March 10th, 2010
It’s so crazy that we women get so crazy about our weight.
I watched Sandra Bullock on Oprah yesterday. This was the After Oscars Party Special on the Oprah Winfrey Show. Sandra looked incredible in that gold dress. Her body looked fantastic. Oprah asked her what she had planned for the day now the Oscars were over. Sandra kind of said that after 3 months of hardly eating what she wanted to do was eat a large, juicy, burger.
I got on the scales this morning and shock and horror I am 4 lbs heavier than I am used to seeing. Where did these pounds come from? I was horrified. Well now let me just think about this for a moment. Last night I ate this delicious dessert called a hazelnut bomb. It’s basically a sticky, sweet chocolate cake with a single hazelnut on top. My husband and I share the small dessert by dividing it in half. I get this dessert at Fred Meyer and I before I even open my mouth to ask for it the woman behind the counter puts two in the dessert box and smiles sweetly at me. This is how often I buy it ( it’s every week practically ).
So how will I rid my body of these extra pounds? Well, I could reduce the amount of food I eat daily though I do not eat that much throughout the day. This evening we are having sausages and mashed potatoes with vegetables. What I’ll do is have a tiny amount of mash, sausage and lots of veg. I don’t drink alcohol during the week anymore and I hope to run tomorrow morning. I will get on the scales in a few days time and stop stressing about the damn 4 pounds and how many calories are in the dessert.
I don’t like to worry about weight and what the scales says but I do, I must admit. I just wished that more of us women would just feel good about ourselves and our different body sizes and be comfortable and happy with that. I know this is easier said than done.
When I go grocery shopping this week I think I will avoid the dessert section, for this week anyway.
Tags: happy, pounds, scales, size, weight
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March 8th, 2010
I love the Oscars and I love film. I am so pleased that Kathryn Bigelow won the best director award for the Hurt Locker. I am looking forward to the day, and I hope it is soon, when we don’t have to mention the fact that it is a woman who wins recognition for doing exceptional work as if only men are capable of such feats.
Now it’s March and the days are lighter. I am thrilled about this. I love that at 6pm it is still light outdoors. I also love that I can get up early and run if I choose to though with both kids at daycare in the morning I now have the option of running at normal hours (8.30 or 9.00 am ) in the morning rather than the ridiculous time of 6.30 am. It has to be this time of the morning if I have lots of errands or chores to do. I need to be back by 7 ish to get the kids up and ready for daycare.
I am also thinking about myself more now. I am thinking about my future, goals and career. I am playing well not exactly playing yet but learning some chords on my guitar. I would like to practice more but right now I am just happy to have actually picked up the guitar and started working on it. I am reading more too. I just finished reading The Catcher in the Rye and loved it. I am trying and so far succeeding in actually keeping up with goals I set myself at the start of the year. I know it’s only March, just three months into my new regime, but it going well.
I wish that I could say the same for my blog. I barely have the time to write let alone read all the wonderful blogs that are out there. I am amazed by the amount of work we women do on a daily basis and then blog on top of that.
Anyway, I am hoping to write more regularly. I haven’t been doing this blog a year yet and it would be great to get to a full year of blogging. This will be in April.
I am going to end a bit on how I started with an Oscar sounding acceptance speech. I wanted to work in film. I studied film and photography. I wanted to edit film and then I wanted to be a Director of Photography. I wish I had pursued it. Like anything you want in life no matter how ridiculous or huge or crazy it may seem or how small or silly it might be, to someone else, as long as you keep at it, keep going forward, it is possible to get there. Stick at it long enough and who knows what might happen.
Tags: career, future, goals, Oscars, Running
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February 27th, 2010
The weekend. So happy it is here. I haven’t written in about a week because I haven’t felt I had anything worthwhile to say.
I have been catching up with an old friend of mine that I recently talked to. She lives in the UK, London, where I am originally from.
We first spoke in October of last year. It had been twenty years since we last spoke. Twenty whole years have gone by. We talked about our vacation times in the Caribbean when we where young, free and single girls. Yippee!!
She recently went back to Antigua and saw a few of the guys we used to hang out with. Some are doing well and others not so well. It’s so fun reminiscing. We really had a ball of a time before settling down and having kids.
She now has a 10 year old son and me a 3 year old son and 19 month year old daughter.
Apart from catching up with old friends my newer ones, one in particular, is moving back to the East Coast of the US from Portland, Oregon to New York. Having worked here he is going back home to be closer to his son and extended family. I will miss him terribly.
When I first moved to Oregon from London a group of New Yorker’s, who worked with my husband , had moved to Oregon at the same time. He was one of those people. That was 4 years ago. A big group of us used to go out and party. This was before the kids came when we used to have a nap before going out at 11 pm and coming home at 4am.
A picture was taken after a boozy, great night out at a club we used to go to almost every Friday night. For the first time, about 3 months ago, I saw a photograph perfectly depicting these times. The picture included about 15 members of our group of party people. Looking at this picture was amazing because every single member of those people who started out a free and single lovelies are either married, engaged, with child, about to have child, have children or completely left the Oregon altogether. It blows my mind. We all looked so damn happy. It’s great picture. It was a great time.
After talking with my friend in the UK it brought back so many great memories. I am so happy to have experienced them.
Here’s hoping for future great times and memories.
Tags: friends, memories, party, photogragh, vacation
Posted in The Wife | No Comments »
February 22nd, 2010
The weekend started with Adam and I hauling more logs from the back of the house to the front. We have lots of wood for people from the trees that came down a couple of weeks ago.
The weather was gorgeous, mild at 58 degrees and sunny.
We decided that we would only spend about an hour and half bringing the logs around because we wanted to get out and enjoy the sunshine.
At eleven, we took the kids to the park and then came back and had lunch.
During the afternoon we went to our local park and had fun kicking a soccer ball around. I was actually surprised at how good Leo was with the ball. He kicked and kicked and ran and ran. It was non stop and he laughed and giggled the whole time.
On Sunday we spent most of the day outdoors too.
It was another lovely day.
It started with Leo and I going over to a neighbors to see if the girls wanted to play soccer with us. We played for about an hour and then came home for lunch.
After lunch Roma went to sleep. Leo, Adam and I went outdoors and saw our neighbors outside too. Leo went off and played with five year old Gina while we stood talking with her mom and dad. We were then joined by another neighbor whose daughter was napping but whose son was strapped to dad in the baby carrier. We talked and laughed about our yards mostly and the amount of work that needed doing. We were then joined by some more neighbors who had been gardening and decided to join in the chat. We stood chatting for about twenty minutes, until the wife of baby carrying dad, joined us. We had the whole street out. It was so fun. Adam got some beers another neighbor got some chocolate minty cookies and we continued to laugh and chat some more.
We had come out at 1.30 PM and it was nearly 4.00 PM when we finally parted and went indoors. In between we’d got babies and toddlers up from naps to join in the fun.
To top the day off Adam cooked dinner. He did a lovely steak and mash with asparagus tips dinner for us. It was delicious.
Adam and I played tennis on the WII. I finally beat him three games to two. I have never beat him. It was great.
We had such a fun weekend.
Tags: chat, fun, neighbors, outdoors, soccer, weekend
Posted in The Husband, The Wife, The kids | No Comments »
February 16th, 2010
It’s been a long weekend.
Leo nor Roma attend daycare on a Friday. Then came the weekend which was followed today with President’s Day. Adam went to work which left me with 4 whole days of the kids. I’m not complaining but I am looking forward to having a few hours to myself today.
It has been a busy weekend with Adam and I working on the yard and then placing an ad in Craigslist for free firewood. So far we have had over 30 people contact us. We let a foster parent come first. She along with one of the kids she fosters and a work colleague came early on Sunday morning and loaded up the back of the car with as much as they could fit in it.
Around lunchtime a couple came by. The wife had contacted us saying her husband had been out of work for awhile and they needed the firewood for heating. They came with a big truck and loaded up that vehicle with so much wood. Adam and I helped to pack the logs in. They left with huge smiles on their faces. They were so appreciative.
We have plenty of wood and plenty more of people to come.
Today, I didn’t want to arrange anyone coming by. I wanted to spend some time outdoors with the kids instead of waiting for people to arrive.
This morning, as soon as Adam left, I decided that we should go for a walk. I didn’t want to go to the park because it rained last night so the grass would be quite muddy.
Leo wanted to wear his firemen boots, as he calls them.
We headed down the hill in the opposite direction of the park when Leo asked where are we going. I told him for walk. Leo said he wanted to go to the park. I told him the slides and swings would be wet. He said he still wanted to go. We turned and came back up the hill and into the park.
I didn’t bring the stroller because Roma likes to walk outdoors now she can walk but not today. I ended up carrying her for more than an hour because she didn’t feel like walking at all. Leo didn’t mind going down the wet slides or sitting on the swings and playing with the two other boys he met there but Roma was having none of it.
We came home and I hosed down my muddy boots and Leo’s firemen boots. Roma’s shoes did not need cleaning. Not even a splash of mud touched her shoes. Lucky for her but unlucky for my lovely boots. Oh well.
Tags: craigslist, firewood, mud, park, walk
Posted in The Wife, The kids | 1 Comment »
February 12th, 2010
Valentine's card from Dani
Leo doesn’t go to daycare on Friday’s but today was his Valentine’s Day party so he would get to spend the morning at school.
Yesterday, when Adam was dropping him off, a little girl called Dani ran up to Leo gently pushing Adam out of the way. Dani gave Leo a great big hug, her arms open wide and embraced him tightly. Leo stood there motionless like he was saying why is this girl all over me. He played it totally cool in front of his classmates. Dani didn’t care. Dani smiled happily. Dani’s mom explained to Adam that Dani was so excited to see Leo. She comes home from daycare on Tuesday’s talking about Leo. Leo is now in the three’s class but Dani is in the two and half class. They used to be in the same class until Leo got moved up in January. Dani came to Leo’s class to see him before going to her class.
The love connection, for Dani at least, started on a Tuesday. Tuesday is Tumble Bus day. The bus comes by and for those parents who sign their kids up for it, the kids get to play on the bus for half an hour or so. The Tumble Bus is a school bus that has been converted into a comfy, padded out gym. The two of them play games and generally have fun tumbling.
Dani goes home and tells her mom all about her fun time with Leo. Leo has mentioned the name Dani to me a few times. The only reason I have remembered is because all the other names of his friends are boys. He must like her a bit too.
Before we left the house he asked me if he would see Dani today.
The boy played it cool in front of the girl who adores him but privately he was really looking forward to seeing her again.
Happy Valentine’s everyone.
Tags: boys, card, class, friends, girls, happy, valentines
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February 9th, 2010
Adam didn’t get home until 8.30 last night. He had dinner with his work colleagues downtown.
When I picked Leo up from school and came home, we spent 45 minutes watching the workmen cut down trees branches and then grind them up. Leo absolutely loved it and so did the other kids on our street.
( See previous post )
We didn’t get indoors until 5.45 which meant bath time and dinner was a little later than usual.
After dinner I put the TV on for half an hour while I tidied up. I then took Roma to our room to read stories like I always do at 7.30. Leo strolled in saying he had turned off the TV and wanted to read stories too. Normally, Adam reads Leo’s stories in Leo bedroom but as there was no Adam tonight it would be different.
I finished Roma’s books and then changed her diaper. Decided I may as well put Leo on the toilet so he could do his pee and then I brushed his teeth. We all went back to my room where I put Roma in her chair and she drank her milk and then I brushed her teeth.
Leo and I said goodnight to Roma and we both went to his room and I read stories. After stories I sat in the rocking chair while Leo lay in bed. We both heard the key in the front door. It was Adam who had come home earlier than I had expected. Leo was suddenly more alert and awake and once Adam pushed Leo’s bedroom door open that was it for Leo. He was now ready to go with his own stories to tell daddy about his day at school and coming home and seeing the workmen on the trees. I crept out of the room.
Adam left his room around 8.55. He put Roma into her crib as she was fast asleep. Leo was not. Adam told Leo to stay in his bed. Leo said he would. Leo did not. We had just settled down to watching 24 when we heard a small cry from Roma. We waited. We then heard a full blown cry from Roma. When I entered the room Leo was sat up in Roma’s crib. Roma was sitting up too. Crying. I took her back to our room and put her back in her chair. Adam put Leo back in his bed. He left a tearful, screaming Leo, in his room.
Thank God for the DVR. Adam was recording 24 anyway. We settled down again and at around 9.40 we put Roma back in her crib. Leo was sound asleep.
Normally sleep time for Leo is pretty good but because daddy wasn’t home to tuck him in and read stories it had completely thrown Leo from his usual routine.
It should all go smoothly tonight. Daddy’s coming straight home after work.
Tags: bedtime, crib, daddy, routine, stories
Posted in The Husband, The kids | 2 Comments »
February 8th, 2010
As I type this there are about 7 men outside my house cutting down dead trees, cutting back branches and generally making lots of noise and lots of mess.
We had three estimates last week and went with the final guy who just happened to be the cheapest.
Adam and I know nothing about trees and walked around our house nodding and saying okay when they each told us what we needed to do.
One of the huge trees has to go because it is causing cracks on the ground plus all the branches over hang our back deck which if a big storm came could tear our home in half. It’s sad that we are losing this tree but rather the tree than a life, right?
The other trees are smaller. I have always hated them because they look so sad like they want to die. I was so relieved when Mr tree expert said that they were dead and may as well be cut down.
I keep taking a peek at how the work is going.
The small trees have gone and it looks so bare and open out there. Oh my gosh. We can see clearly right over to the other side of the street. It seems so strange. I miss the trees already. I feel bad.
It will be long evening.
Adam is going to a work dinner with the rest of his team tonight. Lucky. This means that I will be putting both kids to bed. Normally Adam does Leo and I do Roma, in separate bedrooms. We have tried to put them down together but as they share a bedroom it’s so much easier if they are both asleep before taking Roma into the room.
Not sure what time Adam will stroll in tonight but he’s sure to get a shock when he sees the lack of trees at his house.
Tags: branches, cut, dead, trees
Posted in The House, The kids | 1 Comment »
February 4th, 2010
I want to play the guitar.
I studied for a year, many years ago but did not keep up with practicing once the course finished. I so wished I had.
It was actually the longest time I have played for.
When I came to live in the US. I actually brought my guitar with me on the plane. I didn’t have it shipped over with the rest of my belongings, which came months later but I carried it proudly with me from London to LA and then from LA to Portland Oregon. I was determined to play again soon.
Soon has turned into 4 years later.
My first year in the USA, Adam and I had fun socializing, going out, sleeping in late, going out…..
I made no time for my poor guitar which sat looking at me from the corner of the kitchen.
We made babies, I put the guitar in the closet and in the last 3 weeks brought it back out again.
I did attempt to start playing again but Leo my three year old thought he would give it a try and twang, broke a string.
I took it to a music shop. They mended it in on the same day. The guitar is sat a few feet away from me now.
I have decided to try online guitar classes. I will sign up for a month and take it from there. I am determined to play my guitar. My goal is to play before Leo does. Lol. He has already shown interest by running like mad, to get his guitar, if he sees a band on TV playing the instrument. He gets his toy guitar and plays along. It’s very funny. He is very serious.
I intend to start by next Monday when both kids are at daycare.
This is a goal I have set for myself in 2010.
Wish me patience and perseverance and luck too.
Tags: 2010, goal, guitar, instrument, play
Posted in The Wife | 2 Comments »
February 3rd, 2010
My 18 month old daughter has a few words now. Mostly these words have come from her big brother.
As soon as I collect Leo from daycare, around five o’ clock, I get both he and his sister, Roma, in the bath. I give them a wash and let them splash around and play for awhile. At this point I might make a quick dash to the kitchen to make sure the dinner isn’t burning and then dash back to give Roma her countdown time to getting out of the tub.
Lately, Roma has started to tell me that she hasn’t finished eating the bubbles or drinking the bath water from one of the plastic toys. I walk in to tell her it’s time to get out and she extends her arm out and shows me the palm of her hand shouting “Stop.” It is quite funny to see the expression on her face too. Can you believe that this little person is ordering me a grown adult out of the bathroom. This along with other quirky remarks have definitely come from her brother.
This morning at 6.55 am, Leo called out “daddy” from his and Roma’s shared room. He kept calling it out. This woke Adam up. I had woken about 10 minutes before hand. The next thing we heard was this tinier little voice mimicking what she had just heard, “daddy.” She said this over again and over again so we had the voice of Leo and then the echo to follow. Adam and I listened to this laughing.
The two of them have mini battles with struggles for toys mostly but tonight’s argument was over something else.
While eating dinner the feud began as to who would get the light blue cup or the dark blue cup. Leo wanted the light blue one. Roma wanted the light blue cup too. Actually, Roma had the light one first and when Leo said that was the one he wanted Roma held it tightly to her chest and screamed “mine” each and every time Leo complained for the cup. This episode went on for awhile.
All Adam and I wanted to do was laugh but we couldn’t, well not straight away. We had a little chuckle once they were watching TV. They were sat close together. The best of friends for the time being, anyway.
Tags: brother, friends, funny, kids, laugh, play, words
Posted in The kids | No Comments »
