we ended up with only one set in the end!
And finally, our guest room. We will still have a guest room and will still welcome you to theblue house pink palace, it might just be a bit cozier.
So that's the pink palace without furniture. If you're in the neighbourhood in the next few days and would like to offer your opinion on couch size and placement, please do let us know.
That's all.
Oh, and before I continue, not-the-blue-house has been christened. After a number of hours within it's empty room, painted somewhat pinkish-peach, not-the-blue-house will be henceforth known as The Pink Palace. Hopefully once we get our furniture in and our walls decorated, the overwhelming sense of pink won't be so, well, overwhelming.
Upon arrival we noticed that our landlord has yet to hang our new blinds or fix any of the stuff he was supposed to fix before we moved in and we've been paying rent for two weeks. Whatever, we ignored that and set to work with our masking tape. No, that's not where furniture died, that's where furniture is going and we figured this was the easiest way to try our stuff without necessarily moving things in that we don't want to bring with us.
This is our bedroom...which, after much deliberation, will house the queen-sized bed and our double bed will be banished (quite possibly temporarily until the Aerobed arrives) to the guest room. 
Happy Shannon would like to point our that while it's not the biggest room in the world, it will accommodate, not one, not two, not three, but FOUR bookcases...something very exciting seeing as 
Alex shows that the living room is an okay size (we do need at least one more pair of eyes to help us decide what size new couch to buy).
This is the other end of the living room/dining room where we will have our dining room table...good thing we ended up with only one set in the end!
And finally, our guest room. We will still have a guest room and will still welcome you to the
So that's the pink palace without furniture. If you're in the neighbourhood in the next few days and would like to offer your opinion on couch size and placement, please do let us know.
That's all.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Airport hang out
I got up this morning and started checking the departures from YLW and the YVR arrivals for Kelsey's flight. Even still I managed to get there a good hour before she landed.
I was treated to the super-spoiled family trying to figure out how they'd all fit into two $800/night room at Whistler...because the 12 and 14 year old boys couldn't share a bed and one couldn't take the extra bed in the adjoining room where grandma and the 10 year old girl were sleeping because the boys needed to be together so they could ski together. And even the promise of their platinum credit card was unable to secure them a better room. And the kids got crankier and crankier as the twenty minutes I sat next to them wore on because they all had to share one sandwich because there was to be NO EATING until they got to Whistler. I got to listen to this because the dad took a cab into downtown to pick up their rental car and had to drive back to the airport to get them and then go to Whistler. Huh? Why not all go into town and then go directly to Whistler. Might save a couple of hours.
Anyway, Kelsey arrived and we spent a good four hours at Milestones playing Scrabble. Then, when we had been ignored long enough by our waitress, we moved on to one of the local-seattle-based- soccer-mom-mega-coffee-shop kiosks and set up shop there on one of their couches.
We got a lot of strange looks, not because we were playing Scrabble or because we had a bunch of luggage, or because we sat in the restaurant for hours - it's an airport - people do out of the ordinary things in airports. No we got strange looks because of Kelsey's bike. That's her bike in the mega box there...only one person made a comment about it, the rest just stared, with their mouths wide open, because apparently they'd never seen a box in an airport before...the biggest gapers were the people who formed a huge line up to get on a west bound flight and probably half of them didn't even have suitcases, they had boxes, but Kelsey's box, well, it was definitely a big attraction.
Bye Kelsey...we'll miss you. Have a great time in Australia!
I was treated to the super-spoiled family trying to figure out how they'd all fit into two $800/night room at Whistler...because the 12 and 14 year old boys couldn't share a bed and one couldn't take the extra bed in the adjoining room where grandma and the 10 year old girl were sleeping because the boys needed to be together so they could ski together. And even the promise of their platinum credit card was unable to secure them a better room. And the kids got crankier and crankier as the twenty minutes I sat next to them wore on because they all had to share one sandwich because there was to be NO EATING until they got to Whistler. I got to listen to this because the dad took a cab into downtown to pick up their rental car and had to drive back to the airport to get them and then go to Whistler. Huh? Why not all go into town and then go directly to Whistler. Might save a couple of hours.
Anyway, Kelsey arrived and we spent a good four hours at Milestones playing Scrabble. Then, when we had been ignored long enough by our waitress, we moved on to one of the local-seattle-based- soccer-mom-mega-coffee-shop kiosks and set up shop there on one of their couches.
We got a lot of strange looks, not because we were playing Scrabble or because we had a bunch of luggage, or because we sat in the restaurant for hours - it's an airport - people do out of the ordinary things in airports. No we got strange looks because of Kelsey's bike. That's her bike in the mega box there...only one person made a comment about it, the rest just stared, with their mouths wide open, because apparently they'd never seen a box in an airport before...the biggest gapers were the people who formed a huge line up to get on a west bound flight and probably half of them didn't even have suitcases, they had boxes, but Kelsey's box, well, it was definitely a big attraction.
Bye Kelsey...we'll miss you. Have a great time in Australia!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Wedding Pictures
Okay, finally, after weeks of promising, I have posted our wedding pictures. Please send me an email if you want the link.
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Christmas Day Postscript
It's snowing...that means it's officially a WHITE CHRISTMAS! It's pretty with big hunks of snowflake, but driving home tonight could take a long time.
The most wonderful time of the year
It is a pretty amazing time of year...Alex is working today, so I have a few minutes to relax and reflect before his dad comes to get me for Christmas festivities and dinner with Alex's family. I feel a bit guilty that I'll be having a nice family Christmas with Alex's family while Alex talks about traffic...umm...who listens to traffic on Christmas day? (If you do, please let us know!)
We had a quiet morning with some new traditions, some brought from our families...it's nice that we share some things, like when we were kids we almost always got new pjs for Christmas.
My family called from k-town and while I will miss being there with all the Stewart gang, I'm not as sad as I thought I would be. This is the third Christmas I've been away from my family and only the fifth that I haven't spent in k-town, but I'm okay with it. As Mama told me yesterday, this will just be the first (or third) of many! And as Misko reminded me, they missed 18 Christmases in a row, so one isn't so bad.
As I head off to get ready for some good family time, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are spending this special day with the important people in your lives. Have fun, laugh lots, be safe, love and be loved...today and always.
Oh yeah, and in case you were wondering (Heddy...) I couldn't sleep last night because I was excited, so obviously the issues I had feeling Christmassy earlier are long gone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
We had a quiet morning with some new traditions, some brought from our families...it's nice that we share some things, like when we were kids we almost always got new pjs for Christmas.
My family called from k-town and while I will miss being there with all the Stewart gang, I'm not as sad as I thought I would be. This is the third Christmas I've been away from my family and only the fifth that I haven't spent in k-town, but I'm okay with it. As Mama told me yesterday, this will just be the first (or third) of many! And as Misko reminded me, they missed 18 Christmases in a row, so one isn't so bad.
As I head off to get ready for some good family time, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are spending this special day with the important people in your lives. Have fun, laugh lots, be safe, love and be loved...today and always.
Oh yeah, and in case you were wondering (Heddy...) I couldn't sleep last night because I was excited, so obviously the issues I had feeling Christmassy earlier are long gone!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Christmas Resolutions
I know it's traditional to make resolutions for New Years. I don't usually. I have a few resolutions to make before Christmas that I will hopefully adhere to next Christmas
- I will not leave all my shopping until the week before Christmas
- I will do some Christmas baking
- I will not forget an entire box of ornaments in the basement (or storage or closet or whatever other storage arrangement next year brings)
- I will not leave my Christmas cards until the weekend before Christmas
- I will use an assortment of different colours in my wrapping/bagging in future years. All red gets kind of boring
- I will not look for a new place to live in the six weeks preceding Christmas
- I will not move in the four weeks following Christmas (okay, so maybe those two are somewhat out of my control sometimes, but should I ever get amnesia and forget what it was like this year, this will serve as a memory jog I hope)
- I will enjoy every moment I get to spend with friends and family
That's the list today...we'll see what happens tomorrow!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Happy Winter Solstice
The shortest, darkest day of the year is here. I look forward to this day every year because it means the days will finally start getting longer. Which means more light. Which means more happy people (or more people who are happier, your choice). Which means no more going to work AND coming home in the dark. Which means happy Shanny. Which is good.
That's all.
That's all.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Trying to do my part
So, it's been chaotic (that could be an understatement) in my life in the last two weeks. Between our impending move, Christmas approaching at three times the speed of light, the cold hasn't managed to take a permanent hold - yet, and work, well, there's barely been time to stop and think.
Just think. Things like, hmm, I wonder what I should eat for breakfast. Or I wonder what I should wear. You know, the everyday stuff.
This morning was particularly rushed and slow at the same time. When I finally got myself showered and clothed in grey pants and a black sweater, someone had stolen a good half hour of my time and so I decided to skip the raisin bran and home-brewed coffee and grab a hot beverage and a (stupidly high in calories) pastry from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop, something I don't do very often, but apparently I've done twice in the last eight days now.
In I walk, order my 4,000,000,000 calorie breakfast substitute, hand over my travel coffee mug and pay. I move down to the end of the counter where they smack the beverages down when they're ready and my jaw drops. As the nice lady behind the counter makes my drink in a PAPER CUP and then POURS it into my travel mug and then THROWS IT AWAY.
HUH?!?!?!?
Besides the convenience of using a mug that is somewhat insulated with a lid that closes securely, I like to pretend I'm doing something small for our world by not filling the landfill with yet another disposable coffee cup from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop (or any other coffee shop for that matter). I use my mug almost every day, usually filled with the aforementioned home-brew. I have a second mug for when I bring tea with me, because coffee flavoured tea, well, it's just gross.
And just to make the stupidity of the making it in one cup and dumping it in another even more stupid...my travel coffee mug is from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop and is the size of the drink that I ordered - I didn't order something smaller for my big cup...I just don't get it...
And just because the day started off so well...those grey pants I put on, remember them from way up there?! Yeah, well, don't get dressed in the dark or while half asleep. I got to work to discover they were green.
Good thing green and black go together.
Too bad I look like a bruise.
Still shaking my head...That's all.
Just think. Things like, hmm, I wonder what I should eat for breakfast. Or I wonder what I should wear. You know, the everyday stuff.
This morning was particularly rushed and slow at the same time. When I finally got myself showered and clothed in grey pants and a black sweater, someone had stolen a good half hour of my time and so I decided to skip the raisin bran and home-brewed coffee and grab a hot beverage and a (stupidly high in calories) pastry from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop, something I don't do very often, but apparently I've done twice in the last eight days now.
In I walk, order my 4,000,000,000 calorie breakfast substitute, hand over my travel coffee mug and pay. I move down to the end of the counter where they smack the beverages down when they're ready and my jaw drops. As the nice lady behind the counter makes my drink in a PAPER CUP and then POURS it into my travel mug and then THROWS IT AWAY.
HUH?!?!?!?
Besides the convenience of using a mug that is somewhat insulated with a lid that closes securely, I like to pretend I'm doing something small for our world by not filling the landfill with yet another disposable coffee cup from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop (or any other coffee shop for that matter). I use my mug almost every day, usually filled with the aforementioned home-brew. I have a second mug for when I bring tea with me, because coffee flavoured tea, well, it's just gross.
And just to make the stupidity of the making it in one cup and dumping it in another even more stupid...my travel coffee mug is from the local Seattle-based, soccer-mom, mega-coffee shop and is the size of the drink that I ordered - I didn't order something smaller for my big cup...I just don't get it...
And just because the day started off so well...those grey pants I put on, remember them from way up there?! Yeah, well, don't get dressed in the dark or while half asleep. I got to work to discover they were green.
Good thing green and black go together.
Too bad I look like a bruise.
Still shaking my head...That's all.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
hibernation
I know why bears do it.
So they don't have to buy Christmas presents.
I would love to make my little cocoon of blankets and snuggle down for a few weeks. I can't believe tired I am lately and I really could probably sleep for a few weeks. Thank goodness the shortest day of the year will be here soon, because this going to work AND coming home in the dark is a big sad.
Really.
So I might impose a little human hibernation on myself tonight...maybe some hot chocolate, maybe a comforting movie (like, say, maybe, it's a possibility, Love Actually), maybe a little gift wrapping and card writing. Maybe.
Fellow hibernators are welcome...just because I want to hibernate does not mean I don't want to hang out and see people.
So they don't have to buy Christmas presents.
I would love to make my little cocoon of blankets and snuggle down for a few weeks. I can't believe tired I am lately and I really could probably sleep for a few weeks. Thank goodness the shortest day of the year will be here soon, because this going to work AND coming home in the dark is a big sad.
Really.
So I might impose a little human hibernation on myself tonight...maybe some hot chocolate, maybe a comforting movie (like, say, maybe, it's a possibility, Love Actually), maybe a little gift wrapping and card writing. Maybe.
Fellow hibernators are welcome...just because I want to hibernate does not mean I don't want to hang out and see people.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Oh the insanity...
I think I must be crazy...Because I resolved some time earlier this year that I should leave EVERYTHING to the last minute, I hadn't really started my Christmas shopping. Tonight Alex and I braved the crowds and went hunting for gifts. I'm amazed, I'm almost done...one trip to the dreaded mall should finish it all off.
Except for Alex. I have no idea what to get him...it's been hard to get into Christmas this year...it almost feels like it already happened...and I truly have no idea what to get Alex...hints and suggestions are appreciated or he might just end up with a large box of socks, underwear, dress shirts, and ties. 'Cause that's what all guys want, right? Even though he only wears a suit (and a tie) maybe three times a year.
Oh, the season.
Except for Alex. I have no idea what to get him...it's been hard to get into Christmas this year...it almost feels like it already happened...and I truly have no idea what to get Alex...hints and suggestions are appreciated or he might just end up with a large box of socks, underwear, dress shirts, and ties. 'Cause that's what all guys want, right? Even though he only wears a suit (and a tie) maybe three times a year.
Oh, the season.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The annual dilemma
What to get the people on our list?!?!
Except that instead of thinking about that...well...I'm doing everything but. Unfortunately the procrastinator in me doesn't think that writing thank you cards counts as procrastination on this one, but jeepers...I've found all kinds of other things to do. Like blogging and cleaning (the baseboards are sparkling). You know, that kind of really fun stuff. The crowds just kind of scare me...so I'll just keep procrastinating...except I can't for much longer because the Kelowna gifts need to get to Kelowna BEFORE Christmas...sigh....
Except that instead of thinking about that...well...I'm doing everything but. Unfortunately the procrastinator in me doesn't think that writing thank you cards counts as procrastination on this one, but jeepers...I've found all kinds of other things to do. Like blogging and cleaning (the baseboards are sparkling). You know, that kind of really fun stuff. The crowds just kind of scare me...so I'll just keep procrastinating...except I can't for much longer because the Kelowna gifts need to get to Kelowna BEFORE Christmas...sigh....
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I LOVE LONDON
Jennifer, who used to sit on a Girl Guide committee with me, recently accepted a new job and moved to London. I figure she's pretty darn lucky to be living in London and I'm just an itsy-bitsy-teensy-tinsy bit envious. But all is good. She has a blog and she posts lovely London eye candy. And I visit and drool over the pictures...just so I don't forget that I LOVE LONDON.
Oh, you already knew that? Right. Oh well...
Oh, you already knew that? Right. Oh well...
blog crawling
Upheaval makes me work harder for some reason. I have yet to figure that one out. The only problem is, once I've spent the whole day in high gear, I kick into super low the second I step in the front door. Today I'm trying to pace myself a little better and seeing as I like lists, I have created four lists - two for home, two for work. Each place gets a list for things that must be done before 4:30/10:30 today and a second list of things that it would be nice to get done. It's working. Kind of. The would be nice to get done list wants to get out there in front of the must get done list. It's got some of the more fun stuff on it...or at least it feels that way.
I've found that I'm bad at working straight through for hours on end and that my back hates that too. Every twenty minutes or so, I take a break and wander somewhere: to the photocopier, to the water cooler, upstairs and back down again. Every hour, I give myself a five minute break. Lately that break has consisted of a game of Scrabulous Blitz or a bunch of clicks on the next blog button. Both a great way to waste time, but also a great way to get my focus back.
In my next blog clicking I've noticed a few things (ooh, see, a list!)
I've found that I'm bad at working straight through for hours on end and that my back hates that too. Every twenty minutes or so, I take a break and wander somewhere: to the photocopier, to the water cooler, upstairs and back down again. Every hour, I give myself a five minute break. Lately that break has consisted of a game of Scrabulous Blitz or a bunch of clicks on the next blog button. Both a great way to waste time, but also a great way to get my focus back.
In my next blog clicking I've noticed a few things (ooh, see, a list!)
- there are a lot of crappy advertising blogs out there
- there are a lot of people who start a blog, post a test post, and then never post again
- there are a lot of blogs that I'm just not interested in
- there are a lot of poorly written blogs
- there are a lot of well written blogs
- there are a lot of blogs covered in inappropriate images for a work setting
- people love their kids, dogs, cats, parents, plants and other things and like to share those things with you
- That my blog falls into the following categories: 3, 4, 5, 7...Okay, so for the most part *I* am interested in my blog, but *you* might not be. Some of my posts suck, some are pretty good, most fit into the okay category. I don't have pets or kids, but I do talk about myself a lot (which reminds me, someday ask me about the self-absorbed blogger discussion).
I've also read a lot of things lately that make me realize how lucky I am to have the life that I have. The little things that have been driving me nuts for the last few weeks are nothing compared to what some people are going through in their lives. I've found a few blogs that I check on pretty much daily, some through the next blog button and some through the blog rolls on blogs I find via the next blog button. They haven't made it to my list of daily reads yet, but they might. Or might not.
So yeah, my world feels upside down, but compared to what some people are dealing with on a daily basis, I live in a happy place.
And with this crazy, busy, chaotic time of year on us, I am going to keep reminding myself of that.
Happy Wednesday everyone.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
STOP! Make a u-turn
Do not pass GO. Do not collect $200. Just turn around and go.
Why is it that just when it looks like everything is going according to plan, the path veers off in a direction you DO NOT WANT TO GO?!?!?! I guess that's part of the excitement of life. It might get boring if I did exactly the same thing every day. Right now though, I could do with the boring. I just need to keep reminding myself that last week I was feeling bored even though I had lots to do and this week while the lots to do is still boring, I'm powering through it because "down time" will be a thing of the past shortly.
Oh life...gotta keep it interesting!
And on the upside of the things we get the keys to not-the-blue-house this week.
Why is it that just when it looks like everything is going according to plan, the path veers off in a direction you DO NOT WANT TO GO?!?!?! I guess that's part of the excitement of life. It might get boring if I did exactly the same thing every day. Right now though, I could do with the boring. I just need to keep reminding myself that last week I was feeling bored even though I had lots to do and this week while the lots to do is still boring, I'm powering through it because "down time" will be a thing of the past shortly.
Oh life...gotta keep it interesting!
And on the upside of the things we get the keys to not-the-blue-house this week.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
Kelsey's coming home
In just a few hours Alex and I are off to the airport to pick Kelsey up. And then get her some SALAD.
Kelsey's coming home from Kenya! Yay...so excited...I haven't even talked to my little sister since the day after our wedding...I think it's been seven weeks.
Kelsey's coming home from Kenya! Yay...so excited...I haven't even talked to my little sister since the day after our wedding...I think it's been seven weeks.
Friday, December 07, 2007
looks like it's ours
I think we have our new place. We pretty much just have to sign the agreement and we can move in shortly...but we won't...we'll wait until January.
We'll wait to have one last (and really a first) Christmas in the blue house. We'll wait until we made a few trips to the Salvation Army with some good stuff that we just don't need or want anymore. We'll wait until the ghosts have calmed down a bit. Strange things have been happening lately...like the shredder turning itself on, things falling over for no reason and not leaky taps dripping. I think the ghosts know something is up...smart ghosts.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of the new place.
It's a bit smaller than what we're used to, but it will do...I will post some more pictures on we take some. Like maybe when there's stuff in the apartment!
not-the-blue-house
bedroom looking out towards the other bedroom and the living room in not-the-blue-house
kitchen in not-the-blue-house
We'll wait to have one last (and really a first) Christmas in the blue house. We'll wait until we made a few trips to the Salvation Army with some good stuff that we just don't need or want anymore. We'll wait until the ghosts have calmed down a bit. Strange things have been happening lately...like the shredder turning itself on, things falling over for no reason and not leaky taps dripping. I think the ghosts know something is up...smart ghosts.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of the new place.
It's a bit smaller than what we're used to, but it will do...I will post some more pictures on we take some. Like maybe when there's stuff in the apartment!
not-the-blue-house
bedroom looking out towards the other bedroom and the living room in not-the-blue-house
kitchen in not-the-blue-houseOh, and not-the-blue-house needs a new name. Not-the-blue-house doesn't quite cut it. Not after the hobbit hole and the blue house.
Suggestions? Or maybe the apartment will name itself after we move in.
Beautiful late fall day
It's been beautiful lately and I've been trying to take advantage of it. Last winter I pretty much saw the inside of the house, the block between my house and Safeway/the doctor's office and the inside of Safeway/the doctor's office. I went for a short walk last night, will walk half way to work with Alex tonight and well, have been taking in the campus as I wander to my desk each morning.
still alive
beautiful sunshine
foliage
still alive
beautiful sunshine
foliagePlease blue skies, don't go away too quickly. It's nice to see the sun and sunsets and not just clouds. I even promise I won't complain about the subzero (barely) temperatures, just don't make it too slippery.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
time for a pep talk
I had a very serious discussion with myself last night. I needed a good talking to.
Tonight I will also attempt to finish all of the thank you cards for the wedding. I am sadly behind.
I'd like to press pause on my life please. And then rewind. I need some more time. Lots more time.
I've been mentally packing the house, mentally writing thank you cards and Christmas cards, and mentally Christmas shopping. All the while physically shredding excess paper to bits in preparation for moving or furiously knitting three projects have deadlines. One of them, like a year ago, one next week and one in two weeks. Needless to say, no packing is done, about half of the thank yous are written, none of the Christmas cards are done and don't even get me started on Christmas presents. I haven't baked a single cookie. The tree and ornaments are still hidden away in the scary basement.
I had visions of this December being much more relaxed and organized than last December...partly for obvious reasons and partly because I was going to have ALL of my cards done and in the mail by December 1. And most of of my shopping done.
Oh well.
Tonight I will also attempt to finish all of the thank you cards for the wedding. I am sadly behind.
I'd like to press pause on my life please. And then rewind. I need some more time. Lots more time.
I've been mentally packing the house, mentally writing thank you cards and Christmas cards, and mentally Christmas shopping. All the while physically shredding excess paper to bits in preparation for moving or furiously knitting three projects have deadlines. One of them, like a year ago, one next week and one in two weeks. Needless to say, no packing is done, about half of the thank yous are written, none of the Christmas cards are done and don't even get me started on Christmas presents. I haven't baked a single cookie. The tree and ornaments are still hidden away in the scary basement.
I had visions of this December being much more relaxed and organized than last December...partly for obvious reasons and partly because I was going to have ALL of my cards done and in the mail by December 1. And most of of my shopping done.
Oh well.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
new distraction (ahem...addiction)
So, one of the girls at work told me to add Scrabulous to my crackbook profile...which I did...
I had actually discovered Scrabulous back in the early fall when Alex was working one night, but since I added the application to crackbook, I decided to take a look at the site again.
And now, now I'm addicted.
And even more fun because it's a good way to practice and it's fun is Scrabulous Blitz, which is pretty much solitaire Scrabble.
Anyway, before I rot my brain out with computer Scrabble, anyone want to come over for a real game?
I had actually discovered Scrabulous back in the early fall when Alex was working one night, but since I added the application to crackbook, I decided to take a look at the site again.
And now, now I'm addicted.
And even more fun because it's a good way to practice and it's fun is Scrabulous Blitz, which is pretty much solitaire Scrabble.
Anyway, before I rot my brain out with computer Scrabble, anyone want to come over for a real game?
not completely dreary
As I wandered down the road on my way home last night, something made me turn around and look behind me. And I saw this beautiful and unexpected sunset. Yesterday was a miserable and wet day, although it was warm, which made it more miserable (rain+rain gear+warm weather=gross). So pretty.
Just what I needed after a long day. It made it that much easier to face the long task of sorting, tossing, shredding, saving and packing (and the never ending pile of thank yous and Christmas cards to write)
Just what I needed after a long day. It made it that much easier to face the long task of sorting, tossing, shredding, saving and packing (and the never ending pile of thank yous and Christmas cards to write)
Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Looking back
A year ago today was the most frightening day of my life. It was the day I fell down two steps in our basement, fractured a vertebra, and changed the lives of everyone around me.
The last week I have found that going near those basement stairs is scaring me again and I've been having nightmares about people falling down stairs (I hate that Disney commercial from last Christmas where the dad in the Goofy ears is so excited about a discount ad for Disneyland in the paper that he falls head over heels down the stairs. It makes me cringe and I hope they don't play it again this year!) I'm leery of the slippery sidewalks. I loved the snow on the weekend, but felt very uncomfortable walking on the slick ground. I hope that as more anniversaries pass, the fear will abate and eventually go away.
Now that the agony and discomfort are gone, that I can tie my own shoes, that our house is empty of people "babysitting" me, that the medical equipment has been cleaned and returned, looking back it doesn't seem so bad. I know I'm kidding myself, it wasn't fun for anyone - yeah, I was in pain, but my Mom and Alex had to do literally everything for me for the first few days I was home...and I really do mean everything.
Once I was helped into a standing position I could walk very slowly with the help of a walker, but I needed help doing everything else. I couldn't even eat my dinner without a pile of phone books so that I wouldn't have to lean too far forward or lift the fork too far to my mouth.
But good things came from this. I learned a lot about a lot of things. Alex and I have made some healthy lifestyle changes, including cutting back on all the things we did away from work and making time for our family and friends. My fall just emphasized to me how wonderful Alex and my family are and how great my friends are. We had help from all kinds of people and lots of visitors (very important medicine, visitors are!) We've figured out how to take life a little less seriously...I've slowed down the pace of life and I love it! I know what's important and I've learned to embrace it. And I've had to integrate some healthy exercise habits like daily stretching and walking and regular swimming into my life.
And this year, this year I'm going to enjoy Christmas...last year was probably the most memorable Christmas I had, my Mom and Dad had, Kelsey and Rebecca had, but I don't think you'd find any of us saying it was our FAVOURITE! This year, well, I'm going to enjoy Christmas and my week off!
I couldn't have made it to this point without a bunch of people - Alex, Mom and Dad, Kelsey, Rebecca, Brian and Tiki, K., Ann, Debra, Fiona, Stacey, Heather, Julia, Dr. K, and many, many friends and Guiding ladies...a couple physios, a couple doctors. I am so thankful that today I'm mobile and able to do pretty much everything I could do a year ago.
Thank you everyone who has been there in the last year...I couldn't have made it through the first three months without you and the last nine months had their ups and downs and when I needed a laugh, a talk, a walk, some encouragement, a whine, some wine, a hug, anything at all, well, it was there, waiting...Thank you thank you thank you...
I promise I'll try not to fall down the stairs again - I know Mom, I said that the last time too, but this time I'll really try!
Oh...and this is my plug...you can read it or ignore and it's just a plug...I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your hard earned money! The Red Cross was invaluable to us. They provided us with all of the medical equipment we needed, both in Kelowna and in Vancouver. So if you're planning on donating this holiday season (or ever for that matter) and you're not sure who you'd like to donate to, the Red Cross Equipment Loan Program provides medical equipment at no charge to people who have been injured, had a stroke, had surgery or otherwise need assistance and you never know when you or someone close to you might need their service.
The last week I have found that going near those basement stairs is scaring me again and I've been having nightmares about people falling down stairs (I hate that Disney commercial from last Christmas where the dad in the Goofy ears is so excited about a discount ad for Disneyland in the paper that he falls head over heels down the stairs. It makes me cringe and I hope they don't play it again this year!) I'm leery of the slippery sidewalks. I loved the snow on the weekend, but felt very uncomfortable walking on the slick ground. I hope that as more anniversaries pass, the fear will abate and eventually go away.
Now that the agony and discomfort are gone, that I can tie my own shoes, that our house is empty of people "babysitting" me, that the medical equipment has been cleaned and returned, looking back it doesn't seem so bad. I know I'm kidding myself, it wasn't fun for anyone - yeah, I was in pain, but my Mom and Alex had to do literally everything for me for the first few days I was home...and I really do mean everything.
Once I was helped into a standing position I could walk very slowly with the help of a walker, but I needed help doing everything else. I couldn't even eat my dinner without a pile of phone books so that I wouldn't have to lean too far forward or lift the fork too far to my mouth.
But good things came from this. I learned a lot about a lot of things. Alex and I have made some healthy lifestyle changes, including cutting back on all the things we did away from work and making time for our family and friends. My fall just emphasized to me how wonderful Alex and my family are and how great my friends are. We had help from all kinds of people and lots of visitors (very important medicine, visitors are!) We've figured out how to take life a little less seriously...I've slowed down the pace of life and I love it! I know what's important and I've learned to embrace it. And I've had to integrate some healthy exercise habits like daily stretching and walking and regular swimming into my life.
And this year, this year I'm going to enjoy Christmas...last year was probably the most memorable Christmas I had, my Mom and Dad had, Kelsey and Rebecca had, but I don't think you'd find any of us saying it was our FAVOURITE! This year, well, I'm going to enjoy Christmas and my week off!
I couldn't have made it to this point without a bunch of people - Alex, Mom and Dad, Kelsey, Rebecca, Brian and Tiki, K., Ann, Debra, Fiona, Stacey, Heather, Julia, Dr. K, and many, many friends and Guiding ladies...a couple physios, a couple doctors. I am so thankful that today I'm mobile and able to do pretty much everything I could do a year ago.
Thank you everyone who has been there in the last year...I couldn't have made it through the first three months without you and the last nine months had their ups and downs and when I needed a laugh, a talk, a walk, some encouragement, a whine, some wine, a hug, anything at all, well, it was there, waiting...Thank you thank you thank you...
I promise I'll try not to fall down the stairs again - I know Mom, I said that the last time too, but this time I'll really try!
Oh...and this is my plug...you can read it or ignore and it's just a plug...I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your hard earned money! The Red Cross was invaluable to us. They provided us with all of the medical equipment we needed, both in Kelowna and in Vancouver. So if you're planning on donating this holiday season (or ever for that matter) and you're not sure who you'd like to donate to, the Red Cross Equipment Loan Program provides medical equipment at no charge to people who have been injured, had a stroke, had surgery or otherwise need assistance and you never know when you or someone close to you might need their service.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Feeling upside down
In the past five days our lives have changed radically, been in what seemed like total chaos and then straightened out just fine.
But I still feel like I'm walking through a really foggy dream.
Change as a verb can be defined as: To cause to be different.
Yeah, life certainly will be different. And while, like most people, I like it when things stay the same, change isn't such a bad thing. But I don't like this change. I liked life the way it was. It was just starting to feel like it was my life and also my life that I share Alex. Of course that hasn't changed, but the blue house really felt like home and I was ready to let it be home for a while. Instead, we have to make a new home and it feels like we just did that...
Big, long, pathetic sigh...I just keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason, so there's a reason here, I just haven't found it yet.
In the meantime I plan on enjoying every last moment in the blue house with our ghosts and our Christmas decorations and all our storage!
But I still feel like I'm walking through a really foggy dream.
Change as a verb can be defined as: To cause to be different.
Yeah, life certainly will be different. And while, like most people, I like it when things stay the same, change isn't such a bad thing. But I don't like this change. I liked life the way it was. It was just starting to feel like it was my life and also my life that I share Alex. Of course that hasn't changed, but the blue house really felt like home and I was ready to let it be home for a while. Instead, we have to make a new home and it feels like we just did that...
Big, long, pathetic sigh...I just keep telling myself that everything happens for a reason, so there's a reason here, I just haven't found it yet.
In the meantime I plan on enjoying every last moment in the blue house with our ghosts and our Christmas decorations and all our storage!
Sunday, December 02, 2007
bye bye snow
This morning it was so pretty.
It's gone already. It's been raining for hours and there's still some white stuff out there, but it's mostly gone...or going fast! It's crazy. This morning it was a beautiful winter day...and now it's gross!
UGH!
It's gone already. It's been raining for hours and there's still some white stuff out there, but it's mostly gone...or going fast! It's crazy. This morning it was a beautiful winter day...and now it's gross!
UGH!
bear with us
We're making some technical changes and well, it's not going as smoothly as I had hoped. They were supposed to be small and not make a difference when you looked at the site, but well, it didn't go exactly as planned.
Comments and suggestions are welcome and accepted!
Comments and suggestions are welcome and accepted!
what happens in vancouver when it snows...
Cars spin their bald tires. Cars slide backwards while in drive. Cars come close to clobbering other cars. Buses skid and slide and line up...
Last night we went out with some friends who suggested we grab a bite to eat and then they'd drop us off at home. Well, we got to Vine and decided that they shouldn't try to go down the little hill there and we would get out and walk. Good thing...the street was a mess and people were being idiots trying to get up the hill and around the bus and going down the hill WAY TOO FAST and almost crashing into parked cars. It was definitely a fun day out and an interesting walk home. We're glad we were walking...it wasn't even safe to be on the bus!
Ooops...check this one out...
Amazing it didn't hit anything!
And there's all the buses waiting to go up the hill. I think there were six. You can see three in the picture.
Ahh...walking in a winter wonderland is an adventure in Vancouver!
Last night we went out with some friends who suggested we grab a bite to eat and then they'd drop us off at home. Well, we got to Vine and decided that they shouldn't try to go down the little hill there and we would get out and walk. Good thing...the street was a mess and people were being idiots trying to get up the hill and around the bus and going down the hill WAY TOO FAST and almost crashing into parked cars. It was definitely a fun day out and an interesting walk home. We're glad we were walking...it wasn't even safe to be on the bus!
Ooops...check this one out...
Amazing it didn't hit anything!
And there's all the buses waiting to go up the hill. I think there were six. You can see three in the picture.
Ahh...walking in a winter wonderland is an adventure in Vancouver!
Saturday, December 01, 2007
Coyote?
Last night, late, after all the guests had gone home, I was in the bedroom getting ready for bed. I pulled up the blind to open the window and looked across the street. And there, staring at me was a coyote. It was sitting in front of Alex's car like it was guarding it. I obviously disturbed it because if coyote looks could kill, I'd be dead. And then it got up and trotted down the street, like it was just the most normal thing ever that a coyote would be in the middle of a city street.
Your presence is no longer desired
So, it's official, we've been evicted.
As of February 1, the blue house will no longer be home. We're weighing our options right now and we do have a few cards left to play, but we've started looking for somewhere new to live. Which is a lot of fun with Vancouver's very low vacancy rates and very high rents.
We've been spoiled for two years and now, well, I guess the pack rat in me is going to just have to let go of some of her stuff and stop buying wool just so there is a pretty stash in the living room. It sure is a good thing the Salvation Army is only a block from our house. We already have at least four bags of stuff, one desk unit thing and a tv to take over. Should you wish to be the proud owner of the desk unit thing, the tv or some t-shirts from high school (I am not kidding!), let us know.
Anyway, when we have somewhere new to live, we'll let you know...until then...well, we'll be house hunting!
As of February 1, the blue house will no longer be home. We're weighing our options right now and we do have a few cards left to play, but we've started looking for somewhere new to live. Which is a lot of fun with Vancouver's very low vacancy rates and very high rents.
We've been spoiled for two years and now, well, I guess the pack rat in me is going to just have to let go of some of her stuff and stop buying wool just so there is a pretty stash in the living room. It sure is a good thing the Salvation Army is only a block from our house. We already have at least four bags of stuff, one desk unit thing and a tv to take over. Should you wish to be the proud owner of the desk unit thing, the tv or some t-shirts from high school (I am not kidding!), let us know.
Anyway, when we have somewhere new to live, we'll let you know...until then...well, we'll be house hunting!
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