Thursday, January 31, 2008

A little bit about me - Curtesy of my auntie

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE
Yes, A friend of my Nana's that was at a party where my mom was and my mom thought she was the coolest older person ever.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
When my husband passed his electrician's license Freedom from the crabby man!

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
yes

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
all beef Summer sausage

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
Yes

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely I am awesome, I have trouble listen sometimes but if you whack me on the head I'm good.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A Lot?
Ummm.. have you been reading my blog??

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS
Yes

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
ummm let me think..... NO

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Fruit loops (that explains alot)

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
NOPE

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Emotionally yes physically yes (although I have fragile moments )

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Mint chocolate chip

14 What. .IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Hair, boobs (who if there bigger than mine I automatically have sympathy for them)

15. RED OR PINK?
Pink

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My ass makes my ass look big

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My friend who lives far a way

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
IF THEY ARE SO INCLINED (THAT MEANS YES)

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Dress pants, a silk shirt and suede coat

20. What are you looking forward to in 2008?
having fun with my blog www.pushingthebuggy.blogspot.com
Shameful self promotion

21. WHAT ARE YOU listening to RIGHT NOW?
Some lame radio station

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Indigo

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
FRYING BACON , ,BABIES ,APPLE PIE IN THE OVEN , Blue by Dolce and GAbbana

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
My Mom because my dog threw up all over my front window (long story)

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
Yes would like to see more of her

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Hockey

27. HAIR COLOR?
Blonde

28. EYE COLOR?
BLUE

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
NOPE

30 FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
HAPPY ENDINGS

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Harry Potter we have the set

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
brown and cream

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
SUMMER

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Cherry Cheesecake

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
The Dutchess

38. Least likely to respond?
The Dutchess depending on her mood

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Pillars of the Earth (I'm an oprah book club whore)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
I work for someone else I can’t afford no freakin mouse pad

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Little Mosque on the Prairie

42. FAVORITE SOUND?
My kids talking to themselves or their toys

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
Rolling stones

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Daytona beach FL

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Why yes... can't tell you or I would have to kill you

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
SW Ontario Canada

47. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
Everyones

Participate if you want to !

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Thinking.....

80km/h winds on the Expressway are not amusing...

12 degree drop in 4 hours means things will be slippery (assholes on the expressway)

-20 C feels like 1000 chains whipping across your face.

Cancelling the buses but keeping the school open (honestly)

only putting in an hour and a halfs work today is stressing me a little

and Yes

My fat ass makes me look fat

so I should get off it and do something.

Monday, January 28, 2008

Cerebral Palsy Part 1

As you know we took part in a seminar on the weekend. As parents who just sent their child off to JK we were sitting on a panel talking to parents who are making those decision for this upcoming school year. It when very well. But I thought I should give you some background.

In the Beginning.....

For all intense and purposes I had a normal pregnancy. This was my first so I really had nothing to compare it to. According to many co-workers and other moms, I was "carrying high" My doc always told me the head was down. I passed all the tests with flying colors. On my last OB visit when the doc checked me he said I was already 3 cm and I could go anytime. He wanted me to go up to the hospital to have a sonogram so they could see exactly what we were dealing with. It was at that time that we discovered that the baby was breach, a leggling breach and I would have to have a C-section. This was the 23rd of December and I was not technically due until January 2nd (my date) Jan 6th (doctor's date). My OB was heading out for the holidays and said if I go into labor to head straight to the hospital and if not call his office on Jan 2nd and we would book something.

After having my hair done (thank god!) and picking up hubby from his last day before the holidays, few drinks after work we headed to home to deal with the news that I was going to have a C-Section and my shock and partly disappointment at this intervention. I was having trouble sleeping and stayed up to midnight. I wasn't feeling well but thought it was hormonal due to all the days news and activities.

I awoke at 3:00 to take a pee and had trouble getting back into bed due to a pain in my side, I honestly thought I had pulled a muscle! (duh!) 30 mins later when my stomach muscles clenched together I said to myself, SELF something is going on.

I awoke my hubby and at 4:30 we were at the hospital and at 5:45 on December 24th, our beautiful baby boy was delivered via emergency C-Section.

There was meconium, there was blood, a whole slew of NICU nurses and a heighten sense of "hurry". Our dear child had been folded up and tucked up under my ribs for quite some time. At first, it was thought that he would have a club foot. His apgar scores were amazing 8 and 9 so there was no concern there.

The first visit from a pediatrician was about 24 hours later when the DR. (I use the term loosely) proclaimed "oh, yeah he will need some therapy", no other explaination or description, luckily I was still too out of it to punch the guy out.

I honestly, believe that my child was like this on the inside. I don't know what happened in there but I do maintain that it happened in there. There was nothing that happened during my birth experience that leads me to believe that this happened to him during the birthing process.

Looking back now there was a feeling that something was off. During the end of my pregnancy and after he was born. But I can't recall anything standing out.

After having a CT Scan when he was a year old, we discovered he was normal, there had been no stroke, oxygen deprivation, lesion, anerysm. No reason for his gross motor and fine motor delay.

That first year was full of doctors appointments, therapy appointments, casts on his leg, a brace for his foot. Let's see:

Family Physician
Pediatrician
Orthopedic Surgeon x 2
Physiotherapist x 2
Geneticist
Social Worker
Children Treatment Centre Assessment team
CT Scan x 2
Occupational Therapist

To say I am glad I live in Canada where we get a year maternity leave is an understatement. I honestly don't know if we could have managed if I had to go back to work 6 weeks or 3 months after he was born.

Stay tuned to Part 2.

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Saturday Morning Post

What can I say... loads of laundry... crabby kids.
Trying to squeeze in a shower.

Hubby and I are off today to join a parent panel at a seminar designed for parents of kids with special needs that are entering JK or SK and joing our wonderful school system this coming year.

We attended this very seminar last year and found it very helpful so when they asked if we would sit on the panel this year and discuss what was good and bad about our experience we agreed. Now normally only the women end up on the panel...but this year I asked Hubby if he would participate because I believe as a man he will add a very different perspective. Sometimes I feel like the fathers are not given (nor take) a voice in this crazy life of parent of a "special" child.

There are quite often lots of Dad's at the treatment centre and I think they struggle with how to get involved and us MOMs have a hard time letting them get involved.

I think Hubby and I have been able to strike a 60/40 balance in that he always attends major medical events and school meetings and annual therapy reviews and I take care of the weekly therapy and minor clinic and fitting appointments.

We try to make joint observations, homework enforcement (ha JK) and equipment and therapy decisions. I find this way Hubby is well informed and could take over decision making with little trouble if anything ever happened to me? (God Forbid)

It really has created less stress in our family and marriage.

I will let you know how it goes.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

Hey Good Looking!

What Can I say… not only am I married to a handsome, funny, progressive and supportive man… BUT he is brilliant too!

As I have posted before, the last 6 months have been the final push for hubby to complete his studies and pass his certification to become an Electrician. He wrote his final exam last week and this week we received his official results.

91% Thank you very much!

I am extremely proud and extremely happy that the many days of grumpy, bitchiness (his not mine) (okay mine a little bit)from studying long hours is OVER!

I wish we could afford to do something special and go away for the weekend or something, but we can’t right now. So I think I will give him an IOU for the summer and we will try to get away then.

Any suggestions on nice places to visit? CHEAP!

I am hoping to soon download my photos and be able to post a few, but I am technically challenged and my computer may explode. Yikes!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Unbelievable

Many things are unbelieveable...really. I have started watching a new TV show, The Border, with the chick from CSI Miami. It is about crimes that involve both US and Cdn individuals, mostly US individuals on Cdn soil.( because you know us Canadians would never go across the border cause those americans are crazy with their guns, plus they don't have quite as much paperwork)ANYWAY... I find it entertaining for the first 40 mins or so but then the plot kinda falls apart and it has trouble holding my interest. Just another casualty of the writers strike I suppose.

Also, Unbelieveable! My kids are still sick...FUCK! Bugaloos nose is still runny like crazy and he has a good cough now. Peanut has developed the croup so she is up all night. I gave up this morning and called into work. Not that the 8 inches of snow we just got didn't help in my decision.

So I will be holed up here today in my winter cave doing copious amounts of laundry in hopes of killing off the evil virus that continues to invade our home and the little bodies that inhabit it.

May all of you feel better than us.

Monday, January 21, 2008

The Illness....it is following us..

Sorry for the break in blogging. Can you believe that the Bugaloo is sick again. My God the poor kid. Watery Eyes, Runny Nose, Cough, Fever, General crappiness. I feel so bad for the little munchkin. This is our 4th day in a row, I am starting to worry about him.

Now little Peanut she just likes to get it over an done with. Spike a huge fever Puke in her sleep and move on with a little cough for a few days. Nice.

So I will go to work for a few hours so that hubby can go to work for a few hours, because we really don't want them near anyone else right now for fear this will spread to our parents.

Gotta go and get 8hrs of work done in 3.5 yeah me!

Friday, January 18, 2008

Struggles with IT

First I have to ask.....Is it appropriate to send an e-mail to the IT department opening with "Hey you FUCKERS!"

One of my co-workers advised against it but offered that opening with a simple "knock, knock" may provide me with the opening I am looking for.

I have made a request of my IT department and asked that someone confirm who will be looking after the request so that I may contact that person if I have a question before the "big" meeting happens. Do you think anyone has gotten back to me ummm....NO.

Now I understand that they are looking after the needs of over 300 people but in 10 days I think I have reached the limits for patience and am well within the parameters to expect an answer.

Apologies to any and all IT individuals out there, I do know it is a very difficult job sometimes and I have alot of empathy for you.

EXCEPT, when it effects ME!

If anyone can think of a politically correct opening I would love to hear it!


Case Conference meeting about Valentino went well more in another post I need to think about it.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

When A Good Day Goes Bad and then Good again

Poor BugaLoo, we were supposed to go today to get his AFOs re-fitted and trimmed (so he can weat shoes that approximate his actual size not 3 sizes too big)but last night he woke up with a fever. Then this morning he is cough and can't talk. I feel so bad for him. I talked to his therapist and it seems this is something that is making the rounds. So that put a kink in the days plan.

But I have to say that atleast I have the morning off to spend with the kidlets instead of sitting around the clinic waiting for our turn. Now I will have to courier his AFOs to Toronto so they can do the work and send them back to me.

So far I've had to leave the computer twice during this post due to minor grievences that require parental supervision.

Enjoy. Gotta go louder screaming happening

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

OMG I missed a day again!

I was doing so well with regular posts. It's not like I don't have anything to say, I guess I've just been busy! (Imagine).

I was so excited last night I finally got to catch an episode of my favorite TV show of all time. Design Inc. It is on HGTV. And for my friends in the States. This year you can watch it too. I just love Sarah Richardson's designs and taste.

You can check out the site at www.designinc.ca to see where you can find her show.

Have a great day! Maybe more later I'm trying to work and prepare for a Case conference for at BugaLoo's school on Friday morning. Wish me luck.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Who is Cutie Pie?

What a weekend. We had SNOW!. Enough snow to stick to the branches and give that winter wonderland look and feel to everything. BugaLoo woke up and proclaimed SNOW, I LOVE THIS SEASON! Me not so much, we had to drag out the shovels again. Saturday was spent making a grocery list, checking it twice, going grocery shopping, getting everything put away and then realizing I forgot about 15 items. Seriously what the hell!

Yesterday the kids had the longest nap in recorded history! So as hubby was studying for his upcoming exam, I scooted out for a quick visit with my sister and my mom. I had a box of clothes that Peanut has outgrown that I wanted to pass on to her for her little cutie pie.

Sister’s hubby has been out of town this weekend so my sis and her Cutie Pie were visiting my Mom. Our kids are only 6 months apart but at this stage the differences are so noticeable. Peanut has just started putting sentences together and has a vocabulary of about 200 or so words. She also knows about 50 sign language signs. She still has those days where she carries on a conversation with not one proper word. For the most part she is able to communicate effectively.

Cutie Pie, just being that little bit younger has started with words like cheese, cracker, juice, and the people around her. Once we get on to more complex communication we get a lot of sounds, some head tilting and sometimes she just grabs you by the cheeks and looks you right in the eye, says something that vaguely resembles a sentences and then nods her head as if to say “you understand?”

So adorable!

I’m writing this blog entry at work today, shhhh! I just don’t feel like working today. What’s a girl to do? I’m just hoping that by writing this now I will fill my creative need for the day and then be able to move on and process the paperwork that is stacking up on my desk as we speak – well type – well as you are reading!

Sometimes you just have to give into the craving, although I’m not sure that works with chocolate covered almonds and my ass. I am most assured that under any circumstances I should not give into that craving if I have any hope of staying in my pants.

Now I must return fulfilling my obligation, they pay me because I work…..most of the time.

Friday, January 11, 2008

Things that make me go hmmmmm?

Things that make me pause and say hmmmmm (sometimes head cocked to the right, sometimes head cocked to the left)and other things that just make me say Wow! The universe has issues:

- Brittany Spears (need I say more)
- Snow in Bagdad (that cannot mean good things for the environment)
- Boston Pizza, BBQ Chicken Pizza (actually that's a Yummmmmm, but whatever)
- Jessica Simpson and Tony Romo (who cares! really!)(maybe some Dallas peeps!
- Skinny jeans on not so skinny people
- Shawls (never a good fashion choice for people under 75. I don't care what it's made of, no really I don't)
- health insurance (Canadian, but especially US)
- George Bush (anything he says or does)
- Barack Obama (Not quite sure ???)
- Mulroney Inquiry (do we really care?? do we really need to spend 2 million to find out we don't care??)
- People who kiss each other while driving(I've written about this before)
- My co-workers at the Christmas party
- why people who have the flu think there qualify as disabled for 6 weeks (honestly)
- Principals who don't really care about children (duh?)
- Black Smarties (is that really necessary?)
- Celebrity Apprentice (now there is a bunch of fucking geniuses)
- Covering up hospital errors (not cool)
- Parent School Council meetings (another post another time)
- My recurring dream of entering houses of my childhood friends without knocking and interrupting the lives of the families that live there asking them for a tour (I obviously have some issues)
- My hair
- Celine Dion's son Rene Charles (?????)

Life on a dreary Friday. It is cold and raining and all the snow is gone. Review point 2 snow in bagdad, no snow in Canada. NOT GOOD!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Ticking Along.....

9 days into the new year and we are ticking along, I am still in the “process” with a recruiting agency for a new position with a new company, which will mean more money. Very exciting! But we are still in the “process” so nothing to get too excited about.

Hubby is going through the final exam preparation courses and study time before the big day next week.

Bugaloo is back into the schedule of school and has had excellent toilet performance with no accidents at school. God love him he can tell you 5 minutes before he has to go which gives you lots of time to get him to the toilet and ½ undressed and sit him on the facility.

Peanut managed to punch herself in the eye while taking off her sock last night and left a mark and a bit of a swollen eye, if it is still red swollen when I pick her up tonight we may be in for trip to the doctor.

I have been reading the book Basic Black by Cathie Black who is the President of Hearst Magazines (they are the publisher of O, The Oprah Magazine). Some really cute stories about naivete, feminism and women working through the last few decades, I recommend it for anyone who is trying to figure out this crazy world of working. It’s not written specifically for women but I think some of the stories have more meaning if you are a woman reading the book.

So we are ticking along, things will be changing soon, but for right now everything is just fine and we are enjoying this glorious pause.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

First Full Sentence

Such an exciting time, Peanut has really piked up the pace on her use of words and putting them together and making sense. Sometimes she still talks gobblety gook and gives me an exasperated look and turns away when I go "say what?" But for the most part between the words and sign language we are able to figure everything out.

So her wonderful brilliant first sentence today-----


Mamma, I don't want to! (when asked to come to the couch so I could change her)

Great!

Have a great day !

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Ahh Sunday Evening

Not often but sometime I like Sunday evenings. Like tonight for example, I have a clean kitchen, lunches prepared for tomorrow, a huge dent in the laundry, the recycling is ready as is the garbage, I have enmptied the stinking compost pail and cleaned it and started filling it again. The living room is relatively tidy and I have dinner ready for cooking tomorrow when I get home from work. BugaLoo's back pack is ready to go as is his walker and his car seat for the bus.

This is a sure fire sign that I am going to forget something really important tomorrow. And I am too tired to care.

Good night!

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Cast of Characters - Part 1

Just thought I would give a shout out to my peeps and give a little description so you will know who they are when I mention them later.

You have already read plenty about Hubby. BugaLoo and Peanut and unfortunately yesterday you found out we have a dog.

My Mom - I love her to death but there is no housekeeping gene between us. She lives on a 100 acre farm and boards horses. would eat off the floor of the barn but not the floor in her house. I know it, she knows it, we are good. Horses is what my mom and I have in common it keeps us connected, we both love the country so much.

My Dad - We grow closer every year, we are cut from the same cloth and think about many things the same way. When I was a teenage (and not a good one) my mom would get so fed up with me she would send my dad in because he just seemed to be able to speak my language or atleast argue with me in my language. And if there was ever a time when our family wanted to order pizza or go out for dinner, they would always send me to ask my Dad, because the probability of a yes was stronger if I asked. That may not have been true but we all felt that way.

Nonna & Nonna- Hubby's Mom and Dad, they live beside us (yes we are Raymond)however Nonna always cals before she comes over. She cooks us dinner atleast once a week if not more, and I love her dearly. Hubby's dad lived through the war in italy when he was a boy and that has provided us with many interesting stories as well as wisdom and insight into relationships that people have. I would definately consult Nonno for relationship advice. He is always up for a good debate and cares about the opinion of everyone especially his grandchildren.

My Nana and PaBob - My grandparents both still alive and in the eighties, bright and shiny people, very wise and spiritual. They still look after their great grandkids for an hour or two in a pinch and love staying up late to watch movies. They are still so much in love its great and they still make love which is also great - just not when they choose to tell you about it! Pabob had a stroke almost two years ago and has recovered well. I try to spend as much time as I can with them.

My grandma G - Again in her late eighties and doing as well as she can she gave up her apartment this year to go in a home and I think her health has improved, her docs have changed her meds again as her heart is not doing so well. She can be found playing Bingo every Thursday night with 2 or 3 grandchildren by her side in the retirement home lounge. I don't see her as much as I should.

Well that's all for now we have a birthday party for my dad to go to. I'm sure that will give me more for my blog.

Thursday, January 3, 2008

I got this from jenny who got it from Tracey who got it from someone else so here it goes!

1. What did you do in 2007 that you’d never done before?
Returned to work after have 2 children! (I am still recovering)
Cried in a bundled up mess in my kitchen floor because I was so overwhelmed.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I had the usual eat better exercise more, the exercise didn’t happen, but we did a lot better at eating well and planning our meals. Are plans for this year are to eat more leftovers and not throw away so much food. As well to try to not use as many chemicals to clean our clothes and home.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? My 17 year old cousin and we only found out 6 weeks before baby Morgan came into our lives. But nobody closer than that!

4. Did anyone close to you die?
A girl I went to high school with and still saw socially (toxic shock after child birth). A good friend from the past (lung cancer), my hubby’s best friend’s father (we was in his eighties and had several health issues)
Yikes that’s alot

5. What countries did you visit?
Countries!.... Even if this question was cities, I still wouldn’t have an interesting answer.

6. What would you like to have in 2008 that you lacked in 2007?
Passion and Focus a sense of contribution

7. What dates from 2007 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
Apr 26 – baby girl turned one!
Jun 2nd – return to work at new location farther from home – sucked
Sept ish – son with cerebral palsy took his first 100 steps – unassisted – totally cool
Dec 20th – completed Christmas shopping or so I thought.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Staying somewhat sane and only forgetting 2 Christmas presents
Realizing that I need to make some changes in my employment and being willing to do that.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Balancing my life. (I hate to sound repetitive) its what so many of us struggle with.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Just the usual cold and flu stuff. I actually got a clean bill of health.

11. What was the best thing you bought?
A completely new wardrobe to return to work. I set aside the money before I went on leave. I put it in a GIC and with the interest I made I was able to buy shoes! Whaaa hoooo!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
My husband who finished his last section of education and is preparing to write for his electrical license. My sister who returned to work early after having her baby. My BIL who took 3 months paternity leave in a trade where that has never been done before.
My mom and MIL who help look after my kidlets so I can pretend to contribute to society and support them with things like food and shelter.
My fellow bloggers who have continued to expand my thinking with their thinking.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My son’s school administration, even though they knew he was coming they were not prepared nor do I feel they were happy for him to be there. It took us 3 months to get to a place where he can use the bathroom at school. Is that really necessary? I think not!

14. Where did most of your money go?
Mortgage, Line of Credit, Visa

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
An awesome job opportunity with a totally awesome agency that helps kids with disabilities, that didn’t work out for me, but it did get me thinking about my present and my future and our family life, so it was not a total bust.

Oh yeah and I went to see Tim McGraw and Faith Hill in concert – FABULOUS!

16. What song will always remind you of 2007?
Sexyback by sweet ole JT. I just got the CD in 07 so I am still a little behind but if I need a pick me up that song always puts a spring in my step.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder?
A little sadder but I am working on it. This time last year I was on MAT LEAVE enjoying my baby, this year I am working like a dog and trying to figure my life out. Not really comparing Apples to Apples

b) thinner or fatter?
thinner – stress can be useful (only by a few pounds)

c) richer or poorer?
I think richer, we have reduced some debt, put some money in savings, however I still have to check the account before I go grocery shopping .

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Exercised, spent some time thinking about our family future, playing outside with my family. Looking for more fulfilling employment.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Worrying, about money, dinner time, the kids, the school.
Needlessly spending time on the internet.

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Son’s birthday is on Dec 24th so we have a great birthday brunch every year, then we see my family (only 20 mins away) we have the 25th to ourselves and we played with all the new toys. 26th with hubby’s family. It was a truly awesome Christmas.

21. Did you fall in love in 2007?
I stayed in love - way harder, way more worthwhile. (I have to keep the same entry, it is so true)

22. What was your favorite TV program?
Grey's Anatomy, Heros, and sadly I am hooked on the ever shallow and pathetic Tori and Dean – Inn Love (help me)

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
Hate is so strong but I do believe there is a dubious few that have disappointed me and my opinion of them is lower now than at this time last year.

24. What was the best book you read?
A little novel called The Birth House, I can’t recall the author. Also, Harry Potter of course. And a great book about Canadian model agent Ben Barry called Fashioning Reality (he came up with the idea for the DOVE “Be yourself” campaign). Ok so I can’t choose the best !

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
A totally awesome band called The Joys, they played at a fundraiser we were at and totally rocked the night! They have a my space page you can google them. Sarah is the new Janis Joplin she has the greatest sexy voice.

26. What did you want and get?
A few more great sunny days to play in the sandbox with the kids before I had to go back to work.

27. What did you want and not get?
Personal fulfillment and Balance. Super duper job in fundraising for son’s treatment centre. Boo!

28. What was your favorite film of this year?
Sadly we did not see very many films this year and I don’t think any that we saw really qualify for favorite,

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
Dinner out with my hubby - gelato for dessert and depressingly I was 35

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Coming back to work to my old position instead of the newly created one for me that is infinitely more boring and I hate. (oh there is that word I new it belonged somewhere). Getting new super duper job, closer to home in a field I am more passionate about.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007?
Pretty good, actually! Thanks to carefully planned shopping spree and fashionista sister and her help. Lots of mix and match mostly pants and suits, but a few dresses just for fun. Awesome new black boots with rounded toes.

32. What kept you sane?
Define sane, I didn’t hurt myself or anyone else. I guess getting more involved in the centre where my son receives treatment has helped ground me. Also following a few blogs has let me know that my life is not the only one with lots of hard things in it!

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I have watched with some vague interest the metamorphasis of Katie Holmes.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?
I am from Canada so this means something different to me than to you guys from the states but, Health Insurance both Public and Private

35. Who did you miss?
My brother , his girlfriend and brother in law, everyone else lives real close to us and we lose track of these two now and then and I miss them . I wish they lived closer.

36. Who was the best new person you met?
A co-worker C.D., who is new to our company, we are becoming fast friends and she is a great dresser, although a few years older than me she has kids as well, and we have a lot in common.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2007.
Only you can change what you don’t like about your situation. ( I always knew this, it was just harder this time when looking at money, health, benefits and stress)

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“I’m bringing sexy back”

My husband will be happy!

This was a great exercise to reflect on what's going on in my life. thanks girls!

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

2008

Well what did I expect really... in the last few days of 2007 we had a quick bout of the 24 hr flu run through the house which culminated on New years eve and Jan 1 with both me an hubby sitting on the couch alternatively wrapped in blankets and then sitting in t-shirts and boxers.

Any other time that would be a great evening! but sweating and thinking you're going to shit your pants or throw up detracts from a romantic evening don't you think?

So all I can say is I have high hopes that we have weathered the onslaught to our immune systems and that 2008 will be a little brighter.

Like one of my fellow bloggers, I too am planning on spending a little more time on myself this year. Doing some work on my career or lack thereof as the case may be. Now that hubby is almost finished up and fully licensed I feel the time for my education has come and I need to make some decisions.

I am in negotiations right now with another firm for a position which has more potential than where I am right now, so we will see where that goes.

My heart is still with the non profit sector but there just doesn't seem to be a place for me there right now so I will focus on some fundraising for them and see what I can do for them on that side.

This year will continue to be challenging for BugaLoo as I believe we are almost done with the potty training, now it is the challenge of getting him there every time he has to go. ie the 3 times he woke me up last night because he drank so much before bed. oye!

His last round of botox in the hamstrings seems to have taken welll as we are almost able to get his heels on the floor! We have lost 2 eye patches and are trying to keep the third safe. He needs to where an eye patch half of the day to help build strength in his left eye. We gave him a break when we lost one and then had to start all over again not smart.

Peanut is growing and talking and I expect more of the same. I will be spending the year shopping for clothes that she continually grows out of.

No major epiphanies at the start of this year. But frankly I have been too busy with vomit and pee and toilet seats and trying to get some damn sleep to pause and reflect on what is yet to come.

First thing on the to do list. Sit down and have some quiet time with myself and see how I am doing.!

Happy New year everyone.