Where I Am Right Now: Jan. 4, 2010

1.  Enjoying my last day of holidays, which have been both fun and relaxing.

2. Wishing I gave myself more time to just 'hang out.' The holidays were a good start.

3. Learning all I can about eating local, sustainable food.  I just finished reading the 100-Mile Diet, written by two Kitsilano locals.  Jason and Callie gave me two more books to read on the topic, and Glenys emailed me a list of where she shops locally for quality food.  Marc and I have also been watching BBC's 'Future of Food' on the globalisation of food.

4. About to 'strip' Kai's diapers for the first time...apparently it's detergent build-up that causes them to smell when he pees...parenthood - so much to learn!

5.  Processing our uncut Halloween pumpkins so I can use them in baking.  Who knew?!

6.  Leisurely working on my 'Journal Your Christmas' scrapbook.  It will be such a good memory-keeper.

7.  Realizing how Stay-at-Home Moms and Dads spend their time.  There is so much to do!  So much to try.  So much to learn.

8.  Noticing again how I'm definitely not a late-night person.  It wrecks my mojo...it takes a full day of napping to recover!

9.  Thinking about location vacationing in the summer rather than going to Spain.  Not wanting to miss out on the free airfare for Kai, though.

10.  Glad I have journaling in my life.  It centers me and makes me so much calmer.

For Today: December 13, 2009

Outside my window... snow gently falling, lightly covering the trees and the ground.

I am thinking...why am I so tired? All weekend I've felt exhausted.  Fighting illness? Recovering from non-stop schoolwork and Kai?

I am thankful for...spending time with Kai and Marc all weekend without thoughts of deadlines and what needs done.

From the kitchen... the beginnings of a pot roast, hot milky-sweet tea and dreams of Christmas baking to come.

I am wearing...jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and a red sweater...and of course, my slippers.

I am creating... more tiem to spend with my family, a Christmas scrapbook and a unit on Japan.

I am going...to enjoy being home with my family until my basketball game tonight.

I am reading... recipe books and Kai's books to him.

I am hoping...to gain some energy back.

I am hearing...the silence of snow on a background of Marc's electric drill as he makes our kitchen stool safe for Kai, with rails.

Around the house...I smell pine from our Christmas tree.

One of my favourite things...slowing down in preparation for the holidays.

A few plans for the rest of the week...get my Fluevogs repaired, go to the Family Place with Kai, plan my first week back after holiday so I can relax...

For Today: December 13, 2009

Outside my window... snow gently falling, lightly covering the trees and the ground.

I am thinking... why am I so tired? All weekend I've felt exhausted.  Fighting illness? Recoving from my non-stop schoolwork and work?

I am thankful for...spending time with Marc and Kai all weekend without thoughts of deadlines and what needs done.

From the kitchen...the beginnings of a pot roast, hot milky-sweet tea and dreams of Christmas baking to come.

I am wearing... jeans, a long sleeve t-shirt and a red sweater...and, of course, my slippers.

I am creating...more time to spend with my family, a Christmas scrapbook and a unit on Japan.

I am going...to enjoy being home with my family until my basketball game tonight.

I am reading...recipe books and Kai's books to him.

I am hoping...to gain some energy back.

I am hearing...the silence of snow on a background of Marc's electric drill as he make our kitchen stool safe, with rails for Kai.

Around the house...I smell pine from our Christmas tree.

One of my favourite things...slowing down in preparation for the holidays..

A few plans for the rest of the week...get my Fluevogs repaired, go the the Family Place with Kai, plan my first week back after holidays so I can relax...

For Today: November 21st, 2009

Outside my window... it is so dark that I can only see the reflection of the ceiling light in the glass.  It is pouring rain and the sound soothes me.

I am thinking... I should write more often.  It's comforting and clarifying.

I am thankful for... quiet nights, a warm house.

From the kitchen...a slow-cooker meal of Captain's Curry Chicken over rice, with fresh-buttered bread and orange juice...the first day of slow-cooker Saturdays.

I am wearing... an Orb hoodie, Lululemon still pants and slippers.  Oh, comfort.


I am creating... a space of peace, joy and order.  I need practice before bringing another baby into this world.

I am going...to get used to the idea of travel-near-home for awhile.

I am reading...Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg.

I am hoping... for nothing right now.  Just enjoying the moment.

I am hearing... the hockey game, as Marc is streaming it on the computer in front of me.

Around the house...there are remnants of Kai playing - a ride-on car, a shoe, bouncy ball, books...

One of my favourite things...hearing Kai happily babbling to himself in his crib.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish up report cards, bake something, play with Kai.

For Today: November 21, 2009

Outside my window... it is so dark that I can only see the reflection of the ceiling light in the glass.  It is pouring rain and the sound soothes me.

I am thinking... I should write more often.  It's comforting and clarifying.

I am thankful for... quiet nights, a warm house.

From the kitchen... a slow-cooker meal of Captain's Curry Chicken over rice, with fresh-buttered bread and orange juice.  The first of slow cooker Saturdays.

I am wearing... an Orb hoodie, Lululemon still pants and slippers.  Oh, comfort!

I am creating... a space of peace, joy, and order.  I need practice before bringing another baby into the world.

I am going... to get used to the idea of travel-near-home for awhile.

I am reading... Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within by Natalie Goldberg.

I am hoping... for nothing right now.  Just enjoying the moment.

I am hearing...the hockey game, as Marc is streaming on the computer in front of me.

Around the house...there are remnants of Kai playing - a ride-on car, a shoe, a bouncy ball, books...

One of my favourite things... hearing Kai happily babbling to himself in his crib.

A few plans for the rest of the week...finish up report cards, bake something, play with Kai.

Where I am Right Now

1.  Feeling creative and again realizing how important creativity-time is for me to feel calm, happy and balanced.

2.  Finally beginning to see the possibility of balance between work, school, family and me-time.

3.  Just at the end of my fascination with the series True Blood.  Vampires have creeped me out and given me bad dreams my whole life, yet based on the high recommendation of Catherine, I thought I'd give it one more shot.  I enjoyed the drama, but one season was enough.

4.  I'm experimenting with acrylics again...at some point, some instruction would probably be valuable.  I really love the texture and richness.  Next I hope to try different brush sizes.

5.  Listening to the large machinery outside of our house.  They've been doing sewer upgrades and road repairs for so long that I can't remember when they started.

6.  Thinking that this is a great idea to do with my graduate work and also with my students.

7.  Kai is growing and changing in so many ways.  He always is, but right now seems pretty big.  He is only taking one nap a day.  He has almost mastered eating with a spoon.  He loves sitting himself in chairs.  He loves walking, "running", and climbing.  He wants hugs and cuddles often.  He's saying: hi, ball, car, mama and daddy often.  He's fake crying.  Such an adventure.

8.  Focusing on SIMPLICITY.

9.  Trying to organize and live by the idea: A place for everything and everything in its' place.

10.  Really, really enjoying alone, quiet time.

Where I am Right Now

1.  Feeling creative and again realizing how important creativity-time is for me to feel calm, happy and balanced.

2.  Finally beginning to see the possibility of balance between work, school, family and me-time.

3.  Just at the end of my fascination with the series True Blood.  Vampires have creeped me out and given me bad dreams my whole life, yet based on the high recommendation of Catherine, I though I'd give it one more shot.  I enjoyed the drama, but one season was enough.

4.  I'm experimenting with acrylics again...at some point, some instruction would probably be valuable.  I really love the texture and richness.  Next I hope to try different brush sizes.

5.  Listening to the large machinery outside of our house.  They've been doing sewer upgrades and road repairs for so long that I can't remember when they started.

6.  Thinking that this is a great idea to do wit my graduate work and also with my students...

7.  Kai is growing and changing in so many ways.  He always is, but right now he seems pretty big.  He is only taking one nap a day.  He has almost mastered eating with a spoon.  He loves sitting in chairs.  He loves walking, 'running', and climbing.  He wants hugs and cuddles often.  He's saying hi, ball, car, mama and daddy often.  He's fake crying.  Such an adventure.

8.  Focusing on SIMPLICITY.

9.  Trying to organize and live by the idea: A place for everything, and everything in it's place.

10.  Really, really enjoying alone, quiet time.