lamberrymer

Enough with the pictures mom!

2009-07-29T10:02:00.003-04:00

Good-Bye Lexie

2009-07-25T14:00:00.011-04:00

Today is a sad day as we say good-bye to Lexie... she was 12 years old and had a fun life but it is sad to see her go.

Wakey to Sleepy

2009-07-07T16:42:00.005-04:00

Stamping

2009-07-07T08:05:00.003-04:00

Mackenzie gets her fingers and toes stamped for her baby books!

Work in Progress

2009-07-06T19:07:00.000-04:00

Mackenzie's room is coming along. It's actually a little more finished than in this picture taken a week or two ago but thought this picture was cute so had to post it. Andrew has finished the built in cabinetry, wainscotting, and priming. Painting is in progress and you can expect to see lots of pink soon!

Months ago, I saw the print below on etsy by IndigoRain but we didn't know if we were having a boy or girl so I waited to buy it until our little one arrived. Now that Mackenzie is here, I'm just working on purchasing it as I just love it and it should fit in well with all the pink and chocolate brown we plan to incorporate... expect to see many doggie things in her room. (We have already purchased Jasper from Spot on Square as I originally wrote about here.)

Introducing Mackenzie

2009-06-24T16:14:00.007-04:00

Welcome Mackenzie Wynn! Activity on the blog has been slow as we've been adjusting to life with our new daughter, Mackenzie, who is officially 17 days old today... born via c-section on June 10, 2008 - 7lbs 10oz - 22 inches.

The c-section recovery was initially more painful than I anticipated but after 4 days in the hospital, I was ready to get home despite still being in a lot of pain. We're on day 17 now and I'm feeling a lot better but my stomach is still a little raw/tender but at least it doesn't feel like any of the stitches are pulling inside anymore. I've continued to walk Owen but have had to take it easy somewhat. I'm also hoping to go for my first drive on Wednesday so we'll see how that goes. Things will continue to be a little slow around here for a while as we focus on our adorable new little girl.

After a challenging 9+ months, I'm just so thrilled that she is here safe and sound. So very thankful.

C-Section Tomorrow

2009-06-09T22:48:00.001-04:00

Final night before the planned c-section tomorrow... well, that is if the baby is still breech but I'm pretty sure there has been no flipping - doubt I could have missed that happening at this point!

City Life

2009-06-03T19:33:00.003-04:00

So after 2 weeks, Owen is adjusting to city living very well... he is super-stimulated by all the action on Yonge Street and at Eglinton Park and by all the dogs in our neighbourhood. It is definitely a dog neighbourhood but he hasn't had an opportunity to be off leash in quite a while so today we ventured to Sherwood Park which has an area of off leash dog trails. Owen didn't go off leash today as we were just checking it out but he REALLY enjoyed it and got to play with some pups. Sherwood Park is pretty close to our house so Owen & Anna are lucky that they'll get to go there often hopefully once baby arrives and I'm recovered and able to walk trails again. We didn't take the camera today but will next time - it is a beautiful clean woodsy area right in the city.

Busy Days

2009-05-24T18:57:00.006-04:00

So the days are busy... first, helping Owen recover from surgery and second, moving back to Toronto into the house! Fortunately Andrew & his mom did a whole bunch of cleaning/organizing the weekend before I arrived and then my mom came for the week to help get settled and clean. Lexie was here with mom too so hopefully that helped Owen get adjusted to his new home.

Owen's biopsy results showed no indication of IBD and no indication of an immunity problem - yaye! The cause of his illness was either due to a rare parasite or triggered by a food sensitivity... I figure it is probably due to the latter as he has had food issues ever since I got him 3 years ago. He's doing very well though now and eating Medi Cal Gastro canned food and it seems to be agreeing with him so far - let's hope that continues. Tomorrow he goes back to Guelph to get his staples removed which will be so nice as the e-collar is getting so annoying! (He sure does get a lot of attention in it though during walks. lol) Here we are as mom and Lexie were leaving:

So we are 37 weeks along and full term now (holy cow). The baby is still breech so I have a c-section scheduled. I'm completely exhausted all the time and my feet constantly hurt which makes dog walks not quite as enjoyable/doable so I am looking forward to eventually getting back to myself again.

I've finished The Constant Princesss and loved it and am ready to move to the next book. It took me a little longer than usual to finish as Kim dropped off a whole bag of used magazines that kept me occupied for quite a while! I'm ready for the next Phillipa Gregory book but before that I am reading Mommywood and of course, am loving it too - love the Tori Spelling always. Thanks for the book borrow Mandy!

May Birthday Kids

2009-05-14T23:31:00.000-04:00

Happy Birthday to Mom & Owen today and Alayna on Sunday! Owen turns 3 today. Alayna turns 2.

Home Sweet Home

2009-05-13T23:33:00.006-04:00

Owen is home in Glencoe tonight after 4 days in Guelph... he's very out of it and on lots of meds but he's home at last. Lexie was so excited to see him that she was jumping in excitement... 12 year old sore Lexie was jumping - crazy! Biopsies still not in but we're just so happy he's home.

My Poor Baby Owen

2009-05-11T23:03:00.007-04:00

This is going to be a long one...

Sunday morning Owen woke me up at 6.30am wanting to go outside... he *never* does this and will sleep in until 11am if I want to. Downstairs I found runny black bloody liquidy diarrhea/stool and then he threw up with blood in it. He was having similar issues the day before only with no blood. I immediately call the emergency vet in Guelph (as I have had poor luck with the vets around here) and we drove the 2 hours to get him looked at and treated.

After blood work showed high white and red blood cells + they said he was very dehydrated, they started him on IV + antibiotics in the hopes that he had a "spring bacteria" of some sort. He remained on that overnight but this morning we was still vomiting blood. So x-rays were next and they were not good:

-the small intestine is about the size of your pinky finger
-Owen had 2-3 areas that are 2-3x the size... huge gas pockets
-because of the gas pockets you get hairpin turns (like when you fold a balloon and there is the folded area that is pinched) - no one/no animal should have any and he has about 5 of them (extremely abnormal - shouldn't have any)
-likely a foreign body but couldn't see it on an xray (but very strong suspicion)
suspecting potentially a shoe lace (linear foreign body) is stuck somewhere in the intestine.. the problem is that it doesn't just get stuck in 1 place like a piece of spaghetti.. it breaks up
-Major Risk: if the linear foeign body has penetrated the intestine, this is bad bad bad (this happened to another dog apparently - it was older though and they had to euthanize it)
-Owen has been starting to play bow with them (leaning down and stretching like they do when they want to play and he does it before walks) - apparently this is an indicator of pain in the upper abdomen
-Linear foreign body: If this is the cause, it is tricky b/c it is not like a toy or something where they just pinpoint it and go in and get it.... with a linear foreign body, they have to go along the entire small intestine
-Sum Story: his GI tract is very f*cked up and they're not sure what exactly is causing it.... worst case scenario... they find no foreign body but are able to do biopsies while they're in there

So I worried and worried all afternoon and evening that he had a perforated intestine. They did the emergency surgery on him tonight (took over 2 hours) instead of waiting because his x-rays looked a lot like there was a foreign body in there .... so I waaaaaited to hear all night.

Good News: They found no foreign object. (Apparently they checked it over 3x to be sure.) They took 4 samples to biopsy: 1. stomach 2. small intestine (took 2 samples) 3. liver. His kidneys, liver and gall bladder look okay.

Next steps: 1. expand Owen's antibiotics 2. no more food for 18-24 hrs (he hasn't been on food for 2 days already) & then start feeding him after 3. wait for biopsies to come back (earliest a couple of days but for sure before the end of the week) to hopefully find out what he has 4. recovery time is usually 36 hours minimum. The vet is very confident that Owen is going to 'make it' and be okay but I'm still very worried about him.

This is most likely related to his issues last year where he was throwing up after every meal and then was diagnosed with h pylori. After being treated, it seemed to work but Owen has continually had gastrointestinal problems on and off so there is definitely something more wrong with him so hopefully the biopsies tell the story. Last year I thought he had IBD - Inflammatory Bowel Disease but was told it was more serious than what he had.... the surgeon tonight said it is a definite possibility.

The surgeon vet said he is doing well and is hopeful he'll recover and 'make it' but there are about a dozen different diseases/conditions that are being considered by the vet right now. Poor O.

Goofy Sleeper

2009-04-29T23:44:00.002-04:00

Owen is such a wacky sleeper... I really need to take more pix of him sleeping sometimes. I've taken a few over the years and I've set up a new flickr folder called "My Goofy Sleeper" to start collecting pix that make me laugh. Here's the newest taken a couple of days ago... no, he didn't fall down the stairs... he's just napping!

To Buy

2009-04-29T23:39:00.002-04:00

I have always been a list maker and a calendar tracker... I live by my planner and learned about Healthpod Baby at Moms to Be... and More in Toronto a couple of weeks ago. I've read really good reviews about it so it is officially on my To Buy list.

Watching

2009-04-27T22:44:00.005-04:00

Still chugging along... we're 33 weeks along today so hanging on... I've been extremely tired lately (actually, always for the last 8 months) due to the ever continuing low iron. Ugh. We got Season 1 of Mad Men last week but I've been too tired to watch it very much so I'm working through it and have no opinion of it just yet as I've only watched episode #1... working on episode #2 tonight.

The Beginning

2009-04-16T12:16:00.002-04:00

I have finally found what I've been searching for! A delicious new read that is historical and long enough so that I won't finish it in a week. I have started The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory. My plan is to read her series in this order:

The Constant Princess
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Boleyn Inheritance
The Queen's Fool
The Virgin's Lover

So far so good!

31 & Easter

2009-04-11T00:25:00.001-04:00

Easter weekend and today I turn 31... it is very uneventful relative to last year's birthday - phewf, glad to not have to go through that again this year. In celebration, some Easter pix my mom scanned from Easter 1987.

Watching Emma ... The Movie

2009-04-10T21:30:00.003-04:00

It just happened to be on tv when I turned it on tonight and I hate to report that the movie, Emma, is as boring as the book. Yawn...

Mad World

2009-04-08T15:36:00.002-04:00

Love love loved Adam Lambert's version of Mad World on American Idol last night - so glad he didn't ruin the song like so many of them like to do - he's almost too good for the show really.

Trying To Read Emma

2009-04-08T15:27:00.003-04:00

I've been struggling with this book for a while... it is my first crack at reading a Jane Austen book and after reading the awesome Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Emma is a little... well, boring. I'm trying to stick with it though and there are some cute parts but it just isn't grabbing me. Perhaps I started with the wrong Jane Austen book?

At Least It Has Stopped Snowing

2009-04-07T10:53:00.003-04:00

That's about all I can say about today.... snow in April - sheesh.... Plus I'm feeling flu-ish. Fortunately, Owen is happy hibernating with me today in bed.

Milestone

2009-04-06T23:24:00.003-04:00

Today we reach 30 weeks pregnant... last April during this time, I was so worried of the number 30 (turned 30 yrs old) and this April I'm so happy to see that number at last. Months ago, 30 weeks was a milestone I really didn't think we'd make it to so it has been a good day however, we still have a ways to go and I'm hoping we keep going and going and get as close to the full term 40 weeks as we can. *Fingers crossed*

Last ultrasound a week ago, we learned that our little one was breech... this explained *so* much to me. Originally I was feeling a lot of dancing around my belly button and then all of a sudden my bladder was constantly being used as a punching bag so I was confused as to how a little head/hands could be doing that damage? So the "breech" thing explained a lot. It was feet on my bladder! In the last week though, our little one has been flipping around like mad so it's tricky keeping track of the position. I will feel comfortable and non-breech for a night and then the next day, ow bladder kicks and nothing above the belly button. So it's confusing keeping track.... tends to always come back to breech positioning lately though so we'll see what happens. My mom had a breech baby and the OB said it could potentially mean I will have one too. (Not sure if that is accurate or not but that's what he said!)

Busier - Lately, things have felt busier as we make decisions on things: cord blood banking, crib, glider, stroller, etc. etc. etc. It seems like the list goes on and on and on! Constant research and constant decisions. Its getting a little overwhelming at times with the whole house renovation as well and then Owen got sick the other day and I was up all night with him worried he was going to die like Marley in the movie Marley & Me. Beware when you watch this movie - it will make you smother your dog with love and be a little overprotective. Owen threw up and recovered quite quickly though - phewf! (Owen has digestive problems in general so it is a constant issue for him.)

Apparently in your third trimester you're supposed to feel like crap and really tired but honestly, I've been feeling better lately because I had so many complications in the first 2 trimesters. We'll see how things continue though!

Finished, Started & Currently Working On

2009-04-04T20:10:00.027-04:00

I've recently finished up....

Book: A Great & Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray. This is the 1st book of her trilogy set and I really enjoyed it but it was shorter than I thought it was going to be. Good read though! (I actually heard of this book from Girl From Florida a while back... you can read her review here.)

Flick: Marley & Me. Saddest movie ending EVER. Phewf! Great flick though. I actually bought the book about a year ago and lost it during the move... it is all packed away in my stuff somewhere.

Flick: Twilight. I enjoyed this flick - entertaining enough yet it somehow made me miss Keifer in The Lost Boys. Twilight was just a little blah at times... aka. boring... but overall, it was pretty entertaining. I think I would have enjoyed it 10x more back when I was a teenager.

Flick: Slumdog Millionaire. A+... very cool flick as it was not only a cool plot but very visually appealing with good music.

Flick: Changeling. This flick kept me wondering the whole time - awesome story.

Flick: Miracle at St. Anna. Loved this story! It was long so I think I actually took a break during it but I thought it was a great flick for a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Recent flicks that made me go.. eck:
1. Rachel Getting Married
2. Australia
3. Baby Mama
4. Pineapple Express
5. The Happening
6. Milk
7. Nick & Norah's Infinet Playlist
8. The Rocker

Just Started: The book, Secrets of the Baby Whisperer:

Currently Working On: The latest April 2009 issue of Canadian House & Home:

Owen's ... Err, My New Boots

2009-04-03T15:51:00.006-04:00

Come rain or shine, Owen needs to go out for his walks. At home in the country, I have my trusty green rubber boots that are about 20 years old from when I was a kid - yes they still fit and are wonderful! However, when we're in Toronto, I got nothin'! So today, that changes with some stylin' new rubber boots that match Owen.

And here are my trusty old green boots that will be staying in the country for our country walks. My mom thinks they're about 20 years old so that would mean that I got them when I was 10 which makes sense... she says I *really* wanted them badly but I honestly don't really remember but they are pretty snazzy so it would only make sense. ;)

Happy I Don't Live in Baltimore

2009-03-26T15:18:00.004-04:00

Upon recommendation from Brett, I just finished the first season of The Wire. It was a great run but man, am I ever happy to be living where I am!

Snoop Dog

2009-03-17T19:26:00.004-04:00

Owen's new best friend.... he says "bow wow wow yippee yo yippee yaye" in Snoop Dog's voice.

Cute Wallpaper

2009-03-03T12:28:00.007-05:00

Dog Lover

2009-02-22T14:01:00.004-05:00

Yes, it is well known that I am a huge dog lover so when I came across this old picture, I loved it! My first doggy, Pepper. Then I realized that the pic reminded me of one of my nephew, Jacob, with my parents current lab, Lexie. I look a little happier to be around a big dog though! lol (Jacob doesn't have a dog at home so it took him a while to get used to big dogs.)

Oldie

2009-02-17T10:36:00.004-05:00

Today, my niece, Kaitlin, turns 14 - phewf. In honour of your birthday Kait, a lovely worker-renovation pic!

Reading

2009-02-16T10:10:00.003-05:00

I had never read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë so I thought I'd give it a try. Great book - much more mysterious and darker than I had expected... very much enjoying the story of Jane, Mr. Rochester, and little Adèle. I also FINALLY figured out the mystery behind Grace Poole last night!

Still Addicted

2009-02-12T10:27:00.003-05:00

I am still loving LOST. I'm finding this season extremely satisfying (it's been very neat seeing Charles Whitmore and Danielle Rousseau in their younger years) except that the episodes seem too short and only like they're 10 minutes long. Charlotte's story seemed to be getting interesting (finally) and then she died on us last night - doh!

New Energy

2009-02-10T13:13:00.003-05:00

Over at Our Castle blog, our reno pictures have been awful lately.... dusty, not crisp & clear, poor colour, etc. etc. Reason? We're using a cheap Sony digital point and shoot that is now full of plaster dust, drywall dust, and who knows what else! It has been our friend through the house demolition process as we haven't had to worry about ruining a good camera. However, after scrimping & saving, tonight that all changes as we pick up our new best friend, the Nikon D80. I'm hoping this brings some new found energy to picture taking as I've gotten quite bored with it the past year... having a crappy camera and all.

It's Been A Long Time

2009-02-08T19:57:00.024-05:00

So I've done it again... I have a tendancy to leave my blog whenever I feel like it but I always seem to venture back. So here I am! It's been over 4 months since I stopped posting last and they were a busy 4 months indeed.

In October, we went to NYC and Andrew and I got engaged! Here's us at the Knicks game at Madison Square Gardens (and no we didn't get engaged at the game lol):

My dad had just turned 65 years old and the trip was intended to be a birthday gift:

Then in early November, my brother Brett married Amber at the Gladstone Hotel in Toronto! Amber wore a gorgeous red dress and they even took dance lessons to learn a snazzy dance that was a hit:

Christmas with the family soon followed... my nieces & nephews all together (with no video games or computer!) for a rare moment:

Then we rang in 2009 by making cake:

The teens preferred to chat on msn and facebook all night:

Andrew has been working like mad over here to get the house livable and ready to go:

We're so close! Why has Andrew been working solo for months now?

It's not been the easiest pregnancy so far at all... full of complications after complications that I won't go into detail about here and I'm on a leave from work to rest. Needless to say, I haven't been much help with the house reno lately but we're hoping and praying that things continue to progress with our little one and that he or she arrives a-okay. Fortunately, I have the best nap buddy ever to ease the stress:

The Only Good Thing About This Rainy Tuesday...

2008-09-30T07:46:00.000-04:00

90210 tonight!

Farm-Tastic

2008-09-29T07:34:00.000-04:00

Thursday Chaos

2008-09-26T07:34:00.000-04:00

Andrew and I both got stuck in the Thursday subway chaos at Bloor/Yonge yesterday during rush hour after work. So we decided to stay downtown and catch a flick. Burn After Reading was an interesting choice - not amazing but not horrible either.

Glencoe Fair '08

2008-09-26T07:00:00.001-04:00

Renomotion

2008-09-10T19:26:00.003-04:00

Cottageland

2008-09-09T17:35:00.004-04:00

It was a long weekend where I actually didn't take pictures... but I took a few I guess...

Long Weekend

2008-08-27T07:35:00.001-04:00

It's been a couple of years since I've been to the cottage. Tomorrow I escape Toronto for the long weekend!

Golden

2008-08-24T10:43:00.005-04:00

Busy busy with work and renovating but managed to get to the theatre after MONTHS of no movies. Tropic Thunder was worth the time out! Tom Cruise was absolutely incredible.

2008-08-10T19:46:00.000-04:00

Our Reno Friend

2008-08-07T06:27:00.001-04:00

Good-bye Vincent's Variety

2008-08-06T07:14:00.001-04:00

I took these pix for Brett on my travels to Chatham yesterday morning...

Windows

2008-08-04T14:14:00.004-04:00

2008-08-03T23:45:00.000-04:00

Super Fun

2008-08-01T12:18:00.003-04:00

This morning Jacob wanted to do something "super fun" ... he didn't want to just have fun, it had to be super. He ended up playing Super Mario 3 - how a propos!

Owen's Summer

2008-07-31T18:07:00.005-04:00

Slippin' N Slidin'

2008-07-13T18:07:00.001-04:00

Busy Over Here!

2008-07-11T06:43:00.001-04:00

And So The Day Arrives

2008-07-05T09:29:00.001-04:00

Happy 30th Mandy!

Burst

2008-07-02T07:16:00.001-04:00

JT2 Turns 3!

2008-06-30T11:37:00.001-04:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Justin!

Wasted Hours

2008-06-29T20:33:00.002-04:00

Renovation shenovation... let's play Super Mario 3!

Birthday Boy

2008-06-25T22:08:00.001-04:00

Happy Bday Andrew!

30 30 30

2008-06-23T21:06:00.007-04:00

Can't really say I'm rested and relaxed (chatty girls) but I'm back and at 'em.

Turnin' 30

2008-06-19T06:56:00.001-04:00

Only a couple days until the girls get-together to spa for a group 30th birthday celebration. We're all turning (or have turned) 30 at various times throughout this year so we're giving ourselves a relaxation gift! I feel a little guilty leaving for the weekend to go spa'ing while Andrew renovates but you only turn 30 once (thank gawd - I don't think I could do it again). ;)

Having Fun Yet?

2008-06-17T22:39:00.001-04:00

Fridge

2008-06-16T22:17:00.004-04:00

Aww.. Ian has a cute goldendoodle too! How can I not keep this picture? 90210 & goldendoodles all in one - bonus. lol

Gimmee a Break

2008-06-16T21:59:00.001-04:00

Gimmee a break, gimmee a break, break me of a piece of that kit kat bar.

Happy Father's Day Dad!

2008-06-15T11:04:00.005-04:00

What a gift... a day of demolition - sooooo much better than a day of relaxation. ;)

Annual Doggy Pool Opening

2008-06-08T15:23:00.009-04:00

Weekend Watching

2008-06-08T13:31:00.004-04:00

Who knew that Buster (Tony Hale) from Arrested Development is in "Because I Said So"! Bonus.

Up & Renovating

2008-06-07T11:38:00.004-04:00

Andrew & I met through blogging so it is only natural that we set up a blog together for once!

Introducing: Our Castle

Back!

2008-06-06T18:02:00.005-04:00

Been out of commission for a few days but I'm back and home in Glencoe for the weekend. It's HOT! Phewf. Poor Lexie had surgery on her ear today but was all smiles when I got home anyways - trooper. It's a hot dawg weekend...

Season 4 Done!

2008-05-30T07:23:00.003-04:00

Lost ended last night with a great season finale! My Thursday nights are now officially free again.

Back from Blue Mountain

2008-05-28T21:02:00.005-04:00

Stayed at Mosaic... beautiful ski resort.

Current Guilty Pleasure

2008-05-23T14:43:00.002-04:00

Lazy Long Weekend

2008-05-19T18:20:00.001-04:00

Owen Turns 2!

2008-05-14T07:08:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday O!

Yaye!

2008-05-13T07:18:00.001-04:00

Happy Birthday!

2008-05-11T11:43:00.007-04:00

Celebrating 3 May birthdays: Mom, Owen & Alayna!

Junk

2008-05-06T18:40:00.008-04:00

I'm doing a lot of driving this week and all of a sudden on the radio today, I heard the new nkotb song, "Summertime".... um, gag. I found it a little creepy - 30somethings trying to sound like 13somethings.

However, what I AM loving right now: The Bachelor London Calling. I've watched pretty much every Bachelor but I am especially enjoying this season and thought last night's episode was hilarious at times... unusual for a "Women Tell All" episode. This guy's got a good sense of humour and seems pretty normal... for a Bachelor. ;)

I'm also loving this season of Idol and only because of David Cook... he's fantastic... I could listen to him sing Mariah Carey all day long.

What am I looking forward to? Why, DeAnna coming back of course!

That's about as much junk as I can handle right now... I need to go make my popcorn, watch my Two & A Half Men and get ready for Idol. It's a big night, the dogs are excited. ;)

escape

2008-05-04T16:27:00.002-04:00

Sunday Stroll in High Park

2008-05-04T14:39:00.008-04:00

Marathon

2008-05-04T10:55:00.001-04:00

Goofy Sleeper

2008-05-03T10:59:00.002-04:00

Same Forehead

2008-04-29T07:36:00.001-04:00

Brett's got it too!

"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are"

2008-04-28T07:18:00.004-04:00

-Theodore Roosevelt

Lazy Saturday Afternoon

2008-04-26T17:11:00.008-04:00

Finding Your Word

2008-04-26T16:39:00.008-04:00

(excerpt from "Eat Pray Love" byElizabeth Gilbert)

"What's Rome's word?" I asked.
"SEX," he announced.
"But isn't that a stereotype about Rome?"
"No."
"But surely there are some people in Rome thinking about other things than sex?"
Giulio insisted: "No. All of them, all day, all they are thinking about is SEX."
"Even over at the Vatican?"
"That's different. The Vatican isn't part of Rome. They have a different word over there. Their word is POWER."
"You'd think it would be FAITH."
"It's POWER," he repeated. "Trust me. But the word in Rome -it's SEX."

Now if you are to believe Giulio, that little word -SEX -cobbles the streets beneath your feet in Rome, runs through the fountains here, fills the air like traffic noise. Thinking about it, dressing for it, seeking it, considering it, refusing it, making a sport and game out of it -that's all anybody is doing. Which would make a bit of sense as to why, for all its gorgeousness, Rome doesn't quite feel like my hometown. Not at this moment in my life. Because SEX isn't my word right now. It has been at other times of my life, but it isn't right now. Therefore, Rome's word, as it spins through the streets, just bumps up against me and tumbles off, leaving no impact. I'm not participating in the word, so I'm not fully living here. It's a kooky theory, impossible to prove, but I sort of like it.

Giulio asked, "What's the word in New York City?"
I thought about this for a moment, then decided. "It's a verb, of course. I think it's ACHIEVE."
(Which is subtly but significantly different from the word in Los Angeles, I believe, which is also a verb: SUCCEED. Later, I will share this whole theory with my Swedish friend Sofie, and she will offer her opinion that the word on the streets of Stockholm is CONFORM, which depresses both of us.)

I asked Giulio, "What's the word in Naples?" He knows the south of Italy well.
"FIGHT," he decides. "What was the word in your family when you were growing up?"
That one was difficult. I was trying to think of a single word that somehow combines both FRUGAL and IRREVERENT. But Giulio was already on to the next and most obvious question: "What's your word?"

Now that, I definitely could not answer.

And still, after a few weeks of thinking about it, I can't answer it better now. I know some words that it definitely isn't. It's not MARRIAGE, that's evident. It's not FAMILY (though this was the word of the town I'd lived in for a few years with my husband, and since I did not fit with that word, this was a big cause of my suffering.) It's not DEPRESSION anymore, thank heavens. I'm not concerned that I share Stockholm's word of CONFORM. But I don't feel that I'm entirely inhabiting New York City's ACHIEVE anymore, either, though that had indeed been my word all throughout my twenties. My word might be SEEK. (Then again, let's be honest -it might just as easily be HIDE.) Over the last months in Italy, my word has largely been PLEASURE, but that word doesn't match every single part of me, or I wouldn't be so eager to get myself to India. My word might be DEVOTION, though this makes me sound like more of a goody-goody than I am and doesn't take into account how much wine I've been drinking.

I don't know the answer, and I supposed that's what this year of journeying is about. Finding my word.

Stranded

2008-04-24T07:42:00.002-04:00

Last night, KT and I met up with Brett & Amber to see Stranded at Hot Docs. It was an intense story of survival that just kept me glued to the screen for 2 hours. Stranded is a documentary about the 1972 plane crash in the Andes of an Uruguayan rugby team... it is the real story that inspired the movie, Alive in 1993. The survivors reunite back at the crash site after 30 years and it is an emotional journey that is just unbelievable.

Grrr Pirates!

2008-04-24T07:39:00.001-04:00

2008-04-21T21:15:00.001-04:00

Pseudo-Celebrity Sighting

2008-04-21T12:36:00.007-04:00

Today I was standing in line at The Bagel Stop in College Park at lunch a few minutes ago and this girl walked by that I recognized. It was one of those moments I often have where I think, "Crap, I know you from somewhere but can't remember where... the gym maybe? Do we do the same class? Did we go to unversity together?" So I smiled at her and she smiled back confirming my thoughts that we knew each other from somewhere. As she went through the door to the subway, it dawned on me that it was not a girl I know at all... it was Lesley Hawker! So she was just smiling to be polite - how nice. She may not be a celebrity to you, but she is to me and after today I think I may enjoy her skating more now. ;)

Photo Source: Skate Canada

Country Sunshine

2008-04-20T14:34:00.001-04:00

Warm Night

2008-04-19T22:21:00.002-04:00

JT Turns 4!

2008-04-19T20:37:00.008-04:00

My nephew, Jacob, celebrates his 4th birthday with a whole wack of his little friends - kids kids everywhere! Four years old already?

Gift from Tanzania

2008-04-19T17:05:00.004-04:00

My dad's cousin gave me this bracelet and earrings from her most recent trip to Africa through her volunteer work with CSRAI - Canadians in Support of Rural African Initiatives. A great little organization that is 100% volunteer run and enables communities and families in East Africa to address the impacts of the HIV/AIDS pandemic. They do a lot of work with schools and hospitals and unlike Foster Parents Plan and World Vision (who both have overhead costs), all money donated to CSRAI goes towards projects and ends up directly in Africa.

Progress?

2008-04-19T16:45:00.003-04:00

So Owen's blood tests, ultrasound, and endoscopy were all normal. No foreign objects were seen during his scope... argh! It would have been a much better explanation as to what is going on with him. The bright side is that we have now ruled out some diseases such as IBD and Addison's. They took some biopsies which we now wait for the results and then presuming those are normal, we move forward with a new food - kangaroo meat based. Apparently it is good for dogs with severe stomach allergies. So we keep trying! Owen was EXHAUSTED after his scope because they have to put them under with anesthesia for that.... he slept the whole 2+ hour drive home and proceeded to sleep the night away but was up full of energy at 7:30am this morning!

Owen

2008-04-18T07:38:00.001-04:00

So we went to the University of Guelph small animal hospital yesterday with Owen and he stayed overnight and today he starts his day of tests. More blood tests, ultrasound, endoscopy... poor boy. We've been through countless tests and x-rays already with our vet back home who ultimately could do no more and referred us to U of G. The Dr. we met with seemed really great there yesterday but we'll see how everything goes today. Owen has been having issues with vomiting and not being able to keep food in his stomach for months and months now. I'm praying things go well today and that they actually find something or at the very minimum can diagnose something... In any case, the Dr. we talked to yesterday appeared very good so hopefully my $1,800 results in something and hopefully Owen trucks through no problem today! I am hoping to pick him up later this afternoon.

Feeling It

2008-04-17T07:50:00.001-04:00

Can you feel it? Does it feel warm? Today is day NUMBER TWO that I have not worn a winter jacket. Look at this view from my deck as I left this morning... it is 7:30am in these pictures and not freezing cold... no ice, no frost, nothing but sun - unbelievable.

New Frames

2008-04-16T12:46:00.005-04:00

I bought 2 new frames and it is so hard to choose pix to go in them. I'm thinking of these 2 pix... one I took on top of the Eiffel Tower and the other of the Louvre. I wanted pix with very angular shapes in them.... we'll see how they develop.

Spring Arriving In Toronto

2008-04-16T07:47:00.002-04:00

Walking home from the gym last night was the first time I really felt like spring was actually arriving... bright skies, crisp air, and warm weather forecasts for the next few days. Phewf - about time!

Horses, Snow & Drama Drama

2008-04-14T22:33:00.010-04:00

Typical Bachelor....

"this birthday thing"

2008-04-14T21:50:00.003-04:00

...flown like a kite.

30

2008-04-11T07:25:00.020-04:00

So the day is here and thirty has arrived finally. For the past 6 months or so, I have been on and off consumed with turning 30... what it means, what it meant to others, what have I achieved, what haven't I? What does it mean to be female and unmarried with no kids at 30? I've read so much and talked so much that the day has arrived and I'm exhausted and relieved. I'm reading "Eat Pray Love" which has given me a great appreciation for the route I've taken in life so far. I was struggling to understand my life prior to reading this book but Elizabeth Gilbert has provided the perspective that I've been seeking for the past few months. It is amazing how much I can relate to her on so many facets of life...

From Chapter One - Italy or "Say It Like You Eat It" or 36 Tales About Pursuit of Pleasure:

To create a family with a spouse is one of the most fundamental ways a person can find continuity and meaning in American (or any) society. I rediscover this truth every time I go to a big reunion of my mother's family in Minnesota and I see how everyone is held so reassuringly in their positions over the years. First you are a child, then you are a teenager, then you are a young married person, then you are a parent, then you are retired, then you are a grandparent -at every stage you know how you are, you know what your duty is and you know where to sit at the reunion. Until at last you are sitting with the ninety-year-olds in the shade, watching over your progeny with satisfaction. Who are you? No problem -you're the person who created all this. The satisfaction of this knowledge is immediate, and moreover, it's universally recognized. How many people have I heard claim their children as the greatest accomplishment and comfort of their lives? It's the thing they can always lean on during a metaphysical crisis, or a moment of doubt about their relevancy -If I have done nothing else in this life, then at least I have raised my children well.

But what if, either by choice or by reluctant necessity, you end up not participating in this comforting cycle of family and continuity? What if you step out? Where do you sit at the reunion? How do you mark time's passage without the fear that you've frittered away your time on earth without being relevant? You'll need to find another purpose, another measure by which to judge whether or not you have been a successful human being. I love children, but what if I don't have any? What kind of person does that make me?

Virginia Woolf wrote, "Across the broad continent of a woman's life falls the shadow of a sword." On one side of that sword, she said, there lies convention and tradition and order, where "all is correct." But on the other side of that sword, if you're crazy enough to cross it and choose a life that does not follow convention, "all is confusion. Nothing follows a regular course."

...

By typing out this excerpt from her book does not in any way indicate that I don't want to have kids but the fact is that I don't yet have them so I can relate to her on this. Turning 30 has seemed to cause everyone to bring up the topic of kids... Do you want them? Do you see yourself having a family? blahblahblah Tick tick tock.

...

30 is here, wow, next.

1 Day & Counting...

2008-04-10T06:42:00.003-04:00

Reads

2008-04-09T20:48:00.007-04:00

I was a little hesitant but I just started reading Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I have loved every word so far and it seems like a really appropriate book to be reading as I reach the big 3-0 milestone.

Next up though, sTori Telling by Tori Spelling!

It Looks Bigger Than It Really Is... Trust Me

2008-04-09T16:43:00.013-04:00

This is my second time in Thunder Bay for work but my first time taking the Northern Ontario & Manitoba airline, Bearskin Airlines (aka. Scareskin). The plane really does look bigger in the picture below than it really is... you can't even come close to standing in it and you can practically touch the pilot. It wasn't as bad as everyone told me it would be however, the landing was quite an experience and I sure felt like I was flying! Good times - I feel so Canadian today.